SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

ANGELS

Hebrews 13:2.....Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Revelations 1:1 .....The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John

Revelations 22:6-7 .....And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place." ^{7 "See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."}

Mat 25:31 .....When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

 

Psalm 91:11 .....For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Psa 103:20 .....Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word.

Luke 1:12-15 .....When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 2:10-11 ....But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

 

 

 

About Angels

Because the heavenly host reminds that in everything, everywhere in life we have to do with the spiritual, the single most important thing any of us can do is pray. Because we are dealing with the spiritual whenever we deal with any aspect or dimension of life, the quintessential human act is prayer.

Because the angels bear witness to God, always pointing away from themselves to him whom they serve, the most angelic character the world has seen is John the Baptist. John lived only to point away from himself to Jesus Christ. John neither wanted nor expected an honorary degree nor a civic reception nor public recognition nor a special fuss made of him. He wanted only to direct everyone's attention away from himself to his Lord, saying, "He must increase and I must decrease".

Because the angels magnify the glory of God on earth, therefore the earth, the world, human history are never ultimately bleak. Evil-ridden, yes; pain-ridden, yes; incapable of saving themselves, yes. Nevertheless because "our great God and Saviour" (to quote Paul) cherishes his creation, and because the angels magnify God's glory on earth, God's glory in our world, God's glory in the midst of our history, our situation is never finally bleak. For that glory which the angels find everywhere we are given eyes to see here and there, and one day we too shall see it everywhere as the kingdom of God, hidden now, is made manifest to all.

When next you come upon the word "angel" you will know that either it refers to "the angel of the Lord", God himself acting as his own messenger, stamping himself unmistakably upon us and altering us forever after; or the word "angel" refers to that spirit-creature whose witness to God is unambiguous just because its service of God is unrelenting. Then you must think of the heavenly host, myriads of angels which surround us especially during those episodes when our own resources are slender and only the resources of him who sustained his Son will do for us. And then you must remember that wherever we struggle in life, our struggle is finally spiritual, and will be until that day when the earth is no longer troubled and the kingdom of God has eclipsed the kingdoms of this world for ever and ever.

Victor A. Shepherd

 

 

 

 

The magnitude of life is overwhelming. Angels are here to help us take it peace by peace. ~Levende Waters

While we are sleeping, angels have conversations with our souls. ~Author Unknown

Friends are kisses blown to us by angels. ~Author Unknown

It is not because angels are holier than men or devils that makes them angels, but because they do not expect holiness from one another, but from God alone. ~William Blake

I wear a coat of angels' breath and warm myself with His love. ~Emme Woodhull-Bäche

Angels have no philosophy but love. ~Adeline Cullen Ray

Angels are all around us, all the time, in the very air we breathe. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

When we worship God, our angels add their prayers and turn our single voices into hundred-part harmony. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

 

DAILY OM...Universal Timing

 

Life’s Natural Rhythm

Nature’s natural rhythms orchestrate when day turns to night, when flowers must bloom, and provides the cue for when it is time for red and brown leaves to fall from trees. As human beings, our own inner rhythm is attuned to this universal sense of timing. Guided by the rising and setting of the sun, changes in temperature, and our own internal rhythm, we know when it is time to sleep, eat, or be active.

While our minds and spirits are free to focus on other pursuits, our breath and our heartbeat are always there to remind us of life’s pulsing rhythm that moves within and around us.

Moving to this rhythm, we know when it is time to stop working and when to rest. Pushing our bodies to work beyond their natural rhythm diminishes our ability to renew and recharge. A feeling much like jet lag lets us know when we’ve overridden our own natural rhythm. When we feel the frantic calls of all we want to accomplish impelling us to move faster than is natural for us, we may want to breathe deeply instead and look at nature moving to its own organic timing: birds flying south, leaves shedding, or snow falling.

A walk in nature can also let us re-attune is to her organic rhythm, while allowing us to move back in time with our own. When we move to our natural rhythm, we can achieve all we need to do with less effort.

We may even notice that our soul moves to its own internal, natural rhythm – especially when it comes to our personal evolution. Comparing ourselves to others is unnecessary. Our best guide is to move to our own internal timing, while keeping time with the rhythm of nature.

What do you think?

 

DAILY OM...A Gift Of The Heart

Letting People Know You Love Them

 

It’s easy to take our feelings for granted and to assume that the people we care about know how we feel about them. But while those we love are often quite cognizant of our feelings, saying "I love you" is a gift we should give to our loved ones whenever we can.

Letting people know you love them is an important part of nurturing any kind of loving relationship. Few people tire of being told they are loved, and saying "I love you" can make a world of difference in someone’s life, take a relationship to a new level, or reaffirm and strengthen a steady bond. Everyone needs to hear the words "I love you."

Three simple words – I - Love - You. When you declare your love for someone you admit to them that you care for them in the most significant way.

It can be difficult to express your love using words, particularly if you grew up around people that never expressed their affection verbally. But you should never be afraid to say "I love you" or worry that doing so will thrust you into a position of excessive vulnerability. It is important to share your feelings with those that matter to you.

Part of the fulfillment that comes with loving someone is telling them that you love them. Besides, love exists to be expressed, not withheld.

If you love someone, let them know. Don’t be afraid of the strength of your emotions or worry that your loved one won’t feel the same way. Besides, the words "I love you" are often best said to another without expectation of a return investment. As each one of us is filled with an abundance of love, there is never any worry that you’ll run out of love if your expression of love isn’t said back to you.

Saying, "I love you" is a gift of the heart sent directly via words to the heart of a recipient.

Even though it may not always look that way, love from the heart is an offering that is always unconditional and given without strings attached. That is the true essence of the gift of "I love you."

What do you think?

DAILY OM.....The Day's Closing

Evenings

From the beginning of time, a richly colored twinge of dusk touching the eastern horizon, the lengthening of shadows, and the appearance of the evening’s first star have let us know that it was time to rest, relax, and retire from the pressures of the day.

For human beings and other living things that tend to be most active in daylight, evenings can be less hectic and more relaxing, as we prepare for sleep and spend quality time with our loved ones.

But evenings are about much more than dinner and the feel of a cool, soft pillow. Evenings are a wonderful time to catalog the events of the day without distraction, to revel in gentle solitude or silence, to end the day in serenity, and to commune with your inner self.

There are many ways to turn the evening into a nurturing and soul enriching experience. A simple stroll through the realms of dusk and darkness can show you two different worlds: one winding down and one just coming to life. In the evening, the sounds we humans make begin to diminish, and the sounds of earth’s more nocturnal creatures and nature itself become more apparent.

As night slowly falls, scents change, and the smell of the soil and greenery become magnified. Sky gazing in the evenings can be a meditative activity – one that reminds us that we are only one part of an infinitely complex and vast universe. Each night, the different phases of the moon show us the passage of time and the waxing and waning of life, as its glowing visage – whether in the shape of a circle, crescent, or a smile –bathes the world in an ethereal, wistful glow.

As crickets chirp and night birds cry out, evening rituals and routines can make your day feel complete, help you unwind from the day’s busyness, and pave the way for rejuvenating sleep.

Rituals and routines help you say goodnight to the present day, so you can look forward to the next one.

While the sun sets, try doing a series of stretches, lighting some candles, or watching the daylight fade. The soothing, natural beauty of each evening can be your backdrop, as you meditate, quiet your soul, and relax into the peace and stillness that can be found at day’s end.

What do you think?

Sundays With Joyce

THANKSGIVING

 

Psalm 9:1...

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

 

Psalm 50:23...

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!"

 

Psalm 92:1...

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High

 

Psalm 100:4...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

 

Psalm 105:1-2...

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

 

Philippians 4:6...

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God

 

 

 

 

In recent years, people have begun to call Thanksgiving by another name, Turkey Day. I have always found this name a bit peculiar. On other holidays like Columbus Day, George Washington's Birthday, and Memorial Day, we pay our respects to those we are remembering, but on Turkey Day we kill and eat them, rather like cannibals having a People Day.

There's a reason—a disturbing reason—for the name change. When people sit down before the great feast on Thanksgiving Day, they still sense that they ought to bow their heads and give thanks. Yet people today would rather forget God. They would like to suppress the feeling on Thanksgiving that God deserves their gratitude. So, they are trying to discard the name Thanksgiving and to forsake the traditions on this holiday which kept God at the center.

Why are so many ungrateful to God for His blessings? The fundamental reason is that we are too prosperous. After the exodus from Egypt, God told the nation of Israel that He was leading them to a desirable land already prepared for their habitation. It would be a land overflowing with milk and honey, a land filled with strong cities that others had built and with vineyards and with olive groves that others had planted. So, after occupying the land, they could expect a life of prosperity. But God warned them that with prosperity would come the danger of forgetting God. They would be tempted to look around at their wealth and say to themselves, "By our hands, by our labor, we have achieved this, we have built a good life for ourselves." They would take credit for what God had given them.

The same mentality exists in America today. We enjoy unprecedented prosperity, and yet we fail to recognize that its source is God. Why? We take our wealth for granted. We feel we deserve it. We imagine that we created it. It is a funny thing about human beings that they are more thankful when they are suffering poverty than when they are enjoying plenty.

 

 

'Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I know each of us can think of things we don't have, but the challenge today, is to thank God for what we 'do' have.

Everyone who is able to read this this morning has something to be grateful for. Have you thanked God lately? The blessings we receive throughout the year, like our families, our health, good friends, old and new. Sunlight each day, the rain, the moon, tress, and the beauty all around us, that we take for granted. Consider our eyes, our arms, legs, and the ability to walk back and forth to work, and to play. To be able to hug our children, and talk to them. Ears to hear their cries, and laughter. The list goes on and on...

Let us take a moment in this season of Thanks and Giving, who makes it all possible.'

 

 

 

I’m Thankful for You

Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!

By Joanna Fuchs