SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

 

SACRIFICE

 

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep...As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the
Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other
sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must
bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one
fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me,
because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No
man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have
power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.
This commandment have I received of my Father."
John 10:11, 15-18, KJV

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends."
John 15:13, KJV

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life."
John 3:16, KJV

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down
his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren."
1 John 3:16, KJV

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In
this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that
God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might
live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation
for our sins."
1 John 4:8-10, KJV

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will
one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even
dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:6-8, KJV

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,
nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39, KJV

 

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What Is My Best?

I set before the Lord my heart's request.
How shall He answer me? How shall He speak?
"Seek ye my face." Thy face, Lord, I will seek.
And when I find Thy face, I find Thy rest,
Thy sacrifice, Thy love, Christ manifest.
But Thou art strong, O Lord, and I am weak,
so lift me up and lead me to the peak
where Thou shalt also sacrifice my best.
What is my best? It is my heart's desire,
the promise, now fulfilled, Thou wouldst provide.
But Father, I behold the wood and fire,
the cross where Jesus Christ the Lamb hath died,
and now I know what mercy must require -
a living sacrifice, yet crucified.
~ by Michael Rew

 

Now Give Us Charity

If we will live, let's be conservative,
live frugally, save faithfully, and serve,
and what we do not need to live, reserve
for those in need, and liberally give.
This is His will. Conserve, cooperative.
We have received what we do not deserve,
so let us give. His goodness will preserve.
Live simply so that all may simply live.*
Christ, give us hearts of liberality.
Our Father gave us His begotten Son,
the precious Firstborn of His Family,
His greatest given Gift, His Only One.
Now give us faith and hope and charity.
Although it is a cross, Thy will be done.
~ by Michael Rew

 

 

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The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.

The remarkable thing is that we really love our neighbor as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. We hate others when we hate ourselves. We are tolerant toward others when we tolerate ourselves. We forgive others when we forgive ourselves. We are prone to sacrifice others when we are ready to sacrifice ourselves.

 

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

DAILY OM....Boldly Growing Into Your Own

 

 

Fear of the Future

Though much human fear is based on uncertainty, foreknowledge does not always ease the mind.

It is often when our futures look brightest that our resolve crumbles and we veer off course. We can recognize that success is on the horizon, but we cannot discern how it will impact our lives.

Because success can affect us in complex and unpredictable ways, taking us out of the status quo and pushing us into new circumstances that test our limits, the mere idea of attaining the life of our dreams can shake us to the core. Fear of the future is often closely intermingled with the fear that growing into your own potential will both change you irrevocably and force you to face situations that you aren’t ready for.

It is normal to unconsciously project ahead into the future and see success as a great weight bearing down on you. It is important to remember, however, that all the life changes the future will bring will be implemented into your life slowly and gradually.

When we visualize the future, we tend to focus on outcomes rather than the steps we will take to reach those conclusions. Thus, we may forget that growth is progressive.

Your soul longs to fulfill its purpose—a purpose you agreed to in the timelessness in which you existed before your birth. Because of this, neither you nor the universe will set any circumstance before you that you are not capable of handling.

Fear of the future can paralyze you, preventing you from living in the moment and from working toward your goals in a mindful manner. The key to conquering this fear lies in awareness. When you can identify the irrational thoughts that frighten you, you can replace them with logical, self-affirming ideas.

If you are afraid that you won’t be satisfied when you accomplish a certain goal, remember that no one achievement represents an end in and of itself. And if you fear recognition or feel unworthy, consider that even now you are deserving of praise.

Should fear of the future strike you as you strive to create, to excel, to grow, and to evolve, assert your courage. Assume that your fear is based on a false assumption and quell it with facts. Try to disregard past patterns and focus on the present by stilling the inner voice that comments critically on all you do.

Tell yourself that the inevitability of your success is based not on luck or a universal mistake but on your already established talents, drive, imagination, and inner strength.

Each time you overcome your fear of the future, you chip away at its very foundations.

Eventually, you will clear a gap through which you can gaze upon the future with unhindered optimism.

 

What do you think about this?

DAILY OM....Parts Of The One

Ants And Bees, A Metaphor

When we see ants and bees out in the world, we often see just one, but this belies the reality of their situation. More than any other species, ants and bees function as parts of a whole. They cannot and do not survive as individuals; they survive as members of a group, and the group’s survival is the implicit goal of each individual’s life.

There is no concept of life outside the group, so even to use the word individual is somewhat misleading.

Often, humans, on the other hand, strongly value individuality and often negatively associate ants and bees with a lack of independence. And yet, if we look closer at these amazing creatures, we can learn valuable lessons about how much we can achieve when we band together with others to work for a higher purpose.

Most ants and bees have highly specified roles within their communities, some of which are biologically dictated, and they work within the confines of their roles without complaint, never wishing to be something other than what they are. In this way, they symbolize self-knowledge and humility.

They also display selfless service as they work for the common good.

In many ways, they are like the individual cells of one body, living and dying as necessary to preserve the integrity of the whole body, not to protect themselves as individuals. In this way, ants personify the ability to see beyond one’s small self to one’s place within the greater whole, and the ability to serve this whole selflessly.

Ants and bees can inspire us to fully own what we have to offer and to put it to use in the pursuit of a goal that will benefit all of humanity, whether it be raising consciousness about the environment, feeding the hungry, or raising a happy child.

Each one of us has certain talents we were born with, as well as skills we have acquired. When we apply these gifts, knowing that we are one part of a greater organism working to better the whole world, we honor and implement the wisdom of ants and bees.

What do you think?

 

 

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

The Joy of the Lord

 

Deuteronomy 12:18..... Instead, you are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose--you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns--and you are to rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you put your hand to.

Psalm 4:7..... You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.

Psalm 16:9..... Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

Psalm 28:7...... The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Luke 2:10....... But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Acts 8:39.....When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Romans 12:12..... Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Colossians 5:16..... Be joyful always;

James 4:13...... But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

 

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HEAVEN #2280 In the Mood for God

God said:

Joy begets joy. Let joy be the theme of your life. Let it be your byline, your password, your entry into Heaven. Let Us not be snobbish about joy. Joy does not have to be of the Highest. There is joy also in entertainment. Just bear in mind that joy is not mere entertainment. Joy is an entry, not an exit.

Joy does not have to jump up and down. Joy can be like the quiet reading of a bedtime story. It does not have to be a performance. There is great joy with Me, beloveds, when you are in the mood for God.

Of course, sometimes you think I interfere with your life, get in the way, cause obstructions. Truly, beloveds, there is no need for Me to do that. I clear your path. You throw your own stumbling-blocks, will you concede this? You have some short-sightedness or long-sightedness that obstructs your view. Nevertheless, keep going, beloveds. When it comes to life, you cannot predict accurately. You just have to skip along, on one foot and then the other, and see what comes.

But joy is not meant to be dependent on what occurs in life. And that’s where I come in. Your awareness of your closeness to Me gives you great joy. It is also called peace. Not merely an end to arms, but a settling in, as in a warm bed at night when there is frost outside. I am indeed your Comforter. Of course, I am much more than that. I am your Joy-Giver. I will exhilarate you. I will raise you high. And you will come along with Me gladly, for I take you to a treasure-trove of joy. I always have it. And I always have it to give, and to give to you. Follow Me. I will take you where you want to be. You may not know the name nor where it is exactly. That doesn’t matter. You can know that I know the way very well, and I know where you are setting out for, and I know how to get you there. This is what it means to trust in Me. I know the power of the heart, and I know the power of yours, while you try to fathom the unfathomable..

There is no problem to solve, beloveds. It is just for you to proceed, one foot after the other. Follow your eyes, beloveds. Look up, and go where your eyes take you. The Magis followed a star. Look up at the night sky. There will be a star waiting for you to follow it. The star is in your heart as well as in the sky. Actually, you have many stars to follow. Take your pick. They are all there for you. You can take one at a time or all at once. All the stars are leading you Heavenward. Stones at your feet do not, although even stones at your feet that trip you are giving you the sky to look at. Is there a more beautiful sight?

You have been seeking the stars for a long time and yet have perhaps forgotten to look up. The stars are peepholes that will lead you to Me. They light the way for you. The stars will captivate you. Study them with your own eyes as an astronomer might, and just receive the balm of their light. Star light, star bright. Beloveds, you are your own joy.

 

 

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Do not judge men by mere appearances; for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy.

Give not over thy soul to sorrow; and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel. Gladness of heart is the life of man and the joyfulness of man is length of days.

During [these] periods of relaxation after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight.

I've grown to realize the joy that comes from little victories is preferable to the fun that comes from ease and the pursuit of pleasure.

May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.

Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

DAILY OM....Allowing Others To be

 

Controlling Behavior

We all know what it’s like to want to be in control. In some ways, exerting control is an important survival skill. For example, we have every right to be in control of our own bodies and our own lives. Taking control in these cases is empowering and necessary. Controlling behavior in the negative sense comes from a tendency to reach beyond our own boundaries and into the lives of others.

Many people do this with the rationalization that they are helping. This can happen with parents who are still trying to force their grown children into behaving in ways that they find acceptable. It can also happen when people try to control their partners’ behavior. If you have control issues, you will see that in one or more areas of your life, you feel the need to interfere with what is happening rather than just allowing events to unfold.

Almost everyone has at least one situation or relationship in which they try to exert control. This often happens because someone’s behavior makes us uncomfortable. We may feel it makes us look bad, or it embarrasses us. For example, if your best friend tends to drink too much, you might spend an entire party just trying to prevent her from doing so. This is different from directly confronting her about the problem and allowing her to decide what she should do.

Controlling behavior generally goes hand in hand with an unwillingness to be direct about what you want, as well as an inability to let go and let people live their own lives. If you are the one that is controlling, it’s probably because you literally feel as if you are out of control and it scares you.

Try to pick one thing you could just let unfold without any control on your part. Examine how it made you feel both before and after, and examine why you wanted to control the situation.

It is hard sometimes to allow others to be who they are, especially if we feel we know what’s best for them and we see them making choices we wouldn’t make. However, if we are to be respectful and truly loving, we have to let people go, trusting that they will find their own way in their own time and understanding that it is their life to live.

Just reminding yourself that the only life you have to live is your own is the first step to letting go.

 

What do you think about this...?

DAILY OM.....A Small Piece Of Heaven

 

Tree House

There is no greater way to escape the troubles of daily life than to ascend into the welcoming embrace of a tree house. Like a bird in its nest, we feel held and safe in the branches, cloaked within a curtain of green leaves. Here we can breathe more freely and think more clearly, our hearts and brains fed by the oxygen released by the leaves.

We float above the everyday world of the ground, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of all that remains below.

We may choose to be alone or we may invite a special friend to join us. Either way, this is our private world in which we get to decide who comes and goes.

It is our haven where we can fully be who we are, shed the masks required by the world below, and reveal our most hidden secrets, dreams, and desires. It is also an ideal vantage point on the life that continues below the branches.

Often, a new view of a situation is just what we need to answer a difficult question, solve a challenging problem, or see something we’ve been missing. It is as if we have ascended into the heavens and are able to tap into a higher awareness.

We can draw on this airy energy to revitalize us, relax us, and feed us new ideas. When we descend, we are ready to enter the world again, cleaner, clearer, and often more inspired.

If you haven’t been in a tree house for a while, now may be the time to make one for yourself or find one you can borrow.

If you can’t find or create an actual tree house, think of other venues that could provide the same experience—a rooftop perch, a quiet spot in a grove of trees on a hilltop, a light-filled attic.

Or just close your eyes and visualize yourself ensconced in your perfect home in the branches of your favorite tree.

 

 

What do you think about this?

Is there a place where you go to get away from it all..?

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

 

Philippians 1:2-3  "Her children arise and call her blessed;"

Proverbs 31:28  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God upon every remembrance of you.

Psalm 8:2  "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise"

Phillippians 1:15  "I thank God every time I remember you."

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

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More Than A Mother

When God set the world in place,
when He hung the stars up in space,
when He made the land and the sea,
then He made you and me.
He sat back and saw all that was good,
He saw things to be as they should.
Just one more blessing He had in store;
He created a mother, but whatever for?
He knew a mother would have a special place
to shine His reflection on her child's face.
A mother will walk the extra mile
just to see her children smile.
She'll work her fingers to the bone
to make a house into a home.
A mother is there to teach and guide,
a mother will stay right by your side.
She'll be there through your pain and strife,
she'll stay constant in your life.
A mother will lend a helping hand
until you have the strength to stand.
She'll pick you up when you are down,
when you need a friend she'll stick around.
A mother is one who listens well,
will keep her word; will never tell.
A mother never pokes or pries
but stands quietly by your side,
giving you the strength you need,
encouraging you to succeed.
A mother is one who can be strong
when you need someone to lean on.
You're more than a mother to me;
a reflection of Him in your face I see,
a love that knows no boundaries.
I'm glad that you chose to be
all this and more to me.
You share a love that knows no end,
you're more than my mother,
you are my friend.

Kari Keshmiry

 

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A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. ~Honoré de Balzac

My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune. ~Graycie Harmon

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

The Be-Attitudes For Today’s World

 

Matthew 5.1-10

1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them, saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

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" We Humans are at our best when we enjoy poetry....

Sometimes all you need is to reflect in your mind
one poem that says,

" I can make it through."

Maya Angelou

 

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What is life?

Life is a gift, accept it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is a mystery, unfold it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a struggle, face it.
Life is beauty, praise it.
Life is a puzzle, solve it.
Life is opportunity, take it.
Life is sorrowful, experience it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a goal, achieve it.
Life is a mission, fulfill it.

Author Unknown

 

 

 

A Blessing for Happiness

May everyone be happy and safe,

and may their hearts be filled with joy.

May all living beings live in Security and in Peace--

beings who are frail or strong,

tall or short, big or small,

visible or not visible, near or far away,

already born or yet to be born.

may all of them dwell in perfect tranquility.

Let no one do harm to anyone.

Let no one put the life of anyone in danger.

Let no one, out of anger or ill will,

wish anyone any harm.

Metta Sutta (Stuttanipata)

Translated by Thich Nhat Hahn

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The Tempest

The storm rages relentlessly for days.
Black clouds fill the sky
with permeating darkness. Depression
Sadness
Loneliness. The rains come, softly at first
Like gentle tears
Comforting, caring, caressing.
Without warning turning
into torrents of pain. The rivers swell,
filled by the downpour
Overflowing the banks
Creating devestation,
Causing destruction. Anger
Fury
Raging waters. The rains finally cease.
The clouds begin to part
and blue skies emerge.
At long last the sun
and with it
a Rainbow. Hope
Peace
Renewal Everything will be all right.