Posts Tagged ‘joy’

Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, December 11th, 2012

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

What is your favorite part of Christmas?

I’ll get us started …

My favorite part of Christmas is the very heart of its existence. The fact that we have joy, peace, comfort, and hope through the Savior we so desperately need. No other religion has a god like Thee God. Our God is the only one that doesn’t say we have to earn His love, forgiveness, grace, or eternal life. In fact, He says that we can’t! It’s a gift He gives us, and it came in the humble form of a baby in Bethlehem long ago who ended up paying the ultimate price for all of our sins that death would lose its sting, and we would have hope in a dark and broken world.

That is what Christmas is about – true hope and joy that penetrates and permeates the very soul. The ultimate gift that can’t help but make us want to burst out in song, praise, and laughter. That makes us want to spread cheer and extend that same love and generosity that was extended to us when we least deserved it.

While I love the lights, carols, trees, movies, hot cocoa, baking, and presents, they are shadows in the light of the greatest, most amazing, timeless gift of all – Jesus, our Immanuel, God with us.

Okay, it’s your turn!

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

 

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Talking Tuesday

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

Share your thoughts, feelings, and stories as well as respond to others regarding these questions:

When do you and your spouse decorate for Christmas? If you’re single, when do you decorate for Christmas?

I’ll get us started …

This may be controversial, but my husband I typically put out all of our Christmas decorations (minus the tree because we get a live one) the first weekend of November. It’s not that we are overlooking Thanksgiving because that’s a holiday that we both love as well. It’s just that we both absolutely love Christmas … every little thing about it! Plus, we do a lot of traveling to see our spread-out families over the months of November and December, so we want to make sure we maximize enjoying our decorations.

Honestly, Christmas makes me so joyful. The whole message and reason for Christmas makes me well up with all sorts of emotions. There’s something about Christmas that just doesn’t happen any other time of year, so in our house, we eek out every little ounce of the season we can.

Okay, it’s your turn!

If you have a question you would like to see asked in our weekly Talking Tuesday discussions, we want to know what it is! Just contact us with your idea!

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

 

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Noteworthy: O Holy Night

Monday, December 19th, 2011

By Ashley McIlwain

Christmas is an ideal opportunity to reflect on life – the years past and the years yet to come. Sometimes those reflections come with delight of memories made and anticipation for the future. Other times these thoughts are filled with painful realities and fear of what’s to come. And others may feel so swamped that the thought of pausing for pensiveness is laughable.

Everyone feels differently about Christmas as well as taking inventory of events gone by. What I’ve found is that life is unpredictable. It’s filled with joys and sorrows, wonderment and frustration, pain and ecstasy, hope and discouragement. A long time ago I gave up on asking, “Why?” In exchange, I’ve learned to be content and hold steadfast to my faith in Jesus Christ.

Christmas, whether you believe so or not, is the most wonderful time of the year. It brings joy, hope, and love to any and every life and situation. We were given the ultimate gift of salvation by the most loving and powerful God when we were least deserving. John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

We all need the message of Christmas to dwell deep within our very souls to give us hope, joy, and the purpose of life. One way I fill my mind and heart with these promises is through songs that profess them. O Holy Night is just that type of song. Each year this song fills my heart, mind, and soul with the truth and miracle of Christmas. May it do the same for you.

I’ve included a video of my favorite version of the song as well as the lyrics with my favorite lines bolded.

 

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

 

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger, 
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

 

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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My Christmas Lists

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

That moment you catch a glimpse of the box underneath the wrapping is when your smile gets about 10x bigger AND you just might scream. This means that someone actually did listen to what you wanted and took the time to get it just for you. Giving during Christmas is such a joy, but at times, people lose sight of why they give. It isn’t to secure a gift for yourself or get that tax write-off for a donation; it’s all about the birth of the man we’re celebrating and how we can share that joy with someone. 

Though there are a few things that I have on my Christmas List, none are things that I actually need. But, when asked what I want for Christmas, I reply with: Josh Groban’s Illuminations, Crest white-strips , and maybe gym shoes. During the holidays, being on a budget and staying realistic about what I need and what I want at a store makes me quickly walk out the door. For if I myself am not willing to spend my own money on something, there’s no need to ask for someone else to get it for me instead. Not only does my wallet sigh in relief, but I always think, “…be content with what you have says the Lord” (Hebrews 13:5).

As I spread that joy, I anticipate for my Christmas to be slightly different this year. The joy from this contentment is what inspired me to make a Christmas Give List. This is a version of my own Christmas List but in reverse. This means that I will give away things similar to what I want to someone else instead. Items such as: a few clothing items I have never worn to buying a few packs of Colgate toothbrushes to donate. Even partnering up with an organization – such as Angel Tree – enables others to celebrate this holiday in a way they have not been able to in the past. This is the season to give and allow others to share in the merriment that it brings.

I think it best for me to share this with you so that you can participate right alongside me. We can find things we’ve stored away or buy something at the store in order to help give someone a Christmas they will love and remember. Take your friends, significant other, family and coworkers with you on spreading this joy; the real joy that only He brings. Little Wifey Readers: Let’s make this Christmas all about giving again!

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Child in Us: Dream

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Remember when you were younger and people would ask you what you wanted to be when you got older? I remember when I was really little wanting to be a veterinarian, then it was a marine biologist, then a professional soccer player, and I think super model was in there at some point too. Obviously, at least half of those were completely unrealistic, but I didn’t care when I was little. The point is that there were no limits to what we thought we could be. We based it off of desire and a dream that wasn’t limited by what others told us we were capable of or not capable of. We dared to dream big for the best.

As we get older, we start limiting ourselves. We stop dreaming and start settling for anything. Suddenly it’s as if life has nothing to do with enjoying it but rather surviving it, which is not a way to live. Life is not a mere sprint to a dead end; it’s an adventure with memories, laughter, achievements, and joy peppered in along the way. Why is it that as we get older we stop dreaming? We stop dreaming for ourselves and stop dreaming for our marriage. We don’t need to stop dreaming, and in fact, we need to start dreaming again to put a little fun and adventure back into our life.

I remember hearing the quote by Les Brown ”Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars.” Dreaming is a way to strive for something and put a little adventure as well as planning into your life. Marriage is no exception. Taking time to dream together is one of the joys of marriage. Dream big for your marriage and life together. What do you hope will happen? Where do you want to go? What are your goals? How do you see your life in 5, 10, 15, 20 years? I know for me, I dream of being madly in love for our entire lives and making people wonder how we look at each other like it’s the first time we were in love every time. We dream of a nice, comfortable home that’s cozy and filled with memories and laughter. We dream of traveling to fun places and exploring together. It’s so fun to dream. You laugh at them, talk about previous dreams that fell apart, and you get excited at the prospect of your future together. Dreaming for your marriage is like adding a little spice to the recipe of life. I would highly recommend trying it :)

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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Child in Us: Play & Fun

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

One of the things I think definitely gets lost in the process of growing up is the concept of having fun and playing. It is challenging when you have the weight of caring for a family, holding down a job, maintaining finances, and all of the other responsibilities we tackle as adults. The best way to combat stress though as well as keep things fresh, fun, and growing in your life & marriage is to let out that child in you in order to have some fun and play.

When I think of playing, my first thought is of children. As adults though, we need to play too and remember to enjoy life with a little childish vigor. Sure we may not enjoy playing with Barbies and trucks anymore, but we can adapt our ways of playing to fit being an adult. Maybe you and your spouse love sports; you could join a city league of your choice of sport, play some mini-golf, get some beach volleyball going with some friends, etc. Maybe you and your spouse enjoy games; dust off some Uno or a deck of cards, play some Wii together, go to your local arcade or Boomers, or grab some friends for a board game night. You could check out your local amusement park, go horseback riding, go paint-balling, rollerblading, biking, to the beach, camping, or hiking through the woods. There are tons of fun things to do out there that cultivate laughter and joy in life.

The point is that playing means fun which usually means laughter, memories, and joy. Those things combat the stresses and problems of life. We have all heard the saying “Laughter is the best medicine.” Or there is a verse in Proverbs 17:22 that says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” There are so many verses throughout the Bible that talk about how powerful joy is. Life is chaotic, stressful, painful, and we just need to take a step back sometimes to remember the child in us. Let that child out to play and have fun to cultivate joy and laughter bringing medicine to your life and to your marriage.

*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.

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