When joy dies

So I told myself that I wouldn't blog about the death of Robin Williams, because everyone is doing it.

Well, clearly I have turned my back on my oath and now blogging about Robin Williams.

Everyone's Facebook newsfeeds have been covered in clips and pictures of Robin Williams. Just a little while ago, someone posted a video Jimmy Fallon doing a tribute to him so we watched it.

Before it began, I was wondering, "Wow, this man really touched many, many peoples' lives...what was so different about him than other comedians and actors?"

Now don't get me wrong, he is one of my favorite actors. In fact, Mrs. Doubtfire is one of my favorite movies. It has just been amazing to me what an influence he has had on SO many people.

As I was watching the tribute I found my answer...joy.

That was what was different about Robin Williams, I think.

He clearly brought so much joy to life. He didn't seem like he was different on camera, than off.

Joy seemed to radiate through him or at least that is what it seemed.

When joy dies, of course, many, many people are affected.

He was a source of joy for many and now he's gone.

That's a tough pill to swallow for many of us.

It makes me think when true joy died two thousand years ago.

I can't imagine how Mary, Mary Magdeline, and the disciples (along with many, many others) felt when Jesus was crucified.

It's tough to lose such an amazing comedian and actor because he brought so much joy to our lives.

However, it's even more tough for me to think of the day when Jesus died because he is the true source of joy.

Thanks be to God, our joy was not taken away forever, but three days later, our joy was risen again.

I feel like this post would be great for Easter time, but then again, I don't think we can ever be reminded enough of the amazing joy that the two Marys' and the disciples must have felt when joy was resurrected that very normal, yet sacred day.

This joyful truth can hopefully remind us in our deepest, most sorrowful times in life, that Our Joy of Jesus never leaves us. He's always here for us waiting.

I'm not sure what was going on in Robin's life or what he might have been facing, but this terrible time of loss for his family (and everyone else for that matter) can be a reminder of how important it is to seek joy and seek joy for others, as well.

Find joy in the deep crevices of life even when financial burdens, illnesses, and broken relationships seem to be filling in around us.

However, when depression takes over it can be hard, practically impossible to find joy, but realizing that we need joy is our first step.

Finding joy in Christ and his resurrection and sharing it with others who may be struggling should be one of our top priorities, because when joy dies...life dies.

Let's try our best to keep joy alive.

Prayers for Robin William's family, those who are struggling with depression, and the rest of us, that we might go out of our way to bring joy into someone's life.

via

Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams, Jack, and License to Wed will always be in my top favorite movies :)

New Year challenge

Goodbye 2012 ~ Hello 2013!

 

I can't believe it's already been a year. It really has flown by. The first 8 or so months of 2012 were really hard because of my treatment, but it's been looking up the past few months. God definitely used 2012 to teach me a lot. He is still working on me for sure, but it has been really cool to see how He has used everything including Lyme Disease to teach me a few things. Although it has been an interesting, challenging year, I'm excited for 2013.

 

2012 ended with an awesome Murder Mystery New Year's Eve party with a high school homecoming dance theme, in which I was the Student Council Secretary also known as Clerical Katie. I got to dress up in a formal dress with a corsage and release my inner actress. Then shortly after the clock struck Midnight, I told one of my best friend's, "This is gonna by MY year...I can already feel it" and then I choked on my drink. Hmmm...I hope that's not an omen haha.

 

I almost said yesterday that 2013 is going to be a year to remember, but then I realized that 2012 is a year to remember too. In fact, every year is a year to remember, right? We may look back on our year and wish it had never happened, but God doesn't let a year go wasted. Yes, this year has not been the easiest. I've felt anger, denial, pain, confusion, exhaustion, doubt, but I know God didn't leave me during that time. He was there and had a plan the whole time. Maybe you've had a similar year. You're relieved that the year is over and hope that your suffering doesn't continue in 2013.

Today, I just finished a book called, "Tortured for Christ." It is an autobiography of Richard Wurmbrand explaining his life as an evangelical minister in communistic Romania during 1945-1964. He faced many years of suffering, as well as many Christians. He was tortured in prison for 14 years because of sharing the love of God with others. After brutal beatings and multiple imprisonments, Wurmbrand was granted amnesty. It is an absolute miracle that he survived and it made my suffering look nonexistent. The book introduced me to the many lives that were affected by the Underground Church and showed me the true joy that suffering can produce. Crazy to think that suffering can produce joy, huh? That just proves how amazing God is.

 

The book included letters from a nineteen year old girl who was brainwashed by the atheistic Communistic goverment but later converted because of the boldness of a Christ follower who shared the gospel with her. However, three months after this young girl's conversion, she was imprisoned because of her proclamation of her love for Christ.

 

She writes explaining her time in prison and the beatings and starvation in which she endured, but followed with this...

"My heart praises and thanks God that, through you, He showed me the way to salvation. Now, being on this way , my life has a purpose and I know where to go and for whom I suffer. I feel the desire to tell and witness to everybody about the great joy of salvation that I have in my heart. Who can separate us from the love of God in Christ? Nobody and nothing. Neither in prison nor suffering. The sufferings that God sends us only strengthen us more and more in the faith in Him. My heart is so full that the grace of God overflows. At work, they curse and punish me, giving me extra work because I cannot be silent. I must tell everyone what the Lord has done for me. He has made me a new being, a new creation, of me who has on the way of perdition. Can I be silent after this? No, never! As long as my lips can speak, I will witness to every one about His great love."

 

Her next and last letter of her life (while still in prison) ended with this...

"Since the Lord revealed to me the deep mystery of His holy love, I consider myself to be the happiest in the world. The persecutions that I have to endure I consider to as a special grace. I am glad that the Lord gave me from the first days of my faith the great happiness to suffer for Him. Pray for me that I may remain faithful to the Lord to the end."

 

Just like apostle Paul suffered for Christ, there are still people suffering just like he did. They aren't suffering with anger towards God, but with joy.

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

 Amazing and convicting.

 

Yesterday I saw something Ben Stein wrote in regards to how America has taken God out of the equation. He wrote, "Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us."
 

I think he's right. It just doesn't make sense to me that here in America we are free to share our faith with others, but often we don't in fear of not being accepted. However, on the other side of the world, people are sharing their faith openly with others despite it being illegal. They are thrown into prison, beaten and persecuted, yet they still share the gospel with joy, while we don't speak up even though we have the luxury and freedom to do so without the fear of imprisonment.

Pretty sad, if you ask me.

 

I'm not sure if you're into making New Year's resolutions, but one of the many  goals I have for 2013 is to proudly speak of my faith with others.

Will you share that goal with me? Will you embrace the fact that suffering and difficulties can produce joy if you trust in God's plan for you? Will you realize that this world needs you to share God's love?

 

How are you going to share God's love with others this year? What are ways to overcome fear and replace it with boldness?

 

Happy New Year, friends!
 

Today's scripture reading for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan is the book of James.

Thursday-book of 1 Peter

Friday-book of 2 Peter

Saturday-book of 1 John

 

Joy abounds

Pastor Nathan's sermon today was called "Joy Abounds".

I've talked about joy before, but his sermon was so good, I have to share.

 

Before Pastor Nathan got deep into the details, he wanted to make sure that we all knew what joy is...exceeding gladness. It can't be forced, but just happens. It's not a shallow happiness, but a deep happiness that comes from our souls and overflows. True joy comes from God and only God.

 

The main point that stood out to me was, "Joy is not the result of proper circumstances. Joy is the result of the right response to the Lord of our circumstances." Read that again because it's important. He continued with the example of Mary, Jesus' mother. She was a young girl, whom an angel visited and said she would give birth to the son of God even though she was a virgin. She wasn't married at the time, but was marrying another man who was not the father of the baby. Culturally, it wasn't a good circumstance to be facing. However, she responded with obedience and she found joy. Luke 1:46-49 says, "And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name."

 

This made me think of my friends, Alisa and Jaime. In case you don't know their story, check it out here. They gave birth to their precious son this past Friday. Because of the the baby's fatal birth defect, they were given the option of abortion, but they quickly declined. They knew that God had given them a baby despite the many doctors who said she would be unable to get pregnant. They couldn't stand the thought of ending their baby's life so they decided to make the most of their time with their baby. They went to soccer games, basketball games, carved pumpkins, and went to see Santa...things that you would do with your child outside of the womb. Alisa knew it was risky to carry, but she was going to anyway because she felt that's what God wanted her to do. Doctors were unsure if London would be alive by the time Alisa would be awake from the anethesia, so that was a case for worry. Guess what?! Baby London came, spent 71 minutes here on Earth (more than what was expected for the circumstances) AND he got to spend time with his mommy while she was awake.

 

71 minutes doesn't seem like a lot of time, but it was more than expected. Looking at pictures of their special moments, I could tell that although it has been a difficult time, Alisa and Jaime had so much joy during those 71 minutes. I can't imagine being in their position. I know they have shed some tears of sorrow since their baby boy is no longer with them, but I know they have shed tears of joy because of their gift from God. They've also found joy in that God revealed Himself through their situation to thousands and thousands of people. God chose them to be the parents of London...a boy who would show people all around the world what faith looks like. His parents have put their trust in God's will despite their circumstances. To me, that is true faith...obeying God even through the hard times and trusting that His will is better than ours.

 

quote from Jaime

 

I have cried and cried for my dear friends, but I've also been in amazement....amazed by their strength, faithfulness, and most importantly, how God has moved through this situation. Pastor Nathan said, "Your faith can only grow through suffering." I agree with him from first hand experience and I know they would agree too. No doubt, this has been extremely difficult for them, but I do believe that they have and will experience joy because they responded to the Lord of their circumstances in the proper way...trusting and loving Him no matter what.

Please continue to pray for Alisa and Jaime as this is still a very difficult time.

 

 

If you are facing a hard time and you just don't understand why, trust in God.

Know that He is strengthening you through the hurt and the pain. 

Respond to Him in the proper way...obedience, submission and love.

We live in a tough, sinful world, but God is bigger.

 He can work through those times and strengthen our faith in Him.

He reminds us that we will face roadblocks, but He can get us through.

Life isn't easy, but He has bigger and better things in mind for us (not to mention, a perfect paradise in Heaven for all eternity) when we believe in Him.

 

Check out this song, "My soul magnifies the Lord"



Day 20 In Him we find...

Well it's been another 10 days of my series, "In Him we find...". This month has flown! In case you've missed any of the series or just need a review, so far here is what we've found:

faithfulness

healing

freedom

holiness

confidence

endurance

Heavenly Father

sacrifice

rest

conviction

repentance

refreshment

lovingkindness

power

everlasting love

wise counsel

transformation

refuge

 

Talk about an awesome list. God is good!! Can I get an "amen"?! :)

 

 

"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." ~Psalm 16:11 (NASB)

 

Today, I went Christmas shopping with some friends and even helped one of my best friend's put up her Christmas tree. Let me tell you, we were so excited walking down the aisles filled with ornaments and ribbon, not to mention, admiring the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree. It was during this shopping trip and putting the tree together, where we felt joy. Childhood joy. Christmas is definitely my favorite season and I'll admit, this is the first time EVER that I'm in the Christmas spirit even before Thanksgiving. It's got me thinking though...

 

How can a season or holiday give me such joy? Of course, this is the holiday where we celebrate our Savior's birth, which is wonderful! Don't get me wrong. We should celebrate His birth, because it is such a wonderful story. However, my Savior is living. He is with me all the time. He never leaves my side. It's not Christmas lights that give me joy, but it's the one true light, Jesus, that gives me joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "rejoice always". I should rejoice all the time...not just at Christmastime. It's not the season that we should find joy in, but we find true joy in Him.

 

In Him we find joy.

 

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan was Acts 4-6.

 



I need more fruit!

 

I need more fruit. Plain and simple. Did you know that the recommended amount of fruit for adults is a minimum of two cups a day. Fruit is an important part of healthy living because it gives us vitamins and minerals that help fight of illness, strengthen our immune system and give us energy. 

Are you getting the recommended amount of fruit a day?

That's not the only fruit I need more of...I need more fruit of the Spirit.

 

Have you heard of the "fruit of the Spirit"? If you haven't, that's okay because you are about to learn them! We learn about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23..."But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." So basically the fruit of the Spirit is an attitude, a lifestyle, a result of living in the Spirit, not an actual fruit that you eat. So you may eat a cup of strawberries and an apple a day, but are you forebearing the fruit of the Spirit? I'll be honest with you...I sometimes (well, more than sometimes) struggle with the fruit of the Spirit. I've noticed, however, that the more dedicated I am to serving God, the easier it is to live by the fruit of the Spirit. For example, the days where I have dedicated my whole self to God and have immersed myself in the Word, I feel this joy and I think, "Why do I feel so free and so happy?" Or when I'm at the store and it's so easy for me to be kind to others, I think "What has gotten into me?!" God then reminds me, "Hellooo!! It's my Spirit! Duh Chelsea!!" The more focused I am on God, the Holy Spirit intervenes and gives me the ability to live in "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodnesss, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". Now, I'm not saying I'm perfect when that happens (because I'm not), but it becomes possible to bear that kind of fruit when I'm living by the Spirit. When I'm loving, kind, faithful, gentle, etc., that is NOT me...it is the Holy Spirit living IN me. The Holy Spirit can live in ALL of us. It's definitely a choice to follow Christ and to live as He has called us to live, when we do that the Holy Spirit kind of "takes over". Can you imagine if EVERYONE produced the fruit of the Spirit? Oh my goodness, that would be AWESOME! This world would be a MUCH happier place! We can't change other people and the decisions they make, BUT we can change the way WE think and the way WE live.

 

So think about this...are YOU bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Are you focused on God? If not, ask God to give you the hunger to seek Him, to live out His calling on your life, and to bear the fruit of His Holy Spirit. He wants us to live that way! So I challenge you to really dedicate yourself to God and His teaching. Trust me, you will produce some AWESOME fruit (of the Spirit, which is better than an actual fruit!). Plus, people like that kind of fruit (of the Spirit)...I mean, who wants to be around someone who is hateful, sad, impatient, rude, unfaithful, aggressive and impulsive? Um, I know I don't!

 

Pray this with me...Dear God, I thank you that you make it so clear in Your word what you can produce in me when I live according to Your will. Help me to hunger for Your Word and to live the way You have called me to live. Move your Spirit within me and produce fruit that will bring others to You. Thank you for the many blessings you have given me. In Christ's name, Amen.

 

P.S.- If you are following along with the read-your-bible-in-a-year plan, today's reading is Matthew 17 & 18, yesterday's was Matthew 15 &16. Also, if you're memorizing a verse, don't forget to practice it and hold it close to your heart!

Are YOU possessed?

It's that time of the week again..."Sunday's Sermon Notes"!

 

No, silly, I did not mean possessed that way...let me rephrase....

are you possessed by your possessions?

In other words, does your stuff take over your life?

Don't worry, you don't have to tell me your answer.

Think about it for a minute or two.

 

Here are a couple more questions:

Look around you, are you surrounded by stuff?

Do you find yourself buying stuff often?

Why do you buy stuff?

(By the way, my definition of stuff are things that aren't really essential to live.)

 

Pastor Barry talked a lot about stuff today. He related his sermon to King Solomon, the son of David and a philosopher who lived before the time of Christ.

We find in the book of Ecclesiastes that King Solomon has a lot of stuff. He had tons of concubines, slaves, irrigation systems, all sorts of the "cool" stuff back then. He was always wanting more, because something was missing from his life...

Joy. Happiness. Peace. True love.

 

Pause-I've got another question for ya.

Do you feel like you're missing something in life?

Well just like Solomon, when we feel like our life is incomplete or we aren't content,

we seek to to find something to fill it. Most of the time, we fill it with stuff.

 

The latest, biggest tv we want....because our's isn't big enough.

The latest, smartest phone...because our's isn't "smart" enough.

The latest, eco-friendly car...because our's isn't "eco-friendly" enough.

The list could go on. And on.

 

We may not realize it, but we our filling our lives with stuff that does not bring us true happiness. If it did, why do we always have to upgrade?

Or why do we have garage sales to sell our old stuff to get new stuff?

Obviously, we aren't content enough.

 

King Solomon shows us that every material thing holds no meaning. It took him awhile to realize that true joy does not come from the latest, greatest thing, but it comes from having a relationship with God.

 

Pastor Barry said, "God does not keep score on how much stuff you have." He continued to say, "If you think God loves you more because you have more stuff" you're wrong. God does not care if you drive a Mercedes, own an iPhone, or have a 3 story house.

 

I have been involved in a homeless ministry and have been amazed at how happy the people are. They have nothing. Zilch. Nada. Yet they are praising God for their lives. They are thankful. I wonder why...their lives aren't possessed by possessions.

They have time with God! They have time to take in their surroundings, talk to God, and most importantly, listen to God.

 

We find true joy when we are in a devoted relationship with God. No matter how much stuff you own, know this, it does not give you joy. It's much cheaper and richer (at the same time!) to be in relationship with God, than spending money on stuff that is never going to satisfy you.

 

Hebrews 13:5 says, " Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." It is clear from scripture that all we need is God."

 

Challenge for the week: turn off or get away from your favorite possession (stuff) for at least 30 minutes and read your Bible, pray, or sing worship music.

What are you going to give up to work on your relationship with God?

Let me know how it goes!

 

Drifting away? Feeling lost?

So today, me, my mom, and my two oldest neices went to see ICE AGE: Continental Drift. It was pretty cute and witty. It even inspired me to blog! If you haven't seen it and don't want to know how it ends, STOP reading, right now! Spoiler alert! If you haven't seen any of the Ice Age movies, there are a few reoccuring themes of searching, getting lost, and facing many roadblocks. Can you relate to that? I know I can! Throughout all of the Ice Age movies, the character, Scrat, is on the pursuit of holding onto this beloved acorn and finding more. He focuses so hard on this acorn that he loses sight of everything around him. In fact, in Ice Age: Continental Drift, his acorn causes the upheaval of Pangea's split. Throughout his search for more acorns, he is completely oblivious to all the havoc around him. Not only is Scrat involved, but many other characters such as Manny, Ellie, Peaches, Sid, and more. They are all separated because of Scrat's tunnel vision of acorns. The movie is about these characters getting separated from each other, being lost, and finding each other once and for all....at least I think so, unless there is going to be an Ice Age 5. Anyway, Scrat finds the skeleton of the acorn and gets upset because it is not whole. Soon he realizes there is a map inside of it that is the guide to the acorn heaven. He follows the map and soon finds a palace of acorns. Scrat is in heaven! So you may be thinking, "how in the world would you be inspired by a kid movie?" Well, with me, anything is possible (haha)! So the lightbulb turned on while I was sitting in the movie theater...we can be a lot like silly, lil Scrat. Is there something that you focus on so much that makes you lose sight of everything else? Is that object all that matters to you? Would you do anything and everything to find it and keep it? Well, how's it working for you? I know when I set my sight on something other than God, I can feel lost and all over the place. I don't know about you, but that is not a fun feeling! Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." When Scrat found his map, he knew where to go and how to get there. Once he got there, he found more than he could ever imagine. So when we let go of the things that keep us distracted from God and allow God to guide us, we will find more than we can imagine. Yes, it may be hard to let go of that object or relationship or habit, but it is worth it. God will guide us in His will and lead us to what is best. For Scrat, it was a heaven filled with acorns, but for us right now, it can be peace or joy. However, the best part is the very ending....being in heaven! So if you're holding onto something that is being a wedge between you and God, think about laying it down. Luke 9:23-24 says, "Then He said to them all, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." So lay it down & trust God's map for you! One of my favorite songs is "Lay Em Down" by NEEDTOBREATHE...check it out! <3 Peace :)

My own personal cheerleader

I know last post I said this time I was going to write about "finding God's specific will" from Gregg Matte's book, but as I was watching the Olympics tonight, that entry got pushed back to another time. Anyway, I just finished watching the All Around Women's final in Gymnastics. I've always enjoyed watching this event, especially this year. I think we had a lot of really good talent on the team and the girls seemed real down to earth. Another part of the event that I liked was watching the parents. Boy do they get into it or what?! I loved watching all the intense emotion from these supportive people. While I was watching Aly's parents squirm and Gabby's mom yell with joy, it made me wonder if that's what God is like up there in heaven. I wonder if He beams with pride when we reach a goal? Or does He feel our agony and pain that we go through? Or does He stand up and cheer us on when we're about to give up? Or does He give us advice when we ask Him for it? What about when we mess up, does He hang his head and whisper the words "it's okay...I still love you"? I think the answer to all of those questions is a simple "yes". I like to think of God as my own personal cheerleader. He may be far up in the stands sometimes, but I know He is always there. He never leaves. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." On top of that, even when I lose or screw up, He's still there. He doesn't give up on me. He doesn't storm out on me, but instead, He forgives me. He truly forgives me...He remembers my sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). He doesn't continue to remind me what I messed up on (that's not cheerleader-like), but He moves on and guides me to a new playing field. Lastly, He encourages me and motivates me to do better. He reminds me that with His strength I can do anything. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." I can't think of a better cheerleader than that, can you? Never forget that you have a cheerleader 24/7....ready to cheer for you, ready to be there when you mess up, and ready to encourage you to move on. Check out one of my favorite songs that reminds me of mine & your cheerleader! "Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture.

Surrounded by Joy

This past weekend I was surrounded by joy. I was honored to be a part of a wonderful celebration of two lives coming together as one by being a bridesmaid. One of my best friends, Joanna, married the love of her life, Spencer, on Saturday. It was such a beautiful weekend full of laughter, excitement, love and joy. It was clear at the dress rehearsal dinner that God was bringing two people together who are very loved. Words of memories and kindness along with tears of joy affirmed that the next day was going to be an emotional day of celebration and praise to God for bringing these two very special people together. The day of the wedding arrived and seeing Joanna with complete joy was contagious. Although I was not around Spencer much before the wedding, I knew that he couldn't wait to marry his girl. I'm a pretty emotional person when it comes to weddings, but I had no clue how emotional I was going to be during the ceremony. While I was walking down the aisle towards the front of the church, Spencer was beaming. He couldn't wait to see Joanna and be married to her at last. After I found my spot at the front of the church, I looked at the faces of the bridal party and the groom and I found happiness. Tears began to well up in my eyes and I was thankful for the thoughtful, groom's mother that had given us tissues and the pockets in my dress. The time had come for Joanna to walk down the aisle to this beautiful song called, "Hundred More Years" by Francessca Battistelli. Because of my height I couldn't see her walk in so the next best thing was to look at was Spencer's face and let me tell you, what a wonderful thing to see. As a tear rolled down his cheek, he was mesmerized by his bride like time had stood still. Joy had consumed him. That's when I almost lost it. It was such a beautiful moment. When Joanna met Spencer at the front, the love they share together became evident. As the vows were spoken, not only was the bridal party crying, but many guests were crying as well. They weren't crying tears of sadness, but tears of joy. I was surrounded by joy. I will never forget the love and joy that I felt that day. Their wedding reminded me of the joy that God wants us to feel. He doesn't want us to wait for joy, but to find joy now. We may not feel like the time is appropriate to be joyful, but God wants us to find joy in everything. We shouldn't wait for the big things in life to be joyful, but we should also find joy in the little things. I believe joy truly comes from being confident in the promises that God gives us. When we surround ourselves with those promises, we find joy. Psalm 90:14 says, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Before Jesus was crucified and resurrected, he said "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them" (John 17:13). Acts 2:28 says, "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence." Sometimes it may be hard to find joy in the present. It may take some time away from your hectic life to find it, but it's there. You may be looking in the wrong places. 1 Chronicles 16:27 says, "Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in His dwelling place." So today take the time to find joy and live in it. Don't wait for it to come to you. Find it. Have a blessed week! :)