The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

"This is a day that the Lord hath made. I will be glad and rejoice in it," writes David in Psalm 118:24. It's pretty important that we believe that in spite of the economy, in spite of family situations, in spite of the political situations, and in spite of health issues. If we really believe that God is bigger than our problems, this allows Him to do amazing things. We have a choice every single day to be depressed or to be joyful. We have to make a decision upon awakening to be thankful and in love with a beautiful day. We have what we need to be happy. Joel Osteen in his new book Make Every Day a Friday writes, "I know people who are perfectly healthy, but they are never really happy......if they were to lose their health and then suddenly regain it, I'm sure they would be thrilled." We can say the same thing about our spouses, our children, our jobs, our houses, and our leaders. It's all a matter of perspective. Thank God we have what we have.

Matthew 6:26 says, "Behold the fowls of the air, that they do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them." Maybe that's why they sing so early in the morning! Their joy is in the Lord. It wouldn't do any good for them to complain. They would then just remain where they are instead of flying away to a warmer place for winter.

When David became discouraged, he reminded himself in Psalm 43:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?.....Hope in God." Regardless of the news, that is what I want to do. It's over a year until elections take place. I will hear so much stuff from the politicians that it will make my head spin. I'll have to wade through all kinds of information, and it's important that I do so that I can make a good decision. However, there comes a time when I say, "Enough is enough." I think I'll turn this stuff off awhile and gain perspective. I need to find my garment of praise and put it on at that point like it says in Isaiah 61:3. This land will be restored and our futures will be bright again. Get ready for that! "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials," is what James 1:2 advises. Now that is not an easy thing, but restoration doesn't come from discouragement. Joy in the Lord is where our strength is. God bless!

Love and Light,
Patty

Set Your Mind on the Things Above

"It's not what happens to you or what you have or don't have that is important; it's how your mind is arranged and the choices you make," writes Joel Osteen. If we would wake up every day, grateful for a brand new day full of blessings, we would surely have more positive experiences. Then if we would fully occupy the day, we would be aware of our thoughts and be conscious of whether we are letting in the light or dwelling in darkness. Colossians 3:2 says to "set your mind on the things above." I think I'll do that. Hope you will too.

Love and Light,
Patty

Make Every Day a Friday

We just celebrated my Mom's 80th birthday, and it was quite a shin-dig. My brother Doug shared a childhood story with all of us.

"When I was a kid,
I did my chores, fed the chickens
and milked the cows.
My mom gave me a quarter a week
and that was my share.
She always did what was fair.
I saved my quarters till at last
I had almost enough to buy a bike
I was so excited. I could hardly wait,
but that night I lost it all
To Ma's five card straight."

I'm not sure those were his exact words, but in the excitement of the crowd at Mom's birthday party, I could hardly hear. I loved the memory, though, so I decided to record it here in my blog.

Mom is a remarkable woman. She reminds me of the title of Joel Osteen's new book, Make Every Day a Friday. I love my mama. When we drove over six hours to her house and were worn to a nub, she was ready to go to Sylvester's and dance to karaoke. She has so much energy. She may be 80, but she still knows how to have a good time. Every day she chooses to be in a good mood and make the best of it. Wow! I love her optimism and am motivated by it to make every single moment a moment of pure happiness.

I hope you too make every day a Friday because researchers have done a study that shows a 10% increase in happiness on Fridays. Even though today is Monday, I have decided to make it a Friday just so I can be 10% happier. God bless!

Love and Light,
Patty