Because I know -
The Choice to Rejoice Is Mine and Yours!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4, NIV
The apostle Paul knew the secret of victory when he and Silas were thrown into the inner cell of a prison, their feet fastened in stocks, because they had preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God" (Acts 16:24-25, NIV). As a result of their praise, an earthquake collapsed the prison, the jailor was converted, and they were set free! Paul maintained that spirit of praise until the end of his life when he once again found himself in chains in a Roman prison, yet emphatically declared, "I will continue to rejoice" (Phil 1:18, NIV).
I doubt if, during either of those imprisonments, Paul felt like praising. But he had learned to walk by faith, not by his feelings. And today he commands you and me to exercise our will, making the deliberate, conscious choice to "rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
By Anne Graham Lotz"
And there are choices how to live your life:
"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us." ~Saint Therese
All this kind of reminds me when I was in 7th grade - that was still elementary school back in my day (8th grade you were sub-freshmen) - I gave the Invocation for Convocation. In it I read a part of Ecclesiastes 3. Years later a song was made from it called Turn Turn Turn. Do you remember it?
Ecclesiastes 3 (New International Version)
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Today is the time to chose God, happiness, humor, and so forth.
What I'm suggesting today is get to know yourself - decide who you are - know what time it is - know where you are - and where you stand.
Now someone asked me if there is too much good. I'm not sure how to answer that.
This is what I think. First of all no. Why - because the world out there can be mean - there's are a lot of evilness out there. Even the person or people you're living with who are supposed to love you can hurt you. I've have had a hard last couple of weeks. An old friend hurt me. Terribly. Made promises they didn't keep.
I have my problems and I have my down times. Trust me!!!! I'm not one of these people who are happy all the time. I am not perfect - believe me. I don't have choices about the bad that comes into my life - well some I do and some I don't. What I have the choice in is how I handle it. I have my 'things' if you will to make me happy - last blog - and one HUGE thing I forgot was friends - you are all included in that by the way! You bring me happiness too.
So I have this if you will arsenal of things or breastplate of armor that when hurt and tragedy comes along - I can try to fight it from letting it take over. Will it always - no, but I have a good chance. Does that make sense to you?
So no - I have God and happiness in my life daily - to fight the unhappiness that comes into it - and I at least stay over to the right of the 50 yard line! The left unhappy the right happy. It is a continuous battle every single day for me.
Some Sunday Humor - Fifth Grade Assignment
Wouldn't this be great if it was taught in every school?
A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in 20 ways to communicate ideas about God.
God is like.
BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.
God is like.
A FORD
He's got a better idea..
God is like.
COKE
He's the real thing.
God is like.
HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.
God is like.
TIDE
He gets the stains out others leave behind.
God is like.
GENERAL ELECTRIC
He brings good things to life.
God is like.
WAL-MART
He has everything.
God is like.
SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see Him, but you know He's there.
God is like..
DELTA
He's ready when you are.
God is like.
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.
God is like.
DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
God is like.
B o u n t y . . . .
He is the quicker picker upper. . Can handle the tough jobs. .
And He won't fall apart on you
God is like.
The Energizer Bunny
He Keeps Going, Going, and Going
Now Retired Knitter was bestowed a Humor Award - and asked me to write about how I found my humor - do you think Chatty over did it? Two days - as you can tell - this subject is huge for me.
Now what do you do to find humor in your life - I want to add it to my list!!! I'm always looking for new ideas.
Thanks and love.
33 comments:
This was a great part-two. So much emotion. I am truly sorry for your pain. I love that you are such a fighter and so determined to be positive. To everything there is a season...how true also. It is okay to feel our pain. Bring it up, look at it, face it, and then let it go. If it comes back. Let it. Then let it go again. It is all life.
I'm embarrassed to say that I never knew that song came from the Bible!
Excellent, Sandie... I'm like you---I choose HAPPINESS... With God, I can do anything...
Hugs,
Betsy
Uplifting, Sandie, althougth I'm very sorry you were hurt by a friend.
It's funny that today you posted about grade school; I did also. LOL
Bless you and have a wonderful day! :)
Good morning Sandie...Nice to read your great story. "I can do anything through Christ - that strengthens me" - a good motto to live by. And of course a good measure of Humour goes with it to.
Hugs
Eva
Another GREAT post, Sandie! I am cheering you every step of the way to continue making those choices that add joy to your life and ours by way of yours. blessings ~ tanna
i believe the folks closest to you have the potential to hurt you the most... sad but true. glad your armored breast-plate is ready. :)
(i've always seen that one prayer/quote credited to Saint Therese, not Mother Teresa tho!)
Another wonderful post my dear friend! I am so happy you have found humor in your life. I know laughing and smiling make me feel much better each and every day.
hugs,
Linda
Great Post... enjoyed it all but liked the God is like Coke...etc part...:)
Gosh, you have given us a lot to think about there today, Chatty! I can see from your posts that you are a good Christian, and that is not always easy, is it? Love the Mother Theresa quote. She has written so much and was obviously a very wise woman. Loved the way the children brought God into the TV adverts! ThaT "Turn, turn, turn" is a lovely song .
Boo hiss to the friend who hurt you, maybe she will come to her senses. I find humor to be rather like happiness, if I go looking for it, I can't find it. It just has to happen! Yes, the world is evil!! But your blog spreads light and love! Forget about the insensitive friend and concentrate on your blog buddies, the people who do love you, and spreading your light!
I had no idea that song originated from the Bible. I always loved it - now it has more meaning for me.
In order to be happy you must be happy with yourself. That's a hard one for me. I try everyday to squeeze one thing in just for me. Even if it is reading a couple of pages of a book or sitting outside in the evening with a glass of wine. Sometimes just vegging out to an awful, but good tv show does it. Everyday I try to squeeze "me time" in. Sounds selfish, but I realize it's important, because if I'm happy, I'm healthier and everyone else around me is happier too. Ann
Hello my Chatty Friend it's been a while since I've chatted with you...Your blog is a dose of what every needs in there daily life...BEAUTIFUL!
Great post today! It was just what the doctor ordered for me.
You truly are an inspiration, Sandie. I know you have worked so hard to get to where you are at right now and I know you continue to work hard on a daily basis (at times I'm sure a minute to minute basis) to find joy and humor and peace in your situations dealt you. I'm so sorry about your friend hurting you.
I think Paul never lost sight of the big picture of Jesus and the good news of Jesus and that is why he kept his eyes fixed on him and could rejoice no matter what the circumstances were that he was facing.
Thank you for sharing these two days worth of thoughts from you; I think they are ones to come back to and read again and again for the wisdom you shared in them.
betty
Yes, Ma'am I do remember that song - I remember it well.
One of the things that helps me find happiness is to consider where the offender is "coming from"? Giving someone the benefit of the doubt is a big gift that gives big rewards to both the Giver and the Receiver. I suppose that it is a version of giving "mercy". When we think of God's mercy towards us it is easier to extend mercy toward others.
I love the Ecclesiastes verse, always have. You could have a Happiness 3, 4, 5....on and on, love the topic with your spin.
Hi Sandie... You are so right. Happiness is a choice and like a Gardner patrolling their garden for weeds, we have to weed out the negativity in our lives...
I too use a gratitude journal, especially when I feel myself slipping into a depression.
I love Ecclesiastes 3. We used this verse in our wedding ceremony when we united our combined children into one family.
I respect and appreciate you choosing to see the glass half full instead of half empty. I can depend on being uplifted when I come to visit you.
Have a good week my friend...
I do not know how I find humor in my life? I just try to chose it...yes God helps me too. I like "may you trust that you are exactly where you were meant to be". That says it all
Yes my dear Sandie, we can find humour in everything...Gosh, what is going on with these friends who turn??? Yet, as God says in his word, there is a Time under the Heavens for all things...And I know its all for a good reason..
I love what those school children wrote about God, now thats unique!!
"Like Walmart, He has everything." Where would we be without our faith?? Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Much love Crystal xx
I also have my own personal arsenal to ward off negativity and keep me strong in the tough times. Keeping busy is vital to my sanity and my serenity.
Good posts, yet again!
Of course it hurts when a trusted friend or family member wrongs us, but some people take on too much, seeing and feeling snubs or insults that may not even be intended. Did the person who cut you off in traffic really mean to be a jerk or were they distracted? Will it matter an hour from now either way? No, but don't we all know someone who will carry that indignation around for the rest of the day?
Rather than getting wordy here, I think I'll save my thoughts for my own blog post.
Gee, thanks! You've inspired me once again! You don't expect a commission do you? I promise to give you 10% of anything I get for my post. ;-D
I needed this post today. Everything here is so beautiful.
Dear Sandie, What an uplifting and encouraging post! I love this... "Because I know - The choice to rejoice is mine and yours!" This is my first time visiting your blogspot. I'm now following you. May the week ahead for you be filled with God's blessings. Smiles, Kerrie
Don't you go thinking you've overdone anything! ..... OK? OK!
I wish everyone could read these words and apply them to their own situation(s).
Personally, I learn so much from you!
Have a wonderful new week, Sandie!
Hi Sandie....So sorry the old friend let you down. That's always a bummer.
Loved this post and your last one, too. It's great when we are growing and taking life one moment at a time.
Take care and have a sweet night. Susan
I know you CHOOSE happiness because it is reflected in your blog. This was a great post.
Amazing Post Miss CC~
GREAT PART II!!!! It's only because of God I'm alive today....
Meaningful blogpost. Thank you~
xoRebecca
Hey Sandie dear,
Wonderful post you've got in here!! I just love to visit and read your amazing blog. You've already got lots of followers. I bet you must be happy to see that many folks worlwide are watching you, and your lovely ways. Well, I may say that I find good humour in many different things. For instance, I find good humour in reading what my dear Online friends say or joke about. At times, they sing nice melodies, like the one I have just heard. I enjoy listening to my dear friend's singing, for we both write songs. Her name is Linda. At times, we sing together, and we laugh a lot. One day, my dear female Pastor Online friend, Shirley called me at 2a.m. When I answered the phone thinking that somebody in the family had an emergency or died, Shirley screamed, "Starry, are you sleeping?? What time is over there in your corner of the world?? I am sorry, if I disturbed you, sweetheart." Well, I had to laugh my head off, I truly roared in laughter so loudly that Doctor Paul demanded me to shut up. We indeed, had a great time talking on the phone for about 1 hour or so, until 3 a.m. We joined a Christian American Forum for Writers and Poets, so we are like a family together. We write funny poetry at times, and we truly have great times together laughing and spending a good time. We certainly enjoy being together as true Christian friends. I also feel happy when I listen to good music that I truly love. I often watch good movies on TV that make me feel good. I only enjoy good sense of humour, for I'll never tolerate foul language, vulgar words or dirty stuff. Of course, we also talk about God, and we do it with great respect. Sandie, I just love this post. The Lord be with you always, and with those you love.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and offering your comments!!
Blessings and Much Love Always,
Poet Starry Dawn.
Sandie, what a wonderful post, just what I needed to read..
I did know that song was from the bible..I must have been about 6th or 7th grade when the Byrds made that popular song..I went to Christian school and that is how I am sure I knew that bible verse..good reminder!thank you!
I appreciate your friendship more than you know sweet lady..
hugs
Barb
I'm thinking right now my nieces and nephews make me happy...they are all trying so hard to find their place in the world ..and doing a pretty good job at it!...Makes me proud and happy..
Wonderful wonderful posts - both of them. Thanks for mentioning me on your blog.
You did NOT overdo this at all!! It was inspiring and delightful. It made me happy to read it. I was challenged and convicted a bit, though - I so tend to be a "glass half-empty" girl. But God certainly doesn't want that for any of us. We need to be more joyful and grateful people (well, I sure do anyway).
And, yes, I remember Turn, Turn, Turn.
Sorry about the hurt that you've had to bear with your friend. These wounds are especially painful, aren't they?
For today, I'm choosing this - :)
GOD BLESS!
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