Xmas–Joydare

When I was a little girl, I once wrote out the word Xmas as an abbreviation for Christmas.  I remember clearly and never forgot when my mom told me it’s not Xmas, it’s Christmas and it’s wrong to use the abbreviation.  I’ve always been careful to spell it out.  It’s important to keep Christ in Christmas!

This year as I watched the transformation…
The trees are trimmed with silver and gold. 

Beautiful twinkling lights brighten our neighbors homes. 
Santa arrives in all the stores, even our favorite pets are getting their pictures with Santa. 
The “Christmas” radio station plays its holiday songs that tell of sleigh rides, mistletoe kisses, and even hippopotamuses…

The garland is strung, the cookies are made, the gifts are wrapped, yet…I realized something is missing. 

It is happening all around us.  The world is celebrating Xmas instead of Christmas.  They’ve X-ed Christ out of the holiday.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE everything about Christmas, but we’ve got to remind the world that it is Christmas we are celebrating.  We need Christ back in Christmas.   Store clerks are only allowed to say “Happy Holidays.”  Our beloved Christmas trees are being sold as holiday trees.  When did the word “Christmas” become unacceptable.  Do we not realize that there would be no Christmas holiday were it not for God come down to earth as a baby.  So, this year what will you celebrate…Xmas or Christmas?

JOYDARE

 

265.  Twinkling lights

 

 

266.  Christmas decor

267.  A nativity handed down

268.  Snowflakes

 

 

269.  Ice crystals

 

270.  Peppermint mochas 

271.  Pretty packages

272.  Christmas music

273.  Memories on branches

 

274.  Christmas cards that remind us of friends around the world

275.  Bluebirds in the holly

276.  Silly pictures

277.  Kitties snuggled under Christmas trees
278.  Marshmallows
279.  Sacrifice
280.  Grace
281.  A Savior’s Birth



Do you still believe? | Joy Dare

Ever read something and have a revelation, an eye-opener, a discovery?

There are times I see or read something that just really makes me think, wakes me up.  Sometimes it’s actually something I’ve always known, but hits me in a different light.  Do you ever wonder if your prayers go unheard or you get an answer that’s not what you think you want or need?  We all have, I’m sure, at one time or another questioned God, maybe even screamed at Him….Why!!!  When we get an answer that’s not to our liking, do we still believe God is good, that His way is better than ours? 

                    When the diagnosis is chronic and the healing doesn’t come…

                    When the spouse walks out the door and doesn’t come home…

                    When the prodigal child turns their back and doesn’t return…

                    When the desperate couple seek out the physicians and still can’t have a baby…

                    When you need the job and it doesn’t work out…

How do we handle these situations?  The God of our Faith is bigger than all of these.  When He doesn’t answer in a way we expect/desire/need, what are we supposed to do, how should we react.  He is asking us…

                    Do you still believe? 

                    Do you trust me?

He is showing us Mercy when we are not looking for it.  He is working miracles in the midst of the chaos our lives.  Look close for the miracles.  When you were walking through the mess…

                    Did you learn something new about yourself?
                    Did you grow closer to Him?
                    Did your faith grow?
                    Did you help someone else suffering?
                    Did you make a new friend?
                    Did you share your faith with someone else?

He may not have responded as we wanted, but He did respond and you were blessed.

We do not walk these trials alone.  The One who walked trials on earth and died for us all, walks beside us.  We can rest assured ALL things work to our good.

“These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. It will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.” -1 Peter 1:7

 

JOY DARE

 

 I’ve been slow at it this summer, but here are a few of the gifts I counted.

 

234.  Lazy days at the lake

235.  Sweet watermelon

236.  Sun rays

 

 

 

237.  Swans on the lake

 

 

238.  Evening boat rides

239.  English cottages

240.  Country roads

241.  Golden hay fields

 

 

242.  England coastlines

 

 

243.  A London sunset

 

 

244.  Walks through historic villages

245.  Star-filled nights

 

 

246.  Snow-capped mountains

 

 

247.  Horses in the pasture

  

 

248.  A doe feeding in the meadow

 

 

249.  River drives

 

 

250.  Soothing heat of a natural hot spring

251.  Smell of dried leaves 

252.  Colors of fall

 

 

 

253.  A new friendship

254.  Encouraging words

255.  Candle light

256.  Orange pumpkins

 



 

257.  Wind in the trees

 

  

258.  Warmth from a fireplace on a cool morning

259.  Laughing so hard you cry

260.  Mercy

261.  Feeling of accomplishment.

262.  Magnificent skylines

 

 

263.  Ebony

 

 

 264. A new kitten snuggled in your arms

 

 

 

 



Nags Head – Counting the Blessings

Counting my blessings as I sat in Paradise!  We spent a week in Nags Head, North Carolina, with the sun on our face and the wind at our back.  It’s the kind of vacation you never want to end, time to relax and enjoy life.  My favorite part of the day was sitting on the beach in the mornings before most had gotten up, before the crowds descended, watching the surf and the birds at play.  We had a wonderful time visiting with and catching up with John’s family.

 JOY DARE

205. Waterfalls

206. Lazy turtles

207. A day in the park with friends

208. Little boy silliness

209. Eternal life

210. Baby cardinals-getting to watch them grow

211. Goldfinch at play

212. An evening to say good-bye to friends
 

3 Gifts that made me smile

213. Jack, Maelyn, and Lily

214.  The smell of ocean air

215.  Sea shells
216.  Crashing waves
217.  Sun sparkling on the water



 

218.  An ocean sunrise

219.  Sand between your toes

220.  Seagulls

221.  Crabs on the beach

 

 

222.  Playing in the rain

223.  Seafood

224.  Catching up with family

225.  Thunderstorms over an ocean horizon

226.  Lightening bolts

 

227.  Watching a sunset above the clouds

228.  Cottonball clouds

 

229.  Playing in the waves
230.  Super moon
231.  Walks on the beach

232.  Dolphins swimming by

 

 

233.  Whale sightings

 

 

 



Pine Table Memories

When I first met my husband, my mother-in-law had a pine dining table that was dark, heavy, huge.  Many memories were formed around that table and evidence of that showed on it’s massive table top where years of scratches and writing indentations were worn into it.  For reasons beyond her control, the table went to friends who kept it for many years.  Later, the table was given back to her, stripped and reconditioned, but what remained was the evidence still engrained into it’s beautifully refinished top.  She told me once that she would never want that table sanded smooth because her families memories were held in that table top every time she looked at it.  What an amazing gift she got back. 

 

So, with those thoughts in mind, I wanted to have a table for my new kitchen.  I wasn’t complaining or asking for a new table.  But, I did want something to sit around with family and friends.  When my mom and aunt came to visit, we were driving down to Kimmswick and stopping at the red light right outside of the town, I saw a table sitting in a parking lot of a little “junk” market. 

I didn’t expect it to be much, probably too bad of shape to even want.  But, we were surprised when I looked it over, sturdy table, tight chairs, just needed a little cleaning.  And on the top of this little pine table was years of someone’s memories carved into the top.  I had to have it.  So for $40 bucks, I hauled this table home.  Without destroying the memories, I gently sanded the top and recoated it.

It was a gift.  Without asking, God knew the desire of my heart and that I would want this table.  So, the memories will continue as my family grows, as grandchildren come to visit and leave their mark on my little table.

 JOY DARE

 

184.  Kitty head butts

185.  Unexpected call from a long-distance friend

186.  A cool breeze after a hot day

187.  Lilacs in bloom

 

188.  Baby birds

189.  Open windows

190.  A woodpecker’s chatter

191.  Grass between your toes

192.  Trees full of new life

193.  Courage to make hard decisions

194.  Yellow-billed cuckoo

  

195.  Visit with mom and aunt

196.  A surprise lilac tree in our front yard

197.  Gorgeous irises in bloom

 

 

198.  Photos that bring much needed self-confidence

199.  Clear answers

200.  A phone call on Mother’s Day

201.  Sun on your face

202.  A whole week of photography

203.  A scratched pine table

204.  A child home safe

 

 



Cultivating Joy

I discovered that happiness and joy are not the same thing.  How are they different?  Happiness is the physical reaction to events surrounding us, a state of well-being, whereas joy is the inner emotion, spiritual effect that is accompanied by truth and peace.  We can have joy and not feel happy.  For a long time, I did not understand this.  I thought my joy was a reflection of my happiness and that if I didn’t feel happy then how could I be joyous. 

I had a fabulous weekend visiting my two girls.  This joy-thing seems to be following me wherever I go.  While we were shopping, I glanced over at a stack of watches and the one that caught my eye was jeweled with the word, guess…JOY!  Then, I attended my daughter’s church for the first time and, would you believe, they are teaching on how to have joy unspeakable.  It’s amazing to me the timing.  I made a conscious choice to seek out this joy a few months ago after reading Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts. 

There are a number of ways that we can have this unspeakable joy.  One of these ways, I found out this weekend, is that we cultivate joy in the waiting.  God planted the seed of joy in us…it’s a fruit and we have to cultivate it. 

I find myself in a time of waiting and I didn’t even realize that that was exactly what I was doing.  I’ve been cultivating joy and have discovered that no matter how bad I feel, I can be joyous! 

When times are hard, we look to God.  When we look to Him, we find hope.  He is our JOY.  While some may say this just isn’t true…they have not experienced true joy.  They have not experienced what faith and confidence in Christ can give them.  I know that through hard life, I am not alone…

 

…there is One that walks beside me always.

MY JOY DARE

  

3 Gifts Opened Up
167.  Eyes to see all the blessings
168.  God’s word
169.  A heart open to love God and others

170.  A bright day to enjoy outdoors
171.  All the bright colors at the gardens
172.  Petals blowing in the wind
 

173.  Trickling water
174.  A mom’s day
 

 

175.  A mad daddy goose and a momma on her nest

 

 

176.  Beautiful pathways

177.  A message that speaks to exactly where you are at

 

3 Gifts Reflecting
178.  Geese on water
179.  Spring trees around a water’s edge
180.  A daughter’s happy smile
 

184.  Kitty head butts
185.  Unexpected call from a long-distance friend
 

3 Gifts Fragile
181.  A mother’s heart
182.  Our very lives are fragile…each breathe a gift
183. New dreams
 

 

 But the fruit<sup class="crossreference" value="(C)”> of the Spirit is love,<sup class="crossreference" value="(D)”> joy, peace,<sup class="crossreference" value="(E)”> forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.          Galations 5:22-23<sup class="crossreference" value="(F)”>



Spring Arrives

Here it is finally…the sun close enough to warm the earth, to make the days longer.  We are in our Spring and it’s wonderful.  The trees are opening and the flowers are popping their little heads through the ground, reaching for the warmth. 

Every day I, too, reach for the warmth, grow a little stronger as He fills me with peace and joy.  I know it is a gift, each day.  I’m learning to appreciate the little things.  My eyes are opening to all the mercies as I count each gift.  I wonder what this season will bring…

new beginnings,
new possibilites,
new dreams. 

MY JOY DARE

 

140.  Two lives entwined in marriage

141.  Redemption

142.  Resurrection

 

3 Gifts of God’s Promises

143.  His saving grace

144.  To be with us always

145.  That Christ would rise in order to redeem us all

 

146.  Gift heard-Easter message

147.  Gift held-my husband’s hand

148.  Gift hoped for-Easter with the sun shining

149.  Custard-filled donuts

 

3 Gifts White

150.  Frosty boy

151.  Puffy white clouds

152.  Pages in a book

 

153.  Smell of flowers in the air

154.  An incredibly large hawk that landed in the trees behind our house

 

 

155.  A new branding style that may work for all my business endeavors

156.  Daffodils



 

157.  New businss

158.  Time to relax

 

3 Gifts Waited For

159.  A new Desktop computer

160.  Springtime

161.  Warm weather

 

162.  My husband walking through the door every evening

163.  Phone calls from my girls

 

3 Gifts Blooming

164.  Our new lilac bush

165.  Tulips are just beginning to bloom

 

 

166. Crabapple trees

Good Friday

Today was a day of suffering, of betrayal, of sacrifice, of sadness and of death.  It was a day that broke the heart of God. It was a day that had to happen so that we all could be WITH God.  It was a day that no greater LOVE could have been shone…

…a day that One laid down His life for ALL.

John and I watched ‘The Passion of the Christ’ last night. 

It’s a hard one and I never want to watch it because it so realistically portrays the suffering endured on our behalf.  It’s easy sometimes to go through our walk only thinking about the good stuff…not the hard stuff.  Sometimes we need to come down from our mountain and remember the sacrifice that was made for all of mankind so that we could be reconciled to the Creator of our world, our universe. 

Because of what He endured over 2000 years ago, we can have peace and joy…we do not have to live in fear or shame.  We have a secure future, not one of mystery or unknown. 

Accept.
Believe.
Confess.

And we will be WITH Him!

This is a day to Remember.

MY JOY DARE

 

106.  The scent of Spring in the wind.

107.  Cleansing in water.

 

3 gifts round

108.  Our world.

109.  Our sun.

110.  Love those M&M’s 

 

3 gifts found in silence

111.  Reflection.

112.  Prayer.

113.  Rest.

 

114.  A great birthday.

115.  Incredible Italian dinner.

116.  A glass blue bird. 

117.  Chocolate covered cherries.

118.  Chocolate cake.

119.  Easter candy.

 

120.  Gift hung…new canvas of the mountains we love.

 

121.  Gift folded…my favorite throw.

 

3 gifts red

122.  Red raspberries.

 

123.  New curtains

124.  Male and female cardinals at the feeder.

 

3 gifts that made me laugh

125.  Video of E.

126.  John’s goofiness.

127.  A shared inside joke.

 

3 gifts found in women

128.  My mom-for she taught me to be a Godly woman.

129.  My mother-in-law-for her calming spirit that helps soothe the hard times.

130.  My daughters-for the friends we will be.

 

131.  Gift sung…a really great playlist from a friend.

132.  Gift painted…painted Spring eggs.

 

133.  Gift written…friend’s blogs that help us stay in touch.

 

3 gifts almost gone

134.  Winter snow.

135.  Wedding and moving debt almost paid off.

136.  Birthday candy.

 

3 gifts spoken

137.  Thank you.

138.  I miss you.

139.  Birthday wishes.

 



For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will never die but have eternal life. John 3:16