Have you ever faced death? Stood on a cliff and felt the danger in slippery gravel or a gust of wind? Have you looked in the face of a mad dog or a dangerous wild animal? Narrowly escaped a terrible car accident? Or worse, faced down an angry and dangerous man, perhaps one brandishing aContinue reading “Salvation is a Deep Well of Joy: Part Two–Rescue. Isaiah 12.”
Category Archives: Joy
Salvation is a Deep Well of Joy: Part One–Provision. Isaiah 12.
Image: children celebrating a new well provided by Living Water, https://www.livingwaterwells.org/ Restore to me the joy of thy salvation—Psalm 51:12. With joy shall you draw water from the well of salvation—Isaiah 12:3. I recently watched a stand-up comic (Randy Feltface, the puppet of stand-up comedy) do some crowd work. The writing that goes into theContinue reading “Salvation is a Deep Well of Joy: Part One–Provision. Isaiah 12.”
Civil Engineering: All Hands on Deck! Nehemiah 3:1-31.
Image: Golden Gate Bridge by Joseph C. Filer and Jason W. Filer. Many of the biggest projects on earth are civil engineering projects. The Great Pyramid at Giza is the height of a fifty-story building and built out of “bricks” that weigh 5,000 pounds. How did they do that in 2560 B.C.? The Great WallContinue reading “Civil Engineering: All Hands on Deck! Nehemiah 3:1-31.”
Ecclesiastes is the Book for Those Overwhelmed With Life’s Disappointments. Psalm 137.
What do you do when life overwhelms you? Even the happiest people can be overwhelmed with grief. Things happen. Circumstances can blindside you. You may be the most hopeful, optimistic person, and suddenly you wake up with only darkness in your soul. It is awful. When the children of Israel were taken captive by KingContinue reading “Ecclesiastes is the Book for Those Overwhelmed With Life’s Disappointments. Psalm 137.”
Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.
When I taught high school, I remember being chastised by my students. I was talking about being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses: “For example, I know that I write well. But I don’t always listen well—” “Wow, Mr. Wales. That’s pretty arrogant, don’t you think?” “What? Saying that I write well?” “Yes. That’s soContinue reading “Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.”
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY? 3 John 4.
Pictured: Willie Wales, 1897 – 1985. What is your greatest joy? Good grades? Good friends? Traveling? Winning? Achieving? Finishing? The question is easier if you are a parent—because a parent’s greatest joy concerns children. You will have other joys—but children will dominate the top of the list. The Apostle John probably wrote the letter ofContinue reading “WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY? 3 John 4.”
IF THERE WERE A SECRET RECIPE FOR JOY, WOULD YOU FOLLOW IT? Hebrews 1:9
When I cook, I almost never use a recipe. I like to be creative and “let the spirit move me.” But I also cook things that are easy and that I am used to cooking (you could argue there is a recipe; I simply memorized it). But if you cook challenging meals for large groupsContinue reading “IF THERE WERE A SECRET RECIPE FOR JOY, WOULD YOU FOLLOW IT? Hebrews 1:9”
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
When I was a child, John Conlee sang a song about perspective: “But these rose-colored glasses that I’m looking through, Show only the beauty, ‘cause they hide all the truth.” I remember asking, “What are rose-colored glasses?” Mama told me it means you don’t see the negatives. That is not a bad thing. If youContinue reading “ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.”
How Do You Get to the Place Called Happiness? Follow the Obedience Road. Hebrews 1:9.
When it comes to portrayals of Jesus on film, my favorite may forever by that of Bruce Marchiano in the Visual Bible’s film, “THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.” Were I to choose one word to characterize that portrayal I would choose “joyful.” Through prayer and Bible study, Bruce became convinced joy was the key toContinue reading “How Do You Get to the Place Called Happiness? Follow the Obedience Road. Hebrews 1:9.”
WE CAN PRACTICE JOY AND TEACH JOY. 2 Chronicles 17:6-7.
Everything Andrew touched turned to gold. After college he rented a funky space in downtown New Orleans. He poured money into it and transformed it into a restaurant he called “The Grotto.” The Grotto became the city’s hot spot. It was wildly successful, and Andrew was the owner and chef. Then the landlord raised theContinue reading “WE CAN PRACTICE JOY AND TEACH JOY. 2 Chronicles 17:6-7.”
Household Words: 