Faithful Fridays ~ The Screwtape and Wormwood in My Life

Hi there, everyone!  :)  First of all, I must apologize.  I am so, so, so, so, so sorry that I missed last week's Faithful Friday.  I feel terrible.  In fact, I've completely neglected my blog in general and I feel really bad.  I apologize!

This post is late, but better late than never, right?  :)

Faithful Fridays is a weekly linky party hosted on my blog.  I made it so that Christians could have one special day out of the week (Friday) to share something from their Christian walk on their blog.  If you'd like to participate, write your post, grab the button from the Faithful Fridays page on my blog (so that it will link back here), and come link up at the bottom of this post!  :)

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I started reading "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis today.  I've been wanting to for a while, and I finally got my hands on it.  

I've only plunged into the first chapter, but I can already tell that it's going to be a fascinating, thought-provoking, creative little book.

I mean, you have to respect Mr. Lewis for taking up such a big writing job.  He's taking the part of the devil and his apprentice demon.  That's some creepy writing right there, some thin ground to tread on.

Did you know that the book is dedicated to Mr. Tolkien, the man who wrote "The Lord of the Rings"?  Mr. Tolkien brought Mr. Lewis to Jesus.  They were good friends for a long time.

The book makes you imagine (and realize) how hard the devil works.  It makes you realize how much of a liar he is.  It makes you take a look at your own life and think about what tactics the devil is using to tempt you, the struggles he's throwing at you.

And when you read it, you feel like you're getting an inside look at the devil's schemes.  You feel like you may able to get the best of him and not let him get the best of you.

Because it's true, ya'll.  Oftentimes we fall into thinking and feeling like our struggles and temptations are just beyond our control.  We feel like it's never really possible to overcome.  But the Bible tells us otherwise!

"I can do all things through him who gives me strength."

-Philippians 4:13

With Jesus, we can do anything, including overcome the devil and his schemes, and so much more.  

We do not have to fall victim to the temptations and struggles and battles that the devil throws our way!  The God of angel armies is on our side!  

"So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

-Isaiah 41:10

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

-Joshua 1:9

Go out into the world and know that God is with you.  He is ever-present by your side.  He is holding your hand.  He is Emmanuel, God with us.

God bless you guys and have a great weekened!  :)

Joy :)

Faithful Fridays ~ Rejoice.

Hi everyone!  It's time for Faithful Friday again!  :)

Faithful Fridays is a weekly linky party hosted on my blog.  I made it so that Christians could have one special day out of the week (Friday) to share something from their Christian walk on their blog.  If you'd like to participate, write your post, grab the button from the Faithful Fridays page on my blog (so that it will link back here), and come link up at the bottom of this post!  :)

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I just wanted to share this video with you guys.  I actually found it last Friday and knew I wanted to share it today.  These Korean-Australian sisters are more well-known for their singing career that started on Youtube (they have angelic voices, I tell you) and spurred them on to sing around the world.  But they have an amazing testimony.  So powerful.  It brings tears to my eyes.



That is what it truly means to rejoice.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.

-Philippians 4:4

God bless you all and have a great day.  :)

Joy :)

How to Have a Great Day

To have a great day....

Get on your knees and pray before you start your day.

Also, smile big, cheesy smiles into the mirror in the morning before you start your day.

Read a bit of your Bible.  Whether it be one chapter, a couple of verses, or five chapters, it can give you that lift you need for the day and keep you close to Him all throughout.

Pray little prayers when you think about it.  Worried about something?  Pray about it.  Did something make you smile?  Praise Him for it.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Compliment people.

Give out lots of hugs, kisses, and "I love you's" to your family.

Hold open doors for everyone--from elderly folks to kids, adults, teens, and annoying or grumpy people.

Acknowledge when someone acts kindly or gentlemanly.  Did that man just open the door for you?  Give him a smile and a cheerful "Thank you!"  Did that girl just let you pull out in front of her?  Make sure you say thank you by way of the hand wave.  :)  

Be unusually kind and cheerful.  Seriously.  Sincerely ask your cashier how she's doing.  Give a warm-hearted thank-you to the lady at Starbucks.  Smile at that homeless man that you always look away from when you walk by, cringing.  Being kind to people makes them want to be kind to other people.  It's an awesome cycle.  :)

Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

-Hebrews 10:24

Take time to pay attention to kids.  Read a book to a kiddo, indulge their imagination, play with them, tickle them, cuddle them, talk with them like you would a regular friend.  It'll make their day!  And in return, those kids can definitely make yours.

Doodle cheerful doodles.

Look for beauty.  Seek it out, find it, soak it in, appreciate it.  Get out of the habit of seeing your surroundings as just surroundings.  Look for something special in it.

And finally, make up your mind that today will be a great day.  Because 75% of your day depends on what you do and how you react and your attitude.

"How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it!"

-George Elliston

Faithful Fridays ~ Take It.

Hi, everyone!  :)  It's time for Faithful Friday!

Faithful Fridays is a weekly linky party hosted on my blog.  I made it so that Christians could have one special day out of the week (Friday) to share something from their Christian walk on their blog.  If you'd like to participate, write your post, grab the button from the Faithful Fridays page on my blog (so that it will link back here), and come link up at the bottom of this post!  :)

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Please keep in mind that I am preaching to myself in this post.  I need this just as much, if not more, than anyone else.  :)

Sometimes it feels like all you can ever do is fail and cause problems and be a messed-up person.  We all have those inside issues that we wrestle with inside ourselves.  Usually we don't tell anyone, and if we do tell someone, it's only the closest person whom we trust the most.  

Sometimes it seems like this world is full of trouble and trouble only.  Yeah, sure we might have some good moments here and there, but what are they to the intense heartache and conflict and sorrow and fear that surrounds us the rest of the time?

The Bible tells us straight-out that we. will. have. trouble.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.

-John 16:33

But God's giving us this peace!  He has told us these things so that in Him we may have peace.

If you want that peace, you have to take it.  It's hard, but you have to reach out and take it!  Everything is screaming at you that you can't do it, you can't survive this, you can't succeed in the life God has given you, but you can if you'll just take that leap of faith into God's arms and His will.

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times I tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"

"You'll never win!"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid."

And the voice of truth says, "This is for my glory."

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

-"The Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns

Put your worrying and your self-pity down and grab it!  You can't reach out and take God's hand and His plan for your life if your hands are full of regret, fear, sorrow, anger, and bitterness.  God has the grace to offer us this peace, and we have to take it!  It goes hand-in-hand with trusting God.  It's a leap of faith, but that's what makes it great.  Good things are rarely easy.  

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

-2 Timothy 1:7

Sometimes, I wake up in the morning, and I have a bright lookout on the day.  And then my day may disappoint me.  Or, sometimes I may get up and have a horrible lookout on the day and it may go just as I had thought it would.  

And that has everything to do with my attitude.

Obviously, if I start the day with it in my head that it just might be awful, it probably will be.  

But if I start my day off with a cheerful outlook, and then suddenly frustrating or patience-trying circumstances come crashing down on me, if I don't keep my attitude right, my day is going to turn out the exact same way it would if I had started it off with a grouchy outlook.  

Hapiness is determined by the circumstances.

Joy is not.  

The crazy thing about true joy is that it's invincible.  

True joy comes from the Lord and it's not determined by what you have, how things are in your life, who you're surrounded with, or any other earthly or human matter.  

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

-Philippians 4:12-13

Start the morning knowing that you will have troubles and problems and frustrations during that day.  I know that sounds depressing, but just listen.  Start the day knowing that it's going to have some rough spots, some bumps in the road.  But God is always with You.  I mean, the God of angel armies is always by your side!  Can you imagine?  What have you to fear?  He is always with you, His presence is always there.  He holds your hand and leads you and guides you.  

Now, think of all the frustration and problems that could very well come, and then take a light-hearted view of them, brush them off your shoulders, and know that it's all a challenge that you and God can take together.  

Reach out and grab that peace and joy.

God bless you guys and have a great day.  :)

Joy :)

All images via Pinterest

Bloglovin'.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hi, everyone!  :)

I just wanted to drop in and say that I'm going to start using Bloglovin' as a way to follow my blog because Google Reader (GFC/Google Friend Connect, AKA our follower gadget) is going to be removed soon!  I'd hate to lose all my followers.  :/

Check it out; you may want to use Bloglovin', too!  :)

Faithful Fridays ~ Lord, I Need You.

Hi, everyone!  :)  What are you guys up to today?  :)  Iron Man 3 comes out today...are any of you going to see it?  I think we're going to see it tomorrow.  I have to say, I haven't been an Iron Man fan, but I'm excited.  :D  I feel like we're going to see a new side of Tony Stark.  Okay, I better stop rambling....  :)

Faithful Fridays is a weekly linky party hosted on my blog.  I made it so that Christians could have one special day out of the week (Friday) to share something from their Christian walk on their blog.  If you'd like to participate, write your post, grab the button from the Faithful Fridays page on my blog (so that it will link back here), and come link up at the bottom of this post!  :)

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I've mentioned before that we love the Christian radio station, K-Love.  It's so great.  K-Love ministers in such an amazing way.  Not only in the powerful way of the music they play, but also in the little comments here and there that the DJs provide.  

Songs that are played on K-Love never cease to keep bringing me closer to God and encouraging me.

Recently, they've been playing a song by Matt Maher called "Lord, I Need You."

This song is so beautiful.  It's beyond words.  

              

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, you're my hope and stay

"'Lord I Need You,' is inspired by the hymn, 'Lord Every Hour I Need Thee.' There is a type of love that you never mature out of, and that is 'need' love. You have to admit that you need God, and that is kind of uncomfortable for us. But I have found so much reassurance, and so much hope, knowing that I need Him. And every hour that I need Him, He is able to meet my needs. He will never leave me, or forsake me. And I think that is something worth saying 'Amen' to.'"

Matt Maher said that another thing that inspired this song was his new little son.  "When he wakes you up at 4:00 in the morning, you go running to him, because he needs his parents!"

When we need God, all we have to do is cry out to Him and He's right there at our side.

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

-Joshua 1:5

Lord, I need You, oh I need You.

Every hour I need You.

My one defense, My righteousness,

Oh, God how I need You.

God bless you guys and have a great day.  :)

Joy :)