Joy #31: Express Yourself!

After we finished the previous lesson about joy in the Psalms, we spent our group sharing time reading each other Psalms that we had written... not masterpieces of literary art. Just expressions of our own thoughts to the Lord. Why don't you take some time to do the same? Here's a boost...

The Psalms are full of creative expressions through literary devices:
Invitation: "You godly ones, shout for joy!"

Simile: "You protect them as a shield"

Instruction: "Don't be like an unintelligent mule!"

Contrast: "An evil person suffers much pain, but the Lord's faithfulness overwhelms those who trust in Him."

Imagery: "Planted in the Lord's house, they grow in the courts of the Lord."

Emotional Language: "My heart and entire being shout for joy to God."

Geography: "I mention Rahab and Babylon to my followers

Quotations: "The Lord writes... 'This one was born here.'

Requests: "Reveal your light and your faithfulness!"

What facets of God's character and works have you most seen manifest over the last week/month of your life? Write out your thoughts to Him today!

Joy #30: Joy in the Psalms II

Keep soaking…

“Reveal your light and your faithfulness! They will lead me back to your holy hill…then I will go to…the God who gives me ecstatic joy, so I will express my thanks to you, O God.” (Ps. 43:3-4)

“How lovely is the place where you live, O Lord… I desperately want to be in the courts of the Lord’s temple. My heart and my entire being shout for joy to the living God.” (Ps. 84:1-2)

“The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob…I mention Rahab and Babylon…Philistia…Tyre…Ethiopia…It was said of Zion’s residents ‘the Sovereign One makes her secure.’ … As for the singers, and the pipers, all of them sing for joy within all your walls. (Ps. 87:1-7)

Why does God love the gates? It’s where all the people come in! Peoples of all foreign nations are living with Him in His eternal dwelling!

“It is fitting to thank the Lord and sing praises to your name, O Soverign One!... You, O Lord, have made me glad by your work. I will sing for joy because of what you have done!” (Psalm 92:1-5)

“Come! Let us sing for joy to the Lord! Let us shout praises to our protector who delivers us! Let us shout out to Him in celebration! For the Lord is a great God, a great King who is superior to all gods.” (Psalm 95:1-3)

Which of these expressions of joy in Psalms most speaks to your heart?

Joy #29: Joy in the Psalms I

Let your heart soak in these words as joy bubbles out from the Psalms...

"Let all who take shelter in you be happy! May the ever shout for joy! Shelter them, so that they who are loyal to you may rejoice!" (Psalm 5:11-12)

"You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence." (Psalm 16:7-11)

"I will triumph over my enemies who surround me! I will offer sacrificies in his dwelling place and shout for joy!" (Psalm 27:4-6)

"An evil person suffers much pain, but the Lord's faithfulness overwhelms the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be happy, you who are godly! Shout for joy all you upright in heart!" (Psalm 32:7-11)

"Shout for joy because of the Lord! It is good and fitting to offer Him praise. Give thanks to the Lord with a harp! Sing to him with instruments! Sing to him a new song! Play skillfully as you shout out your praises to him! For the Lord is just, and everything He does is good... We wait for the Lord; he is our deliverer and shield. For our hearts rejoice in Him, for we trust in His holy name... (Psalm 33)

There are so many more!

Joy #28: Stop & Ponder

Though we do not live under the rule of a king, our world is full of rulers. What modern examples do we see in our society of people rejoicing over the destruction of enemies and the fruit of good leaders?

After thinking on these passages (#25, #26), how do you see Gods' use of human history to tell the story of the coming King?

Though we do not see the full expression of His reign here on the earth now, He is still reigning sovereign over all the rulers of the earth. How can our joy over His rule now set our hearts at ease of the fears of this world?

Can you see it? All the wickedness of the earth destroyed. One benevolent, wise, and sovereign King rules over the world. No fear, war, destruction, poverty... You are standing before this King. What are you doing? What do you want to say to Him now?

Joy #27: A Sighting of Christ

Obviously, "The Story of the Coming King" theme is full of glimpses of Jesus. Yet, this one was particularly fascinating to me...

In the Old Testament, they made a big deal over the coronation of a new King. More recent societies do the same. One of their practices was to pour oil over his head, a symbol of prosperity and blessing for his coming reign. So when you read passages about "the oil of joy", this was a symbolic rejoicing over the king's anointing. (By the way-- I did find out you can buy the 'oil of joy' on the internet--anywhere from a personal vial for $3, to a community set for $419! HA!) This process was called "annointing". In the Old Testament, this word for "annointed" is mashach in Hebrew. In Greek when it is used in the New Testament, the word is "Christos"-- Christ! Thus, everytime the people heard the word "Christ" used, they had this mental image of a king being annointed with oil. Into his very name "Jesus Christ" is written the image of His kingship!

Joy #26: Story of the King II

When we see this theme in the prophets & New Testament, we move from a generic hunger for a good king, to the prophesied coming of the King...

-Shout for joy, O Zion, the Lord has removed judgment from you. Don't fear disaster; He is your warrior. He rejoices over you. (Zeph 3:14-17)

-Rejoice greatly, Zion--your King is coming, victorious, mounted on a donkey. He will remove the battle and bow, and His dominion will be from sea to sea. (Zech 9:9-10)

-The wisemen came to worship the king of the Jews. (Matt. 2:1-11)

-The angel tells Mary she will give birth to the Son of the Most High. He will be given the throne of His father David and His kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:30-33)

-He is called "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev. 19:11-16)

-"Sing praises to our King, For God is the King of all the earth...God reigns over the nations." (Psalm 47)

In these scriptures we see One raised up who destroys the wicked with finality and rules lovingly over the earth with justice. Today as well, the cry of every nation longs for the coming of this faithful ruler, powerful and good. His name is Jesus.

Joy #25: Story of the King I

You hear it every time you turn on the evening news. Whether kings, emperors, presidents, or CEO's... In every nation on the globe, people rejoice over good rulers and mourn over corrupt ones. Thousands of stories in the last 100 years alone weave the same tapestry, spun in unison with every generation of human history. Why is it that all peoples of all times delight in the destruction of evil regimes, and rejoice in the installment of upright rulers? God has so united the threads of biblical and modern history to point us to one unmistakable fact: The King is coming!

-After glimpsing the Egyptian soldiers dead on the shore, the Israelites break out in joyful song, praising God as their strength, their song and salvation. (Exodus 15:1-3, 18-20)

-At David's coronation, the people blew trumpets and rejoiced greatly 'so that the earth shook with their noise'. (1 Kings 1:38-40)


-When King Jehoshaphat was attacked, he earnestly sought the Lord. God told them they would not have to fight, but went into battle with musicians singing. God destroyed their enemies while they praised Him! God gave them great joy over the defeat of their enemies. (2 Chronicles 20:1-3, 17-24, 27-30)

-When the evil Queen Athalia is destroyed in the temple of Baal, the people of the land rejoiced to have rest from her wickedness (2 Kings 11:13-21)

Can you hear the echoes? Can you see the people dancing in the streets at the downfall of Sadaam Hussein? Can you hear the cries for justice when orphans and widows are oppressed? Same song, one millionth verse.

Video Debut

Let's hear a big round of applause for this self-made blogger video debut! (If this one works out, Kathryn has many other productions planned! :)

Joy #24: Stop & Ponder

What does the expression of joy usually look like in your own life?

As you ponder the expressions below, do you sense any changes you would like to make in the way you express joy?

When God looks down and sees you responding to Him (joyfully or otherwise), what do you think He is doing/thinking/feeling? What would you like to express to Him right now?

Lord, I want to grow in uncensored, spilling over, bubbling out delight in who you are. Help me!

WARNING!! WARNING!! This prayer may get you in trouble! He might begin showing you all the areas in your life that keep you from joy, and that might make you squirm... At least, that is the direction it has been heading for me... Keeping it real :)

Joy #23: What Does Joy Look Like?

Chew on these expressions:

-Joy looks like…David telling the Levites to “raise sounds of joy” with instruments, singing and trumpets; himself leaping and dancing, when the ark of the covenant is brought back to Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 15:16, 25-29)

-Joy looks like… King Joash initiating the repair of the house of the Lord, the people joyfully bring their gifts and tithes to fund the temple repairs (2 Chronicles 24:8-11)

-Joy looks like King Hezekiah kicking off the Feast of the Unleavened Bread after decades without. The people worship and celebrate for 7 days, and then decide to party for another 7 days. The text says there was nothing like it since the days of Solomon and David! (2 Chronicles 29:25-30; 30:21-26)

-Joy looks like…playing instruments and singing skillfully (Psalm 33:1-3)

-Joy looks like…a physical and emotional longing/ache for the presence of the Lord (Psalm 84:2)

-Joy looks like…creation crying out—the seas, rivers, and mountains breaking forth in song. Can you picture it? (Psalm 98:4-8)

-Joy looks like…selling everything you have to go after a great treasure (Matthew 13:44-46)

-Joy looks like…both Jews and Gentiles—peoples of all nations—praising Him together! (Romans 15:10-11)

-Joy looks like…Jesus facing humiliation and shame, enduring horrific trial unto magnificent victory. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

-Joy looks like…A great multitude gathered for a wedding-- shouting together, “Hallelujah, the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns!” (Revelation 19:6-8)

Which of these expressions most surprises or challenges you?

Joy Nugget #22: Stop & Ponder

How do the stories of Hannah and Mary impact you, as you ponder their reactions in unimaginable circumstances? Can you see your self responding as they did?

How might cultivating a greater sense of connection to God’s bigger story—His promises in Christ to His children throughout all of history--affect the way you fight for joy?

As you seek to be a better ‘gardener’, cultivating the soil of hope in your heart as you look forward to the fruit of joy, what do you need to do? Think? Write? Pray about?

Joy Nugget #21: Two Stories, One Story

Both Hannah and Mary utter words of praise for God’s kindness to them individually as well as express a connection to God’s broader plan for His people. They didn’t have nearly all the puzzle pieces of salvation of inform them that we do, but the object of their hope is rooted in…

-“He will exalt His anointed” …the Messiah

-“He remembers His promises to the Fathers”—“He will give this Him the throne of His Father David, a kingdom without end.” …the King

Here is what I take away from this:

I have much to learn about their personal lives, how they soaked themselves in the goodness of God to them. But, it is not enough to rehearse how God been good to me alone. (This seems something we are pretty good at in the West—“God loves ME.”) It is important, and my view is lop-sided without it. But if I am not connecting my heart to a deeper longing for the coming of the Messiah for all peoples of all times, then my worship and rejoicing can only go so far.

There is a bigger story that all of God’s people have a part in. Hannah played a part. Mary played a part. You and I play a part. We are all on the same timeline, woven into the same tapestry. We rejoice not just because we soak in His love for ‘me’, but also because we see the wonder of our tiny little part in God’s bigger plan—to bring together a people of every nation and tongue, and every generation of history to His eternal Home, to be their Shepherd, Messiah, King and Father forever. Rejoice!

Joy Nugget #20: Mary on Joy

Most of us have just refreshed this story over the last week— Read again Mary’s response after greeting her relative Elizabeth.

Luke 1:46-55: "My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. " He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. "HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."

Now put yourself in her shoes. You are a young adolescent, probably about 15 years old. You have just found out that you are going to have a baby, not your husband’s. You are not even married. The law stipulates this crime (assumed adultery) was punishable by stoning. As soon as the angel reminds you that your aunt has also been blessed with a miraculous child, you jet to her house as fast as you can. For you to express this genuine response of worship, what have you been cultivating your whole life?

Just like Hannah, Mary’s response is the overflow of a heart soaked in the love and goodness of God—both to her personally, and to God’s people in the bigger story of salvation history.

Christmas Joy

Every year I have spent the holidays overseas... I suppose it's about 8 of them now... I have lived in tension. Missing family, but glad to be away from the commercialism of the US; remembering family traditions but creating our own which are quite different from anything I grew up with; lighting off self-imposed expectations of how 'pretty' or 'fancy' it feels things should be, and desiring to fill our moments celebrating Jesus in ways the girls will remember and carry on. This year was no different. So here's what we did.

First, an outreach at the girls' school. It was very simple-- a Christmas cookie in a baggie with the Christmas story attached. But these kids have never seen a homemade cookie...ovens are for bakeries, not used by your average home. So they are easily impressed! Of course, the cookie is not the point.
































We enjoyed a simple Christmas Eve, with our friend Glo. Unfortunately her sister got sick and couldn't come. Somehow, our Christmas Eve menu has become Tortellini soup along with my friend Tina's herb bread recipe.














Then we lit the candles in our advent wreath and Glo played the piano for all our carols.



















Now comes the girls' favorite part of Christmas Eve. This year, each week leading up to Christmas, the girls had a wrapped Christmas story under the tree. It enjoyed picking them out as much as sharing them with the girls. And now we have a basket full of fun stories for Christmas season! These were my favorites:

Room for Little One
The Legend of the Poinsettia
The Shepherd Girl
An Orange for Frankie














Of course, what made Christmas Eve more fun than the other weeks was the hot chocolate and Christmas cookies by the tree. That only happened once :)

Now, here we are Christmas morning. I wouldn't have included this pic, (sorry Jim, I couldn't really cut you out), but the girls smiles were so cheery that I had to put it in. There is a reason they we compare happiness to "a kid on Christmas morning."




















One of my Christmas morning delights was watching Ellie's sheer joy over her taking care of her dolly.

















































We spent Christmas afternoon with our friends... We had fun, ate good food, worshiped together, and I laughed harder than I have in a long time. It was a good day.















Isn't that a fine bunch of ladies?

Joy Nugget #19: Hannah on Joy II

So what does Hannah do? She breaks out in spontaneous praise and rejoicing! Stop for a moment and read her song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. No, really, stop and read it. OK, I’ll print it here for you:

"My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 " There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3 " Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. 4 " The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. 5 "Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. 6 " The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 " The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. 8 " He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He set the world on them. 9 " He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. 10 " Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed."

When I ponder the circumstances of Hannah’s life, coupled with the way that she reacted in her story, I am floored. I try to put her words in my mouth, and I am struck: there is no doubt that long before this event took place, she has long been cultivating a heart of worship. It’s not something she drums up in the moment. The rejoicing is the overflow of the heart soaked in the promises and trustworthiness of God.

Two observations about her praises:
-She rejoices because she is keenly aware of how God has blessed her personally.

-She rejoices because she knows how her ‘little story’ is connected to God’s bigger story. In fact, there is not yet a king in Israel, but she knows that God will exalt “His anointed” – this word is mashiyach … in English, Messiah. While God has blessed her personally, she knows it is much bigger than her. She is banking on it.