The word this week, as the picture below may tell you, is JOY.
Here's a hint...joy is nothing else if not intentional, and pain is the lens through which the light of compassion is focused.
And here is the musical inspiration...
I have another blog, "Starting The Day With Grace". The focus is a grace quote from someone you might not expect (like, say Mick Jagger) and a short commentary. I hope you'll join me.
Marley update...he's probably going to be moved to a sanctuary, and Bay County will revise their 'dangerous dog' codes.
WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
He's up over 200,000 signatures, but PLEASE keep the pressure on. If you haven't signed, please do! Please click o his name in the paragraph below.
If you have a moment, I'd like to ask you to visit Change.org to consider a petition to free a 'death row dog' who has been separated from his family for ten months over a misunderstanding. Marley was saved from Afghanistan by a US serviceman; please help make sure this story doesn't end in needless tragedy! Marley's gotten a lot of support...but he still needs our help.
If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
Words will never be able to describe how grateful I am for you. Grateful that God made us a part of the same tribe here in the blogosphere. I read your words over at Kate's place. They were absolutely beautiful! Both the sentiment and your heart behind it is an inspiration. I count it a great joy to know you! Love you, friend!
ReplyDeleteMollie, your kind, grace-filled and loving words brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so very, very much.
DeleteLove you too!
Beauty through and through. I love those verses in James--but I get mad at them sometimes, too. Blessings to you this week--keep spreading joy!
ReplyDeleteAnita, it's so good to hear that someone else gets a bit impatient with james as well! You gave me a big smile with this. Thanks so much for being here!
DeleteIt was so fun to see you at Kate's today. You continue to teach us all friend. I'm over in the 4 spot this week.
ReplyDeleteTara, thanks so very much. I'll be over to visit you soon.
DeleteAs I sit here listening to Cat Stevens I am reminding myself that tomorrow morning I will start all over again looking for joy. It is a process, Andrew! And I thank you for giving me the tiniest bit of joy right here, right now, on your blog, tonight!! While I am on the other side I am so grateful to you for telling the story from your side. Hugs!!
ReplyDeletePaula, thank you for this...and yes, the process does begin all over again. For me...well, I know that tomorrow is gonna hurt (so will tonight, when I try to sleep), but I also know that there will be roses among those thorns...and somehow the more aggressive the thorns, the sweeter the smell of the flowers when I reach them.
DeleteHugs back, and I am so grateful for your presence here.
great post andrew! so true. joy is so much more than a feeling isn't it? just like love! it is something intentional and somewhere along the way, on occasion, the feeling shows up too:)
ReplyDeleteMartha, yes! The parallel you draw with love is just perfect. Thank you for this!
DeleteAs you know, my walnut crop failed this year, erasing my income. This morning I read these words in Habakkuk.
ReplyDelete"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vine,
though the olive crop fails
and the field produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights."
I asked God for joy.
Oh, Norma...your faith-filled heart shines through. Thank you so much for sharing this; your comment is a treasure.
DeleteI really appreciated your post today at Kate's blog. Thank you! And I mentioned you in my Five Minute Friday post today. Thank you for your example of perseverance and choosing joy.
ReplyDeleteRachel, thanks so much! (I loved your post, and so appreciate the callout!)
DeleteAnd thank YOU for being someone I can look up to, and someone in whose words I can find strength and faith.
Thank you for your words. I have strangely enough been thinking of this word this week and been struggling and have had a breakthrough of sorts last night. Writing the post but not finished. May not post till tomorrow. All your words give me hope, which is my main theme. You are a blessing to all who encounter you.
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you so much! I'll look forward to reading your post. Your heart and your words are always a blessing to me. May the Almighty hold you close!
DeleteProfound as always, Andrew - really enjoyed reading your piece and the insights that you never fail to bring are full of depth and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteEmma, thank you so much for these honouring words. I'm truly grateful, and humbled.
DeleteThank you so much for being here.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteE, thank YOU for being here. Your choice to drop by is important to me.
DeleteOh Andrew! God is teaching you so much through your trial isn't he? Joy is in the process of showing up! Yes! Showing up to trust God even when we don't understand. To trust that he will draw us closer to him as we struggle through the anger, the pain, and the why's. I believe this is one of your most beautiful posts I've read. Hugs, love and prayers to you and Barb my friend.
ReplyDeleteChristy, thank you so much! I have indeed learned much...and so much has been taught by this community, that I'm simply overwhelmed. The faith and wisdom here have caught me up, and my gratitude is deeper than words.
DeleteThanks so much for the hugs, love and prayers! We do appreciate - and need - them.
God bless you! You really got down to the nitty gritty! I had to reread your post on Kate's site numerous times and will go back to it. Finding joy and being joyful have always been hard for me even though I have so much to be thankful for. I will have to go back and reread your post again and again. Hopefully it will sink in sooner rather than later for me. It is a choice and to be intentional. What a beautiful image of pain being the flip and vital side to compassion. Thank you, Andrew!
ReplyDeleteLeigh, your comment means so much to me! Thank you for this, truly. I'm so honoured by your words!
DeleteThank you for your inspirational blog. My husband has pancreatic cancer too. He doesn't talk any more, but sleeps and rests his eyes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and keeping up your good works thru your blog. Blessings to you and your wife.
ReplyDeleteOh, Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. There is much of the time when all I can do is rest - I don't really sleep - and I can understand, through observing my wife, how hard this must be for you. Please know that your presence beside him, in his life, shines all the brighter as his world dims.
DeletePlease know that you are in our prayers.