Group formerly known as "Alpha"
Well, it's been a long time coming but we finally met again last night. I think we've had to cancel our meetings for the last 4 weeks, so it was great to get together with our four friends last night to talk and share a bit together from God's Word.
I put together a study last night to talk about "Joy". This is a topic Vicki and I have been discussing off and on now for...uh, a long time. Specifically, we wanted to hit the idea of having joy no matter what is going on in our lives. That has been a huge test for us over this last year...one that we've had both successes and failures with.
One thing that both of us noticed is that it's very difficult for people to define joy. Can you? I know that it's been difficult for us at times as well. Ed Young, Jr. gives a great definition in his book, Outrageous and Contagious Joy: Five big questions to help you discover one great life. Here it is:
It was good talking about all of these things last night. Everyone struggles with this issue at one point or another. Joy seems so elusive at times. But there is hope! As we move our focus further and further heavenward our perspective becomes changed, transformed...and we begin finding ourselves at peace and full of joy, even when the life is pushing us to fall apart.
Our group is planning on continuing to meet each Tuesday. I'm thankful that God has been working in these peoples' lives...revealing Himself to them more and more as they open themselves up to His teaching.
I put together a study last night to talk about "Joy". This is a topic Vicki and I have been discussing off and on now for...uh, a long time. Specifically, we wanted to hit the idea of having joy no matter what is going on in our lives. That has been a huge test for us over this last year...one that we've had both successes and failures with.
One thing that both of us noticed is that it's very difficult for people to define joy. Can you? I know that it's been difficult for us at times as well. Ed Young, Jr. gives a great definition in his book, Outrageous and Contagious Joy: Five big questions to help you discover one great life. Here it is:
Joy can be defined as the positive confidence I possess by knowing and trusting God, regardless of the circumstances.I think that's a great definition, and one that I need to keep in mind. I've come to realize, as I shared with the group last night, that having joy in our lives...that deep-down God joy...is dependent on our perspective in life. What am I focusing on? The incredible blessings God's given me or the mound of troubles and challenges that confront me? Am I living in a spirit of thankfulness or in a spirit of negativity? These things are clutch if we're going to experience the kind of joy God desires for us to have!
It was good talking about all of these things last night. Everyone struggles with this issue at one point or another. Joy seems so elusive at times. But there is hope! As we move our focus further and further heavenward our perspective becomes changed, transformed...and we begin finding ourselves at peace and full of joy, even when the life is pushing us to fall apart.
Our group is planning on continuing to meet each Tuesday. I'm thankful that God has been working in these peoples' lives...revealing Himself to them more and more as they open themselves up to His teaching.
posted by Michael Shattuck at
4:44 AM
3 Comments:
Your post reminds me of James 1:2-4. Someone just challenged us with verse about asking for wisdom in that context of those faith-building trials.
Thanks for sharing some good thoughts about joy.
"with verse 5"
Yeah...I just get mixed up sometimes and think that I can have (or obtain) all the "good stuff" without enduring the difficult challenges. Needless to say, this year has really drilled that lesson into my mind. And thankfully we're finally able to see that reality...that we're much better off having gone through everything we have.
Post a Comment
<< Home