July Newsletter
Print ViewFrom a tiny seed 'neath the fertile soil
a little root sprouts and begins to toil
Before you know it after some sun and showers
Your small seed becomes a beautiful flower
Yes, up from the ground this beauty unfolds
For all around to gratefully behold
And when your life is in the pits
And the weight of your troubles on your shoulder sits
Look to your God the Creator of all
And His marvelous blessings on your life will fall
For things that are meant for trouble and harm
Are turned into triumphs by the Lord's mighty arm
From the tumultuous sorrows and the depths of gloom
He'll lift you up and cause you to bloom
Jesus, His Son, from a dark grave arose
To save us from a world filled with woes
So don't be worried when darkness looms
To God be the Glory for your beautiful blooms
By Lisa Williams
Isaiah 58:11 - The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 - But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Micah 7:8 - Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my Light.
Unlimited JOY
Print ViewGod is limitless! He has a fresh supply of all that we are needing at any given moment and He has an unlimited supply of it. This week I have chosen to focus on the Lord's unlimited joy. As a matter of fact, I have claimed this a "week of joy" as I do from time to time. I don't know what this week will hold, but I know that God will be holding me securely in His palm. If I am trusting in Him and looking for His blessings at every turn and receptive to what He would have me to see...it will be a week of joy. God wants that for me and for you, not just this week, but always. That doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen, but that in all circumstances I can be content and joyful because I am HIS. Claiming my week of joy is simply a way of declaring that I will be open to the joy and blessings that my God wants me to see. Let God make it a great week!
Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."
April Newsletter - One Day at a Time
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Each morning as we awake we are presented with a fresh supply of God's blessings. In the Old Testament book of Lamentations we are told that His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness! Psalm 68:19 praises God our Savior who daily bears our burdens. We may still be dwelling on our situation or problems, but God's willingness to bear our burdens is there for us every single day. If you tried to grab your worries and cares back from His able hands as yesterday waned, then as you rise this morning cast your cares on Him again and start fresh. The psalmist reminds us that each day is made by God and that we should rejoice and be glad in it.
Life is best lived one day at a time. Start each day thanking God for His blessings specifically, as many as you can think of: His mercy, grace, love, peace, joy, protection, faithfulness, etc.
That well known 23rd Psalm ends with the words, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life..." Today is a new day and it is all we are guarantied. Remember that our faithful Heavenly Father has equipped you today with everything you will need. He will give you strength, courage, peace and more as you need it. Today is a new beginning and you are fully equipped to make it a great one!
Daily
Our faithful God in Heaven above looks down on us with lavish love
He lifts our burdens and those awful cares,
each one of them He daily bears
When we awake in a worried haze
He sends us peace for each of our days
Today requires courage in great supply
So we lean on the Lord and on His strength rely
Every morning He blesses us in so many ways
His mercy will follow us all of our days
Whatever we need we daily find
as we kneel at His throne one day at a time
May each morning bring word of
His unfailing love
His goodness and mercy from Heaven above
And may we remember that all will be fine
As long as we take one day at a time
by Lisa Williams
Psalm 68:19 - Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Lamentation 3:22-23 - Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Psalm 42:8 - By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me---a prayer to the God of my life.
Isaiah 65:24 - Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Showers of Blessing
Print ViewLISTENING
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Today I have been thinking about closing this blogsite. I'm really not sure if anyone is viewing it. As I try to do with most things, I waited to see what the Lord might have to say about that. Moments ago I received an email from a lady in Texas that I have come to know through one of my sisters. It was about a website where women encourage each other and lift each other up. I was very inspired by it...seemed just what I needed today. Then it struck me that this was God's way of guiding me or answering my quandry. All I want to do with this blog is give someone a little joy for their journey, a little encouragement along the way. So with that the Lord breathed some new strength into me and I will press forward in Him and in His strength. Hope you will do the same today.
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him... Hosea 6:3
January Newsletter
Print ViewGod can take the ordinary and do extraordinary things you never could have imagined. Scripture is filled with examples of ordinary people and things that God used to accomplish amazing things. In John we read of a boy who had five small barley loaves and two small fish. Jesus used this simple lunch to feed five thousand people and perform a wonderful miracle. The Bible tells of a widow who gave all she had which was two small coins, and the twelve apostles who were ordinary men when Jesus called them to follow Him. An ordinary situation can be transformed into an extraordinary event through the power and love of God.
The new year may just seem like another ordinary year, but God can make it an extraordinary time of your life. It can be the best year you have ever had no matter what your circumstances are. You are already an extraordinary blessing in my life. Have a great New Year!
It was just a day quite ordinary with nothing new in sight
The same old things expected from morning until night
Though it was pleasant the day began with the regular routine
In no way could the blessings in store have ever been foreseen
But God in His infinite wisdom and abundant love divine
Transformed this day into a beautiful bundle of blessings sublime
Each step taken seemed to be perfectly directed by Him
The people encountered spoke in kindness, each a sparkling gem
At every turn something unexpected seemed to take place
God poured out His love, joy and peace along with His marvelous grace
Expect each day to hold joy and blessings extraordinary
Watch for the Lord with a happy heart and never be contrary
For the God we serve is amazing and awesome in every way
He can make something marvelous out of an ordinary day
by Lisa Williams
Psalm 84:5 - And how blessed all those in whom You live, whose lives become roads You travel. (The Message)
Psalm 118:25 - This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Isaiah 12:5 - Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things...
Psalm 18:32-33 - It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights.
Yes, my friends, God is doing extraordinary things in you and through you. He can make each day the best one yet. May 2009 be the most extraordinary year you have ever had. To God be the glory!
The Greatest Gift
Print ViewAs Christmas approaches may we remember what is important in life. Faith, family and friends are at the top of the list. May we draw near to those we love and let them know just how much they mean to us. Most importantly may we draw near to God who sent us the greatest gift that has ever been given...Jesus Christ, His Son and our Saviour. Let us embrace His plan for us and be thankful. May we shout Glory to God in the Highest! Merry Christmas to all and a blessed New Year. Lisa
Philippians 2:9 "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name."
Welcome to Joy for the Journey
I am a Christian who lives in Nashville, TN with my husband of 28 years and our two children. I've been homebound with a chronic illness for many years. In 1999 I began corresponding with female inmates across the country in an effort to encourage them in the Lord. This is a Christian pen pal ministry called Joy for the Journey. Handwritten notes and cards are sent to inmates as well as a quarterly newsletter. Recipients of the newsletter or "encouragement letter" as I like to call it include female inmates, nursing home residents, and people with chronic and terminal illnesses. This blog is for anyone who needs a little joy on their journey. May God be glorified.
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