Happy Monday/Tuesday

Hey there – Miss me? My life has been crazy wonderful lately and so there’s been no time to blog. Thanks for waiting.  Today let me just jot a quick note about JOY !!

Joy is not happiness. Happiness is an emotion that you feel, joy is a fruit of the spirit within you seeking what is good and righteous not what “feels” good or righteous.

I was confused about the difference for many years but I recently heard a missionary from Vietnam/Cambodia who is helping children rescued from the sex trade.  This subject is UNhappy – this man said he did not want anyone to feel sorry for the children, whether they were rescued or still in slavery ! He said we have JOY and should choose JOY to show the devil that no matter what happens in this life we will remain joyful and use the time we’ve been given to do the Lord’s work – anything that is the Lord’s work.

He was told by the missionary, Heidi Baker, that he would know where he was called when he looked into the eyes of the children and his spirit would move so deep within him that there would be no mistake, he would know.  So he purposed in his heart to do anything the Lord put in front of him, every mission trip he was offered he took.  Then, when in Vietnam he knew it was where he was meant to be.

This moved me, every thing we put our hands to should be for the Lord. We should have JOY in all things.  I cannot go backward in time, so as I move forward I take this teaching with me.

I choose JOY.  – A side note, our mission team is named “Project J.O.Y.” which stands for

 “Jesus Overflowing in You !”