What happened to my happy?
A friend recommended that I get this book and read it called Joy in Jesus. Now, I had complained to a preacher a few years ago about the fact that religion and church seemed to be all about fire and brimstone, punishment and retribution. Who taught me that it doesn’t have to be that way? Brennan Manning and Rich Mullins. I read The Ragamuffin Gospel, in which Brennan speaks to the outrageous love of God. I had not really heard that part of knowing God and Jesus, just that I had better live my life without mistakes or there would, literally be, hell to pay. “As Manning points out, we have "twisted the gospel of grace into religious bondage and distorted the image of God into an eternal, small-minded bookkeeper." “(amazon.com review) This was eye-opening and such a relief.
And so, I started Joy to Jesus, last night but got stopped by the following: “What has created a joy-free generation? When did stress, tension and pressure replace laughter?” I cried. I literally sat there on my bed, with this book in my hands, and re-read and re-read that line and cried. Because that is what my life seems to have. There seems to be little laughter, and when it does happen, it is almost hysterical.
It should be fun. I need to listen to more Rich Mullins, because he can teach me that as well. I mean, really, this song? A screendoor on a submarine? Hello, here water, come on in?!?
Screendoor on a submarine
It's about as useless as
A screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your left hand
One is your right
It'll take two strong arms
To hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose
Just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show
For your alleged faith
I also did a quick search, and in the NIV Bible, there are 242 references to joy. 242! That’s a lot of joy! Where did it go?
It is a choice, a decision.
"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—I, whom You have redeemed." ~ Psalm 71:23
David experienced joy, to the point of dancing naked in the streets.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (New International Version)
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Luke 15:4-6 (New International Version)
4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 16:22
. . .but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
Don’t let the evil one take away your joy. There is so much music, so many beautiful writings, so many beautiful things for your eyes to see, your body to taste, experience and enjoy.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Haelie on -
Girl! Thanks for sharing! Do keep these wonderful posts coming! I love the song you quoted. Rich Mullins was a wonderfully gifted musician and Christ-follower.
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Permalink Reply by Tami on -
He started teaching me about the love. I mentioned never having known that, I knew the anger, the hellbound. I was actually slapped in church for asking where was Jesus' girlfriend, and Rich sings about the "little girls whistl(ing) when you walk past." He thought something so similar and he didn't get in trouble! I called my mother's preacher and ranted and raved, and he listened, and told me that they were wrong, and I was okay.
That one line from that book last night was, literally, another slap, but a needed one. When you are in that kind of a frame of mind, reality needs to have a larger impact. -
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Permalink Reply by Desiree on -
Tami, I agree with Haelie, this is a wonderful post and a great reminder to take the time to smell the flowers, or enjoy a sunrise, or a child's laughter... there are so many beautiful things that God has provided if we only make the time and pause long enough to enjoy them. Life is hectic enough let some joy and happiness in!
Thank you for sharing! : ) -
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Permalink Reply by Juline Bruck on -
Tami,
I read this four times. I can't believe I hadn't posted on this!! ACK! YOu're always so lovely and fast to post!!!
Today is the day that I really needed to read this again. And this time I"m writing!!! Maybe this will give this very necessary message a bump for someone else. Last night was an ordeal.
SOmeone that I consider a second mother has breast cancer. I found out yesterday. *Whack*
If my marriage was a baseball game, I'd be in the minor leagues from the scoreboard. *Whack*
I had to realize that I got one of the top ten hugs from my daughter yesterday *Blessing*
My trip to visit a friend's church was altogether enjoyable and productive. *Blessing*
I got to read an up and coming writer's work [YOU] and realize I'm one of the first ones to recognize her talent. *Blessing*
Even if I stop right now, I'm one ahead at this point. YOu're absolutely right. There is so much music to experience. Thank you for singing this truth. It's a song I need to keep in my heart right now! -
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Permalink Reply by Tami on
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I need to keep telling myself this, I need to let things go and just concentrate on the joy, the big picture. It is so easy to get bogged down in the day to day, the monotany, live in the rut. The old hymn, "count your blessings", really needs to be more a part of our lives. We canned beets yesterday. We had them to can (blessing). They all sealed (blessing). Some were the newer golden ones and they are so pretty (blessing). While we didn't have many of them, we got some for both regular canned beets and a few for pickled beets (blessing). In getting these few for pickling, I have a different housewarming gift for a friend that loves mom's pickled beets (blessing). It was a long day, with much work, with many bored kids underfoot and frustrating calls from family that don't seem to realize how hard it is to hold a phone to your ear while peeling, cutting, packing jars, loading and unloading canners. But at the end of the day, I have rubies and citrine in cans to bring summer color to winter cold.
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Permalink Reply by Donna King on -
Tami.....you have grown so much that I am enjoying watching you growing in the Lord. This is a great post and I had read it when you first posted it....I didn't know what to say about it. So now I've read it another time and I am still at awe...I feel like it was meant for me! I have been praying and thanking God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me....but then I break down and tell him the thing I want most of all. I feel like I can't cope as well as I used to. I was shocked when I saw the title to this post because I have been asking God....."What happened to my Happy",,,,No kidding.
You are right about finding joy......We need it in our lives.....and somtimes we need to be reminded about it.
Thanks for reminding me.
Blessings to you,
Donna -
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Permalink Reply by Tami on
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I have to admit, seeing that line from that book still stops me in my tracks. Life can really get in the way if you let it, if you allow it to walk all over you. And it isn't easy to not be a treadmill, but there are such great rewards for you if you manage it.
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Permalink Reply by Haelie on
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Tami, Donna is so right in so many ways. You have grown...tremendously! And God is using you in ways you probably never imagined. Keep listening to His Spirit as He leads you. Keep trusting. Keep growing. Keep sharing! :o)
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Permalink Reply by Tami on
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I am trying to listen and learning some courage to step out of the boat and not have too many of those Jonah moments!
Haelie said:Tami, Donna is so right in so many ways. You have grown...tremendously! And God is using you in ways you probably never imagined. Keep listening to His Spirit as He leads you. Keep trusting. Keep growing. Keep sharing! :o) -
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Permalink Reply by Donna King on
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Amen to that! I've been having quite a few of those Jonah and Job moments. It feels like the world is caving in on me at the moment. Is God trying to teach me a lesson? I don't know.
But you Tami, are headed in the right direction! Keep it up.....you are doing great, and like Halie said.....God is using you!
Blessings,
Donna -
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