You Are My Joy

Yesterday was our last day of confirmation class. Pastor Allynn spent our time talking about joy. Each of the students were given a piece of paper upon which they could draw the things in their lives which brought them joy. Needless to say, it was a pretty interesting exercise.

The entire time they were drawing away, I could only think of one thing - a song by David Crowder Band. It is called "You Are My Joy."

In the song, DCB sings "you are my joy" over and over and over again. He is singing this praise to God, saying that nothing else in this world matters because it is you, God, who brings me joy.

At one point in the song he says that he is letting himself go. In other words, he's not going to focus on himself or getting himself stuff or doing stuff that he thinks is fun. All is is going to focus on is God being his joy.

And towards the end of the song he says (after singing "you are my joy" several times), "I need to catch my breath." I love this part because I love the thought of being so caught up in praising God that you forget to breathe. Doesn't that sound amazing?

Anyway, watch the video of the song below, and read the lyrics if you want. I promise it is an amazing song.

But mostly, I want you to spend some time today telling God that he alone is your joy. Nothing else. Not summer vacation. Not sports. Not hanging out with friends. God is our joy. Tell him so many times you need to pause and catch your breath. After all, he is pretty awesome.


lyrics:
And He set me on fire, and I am burning alive.
With His breath in my lungs I am coming undone.
And he set me on fire and I am burning alive.
With his breath in my lungs I am coming undone.
And I cannot hold it in
Remain composed.
Love's taken over me
So I propose the letting myself go.
I am letting myself go.

You are my joy.
You are my joy.
You are my joy.
You are my joy.

And He set me on fire, and I am burning alive.
With His breath in my lungs I am coming undone.
And He set me on fire, and I am burning alive.
With His breath in my lungs I am coming undone.
And I cannot hold it in and remain composed.
Love's taken over me and so I propose the letting myself go.
I am letting myself go.

You are my joy.
You are my joy.
You are my joy.
You are my joy.

I need to catch my breath, I need to.
I need to catch my breath, give me a moment now.

You are my joy.
You are my joy.
You are my joy.
You are my joy.

I'm laughing so hard
And I'm laughing so hard
And I'm laughing so hard

Almost Summer!

I find it hard to believe that school is almost out for summer. Who doesn't love summer? Long days, softball games, snow cones, vacations, lemonade, and cookouts. There are lots of fun things to look forward to during summer.

This summer we are going to have lots of fun things to do at church. We are going to continue to have Bible studies on Tuesday nights and Sunday school. But, you can also expect lots of fun hang out days and outings.

Summer is a great time to ask friends to come and join us for youth. Bring them to a fun event, or ask them to come for free pizza day before Bible study. Either way, they are welcome to join our group for any activities that we have.

So, be sure to save some time this summer for all the activities we have coming up! You won't want to miss it! Oh, and be sure to check your e-mail for the summer calendar coming soon!

Mother's Day

Today is a day that we dedicate to Mom. Mom's are pretty great, aren't they? They take care of us when we are sick. They change our diapers and put up with puking when we are little. And, some how, they just have a way of making everything better.

When I first went off to college, I called my mom every day the first year I was away. Every day. I missed her a lot. Some days I called excited to tell her about a good grade I got. Some days I called her crying with something that had gone wrong. Some days I was laughing; others I was tired. But mom was always there to talk, no matter what time or day.

I remember in particular the first time I was sick at college. It wasn't anything severe - just a cold or something, but man, did I miss my mom. There is just something about a mom that knows how to make you feel better when you are sick or comfort you when you are having a bad day, and they do it like no one else can.

In short, Moms rock. I hope that you take time today to let your mom know that. She definitely deserves to be told.

You know what else reminds me of mothers? God.

Usually, when we think of God, we think of him as our Father. And there is nothing wrong with that at all! But, I think sometimes it is helpful to think of God as our mother as well.

I know it's a little strange, but think of all the ways God is like our mother - God is caring, compassionate, loving, and tender.

In fact, there is a scripture where Jesus talks about being like a mother. Luke 13:34 says, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"

Jesus says that he wishes he could gather us together, just like a mom hen gathers her chicks together. I love that thought of God gathering us up, protecting us, and shielding us, just like a mother would do.

So, today, as you honor your moms, make sure you also thank God for being motherly and taking care of you when you need it most. God is definitely awesome like that!

May Day!

Ok, so I'm one day off, but yesterday was May Day. Perhaps this doesn't mean anything to you, but in my house, it was a day of excitement!

Every year, on the first of May, my 4 siblings and I would wake up extra early before school, run out into the back yard and pick a host of wild flowers that grew out there. There would be daffodils, lilacs, spring beauties, sweet williams, and lots more.

Then came the fun part - we would put them into construction paper cones that we had made the decorated the day before and pile into the car. Then Mom would drive us to church friends and family members homes. She would park down the street and we would get out of the car with our homemade bouquet (giggling all the way, of course), run down the street, put the flowers on the door, ring the bell and run!

You see, May Day was our day to surprise those we loved with some flowers. I'm sure they figured it out every year that it was us, but it was fun to leave a surprise, anyway.

Remember this fun holiday got me thinking this week. How many times in our lives does God leave us a surprise. Quite often! If you've looked outside lately, you can see surprises from Him everywhere! Have you looked at the church parking lot? There are huge lilac bushes that are just bursting with beauty and wonderful scents. That's a gift from God! We've had a couple of really nice days this week...that's right, another gift from God!

How lucky are we that God is always there - surprising us with the beauty of nature, blessing us beyond what we could even ask him for! He is truly an amazing God!

Take some time this week to ask your family members how they have been blessed by God. You may be surprised at how much He has blessed you and you didn't even realize it!

Happy (belated) May Day!