Writer's block

I've got quite a case of it this week and would love some help.

What's one thing you'd like me to write a post about?

p.s. Miss you!

The JOY Challenge: Day 36 - Along the Way

I'm deliberately finding joy for forty days. To start from day one click here.

 

Congratulations to Katie for winning the journal giveaway! She'll get to choose any journal she wants from DaySpring.com. And all of you can get 20% off with my friends and family discount (holley20). I love these journals and helped create many of them! Click here to see the whole collection.

We're getting close to the end of the Joy challenge (I know--it's been a lot longer than just forty consecutive days!) and I've learned some things along the way...

Joy is a choice - I don't think there's been one day I've woken up and said, "Woo-hoo! Joy!" I think joy is a bit like exercise. You put your heart in motion and head that direction then God gets the rest of you up to speed.

Joy is everywhere - Once I started looking, I discovered joy was all around me. It still is. I'll admit some days I get bogged down and don't choose to focus on it. But when I do, it's always there.

Joy is a glimpse of heaven - In those moments when joy is incredibly real, I always find myself longing for heaven. I think joy reminds us we were made for more than this, more than here and now.

Joy is a Person - For some reason we tend to think of Jesus as really serious. But he's joy itself. And I've discovered when I truly feel joy, I feel his presence in those moments too.

Your turn! Just fill in the blank. Joy is...

 

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The JOY Challenge: Day 35 - Praying for You

I'm deliberately finding joy for forty days. To start from day one click here.

 
photo by Dawn at My Home Sweet Home Online

God,

Thank you for the one who is reading these words right now.

I'm so glad that wherever she is, you are there too.

Today I ask that you would bring her JOY--

the kind that comes from deep inside

and stays despite our circumstances.

You know what's on her heart today,

those worries that keep coming back.

Lift the burdens from her shoulders,

carry them for her...and please carry her too.

I also pray that you would bring her HOPE--

the kind that is so much bigger than blue skies,

the sort of hope that sees us through the storms

and walks us into the light of a better, brighter day.

If her belief is sagging or her spirit weary

give her strength to press on to all you have for her.

And, most of all, I pray for LOVE in her her life--

the kind that is unconditional, real, healing

and gives us the courage to become

all you made us to be because we know

we're deeply loved just as we are now.

Please let her feel your Presence and these prayers

with her right now, in this moment.

Thank you for being with her always as you promised.

Amen.

 

What's one way we can specifically pray for you today? Let us know by leaving a comment here and on the prayer page of (in)courage...