From the Pastor's Desk
Reverend David Kaul
“ I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you. ”
- Philippians 1:3
The Friendship Factor
Dear friends in Christ,
One of God's gifts to His people is joy! How good to rejoice in a friend. For whom do you join Paul in giving God thanks and remember with joy? Joy Elise Rose Kirklin has passed after a courageous fight with cancer. As I prepared for her service of remembrance, I looked up the word "Joy" in my Bible concordance. Scattered throughout various Old and New Testament books is some form of this word that describes rejoicing, gladness, grace, leaping with joy, clothed in joy and exceeding happiness.
Here is a taste of my search...
Psalm 100:1 entreats all nations to "Make a joyful noise to the Lord."
In Luke 2:10, the angel announcing Jesus birth tells the shepherds" I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people, to you is born .. A Savior."
The prophet Isaiah 49:13 invites the creation to join in his joy, "Sing, O heavens and be joyful O earth!"
Joy in the love of God is an intentional choice among various options for living each day, Psalm 35:9, "my soul shall be joyful in the Lord."
God is the source of our Joy, in Psalm 51:12, King David prays, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation."
Solomon warns us in Proverbs that "The parent of a fool has no joy!" and the parent who has a "a wise child shall have joy!"
Sorrow is temporary. Faith in God will heal. Hear God's promise in Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning!"
We may ask God to give joy to others. St. Paul prays for the Romans, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit." 15:13
By now, you are getting the point that most of us are missing out on one of God's precious gifts. Too many of our days are spent in a joyless movement from this moment to the next. We connect the dots of our lives in a joyless experience.
Take a moment to...
Call to mind something good that God gave you today!
Conjure the image of a special person who blessed your life!
Bring God thanks for answered prayer.
Now go to the bathroom, turn on the shower or jump in the car and drive around the block and sing from the bottom of your feet the words of a favorite Christian hymn. Give God thanks that nothing can separate you from His love in Jesus Christ. Remember that God never gets tired or weary and is always there for you!
People came from all over America to attend Joy's funeral. The list included family, neighbors but also camping friends who traveled from Colorado, Iowa, and Arizona. Grandma "Gigi" brought special joy to her grandchildren sewing Halloween costumes and Christmas dresses, playing dominos and attending their athletic contests and various concerts. Every people enfleshs a word, anger, peace, courage, caring, selfless. Her mother named her "Joy"! See you at summer worship.
In Christ's love,
P. Dave