Tag Archives: Christ Jesus

The 12/12/ 13 Joy Jar

12 Dec

As the year of the ‘Joy Jar’ ends on Christmas and the year of aspiration and accomplishment begins, it is time to reflect on the past year.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
New Living Translation
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

One lesson from the ‘Joy Jar’ exercise is to be thankful. Kelly Clarkson wrote an anthem for all who have gone through and EMERGED from a period of TRANSITION:

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone

What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I…
http://www.metrolyrics.com/what-doesnt-kill-you-lyrics-kelly-clarkson.html

Actually what the ‘Joy Jar’ year has taught moi that it is God and moi. Today’s deposit into the ‘Joy Jar’ is the truth that ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.’

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.
Henry Ward Beecher

The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves.
Leonardo da Vinci

Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
A.A. Milne

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Mahatma Gandhi

He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.
Louisa May Alcott

Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.
Thomas Carlyle

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along”.
Eleanor Roosevelt

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The 12/09/13 Joy Jar

9 Dec

The ‘Joy Jar’ exercise will end on December 25. In many ways it has been like running a race. In this time, this place, and this culture – being a Christian is like running a race. It requires endurance. Jim Eliff of Grace Online Library posted Seven laws for running the Christian race:

1. Run to win: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
2. Observe strict discipline: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training… I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).
3. Don’t look back: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
4. Get constant encouragement: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us…run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
5. Throw off restraints: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).
6. Discount pain: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:22-24).
7. Don’t let up until you cross the line: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/christian-life/seven-laws-for-running-the-christian-race/

Today’s deposit into the ‘Joy Jar’ is running the race until the Lord calls me Home.

“I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus. Let us then, who are “perfectly mature” adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you. Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course”.
Philippians 3: 14-17

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The 10/23/13 Joy Jar

23 Oct

No matter who one is or what their circumstance is, the best way to live is one day at a time.

Philippians 3:13-14
New International Version (NIV)
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Today’s deposit into the ‘Joy Jar’ is living one day at a time.

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.
Abraham Lincoln

Live one day at a time emphasizing ethics rather than rules.
Wayne Dyer

Life is like an ice-cream cone, you have to lick it one day at a time.
Charles M. Schulz

“One day at a time–this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”
Unknown

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”
Unknown

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Dr. Suess

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your
Unknown

Don’t be afraid of the future. With God by your side, there’s nothing to fear. Take life one day at a time. Make the most of today.
Unknown

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