My JOY Journey: The Beginning of the End

In 2008, a very special and dear blogging friend sent me my "first care package" filled with love gifts for me to open for Christmas (no matter if it arrived early or late, it was as if I had received a package from heaven... one of the treasures included was a hand crocheted (I think that's right) angel... and among many other treasures was this book that I plan on sharing parts of, for this last week of 2011... 

Who would have known back in 2008 that my Word for 2011 would be JOY, and that I needed to journey through my grief/mourning to find that JOY? Only God... I do not even think the gift giver realized how important this woman's book of joyful promises written by many well known authors would be needed, but our Greatest Gift Giver already knew that I would need to find JOY once again and share that JOY with others and with you that have seen me through this journey to JOY.

That blogging friend is no longer actively blogging and sadly we've lost touch. Yet, her gift will keep on giving... (and I hope no other blogger sends me any gifts, because I'd much rather have your friendship and sisterhood to hold onto and last into eternity than treasures on this side)... I'm getting ahead of myself, because that's the last JOY I plan to share for 2011... as we say goodbye to 2011 and c'mon in 2012, we're ready for whatever you have in store for us, to draw us closer together and to God. So, I'm not sharing this in the order of the book and only selecting parts that I can without infringing on copyright, I hope (please note: no copyright infringement intended)! 

These posts will be what I gleaned from the golden pages of this precious book and the many authors, but mostly the Great Author of the BEST book ever written: The Bible - the Word of God. I tried to find an image of the book to share but it looks like the have a different cover and this is a gift edition keepsake (I think)... but as I looked for it, I came across another title that looks good and very inexpensive: 

"Christmas Journeys: Finding Joy along the Way"

Guess I'll have to share this one next year!

That is almost what I'd like to call this last week of the year 2011:

"Finding JOY along the Way"

My Journey

because 
during our CAROLING blog hop, 
I believe

I started to find some JOY along the way

in the midst of this 
very heavy month for me, even though it's after 2 years
of understanding my grief and loss,

I was able to start to enJOY Christmas

a little more

So since today is the end of CHRISTmas day, I have chosen this part first:

*THE JOY of WALKING WITH CHRIST

"Let every part of your life - your person, your style,  your direction, your flavor ~ BE in HIM" *Anne Ortlund, in her "Disciplines of the Heart" from "Joy for the Journey"

2 Kings 4:1-7

PROMISES about: 1) Being loved by God 2) God's Forgiveness 3) Being Reconciled to God 4) Making God Supreme 5) Giving us Confidence in Christ 6) Being Genuine 7)  Growing in Christ 8) Developing Godly Habits 9) Serving God 10) Making Wise Choices 11) Living in Christ 12) Reflecting Christ

Each of the above 1-12 had a one page "devotional" written by great authors and taken from one of their books (which will be the case every day this week)... I will list in the boxes whatever comes from the gift book, however on the page opposite from their inspiring words is/are scripture(s). That is what I'd like you to hold on to
GOD'S PROMISESabout: 1) Being loved by God
Romans 8:38-39; Psalm 95:7; 1 John 4:192) God's Forgiveness
Romans 8:1-2; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 85:23) Being Reconciled to God
2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 8:15-16; Colossians 1:19-20
4) Making God Supreme
2 Timothy 2:21; Psalm 10:17; Psalm 18:32
5) Giving us Confidence in Christ
Philippians 1:6; Psalm 71:1, 2, 5; Psalm 118:8
6) Being Genuine
1 John 3:1; Galatians 3:26, 28, 29; Micah 6:8
7)Growing in Christ
Ephesians 4:14-15; James 1:22; John 15:5
8) Developing Godly Habits
1 John 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:24; 2 Timothy 1:8-9
9) Serving God
John 12:26; Matthew 4:10; Joshua 24:24
10) Making Wise Choices
Luke 9:23-24; Luke 10:39, 42; Psalm 19:14
*11) Living in Christ
Colossians 2:9-10; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5; 1 John 5:4-5
12) Reflecting Christ
1 John 2:3, 5; Romans 5:1-4; Ephesians 6:10-11

I pray that as we are being loved by God completely, we will know God's forgiveness and be reconciled to God and others, as we make God supreme in our lives; because He has given us confidence in Christ so that we may be genuine as we grow in Christ and develop Godly habits, making wise choices, living in Christ and reflecting Christ as we serve others and God primarily... with JOY! This is the
Joy walking with Christ gives and brings...

Lord, It is Your JOY that gives me strength! I'm so glad that You want me to have JOY! You have not given me a spirit of fear, but You have given me the keys to Your Kingdom, where I find righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. You have given me Joy unspeakable and full of glory as I receive the end of my faith - the salvation of my soul. The Joy of salvation keeps me going. Thank You, Father.
(Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 14:17; 1 Peter 1:8,9)

Your wonderful Joy gives me all I need to keep on with what You have called me to do. I rejoice in You, Father, because of Your goodness and love. Fill me with Your wisdom and spiritual understanding, Lord that I might walk worthy of You unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to Your glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness, giving thanks unto You, Father, always and in all things. (Psalm 5:11; Colossians 1:10-12; Ephesians 5:20) portions from scripture and "Prayers that Prevail"; Walking in Joy

* Part 3 in "Joy of the Journey"