The Happy God

God is happy. I Timothy 1:11 states it with deep Biblical propositions saying this: “The gospel of the glory of the blessed God.” Huh? Pastor John Piper helps me understand it by paraphrasing it this way: “The good news of the glory of the happy God.” The happy God, I like that!

I treasure knowing that my God is joy-filled, eternally, and irrepressibly happy. When He looks out at the world He isn’t discouraged, dismayed, or depressed – in fact, He is happy beyond belief.

I’m not always happy. I watch the news and I stew. I watch the economic downturn and I worry. I watch my children grow up and I chew my fingernails to the quick. No, I’m not always happy. Shame on me.

God knows all things – and He’s not worried. God controls all things and He lives in peace. God sees the beginning from the end and He smiles in delight.

It is this happy God that surrounds and envelopes me with His presence. And it is His Spirit that lives in me, filling me with abundance. Thus, I can declare with the Psalmist: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11).

In Matthew 25:23 Jesus invites me to dwell in joy with Him by saying, “Enter into the joy of your master.” And today, I think I will. Won’t you join me today in enjoying our happy God?

Tagged

Hi - I've been tagged by HisFireFly:
I’m supposed to share an Alphabet story, the A to Z 's of me.


Attached or Single? Attached forever to my dear hubby, Ron.


Best Friend? My best friend without a doubt is Jesus Christ. He is EVERYTHING!

Cake or Pie? French Silk Pie.

Day of Choice? Monday – it’s a fresh start, each new week.

Essential Item? Computer. I love the way it connects me with the world.


Flavor of Ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip – anyone else?


Gummy Bears or Worms? Can I say, yuck? Both are too sticky for me.


Hometown? Chicago suburbs


Indulgences? Hot Fudge Sundae – it can cure just about anything.


January or July? I live in Florida, definitely January. It’s paradise.


Kids? Two fabulous children.


Last Movie I saw in a Theater? Two weeks ago – Batman Returns – very intense.


Middle Name? Lynn


Number of Siblings? 2 – An older sister and a younger brother.


Oranges or Apples? Apples, crisp.


Phobia or Fear? Fear – spiders.


Quote? “I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord.” George Mueller


Reason to Smile? Jesus loves me!


Season? Fall – I love the cacophony of color in the fall leaves.


Tag two more: Susan at http://www.thethirstysoul.blogspot.com/, Heather at the strivingwife,

Unknown Fact About Me? I used to play the oboe in the school band.


Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? I am a two month old vegetarian.


Worst Habit? Diet Cola


X-rays or Ultrasounds? Ultrasound – it brings back cool pictures.


Your favorite Food? Pizza, deep dish, Chicago style


Zoo I love? Brooklyn Zoo in Chicago

So there you have it, a snapshot of me, written quickly, A to Z.

The Missi_g Key

“N” is Missi_g

My computer lost its “n” key this week. I just woke up o_e day a_d it was go_e. It did_’t seem like a big deal at the time. So, who _eeds the letter “n” a_yway? A_d if worse came to worse, if I a_gled my fi_ger_ail just so a_d tapped just right, the _eeded “n” would magically appear. A_d if _ot, there are 25 other letters i_ the alphabet that I ca_ use.

Oh my, do you k_ow how ma_y words have the letter “n” i_ them? I’ve typed more tha_ 20 of them i_ just these few se_te_ces. Sure, I ca_ live my life goi_g through awkward co_tortio_s to hit the missi_g “n”, a_d I ca_ brai_storm u_ique replaceme_ts so that I _ever use a_ “n” word agai_ – but it’s i_efficie_t a_d discouragi_g.

“N” is Back

Well – I don’t know if you can tell but my “n” key is back. Yeah! But all this “n-less” living has led me to consider the beauty of the body of Christ. God wisely gifted each member with unique strengths and then placed them perfectly in a Christian community. Each one is important, each irreplaceable.

Are You Missing In Action?

And so, when one believer in the body is missing, we all suffer. Sure, we can awkwardly try to fill in for the missing member, but it is time-consuming and inadequate. Or, we could try to overlook the gap and find alternate solutions but it is never quite the same.

I’m not sure what letter I am in God’s keyboard of life, probably an “x” or “q.” But this week I learned that whatever part I play – it is important and irreplaceable. I saw first hand what happens when I don’t show up and do my part.

This week I hope you will join me in whole-hearted service so together we can unite for the glory of God.

I Love My City

I love my city. I know it seems strange to love a city. People generally love family, friends, the opposite sex, and of course a steaming hot, deep-dish Chicago style pizza. But I woke up this morning thinking about how much I love Winter Haven, FL.

I don’t love it because it is the cutest, the cleanest, or the most caring, although it is. I don’t love it because of the Chicago style pizza because it doesn’t have any. I love Winter Haven because Jesus does.

Jesus Loves Cities

In Luke 19, we see that Jesus loves cities. “When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it…” Jerusalem, the City of David, was the crown jewel of Israel. Jesus loved it. It was lost. Jesus wept.

Jesus doesn’t weep often. When He does, I pay attention. What do I learn? Cities are important because people are important.

People in Cities Need Jesus

My city, Winter Haven has some wonderful points. There are beautiful lakes, serene pastures, and some great revitalization going on downtown. But like Jerusalem, and New York, and Chicago, and Hoboken - much of it is lost. Dads have deserted their homes. Moms are neglecting their kids. Students roam the streets and drugs pillage the schools. Like every town and city in our great country, Winter Haven needs Jesus.

God Reaches Cities Through Us

That’s why I am so thankful that God has given me, along with thousands of others, a heart, and the means to make a difference. Through efforts large and small, performed in many venues, hidden and unheralded by men – God is working through us.

My small part? This week the LifeRenewal Ministries team, (www.LifeRenewalMinistries.com) on which I am privileged to serve, began gearing up to throw our small rock in Winter Haven’s pond of need. Our God-sized goal is for the every woman in Winter Haven to ‘Experience Transformation through Knowing Jesus.’ Our almost invisible venue is two weekly studies each Thursday.

Our vision is large. Our effect is small. But our faith is unshakeable. God loves our city. So do I. Pray with me that this fall His love will shine brightly and effectively here locally for all to see.

My Father Knows

“Therefore do not be like them.
For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Matthew 6:8

Even before I call on Him, my Father knows what I need. And the answer is already on the way (Is. 65:24). Yes, I am exhorted to pray for my daily needs, but in these verses I see that it involves so much more.

Prayer allows me to experience God more intimately.

As a child relies on the loving provision of his parent, he is more and more convinced of that parent’s unrelenting love. In the same way, my Father is eager for me to experience Him as He provides for me.

He knows me and always gives me what is best. I am feeling His love. Among other things this week, my Father specifically gave me:

• A husband who adores me
• Friends that support me
• A daughter to encourage me
• A son who misses me
• A God who knows me and supplies my every need

I am blessed. The days weren’t always sunny or the nights trouble-free. But I have a heavenly Father who moves heaven and earth every single day just so that I will know Him, feel Him, talk to Him, and love Him. Prayer exists so that I can experience my God. It works!