CREATE JOY Joy's my blog.....

There are some memories from childhood that make us laugh, some that we will never forget even if they seem insignificant.  There is one memory in particular that makes me smile. When I was very young, maybe 6, one day I made the decision to  run away from home to "The Big Rock" (only God remembers why).  Everyone who ran in my circle knew the big rock:-) So, anyway I went there and sat for what I thought was all day, only to give up when no one came looking for me.  When I went home, dinner was on and life was as usual.  Nothing lost, nothing changed. As children of God we can make the decision to escape the cares of this life by running to the "Big Rock" who is always there and always faithful, even if what we face isn't earth shattering, He is there. We find peace and comfort when we make the decision to run to Him above any other thing.... Above alcohol Above drugs Above pornography Even above any other person "He only is my rock and my salvat

Life is generally not a bed of roses.   We are thankful and say God is good when things are going our way.  The truth is, God is always good. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you". The will of God is that we give thanks all the time in all things.  We live in gratitude!  Thoughts of thankfulness and gratitude can have an overwhelmingly positive effect on us. A critical spirit, or a spirit of complaining, a  heavy-hardheartedness, envyings, or strife's,   have no other choice but to leave our presence when presented with the goodness of God.... This holiday, let's determine to live thankful!  Find what is good, and lovely, and of good report! Make a list of all God has done for you!  Look for them, seek them as the precious treasure they are! love Jackie

Satan is like the magician who shows us what is in his one hand to distract us, while in the other is he is performing his "magic" trick.  He will do whatever it takes to distract us from seeing what is most important! I am easily distracted these days.  It seems I constantly have things trying to get my attention; phones ringing and beeping, work, traffic, TV, our crazy dog barking.......  I have to take time to stop and sit in quiet and focus on God and His Word because I know that is how I keep my heart and mind sane in an insane world.  What is it that easily distracts you from spending time with God?  love jackie My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.   For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  Keep they heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put

Oh man, my husband bought me a magnifying mirror!  Now I can see all my flaws UP CLOSE! It's not a bad thing I guess.  It depends on how I choose to use it.  I can look in the mirror and work on myself or I can look in the mirror and obsess....obsess and be sad or obsess and try to make myself beautiful for HOURS! LOL We sure know how to overthink don't we? Maybe what we need to look at closely is our heart.  It is the condition of our heart that is most important. Why I do what I do.... Why I respond like I respond.... Why I can't seem to control my thoughts.... Why...... Let me say prayer is good and listening to good music is good, but what is best is surrendering to God through His Word, and letting Him SPEAK to you there. His love will change and inspire you.  It will fulfill you and give you peace and love that cannot be natural but rather supernatural.. does that mean we will never be upset? No! It means when the Spirit of God whispers to you, You kno

Stress test… this is something that always makes me laugh.  When you have issues with your heart, the doctor gives you a stress test to see how much your heart can take.  TO FUNNY! (and honestly alarming) Every day simple tasks also seem to push my heart to see how much stress I can take. Coming to church should NOT be a stress test!  Worshiping Jesus and connecting with brothers and sisters in Christ should bring rejoicing!  It should make our hearts happy! If doesn’t, why not? That is a serious question…. It is also something we need to evaluate for ourselves.   Where are you in your walk with Jesus?  Does every little thing annoy you and make you stressed?  Maybe something as simple as coming to Jesus with a sincere heart and asking Him to show you what needs to change and changing it, can set your heart on a pathway of peace.   Fellowshipping with one another is a blessing!  Look for an opportunity to be a blessing to someone else’s heart. “These things I have spoken unto you, that

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 Tangled!  I picture barbed wire wrapping around my brain entrapping me in pain.  (not a cute Disney cartoon) I feel pain , the pain of being unable to free my thoughts and heart....when I have this state of mind I feel desperate, sad, angry, lonely. Bondage! The state of being enslaved by another person or situation, whether physical or mental. IN Christ I have freedom!  Freedom that cannot be taken away.  Freedom to think good thoughts.  Freedom to rise above any bondage no matter the power someone or thing has over ME OR YOU!  Freedom to not be moved or detoured from the plan God has for me. Let Jesus take your bondage!  He has already paid for any punishment or blame, and your right to be free. In Christ  we can breathe. In Christ we can have joy. In Christ we can "decide" to not be upset. In Christ we can understand H