Fruit of the Spirit -- Joy

You can find the post for "Fruit of the Spirit -- Love", here. 

Today's post is on the fruit of the Spirit: joy. 

I found SO much on joy during my search on BibleGateway.com. This is a great website that has many resources. I definitely encourage you to check it out. This is where the majority of today's post comes from. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, 
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness 
and 
self-control." 
Galatians 5:22

Joy = the emotion of great delight or happiness, keen pleasure, the expression or display of glad feelings, state of happiness. 

Strong's Dictionary = gladness, the joy received from you, the cause or occasion of joy, of person's who are one's joy. 

Joy in one form or another appears at least 59 times in the New Testament. 

Joy is a quality or attitude of delight and happiness, ultimately grounded in the work of God. Among the many situations in which joy is experienced, Scripture recognizes as supreme being accepted in the presence of God. 

There is joy of the Church, joy of the Holy Spirit, joy of God, and joy of Christ. 

• Joy of the Church 
• The church is to rejoice in the salvation brought by Christ's faithful life and death, and the power of His resurrection. Even in adversity, believers know the joy of Christ. 
• There is joy at the coming of Christ.
• Joy is the hallmark of the Kingdom of God. 
• Christ promises joy.
• There is joy among believers.
• Joy experienced in relationship with Christ.
• There is joy even in adversity.
• Joy because of faith and obedience, love and concern.
• Joy because of our partnership in the Gospel. 

• Joy of the Holy Spirit 
• The Spirit gives an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external circumstances. (This is one statement that really struck a cord with me. How often do I let the world determine my joy, instead of Christ?)
• The Spirit enables the Messiah to bring joy. 
• The Spirit gives joy:
• To those who were anticipating the birth of Christ.
• To Christ, Himself.
• To disciples even in the face of opposition. 
• Evidence of the Spirit's work prompts believers to rejoice!

• Joy of God
• God rejoices in the well-being and faithfulness of His people and in the repentance and conversion of sinners. He brings joy to His people, who rejoice in His presence and faithfulness.
• God is the source of joy!
• He rejoices in the restoration of His people. 
• Joy is found in the heavenly presence of God.
• Causes of God's joy:
• His own works.
• His chosen servants.
• Christ, His Son.
• The restored temple.
• His people and their worship. (How is our worship bringing joy to God? Is it at all?)
• Repentance
• Obedience, honesty, and integrity.

• Joy of Christ
• Originates in God:
• From His intimate relationship with His Father and the Spirit.
• From His awareness of God's purposes.
• To know Christ brings great joy to others!

Some other examples of joy can be found in Philippians and 1 Thessalonians. 

"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." 

Philippians 1:18-19

"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 
1 Thessalonians 1:6


"Joy is different from happiness, because happiness depends on what happens. There are elements in our circumstances we cannot help; joy is independent of them all." 
Oswald Chambers, He Shall Glorify Me


Although these are only two verses of Scripture that speak on joy, there are many verses that go along with all of this post. I encourage you to go to BibleGateway.com and look up joy. 


(Today's post was gathered from Dictionary.com, BibleGateway.com, and BlueLetterBible.org) 

Fruit of the Spirit -- Love

I have decided to go through and study the fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians. I hope to do one fruit a day until I have gone through them all. Most of what I write in these posts I have gathered from various online resources.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, 

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness 

and 

self-control." 

Galatians 5:22 

Love = a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person, feeling of warm personal attachment. 

Strong's Dictionary = agape, affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love, love feasts

This agape form of love occurs around 116 times in the New Testament. 

Love is a caring commitment, affection and delight shown to one another, which is grounded in God Himself. In His words and actions and Christ's death on the Cross, God demonstrates the nature of love and defines the direction in which human love, in all forms, should develop. 

• Reasons for loving one another:
• God commands it.
• God has taken the initiative in showing love.
• God's people are known by their love.
• Love maintains fellowship.
• Love promotes sacrificial service.
• Expressing love for one another occurs:
• In caring for the sick.
• In meeting material needs.
• In affectionate greetings. 

"O Lord, I would crave more and more to put on love like a garment, that in my contact with men that is what they will most lastingly recognize." 

-- Oswald Chambers, Knocking at God's Door

(Today's post was gathered from Dictionary.com, BibleGateway.com, and BlueLetterBible.org)

Lazy Saturday Post Full of Randomness

When I tell you that today has literally been one of the laziest Saturdays, it really has been. 

I haven't left my apartment, not even my bed for that matter.

I do have my window blinds open though, that counts for something right??

And, although I have plenty of food here to eat, I might leave to go get something later. Through a drive-thru of course. 

This is what summer is all about right?? Well, it is when all your friends have left town and you don't feel like driving 2 hours to go home. 

I did find a new blog today, which I love! She has been getting a lot of traffic after her post called, "50 Shades of Magic Mike (In Which I Am VERY UNCOOL)." Check it out here. 

In addition to her taking a stand and speaking out against 50 Shades and Magic Mike, I love the rest of her blog.

Check her out.

:-) 

I have also spent hours watching YouTube music videos, watching clips of Ellen interviews, and surfing Netflix for something to watch. 

Not to mention the scrolling of Twitter and Facebook. 

Social media definitely wins today...

My 4th of July was great! Another great day spent with friends that will go in the memory box. July 4th is definitely one of my favorite holidays.
Last 4th I was in NOLA, watching fireworks on the river.

This year, I started the day by watching an old dorm on UA's campus get imploded! Something that I have always wanted to see in person. Check that off the list!
Here are some pics!

Then, that evening some friends and I went to Birmingham to eat and watch the firework show, Thunder on the Mountain. I went two years ago and really enjoyed it. Although, this year we had a great view on top of a parking deck. 

Last weekend I was able to take a mini vacation with one of my friends. We both worked camp last summer in NOLA, so we thought it would be fun to go back for a weekend. It was a great break that I needed and it was sooo great to see friends again.

Also, if you have noticed, most of these pictures are from my phone and have been Instagram-ed! 

Yes, I am now the happy owner of an iPhone!

I recently upgraded and am happy that I did. I am really enjoying it. It was definitely a good switch and glad I could do it before my big move. Which, I know I haven't said anything more about it. Details about it are coming soon! Promise! I'm just waiting for things to be officially official before I do a whole post on it. 

Other than going to watch new movies (Snow White and the Huntsman, The Lucky One, Brave -- all wonderfully good movies!), Red Boxing movies with friends, having sleep overs with friends, joining a new Bible Study, hammocking with friends, and working, this is what summer has entailed for me so far. 

Now, for some things that I want to start again or do for the first time this summer: 

1. Get a haircut. 

My hair is long, but I still want to grow it out some more. Thing is, it has reached its point of length where it isn't growing. So, I need to go get a trim to help it along its merry way. Also, I want more shape or something, so I might ask for some layers. My hair is long and super thick, so sometimes I feel like there isn't anything I can do with it. 

2. Get back in my exercise and eating regime. 

I have written a couple of posts on this. Well, I have reached I think week 2 of not doing either of these things. So, it is time to get back on the track (literally). 

3. Read the books that I have bought. 

I seriously have a problem when it comes to buying books. Especially when I see a good deal. So, I'm making it a goal to actually read these books this summer. I love reading and I know that once I start, it will be hard to stop. Also, now that I don't have to read boring textbooks, I can read what I want, for fun! 

4. Renew and refresh my Quiet Times. 

This summer, along with a couple of friends, I joined a new Bible Study at my church. It is led by my college minister's wife, who I love hanging out with. What I really love about this bible study is that it is ladies of the church of all different ages. Women that have already been where I have been. I'm excited to learn from them and listen to their words of wisdom. 

However, my own quiet time has been essentially non-existent so far this summer. For different reasons, but the main one being my lack of commitment and intent. In that there hasn't been either...

Work Out Essentials

As I've mentioned in a couple of posts, I have started the journey of getting healthier by eating right and exercising. 

For me, this is not just about losing weight and being healthy, but about glorifying God with everything He has given me. Which most definitely includes my body, which the Bible calls our temple. 

(You can read this here and here.)

To give an update on how the journey has been going, there have been some up and down weeks here and there. 

It seems that some weeks I would eat just right, but not exercise. 

Then, others it would seem that I would exercise, but not eat right.

Very little weeks have seemed to include both and of the amount that I have set for myself. 

I have lost a little weight, but because of my unbalanced weeks, I have stayed at my present weight for the past few weeks. I'm just delighting and thankful that I haven't gained weight. 

Even though I haven't lost much, I have noticed other good changes, mostly more energy throughout the day.

Now, I know that having the best stuff will not make my weight magically fall off, but these few things have encouraged and helped me through my journey so far. 

Workout Clothes! 

I used to workout in just athletic shorts and old t-shirts, but for me this wasn't very comfortable. I would be working out and having to adjust my shirt constantly to make it feel like I wasn't choking! And my shorts would get old, because I just wasn't comfortable in them. 

So, I invested in some very awesome and comfortable running pants. They seriously are the best things for me. Also, I bought a couple of tanks that are loose and don't feel like they are choking me. The materials are very airy and help me to stay cool. Which definitely helps when walking outside in Alabama heat! 

Good Shoes!

I recently switched to the Nike brand for my shoes, not because of it's name, but definitely for its quality. I really like my shoes, they are especially good for walking which is mostly all I do. If I ever step up to running and doing it often, I might invest in a good pair of running shoes. A good shoe really does make all the difference, especially while working out. 

Water Bottles!

I have a major collection of water bottles. It is sort of like my book collection, constantly growing. Although, I only use two or three of my water bottles regularly. When it comes to water bottles, you can go pretty generic and get about anything you want. But, I really like the brand Camelbak. But, what I love about the Camelbak's is that most of them have a straw. Which for me, means I will constantly drink water through that thing and definitely get what I need daily. I recently got two new water bottles from them (there was a sale at a local store). One has a taste filter included and the other is insulated and will keep your water cold literally all day. A friend of mine told me about it and said she has two and always carries one with her to class, because she knows her water is going to be cold. They are great bottles especially when being active and exercising, because all you do is bite, sip, drink. No need to stop and unscrew a cap. And they are spill-proof! 

Watch 

I don't normally wear a watch, but summer jobs at camps and day cares have required them. So, it has gotten me in the habit of wearing one. I recently bought a new watch. It wasn't terribly expensive and I needed a new one anyways. So, I went for an Ironman watch. It has a lot of good features on it and different modes. You can get most on any type watch, but this is a good brand that will last. The features include alarm setting, timer setting, 12 or 24 hour time, can set the time for two different time zones, and can log your  times for up to 10 laps, as well as being water resistant. 

iPod Touch

I have not entered the generation of the iPhone yet, but I do have an iTouch that I bought a couple of years ago. I was running out of room on my iPod and upgraded so I would have more room for music. Whenever exercising, I have to be listening to something. Whether I'm inside listening to music or watching a TV show or outside listening to music, it just helps me focus a little bit better. I have the variety that I want and can choose what I listen to. Like today, instead of listening to music while I walked, I turned on a podcast and listened to a sermon. 

What do you like to do while you work out? 

What are some products that you love to use?

Words from My Utmost for His Highest

Oswald Chambers is becoming more and more one of my favorite authors. He writes the truth in a way that makes me think. I literally have to re-read his sentences more than once and then I have that moment: Whoa! How true are those words! 

Today's reading in My Utmost for His Highest goes right along with my blog header: "Reckless abandonment for an audience of One." 

Here is a little bit from what I read today. 

If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say,"Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?" Be reckless immediately -- totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything -- by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. it is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness -- being willing to risk your all.

I hope we all live lives of reckless abandonment today. 

Father's Day 2012

I didn't have a chance to post this earlier, but I was able to go home this weekend and spend time with my parents. 

It was a great weekend to celebrate Dad. 

We relaxed and just enjoyed each other, something that I definitely needed. 

Happy Father's Day, Papa!! I'm proud and blessed to call you my Daddy. 

I love you so very much.

Thank you for being one of my best friends.

:-) 

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Two years ago I was doing an internship in Mobile, Alabama.

Last summer, I was a summer missionary with NAMB in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

This summer?

Resting, relaxing, and spending time with friends. 

Oh, and there is work. 

This summer I am graduated, done with classes, and not out in the mission field. 

(Well, besides Tuscaloosa being my summer mission field, I mean me not out in another state or city.) 

The only things I have done have been spending time with friends, going to the lake, sleeping, reading, watching Netflix, sleeping, working out (another post for another time), and working 3 hours a day at my part-time job. 

Seeing as I'm a big advocate for using my summers for the Lord, it is weird not being anywhere doing that. 

However, I really feel like this moratorium is going to be good for me. 

When graduation first ended, I really didn't know what I was going to do with myself. I hadn't planned on going anywhere and I didn't feel the Lord calling me to go anywhere. I just took it a day at a time. 

Then, a few days after graduation, I just became tired. All of a sudden it seemed like the past five years caught up with me and I just became overwhelmed with this feeling of tiredness, both physically and spiritually. 

A lot has happened to me during my five years in college. 

New friends. Classes. Tests and Finals. Mission Trips. New Church. Bible Study. Work. No Work. Changing Majors. Summer Internships. Weddings. Birthdays. Car Wreck. Fights. Lost Friendships. Restored Friendships. Late Nights. Tornado. Summer Missionary Job. Road Trips. 

More School. More Work. 

Graduation. 

So when friends and family asked me what I was going to do now that I was graduated and I answered with "sleep", I really was not kidding. 

The weight of five years was lifted and I just collapsed. 

I loved college. Absolutely LOVED it. These past five years were definitely the best years I have had so far and contain memories that I will always remember and treasure! 

I want this summer to be a continuation of that and I want to keep adding to that memory box, but I also want this summer to be about the Lord restoring me. I want to rest in the Lord and seek Him daily as He leads me on the next step in my journey. I learned so much in college and now I want to reflect on the things I learned and apply them more than ever. Now is the time that I need this wisdom the most! Life is going to change so very drastically in the "real" world and coming years. 

It's both thrilling and scary at the same time. For as much as I want to know the future and what is going to happen, I know there is no way for me to know. All I can do is wait and trust in the Lord as He reveals His plan to me. As hard as it is some days, I am more than willing to just wait right now. 

There are days when I terribly miss NOLA and Mobile and the people and kids that I met in those places, but I very thankful for the time that I had with them and the things that the Lord showed and taught me there.  Those places ministered and blessed me in more ways than I could have ever done for them. 

I am very thankful to the Lord for that. That He saw it as good to have me there. 

I am also thankful for this "free" time that I have. Knowing that the Lord has planned to keep me here in Tuscaloosa this summer is exciting in its own way. I am thankful for the next two months that I get to be with my church family here, because I know that I am not done learning from them.  I feel the Lord has something good planned. I feel He knows that I need these next two months to prepare for the months that come after. 

Because starting August, the "free" time is over. 

A new journey is starting. 

A journey that definitely takes me far from Alabama, farther than I have been before.

(Still in the United States though.) 

Stay tuned, because I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do

and I can't wait to share with you guys. 

:-)