New Every Morning~April 17, 2006

[Al Moak]

Where is Your Joy?

PLEASE...

SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK

 

Philippians 4:4.  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!" 

Joy is a happy response to positive circumstances.  It's the emotion of gladness we feel about something we perceive as very positive, fulfilling, or affirming.

Rejoicing, then, is just revisiting the cause of previous joy.  Paul's command to "rejoice in the Lord," is thus the command to revisit the central and most important source of a Christian's joy - Jesus Christ and all He means to us.  It's a command to stop and consider again the wonder of God the Son, of His unutterably wonderful redemption, and of the gladness He alone can bring - and has brought - into our lives.

Because His work on our behalf is unalterably finished, and because He is now at the right hand of the Father, His love and redemption are ALWAYS available, so our joy can and should blossom again and again - even in adversity.  It should be no surprise that the apostle was deliberately repetitious about it!

May we always and always revisit the scene of greatest joy!  Do it today!
Al Moak

Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart  
(Click to hear music)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4


Words: Edward H. Plumptre, 1865

Music: "Mar­i­on," Ar­thur H. Mess­i­ter, 1883  




Rejoice ye pure in heart;
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.

Refrain

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Bright youth and snow crowned age,
Strong men and maidens meek,
Raise high your free, exultant song,
God's wondrous praises speak.

Refrain

Yes onward, onward still
With hymn, and chant and song,
Through gate, and porch and columned aisle,
The hallowed pathways throng.

Refrain

With all the angel choirs,
With all the saints of earth,
Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,
True rapture, noblest mirth.

Refrain

Your clear hosannas raise;
And alleluias loud;
Whilst answering echoes upward float,
Like wreaths of incense cloud.

Refrain

With voice as full and strong
As ocean's surging praise,
Send forth the hymns our fathers loved,
The psalms of ancient days.

Refrain

Yes, on through life's long path,
Still chanting as ye go;
From youth to age, by night and day,
In gladness and in woe.

Refrain

Still lift your standard high,
Still march in firm array,
As warriors through the darkness toil,
Till dawns the golden day.

Refrain

At last the march shall end;
The wearied ones shall rest;
The pilgrims find their heavenly home,
Jerusalem the blessed.

Refrain

Then on, ye pure in heart!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing!
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.

Refrain

Praise Him Who reigns on high,
The Lord Whom we adore,
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
One God forevermore.

Refrain

[Jane Walker]

Well, I guess I got here just as AL was locking the door ... Soooo that makes me first on this new page!   

I feel so good now, Hey Jane thanks for the email that is awesome I am  going to save it and read it again and again.

TTYL

Marilyn, you are most welcome.  I did the same.   

[mybcjazz]

Thank you, Al.  I will make a concious effort to rejoice tonight, tomorrow, and the next day!

In His Grip,
kevin

Oh, by the way,

Voting is OPEN!

Signs of Spring Challenge

[Janet]

Good morning, everyone!  I'm off to exercise, just popped in to report my miles to my team captain!

REJOICE!!  AND AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE!!  Yes!

[Carol]

Al"  Thank you for today's devotion.  Yes, all should Rejoice and experience the Joy instead of sitting in judgement of the other church down the street and so many things in life.  Too much time is wasted in looking at the difference in others. 

We had a lovely and perfect weather-wise day for Easter.  All of the children made it here for an afternoon dinner.  An egg hunt too. 

I have pain from allergies and it stops me in my tracks at times so am trying to find the right kind of pill or whatever.  That is why I am a little slow in getting down to the gym today & Don is going separately as he has blood draw from both the regular doctor and the Veteran's doc so he will be without food until about 10:30. 

Marilyn:  Glad that you had a good contemplative day. 

Liz:  Hello to you!  It sounds llike you make the best of the situation as well. 

Pat:  How was your Easter?  I am so glad that they still call it Easter here & astounded that the Stock Market in our country still closes for Good Friday and they actually say it on television. 

Carol

[WinterRose]

Just a quick stop into say HELLO & to share something with you. Since you have not seen me in awhile here is a picture taken this weekend of my daughter & myself after we had gotten home from a wedding so I do hope that you will like it ... see you all soon !!

[Marilyn]

Good Morning Good to see you again Karen come back more often. are you still working?

Nothing new here today, the rain has stipoped for the time being and more expected soon.

This afternoon when I get home I will be vacuuming the carpets and dusting.

I will probably go to WM's before I come home.

TTYL

[Etta Sue]

We had an awesome Easter service yesterday.  In fact, three services.  The Senior Pastor acted as Simon Peter in a skit while the Teen Pastor gave the sermon.  I have no idea how many attended but the first service was packed at 8 a.m.  I left church at 9:30 a.m....the earliest for a very long time.  I ate breakfast out and was home by 11 a.m. for a very, leisurely day...just Jesus and I doing our own thing. 

Good to see Karen and Kalyn!!

Ivalou went with me this morning to get a Bone Densitiy test.  We are playing Euchere this afternoon and then this evening I am leader for my Small Groups Bible Study. 

I thought it was warm today and didn't wear a jacket but it was chilly out with rain.  Need to find something to wear for this afternoon and evening. 

>^<+>^<>^<+>^<>^<+>^<>^<+>^<>^<+>^<>^<+>^<>^<+>^<>^<+>^<

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  That was a very nice picture Karen and thanks for sharing it.

Al, that was a fine devotional today.

Some of you who have  been active on SeniorNet will remember Hootie (real name Virginia).  I posted the following there this morning.

For those of you who remember "Hootie", who used to post on SeniorNet several years ago, I had a message from a relative of hers this morning that she passed away last night around midnight.  She had entered the hospital on March 21st for what was to have been a minor procedure but was never able to return home from the hospital.   She had many friends and relatives with her in her last days and she was comfortable under the care of hospice.  True to form, Virginia made her own arrangements and made sure that things were taken care of.  A time to gather and remember her will be scheduled in a few weeks. She was a real fighter and was a very unique person and one that I will never forget.  My life was enriched by having her as a friend.

We had a very nice Easter dinner that was fully prepared by our daughter.  Our son's wife didn't feel up to coming over so it was just the four of us here.

Good to see the very positive messages and testimonies of  Easter was spent in contemplation.  Our church was packed yesterday, with chairs brought in. 

Liz, on Dr. Jack Van Impe's program last night he spoke of the efforts underway by Christian groups to counter the lies of the Da Vinci code book and upcoming movie.  I just don't understand why people are so willing to accept anything contrary to what the Bible teaches and yet won't believe the Bible. 

Janet, glad to see that Beth had a good day for a change.  Glad she was able to attend church yesterday.

Good to see everyone posting.  Guess I had better move on as the morning is rapidly advancing and I need to work on some projects.

[marilyn777]

Good Morning everyone just popped in to say hello and share some new photos from our Sunrise Service yesterday at a local waterfall. It was a beautiful setting to bring in Easter Morning and worship the Resurrection of Christ. It was very chilly but my praise and worship team was ready to sing and rejoice, then it was back to the church for breakfast and fellowship. There was also a 10:30 service but I didn't attend that one I took myself out for Easter Brunch instead! I pray everyone had a blessed day!

God Bless
Marilyn

[JudyB]

TBEAR that is a lovely picture.  Yes I agree with the others come back more often.

One thing that Pastor Jeff said yesterday that I agree with.  "Do not come to church to see what you can get out of the service, come asking what you can give to the service.  In giving you become even more blessed." 

The weather is wonderful here, sun is shining, the ground is drying, and the grass is finally growing.  Soon and real soon I will be mowing!!!. 

We had an interesting day on Saturday coming home from Orillia.  There were cars stopped on the side of the road.  They were looking at an animal in the ditch drinking water.  At first we thought they were looking aat a horce, but, when we got closer we realized it was a cow moose!  What a magnificant animal they are!  She was loosing her winter coat, and appeared to be quite fat.  I am wondering if she had a calf about ready to deliver.  we pulled out after watching for a while, and continued home.  Further down the road we saw a flock of wild turkeys.  The male (cock?) had his tail feathers spread.  As we drove up Alsace we then saw partridge!  All this without a camera!

Well it is getting past lunch.  I need to go.  I have a pot of turkey bones boiling for a stew for dinner,  Bye for now

Judy

[Jane Walker]

TBear/Karen ... that's a great photo of you and your daughter!  It's good to see you again. 

Larry, thanks for sharing the news of Hootie's passing.  I will never forget the good times we had and what a great, unique, person she was.  You have been a good friend to her for years.  God bless you.

Today we are having intermittant bouts of sunshine between the cold rain showers.  I want to get my fuchsias either pruned 'way back or dug up but every time I see sunshine and go outside it starts raining before I can get started!    The same goes for chopping wood ... I have to run out there between showers.  I guess it's good exercise.     I may just have to succumb to hiring my yard work done again.  I'm not supposed to be out in the sun anyway. 

Last night I received a call that has given me cause for concern.  I'd like to ask for your prayers regarding the future for my ex as well as for myself.  God knows and He will make all things plain -- in His time.  Thanks.

Al, I really enjoy the devotional for today ... Yes!  REjoice always and again I say rejoice!   

Marilyn777~ I saw your beautiful photos.  You did a great job capturing the first signs of Spring. 

[Pat]

Hello folks!

Well, I'm just in from the vet.  Been there since 11:15.  Geordie, they think, has a kidney infection so he's on antibiotics.  He's so lethargic and listless.



Larry, I'm so saddened by the loss of Hootie.  I was just thinking about her the other day as when she found out that Jack couldn't eat his normal porridge due to the phosphorus in it but he could eat grits, she sent me 40 lb. of stone ground grits from Georgia somewhere.  She got it to Pat and Doug Howe and then brought it up to Jack and he kept it in the basement fridge so it wouldn't spoil and enjoyed his hot grits each morning thanks to Hootie.

She was so much fun.

[Papa John]

Well we had a very nice Easter yesterday.  Al, I am so thankful everyday and I do rejoice.  God has blessed me over and over again. 

Larry, thanks for letting us know about Hootie.  I remember she was with the group Cornelia and I met for lunch in Atlanta several years ago.  She was a nice lady.

We are having a delightful day here with sunshine and a gentle breeze.  We sat out on the deck for about an hour this morning.

Good to see all of you.

Papa John

[Pat]

So glad you had a nice Easter, Papa John!  Give Cornelia a hug for me.   

[Pat]

We haven't had this one since February so guess it's time to sing it again.

As the Deer Panteth for the Water
(Click to hear music)

Written by Martin Nystrom


Psalm 42:1
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks,
so panteth my soul after thee, O God."



As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul longs after you.
You alone are my hearts desire,
And I long to worship You.

Chorus
You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire,
and I long to worship You.

I want you more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye.

Chorus
You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire,
and I long to worship You.

You're my friend and You're my brother,
Even though you are a King.
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything.

Chorus
You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire,
and I long to worship You.

[Marilyn]

Thank you Pat.

[Jeanne Lee]

My Easter started with Sunrise Service at the beach on the Hudson River.  A beautiful service and perfect weather, although somewhat chilly - only about 45 degrees.  I was bundled up and didn't really feel cold, but once I got home it seems as though the chill worked its way into my bones and I couldn't get warm.    So instead of going to the regular 10:30 service I wrapped myself in a blanket and watched my tape of Dr. David Jeremias' service.   The rest of the day was lovely and quiet, letting me rejoice in the knowledge that My Savior Lives!

[Pat]

You're welcome, Marilyn!   

Jeanne, sounds like you had a nice time at the river.  Too bad you got a chill.

[Janet]

I am locking this door a little early, but please continue your conversations HERE