Gateways to Joy

Loving others, an old and new testament commandment. It just dawned on me, "Loving other's is a commandment." Don't get me wrong.  I know we are "told" to love, and I know we,Christians, must love— but until today I never thought about it as being something we are commanded to do. Does that make sense? John says, "Behold, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning ..." What love is and is not has been a topic on my mind for a few weeks. I'd like to share with you some of  my thoughts as it pertains to my reading 1 John 2: 7-8. When I think about love I look at it through the lenses of self-sacrifice and servant hood.   I know that God loved us because while we were yet sinners He gave His only Son. God's love for us prompted Him to action.  An action that was in our favor.  An action that was "good" for us.  God's action also prompted His sacrifice. ...

This morning I sat in the backyard, it's breezy and cool.  Just the kind of weather I like.  The tree leaves are falling, green slowly turns to brown, the birds faintly chirp, dishes are clinging from the children eating breakfast, their voices carrying and I know, "Life is good." Today is my mother's birthday and I thank God for allowing us to all be here to enjoy and participate in it. With legs propped I pen, Dear Journal today I feel a huge burden lifted off me. Why? Well... I made myself transparent.  Vulnerable.  I did so not knowing the outcome. People say to me, "You shouldn't like him, look at how he treats you, or you shouldn't like her, look at what she has done to you." This morning I think, "Wow.  Jesus shouldn't like me.  Look at what I've done to Him." Then I smile and think, "Jesus doesn't like me. Jesus loves me this I know— for the Bible tells me so."  And I understand how only LOVE ca...

Hi ladies! This is what Angela has posted on the Good Morning Girls blog for this weeks reading: For those of you who are just now joining us, you can download the  Free e-study guide here  and either print it or use it as a guide as you write in your own journal. This week we will be reading verses 2:1-11 in the book of 1 John. If you would like to further study the verses we will be reading each day, here are 3 on-line commentaries that go along with this week’s reading. 1.  John MacArthur a.  1 John 2:1- Our Divine Defense Attorney b.  1 John 2:2- The Sacrifice that Satisfied c.  1 John 2:3- Certainty of Christian Assurance, Pt 1 d.  1 John 2:4-6- Certainty of Christian Assurance, Pt 2 e.  1 John 2:7-11- Live by a New Love 2.  John Piper a.  1 John 2:1-2- Jesus Christ Is an Advocate for Sinners b.  1 John 2:3-6- Obedience Confirms Our Standing in God 3.  Charles Spurgeon a. 1 John 2:1  The Sinner’s Advocate b. 1...

Hi ladies! Today I have two videos that I want to share with you.  The first is from our Bible study leader Courtney over at the Good Morning Girls blog. Courtney is going to share with us her reflections of this weeks reading via Youtube. You may silence the music by going to the side bar, clicking on the button in the middle :-) I'm one of the ones who will be catching up this weekend.  I am doing so many things.  One in particular is learning about graphic designs and typography, while also trying to understand different software that designers use today in the industry.  Let me just say this week I've been a bit perplexed :-/ Yesterday while roaming about on the web I came across a video that quickly became dear to my heart.  In this video I saw my dream being lived out and became very inspired. Take a look and you'll understand. Also my dear ones, I ask that you pray for a family friend. Her name is Fannie, she's our CPA and my husband...

Tonight I watched Sara Frankl's memorial. Sara is the blogger who passed away this Saturday due to a debilitating form of arthritis. So many people talk about Facebook, blogging and Twitter in a negative way, always saying why they "don't" participate. I understand totally. Yet I always share, though we should indeed play it safe, this new means of communication...networking, is my mission field. It's the way God is allowing me to minister to people I wouldn't otherwise be able to talk to. I'm writing this to show you the love God's people bestowed on Sara, blogger and friend to many, and vice-verse. These are some of the tweets that other's used, mostly bloggers, to express love to her during her final days and hours. Choosing Joy Tweets. There is also a beautiful write up about her and the mark she made on many of us. Tonight I watched a live stream of her memorial and yesterday her family allowed a live stream of her funeral. ...

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Ladies you really don't want to miss this video!   I'm just going to be honest with those of you who don't listen or have not listened to some of the videos that I've posted:  YOU REALLY ARE MISSING OUT! HONESTLY .  I am not in anyway putting videos up for the sake of putting up a video. I'm not even trying to get you to like someone that I like.   I put the videos up because I know your stories.  I talk to you... on the phone, skype, emails and you tell me your hardships, your difficulties. Yes.  I know your story and some of them are my stories.   The   videos that I put on this blog addresses our stories in one way or another!   God uses the stories and the experiences of one to help another, that's why I put the videos up.  We are all very similar and like minded so I know if I'm helped, more than likely you will be helped too! I am now hearing from so many of you until I can no longer get to all of you.  I'...