Gateways to Joy

For many years I've wanted to do foreign missionary work .  But for one reason after another, I always had things that came up, prohibiting me from experience my dream and taking action. At this point in my life now, I am finally seeing God slowly moving in my desire .  I must say that, He is moving in a new and very different way.  From the comfort and safety of my home, I am able to sit at my computer, write to you and share my hearts desire of wanting to help children ocean miles away. The video that I am choosing to share with you today is a "webisode from Missions in Actions highlighting children in poverty where Compassion works." Dear friend, just like me, you have a voice and a sphere of influence.  You may not be able to jump on a plane to go help a child in impoverished circumstances , but Your God and their God has given you a way to help them in the name of Jesus. Today, please slow down.  You can start by slowing down long enough to wa...

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. ...

For a while on this blog, I will share my quiet times notes on the book of 1 John  and my thoughts on a book that I'm reading as part of a book club with Priscilla Shirer and the women on her blog. The name of Priscilla's book is: The Resolution for Women. In the book, Priscilla says, "So let me just be clear. This book is slanted. It's decidedly and purposefully designed not to take into consideration the actions {or inactions} of the other members of your family or the people who live and work and go to church with you.  I'm not going to be addressing your husband or how he should behave.  This is about what you will do, what you will become by God's grace from this day forward. This is the Resolution for WOMEN.  More specifically, one woman.  You." In both the book club and the online Bible study I find evidence that "God is calling me to make hard yet necessary decisions for this season of my life." And sometimes, honestly, I become so ov...