A few weeks ago in SS we were discussing the difference between joy and happiness. It seems Christians have a different perspective on these two emotions. We decided that happiness is dependent on happenings. If I lose two pounds I’m happy; if I gain one pound I’m not. This produces a rollercoaster effect on our emotions. Other people can make us happy or unhappy, leaving us with little control of our feelings.

Joy, on the other hand, is something very different. While Webster’s gives similar definitions for joy and happiness, using them almost interchangeably, to a Christian, there’s a huge difference. Joy is something God gives us. It isn’t dependent on people or happenings; it’s dependent on our dependence on God.

Try to explain joy to someone; it’s an almost indescribable peacefulness deep inside. True joy from God is not an up-and-down feeling. Even when I’m not on top of the world, even when I’m struggling with challenges that seem to overwhelm, even when my heart is heavy, I can feel joy. It’s not worldly giddiness; it’s peace in the midst of the storm.

Joy is knowing that our Heavenly Father is in control and that Jesus is seated at His right hand to intercede for us. Joy is waiting for the Father to heal the hurt and knowing that He will. Joy is deep inside where others can’t see, but it produces outward calmness, wisdom and peace. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and comes directly from having a relationship with God. As Peter the Apostle says in 1 Peter 1:6–9,

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

It’s time to start a new church year. Our class has just wrapped up a study of The Acts of the Apostles. It’s my favorite book in the Bible! (Inside joke: Every time we start studying a new book I say it’s my favorite.)

The study of Acts has given me a renewed awe regarding the power of the Holy Spirit to impact our world. The writers of our SS literature do a very good job of putting together lessons that build on each other each week. From Acts we learned that there are some things that only God can do through His power. But we also saw Him at work in individuals – Paul, Peter, Stephen, Philip – using their unique personalities in the work of Kingdom growth. We also studied different cities/towns where churches were planted and we saw that many of the challenges we face today are the same as they faced in the first century.

As I read through the first chapter of Acts last week (one more time before we closed out the study), I could just see the apostles and other Christ-followers trudging up the stairs to the place where they had been staying. After Jesus’ ascension, don’t you know they were confused, frustrated, concerned, downcast? As they sat in that upper room I can imagine that Bartholomew was asking himself, “Why did I run away that night in the garden? What’s going to happen to me now? What did He mean, ‘…the gift the Father promised?’” And wouldn’t Peter have been beating himself up over the fact that he had verbally, and very publicly, denied even knowing Jesus? Not once, but three times? The silence in that room must have been deafening.

But then, maybe in a back corner, Matthew stood up and started praying. He sat down and after a time, Philip stood up to pray. Slowly their moods began to lighten as they turned their focus to the Father and stopped thinking about their shortcomings. Maybe in painful honesty Peter admitted his sin and others began to do the same. And then there was more of peace than of a pall.

And then they heard it…the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. And it was inside, not outside; but nothing stirred. As they held their collective breaths the appearance of the fire flaming over each of them is a sight I hope to see on God’s heavenly TiVo some day.

These same people who trudged up those stairs in despondency would now trek down those same stairs in determination. The change was not of their making; it could only have been the power of the Spirit. And that power would change the world. Today I can give thanks that those 120 men and women waited in obedience for God to indwell them, then moved in obedience to the Spirit’s leading. The church was born that day and nothing can ever destroy it. How fortunate we are that they obeyed. It’s time for us to do the same. My prayer is for a fresh indwelling and working of the Spirit in my life. And may I be faithful in obedience to His leading.

Mama told me there would be days like this...

First, I didn't sleep well, possibly anticipating the harrowing day to come. When I got up about 4am there was a visitor - pleurisy. Not an horrific case, but aggravating, nonetheless. (Why do I use that word when I write, but seldom use it in conversation?) Anyway, pleurisy, sniffles and a sinus headache were my morning companions.

Right after morning break my favorite tattler came to tell me about some other employees' work habits. I told her to go back to work. I should have known it wouldn't be that simple. Another employee came to tattle on her and we went downhill from there. I've never had a problem with tattlers until this particular person came to work a little over a year ago. Makes me want to pull my hair out. None of the usual tricks stopped her. Oh, was she ever gonna get her comeuppance today, and all by her own hand.

Not one to take anything with a grain of salt, my problem child burst into my office as I was investigating a charge of harassment, demanding to know what was going on. I told her I was busy and would talk to her later. Well, who am I to put her off? She demanded more loudly to know "what you're going to do to me" and again I told her I would talk to her later. I instructed her to go back to her workstation. "I have a right to know what you're going to do to me right now," she shouted at me. I firmly told her to go back to her workstation. Out she flounced, slamming the door and screaming, "I'm going home." Oh, yeah, please don't anyone stop her. It's called job abandonment and is considered self-termination. She screamed and hollered her way right out the door and I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

I won't even stress over going on vacation in October now that the troublemaker is gone. In my own defense, I went several extra miles to try to save her job; she has some deep-seated issues that I'm not equipped to deal with. Maybe there's someone out there who can help her because I certainly don't wish her ill. I just wish her on someone else. Sorry, potential employer, but she's all yours.

And so it goes in the life of a working girl...

We had a Women’s Ministry brunch at church Saturday. What a wonderful time we all had. After all the games, food & general hilarity, Dr. Leanna Hollis spoke about different women of differing gifts and talents carrying on the work of ministry. It was a very inspiring talk. There were over 60 ladies of all ages bonded together by a love for the Lord and His church and by a love for each other.

As an Icebreaker we all had cards with a question. We were to talk to as many people as possible, write down their names and their answers. Mind you, all of us had different questions. One lady approached me (who was that woman?!?) and asked, “What’s your favorite book of the Bible?” I almost fell out of my chair laughing and my Sunday school members around me thought it was too funny. You see, each quarter we start studying a different book of the Bible, and for as long as I’ve been teaching the class – 7 years – I start each quarter by telling them, “This is my very favorite book in the Bible.” Yes, I have lots of favorites; 66, as a matter of fact.

It rained off and on all weekend and we’ve been thankful for every drop. In this part of the state rain has been scarce this summer. But the rain didn’t stop us. Even when the umbrella turned wrong-side-out we just laughed and trekked on. All of us were sporting that wind-blown look.

And it’s been a calm day at work, strangely enough. I have several projects going on so I only get out of the cubbyhole a few times a day. Never have understood how I’m supposed to “supervise” when I’m tied to a computer. Oh, well. I’m glad to have a job and benefits. I’ll leave the “understanding” to my bosses.

As they gathered 'round to sing Happy Birthday, the young waitress asked, "Are you 29 again this year?" "No," I replied, "I'm 57 and proud of it." They sang anyway. I'm not sure why people are ashamed? embarrassed? to tell their age. And it's not just women; men don't like to tell, either. Of course, the older we are, the closer we are to the grave, but why not be thankful for life and all the years God has graced us with?

I've been celebrating all week. My Sunday school class went to Olive Garden Monday night - our monthly get-together. Thursday night Katey, Andy, Katelee & Tucker took me to Outback. And today I'm going to a brunch at the church. All of these were not birthday celebrations, but I'm enjoying them all nonetheless. I'll see Laurie & Molly today, so you can see that it's been a good week.

Last week I went for my yearly physical. Pami was impressed with my weight loss (at least 39 pounds since last year) and my cholesterol & triglyceride counts. (Except for this week) I'm eating a lot healthier and staying with the treadmill & cardio workouts. My tendency to start well, then backslide is something I battle all the time, but feeling better and the prospect of longer quality of life keeps me grounded.

I've always envied people who can "sleep in". It's a holiday and I didn't have to get up early, but guess who was awake at 4:30? Yep, yours truly. Part of it is my normal routine. I'm usually up by 4:15am so I can be at work by 6:15am. Being a morning person, my brain works better that time of day; it's the best time for me to have my devotions. Since Brad put the NASB on my iPod, I can listen to about 7 chapters and then spend time in prayer. As you might have surmised, getting up this early leads to going to bed really early, too. I used to think my parents were just weird for going to bed at 8pm. Company would have heard my daddy say, "Well, Sue, I think we'd better go to bed so these folks can go home." If the phone rang after 8pm, daddy answered with, "WHAT?" Now I understand why they retired early. And my family completely understands.

It will be a quiet day for me: Terry will be at work and the kids will be at in-laws' homes. It will be a good day to finish Part 2 of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. I hadn't realized until a few weeks ago that there is a Part 2. Christian's pilgrimage makes up Part 1 and so far as I can tell from the Prologue, Part 2 is the pilgrimage of Christiana, his wife, and their four children. I read this classic when I was a teen so was surprised at how much I remembered. But I didn't know about Part 2 and I'm excited about starting it today.

I'll have to be very careful about downloading to the iPod. Pilgrim's Progress was a free download, but let me tell you, other books are not cheap. You'd think that since publishers don't have to pay for ink, paper, shipping, etc., these downloads would be less expensive. Not necessarily so. I'm trying to find some trustworthy sites with less expensive products. Cathy, if you see any downloads by some of the Christian authors you know I like - Lucado, Swindoll, Tozer, Blackaby - please let me know.

Have a happy and safe 4th.

Don’t you just love nice surprises? Monday afternoon I was working hard…smile…at my computer when I heard the front door open. I looked up (with my computer glasses on, which prevented my seeing anything except a blur) and saw a wild woman standing at the counter waving big-time. Quick! Change glasses. Oh my stars, it’s Cathy. How great is that?! She had spent a couple of days w/ her grands and was on her way back home. We only got a short visit in, but Friend Cathy, it was wonderful to see you.

This past weekend was a sweet one for our family. Katelee was baptized Sunday morning with lots of family there to share the experience. It turned into a really busy day. Some of us went to lunch after church; then L & I went to a bridal shower. At the house K & kidlettes came by twice and M dropped in for a while. WOW! How often do I get to see all my girls in one day? Not nearly often enough.

I finished my work projects that were stressing me out so much. Of course, there will probably be things to correct but it will come in smaller, more manageable increments.

I fell off the wagon last night. Yesterday was our 37th anniversary so Terry & I went out to supper. Do you know how hard it is to manage portions when you go to a place that is strictly buffet? Oh well, let’s just say it was a reward for making a drastic lifestyle change. I’m back on the healthy eating wagon again today so maybe there wasn’t too much harm. On Monday afternoon I added a cardio workout to my routine. I can tell you, about 10 minutes into the program I could feel every single one of my 57 years. Can you say “the oldies were sweating”? Oh…but I feel so much better.