Dance of Joy

The gleaming sunrays

just like silly little elves

scamper in the breeze!

By Martha L Shaw © 2015

“Are We There Yet?” Quote of the Day For Friday

Is it time to look at things in a new way?  This quote may change your life!

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.

– Matsuo Basho

Joy UNCEASING!

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To the heart that wants to sing, 

there will ALWAYS be a song!

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Words and images by Martha L Shaw Copyright   2007-2013

Refocused and Renewed – A Poem

 

The rain is still falling

And it’s been dark all day.

Now, night has come

And the house is quiet . . .

As I settle down for rest,

I hear the music!

Each drop of water plays its own note

As it slips from the sky

And joins in the puddle dance.

Lifting the blinds, I look out

And find that the darkness is not complete

For the moon light

Reflects in each tiny dancing droplet

And all is a glitter!

I hid from the darkness I thought was there

And all along I was missing out

On taking joy in the amazing brightness!

By Martha L Shaw – Copyright 11-15-2012

Seeking Joy – A Verse For Sunday

“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”” Psalm 40:8 NLT

Jesus Has Been Trying To Tell Us!

You can’t lead the people if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.  – Cornel West –

 

Our amazing and loving Lord has been trying to write this message on our hearts since He walked this earth in human form and He still is trying to urge, to teach, to command us to love.

 

He came!

He loved!

He served!

 

If you have picked up a newspaper, turned on the television or radio, or simply walked down any street whether far or near, you cannot deny that we have failed in this . . . it is not “they” who have failed.  It is not an undefined “those who walk in darkness” who need to hear this message . . . it is each and every one of us.  Regardless of the denomination of the “church” you belong to, you know that we are the body of Christ and that the ultimate message is love yet all too often the message we focus on is one of being judge.  God is the judge.  We are not.  Want to change the world?  Reflect His love!

 

 

 

 

 

Love Defined

 

There are so many who say “I love you” and sadly it sometimes seems we’ve lost our definition of the word as we speak it yet still turn against the Lord and one-another.  So, I was seeking a definition for it and this quote begged to be shared:

“When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:18-19 NIV

Amen.

An Acrostic Poem In Three Verses

 

Spreading His Joy

So softly, He whispered,

Per chance, I heard “come be with me.”

Right now? 

Everything’s a mess . . .

After I get caught up . . .

Do . . . be . . . choose!

It really was quite simple.

Nothing else would do.

Go be with Him or turn away?

 

His sweet invitation . . .

I couldn’t pass it up.

Swiftly I went to our special place.

 

Jesus’ gentle embrace

Overtook me . . . heart and soul and mind!

Yes, He is my lover, redeemer, and King!

By Martha L Shaw – Copyright 8-15-12

Why Happiness Isn’t Enough!

Happiness . . . seems at some point in our lives, our days, we’re likely feeling it or seeking it . . . but like chocolate or potato chips, somehow it seems unlikely to satisfy for very long if at all.  We seem to constantly need more and while it can be found, it grows harder and harder as we continually need more and more of it to satisfy what we believe we need.  So, what’s up with this?  One response to this is . . .

Happiness is a skill. It requires effort and time.

– Andrew Weil –

Perhaps this quote is true for some, but I think we may call it a skill because we have an inner need to put a label on the unsatisfactory nature of seeking happiness.  Happiness is something we do need to “work” at because it is reliant on stimulus.  The real answer to our hunger is not happiness, it is our need for joy!  The difference between the two is staggering!  You see, joy comes from our soul and does not require external stimuli.  It is a gift to us from Jesus Christ.  We don’t need to make an “effort” to receive it unless loving Jesus is an effort, but for those who know Him, the love comes easily in great abundance – so much so that we must give it away and amazingly, when we do share our bounty it is replenished so generously that we have even more to give! 

Happiness . . . don’t settle for it.  Jesus has something far greater in store for you!  His joy regardless of your circumstances – be lifted up by it, renewed and refreshed.  Suddenly, your circumstances, no matter what they are, won’t look the same! 

 

God Wants Me To Do WHAT?

My morning devotional reading reminded me that God created a big and BEAUTIFUL world for me (okay, for you as well) and He wants me to ENJOY it!  It seems He doesn’t want me to be shut away in a tiny box of my own choosing, nor thrust into one by the decisions of those who “think” they know me or have “their own” plan for me which MAY NOT BE HIS AT ALL. 

He hasn’t asked me to be playing it safe, to hover in a corner, to hide under the bed, crawl into a cave . . . He wants me to dance, to sing, to love . . .

He wants me to be outrageous!

I wonder if I know how?  I bet He’ll teach me!