Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Joy. {a gift from God}


Joy. Pure unadulterated joy.


How do we get it? Does it come from our friends' approval or getting the summer job you poured countless hours applying for?




No. Joy goes so much deeper, to the core of the soul. Joy and happiness are often confused for their similar qualities, but they are certainly not the same thing. If happiness is the tip of the iceberg, then joy is the whole entire iceberg. Happiness comes from circumstances, but joy comes from God.

Have you experienced such joy despite your circumstance that your heart leaped within you and nothing anyone told you could dampen your spirit? I have, in fact I experienced great joy yesterday. It is not that I do not experience joy every day, but I felt it at a deeper level yesterday. Although I was tired and struggling through homework, God gave me a joy that I could not explain apart from Him. I felt so blessed and encouraged.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! -Galatians 5:22-23


Have you experienced God-given joy? It's such an amazing experience that goes far beyond mere feelings.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

I was hired!

I'm super excited to announce that I have a job for this coming summer! I'll be working at Pleasant Vineyard Ministries Camp as the Digital Media Director. The job includes taking photos and video footage, posting them online daily, and creating CDs and DVDs weekly. I'm slightly nervous about not being good enough, but I know that God will sustain me and it will be a great opportunity to grow as a Christian and photographer. Prayers would be much appreciated! Thanks! God is good.


And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19