fulljoy

 Sunday, October 20, 2024 (6:38 a.m.)

Father God,

Thank You for the fulljoy You provide.

(7:09 a.m.)

Thank You for the long way around. Going full circle in searching fulljoy.

(9:04 a.m.)

Not only searching it. Finding and experiencing it as well!

A word in the Jamaican patois [pa’twa]. I am blessed to have used it regularly with one who lived it! Thank You God.

Described by her as “Full joy = joyful, but joyful doesn’t capture full joy… full of joy to the brim and bursting over with joy!!” Yes Father!. “Fulljoy, man!” as we came to end our messages with one another.

Keren Alfred has a book titled FULLJOY showing artworks with her poetry. In it she describes fulljoy “most commonly used as a verb and it means ‘to enjoy’. It conveys that joy is whole and big and should fill you up.” She follows her description with a poem that “is a declaration of joy and freedom and understanding what it means to be whole.”

Father God, THAT is what I find in reading Your Word! Starting this morning in 1 John 1:4. Followed by singing ♪This Is My Commandment that you love one another, that your joy may be full…♪  

You provide us the ability to experience fulljoy firsthand! Thank You God.

Following Your lead over to John 15:9-12, I go back even further. Chapter 13, verse 34. Jesus telling His followers [of whom I am one!] “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

Skipping ahead. Back over to 15:11. “I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” To which I say a resounding “Yes, please!”

Immediately ♪Firm Foundation♪ starts singing within. ♪I’ve still got joy in chaos I’ve got peace that makes no sense♪ And why is that? Because ♪Christ is my firm foundation The rock on which I stand When everything around me is shaken I’ve never been more glad That I put my faith in Jesus ‘Cause He’s never let me down He’s faithful through generations So why would He fail now? He won’t!♪

Thank You for speaking and instilling Your Truth deep within my very soul. Continue Your work I ask (Matthew 7:7).

And just like that [SNAP!] again You answer. In ways I rarely expect!

Following Your nudge over to Romans 15:13. This time in The Message. Jumping in as if it’s the very first time I’ve read this version.

“Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”

Wanting to better understand the idea of “green hope” I go back to the internet and find Pastor Josh Enderson with a similar wonder. Looking out his window he writes of green retiring to a brown, parched landscape following recent rains.

“Green was returning. Life returning after death. Ah. Green hope… that hope that waits and waits, knowing that the rains will come eventually. It’s knowing that God will come through, even if it will take a long time. Green hope is knowing that God always brings life from death, because that is what God always does. This is what the God of green hope does, and this is what we trust in.”

Father God, You bless me so perfectly. Coming before You. ♪Just As I Am, Without One Plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee♪ I am truly grateful!

Going again to Your apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, I turn to Ben Campbell Johnson’s paraphrase and to EasyEnglish Bible. 15:13 twice more.

“May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and unite you through your trust in Him; and may your hope overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Nowhere here does it suggest that my will, efforts or intent is involved. Thank You God. It’s all You, Your Son and the Holy Spirit. Praise You Lord.

EasyEnglish Bible states, “God is the One who causes us to hope for good things. I pray that God will bless you very much. I pray that He will cause you to be happy and to have peace in your minds. He will do this because you believe in Him . As a result, God’s Holy Spirit will make you strong with His power, so that you hope even more certainly.”

Amazing Dearest Father! The more I read the more I see of the work and blessings You have provided me.

This particular season of our life is brand new and completely different for me. It is absolutely the work of the Holy Three-In-One that has me getting out of bed each morning. Singing. Smiling. Standing firmly in and staying my mind completely on You and Your Word of Truth and promises.

I do not claim to understand one bit of the peace You continue providing. And even as I begin thinking that I automatically know that it is the absolute Truth of Your Word.

Paul’s love letter to the congregation at Philippi. Chapter 4. Verse 6-9. Again reading in EasyEnglish Bible. Under the title How Christians should live.

Starting with verse four, “Always be happy because you belong to the Lord. I will say that again, ‘Be happy!’ Be kind and patient in a way that everyone can see. Remember that the Lord is near. Do not worry about anything. Instead, pray to God about everything. Ask Him to help you with the things that you need. And thank Him for His help. If you do that, God will give you peace in your minds. That peace is so great that nobody can completely understand it [see what I mean?!] You will not worry or be afraid, because you belong to Christ Jesus.”

I am a present time example of this Truth Dearest Lord. My current experience is a living tribute to the work You are doing in, with, by, through and for me. Thank You for allowing me to be Your vessel.

Concluding Your powerful Truth in verses eight and nine. “Now my friends, I want to say this to you. Fill your minds with thoughts about good things. Think about things that are true, clean, right and lovely. Always think about things which people know are very good. Remember what I have taught you. Remember the message that you heard from me. Remember what you saw when I lived among you. You also must do those same things. God is the One who gives peace in our minds. He will be with you.”

Yes. Oh yes. Oh yes, Dearest Lord. Do all you must that I will make choices that honor and please You. I love, need, trust and want You. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(1,175 words ~ 11:29 a.m.)