joy Archives - The Mom Initiative

When Heaven and Earth Collided

“Unto us a Son is given…and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6 NKJV) The Bible is filled with prophecies of Christ’s advent. And many generations came and died without seeing Him. Until, the prophecies came to pass. When heaven’s Temple came down… “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Gal. 4:4-5 NIV) …a Son was given to Mary and Joseph. “…the One to be Ruler …

Can Your Joy Be Stolen?

My joy disappeared! Have you seen it? I can’t seem to find it. Hmmm…can our joy be stolen? I was thinking about this the other day. Numerous posts have been written about joy stealers. But, you know, after mulling this over, I’m not so sure anything can steal our joy. Stealing implies it can be taken from us. What does Scripture say? See what you think. * What did Jesus tell the disciples at the Last Supper? All the words He spoke that night were filled with encouragement. What He spoke to them, He also says to us, “These things …

What is the Joy of Man’s Desiring?

What is the joy of man’s desiring? While going through emails the other morning, I listened to the Easy Listening music channel (cable), which mainly plays instrumentals. Since it is the Christmas season, it occasionally plays a Christmas song. One song began playing and made me stop. And think. It’s title? Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. I love that title. Wikipedia says it “is the most common English title of the 10th and last movement of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147, which means Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life, composed by Johann Sebastian …

The Well of Christmas Despair

Shocked. Yet honored. Placide Cappeau of Roquemaure, France, was a commissionaire of wines in 1847. Asked by the small town parish priest to pen a poem for Christmas, he was happy to share his talent with the church, even though he was known more for his poetry than his church attendance. Traveling to Paris in a horse-drawn coach, Cappeau decided to use the gospel of Luke as his inspiration and imagined he was a witness to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. By the time he arrived in Paris, he had completed “Cantique de Noel.” Moved by his own writing, …

Thankful to be a Mom

Lord, Today I am thankful for my life as a mom. It isn’t the life I planned. Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” You brought me a godly husband I don’t deserve. Psalm 1:1, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked; nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” You set aside my prayers for success & fame and gave me a houseful of children. Psalm 128:3, Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; …

That Gigantic 3 Letter Word…JOY

Her words broke my heart. I wanted to cry as I listened to her pour out her raw feelings to me. “I’ve lost my joy and I don’t know how to get it back.” This sweet mom was hurting in her marriage. She and her husband needed help. She didn’t enjoy being married to him. She didn’t like the kind of mom she had become and she craved joy. What is it about this little word that when it is missing we seem to just exist through life? What is so important about this 3 letter word? I understand where …

5 Lessons Learned in the Emergency Room

Last week was the 3rd time we had to take our baby to the ER since January 1st. Never have we been to the ER so many times with one child. Poor little Charlie, he has had a very sick winter with RSV, stomach bug, respiratory infection and whatever else a baby can catch this time of year. Last week, he dislocated his elbow. HOW? I have no clue, but he did. Actually I did it, but don’t know how. So, needless to say I am learning some new things thanks to all of these trips to the ER. Always take …