Fall Background

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The Quest For Joy

I have been meaning to visit a church that some friends of mine attend and about which I've heard so many wonderful things. I got an opportunity to do so today and wanted to share something I found printed in the bulletin:

Quest for Joy 15 statements in the search (from John Piper)

1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift
2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly
3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt- how to fight like a justified sinner.
5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself
9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.
10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence.
11. Get the rest and exercise, proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature.
13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.
14. do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).
15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

This definitely spoke to my heart regarding some current struggles. I hope it is thought-provoking and encouraging for you as well.
I very much enjoyed my time of worship with a new body of believers. Not only was there a great message but I had the added treat to briefly visit with the Gainor's We met last summer as I interned under Gray for CPB (and unofficially under Brandy as she answered my MANY questions about being a wife and mother in their field --Thank you again, Brandy, for so graciously answering each question with such wonderful, Christ-centered wisdom and allowing me to learn from your incite!) Please be lifting them up as they prepare to be workers for the Father in India in the coming months!

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