JOY

Thak you, Sheryl Myers, for filling in for me last Sunday.

Here is a recap of Sheryl's message:

Galatians 5:22-23  NIV

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love,JOY, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.

Sometimes Joy can seem elusive or fleeting, and yet we are all equipped by our Creator to experience the JOY of living abundantly, at any time, in any place.  In fact, JOY can be as close as our very next thought.

As co-creators with God, we can set the stage for the experience of JOY.  We can create situations that are conducive for JOY to be a constant presence in our lives, as the Holy Spirit is a constant presence in our lives.  Let's look at JOY as if it were the headline story in tomorrow's paper.

* WHO can experience joy?  In all likelihood, joy is not an emotion reserved exclusively for humans.  All vertebrates share a brain very similar in structure and function.  Research on the behavior of chimpanzees, hippos, dogs, dolphins, and even rodents show that they can respond to each other with affection and empathy.  The actual experience of joy has to do with our body's production of chemicals called endorphins.

* WHAT is joy?  Oprah Winfrey's definition of JOY is as good as any.  She says, "I define joy as a sustained sense of well-being and internal peace - a connection to what matters."  The key word here is connection.  It is the feeling, the knowing, that we are part of the oneness.

*WHEN do we experience joy?  Because God is everywhere present, joy is also.  Marianne Williams says, "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are."  Our cups runneth over.

*WHERE is joy experienced?  Joy is an inside job; it originates in the core of our being.  It happens because we are alive, aware, and connected to the things that give our life meaning. 

*HOW can we experience more joy?  A short list includes:
   -subscribe to a daily meditation on one of many excellent websites
     - stay in the present moment
     - practice meditation, prayer, or contemplation daily
     - CHOOSE happiness.
     - be outside with nature
     - do something for someone else
     - practice thankfulness'
     - practice forgiveness
     - sing, dance, and laugh
     - take care of you.

Bless everything.