The Joy of Jesus

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11 (NIV)

What has God told you of God’s joy? How does God’s joy make your joy complete? Do you believe Jesus’ joy is in you? If Jesus’ joy is in you, how do you live life? Have you met anyone who had Jesus’ joy inside? What about that person was joyful?

The following story is found at: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/shortstories/sevenwonders.html
Junior high school students in Chicago were studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love.”
The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.

Now that girl had some joy of Jesus! Our joy is complete when we can with hearts of faith discover the miraculous that is all around us. God created each of us unique and special. As individuals, each of us is a miracle! Jesus’ joy is in us when we see ourselves the way he sees us, as the most precious thing he has ever created, his finest miracle and the love of his life! Today pray that we are filled with the joy of Jesus, and that our joy is complete!

With hope and JOY,
Garrett

Christmas Family Miracle

Showing a Family That God's Hope and Joy is Real!

This family consists of parents of a boy, age 13, a girl, age 11, and are raising their grandson, age 11.  He works as a painter and recently lost his job.  Without the money to buy basic necessities Christmas does not look to be a possibility.  No tree to be decorated, no Christmas meal to eat, no gifts to be given, no...  When the wife and mother was asked what she and her husband would like for Christmas she said that they wanted the children to have a good Christmas.

And they will have a good Christmas!!!  First Pres, the church that is devoted to becoming God's hope and joy, will be ensuring that hope and joy rein supreme in their household this Christmas.  Should you feel so called to help make this family receive a Christmas gift they shall never forget please send an offering to:

First Presbyterian Church

220 N. Jackson St.

Albany, GA 31701

c/o Christmas Family Miracle

Please write the check to First Presbyterian and in the memo write Christmas Family Miracle!  Join us in working together to become God's hope and joy!

From First Pres, where community happens,

Garrett