Happy Today
Happy Friday, Friends!
It's hard to believe that another year has flown by. This is our last lesson in Happy Today, and we start a new adventure next week!
I never would have dreamed when we started Happy Today: A Guided Journal to Genuine Joy last August that by Thanksgiving I would be diagnosed with breast cancer. Ironic, isn't it? But you know what? I haven't lost my joy during treatment, not one single day! I know that I still have radiation left to go, but I'm not anticipating any changes in my joy. I thank God and I thank YOU for diligently lifting me up in prayer. Y'all are the very best!
I like The Message's translation of these verses, don't you? "Grow up!" I was having a conversation with my best friend the other day, and we were talking about how so many adults these days act like they're in Middle School at best. But before I type another word, here's this week's writing prompt:
Write down a list of ways that God has shown his love for you. Spend some time reflecting on this list. How could "settling yourself in the hammock of God's affection" help you love others?
I believe as Christians that we are called to show others God's love through us. The first thing on my list is how y'all have shown me God's love through your care and prayers. Thank-you!
"Settling yourselves in God's affection" is the only way we can be equipped to share His love. I love the imagery of the hammock and the connotation of relaxed peace, don't you?
Are y'all looking forward to next week? I know I am!
Have y'all bought your books yet?
I have mine! :D
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends!
This is our last week in Max Lucado's Happy Today. I haven't yet looked ahead to see what this week's lesson is about: I'll probably take a look at it this afternoon.
I want to remind you to pick up or order a copy of This Life We Share because we will start on that study next week!
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Do you have any prayer requests and/or updates?
A few of us have health issues and family need requests. Although our numbers are few, our prayers together are powerful, and God is listening!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! How has your week been so far? Do you have any special plans for the weekend?
This week's lesson and guided journaling was a tough one for me because it was very convicting. Here's the writing prompt:
Write about someone in your life who is difficult to love. What has been your strategy for loving this person? Have you tried to force it? Are you depending on God's love? Have you given up?
Well, my answers are pitiful: I haven't had one, yes, no, and yes. But I'm trying to depend on God's love as a template for me, and I'm also trying to have more patience. This is my plan moving forward.
What about you?
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Prayer requests? I know that there are many needs right now, so please post any requests and updates in comments.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday! How was your weekend? We had two family birthdays, and my mom's birthday is tomorrow.
This week we'll learn about the best strategy for "loving one another." It should be a wonderful lesson!
Reminder: We only have one more week after this one in this guided journaling book. Rita has recommended This Life We Share for our next one. Discussion? We need to make a decision by Friday so we can order the book. Also, please post any prayer requests.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! I spent the early morning hours outside. It was so beautiful and cool up here on the mountain. We had breakfast, and I cut some limelight hydrangeas to enjoy inside.
I enjoyed this week's guided journaling, especially with the eleven scriptural references of the "love one another" admonition. I looked them all up and put them in my journal.
Let's take a look at this week's journaling prompt:
How is agape love different from the romantic love shown in the media and pop culture?
My initial response is that the media and pop culture do not share any kind of love these days, but if they did, they would be representative of a fleeting kind of love, not God's eternal love.
Do y'all have any prayer requests? Please continue to pray for my recovery. It's been hard, y'all.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Tuesday, Friends! I am so sorry I didn't post yesterday morning. I was in terrible pain, and I took something for it and it knocked me out: I slept until afternoon! I also had an obligation with my daughter later in the afternoon, and I made an executive decision to post today.
This week's lesson is about agape love, and there are tons of scriptural references. I hope you enjoy the lesson and the guided journaling for Week Fifty!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! I want to thank you for your prayers. I am feeling better than I should, and I know it's because y'all have faithfully been praying for me.
The news has been horrible lately, and I hope that this week's lesson will encourage you as it has encouraged me.
Here is this week's scripture:
And here is this week's writing prompt:
What do you think about the idea that God loves you simply because he chose to love you? Does it make you uncomfortable, happy, confused? Write down your thoughts.
Well.....I'm feeling down right comfy knowing that the God of Creation loves me! How about you?
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Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! Do you have big plans for Independence Day Weekend?
This week's guided journal prompt is:
Have you let God love you? If so, write about when you first experienced the love of God and how it impacted you. If not, what is holding you hack from fully believing in God's love?
I have experienced God's love from a young age, so I'm truly blessed! I can't imagine not experiencing God's love. I pity those who reject God and his love.
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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I like the Amplified translation of this verse.
Happy Monday, Friends! I think it's so appropriate that this week we're reading and writing about God's love after the SCOTUS Roe v. Wade decision. Christians have prayed for its repeal for fifty years, and make no mistake that this is God's victory.
I hope y'all have a blessed week!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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This week's scripture
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope your week has been a good one. Mine has been filled with tons of appointments, and it looks like my surgery will be on Tuesday, July 5th. The funerals for the three victims at St. Stephen's were held on Wednesday and Thursday. I appreciate your prayers for their families and our church community.
This week's guided journaling prompt is:
How would you describe the love of God? Write down any word, phrase, or image that comes to mind when you think about God's love.
The first image that comes to mind is Jesus and his love for children. Today's society doesn't value children, and it breaks my heart how they're being treated, groomed, and abused. It breaks Jesus's tender heart, too.
What about you?
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Prayer requests?
Supposedly the Supreme Court will be handing down a ruling on Roe v. Wade today, and I'd like to ask y'all to pray for peace and for peaceful demonstrations.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
First Rose of Sharon blossoms of the season
Thank-you, Friends, for your prayers and support of my church family. I have not been cleared to be in crowds, and I won't be able to go back to church until after my surgery. I do watch on YouTube, and today's Holy Eucharist service was heart-breaking. Our Rector did such a fantastic job, and so did our other priest. Their words were so comforting, and today's reading from the gospels was my favorite passage in the Bible, John Chapter 1.
Please continue to pray. There were therapists at church today, and the children had an emotional support dog for children's chapel.
I am numb. I'm trying hard not to be, but right now, honestly, I am.
We are starting on the last unit in our book, and its focus is God's love. If y'all want to continue a weekly devotion or guided journaling, please start looking around your local bookshops and let me know. I can email y'all what you find, and we can vote on it.
Do you have any prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! It has been so hot here this week, and our air conditioner went out last might. We slept surprisingly well considering, and our neighbor and friend had it fixed by 8:00 AM this morning. What a blessing! We're under another heat advisory today.
Here is the scripture for this week's guided journaling:
And here is our writing prompt:
Spend some time reflecting on God's forgiveness toward you. Let his love wash over you. Let his forgiveness fully cover you. Write down a prayer in response.
I won't share my entire prayer here, but I've read a lot of scripture lately about God's lovingkindness and patience towards us. I am thankful that God is quick to forgive and slow to anger.
Prayer requests? Carla had several this week, and if you missed them, her requests are in Monday's comments. Do you have any updates, Carla? I would also like to pray for fellow blogger Jackie @ the Purple Chocolat Home Blog. She is recovering from hip and gallbladder surgery.
UPDATE: I wrote this post yesterday before the shootings at my church. Please see yesterday's post if you haven't read it yet. I have heard from all of my close friends from church except for one. Please pray for St. Stephen's as we go through this difficult time.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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