Spreading Joy

Making a Difference One Person At a Time One Day At a Time

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Still HE Speaks

ps 46 be still

 

Ps 46:10 BE STILL…and know that I AM God

 

Sometimes when everything is going great – we forget to listen to the Lord – Still HE speaks

Sometimes the tears flow daily – we forget to listen to the Lord – Still He Speaks

Sometimes the laughter fills our hearts – we forget to listen to the Lord – Still He speaks

Sometimes discouragement steals our joy – we forget to listen to the Lord – Still He speaks

Sometimes anger robs us of our compassion – we forget to listen to the Lord – Still HE speaks

Sometimes hatred blinds our way – we forget to listen to the Lord – Still HE speaks

Sometimes daily activities keeps us to busy and we forget to listen to the Lord – Still HE speaks

Sometimes weariness causes us pull away and we forget to listen to the Lord – Still He speaks

Sometimes…..we forget to listen to the Lord – STILL HE Speaks

Will you hear?

Will you trust?

Will you listen?

Still… He speaks

 

still he speaks

 

no joy like spreading joy

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Because of YOU

 

 

What I’ve learned from you cannot be expressed in mear words and my heart can’t adequately describe for you the gift you’ve been.

.

I’ve grown, changed and will never be the same because of you.

 

You’ve changed the way I think, the way I see things, and the way I love.

You’ve changed how I pray, how I teach and how I learn.

You’ve changed how I trust, how I commit and how I act.

You’ve changed the way I approach each and every day.

 

Thank you.

 

You’ve shared tears of joy, agony of pain and laughter of love.

You’ve shared new adventures, new problems and new solutions.

You’ve shared milestones, memories and a peek into the heart of tomorrow.

 

Thank you.

 

 

You’ve brought new treasures, secured old treasures and allowed painful memories to turn into smiles.

You’ve brought great questions as well as answers that I would have never even imagined.

You’ve brought great joy and hope as well as the reminder of a brighter tomorrow.

 

Thank you.

 

You’ve made me adaptable, determined and curious for what awaits me.

You’ve made me enthusiastic, optimistic and anxiously anticipating more!

You’ve made me resourceful, realistic and practical!

 

Thank you.

 

You’ve showed me just how great life can be and at the same time, made me realize just how quickly pain, sorrow and tears can flood my heart.

I’ll forever treasure you 2012 as you have been the most wonderful gift ever.

And somehow I know the same awaits me next year!

 

How has 2012 forever changed you?  

Please feel free to share your comments and/or a link about a similar article in the comment section below.

Have fun Spreading JOY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Turn to HIM

 

Lord,

We turn to you Lord for the hope of tomorrow when today seems to drown us in despair.

We turn to you Lord when yesterday is gripping our hearts, hindering us from seeing your hand today.

We turn to you Lord when everything is going wrong and nothing will dry the tears.

We turn to you Lord we’ve prayed a million prayers for our child to draw near.

We turn to you Lord when we can’t even lift our head or utter a word.

We turn to you Lord to make us aware of the daily blessings you surround us with.

We turn to you Lord to thank you for the strength you give us daily

We turn to you Lord to praise you for the glorious gift of the Cross

We turn to you Lord to sing praises when the darkness ends

We turn to you Lord to thank you for the protection that just sheltered us from harm

We turn to you Lord to give thanks for the loved one that has returned to you

We turn to you Lord to show our heart of gratitude for the good that keeps us renewed, for the bad that strengthens our faith and the millions of things in between that remind us to keep praising and adoring you.

 

Father, may we stay so close to your side that all we have to do is turn to you and whisper a faint cry for help or whisper praises through the tears of joy you bring.  May our hearts never get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of life that we go a single day unaware of the gifts that you’ve poured out on us. May we praise you daily and spend time in the Word while loving and adoring you. May we always be aware of you, by our side, in Jesus precious name Amen.

 

What are you turning to HIM for?

The bad only?  The good only?


Faithfully turn to HIM in everything!

 

Spreading Joy is as simple as posting on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or Google + as well as pinning on Pinterest.

Do you have an article on this topic? I invite you to leave it below in the comment sections so others can easily find MORE encouragement and thank you for doing so!

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY

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Thinking about Thanks

Our days seem to get so busy, our time escapes us and our hearts can be so heavy.  During all of these times, we not only should pray, but praise.

I hope you will spend some time just thanking the Lord.  Thanksgiving needs to be a daily thing for us, not just an annual event.

I’m thankful for:

  • How detailed the Lord is…even when we aren’t.
  • How HE remembers…even when we don’t
  • How HE cares for us…even when we are too busy to care back
  • How HE inspires us with the smallest things…even when we feel uninspired
  • How Great our Lord is…even though I am the least of these
  • HIS great love…even though my love can’t compare
  • His perfect plan…even though it’s painful sometimes
  • His reminders and examples from His word…even though we neglect it more than we should
  • His thought and concern to give me the greatest friends ever…even though I fall really short all to often
  • His perfect love….even though I am the picture of imperfection
  • His never ending light…even though darkness surrounds me
  • His joy that strengthens me…even when I feel I can’t continue
  • How HE delights in me…even though HE knows the worst about me
  • His amazing grace…even though I don’t deserve it at all
  • His renewing mercies each day…even when I try to go it alone
  • His abundant blessings…even though sometimes I grumble because I don’t have more
  • His limitless knowledge…even when I don’t understand

Spend some time thinking about all that you are grateful for.  Dwell on it, wrap your heart in it and praise HIM for it.

 

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A Promise Kept

A Promise Kept

Because of this single promise found in Luke 18:33 “And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again”  we can stand strong in His strength.

Because Jesus rose again….

We don’t have to fear tomorrow or face it alone

We have peace that surpasses all understanding

We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

We can sing praises of your matchless love, grace and mercy

We can sleep knowing that should we never wake, the splendors of Heaven await us

We have hope that never ends, regardless of the darkness chasing us

We can take our greatest treasures with us to Heaven…our family and friends

We enjoy the majesty of this gift of life and the beauty you’ve filled it with

We can live an abundant life experiencing joy as only you can give

We can smile through tears, knowing that all things work together for good

We can stand strong in His strength and work though His power, not our own

We are refreshed by the daily renewing of His mercies

We are encouraged by His faithfulness

We know that every tear will be wiped away

We know that His love reaches us…..regardless

We know true, honest and pure love

We know that our God is greater

 

AND because a single promise was kept….

We are looking for the promised return, knowing it could be any moment… a twinkling of an eye

 

Marie Wikle

@spreadingJOY

 

This article was first published in Tell It on the Mountain eMagazine by DeAnne McBurnie.  Thank you DeAnne for how you are spreading JOY!

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It All Matters

To Him…It All Matters

 

Dear Lord Jesus
As big as my problems are
As big as my fears are
As big as my doubts are

Help me to remember that YOU are bigger

 

As big as my dreams are
As big as my needs are
As big as my desires are

Help me to be reminded every day that you are bigger

 

Help me to be reminded every day that you know what I need
Help me to be reminded every day that you want us to live abundantly
Help me to be reminded every day that you are in control

Help me to be reminded every day that you see every tear…and they matter

 

You see my fearful heart and it matters
You know when I’m discouraged and it matters
Help me to keep trusting you when I don’t understand

Help me to keep following you when I can’t see where the next step is going to take me

 

Help me to remember just how great YOU are, just how mighty you are and just how much you LOVE me

Don’t let me forget these things; keep them close to my heart, so when the fear pops in and the tears flow I know instantly that YOU have me.

You’ve got me and you are going to keep me….. and it all matters to you.

In Jesus name Amen

 

This was originally published in Tell It On the Mountain Online Magazine. Click the name of the magazine to see it and other amazing articles.  Thanks @DeMacb for allowing me to submit to your Magazine

 

Here is a free PDF of this

 

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The Light You Shine

Thank you for the light you shine
For the encouragement you give.

Thank you for being bold and confident
On this journey called life we live.

Thank you for the laughs and the smiles
And for being there through every mile.

It’s a joy and honor to be called your friend
And because of a mighty God, that friendship will never end.

 

 

I’m honored to be surrounded by some of the bestest friends ever. 

In real life or online, you make my world better.

I’m looking forward to spending an eternity with you! 

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The Priceless Things I Love About You

The Priceless Things I love about you

I wrote this poem in October 2009, shortly before our 20th Anniversary.  It started out as a list of “I miss how you DON’T” because my heart was thinking of “how we never….. anymore.”  After looking deep within my own heart and realizing how I was at fault as well, I turned the list into the priceless things that I loved about him.  Instead of dwelling on what I didn’t have, I started focusing on what was still there and remembering, with joy, what we shared.

If you are feeling a little lost because of “use to’s” – do what I did, write out why and give it to him/her over a nice dinner.  I printed it on heavy card stock and laminated it.  When he first started reading it, I could tell that he thought I had purchased it. What are the priceless things you love about your spouse? 

 

The Priceless Things I Love About You 

I love how when you leave first in the morning, that you wake me to give me a gentle kiss. I fall back asleep easily with such great tenderness.

I love how when you see me for the first time after a long day that you take me in your strong arms, hold me, kiss me and look me in the eyes and ask – how are you?

I love how you come up behind me – even when we are just in the store, waiting in line – or at the kitchen sink and just wrap your arms around me, showing me that you love me – still.  I’m safe there, and I never want to leave from that feeling of being protected by the hero that I love.

I love how even though we don’t like to watch the same TV shows, that we can sit quietly beside each other – while you watch TV and I watch a movie and still be closely knit together.

I love how when we pray that you always hold my hand – and not just let my hand lay in yours, but you hold on to me.  You have me and again, I am reminded that you are my protector, my guy – my warrior.

I love how when we pray at the alter together or on our bed at home that your arm is around me and you hold me close when we are talking to our Lord.  I am reminded that you go to the Father on our behalf, on our families’ behalf.

I love how you leave things for me to find – a card on my steering wheel after you know that I’m not going back out, a full tank of gas when I have forgotten to let you know that I’m almost out of gas and the cute little poem, waiting on my pillow before I come to bed.

I love how when you get out of the shower that even though we have no plans that you apply polo – simply because you know I love sniffing you.  Sniffing you reminds me that you are mine and I can have you anytime I want.

I love reading the Bible with you at home.  I love listening to you read Gods word out loud to us. I love following you as you follow the Lord and I’m better for it.

I love listening to you pray for our children for I know that the prayers of their Father weigh heavily on the heart of an almighty God – who wants to give you the desires of your heart.

I love how you support Spreading Joy. You allow me to follow my dream, encourage me to keep working towards my goals and remind me that with God, all things are possible!

I love how you help around the house with the dishes that I despise so and when I don’t get to the household duties, you never complain. Never.

I love how you call me for no reason at all, just to say hello and to remind me that you love me.  I also love when you call, to ask me out on a date. My giddy, sappy love song lover self floats through the remainder of the day, on cloud nine!

I love sitting in the bookstore with you.  Drinking coffee, thumbing through the endless supply of books that I so love while you look through the mountain of magazines.  I look over the top of my book and catch you watching me read – and smile, knowing that you are there – making sure that I’m having fun and that I’m safe.

I love going to the movies with you. I know the horror flicks are not what you prefer, but you tolerate them – because of your love for me.  I know you love me deeply because we do things for those that we love before doing things for ourselves.

I love how you put up with the never ending supply of singing that seems to come out of me….as well as the not knowing what the song will be.  It might be praise, it might be a sappy love song, it might be big band music – or even Heffalumps and Woozles from Winnie the Pooh – but you listen – and let me free the child that is in me if necessary.

I love how when we have game night and I’m losing and feeling whiney – that you just let me whine – and don’t get angry with me and quit because you are so aggravated by the whiney silliness that is oozing out of me.

I love the tenderness that you show me when you embrace me and hold me for as long as you do.  I love the fact that you have no problem, just holding me…. stroking my cheek or hair until I peacefully fall asleep – in your arms under your watchful, protective eyes.

I love the gentleness that you show me when you come to me softly in the night. You reassure me that you love me and only me – no matter what. No matter the wrinkles, no matter the gray hair, no matter the frumpiness.  I am safe there, with your strong arms wrapped completely around me, tightly, yet gently holding me as you remind me how much you truly do love me.

 

I love all of these things about you – my hero, my warrior.  The job does not make the man – the check does not make the man.  The mercy, love, guiding and tenderness make the man.  The heart for the Lord makes the man.  The prayers for the weak by the strong – make the man.

 

I love you Steve and all of these wonderful, priceless things about you.

no joy like spreading joy

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I Resolve to

We need to face each day with a resolve to make it the best day ever.  We can’t always choose the happenings of the day, but we can choose our reaction to it.

We all waltz into the New Year thinking of things we want to accomplish during the year.  

I hope that my list of resolutions will inspire you to boldly resolve to make resolutions that truly matter.  

Doing this will inspire you as well as those around you.

 

I resolve to make the best of whatever comes my way each day

I resolve to smile daily, even if it’s through tears

I resolve to encourage my family to be their best, even when the worst is flooding our world

I resolve to enjoy the success of others and encourage them to keep pursuing their passion

I resolve to treat others the way I want to be treated, no wait… BETTER than I want to be treated

I resolve to be kind to those who are the meanest

I resolve to listen to my heart and not feel guilty for doing things for myself

I resolve to do what I can with what I have and enJOY it

I resolve to read a book a month (or listen…as I love audio books)

I resolve to be a positive force

I resolve to use my strengths without worry about how my weaknesses may come across

I resolve to allow my heart to sing freely

I resolve to find beauty in the Ordinary

I resolve to laugh daily….regardless (hey, if I’m gonna cry often, I may as well laugh even more)

I resolve to hug freely

I resolve to say thank you to someone daily

I resolve to learn from my mistakes

I resolve to face difficulties with courage

I resolve to let those in my world know just how important they truly are

I resolve to continue to be Matthew 5:16

I resolve to be compassionate

I resolve to let the hurt & disappointment that surrounds me to make me more determined

I resolve to keep taking the next step, even when I can’t see the path

I resolve to love, and do so freely

I resolve to celebrate the good, forgive the bad and enjoy the moment

I resolve to change what I can, fix what is wrong & find the good in the rest

I resolve to reflect on the blessings of the day at the end of the day

I resolve to celebrate small victories and push onward through challenges

I resolve to be content with what I have, while striving to improve where I can

I resolve to not allow circumstances to dictate HOW I live

I resolve to not allow guilt to eat at my heart

I resolve to stop and smell the roses when I’m near them

I resolve to believe that I’m enough and not compare myself to others

 

What are some of your resolutions?  Please encourage others by sharing them below.

 

Here is a free PDF of this article. 


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Home and Free to be ME

Playing Around! Priceless Memories

Warmth in the Winter
Gentle Breeze in the the heat
Smiles through the pain
Encouragement after defeat

Relaxing, comfy and being myself
Fun, silly and serious when necessary
With no worries of judgement
And reinforcement during the scary

Late Night or early Morning
Enjoying coffee, diet coke or unsweetened tea
Messy hair, no makeup
I am free to be completely me!

 

I love the quietness of the early mornings.  I love how still everything is.

I love the noise of the late nights when both children are home, Todd has the TV entirely too loud and Steve is asleep, snoring so loud the kids shut the door to tone it down a little.

I love that we are all so different, yet we all feel free to just simply be ourselves.

Talk about freedom!  Priceless.

Are you making your home a place that is full of individual expressions? Is everyone completely free to be themselves?

What are some of your weekend routines? Are you up early on Saturday mornings? Do you hang out in your jammies, relaxing with coffee and slowly starting the day? Do you get right up and at ’em?

{{HUGS}} yall