with heaven in view

“One of the characteristics of the Christian is inward joy. Even under difficult circumstances, there will be a joyful heart and a radiant face. Unfortunately, many Christians go around with droopy faces that give no outshining glory to God. A true Christian should be relaxed and radiant, capable of illuminating and not depressing his surrounding.

I have found in my travels that those who keep Heaven in view remain serene and cheerful on the darkest day. In all ages people have found it possible to maintain the spirit of joy in the hour of trial.

There are times when I feel I don’t have joy, and I get on my knees and say, “Lord, where is the fruit of the Spirit of joy in my life?” I find that the joy is there down deep – it is a deep river.

Whatever the circumstance, there IS a river of JOY!”

Billy Graham

What really is joy?

What are the times in which you have experienced real joy?

Are joy and happiness the same thing?

hugs n’ blessings for JOY LIVED OUT LOUD!

hussshhh

Giggles.

I woke up this morning not intending to write a post, but seared by the Spirit here I sit tippity-tap typing to you (all!)

Here it goes….

I love the quiet. I thrive in solitude.

I am my best-self without the distractions of the world dancing (outside of) and the clutter of my thoughts whirling (within) me.

Continue reading “hussshhh”

read all about it!

One of my great desires is that the Gospel always be presented as

good news,

happy news,

filling our hearts with

joy and consolation.

Yes, Jesus’ teaching is demanding, but St. Therese helps us see it as genuine good news, since the Gospel is no less than the revelation of God’s tenderness, God’s mercy toward each of his children, illuminating the laws of life that lead to happiness.

“Sometimes when I read certain spiritual treatises where perfection is shown through a thousand obstacles, surrounded by a host of snares, my poor little spirit quickly tires, I shut the learned book that makes my head ache and dries up my heart, and I take up Sacred Scripture. Then everything seems luminous to me, one single word reveals infinite horizons to my soul, perfection seems easy, and I see that it is enough to recognize one’s own nothingness and abandon oneself like a child into God’s arms.

Leaving to great souls, great spirits, the beautiful books that I cannot understand and still less put into practice, I rejoice to be little, because only children and those who are like them will be admitted to the heavenly banquet.”

St. Therese of Liseux
Continue reading “read all about it!”