Choosing JOY in 2017

It clearly has been a while since I posted...a very long while. It's a new year and I am going to try to keep up with our busy life here. If I tried to catch up here this post with take days to write and I have zero desire to write such a blog so let's just start with the here and now. 

A few months ago God laid on my heart a word for 2017. The word is JOY. True Christ-Filled JOY.  I have been placing my 'joy' in things or the want of things that I think will bring me joy. This year I want to see the joy in the ordinary and everyday. He has given me so much to be joyful about and somehow I have over looked the joy in all of it. 

God has been speaking this into my life over the past few months. I shared that my word for the year was JOY with a few of my very dear friends, who have over the past few months have started praying for and with each other almost daily, on New Years Day. That evening I picked up the new devotional I received from my sister-in-law at Christmas, 'Jesus Always'. Normally I don't read the introduction of devotionals but this time I did. The third paragraph of the introductions starts like this, "Jesus Always is designed to increase your joy and strengthen your relationship with Jesus". The subtitle is 'Embracing JOY in His Presence'. God is so good and I am so greatful for Him speaking this truth in my life and I can't wait to experience Joy in Christ this year. He has great things in store I just know it. 

The verse He gave me for the year is Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with Joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving".

There is also a song that I LOVE. It has been a theme song of sorts since November so I am making it my theme song for the year.  

"Joy"
By Rend Collective

We're choosing celebration
Breaking into freedom
You're the song
You're the song
Of our hearts
We cast aside our shadows
Trust You with our sorrows
You're the song
You're the song
Of our hearts
We're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart
We're rising from the ashes to the stars
You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul
The joy joy joy making me whole
Though I'm broken, I am running
Into Your arms of love
The pain will not define us
Joy will reignite us
You're the song
You're the song
Of our hearts
The dark is just a canvas
For Your grace and brightness
You're the song
You're the song
Of our hearts
We're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart
We're rising from the ashes to the stars
You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul
The joy joy joy making me whole
Though I'm broken, I am running
Into Your arms of love [x2]
You're the joy
The song in my heart
The hope of my soul
In the shadows
In the sorrows
In the desert
When the pain hits
You are constant
Ever-present
You're the song of my heart [x2]
You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul
The joy joy joy making me whole
Though I'm broken, I am running
Into Your arms of love
Into Your arms

May your 2017 be filled with JOY!! I leave you with this.

 ^{Romans 15:13}

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(This is also the verse I am choosing for Payton for the year)