© Laurie Justus Pace Graphics One Design 2009“I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with Joy." 2 Corinthians 7:4
The Painting: Golden Acrylics and Liquitex Acrylics were on the palette as I began this pull. 97 percent of my pulls are in Oil, so an acrylic one is rare. The paint does not respond in the same manner, but I am able to double up on my layers and the dimensional aspect of the subject.
The Thought: I've got the Joy Joy Joy Joy down in my heart....that is a line from a song I sang with my children as they were growing up.
What is joy to you? For my youngest son, joy should be every day having fun and living life. To my oldest son, joy is his buddies and time with that World Warfare game. To my daughter, joy seems to be getting everything done. Finding a completion in a job well done.
We all seem to have our own thoughts on Joy. Joy is a blink when considering the list above. Joy is a simple passing moment or feeling and it only surfaces for short times. It has to be "fed" to exist in their lives. Our daughter is most aware that there is joy in the fleeting sense with each completion of something, but in her heart she knows the lasting joy from knowing the Lord. She knows the suffering that comes with true joy. She and her husband lost their young son several years ago...but from that horrible loss came the sweetest joy as the two of them found their walk with the Lord. Enduring something like this, or thinking of Jesus dying on the cross moment by moment bleeding to death...it is amazing how it produces Joy. Losing a child is not fun. Enduring the cross was not fun. The joy is in living to the glory and praise of God.
Your experiences may bring a tough reality to your life. Stay centered with God and live as He would want you to live in accordance to His Will and His Plan. Joy is not more money, or more things...Joy is in the "being" and the "giving" to others. Experience the everlasting overflowing JOY of the Lord. It is this joy that will comfort you and give you strength.
The Thought: I've got the Joy Joy Joy Joy down in my heart....that is a line from a song I sang with my children as they were growing up.
What is joy to you? For my youngest son, joy should be every day having fun and living life. To my oldest son, joy is his buddies and time with that World Warfare game. To my daughter, joy seems to be getting everything done. Finding a completion in a job well done.
We all seem to have our own thoughts on Joy. Joy is a blink when considering the list above. Joy is a simple passing moment or feeling and it only surfaces for short times. It has to be "fed" to exist in their lives. Our daughter is most aware that there is joy in the fleeting sense with each completion of something, but in her heart she knows the lasting joy from knowing the Lord. She knows the suffering that comes with true joy. She and her husband lost their young son several years ago...but from that horrible loss came the sweetest joy as the two of them found their walk with the Lord. Enduring something like this, or thinking of Jesus dying on the cross moment by moment bleeding to death...it is amazing how it produces Joy. Losing a child is not fun. Enduring the cross was not fun. The joy is in living to the glory and praise of God.
Your experiences may bring a tough reality to your life. Stay centered with God and live as He would want you to live in accordance to His Will and His Plan. Joy is not more money, or more things...Joy is in the "being" and the "giving" to others. Experience the everlasting overflowing JOY of the Lord. It is this joy that will comfort you and give you strength.
Laurie
"Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
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