Happy (is a Yuppie Word) Friday!!

Hey.

So if you are a big Switchfoot fan like Haley and I, you would get the title of this post... they have a song called "Happy is a Yuppie Word." I've never really read the lyrics, but that statement, "Happy is a yuppie word" I think kinda means the word 'happy' is just kinda a crowd-pleaser word... or something to lift you up 2 inches off the ground when you're feeling as low as the ground itself. My 8th grade algebra teacher once told me... "There's a difference between 'Joy' and 'Happiness'." Happiness is more temporary, I think; like "I'm HAPPY I got an A on my Geometry test (a TRUE miracle)!" or "I found a $20 bill on the ground, I'm so HAPPY!" But 'Joy' is more of retaining this pure, good feeling inside even when hard times do come. Joy: 'I sprained my wrist, but I'm still joyful!!' Ha. ;] When I'm joyful, I feel this overwhelming calmness, love, passion, grace, faith, and thanksgiving all mixed into one amazing combo package (ew I made 'Joy' sound like a Happy Meal... HAHAHA "HAPPY" meal!!!) I mean maybe that's why they call them 'Happy' Meals anyway... those chicken nuggets and awesome toys only bring temporary pleasure. (Well, except for when they were giving out video games in happy meals... I STILL have it!! Hehe, kidding)

But it's like... people go through their whole lives looking for 'happiness.' They'll read books, spend lots of money, and do the stupidest things for temporary pleasure. I'm guilty, too. And it's like... why go to all this trouble looking for this illusion that will only last for a little while when you've already have an awesome opprotunity to have that pleasure plus more that will last forever?

Not just your average happy meal... God's meal for you. Hmm...

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."--Revelation 3:20 (NLV)

I have to wonder, did Jesus literally mean sharing an actual meal, or maybe a meal more than food? Some sort of a, symbolic meal? Maybe even both?!

Well, I can definatley say I'm trying to focus on joy in my life right now. Alot of trials are coming my way, and they have been for myself and my family and some of my friends; but we all just have to find joy in our trials. Right...?

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy."-- James 1:2

If we could all just learn to do this, imagine!! Life would be so joyful. Trials could come, but they wouldn't even effect us!!!

And when the trials DO come, if we have faith like THIS...

" "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." "--Matthew 17:20
I was reading this last night, and it hit me like the back of God's hand!! If we all had even a mustard seed of faith, we could do ANYTHING! We could face any fears, and if we have faith when we pray, things could change; people could change. I'd be less saddened from these trials, and my Dad would be running around with my children someday!!

Wow. God is good, and He's showed me so many things to be more-than-happy about. I was so sad earlier today, but writing this really lifted my spirits. My prayer tonight to God: that He would bless me with the ability to remain joyful throughout these hard times, to have faith MORE than a mustard seed in Him always, and to always remember; these trials are helping me "work out my salvation with fear and trembling."

THE PEICES ARE ALL COMING TOGETHER THROUGH THE BIBLE... IT ROCKS!!!


Happy Friday!... eh, nevermind.


JOYFUL Friday! (:

--Chrissy Z