Fruit of the Spirit: Joy – Lawrence

Christ reminds us that when we fast, not to look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18.

In March of 1955, over a half-century ago, I received The Bible Reader’s Encyclopaedia and Concordance. I still use this book today. Under the heading of Joy it is written that in no other religion is joy as conspicuous as in Christianity. Joy, it says, denotes the satisfaction of the soul at attaining its desire.

It has been said that some Christians go around in a gloomy disposition. I don’t know why we would do this. Jesus himself was a sociable person. We see him at a wedding; being entertained at meals; talking to women, to Samaritans, to Romans, to Tax Collectors, to Sadducees, and to Pharisees, among others. Jesus was anxious to heal people of their physical illnesses and sinful natures. Jesus wants our life to be abundant and our joy to be full (John chapters 10 and 16).

Joy is one of the Spiritual fruit mentioned in St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians chapter 5, and it is a fruit that we can cultivate. In order to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit we should set our minds upon it. St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, says, Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit…to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8: 5, 6

That on which we set our minds will grow and flourish within us. When we think and meditate on the fruit of the Spirit, e.g. Joy, it grows and matures. In The Oprah Magazine for January 2008, there was an article called Awakening Joy, in which it was said that whatever you focus on will grow.

So, think about Joy; practise Joy; look for Joy in whatever situation you find yourself. A friend of mine told me that that was her intention for 2008, to find the joy in everything that happens to her. And, she says, it works! The Spiritual fruit of Joy is growing in her and it makes her feel good. Why don’t we start today in this endeavour?

© Judith Lawrence, Originally written and posted in www.judithlawrence.ca in a meditation for March 2008

Don't Call me a Fan - Rose McCormick Brandon

I placed the book on the counter and fished in my over-large bag for my debit card.

“Are you a fan?” the clerk at the book store asked with an amused smile. The other clerks peered over to see my purchase. Suzanne Somers latest medical journal perhaps? Their noses wrinkled when they saw the title – Decision Points by George W. Bush.

A surprising question - am I a fan of George Bush? Oprah has fans. On television recently they wept and swooned over face cream, candles and other give-aways.. I winced with embarrassment for them. Had they never seen toiletries? Oprah moved with gusto from one big gift reveal to another. The veil lifted from a set of kitchen knives. Tears streamed, women jumped on the spot for sheer joy. Several seemed close to fainting. I wanted to scream, “Hang onto your minds; you’ll need them some day.” Instead I pressed the off button.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a fan,” I answered the clerk, unable to visualize myself dancing on the spot, arms waving, weeping for George Bush. “But, I also don’t believe everything I hear in the media. I thought I should read what he has to say for myself.”

“Oh, I never thought of that,” said my ever-smiling clerk.

Some unflattering labels are drifting around. If you don’t swallow 100% of a particular view you may be labeled a global warming denier, a fundamentalist, a racist, homophobic, neo-conservative, an uneducated barbarian or just a plain old-fashioned nut-case.

This cheery clerk meant no harm. But her question reminded me that the name George Bush has been vilified to the point that one must give a reason for wanting to read his memoirs. After reading the book I can say that W. isn’t an illiterate cement-head. Brash, smart-mouthed, yes. He admits to this and says it comes from his mother’s side. That’s a good line.

I found out that faith in God is important to Bush, his major decision point. He doesn’t just make a show of carrying his bible to church for the cameras he actually reads it in a systematic way. Uh-oh, another label – Bible thumper. This one sticks to anyone who believes the Bible’s a book worth reading. Please don’t mess my hair when you fasten this label to the back of my head.

Am I now a fan of George W. Bush? If Oprah’s audience gives meaning to the word “fan”, then I’m no fan, not of Bush or any other human. A respecter? Yes, I think that’s it, I find myself respecting the man who wrote Decision Points.