There is nothing quite like enjoying the beauty of a sunset or holding a newborn baby in your arms. To share that joy with another person doubles the joy as together we marvel at the beauty before us. Scripture speaks again and again of the gifts of joy, beauty, and pleasure that God gives us. …
Our Lives a Journey of Joy
In the midst of our pursuit of God, we can sometimes focus so much on the seriousness of discipleship that we miss out on the joy of our life with God. For me personally, there are times when I emphasize the challenges or trials on this earth to the point that I ignore or unwittingly …
C. S. Lewis: “Joy is the serious business of Heaven”
This from C. S. Lewis in his wonderful book, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer: I do not think that the life of Heaven bears any analogy to play or dance in respect of frivolity. I do think that while we are in this ‘valley of tears,’ cursed with labour, hemmed round with necessities, tripped up with frustrations, …
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Finding Joy: John the Baptist
[This is the devotional I wrote for the third week of Eastbrook Church's Advent 2018 devotional. Join in with the daily journey through Advent here.] “You are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.” (Luke 1:13-14) “And with many other words John exhorted …
Prayer of Surrender: Mary
As we continued our "Great Prayers of the Bible" series this past weekend at Eastbrook Church, I spoke from Mary's prayers of surrender to God in Luke 1. This weekend's message explores what it means to pray into a place of surrender with God and why surrendering to God in prayer is one of the best things we …
Matthew Erickson 