7 THINGS THAT STEAL YOUR JOY by Joyce Meyer

*Warning:  spiritual/religious content.  Read at your own discretion.*







I picked up this book, Seven Things that Steal Your Joy:  Overcoming the Obstacles to Your Happiness, by Joyce Meyer over a year ago and started reading it, but got distracted with other books and didn't quite finish it.  I made a determination earlier this year that I was going to finish it, come what may, and, even though I started it back in February, I finally have finished it.  It's definitely worth reading.  Joyce goes over, as the title states, 7 things that steal our joy as well as 7 joy keepers:

Joy Stealer #1:  Works of the Flesh
Joy Keeper #1:  Be Led of the Spirit

Joy Stealer #2:  Religious Legalism
Joy Keeper #2:  Be Free in Christ

Joy Stealer #3:  Complicating the Simple Issues
Joy Keeper #3:  Be Uncomplicated

Joy Stealer #4:  Excessive Reasoning
Joy Keeper #4:  Be Confident in God

Joy Stealer #5:  Ungodly Anger
Joy Keeper #5:  Be Quick to Forgive

Joy Stealer #6:  Jealousy and Envy
Joy Keeper #6:  Be Outrageously Blessed

Joy Stealer #7:  Habitual Discontent
Joy Keeper #7:  Be Content

*Not finished.....will finish later.....

"Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll

Honestly, poetry has never been something I've enjoyed much.  Of course, over the years, there have been a few poems that have caught my attention, and, before I knew it, I realized that I like poetry a lot more than I thought it did.  One poem that has really come to be something quite fun for me is Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky."  Why, you might ask?  Because it's just plain FUN.  I love the words that Carroll used in the poem--that he made up.  And I can never say "tum-tum" or "jub-jub" without a smile on my face!!!!  A few weeks ago in my British Lit class, the students who were doing a presentation on "Jabberwocky" had us come up with our made-up words so we could create our own version "Jabberwocky."  It was a lot of fun!  So much so that I created a new word for myself that I've officially incorporated it into my everyday vocabulary.  In case you haven't heard me say it before:  JUMOY!!!  It is a combination of Jump and joy to create my own version of "Jump for Joy"!!!!

I have been through at least 2 periods of severe depression in my life.  Surprising, just as a side note, I did not take any medication during those times to help with my depression.  Anyway, one the things I have learned is that quite often, we make a CHOICE about whether or not to stay in a state of depression (or any other feeling, whether it be a positive one or otherwise).

*Let me take a quick sidenote here to say that I am condoning the use of medical help, including medication, to help with depression, especially severe depression.  I am simply saying that for some people, it's a state of being that CAN be changed by changing our mind-set.  Obviously, if that doesn't work, I completely agree that doctors and medical help are not only necessary, but required.  (I hope I've  explained myself clearly.)

*Religious content next paragraph.....If you don't want to read the religious content, feel free to skip down a paragraph or two.*

Anyway, I hated being depressed.  I hated being sad and angry all the time.  I was frustrated with life.  I was frustrated with my marriage.  I was frustrated with everything and everyone, but especially myself.  I took a whole year and did a Bible Study on the word "joy."  I was surprised and excited to learn that JOY is something that is waiting for anyone who wants it.  "Joy" is in the Bible more times than I can count!!!!

I decided that I wasn't going to wallow in my self-pity or depression any more.  I didn't want to ask my doctor for medication to help with my depression.  (I probably should have--my husband probably wishes I had, but I just felt that I needed to try to pull myself out of the depression first.)  So I started trying to find things in my life that bring me JOY on a daily basis.  I found more things than I can count!!!  I won't list them all here, but suffice it to say that at the top of the list are:  my son Samuel, reading, writing, watching movies, going to church, being with my family, and scrapbooking.  And because I enjoy reading so very much, I started reading things on the lighter side rather than sad stories (which is why I try to avoid Nicholas Sparks, even though I have liked the books of his that I have read---I just didn't want to be sad!).

And one of the things that I soon ran across and read that made me smile and laugh was Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky."  So now can you see why it has become one of my favorite poems?

I'm including here links for two videos on youtube for "Jabberwocky."  One is the Muppet version of the poem and the other is the poem put to song by a group called the Dancing Blue Pandas.  (Those of you who know me and know how much I love pandas, can you see why I was drawn to their version of the poem?!)  Both videos are fun and make the poem even more enjoyable!!!!

Put them Together.....Oh Yeah!

Thanks to my wonderful sister, Katie, I am an avid fan of the tv show Friends.  There is an episode where Monica started making TONS of jam; she was between jobs, I think, and was trying to find a way of making money.  Joey loved Monica's jam and ate a LOT of it.  Towards the end of the episode, Monica brings a jar of jam to Joey who is eating in the coffee shop, Central Perk, and she tells Joey to enjoy it because it's the last--she was spending more money to make the jam than she was making.  One of the friends asks Joey which he'd prefer:  a beautiful woman or the jam.  Joey takes his hands and puts them together and says, "Put them together!"

I know Joey's comment is over-the-top and about girls, but that's how I feel about movies and their subtitles.  I absolutely LOVE watching movies.  As you know (since that's what my blog is all about), I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to read!!!  (Not to mention the fact that reading is essentially what I do for a living!)  So, lately, when Samuel and I watch movies on DVD, we turn on the subtitles!!!  So now, I can combine my love of watching movies with my love of reading!!!  OH Yeah!!!!! 

If only I could do the same thing with regular tv shows!!!  I have been getting the Big Bang Theory season discs on Netflix; when I watch them, I turn on the subtitles for them, too!!!

Now, if only directors, writers, producers, etc., etc., etc. would get it right when making films from the books, I'd have the BEST OF ALL WORLDS!!!!  (Granted, they got it right with Gone with the Wind and a few other of my favorite books, and they did pretty ok with most of the Harry Potter stories and the last 2 Twilight movies (New Moon & Eclipse).  Oh, and even though I LOVE the movie version of How to Train Your Dragon, it doesn't even come close to following the book, which is AMAZING!!!!!!)

Oh, if only I could get those around me to LOVE reading even half as much as I do....!!!!! 

TWILIGHT SAGA--OFFICIAL GUIDE

First of all, this book is HEAVY!!  I hurt my wrist every time I pick it up.  I can't seem to remember from one time to the next just how very heavy the book is!

Secondly, somehow or another, I've gotten 2 copies of the book from Amazon!!!  I'm sure I must have accidentally ordered 2, but it's weird!

Thirdly, I thought Stephenie said in previous interviews that she hadn't thought of the the backstories for her characters as much as she focused on the story of Edward and Bella.  I seem to remember wondering what happened with Jacob's dad and how he got in the wheelchair and doing some research on it--and finding that Stephenie said she just let the characters tell the story; she didn't worry so much about what happened prior to the story that was down on paper.....Anyone else remember anything like that?  I may be remembering something that I wanted Stephenie to say rather than something I actually read that she said......

Fourth, I've already devoured almost the whole book.  There isn't a lot I didn't already know, but there are a few details and backstories about characters that I've enjoyed reading about.  There are a few backstories I would like more about--like Fred.  As much as Stephenie couldn't seem to walk away from Bree, I want to know more about Fred, including much more about his life prior to becoming a vampire as well as what Fred is up to now.  I honestly think that I would have wanted to travel with him!!!!  I would love to read more about Fred!!!  His powers as a vampire are very intriguing!  To be able to make people forget you're even there even though you're still RIGHT THERE....how cool is that?!  I'd especially like to be able to do that when I do or say something that either embarrasses myself or gets me in trouble!!!!  LOL!

Of course, finally, reading this guide makes me want to go back and re-read the whole series--AGAIN!  I think if I do read it again, that would be a 7th reading for all of them, including Midnight Sun, available only in part online....But I've committed myself to reading The Lord of the Rings series this summer and I am determined not to be drawn away from that.  It's high time I finally read them!  I want to read the books; it's just that there are still so many others that I'd like to read, too!!!  Or, again!!!  LOL!

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD by Dr. Gary Smalley

Just in case the title doesn't "warn" you, the following will be littered with Christian and/or religious content.  While I haven't written it, that's the subject of the book, so I know it's going to lean that way...So if you don't feel comfortable reading any of my posts with Christian and/or religious content, avoid this one...




I have loved Dr. Smalley for more years than I can remember....that's not completely true.  I first heard about Dr. Smalley before I even had a serious boyfriend, yet there was a marriage seminar at the church I was attending while I was in college.  I went to the seminar anyway because I was always very active in church.  Besides, I hoped to one day get married, so why not try to nip some things in the bud early on?!  (Sounds funny writing it, too!)

Anyway, most of Dr. Smalley's books and/or seminars focus on marriage relationships.  I absolutely LOVE the way he presents his material.  I will never forget the first video we watched where he showed a Statovarious (no idea how to spell that) [violin] and demonstrated the awe people feel when in the presence of such an important instrument--and explained that we should feel the same way towards the people in our loves whom we love. 

This book of Dr. Smalley's takes a bit of side road as he discusses the fact that for a period of approximately 10 years, he fell away from his faith (I'm not sure of how to word that any other way).  It's not that he completely turned his back on God.  He was still living and serving God, but he wasn't following God with his WHOLE heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And he was allowing LIFE to get in the way of his relationship with Christ.  Ultimately, he was going through one major challenge after another that was destroying his personal life, his personal relationships, but most importantly, his relationship with Christ.

For Dr. Smalley, it took an epiphany while he was recovering from a kidney transplant to get back on track.  Part of his epiphany comes when he realizes that while his son--who freely gave his dad a kidney--was fighting for his life on the operating table (things didn't go very well for him, the son, when the doctors removed his kidney), Gary was waiting in the next or wondering what in the world was taking so long.  He, Gary, was fussing at everyone and complaining about everyone and everything--all while his own son lay on an operating room table fighting for his life, donating a kidney to his dad......

What dad wouldn't come to his senses after hearing a story like that?  Thank the Lord everything turned out well for both father and son.....

But especially for Gary, since he was able to see how far away from the Lord he had strayed in recent years....and he found his way back to a true, solid relationship with Christ. 

This book is beautifully written and well worth the read.  I picked it up to read not only because I really like Dr. Smalley's books, but also because I am trying to do a thorough Bible study on having a personal relationship with Christ.  I want to read everything I can about growing in God, growing closer to Him--truly having a RELATIONSHIP with Him.  Since I had this book on my shelf, and since it's actually called Your Relationship with God, it was an obvious great first choice in my quest.

I have been doing a weight loss program called Weigh Down.  The founder of the Weigh Down Workshop, Gwen Shamblin, talks over and over and over and over again about how the whole concept of losing weight permanently is to change my focus from a focus on food to a focus on God--having a relationship with God rather than a relationship with the food.  As a Christian myself, so much of what she says makes perfect sense.

As we draw closer to God, so many of our cares and worries fade away.  I've heard that all my life.  I've believed that all my life.  I've known that all my life.....but the kicker is that I've known it with my HEAD, not my HEART.  Believe me, there IS a difference between HEAD knowledge and HEART knowledge.  I've known for a long time that to be so very true.  In fact, I often talk about the scene in Steel Magnolias where Sally Field is standing beside the coffin of her daughter in the graveyard yelling about how she knows all the things about how Shelby doesn't have to hurt any more and she's in a better place--she knows all that in her head, she just wishes someone would tell her heart.

I can't even WRITE about that scene without getting choked up....

I've said the same thing time and time again over the years as I've suffered through depression and just the plain and simple suffering that comes with losing babies.  I KNOW God is the only one who can provide true comfort....He can take my tragedies and turn them into something good for Him....and on and on the list goes.....At the same time, it never has taken away my pain.

But the truth is, it IS true that as we draw closer to God, He draws nearer to us.  Rick Warren says in his book The Purpose-Driven Life (a book EVERY PERSON, Christian or not, should be required to read) that we are as close to God as we choose to be.  Gwen Shamblin (Weigh Down) says the very same thing.  Dr. Gary Smalley is talking about the same thing in this book, too.

It is MY choice to draw close to God--to have a RELATIONSHIP--with Him.....or not.  But if I do choose to have a true relationship with Him, I am to love Him with ALL my heart, ALL my mind, ALL my soul, and with ALL my strength.  I can not be a luke-warm Christian....ALL or nothing....

So, in choosing food--to be fat, I'm rejecting God.  As I continue in my struggle with weight loss, I am finding that my depression has lifted as I have CHOSEN to focus on growing my relationship with God (Christ) rather than focusing on the food.

I am finding that I FEEL better emotionally and physically and I choose to draw closer to Him.  I haven't felt very good physically in over two years.  I realize that a part of my feeling better does have a lot to do with plain and simply time....the simple fact that it's now been a full year since my reversal surgery when I had 8-inches of my colon removed.  It does take time for our bodies to heal from such major surgeries.  But it is also true that rather than feeling sorry for myself about what I've been through or embarrassed, I can look at what I've been through as an opportunity to draw closer to Him.  I've had to rely on Him to get me through what was a truly HORRIBLE time of my life.

I'm not explaining myself very well.  I realize that my thoughts are all over the place and that I've almost completely lost focus from my original point of talking about Dr. Smalley's book Your Relationship with God.....but these are my thoughts as they've come to me as I've just tried to share about how important this book is and what a difference my life is because I'm CHOOSING God and to have a RELATIONSHIP with Him......