In Joy Podcast #4 – “True Freedom” (Sandra)

In Joy Podcast #4 – “True Freedom” (Sandra)

If you cannot directly access the podcast via the embedded icon above, please click the link below:

In Joy Podcast #4 – “True Freedom” (Sandra)

Hey TD!

In the midst of such historic times of social unrest, people of all colors have been protesting for the equality and freedom of those in black communities across the nation.  I sometimes wonder if everyone really knows the true nature and quality of that freedom that they are protesting for. It not only comes at a significant cost, but with a significant responsibility.

In this fourth installment of our In Joy podcasts, Sandra brings us to some of the history of this conflict through the lens of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, who was wrought with heaviness over a nation torn with racial strife over slavery.  It’s a timely podcast on the aspects of true freedom that aren’t often thought of … but need to be.

Listen, consider, and enjoy!

If you missed any of the other podcasts in the In Joy series, you can hear them by clicking below:

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable” (Rebecca)

In Joy Podcast #2 – “Enjoying the Presence of God” (Robert)

In  Joy Podcast #3 – “Finding Rhythms of Enjoyment” (Angela)

– Arthur

In Joy Podcast #3 – “Finding Rhythms of Enjoyment” (Angela)

In Joy Podcast #3 – “Finding Rhythms of Enjoyment” (Angela)

If you cannot directly access the podcast via the embedded icon in the post above, please click the link below:

In Joy Podcast #3 – “Finding Rhythms of Enjoyment” (Angela)

Hey TD!

Often, to do something really well means finding your rhythm. That is certainly true in sports, music, studying, … and living life itself.

Have you found yourself out of rhythm in life these last two months while doing school in your pajamas, no longer going to daily practices for extra curriculars, being barred from sports and public entertainment, being with your family SO MUCH, seeing your hair grow long and bushy, and doing church from your bed?

In this third installment of our In Joy Podcasts, Angela tries to help us treasure God and enjoy His gifts during ANY time in life, not just quarantine time, by pointing to  perspectives she calls direct and indirect “Godwardness” and helping us to develop a sustainable rhythm in how we approach life.

Listen and apply! You’ll be glad you did. Enjoy!

Ways to Love and Help Vulnerable Kids/Families – Rebekah Weigel (CarePortal)

CarePortal presentation w/Rebekah Weigel (video)

Hey TD!

Here’s the video of V4V Friday’s presentation on how we can start getting involved in being the hands and feet of the Lord by helping vulnerable children and families in our communities.  It’s practical, doable, and impactful, and will allow us to further fulfill our calling and mandate to help the vulnerable in Jesus’ Name!  It can be done by any fellowship group, small group, or group of friends.

Rebekah Weigel has a strong passion to see the Church return to the front of child welfare, and has been working to educate and mobilize churches in LA County to care for vulnerable children and families.

She also works with her husband, Josh, in the entertainment industry as a producer and writer.  They have been married 23 years and have fostered and adopted 3 of their 6 children.

CarePortal (a platform of The Global Orphan Project) is a technology platform that connects vulnerable children and families to people who have something to give. Social workers uncover the needs. CarePortal makes local churches aware, giving them a real-time opportunity to respond.

 

 

 

What Being Alive Looks Like! Watch Joni and Nick!

Video of Joni and Nick

Hey TD!

I texted this video of our family friends, Joni Eareckson Tada and Nick Vujicic, to all of my family members the other day.  After Sandra watched it, here was her reply:

“I loved, loved, loved the video with Joni and Nick.  They are so incredible and ALIVE!!!! They are hilarious as well, and to think we personally know them :).  They aren’t the ones with disabilities, we are!  They make us look like zombies and burdened by all the unnecessary distractions of life … YOU MUST TAKE THE TIME TO WATCH THIS!!!”

TD, I’ve been trying all year to get us to be more alive.  Would you use this quarantine time to let God bring you back to life? Please watch this 30 minute video and … behold.  Just marvel and try to fathom this …

… a man born with no arms and no legs … a woman who was very active until the age of 17, before becoming a quadriplegic 52 years ago … HOW IS IT THAT THEY ARE SO HAPPY AND HAVE SUCH JOY???

ENJOY this video, TD, and let God have His way with you!

– Arthur

Must See: A Calming Word from Joni During Coronavirus … and more!

A Calming Word from Joni During the Coronavirus

Hey TD!

It was great to “hangout” with you all during our first “Virtual TD” hangout last night. I particularly enjoyed the extra hour I got to personally spend with those who hung out for the post-TD discussion, almost half of you.

During this time of quarantine, we will be utilizing this blog more frequently to provide you encouraging, stimulating, and ENJOYable resources to strengthen and equip you to help turn this Coronavirus lemon into lemonade!

As Cassie shared last night, this is an opportunity for us put God back in His rightful place in our lives, and get our lives properly  realigned … because honestly, we’re all just too busy.  As I said last night, sure, the things we may be doing may be “good,” but good is the enemy of BEST.  Let’s use this to either get back to BEST practices or to learn BEST practices for living.

Please watch the VERY encouraging video above from our dear friend and hero, Joni Eareckson Tada, to begin the work of getting back to the right place in your heart and mind.

Looking forward to being with you all next Friday for our next Virtual TD meeting.

We’ll continue to work on making our time better, so if you have any suggestions, please let your small group leaders know!

In the meanwhile, here are a couple of fun V4V videos, one from V4V weekend and one from our visit with Joni in 2013 (the top V4V fund raisers).  You’ll see some current adults in their TD years (always a fun thing!):

2013 V4V Lunch with Joni

2020 V4V – Humming Worship

– Arthur

Pics and Videos from V4V Weekend!

2020 V4V Group Pic

Video – Breaking the 30 hour silence!

Video – Celebrating!

Hey TD!

To see the photos and videos from the 2020 V4V weekend, click on the link below!

2020 V4V Photos and Videos

Great job TD’ers! Let’s keep moving forward in serving and advocating for vulnerable children and families in Jesus’ Name!

In Joy Podcast #2 – “Enjoying the Presence of God”

In Joy Podcast #2 – “Enjoying the Presence of God”

If you cannot directly access the podcast via the embedded icon in the post above, please click the link below:

In Joy Podcast #2 – “Enjoying the Presence of God” (Robert)

Hey TD!

God’s omnipresence means that He is present everywhere all the time.  That’s objective fact.  Some don’t realize it and live as if God not only isn’t present, but doesn’t even exist; others know He exists, but don’t believe He is personally present in human affairs; others know He is personally present and are terrified and anxious about it; and then there are those for whom God’s personal presence is there peace and hope.  How about you?

In today’s second In Joy podcast, Robert draws from his personal experiences with Kathy and Hannah to help point us to a more enjoyable (for both you and God) relationship with God.  Read Psalm 84 before or after listening to the podcast, and … enjoy!

Psalm 84

1How lovely is your dwelling place,

Lord Almighty!

2My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

3Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—

a place near your altar,

Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

4Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you. ^c

5Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6As they pass through the Valley of Baka,

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools. ^d

7They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

8Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;

listen to me, God of Jacob.

9Look on our shield, ^e O God;

look with favor on your anointed one.

10Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

the Lord bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.

12Lord Almighty,

blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Link to In Joy Podcast #1

*** Apologies for the constant corrections.  We are using a new service; the embedded podcast turns out not to be directly compatible with iPhones. If you cannot directly access the podcast via the embedded icon in the post, please click the link below:

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable” (Rebecca)

 

 

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable” (Updated)

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable” (Rebecca)

*** This is an updated post with a new link to the podcast ***

Hey TD!

In this week’s posts, we’re looking within to try to see what God wants to clean up to replace with something better.  If you haven’t read the last post, My Messy House, please do so.

We’re excited to unveil the year’s first In Joy podcast, “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable”! Through mix of common sense and personal illustrations, Rebecca reminds us that God often works to give us joy through that which is not enjoyable, and shares how not to miss out on God’s gift of joy to us.

Give it a listen and then prayerfully resolve not to miss out on any more of the good that God has in store for you!

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable”

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable” (Rebecca)

Hey TD!

In this week’s posts, we’re looking within to try to see what God wants to clean up to replace with something better.  If you haven’t read the last post, My Messy House, please do so.

We’re excited to unveil the year’s first In Joy podcast, “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable”! Through mix of common sense and personal illustrations, Rebecca reminds us that God often works to give us joy through that which is not enjoyable, and shares how not to miss out on God’s gift of joy to us.

Give it a listen and then prayerfully resolve not to miss out on any more of the good that God has in store for you!