Posted on 06/30/2008 6:01:19 PM PDT by laurenmarlowe
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Our search for joy takes us many different directionsdream holidays, shopping, food, clothes, friends, carsthe list is almost endless.
My guess is that if you perked up at the mention of shopping, holidays, or cars, you might have felt a twinge of guilt. We often view the joy of temporal things as less than spiritual and show our discomfort by apologizing for nice things: I wouldnt have bought this, but someone gave me a wonderful deal. As if real Christians never eat quiche, drive cool cars, or wear designer clothes!
No doubt Gods greatest gift to us is our relationship with His Son Jesus. Its a gift beyond comparison. Jesus promised that when we abide in Him we will experience the fulfillment of His joy (John 15:11), and without that kind of deep, abiding joy the rest of life is mundane at best.
But Scripture also casts the joy of the Lord in terms of temporal things. The enjoyment of things can be a positive spiritual experience. When we recognize that He gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17) and that every good gift . . . is from above (James 1:17), our hearts should be full of thankfulness and praise. This, in and of itself, is an act of worship! Enjoy the Giver and the gifts.
Good evening, lauren! How’s it going this evening?
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Playing Soldier
An Iraqi boy puts on an U.S. Soldier's helmet, pretending he is a Soldier during a patrol in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, June 24, 2008. Photo by Spc. Brian Pierce, 2nd Stryker Brigade 25th Infantry Division
Marines with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, get ready to attack a Taliban stronghold in Now Zad, Afghanistan, on June 15, 2008. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, are based out of Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. The unit is a reinforced light infantry battalion deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Sgt. Freddy G. Cantu
SAN CLEMENTE, Peru - LCpl Anthony Eskew, 21, from New Oxford, PA., enjoying a break from the humanitarian action in San Clemente, Peru. Eskew is taking part in Partnership of the Americas 2008. A detachment from the Special Marine Air Ground Task Force 24 (SPMAGTF 24), under the leadership of LtCol John Klink, Executive Officer SPMAGTF 24, is currently helping the citizens of San Clemente by removing debris from the city streets as well as lending a hand at a local school by fixing the school playground. San Clemente was devastated last year when the city suffered an earthquake registering an 8.0 in the Richter scale. (Photo Maj Winston Jimenez)
Good evening, all!
Awww....my mom was stationed there during WWII. Yes, my mom. She was a WAC...or was it WAV? Can’t remember. Anyway, I think she worked in the weather station at Cherry Point.
PRESENT FOR DOODY!
Hoooahhh!
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Tanniker Smith
Since Jun 29, 1998
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Hmmmmm, look at that. We has the time gone?
Thank you for the Missing Man Setting ConorMacNessa, we will never forget.
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