Just a Reminder

Just a reminder that my blog has moved to http://fullmeasureofjoy.com/.

"Come and see..." (Matthew 28:6 - NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Something New

There’s something new going on…my new website. A fresh, new look. A new host for my blog. It’s all new!

So if you’re visiting Full Measure of Joy on blogspot, why not jump over to http://fullmeasureofjoy.com/.

I am looking forward to this continued ministry of sharing God’s message. See you there!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

All Creation

I enjoy making food look attractive. I’ve been drawn to food art for some time now and when I have the opportunity to try my hand at it, I rarely hesitate.

I’ve created penguin villages. Viking ship watermelons. Apple birds. Radish mice. Leek and scallion flowers. Chocolate covered strawberries. Bread cornucopias. And fruit bouquets.

While I was in SE Asia, I had the opportunity to watch as some real pros worked their magic with food. They created works of art from melons, pineapples and pumelos. That was a sight to see.

My Mom is visiting with me and as we were shopping for Thanksgiving items, we saw a beautiful display of food art in a local grocery store. There was a display of poached pears that really caught my eye.

So, we tried our hands at poached pears a few days ago…they were delicious and were attractive! Now that is a bonus!

The one thing I have been unsuccessful in with this art form is using it for God’s glory. Psalm 96 tells vividly of how God’s creation praises Him.

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy, they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.” (Psalm 96:11-13a – NIV)

My penguin village may not come to life and start singing, but I can use this skill to bring praise to God.

All of my talent comes from God. As each one is perfected, glory to Him should be raised. All praise should be given to Him. I am nothing without Him.

But with my human faults and failures, I fail to honor God in this way all the time.

So how am I to use my talents for God? How can I bring praise to Jesus with each talent? How would my gifts exalt the Name of Jesus?

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Ahhh, I am to serve others. Food art may be more difficult to use in serving others than writing or teaching, but it is possible. There are opportunities where I might be able to bring joy to others through this art form. And as I create each piece, I can offer praise to the One who is the Master Creator!

How are you using your talents to glorify God? What steps do you need to take to offer thanks to God for the talents He has given you? How can you show others your gratitude to God for His gift? Are you utilizing the strength God offers as you serve others?

I am thankful for the ability to create beauty from ordinary food. I am also thankful that God creates beauty in ordinary people. “You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” (Psalm 92:4 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Full Measure of Joy

A couple of years ago when I thought I might become an author, I chose the name Full Measure of Joy. I liked the flow of the words. My granddaughter’s name was included in the name. They were Jesus’ words. The name became special to me.

So imagine my surprise to find that the blog name was available. I was ecstatic last February as I penned my first words on the internet using this name. Full Measure of Joy.

After much thought, discussion and prayer, I felt the next step for me would be to create a website. So imagine my surprise yet again to find that fullmeasureofjoy.com was available! I felt very confident that God was leading, guiding and was beside me during this journey.

I really tried to get the website going on my own, but my lack of knowledge about such things became evident pretty quickly. Because of my frustration, I eventually gave up on trying to make it work.

And then, one of my dear friends, Maria, joined me and believed in me to the point of taking on this project. We discussed my ideas and vision for the site and she began working.

I was amazed at how someone with the right knowledge and skill was able to do so much in such a short amount of time. I love my website…even though it isn’t finished, I love it!

Why? Because it is fulfilling all of my dreams and thoughts and vision. It will be a place where I can write and write and praise God and share His good news and let others know just what Jesus means to me.

What I’d like to share from Scripture with you today is where the name Full Measure of Joy comes from. John 17 is a chapter of Jesus’ prayers. He prays for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers.

In this chapter, Jesus prayed these words for the disciples. “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” (John 17:13 – NIV) There it is…full measure of [my] joy.

Jesus spoke similar words to the disciples earlier in John. In His discourse on the Vine and the Branches, Jesus gives the purpose for sharing His instruction with the disciples. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11 – NIV)

Complete joy! Isn’t that a goal for each of us? I’d say yes. As we continue to grow and remain in Jesus (the Vine), our joy grows to completion.

Reading through the book of Philippians, we find multiple references to the concept of joy. Take a look at these references. Philippians 1:4; Philippians 1:25; Philippians 2:2; Philippians 2:29; and Philippians 4:1.

Paul also shares the concept of rejoicing in Philippians. Take a look at these references. Philippians 1:18; Philippians 2:17; Philippians 2:18; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4; and Philippians 4:10.

It’s no wonder the book of Philippians is also referred to as the book of Joy.

As we read through this short book, we clearly see how our joy can be made complete through Jesus. We are to pray with joy, have joy in our faith, bring joy through like-mindedness, welcome with joy, love with joy, rejoice that the Gospel is being shared, rejoice in suffering, rejoice in the Lord, and again, rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice!

When we look at joy in this way, we can see how big this small word can truly be.

So I ask you today, have you received your full measure of Jesus’ joy? If not, why not? What is lacking? What are you missing? What steps do you need to take to be filled with His joy?

If you have received this full measure, how are you sharing this joy with others? I pray that your joy will be complete by sharing Jesus with those who need to find this same joy in their lives.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

It's Skyline Time

Skyline Chili is one of my favorite foods. It is a Greek-style chili that some call Cincinnati chili. However, Skyline is the original and the best in my opinion.

During my college days in Cincinnati, Skyline Chili was a staple. Our curfew was 11 p.m. But we could easily leave campus at 10:15, walk to Skyline Chili, eat a three-way or coney dog, and be back to the dorm by 11 p.m.

On my visits to Ohio to see family, Skyline Chili is a restaurant we frequent often, because I need to get my chili fix before I leave. I also purchase cans of Skyline Chili to take home so that I have a little to hold me over until my next visit.

Skyline Chili is a regional thing. There are no restaurants in Colorado and you could not purchase it here...until now!

Several months ago, my daughter called me from her local grocery store very excited. “Mom, they sell Skyline Chili!” So naturally, on my next visit to the grocery I looked to see if my store carried it. But no, I was disappointed. However, I knew I could get it in the Denver store.

I had forgotten about Skyline Chili. So imagine my excitement when I found a display at another nearby grocery store! Yes! I could purchase this product in my own state. When I wanted it. And the hassle of transporting those cans had come to an end.

Sometimes I think this is exactly how we treat God. We are not consistent with our Bible study, prayer time, or quiet visits with God. We run to Him when we have an issue. Or we talk to him about a problem. But it’s usually on our schedule and according to our own needs. We have no real desire to be in God’s presence on a daily basis.

However, if you are in a situation like this, might I suggest that you work a little harder at taking your relationship with God to the next level? God wants to hear from you (and me) on a regular basis. Just because. Or because you want to be in God’s presence.

So let’s take a look at Psalm 16 and see what benefits David says there are in being in God’s presence.

Safety

“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” (Psalm 16:1 – NIV)

All Goodness

“I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2 – NIV)

God’s People

“As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.” (Psalm 16:3 – NIV)

Devotion

“The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.” (Psalm 16:4 – NIV)

Security

“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup you have made my lot secure.” (Psalm 16:5 – NIV)

Future

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:6 – NIV)

Instruction

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7 – NIV)

Firm Foundation

“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8 – NIV)

Joy and Rest

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,” (Psalm 16:9 – NIV)

Everlasting Life and Jesus

“because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” (Psalm 16:10 – NIV)

A Path

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 – NIV)

If nothing else, these benefits should draw you to a closer relationship with God. Why not see for yourself the wonderful benefits of being in God’s presence on a regular basis. Get to know Him. Learn of His ways and teachings. Love and praise Him through the good times and lean on Him through the bad. It’s exactly what He wants you to do.

As for me, I keep thinking of Psalm 84:10 (NIV). “Better 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.”

I pray that you can say the same thing.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna