Desperate Joy

  God often brings men and women into our lives to lead us on our journey of faith and help us in our expedition to find joy.  Throughout my life, He has been good to show me these shining examples to inspire me and encourage me in my Christian walk.  I wrote about two men last time, Pastor Lovell and Mr. Dahlmann, a pastor and a teacher, both were men of God, committed to serving Him and helping others.   Pastor Lovell, Mr. Dahlmann, and other joy-filled servants of God I have known over the years share three qualities in common that I believe contributed to their joy, that allowed the Holy Spirit to pour His joy into their hearts.  These are commitment, service and sacrifice.  Let's focus on commitment today.   Commitment is key to unlocking joy.  Commitment is considered a virtue even in secular circles, but it is not commitment in and of itself that is important.   It is the object of that commitment that makes the diff...

Holy fire fall and pour down like rain,   Burn away the dross, cleanse the stain,   Til all that I am is all that you are,   Bonfire of love, Hope's shining star.     Holy fire fall and breathe into me   An infusion of your sanctity,   Healing all of my sin and strife,   Holy fire fall and bring me to life.     Holy fire fall in despair's dark cave,   When I'm bound to bitterness, sorrow's slave.   Pierce through the black with Truth's holy light,   Ignite my heart, peel back the night.     Holy fire fall when I'm cold and numb,   Walking away from the Holy Son,   Warm my heart with Your grace-filled gaze,   Kindle in me a holy blaze.     Holy fire fall on my cold, hard heart,   Lust's frigid flame its only warmth.   Seeking Your fire in another's embrace,   Holy fire fall and restore my face.     Holy fire fall in the secret space,   The idol factory my hear...