My New Dentist -- "All Joy" Expectations

It's close to 8 p.m. and I am finally getting around to posting my Tuesday blog. Thanks in advance for your mercy towards my tardiness.

I had a dentist appointment today at a new dentist's office (new for me, that is). While visiting a dentist is not my favorite pastime, I must say today's visit was truly delightful.

My new dentist is obviously a radical believer in Jesus Christ. When I entered his cozy, little, village house-office, the first thing I saw was a framed copy of his personal life-testimony hanging on the waiting room wall. 

My new dentist has also authored a Bible-based book about living a radical Christian life. Copies are available in plain sight. The magazine placed on the chair I sat in was about Christian missionaries around the world.

There's more. Christian music plays throughout the atmosphere of the establishment and all of the workers were either humming the Good News tunes or clearly singing the hope-filled lyrics.

As the hygienist cleaned my teeth, she hummed softly with each song, while my new dentist unashamedly sang loudly and quite beautifully, I might add, in the room behind us.

I can honestly say I never knew visiting the dentist could be such an inspiration. After a look at my X-rays, the doc had a plain and honest talk with me about various options for future dental work. No pressure whatsoever! He just told me what he thought was necessary and what he thought would be a waste of my money.

My next visit is scheduled for late November. I actually decided to have a root canal. He told me plain and simple: "It won't be fun." But somehow I still am not really dreading it. Maybe I actually even have "all joy" expectations because I really like my new dentist. 

Here's the "all joy" New Testament Scripture I am referring to: 

James 1:2-4 (NKJV) "My brethren, count it 'all joy' when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Yes, there's a trial, a test of my faith awaiting on the horizon -- a holy root canal. 

Play that Christian music, Dr. Spaur. And please play it loud -- for my encouragement and just In case I scream once or twice, too.

Grateful 

P.S. I like my "old" dentist, too. But he's retiring. Godspeed to him.

We Can Choose Joy... Or Not?

Strange as it may sound, we can choose joy. Two people can be part of the same event, but one may choose to live it quite differently than the other. One may choose to trust that what happened, painful as it may be, holds a promise. The other may choose despair and be destroyed by it.
-- Henri Nouwen

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
-- James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

Click here: Larnelle Harris - I Choose Joy - YouTube

ALL JOY!
Grateful

Count it "ALL JOY!"

Two words tucked away in the New Testament Book of James, chapter 1 and verse 2, have been anchor words for my soul for many years now. The two words? "ALL JOY!"

This sacred, signature Scripture of mine has come back into my thoughts with invigorating intensity over these past few days, and along with the invigorating intensity an even deeper desire to rediscover for myself (and to disclose more fully to you) the verbage and verses that surround these two words.

What I am saying is this. Few people understand the full implications of me saying "ALL JOY" so often. Perhaps a deeper and wider view, yes a more intentional reading beyond the two words, that is, taking a more lengthy look at James, chapter 1 and verses 2, 3, and 4, will bring a more radiant light illuminating more clearly the two words I always embrace and continuously offer to others:

(2) My brethren, count it "ALL JOY" when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. -- James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

"ALL JOY" to your world! Count it "ALL JOY"...
Grateful

C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S According to Mr. Jack

If you haven't visited a rest home for the elderly this season yet, let me recommend that you do so. I recently went along with another pastor to encourage the aged at two separate homes, but I was the one encouraged the most.

One very frail elderly man, Mr. Jack, seemed sadly confined to his bed, but surprisingly all joy flowed from his life. From memory and with great passion Mr. Jack proclaimed multiple times through a glorious grin his original acrostic for C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S:

Christmas
Hearts
Rejoicing
Infant
Savior
True
Message
Angels
Sounding!

Thanks to Mr. Jack. You inspired me. During our time together, you certainly gave to my soul a dose of undeniable holiday "rest" and an increased appreciation in my heart for "home", yes, all from your "rest home" bed. Amazing! You are a vibrant witness. Your life is proof that if we know the Christ of Christmas, then we absolutely and positively lack nothing! I want to be like you, Mr. Jack, especially when my earthly life seems near to the end and I am coming nearer and nearer to eternity.

(2) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. -- James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

Thanks also to Pastor Al for allowing me to partner with you at the rest homes during the Advent Season.

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful