Sparrow Records

August 5, 2002

Uncle Pete… “That was close.” The Joy of the Lord is yours for the taking every morning…but you must take it. Some would be unhappy at being buried in hay. Uncle Pete was thankful to be found. Matt Baritone Matt found joy…Matt brought me joy. He took it.

Aaron Wade… song to the Lord.

A friend of mine…actually, I don’t like her terribly well, but she’s a friend of mine. Keeps score in church. New lady minister. Miffed. Same hymn two weeks in a row. Forgot the announcements. Sometimes I purposely walk by her with my sandaled feet. The sadness…she’s completely missing the Joy of the Lord because of her score keeping. Do you keep score? Were you planning on keeping score today?

Christ said “I will remove your sins from you as far as the East is from the West.” He doesn’t keep score. Why should we? I Peter 2: 15 “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.” St. Augustine said, “Heal me of this lust of mine to always vindicate myself.” Johnstone: “Hottest places in hell are for the gripers and complainers.”

Where in the bible does it say, “Thou shalt get it off your chest?”

Praise crushes griping. Praise crushes criticism. It is impossible to hold a grudge against someone when you’re praying for them. When I moved to A’ville..critical lady. Called me after plays. I gave my life to the Lord after moving to town. She was my first assignment..pray for you enemies…now we work closely together on worship music…Whoa, Lord! Don’t wait until you feel happy to express God’s joy: Helen Dickens. Conway Twitty. Claim the Lord’s joy today.