The Quiet Place

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Jayda, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme joy. You can find out more about Jayda and her blog on are About page.  When it comes to joy, the bible is pretty clear that it isn’t just a fluffy “good for some people” concept. It’s not just an emotion. It’s a way of life that God created for us, and wants us to embrace. Joy, specifically the joy that comes from knowing, loving, and trusting God, is supposed to be: Our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) One of many attributes that lead to a fuller, God honouring life (aka: a fruit of the spirit) (Galatians 5:22-23) Our response in trouble (Habakkuk 3:18, 2 Corinthians 12:10) Our response to God’s goodness and provision (Matthew 2:10) When we put our faith completely in Christ, joy is a natural response to life. That said, there will always be things in life that attempt to rob us of the joy that we have in Christ. Sometimes those things are big a...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Courtney sharing her heart on this month's theme joy. You can find out more about Courtney on are About page.  I have a page in my Bible where I write quotes that are impactful to me. Years ago, I wrote in a little acronym. It is: J   esus O   thers Y   ou It is something that is so simple and yet so profound. It addresses where our focus is. When your focus is right, then joy is the natural result. Priority #1: Jesus  It seems cliche to say that Jesus should be your number one priority, but it is something that we constantly need to remind ourselves of. We  know   this, but how often do we  act   like this? Far too often we run around our busy day with ourselves and our to-do list as our priority. Take a few moments throughout the day to pray and remind yourself of your first priority. Matthew 22:27-28:  And He said to him,  “‘ You shall love...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are Monthly Contributor Beka. She is sharing her heart on this month's theme, Joy. You can find out more about Beka on the "About" page.  I don't know about you, but I definitely struggle with keeping my emotions in check and my thoughts focused on Christ. I'm pregnant, and my hormones have been all over the place! Although that is no excuse, it does make the battle a little harder to fight when I'm already prone to fall in this area. Emotions are a tricky thing when it comes to us as women. It is so easy to be controlled by them and to lean toward thinking thoughts of loneliness, misery, and depression when there are actually so many reasons to be joyful!  But what do you do when you really can't find reasons to be joyful ? When everything seems to be falling apart in your life? Sometimes our circumstances are less than ideal. When a friend passes away, when the bank account is empty, when ...

Nehemiah 8:9-11 New International Version (NIV) 9  Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites  who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the  Lord  your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10  Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing  prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy  of the  Lord  is your strength.” 11  The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” Joy as strength? What an intriguing concept don't you think. Yet, how amazing is it to think about how the Joy of the Lord really is our strength. I have to be honest, a lot of times I find myself using my own strength. I utilize all of the tools in my bucket, sometimes it works pretty well, other times...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have our monthly contributor Meg, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme Joy. You can find out more about Meg on are About page.  (photo credit  @rendcollective-Twitter) Have you guys heard the song “Joy” by Rend Collective? It’s one of those songs that you can’t help but fall into worship, full of complete happiness and praise, feeling your whole self dancing with joy. Take a minute and have a listen: Did   you feel yourself dancing a little?   Don’t lie. For real though. Those lyrics! They’re amazing right? “We’re choosing celebration, we’re choosing freedom.” Because sometimes, in the depths of despair and hard times, all we CAN do is CHOOSE to remember that there will eventually be joy again and that God is there to comfort us. In THAT we can rejoice. How about “we’re dancing to the rhythm of your heart.” Have you ever thought abo...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Buife, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme Joy. There is a greater degree at which we recognize God's awesomeness and blessings upon our lives when there is a tangible evidence of it. Our testimonies are (usually) more likely to be, 'praise God, I just got a job, bought a house, car, I'm getting married, I'm expecting a baby etc.' than 'I praise God for the soul peace He's been granting me through these trying times.' But at all times, we must be able to recognize that as long as we have Christ Jesus, we are blessed, greatly blessed. 2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV says,  For all the promises of God find their Yes  in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God  for His glory. The Amplified version reads like this; For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Ame...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have Sophia, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme Joy. You can find out more about Sophia in her bio at the end of the post.  Joy is something you are supposed to have as a Christian.   No matter what circumstances you are going through, what you are facing, God is supposed to give you joy.   It is so easy to quote this as a Christian, but what happens when no matter what you do you simply do not feel it. Over the past few months I have been facing financial hardship, barely having money to cover my household expenses.   If that was not enough, my cousin (who I consider a sister) just buried her 3 months old son. To be honest, I was very mad at God, I could not find joy and I could not feel the joy coming from God.   I could not understand how things like this happen to me and my family.   We were Christians. As Christians we are called to take on God’s point of view.   In my situation, I pra...

Happy July! While it's a little hard to believe, it is the 1st of July. Our theme for this month of Sunshine and Thunderstorms is... Today I would talk to you about joy, but I haven't been feeling very joyful lately. While I'm thankful for what I have and who I am, joy seems to be lacking. I've found myself these past two months being frustrated more than anything else. Frustrated with my circumstances, yet at the same time I don't seem to be in a big rush to undergo another life change anytime soon. Life change takes a lot out of a person, especially if you are like me and dislike undergoing major life transitions. I realized the other night what may be the root of all my frustration. I realized that I was looking to other people to encourage me and fill my heart up. I may have even expected it of some of them. This is where I fell down. Instead of abiding in Christ and asking him to help me as I deal with my circumstances, seeking HIM to fill my heart...