Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Don't Outlive Your Joy

Yesterday was an amazing and wonderful day! Our dear friend, Stacie, put on the Lord in baptism! Stacie has been an acquaintance of ours since we moved to Spearman and became Hospice volunteers. Just recently though, our relationship has grown. Stacie has been coming to worship and bringing her boys to Sunday school. Stacie and I have been visiting more and more and last Friday night, we went to a movie in Guymon together----kind of a "girls night out". Anyway, on the way home, we began talking about God and salvation. By the time I dropped Stacie off, we both knew her heart was being pricked and that she would be unable to sleep. (Of course, neither would I) We also spent a lot of time together on Saturday and by Sunday morning, we knew she was ready to commit the rest of her life to Christ! I wish y'all would have been there. I am sure you can recall similar scenes---the nervousness, the stepping down into the water, the trembling confession, the immersion and the glorious unrestrained look of joy and peace as the new person rises up from the water! The joy on the faces of the congregation gathered round to welcome this new sister into Christ, the tears, the smiles, the hugs and the love----I know you have all experienced this! Remember?
Friday night after I dropped Stacie at her house, I called Ned. I know my voice was trembling with excitement! I had forgotten the thrill of teaching someone the Gospel and seeing it make an immediate and powerful impact on their soul! He could hear it in my voice and when he came home on Saturday, he could see it in my face! We stayed awake for a long time talking about how wonderfully God's Word changes souls and lives of both the learner and the teacher. On Sunday morning, we both were practically giddy with expectation. Even today, I am thrilled as I see the joy and peace on the face of my friend and new sister.
And on Thursday, I got the pleasure of meeting my blogsister, Monica. It was so wonderful to sit over lunch and talk Bible with someone who obviously loves the Lord and is not afraid to share it. She encouraged and blessed me so much and I left Amarillo with much joy in my heart. God blessed me with both of these events in one week and I was almost overwhelmed with joy! (Had our internet service not been down, I would have emailed everyone of you to tell you about it) That joy was too much to keep to myself!!!!
I have been thinking a lot about joy!!!! If you have ever helped a lost soul find the Lord, you know what I am talking about----that excitement---the Lays potato chip phenomenon--you know ---one just isn't enough--you want more????? If you have ever been blessed to sit with a kindred soul and talk about the love you share for God, then you know what I mean!
I have experienced this same joy many times and yet I am ashamed to say that I get busy and forget. I forget the joy that comes with seeing the planted seeds begin to sprout and bloom and even reproduce. I forget the joy that comes with the assurance of eternal salvation! I forget the joy that comes with encouraging one another with the Word! Too many times I get so busy with life that I outlive my joy!
This should not be! I am a child of God, blood bought, loved, chosen and protected by Him. I should have a joy in my heart that cannot be quenched by worldly cares or squelched by the responsibilities of busyness! I am His!!! And He is mine!!!! And one day, I will live with Him forever and eternal joy will be mine!
So as I say my prayers for you, my friends, I pray that today and everyday, you will remember what you have to be joyful about. I pray that God will shower you will His blessings, cover you with His love and fill you with joy!

Peace
Neva
PS--Join me in praying for our new sister in Christ--welcome to the Kingdom, Stacie!

30 Comments:

Blogger Stacie said...

Yes it was an amazing and wonderful day. God had it all planned out, and it all started with "Neva, I have a question" The way you live your life for Christ is so inspiring and I never want to outlive this joy.
Now my 17 year old son has a question for you and I pray he is filled with the overwhelming desire to learn more and his heart is pricked like mine was. He will have a very qualified teacher, and pretty good back up with Mr. Neva too.
Love Ya, Stacie

12:26 AM  
Blogger Mommysmart said...

I am so happy to see you back online. What great news for Stacie! God is working is this old world and how wonderful that you were a part in this with Stacie.

I have just been telling everyone about our lunch. Most people ask, "what is a blog friend?" I may have to start calling you my penpal so that I can get past that part of the story. I pray that you will continue to be as much of a blessing to women everywhere as you have been to Stacie and I.

7:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

May God bless you, Neva, for letting Him use you time and again. May He smile on you for your care for others.

Stacie, may your joy never grow stale. Tough times often follow a new birth, but you've got good support.

Grace and peace,
Tim

8:16 AM  
Blogger Monalea said...

Stacie, consider yourself hugged! May God bless you in your walk and "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened." Eph 1:18

Neva, you have nudged my heart this morning. I forget to experience the joy because I allow life to come first instead of the truth of His salvation.

Love you 2-3-6,
Monalea

8:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh Neva and Stacie,
My heart is filled with joy as I read this post! Welcome to the Lord, Stacie, Know that He will never ever leave you and that you are never alone.
Blessings to you, Neva as you continue to work and plant seeds!
Love
Pat

10:19 AM  
Blogger Kathy said...

PTL!!!!!!

Isn't it wonderful to rejoice with the angels in heaven when a new baby arrives into the family of God? You two, Neva and Stacie, gave joy to my heart that really needed some of God's joy today.
My daughter, niece and cousin are all in the fire storm areas and two of the three have been evacuated. My niece is the only one I still have no word about.

I'm more than happy for you, Stacie, rather am literally eternally joyful for you and will pray your 17 y/o will respond in like manner in the very near future.

PTL! He is Risen!!!

10:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We rejoice with you in the addition of our new "sister". Thank you for all that you do, and for all that you allow God to do through you. As I am sure that Stacie will attest, you are a true blessing.

12:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Welcome, sister! May God continue to bless you with good Christian friends like Ned and Neva.
Neva, thank you for reminding us to be joyful!

Blessings
Jeneane

1:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you Stacie. I will keep you in my prayers.
Neva, I am still praying for you as you move to your new church home. I know you will be a blessing there also.

Carol

1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord, another soul added to His church! I will keep you all in my prayers, also. Please know that even when Neva moves, she will still be there for you, as will all your christian brothers and sisters. What a blessing to read this post today. Thank you Neva for sharing the joy and for letting God work through you.
Congratulations and welcome Stacie.

Love ya
Kel

2:14 PM  
Blogger Stacie said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

9:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stacie,
Judging from her posts, I am convinced you have a good teacher and friend. May God continue to smile on you both.

Jean

9:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have just prayed for both of you that the joy you feel will be longlasting and will only increase as time passes on. Thank you for sharing this wonderful event, Neva.

Corinne

10:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Welcome home Stacie.
Neva I hope you keep your joy until the next joyful moment.

10:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so happy!!! Do you mind if I share this joyous news with my ladies bible class? We all need reminders to rejoice, and what better to rejoice about than a new sister in Christ?
Grace and peace to you both,

Georgia

11:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations and welcome Stacie! Neva, I am proud of you for letting God continue to use you.

BTW, I love the title!

Karin

11:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good job, girls!
Both of you!


Dan

12:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stacie, welcome to the Kingdom of Light! Neva, I am so glad you let God speak through you.
I will add both of you to mydaily prayers. I am excited for you!

Kathy, I too have family in CA, I am waiting to hear from. I will add yours to my prayer list.

Love In Christ
Mary

1:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blessings to you both


Karli

3:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you both. I know what a thrill it must have been for you all!

Praying and praying
Gina

4:05 PM  
Blogger Kathy said...

Mary,

Thanks so much and have added your family to my prayers.

All my family is accounted for, and all but my cousin in east county San Diego have had evacuation lifted. Cuz' is still away from her home, which was burned out four years ago. :(

May our loving God place His hedge of safety around everyone affected by these fires.

In His love, grace and mercy

Kathy

Neva - thank you for giving us this place to exchange news and prayers!! Love you, G/F!!

1:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great Joy! [for both of you]

3:04 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Neva,
Great post and thanks for sharing it with us all. God bless you and your family. I love you sister and know God is going to continue to shower his blessing on your life. You have been such a blessing to so many living thank you for being such an joy to so many.
God bless you and stacie.

11:45 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

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11:45 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

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11:45 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

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11:46 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

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11:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations Stacie,
I have been praying for you since Neva called me that your heart was pricked. I feel that I already know you, personally, just from talking with Neva. In my heart I do know you, my sister.
Neva, you are awesome! (of course I have known that since your birth.)
Mom

11:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Missing you, Neva. Hope all is well.

God Bless,
Scotti

7:48 PM  
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