'Joy: To the World!' Part Four - Final Excerpt

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Embracing the Mystery

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My name is Joy. People often say that I live up to it, although life has sobered me some and, unfortunately, I probably laugh less and carry more burdens than I used to. I’m the wife of a pastor, and the daughter of missionaries. My husband and I met in Bible College, married, went to Regent College to do masters studies, and then right into full time ministry. We took over a church plant and ministered there for almost nine years. During that time we were very busy raising our five children, two of whom have cleft lip and palate as well as Autism. They’re all precious gifts that circle us with love. Over three long years ago my husband, Ken, started feeling very tired and experienced aching muscles and cramps. He carried on pastoring but would take days to recover after each Sunday. As doctors tried to determine what was wrong with him, we went through one of the worst phases of a long-term illness — not having validation. It wasn’t until February of 2005 that we received the diag...
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"Special" Needs - What is Normal Anyway?

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Every ‘special needs’ child is a symbol … of the triumph of Life. After visits of our own to Children's Hospital, and hearing from both families and professional caregivers I wrote the following article ... A long hardwood table centers the sullen room; around it sit a number of medical professionals in conference with a couple of young parents. Their oldest is about to enter Kindergarten. Normally an exciting time of wonder and anticipation, this meeting was to confirm five years of mounting fears: “Our conclusion is that your child seems to be functioning cognitively at the moderate-to-severe handicap level.” What does a parent feel, hearing such a verdict? As we ask that question, in all of our lives we can recognize there will be times where, as one suffering parent described it, we find ourselves ‘grieving the loss of expectations’, of dreams not realized. This is common ground for us to find a starting place of understanding: Some suffer loss during pregnan...
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Joy: To The World! - Manuscript Notes

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Joy: To The World! In-Service Scripture Readings: Psalms 95, 96, 97, 98 Note: This message was prepared under such short notice - I have had only two months to work on it, and right up to the Saturday night fine-tuning! The theme of Joy has daily been with me that long.  You get the 1/2 hour version (whew!) and I know that only God can make the applications of truth to your life as we ponder the scriptures.  I pray He will continue the good work in you.    (See further study resources below. )  INTRO :   How e asy it is to sound shallow or cliché when talking about Joy –  Don’t Worry, Be Happy (Ya, you haven’t seen my credit card bill!) . On the other hand, The Pursuit of a ‘solid’ Happiness is such a big thing it was enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.  Sadly, the United States has the greatest poverty of any developed nation, and to promise it seems too much for Government or Religion (Religion used in this sense as human in...
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