Category: Identity

Who we are in God, insights, growth

A cross in the sky above Calvary Hill Cemetery, Dallas, TX (photo by Nancy Ward)

The radiant joy of God’s presence

“Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.” (Psalm 34:6)
Joy creeps into our lives as we develop an intimate relationship with the Lord in prayer. Like the early Christians, God created us to display his presence through our happiness and joy so that the world will see that something is different. We are radiant with joy because God loves us. This transformation comes through the indwelling presence of God himself. These moments of radiant joy help us cultivate the habit of practicing the presence of God. 

God’s presence dwells within us from our formation in the womb and then removes our original sin at our baptism. That sacrament eventually opens the door to the Eucharist, where we receive him ever more fully. Jesus calls us into a relationship with him through our baptism and shares his dynamic presence with us through every sacrament.

How to reset your Happiness Set Point

We all are trying to cope with unprecedented challenges the pandemic brings in every area of our lives. As our emotions roller-coaster. it’s difficult to find happiness in the chaos. But there’s a way you can help dig yourself out of so much unhappiness. With or without a pandemic, we all have a Happiness Set Point, a pretty constant level of happiness that can be reset.

NewEvangelizers: The Holy Spirit and Disney

Featured on New Evangelizers.com The high school production of Mary Poppins was glorious and magical! My granddaughter Nancy played Mrs. Banks, the mother of the children who hires Mary Poppins when she unexpectedly shows up to be their nanny. In the musical based on the familiar Disney movie, the singing and dancing made the characters...

Got Joy?

Got Joy? Latests posts 2-8-19

  Classis favorite: God doesn’t create clones God created you in his image by placing his heart and soul within you and he delights in who you are and even counts every hair on your head. https://joyalive.net/classic-favorite-god-doesnt-create-clones/   NewEvangelizers.com: Be that voice of hope You can be the voice that guides others to #Jesus through...

Clones by Mariyas (Wikimedia commons)

Classic Favorite: God doesn’t create clones

I grew up in the shadow of my sister who was 18 months older than me. I followed her around, copying her every preference and obeying her every request. She convinced me that her likes and dislikes, friends and fashions were the best and only choices possible for me.  When she was 16, she got...