The Fall Spiritual Formation Semester is open for registration. Register online by clicking the link below or in person at TFBC in the church lobby.

Sunday Services:

Dear Friends,

The phrase “they are a real killjoy” has been around for a long time. This phrase reflects the awareness that some people can not only be joyless themselves, but being around them drains the joy out of you like a slow leak in a tire. Sadly, many religious people have become so anxious, negative, and gloomy that anyone who had an openness to the “good news “is quickly repelled.

Jesus offers a joy that is able to handle the brokenness of this world.

John 16:22-24  “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23  “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.24  “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

A number of years ago I was with some men and one man told a funny story. We all laughed except one man who took himself very seriously. The storyteller noticed and said, “You don’t laugh much, do you? To this, he said in a very condescending tone, “I don’t find much in this world to laugh about.” To this, the man just laughed more!

I don’t doubt this man didn’t find much to laugh about in this world. The fact that this was a symptom of spiritual disorder was lost on him.

It’s easy to forget the good part of the good news.

John 15:11-13  “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This joy comes from living in love with others under the power of the Holy Spirit. 12  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13  “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

This Sunday we will be learning how we can move from being killjoys to joy multipliers.

This joy is not without intentional practice. This joy from Jesus is not a matter of acting happy. The joy of Jesus is something we do and experience together.

So, I plan to come. plan to stay for breakfast. plan to bring a friend.

I can’t wait to see you.

Joe

 

To read this week’s preparing for Sunday, click here.