Leaning into Joy

June 11, 2016Russ Fochler

Shavuot (Pentecost)According to the Jewish Calendar, Shavuot starts at sundown tonight. Fifty days after the Passover Sabbath.

A wave offering of 2 loaves from the wheat harvest is given and also the first fruits of the season.

Observed as the day God gave Torah to the people of Israel

Shavuot was also the day Father God gave the promised Holy Spirit to Jesus’ Beloved: No longer for just a few for their mission, but now available to everyone who receives Jesus.

Jewish Tradition

In the Talmud, Shavuot is referred as the “marriage day” between God and the Jewish people, between heaven and earth (Passover is considered the time Israel’s “betrothal” or engagement to God). The LORD is the Heavenly chatan (groom) who said, “Accept Me”; the Jewish people represented the beloved kallah (bride); and the Torah represents the ketubah (marriage contract).

Joy in the Holy Spirit

God’s Realm is not about eating and drinking, but is about justice, peace and joy by means of the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (The Source)

About JoyJoy means we are glad to be together. Smiles appear and faces light up. When shared, joy produces strong bonds and loving relationships. Joy is what we search for from the moment we are born, but we often come away empty.

Scripture demonstrates that joy happens when we recognize and experience that God is with us.

With joy, marriages thrive. Couples connect. Family members feel seen and valued.From “JoyStartsHere.com”

About JoyWith joy, students become more focused. Classrooms become a safe haven. Teachers and administrators become more creative.

With joy, church members are glad to be together. Relationships stay bigger than problems. People bring their friends.

From “JoyStartsHere.com”

Our WeaponsFor the foot soldiers’ weapons of our military campaign are not natural weapons. Indeed, our weapons are divinely powerful for the purpose of destroying strongholds, destroying calculations, and destroying the heights of the enemy defenses that are raised up against people who are coming to know God.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The Source

Help Us Holy Spiritto Destroy

Our Strongholds,Our Calculations

Against Joy

Brene Brown

The Power of Vulnerability Course Session 4-1

Brene Brown

The Power of Vulnerability Course Session 4-1

“When we lose our tolerance for vulnerability, joy becomes foreboding” —Brene Brown

“Forboding” cues us that something bad is about to happen.

Brene Brown

The Power of Vulnerability Course Session 4-1

Checking InHow many of you recognize this dynamic in your own life?

Instead of “softening into joy” or leaning into joy, does your mind:

Jerk you away from being vulnerably joyful?

Remind you to be tough?

Tell you if you imagine the worst — then you’ll be “stronger” when/if it actually happens?

Brene Brown

The Power of Vulnerability Course Session 4-2

Sounds Like Paul’s Encouragement

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NKJV

Sounds Like Paul’s Encouragement“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV

ReviewWhat can help when we’re starting to imagine a tragedy instead of staying present with vulnerable joy?

What do people who have had a great loss often miss the most?

Besides “catastrophizing”, what is another way we can “rob” ourselves of joy?

Thank You Holy Spirit,Jesus, and Abbafor Abundant Joy

in You.For the Joy You Created

Us to have Together.

Go Forth“Lean in” to Joy

Accept how Vulnerable it FeelsPractice Gratitude When You’re

Tempted to CatastrophizeRisk Disappointment

So there is room for Joy in your heart.

Please “Pair-Up and Share”

Take time to talk and listen with each other:

What struck you?

Do you see yourself doing what Brene talked about?

What do you want to take away from this session?