The believer's joy is a sometimes powerfully quiet, sometimes riotously ecstatic exultation based on the presence of God in a life. That presence is called the Holy Spirit, that blessed companion who is the engine of our joy. God's joy come down, translated by the Spirit, transcends any earthly pretender as it weaves itself through every temporal experience, every moment, every part of a life.

Current Devotional

Reflections by the Pond for June 29, 2009: The Forest for the Trees [2009-06-29]

When Linda and I spy one deer emerging from the woods, it is our habit to quickly scan the area for more, for we know that by focusing on the one we may miss the group that often follows behind. Just so, in every aspect of our relationship with God and His people we are not to settle for the small, the isolated, the attitude that "just enough" is sufficient.

Even something good and righteous can be shortsighted. Even a small obedience can disappoint our Father. What He longs for in us, instead, is what Friedrich Nietzsche called a "long obedience in the same direction." Persistence, depth, truth, sincerity, transparency, and a habit of considering the "big picture"--these are the qualities God desires in His children so He can pour blessings to overflowing into a life.


Free subscription to Reflections by the Pond.


Stay Current

Current issue of Reflections by the Pond (pdf)
May archive of Reflections (zip)
Newest dramatic script


Recent Devotionals
2009/06/22 : Fingerprints: Through the Fire
2009/06/15 : Fingerprints: A Quiet Place
2009/06/08 : Fingerprints: The Plain Between the Hills
2009/06/01 : Fingerprints: A Less-specific Devotion

Completed (inactive) Archives

Listening - pdf
Listening - html
Listening - text
The Journey - text
The Journey - html
The Journey - pdf
Reflections by the Pond (0-364)
Aspects
In Unison Complete
His Company Books

Our most popular Downloads

1. Three Men and a Baby - pdf (10528)
2. Communion - pdf (10494)
3. The Fog - pdf (8705)
4. I Never Called Him Lord - pdf (8501)
5. Vacancy - pdf (7164)
6. No Man Condemns You - pdf (6842)
7. A Greater Love - pdf (6791)
8. The Train - pdf (5900)
9. Who Do You Say That I Am? - pdf (5242)
10. The Essence of His Death - pdf (5241)

Resources Downloaded To-date

224,093scripts
106,085devotionals
2,695books
16,585cards
_________
349,458Total