Joy Comes in the Morning by Amanda

Most of the things I do—like 99% of them, is because I love to do them. I love the people who are doing it with me. People will say to me—you do too much… and I say, Yes! But I enJOY all the things I do! So, what could I give up? Well, I am here to tell you. I am finding the joy in saying no. Full stop. Complete sentence.   Learning to say “no” and letting it hang out there all alone in its glory is a small kind of superpower. A JOY FILLED super power— Can't you just see the leotard and cape? With a big N-O screen printed on the front? 

I love my book club. And we have never read a book. However, I think we need more book clubs. We need to read words that will challenge us and THEN we need to talk about it. And zoom and the internet has made this pretty easy to do. Join me! Let's read and talk!But also- find some joy in a book club that never reads books (refer to podcasts on wine and going out to lunch!)

Today's seating chart that I am talking about is the brain child of Dr. Brene Brown.  She is a genius. And a researcher on shame, vulnerability, and leadership. She is courageous and strong; honest and authentic. I have enjoyed everything that I have learned from her and I strive to practice her teachings. Especially her teaching about the seating in the arena.

There is JOY in lunch. There is joy in good friendships… and put it together?!? My Oh My! Here's to the ladies who lunch!"The Ladies Who Lunch," by Stephen Sondheim from the musical, Company.

Walk--not to close the rings on your watch, but to notice the footprints. To draw closer to nature, your self, to God...Guest author today, Rev. Stacey Nalean-Carlson! You can read more of her poetry, sermons, and more at www.staceynaleancarlson.com

With the joy of the playlist you can listen to songs that take your brain on journey from 5th grade circa 1988…. to the College Years… to some rap and back again… The playlist is the best—only 2nd to the Mix Tape. 

Today… March 17. Today our 17th podcast! Luck of the Irish, I tell you!I have been celebrating St. Patrick's Day by wearing green… drinking green beer… and attending great parities for years! And I am exactly 0% Irish. I love that this holiday is all about a celebration. EnJOY!

Today, March 15, 2021, marks one year since our last in person worship in Trinity's sanctuary. Are we doing the right thing? Does it matter? What matters is that wherever we gather, God shows up. Our JOY is in the presence of God. 

Now that we know Zoom, how can we create opportunities that are safe and comfortable so that more people can participate? How can something like this make conferences and trainings affordable? Reduce time and travel? Even accessible to all physical abilities and health needs…  I think that the pandemic… that forced us to zoom… actually has taught us an incredible use of communication and opened doors for support and connection.And reminds us of the opening credits of the Brady Bunch. (BONUS!)

Inspired by the book 40 days of decrease, by Alicia Britt Cole... she writes, "whereas hindsight helps us learn from the past, regret beats us up with the past."So this new morning… focus only on the joy… the mercy… the sun. 

When do we stop dancing? When do we think that it is for only “certain” people and not us? You will hear people say—I don't dance. Usually… it's because they think they look foolish. Well, I don't know if that's such a  good reason. Many things are foolish, but if we have fun? Then do it.And here's who brings me the MOST joy right now- Fitness Marshall. Do you know him? Find him on YouTube right now.  Lizzo's song: Good as Hell Fitness Marshall. You won't be disappointed.

I have come to love texting. In fact, I love this quote from Glennon Doyle: "I just changed my voice mail to, 'are you absolutely sure you can't just text me.” Yes. Please. Just text me.

If I spend time looking in the rear view mirror rather than through the windshield—I would not only miss the beauty of what's ahead—but I would also slam right into it… If you drive only looking only behind you, you will crash.If we live only looking behind us? We will most definitely crash.Look forward. Look at all the things that are on the road ahead. There is joy ahead… just keep going. 

There is joy in inviting others to be a part of your celebration. And there is joy in being invited. Again and again, God invites us into fuller ways of being. There is no better time to accept that invitation than now. A fuller way of being… is to embody hospitality. To know the joy of being truly welcome. That's what God is all about… welcoming us… even if it's been years,  if ever, since we've seen HimI hope that's the joy of invitation that I can offer… and you can offer—one that welcomes each other, even if it's been years. Or just seems like that… because you know, Covid

The coffee that has more grounds than recommended and you cannot see the bottom of the cup. The coffee that is hot and rich and with just a splash of cream Oh… that morning coffee that does well to convince me that I am going to get soooo much accomplished today.With quotes from Sweatpants and Coffee

I love to take a screenshot! Recipe I want to try? Screenshot. The weather app says -20? Screenshot. Trump tweets a ridiculous lie and I want to have proof of it before Twitter takes it down? Screenshot. But one of my favorite uses of the screenshot… is when I see a quote or picture that reminds me of a friend.  Here are a few of my favorite encouraging screenshots. 

Click here for a photo of: The Feet Here's a little poem… called “Free Spirits” I don't know who wrote it… We are the ones with the messy hairThe dirty feetAnd that wild sparkle in our eyes We belong amongst the wild flowersListening to the windOr with our toes dipped into the sea

The donation well at Walmart... when the shopping trip ends with my son saying, "that was awesome."  The joy of 25 cents. 

In peace let us pray to the Lord... Lord have mercy.Is it boring? Is it beautiful? Is it both? 

There are things (guilt, grudges, shame, fear) that can just build and build in us. And we don't even realize how tight and uncomfortable and suffocated we feel until we let go. Experience the joy of release, so that you may breathe in joy!Podcast includes the reading of "Blessing of Breathing," by Jan Richardson, from her book A Cure for Sorrow

Release your photos from the confines of your smartphone!!!!If you took time to capture a moment on your phone in the last month, it probably was because whatever it was made you smile. You wanted to remember it. So print it. EnJOY it.

Repent—do a 180. Turn away from whatever crap you were doing/thinking/believing and turn around.  And when you turn to God like that, with honesty and  vulnerability, you really will find hope and joy. 

For Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021Ashes: Death, mortality, frugality of timeThe Cross: Life, hopeful, eternity.Together. Both the ashes and the cross are from God... both ashes and the cross say something about our humanity.Includes reading of poem, My Mother's Belly, by Sonja Renee Taylor

Join Amanda on a joyful journey that begins new each morning. Lent might be a strange time to begin a podcast about joy. But early on in ministry, I learned that Lent is the perfect time to try something different or strange… a seasoned pastor told me, “People will tolerate just about anything if you say, ‘it's just for Lent.'”