Box of Priceless Jewels  

Posted by Carolyn Joyce in ,

March 8, 2010

I am thoroughly enjoying Proverbs these days! It's like I've opened up a box full priceless jewels. LOVE it! I feel like the take-away message that continues to come to mind is that the Christian life involves LIVING WELL (Proverbs is packed full of practical application). Following Jesus means making wise, God-honoring decisions daily, moment by moment. Simply knowing God's Word is not enough. Like the saying says, "Talk is cheap!" And yet, I must remember that just DOING is not enough either. The foundation of living well is fearing the Lord. And fearing the Lord, I believe, must begin with the first commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37).

Hmmm... any thoughts from you blog readers out there?

Some observations from Proverbs:
  • The Proverbs are to teach us wisdom and discipline.
  • The purpose of wisdom and discipline is to teach us how to live a certain way - "rightly, justly, fairly."
  • Right living results in all sorts of blessings.
  • The opposite of wisdom is foolishness, which leads to a life of destruction and trouble.

Proverbs 8: Wisdom... 
Verse 12 - accompanies good judgment/prudence (prudence = wise judgment in practical affairs); is linked with knowledge and discernment

Verse 13 - hates pride, arrogance, corruption and perverse speech

Verse 14 - is the source of common sense and success

Verses 15-16 - helps rulers, kings, and nobles make right decisions

Verse 17 - can be found if sought after

Verses 19-21 - is worth more than gold and silver; is true treasure

Verse 22-26 - was with God before creation

Verses 27-31 - was with God during creation - wisdom was the "architect at God's side." Soooo cool!

Verses 32-36 - these verses are an admonition to listen and follow after wisdom. "joyful are those who listen." "whoever finds wisdom finds life." whoever does not follow after wisdom "injures themselves and loves death." yikes!

Bottom line message to me: Godly wisdom, not "worldly" wisdom is what I must seek. Godly wisdom is the true source of success, joy, and right living. There are different consequences and "fruit" from the opposing types of wisdom. There is a way to live life well and a way to destroy your life.

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Read it, Blog it, Talk @ it  

Posted by Carolyn Joyce in ,

March 1, 2010

One of my prayers recently is that I desire God to help me understand His Word more, know how to apply it to my life, and remember it well so that I can share it with others when appropriate. After a conversation with a friend, I was inspired to partner with this prayer by taking some action. I have the choice to ask God for help and either expect Him to do all the work for me or put a plan together that will help with this and ask for God's blessing along the way. I like the second option better. :)

So, one of my current plans to help me with is to 1) Read & study the Bible diligently; 2) Blog about what I'm learning; and 3) Talk about it with my friends. Oh, and, 4) Put into practice what I'm learning (James 1:22 - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."). Hear goes for #2 - Blog about it...

Genesis 4: 1-15
Verse 1 - I love how Eve praises God for giving her a son--right away, she acknowledges God's hand in this blessing. Babies are gifts from the Lord! (Proverbs 127:3 says, Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. James 1:17 says, Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.)

Verse 3 - Both Cain and Abel gave of their labor to God. Cain presented "some of his crops." Abel gave the "best" of the firstborn lambs.

Verse 4, 7 - God rebuked Cain's offering. Yikes! Don't know exactly what was wrong, but I'm guessin' he didn't bring the best of his crops. In any case, God wasn't happy and he let Cain know. Hebrews 12:6 says that God disciplines those who He loves, and Hebrews 12:10 continues by saying God's discipline is always good for us and that it will result in right living. God doesn't discipline us to be mean. It's because He loves us and desires good things for us! God wasn't rebuking Cain to make him mad--God was trying to teach him what was right. God tells Cain that if he does what is right he will be accepted, but if not, sin is knocking on his door, eager to control him.

Verse 5, 8 - And how does Cain react??? Not so graciously or obediently... he gets angry. And then he lets his anger control him to murder his own brother. Cain did not heed God's instruction--instead, he did what he wanted to do.

Verse 10-12 - God obviously saw what Cain did (God sees everything), He called Cain out on his sin, and then determines the consequences for his disobedience. Sin always has consequences! Sin can never stay hidden forever. Psalm 90:8 says, "You spread out our sins before you--our secret sins—and you see them all." Cain's punishment was to be banished from his home and from God's presence. Cain's work would not yield  good crops. And he was to be a 'homeless wanderer.'

Verse 13 - Again, how does Cain react??? He argues with God. He pleads with Him for mercy, saying that his punishment was too difficult for him to bear and that he was afraid for his life. He was afraid that someone might kill him. Pretty bold move for someone on trial for murder!

Verse 15 - What's God's reaction to Cain's plea? I love this!!! God has MERCY on Cain. He graciously listens and then sets up a decree to protect Cain's life. WOW! Doesn't this sum up the greatness of God? 

...All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) -Ephesians 2:3-5

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Doggie Bath Time  

Posted by Carolyn Joyce



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Happiest Place on Earth  

Posted by Carolyn Joyce in

January 11, 2010

It's a spectacular small world! Wow--check out the outside of "it's a small world" at Disneyland. I enjoyed the day with Megan, Cory & Evelyn Tepfenhart and look forward to many more visits as I bought a year pass--woohoo!

To see more pics from the day, visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/carolynjoycesd.

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Hardest Worker I Know  

Posted by Carolyn Joyce in




January 9, 2010
My dad's the hardest worker I know. Here he is this Saturday morn working on a home project. During the week he's up at 4:30 am and back at 4:30 pm. He's been enjoying his job (machinist & supervisor) of 30ish years. He's frugal, generous, and diligent.


When the Bible talks about being like the hard-working ant (Proverbs 6), I have a really great example through my dad's everyday life.

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Friends are Priceless!  

Posted by Carolyn Joyce in

January 7, 2010


Tonight was another Epic night and as I looked across the room, it was SO great to see so many familiar faces. Over the last year or so, many of the Epic peeps have become very good friends. And I am just very thankful!! :) 


So, I wanted to give a few shout-outs:

  • Manny - We missed youuuuuuuu! But totally loved the video!
  • Marghee - I LOVE your very animated stories and creativity! Working with you is so fun!
  • Toby - Dude, you're a servant with such a tender heart! Yeah!
  • Erik - Faithful, great communicator, perceptive - awesome!
  • Jen - When are we gonna see Blindside---sheesh! And pick out your Bridesmaid dress? Can't wait! Love ya!
  • Cody - thanks for helping clean up tonight (and take the left-overs--I know it's not being wasted)!
  • Josh - thanks for your thumb's up tonight - that encouraged me. :)
  • Sara - "roooooomieeeee!" you have such a beautiful smile!


Aaaand, I look forward to continuing getting to know more Epic peeps! Each one of you bring something unique--love it. :)

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I can do it!! I know I can!  

Posted by Carolyn Joyce




January 6, 2010

Now that my vacation is over, it's time to start eating right again
and exercising. :) Worked out last night, dancing tonight, planning on
hiking on Saturday, and here's my lunch today (not pictured are the
handful of almonds I already ate). I'd say this is a good start. Let's
hope I can keep it this way.

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