Joy in the Journey

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Description

Here is a one-year guide through the writings of Michael Card, an award-winning singer-songwriter whose music has long encouraged the faith and stretched the imagination of contemporary Christians. Each day you'll read a Scripture and a brief passage about the joy of living under and walking with an infinitely creative Creator. An idea at the end of each day's reading will help you to respond to God in prayer and reflection. As you move through the year you'll find yourself experiencing a kind of creative renaissance as God's artistry inspires you to a more vivid faith.

From the Introduction

Joy in the Lord

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." (Psalm 95:1-2)

As you use this book, you will be continually confronted with God incarnate. This is the God who enters into our world and your individual life in the unique person of Jesus Christ. You will be reminded of how he walks with you daily. You will be led to take special notice of the ways he cares about you. You will be comforted to know that he weeps with you. Above all, you will be encouraged to see how he offers you his joy in all circumstances.

Each page gives a brief Scripture and accompanying devotional thoughts. At the bottom of each page is an activity which guides you to begin to respond to what you have read—to pray, to reflect or to make practical application in your life. The three suggestions will overlap as reflection leads to prayer, prayer motivates application, and application spurs further prayer and reflection.

You may feel led to write your thoughts and prayers in a journal. Especially if reflection raises questions for you, it can be helpful to jot down your thoughts on paper. Also some prayers are better written in a journal because you need to be more definite with your words. You can also look back more readily to see God's answers. Sometimes God will speak to you through reflection in a way that is so stunning that you must record it and read it again later.

You will find a year's worth of devotions here, designed to fill six days a week. We choose to offer six rather than seven days for a built-in bit of grace, as circumstances sometimes infringe on our devotional time. You can use the seventh day to go back to some of the Pray, Journal and Apply suggestions.

These devotions are adapted from Michael Card's books Immanuel, The Promise, A Fragile Stone, Scribbling in the Sand and Unveiled Hope, along with other writings by Michael Card.

Sample Text

Teach us to Pray

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'" (Luke 11:1 LB)

For a time I was absorbed in reading books about prayer. But in the end I discovered that the best way to learn about prayer is to pray. And the best way to pray is to become a good listener and allow the Other to speak.

We all have friends who dominate the conversation. Are you that sort of friend to God? After all, who has the more worthwhile things to say?

Sometimes it is helpful to break old habits. If your prayers seem long, simply pray the Lord's Prayer. The simplicity of it will be refreshing, and more time will be left for listening. Remember, Jesus gave this prayer in response to the same petition that is on your heart: "Lord, teach us to pray."

PRAY: Today, try praying in some different way or with different words or in a different place or posture.

Selected text from Joy in the Journey Through the Year. Copyright (c) 2007 by Michael Card. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author(s)

Michael Card is an award-winning musician, performing artist and writer of "El Shaddai," "Immanuel" and many other songs. He has produced over twenty albums. He has also written numerous books, including A Violent Grace, The Parable of Joy and Sleep Sound in Jesus (a children's book). A graduate of Western Kentucky University with a bachelor's and master's degrees in biblical studies, Card is currently at work on a Ph.D. in classical literature. He also serves as mentor to many younger artists and musicians, teaching courses on the creative process and calling the Christian recording industry into deeper discipleship. Card lives in Tennessee with his wife and four children.

System Requirements

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