. Cranberries; : the national cranberry magazine. Cranberries. HT^ Sermonettes ^M by the B^H Rev. Don Jennings Joyful living Living life at its best may be de- termined by the way we interpret joy. Joy is not an audible ex- uberance, but more often an inward experience that expresses itself in our actions. We were visitors one Sunday morning at a worship service. The first three pews in the front of the church were reserved for a_special group of deaf and mute worshipers. As the service progressed, an inter- preter, the minister's wife, stood be- fore them. Even though these people cou
. Cranberries; : the national cranberry magazine. Cranberries. HT^ Sermonettes ^M by the B^H Rev. Don Jennings Joyful living Living life at its best may be de- termined by the way we interpret joy. Joy is not an audible ex- uberance, but more often an inward experience that expresses itself in our actions. We were visitors one Sunday morning at a worship service. The first three pews in the front of the church were reserved for a_special group of deaf and mute worshipers. As the service progressed, an inter- preter, the minister's wife, stood be- fore them. Even though these people could not hear the audible service, they "heard" it through their interpreter. During the service I observed the expressions of joy on their faces. They were enjoying the service as much as those of us who were hearing with our ears. Joy is not a selfish experience. It is like the favorite Psalm, "My cup runneth ; Joy is something you can't hide. It is something you share. Joy is something you spill on your- self when you share it with others. To pursue joy, as you pursue happi- ness, tor the sake ot possession, is to lose it. Suffering The highest joy often comes through suffering or sorrow. It often comes to us when, we have given ourselves to others in their times of sorrow. Someone has observed that no ilower can bloom in paradise which is not transplanted from Geth- ^emane. The author of Hebrews spoke of Jesus as the author of our faith and the example of courage in suffering. He wrote . . Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the ; (Hebrews 12:2). Our Lord knew the victory that was to follow His cross. The joy is not the experience of enduring our crosses but rather the joy is in the victory we experience after we have faithfully done that which had to be done. The Psalm writer once said, 'They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Psalm 126:5). The route to real joy is marked by milestones, such as light, repentance, for
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