"...Chara means “joy, rejoicing, gladness, enjoyment, bliss.”* In many ways, chara means “to celebrate!”

Psalm 51:12 reveals the source of King David’s joy. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Notice whose joy David was concerned about. He recognized the joy was of God’s salvation. Now ask God to show you the significance of the truth that salvation belongs to Him. Why do you think salvation is described as God’s rather than yours? Salvation is God’s to give. It is a gift of GRACE that we have the privilege to accept. The Greek word for grace is charis, which means “unmerited favor.”*

Do you see a very close relationship between charis and chara? That’s because joy is an absolute assumption in grace. Joy is literally written into grace! God is telling us, “If only you understood what grace means and what you have received by way of it, you would never cease to rejoice!” Whether we ever have one external thing over which to rejoice, it is enough that we are born again! I believe the main reason we lack an awareness of joy in our salvation is because we are unaware or seldom reminded to what and from what we have been saved. In this way, we have neglected “so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:3, NKJV). We need to consistently focus on our great salvation so that our joy might be full." Beth Moore

Your free gift of salvation in amazing, Lord. I don't think that it's that I forget where I was at (and headed in my life) when You saved me, but that sometimes I forget the end lot of that other direction. Do I have an accurate enough vision of Hell to make my thankfulness for salvation more weighty? Or perhaps it's that I'm not Heaven-minded enough...? Or maybe it's all three interchangeably? :) Now, I can get into some heavy joy thinking about what I have received by way of my salvation! Starting first and foremost with a relationship with You! It still is able to blow me away when I think of what a unique privilege we have to have intimacy with our Creator! No other religion proposes that!

Let's see - what else causes me joy? Well, thinking of the whatevers, I love love love to think about the particular passions and quirks of my Christian friends. I still think about Freya and smile to myself - such a sweet and serious person. I just adored her personality. I grin when I think of Rachel's big, mischievous smile and her Michigan accent describing her latest embarrassing moment :). I well up inside a little when I think about my just budding friendship with Cheri as we shared a precious, joyful moment upon her announcement that she was pregnant. Bria's authenticity and talent for having a fresh perspective and creative ideas. Nikki's laugh. Becky's wisdom and deep compassion. Kristie's humility and offbeat sense of humor. Marsha's girl-power. Julie's boldness for doing everything out of the ordinary. Kathy's endearing grumpiness. Cynthia's lay-it-all-out-there approach. Cassandra's drive for excellence. Ali's repressed big jumble of "stuff" that could fall out at any minute!... I could go on and on as I think back to each precious jewel. Those friendships have been such delights to me. I can see so clearly how much You love the astounding diversity You've created! Each one of us are so different - our worship shines distinctly like a beacon - so beautiful in our own way, it must draw You like a magnet when we are bringing You glory through the genuine vessel You made. As we mature, we don't lose our personalities to take up Christ's, but our personalities and characters are refined - the impurities burned away and the pure qualities sparkle.

What a magnificent God You are to enable us to have such wonderful friends and friendships! I pray that You bestow heaping blessings upon each of these ladies whom I love! I know You are just crazy about them, too! Even more than I. Praise You Jesus for all my beautiful sisters.