June 17, 2024 The Joy ChallengeRANDY FRAZEE Lee en español "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight ..." Philippians 1:9 (NIV) When our four children were young, they bought me Father's Day presents. I'd get the standard tie or even the dreaded "soap on a rope." To add insult to injury, they used my money to purchase the gifts. One year, I said to them, "What I really, really would like more than anything is a handwritten note from you on how you are doing and how you feel about our relationship." This year, my oldest child turns 40, and I still receive notes from all my children and grandchildren too. Today, I don't have any of the ties they gave me, and I never used the soap on a rope (I think I regifted them). But I have every single letter they've given me, and they bring me pure joy. My children helped me know what mattered most to them individually and how to show each of them love in unique ways. I didn't and don't always get it right, but the Apostle Paul's prayer to the Philippians inspires me to keep finding ways to show love to my family. Paul wrote, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight" (Philippians 1:9). The singular focus of Paul's prayer was that the people of Philippi would learn how to love. When we learn to love people better, not only does their joy increase, but so does ours. The word "abound" means "more than enough." Paul wanted the Philippians to have so much love inside them that they would have no place to store it and no choice but to let it spill out to others. If the Apostle Paul got it right, my children's letters also bring them joy. To know that they're in a unique position of intimacy with me and that, through their depth of insight about me, they can craft a few words that elevate my joy meter - well, that is a source of joy for them, for sure. Here is your Joy Challenge today, friend: Write a letter to a family member or close friend who could use encouragement. Speak joy into their life by writing down things you've seen in them that make them special. Call out a specific way they've made a difference in your life or the lives of others. It doesn't have to be a big thing. You can text, email or snail mail it to them, or put it somewhere they'll find it. Maybe even sit down with them to read the letter out loud. Then ask two questions: Did it bring them joy? Did it bring you joy? May we be known for our deep, sincere, heartfelt love for others, and may our joy increase because of it. Dear God, grant me a heart of abundant love and joy. Teach me to love others in the ways You love. Thank You for those who love me well and for loving Your children enough to send Jesus to earth. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS For a practical guide to discovering the freedom of a deeply joyful life, grab a copy of Randy Frazee's book, The Joy Challenge: Discover the Ancient Secret to Experiencing Worry-Defeating, Circumstance-Defying Happiness. ENGAGE To access free additional resources for yourself or a church small group, connect with Randy on his website. Enter to WIN your very own copy of The Joy Challenge by Randy Frazee. To celebrate this book, Randy's publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, June 24, 2024.} FOR DEEPER STUDY John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (NIV). 1 Peter 1:22, "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart" (NIV). What has someone important in your life taught you about loving well? How does loving someone bring joy to both people involved? © 2024 by Randy Frazee. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post The Joy Challenge – Encouragement for Today – June 17, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1397 - Union of Kalmar established between Denmark, Sweden and Norway 1824 - US Bureau of Indian Affairs established 1938 - Japan declares war on China 1939 - French Championships Men's Tennis: American collegiate champion Don McNeill beats countryman Bobby Riggs 7-5, 6-0, 6-3 1943 - Player-manager Joe Cronin of Red Sox hits two 3-run pinch home runs 1953 - Riots in East Germany for reunification 1961 - Billy Barnes' musical revue "Billy Barnes People", starting Ken Berry, Dave Ketchum, and Jo Anne Worley, closes at Royale Theater, NYC, after 7 performances 2010 - NBA Finals: Depending champion Los Angeles Lakers beat Boston Celtics, 83-79 in Game 7 for franchise's 16th NBA title; MVP: Kobe Bryant 2015 - 9 people are shot and killed inside Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a 21-year-old gunman 2021 - US President Joe Biden signs into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act making June 19th a federal holiday commemorating emancipation More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1579 - English navigator Francis Drake lands on the coast of California at Drakes Bay, names it "New Albion" 1850 - Paddle-wheeler "G P Griffith" burns off Mentor Ohio, 206 die 1954 - Televised Senate Army McCarthy hearings ends 1990 - "Some Americans Abroad" closes at Vivian Beaumont NYC after 62 performances 1991 - South Africa abolishes last of its apartheid laws 1991 - Country entertainer Minnie Pearl suffers a stroke at 78 More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1920 - François Jacob, French biologist and bacteriologist (Nobel 1965), born in Nancy, France (d. 2013) 1926 - Manuel Enríquez, Mexican composer, born in Ocotlán, Jalisco, Mexico (d. 1994) 1930 - Romuald Twardowski, Polish composer, born in Wilno/ Vilnius, Poland 1947 - Paul Young, British rock singer and percussionist (Mike + The Mechanics - "All I Need Is A Miracle"), born in Manchester, England (d. 2000) 1970 - Stéphane Fiset, Canadian NHL goalie, 1998-2002 (Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings), born in Montreal, Quebec 1987 - Kendrick Lamar, American hip hop singer-songwriter (Damn), born in Compton, California More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1871 - Clement Vallandigham, American politician (Rep-D-Ohio, convicted of opposing civil war, exiled to Confederate States), dies after accidentally shooting himself at 50 1994 - Joeri Nagibin, Russian screenwriter (Babje Karstvo), dies at 74 1995 - Claire Sterling, American journalist and writer (The Terror Network), dies at 75 1996 - Thomas Kuhn, American philosopher of science (paradigm shift), dies at 73 2004 - Sara Lidman, Swedish author (Jag Och Min Son, Samtal in Hanoi), dies at 80 2015 - Suleyman Demirel, Turkish leader, President (1993-2000) and Prime Minister, dies at 90 More Famous Deaths »

As pack leaders of the post-millennial alt.blues scene – until fame turned their hair grey – The Black Keys have rediscovered their mojo on twelfth album Ohio Players

To break free from bitterness, I must pull it out from the roots and replace it with the good things of God.

A Canadian restaurant has been forced to halt its free meal program for those in need because the government clamped down on the establishment since the vouchers were only written in English. Abdul Rashia Khan is the owner of Mama Khan restaurant in Montreal, Canada. Khan developed a "pay it forward program," where customers could donate at least $5 and he would offer free meal vouchers to those in need of food. The vouchers would be hung on the wall for anyone to use as a credit for a free meal. The charity program started last year. Khan said of the program, "It was very successful. We have given out over 712 free meals."Khan – who wanted to be a social worker when he was young – noted that charity is a critical part of the Pakistani restaurant that he runs with his mother. His family-run restaurant also handed out free meals during the 2023 ice storm and offered free meals to people during power outages.While working 90 hours a week, Khan spent $400 to have a professional graphic designer create the vouchers and have them printed out. However, the government warned Khan that he would be penalized for his free meal charity because the vouchers were only written in English. Khan reportedly received a warning letter from the Office québécois de la langue française – the language law enforcement authorities of the area. The government allegedly informed Khan that commercial publications in Quebec must prioritize French. Promotions that are only in English are subject to fines. Khan told the Global News, "My reaction was kind of surprised that we were reported to the government saying that we are not bilingual."He added, "I wasn't aware too much of the law. It’s my first time running a business. It’s been a year and a half I'm the owner." Apparently, the Office québécois de la langue française did not target Mama Khan, but reportedly received a tip on Facebook that their vouchers were only in English. "The Office did not ask the restaurant Mama Khan to destroy its meal coupons. The program was never discussed with the business," OQLF spokesperson François Laberge told the news outlet. Khan reacted by saying, "The only thing I can do from here and moving on forward is just to learn from my mistakes and make sure it’s in bilingual or in French."The Mama Khan restaurant released a statement on Instagram regarding the ongoing situation: Due to amount of people who are asking and asked what happened, I’ve just spoken to the person who received the complaints and she was amazing, she told me exactly what happened and what triggered us being warned. Thank you to those who support us and I apologize for halting future services due to not trying to get penalized for what we do. We have given out 712 free meals and helped 11 kids with our tutoring program.Khan said the vouchers are no longer available, but people in need can come into his restaurant and still get a free meal anyway. Khan declared, "The only thing I can do from here and moving on forward is just to learn from my mistakes and make sure it’s in bilingual or in French."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

June 17, 2024 The Joy ChallengeRANDY FRAZEE Lee en español "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight ..." Philippians 1:9 (NIV) When our four children were young, they bought me Father's Day presents. I'd get the standard tie or even the dreaded "soap on a rope." To add insult to injury, they used my money to purchase the gifts. One year, I said to them, "What I really, really would like more than anything is a handwritten note from you on how you are doing and how you feel about our relationship." This year, my oldest child turns 40, and I still receive notes from all my children and grandchildren too. Today, I don't have any of the ties they gave me, and I never used the soap on a rope (I think I regifted them). But I have every single letter they've given me, and they bring me pure joy. My children helped me know what mattered most to them individually and how to show each of them love in unique ways. I didn't and don't always get it right, but the Apostle Paul's prayer to the Philippians inspires me to keep finding ways to show love to my family. Paul wrote, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight" (Philippians 1:9). The singular focus of Paul's prayer was that the people of Philippi would learn how to love. When we learn to love people better, not only does their joy increase, but so does ours. The word "abound" means "more than enough." Paul wanted the Philippians to have so much love inside them that they would have no place to store it and no choice but to let it spill out to others. If the Apostle Paul got it right, my children's letters also bring them joy. To know that they're in a unique position of intimacy with me and that, through their depth of insight about me, they can craft a few words that elevate my joy meter - well, that is a source of joy for them, for sure. Here is your Joy Challenge today, friend: Write a letter to a family member or close friend who could use encouragement. Speak joy into their life by writing down things you've seen in them that make them special. Call out a specific way they've made a difference in your life or the lives of others. It doesn't have to be a big thing. You can text, email or snail mail it to them, or put it somewhere they'll find it. Maybe even sit down with them to read the letter out loud. Then ask two questions: Did it bring them joy? Did it bring you joy? May we be known for our deep, sincere, heartfelt love for others, and may our joy increase because of it. Dear God, grant me a heart of abundant love and joy. Teach me to love others in the ways You love. Thank You for those who love me well and for loving Your children enough to send Jesus to earth. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS For a practical guide to discovering the freedom of a deeply joyful life, grab a copy of Randy Frazee's book, The Joy Challenge: Discover the Ancient Secret to Experiencing Worry-Defeating, Circumstance-Defying Happiness. ENGAGE To access free additional resources for yourself or a church small group, connect with Randy on his website. Enter to WIN your very own copy of The Joy Challenge by Randy Frazee. To celebrate this book, Randy's publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, June 24, 2024.} FOR DEEPER STUDY John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (NIV). 1 Peter 1:22, "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart" (NIV). What has someone important in your life taught you about loving well? How does loving someone bring joy to both people involved? © 2024 by Randy Frazee. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post The Joy Challenge – Encouragement for Today – June 17, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Whom do the Iranians see as the real source of their problems? The post How Iranians View the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict appeared first on Frontpage Mag.