Peace and joy to you from God, our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has seen fit for us to wake this morning and breathe a deep breath, and go about the wonderful business of our day.  How joyous it is that we may move about on this glorious creation, which is awesome and inspiring.

Now, I know that many of you are wondering if I am feeling okay.  You probably think that I’m a little out of it, being late July, with all of the heat of mid-summer baking the brain, the drudgery of another work week finally completed, and the dull existence that we all travel though each day.  Or so it seems.

Instead, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you all to stop, for one moment, whatever you are doing, and listen.  Maybe you hear the noise of a busy office space, the rustling of a computer lab, or the shuffling of your roommate or spouse around the room.  Or maybe you have it as lucky as I do, with my wife and son asleep, and the room being quiet, except for the whirring of the computer and the soft breathing of a sleeping loved one at 1 AM.

But, nonetheless, stop and listen.  Listen to your own breathing, your heartbeat, the gentleness of life around you.  Is not our God great and amazing for giving us this gift of life?!  Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!”

YES!!!!  Rejoice, be glad, sing if you want.  Take a moment, not more than two minutes of your day (which I think we all can spare), and truly think of something that the Lord has given you.  Your answer cannot be: “At least it isn’t Monday….”  NO!!!  Instead, think about your family, friends, health, life, and the love with which God blesses us.  Say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord.

Life will get you down.  There is no question about that.  Sin will drag and claw at you.  It will prowl around you like a roaring lion looking for something to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  But instead of following it aimlessly down the spiral, fight, punch, and kick as it tries to depress and degrade you and tear you limb from limb.  Remember John 3:16 and the message it has.  Relish the Words of your Baptism, which brings you to new life in Christ and the joy of eternal salvation.  Enthrall yourself in the glory of God.  Take a few moments every day and ponder the wonder of the life God has given you through faith in Christ Jesus.

Even though we do live the troubles of Psalm 54, 55, and 56, we must remember that God watches over us, and will take care of us.  And because of this knowledge, we must turn to Psalm 66, and “Shout with joy to God!”

Every once in a while, stop and remember the wonderful, glorious, awesome, amazing, and inspiring life that we have.  God wants us to enjoy it as loving children enjoy any gift a father gives them.  Don’t forget to be happy!!!

Rejoice (!) in the following:  Romans 5, Ephesians 1:15-2:10, Psalms 117, 118, 23, 9, Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat), Luke 1:68-75.