
Joy Ridderhof was born on March 30, 1903 in Minnesota as Joy Fanny Ridderhof. She died on December 19, 1984 in Stanton, California —-Joy lay sick in bed, wishing to get back to Honduras, where she had been a missionary. But while she recovered, the bright idea came to her to record some gospel stories and songs in Spanish. After one record came more and more and more, in one language after another.
One of Joy’s favorite sayings was: “I have seen many find their way into a life of victory through rejoicing.”
A Thought From Your Pastor!
We read in Genesis 40:7 (NKJV): “Why do you look so sad today?”
Do you have a Merry Heart? Do you look for the joy of living, especially living for Jesus? Do you try to find the fun stuff around you?
Everyone has moments when they are sad. Grief, sorrow, and discouragement seep into our days like slow-moving landslides. But God does not want us to live in a state of chronic sadness. The Bible is filled with verses about joy, gladness, and triumph. Jesus said on five different occasions: “Be of good cheer!”

Charlie and Snoopy didn’t come around to help me today, but Grouchy Gator did. Is this how you feel with everything going on? Are you getting tired of all the rules and regulations? God tells us in the Bible that we should be joyful for what we have and what is in store for us. This world is not our home we are only passing through.
Psalm 96:1-13 (ESV) 1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! 9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! 10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
And have you ever noticed the three “merry” verses of the book of Proverbs?
Proverbs 15:13 (NKJV) A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance Proverbs 15:15 (NKJV) He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV) A merry heart does good, like medicine
An old Gospel song says: “Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all; / He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall. / When I am sad, to Him I go, / No other one can cheer me so; / When I am sad, He makes me glad, / He’s my friend.”
Find your cheerfulness in Jesus today. The Lord wants to give you a merry heart. Just think of the celebration we will have when we all can get together again. Maybe we will have an early Christmas party, who knows what those St. Petrie people will come up with?
Of course as always: Keep praying but also keep rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Hopefully we will be meeting together again in the near future.
God’s Blessing, Pastor Gerry and Carolyn

Save those hugs up, one day we will be able to use them!