joyancejames

Category: faith

  • Guest post: Awaken the artist

    After a short break from blogging, courtesy fatherhood, I’m here back again with my first guest post. We’ve Dr Anu Liza Joy, who recently completed her medical undergraduate studies.

    She is part of She paints life, a group of 5 friends from college who paint for the glory of God and bless people. The 5 loaves which started as paintings in an undergrad hostel in CMC Ludhiana have been multiplied and have blessed thousands.

    JSJM: When/how did you realize and decide to un-bury the talent? (To multiply and make it a blessing for others)
    ALJ: Painting was a stress buster during the busy final year medical school. Colors brought joy to me. Creating was a fun process, especially when all of us got together. Slowly the number of paintings started increasing and thought why don’t we put up a stall and work a little extra for it and bless others too.
    JSJM: what keeps you driving?
    ALJ: For me it’s the joy of seeing the finished product. I love seeing the final picture.
    Creativity is all around you, you just have to look around to get inpired and make something! Stay connected to God – He guides and He is a good teacher.
    JSJM: How do you manage gruelling work schedules and taking out time for your art?
    ALJ: We will always make time to do something we love. Art is therapy, so sitting up a little late or waking up a little early or doing some in between breaks is a pleasure! But mostly, it’s the team work that is our strength in She Paints Life, we always have somebody to cover for us when one is busy and have an unfinished order or work.
    JSJM: What’s your greatest achievement/compliment you received?
    ALJ: “Wow” is my word. I always ask “is it wow?” We make sure we always compliment and encourage each other, at the same time we are open to correction and constructive criticism as well.
    JSJM: Name one artist apart from Jesus, whom you’d want to emulate?
    ALJ: I love people who work with excellence. Stefan Kunz, Ian Bernard and many artists on Instagram who have started small have inspired and taught me a lot on lettering.
    The beauty lies in finding out your style because there is nothing like it when you discover that and that comes with practice!
    JSJM: word of advice to people who wish to follow your path and take art seriously?
    ALJ: Love what you do and Do what you love. The fruit that comes out of it will always be beautiful.
    Start small, keep on it, practice, go for training if you want to, talk to people who are in it, read and research about it, always be open to corrections and suggestions.
    JSJM: Medicine vs Art- who wins?
    ALJ: Medicine is an art more than science, right? I say both go hand in hand.

    Here’s the link to the Instagram page of She paints life, please check it out of you’ve not already, be blessed.

    https://www.instagram.com/shepaintslife/

    The team She paints life, left to right: Drs Ashley, Anu, Amy, Christeena, Leah.

    May we never lose our wonder. Never cease to appreciate beauty around us, may we always nurture it and foster it. May our art please us and bless people and make Abba happy.

  • Bethlehem’s loss

    The palace’s loss was the manger’s gain

    Herod’s loss was the wisemen’s gain

    Innkeeper’s loss was the shepherds’ gain

    Bethlehem’s loss was Nazareth’s gain

    Swaddling clothes gave way to the manger’s hay

    Dazzling regal lights lost to the Star which obeyed it’s Maker

    Wisemen sought Him then

    The wise seek Him still

    Are you counted among the wise?

    Most wish for love, joy and peace for Christmas. But Jesus is the only guarantee of love, joy and peace.

    Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things that ye pine after shall be added unto you.

    Jesus was sought and found by the wisemen and the shepherds and everyone in between, completing the spectrum of the hierarchy in the society.

    Our children don’t need more stories of fictional characters coming down the chimney with gifts, they need to be told about the greatest gift for mankind- Jesus.

    Christmas without Christ is not only a farce but also a tragedy.

    May you have a blessed Christmas.

  • On my knees

    On my knees is when(where) I’m found stronger
    On my knees
    I learn that the battle belongs to Jesus
    I learn that victory belongs to Jesus
    I learn that my Redeemer lives
    I learn I’m more than a conqueror
    I learn that joy comes in the morning

    I learn that He leads me through triumphal procession in Jesus

    I learn that I’m no longer salve to sin

    I learn that I’m a child of God

    I learn that no weapon formed against me shall prosper

    I learn that there is freedom in surrender

    On my knees I find myself in His embrace surrounded by love

    On my knees is my strongest position of defense & offense.

  • The journey of Faith – III

    The journey of Faith – III

    Faith is born- end of the beginning!As we entered the seventh month we realized that with every passing week it was getting more difficult to travel on the bike. Uber became the preferred mode of transport! Going out, movies included had to be curtailed to suit her comfort.
    We had to be extra careful as to what went it (I’m not taking only about food) so the food, fruits, music everything had to be handpicked.
    By July, the heat and humidity of Ludhiana became intolerable for Shalom and the countdown began to go home (Shalom’s) in Kerala. A “surprise” baby shower by our amazing friends (read aunties-to-be) at CRC (church) was the highlight of the last few days before we headed home. Last month before delivery I was away from Shalom and Faith as I had to come back to Ludhiana. Fetal movements and increased pains gave way to sleepless nights over the last week’s leading up to the delivery.
    I’d planned to reach them around a week before the due date, but thanks to the impatience of both of them I reached more than 12 hours after her arrival. Charis “Faith” Joyance was born on September the 4th, eleven days before the due date. Shalom endured her worst describable pain before she was born, it’s incredible how a mother goes through her worst pain before she gets her best gift.

    As I look back in retrospect, the journey is far from over. The journey of planned parenthood from conception to holding her in our arms, has really been a journey of faith for the two of us. It was a testament to the faithfulness of God.
    We may not enjoy every bit of the journey but it does prepare us for the destination, for what lies ahead. Grace for the journey comes with greater grace for what lies ahead. The God who saw our unformed substance in our mother’s womb, has seen our journey from a single cell organism to the trillion cell one reading this and He knows what’s best for us.

  • The journey of Faith – II

    The journey of Faith – II

    Faith is growing

    As we entered the second trimester, we expected to leave behind nausea and morning sickness, instead they journeyed with us into the early weeks of the second trimester. By now we were better equipped to deal with them.
    Then came the summer of Ludhiana with it’s dreaded and loathsome humidity. Shalom’s intolerance to heat only made it worse, then as if to pass the testing through fire, she developed tenia pedis (fungal infection of feet). We learnt to combat this with topical creams and better foot wear.
    Around the fifth month when the mom-to-be started perceiving the fetal movements I realized that this was a new way in which the mom and the fetus can bond, a privilege that the dad-to-be can’t afford! To be precise, Shalom first felt the fetal kick on the Easter morning! Oh, what a glorious day to kick your mom and make your existence felt. Later we realized that Faith had a distinct taste for music as her kicking (fetal moments) increased considerably when there was music around. Most startling of her expressed love for music would be the time of praise & worship at the church. Shalom would at times feel a kick beneath her ribs and in pelvis too as if Faith was raising both hands as in a Hallelujah!
    We’d play Beethoven and Mozart at home to refine and fan into flame Faith’s love for music. Also it helped to give benefit of doubt to “the Mozart effect”! “Mozart effect” is a controversial claim by a French researcher that listening to classical music helps in increasing IQ in babies and young children, even if this is an untrue, far fetched theory, classical music does calm and sooth the mind.
    His grace was enough, every passing day was a proof of that. Both of us wondering what she was upto when she wasn’t kicking, as for me I cherished the hours I spent with my hands on her tummy to feel Faith’s kick. Oh, how the Father above also yearns for us to connect with Him.
    Mommy-to-be slowly got used to the stretch marks and we braced ourselves for the final trimester before Faith arrived.

  • The journey of Faith – I

    The journey of Faith – I

    Faith conceived

    As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to father a daughter. In this series- “Journey of Faith” I write in retrospect our journey to planned parenthood. In the first installment of this series, I’ve documented the beginnings till the first 3 months (first trimester) of pregnancy.
    To give a background, my best half – Shalom and I are doctors, Shalom finished her post-graduation in Anatomy and joined me in Ludhiana in July 2018, where I was in the final year of my residency (post-graduation) in Orthopaedics.
    In early January of 2019 we did the pregnancy test and found out that we’re going to be promoted to parenthood soon. A miracle in itself, that we conceived in the first month when we set out to try, God’s timing is always right. As the initial excitement fizzed and we decided to keep the matters low key, morning sickness hit like a fierce hurricane.
    Shalom, who had already been blessed with an hyper acute sense of smell, now had her senses going into an overdrive; just to illustrate, at supper time she could smell my breath and guess what I had for breakfast! Eventually, she had to resign from the kitchen (more like our home, yes, she found the home itself nausea-inducing). More than once the nausea and vomiting made her loath to the core the journey to motherhood making her more determined that ever that this would be our first and last pregnancy (which only time will tell, as God unfolds his plans one day at a time).
    We decided to nickname our little one – “Faith”, and I was convinced beyond a doubt that Faith, our first born would be a daughter. I made it a point to sing and play the ukelele at the family prayer every night and most importantly to keep Shalom happy (a happy mother is equivalent to a happy family).
    Looking back I realize that when God put Adam to sleep to make Eve from his missing rib, He definitely would have added extra doses of tenacity and resilience for the woman to endure the journey to motherhood. Volumes have been written about a woman’s journey to motherhood, but it is an overwhelming and humbling experience for a man to travel along with her to fatherhood. Now I realize that this journey has brought us closer to the heart of the Father in heaven.

  • Graduated from darkness

    “Seeds grow in dark places”– C S Lewis

    In the beginning, when the Earth was formless and darkness was on the face of the great deep, God spoke into the darkness and there was light. He switched on the light first before delving into the creation. All of creation was birthed from a formless void of darkness!
    At the cross, He cried out, the cries of a Son separated from the Father, forsaken! In that moment darkness reigned, and in that darkness was wrought salvation for all mankind!
    In your darkness a seed is growing. There isn’t any fanfare or evident activity, growing seed is as inconspicuous as a lion stalking it’s prey. It is incredible to see the tiny seed sending up a shoot and displacing all the dirt and earth that was burying the seed. The seed lying dead in a jar on the shelf comes alive when buried in the earth surrounded by darkness. “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”.

    Plant-Grow-Seedling-Sunshine-
    Pushing up through the darkness and dirt

    The same power of Jesus, the grave robbing power is made available to all who believe. The darkness and the deep don’t bother the seed which is placed inside of you.

    “There ain’t no grave
    Gonna hold my body down
    There ain’t no grave
    Gonna hold my body down
    And when I hear that trumpet sound
    I’m gonna rise up outta the ground
    There ain’t no grave
    Gonna hold my body down”
    – Ain’t no grave by Molly Skaggs, M Helser & J Helser

    Darkness is required to appreciate the light, a humble candle seems brightest and of most use in the darkest night. God has made you a light. Doesn’t matter if your light is a candle or a torch! A flame-torch is an overkill in a small room and a candle is out of place in a large hall way! Neither can replace the other. Each has its place to shine. The fire in the candle and the flaming torch is the same, both fight darkness equally well in their niche.

    This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, will you?

  • The red carpet ass!

    Who would have imagined that a colt (young donkey/ass) would ever walk on a carpet and be welcomed with palm branches? So here is my incredible story as it happened.

    There wasn’t much too life, our home was in Bethphage near Mt Olives, outside the ancient city of Jerusalem. It was just mom & me ever since dad went out for an errand and never returned. As a foal I always dreamed of a king riding on my back, only later I realized that royal rides are a luxury only afforded by our distant cousins horses and mules. In vain I wished that my father had mated a mare so I would be a mule or if my mother had an affair with a stallion I’d have been a hinny! Little did I know that our cultural presumption and cast segregation was soon to be found in the dumps.

    Maybe our owner was just over protective or opposed to child labor so he never rode on me, it was my mom who would go for trips. So it came as a surprise when early one beautiful morning 2 men came and untied me and my master complied happily.

    These men brought me to a place where my back was decked with their coats in order to prepare me for their Master. The Master (Yeshua) was a typical middle eastern, sun-burnt Jew, nothing too fancy or attractive about Him. Heard He was a carpenter first before becoming a public figure. I’ve never seen the love I saw in Yeshua’s eyes, He could see beyond any facade and masquerade and still love so unconditionally! Since this was the first ride of my life I proceeded to think that all humans were as light as Him, I was wrong and it is in retrospect that I realize the truth when He said take my yoke upon you for my burden is light!

    As we entered the city, we were treated with shouts of, “Hosanna” (later became the staple of modern worship songs), “Baruch haba B’shem Adonai, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”! The street was decorated with palm leaves and robes and coats were spread out on the street, a welcome fitting for a king. The young colt in me didn’t realize the sanctity of the situation, only many years later and wiser it dawned on me that greater is He who was on me than me myself.

    Now at the end of my life as I retrospect I truly agree with Paul another disciple of Yeshua when he said that God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Did a young wild ass deserve a royal to ride on him? The King of the universe who chose a manger over a palace, also preferred a colt to any other regal animal. A young Syrian wild ass colt was chosen by Yeshua and lived to tell the tale. Age and lineage are no prerequisites for becoming a history maker.

    Yeshua wants a ride in your city, down your streets, are you willing?

  • The ass who spoke!

    How can I ever forget the day my life turned around, the day I experienced what none of my kind could ever have imagined or ever will. Before I continue, I’ll just give a prelude to my narrative.

    My master, Balaam or so they call him, is a revered seer. We live on the banks of the river Euphrates, in a small town called Pethor. Although my master is a very influential man, at this period of time, we didn’t have much, because if he did, he’d ride a camel rather than an ass! Not belittling my kind, we may come cheap but we’re as sturdy and reliable as it can be, my family has faithfully served my master and the generation before him.

    The last few days we’d few royal emissaries from our king. There was this huge train of people travelling in the desert for many years and even without a well trained army or structure they had annihilated entire tribes around us. Our king wanted my master to curse them. My master had a gift, those he blessed would prosper and those he cursed would wither away and this was what the king intended to exploit. My master had refused the offer the first time but the second time I felt he would budge because the offer was too enticing for his prideful heart to resist, and very well he did give in.

    We started early morning on that day, had to cover a long distance to the palace. I could see the excitement and anticipation in my master’s demeanor; he even forgot to pray before we took off for the journey. Even I was excited to undertake this journey to the royal castle after a very long time. The servants behind us carried the supplies for the way. Around midday, we passed through the vineyards of the royal noblemen, on the outskirts of the walled citadel. We were passing through a narrow path when I suddenly saw a man who looked unlike anyone I’d seen before, brandishing a sword as if to attack us. I veered away into the ditch, my master almost fell off. Instead of thanking me, he hit me to bring me back on the path.

    It happened a second time, to avoid the unearthly man with the sword I ran into a fence and hurt my master, only to be beaten by him. It was then that I realized that maybe his pride has blinded him from the danger ahead of him which I could see, what I could not digest was God had allowed me to envision the danger but had kept it hidden from my master.

    The third time, there was no way to escape the swordsman and I sat down in order not to run into danger. This time my master lost it completely and rained down a flurry of blows on my back! As I groaned and prayed that he could see the motive behind my action, the unthinkable happened, I spoke and my master could comprehend! I spoke in the human tongue! Balaam saw the cleared picture and repented.

    Never imagined that God would use an ass to speak sense to a prophet who had lost his way! It is hard to believe that that His children whom God created in His likeness and image, fail to listen and recognize His voice. God in His great mercy does not give up on them; He pursues them with tenacity and perseverance that is unparalled and doesn’t hesitate to use even a dumb ass like myself for His glory.

    And yes, He cares for those He chooses for His purposes, He cared enough to save me from my master’s wrath and the angle’s sword.

    I thought I was the lone history-maker, there would be no other, but one of my kind rode on to Jerusalem around the turn of the millennia and for some reason, people spread out clothes and leaves before him. Hope he’d narrate his story too, that would be one heck of an adventure.donkey

  • An ode to the resident/intern

    “Will you bring to Him that which didn’t cost you dear? Tis not a sacrifice that which cost you nothing”- Joyance Shalom James. There will be days which will be tough and nights which may be tougher. You may have to labor through the day and then watchman through the night. But remember that He who began the good work in you will bring it to completion for His glory, though the process is painful the end product is a vessel of honor for His glory.You may miss your bed and skip a meal or two, but remember this is your calling and He qualifies the called and not vice versa! At times you may feel at the end of your rope but remember with less of you there is more for God and His rule.You may work with tough-to-handle people but remember that he’s making a tougher you. Respect authority cause it’s God who’s kept them there. If He can toy with a Pharaoh’s heart for His glory then He can certainly use someone in your life for His purpose. The ship which has never braved a storm is the one which has never left the harbor.Be humble cause He gives grace to the humble and pride goes before the fall.Seek Him first, put Him before all else and all things shall be added unto you. Pray continually as you strive to be His hands and feet to the least of these. Wear your smile as you cloth yourselves with Christ, God loves your smile and they’ll love it too.May they see your Maker in you.God bless.