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Spiritual: relating to the spirit or soul and not to physical matter; intangible. Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus
This newsletter explores ideas of the spiritual nature that exists in each and every one of us in an open and non-judgemental manner.
Each editor brings to the newsletter their own backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and opinions. Whether you disagree, agree, doubt or applaud the views expressed, let us all show respect to each other. Together we can learn something about the many varied aspects of the spiritual self and enjoy our differences in true meaning of the Spirit of Community.
Enjoy! 
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But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23a
Joy
I went out to make myself a cup of tea before starting on the text of this editorial. The radio was on my favourite station, and when I came back to sit at the computer, I was astounded to hear this:
Happiness is dependant on circumstances.
Joy is outside of life's circumstances.
Simon Barnett, 92 MoreFM
I could not have scheduled a more appropriate introduction to this week's topic - Joy! I count it no small coincidence that our guest speaker at church last weekend also discussed being joyful. Maybe God has something he wants to say about this topic...
To back up this thought that joy is above circumstances, let's look at Job, a man who suffered and complained much. He has some interesting comments about joy and happiness.
...that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off! Then I would still have this consolation-- my joy in unrelenting pain-- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.
Job 6:9-10
Here, Job would prefer to die rather than continue his life in suffering. And yet he acknowledges that joy is still present, because he refuses to forsake his God.
Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.
Job 7:7
Now Job comments on happiness. As opposed to joy, Job remarks how he will never be happy again because of his life's circumstances.
What a conundrum, seemingly - that one can be unhappy but full of joy!  Rather startling, isn't it?
So why? Why one and not the other? It is more than the circumstances of life that dictate, but also where the joy comes from. One could say they are full of joy for the passing of an exam, or the successful purchase of a new outfit, and yes, these can be such joyful occasions. But the joy of which Job and I are speaking, is the joy of the Lord.
Listen:
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
The joy of the Lord gives us strength! He makes us stronger to cope with life's disturbances with the fruit of joy. Joy is not some superficial face put on hardship. It is designed by God to carry us through the tough times. Thus when my ex-mother-in-law asked me if I was on 'calming pills' following the death of my husband, it was not only the peace of God, but His joy that ultimately sustained me, and allowed me to carry on.
This is a different sort of joy, than what man may define it as. The joy of God endures, unlike this picture of joy that is produced by man.
...that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment."
Job 20:5
And so, again in Nehemiah, it is reinforced where that joy comes from:
And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
Nehemiah 12:43
Now, perhaps the most important question would be: How do we maintain this joy. How do we rise above our daily hurts, strife, hardships and loneliness? How do we rejoice in the face of our debts or the unjust death of a love one?
Let's look again to some scriptures to see what God tells us in His word.
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
Psalm 4:3
So it begins with having a relationship with God. Call to Him when you're struggling and He will hear your cries.
But let all who take refuge in you [God] be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11
So God will be the sanctuary and protector of those who seek Him. In the cover of His armour, we are free to rejoice... by singing.
Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
Psalm 21:6
There are a couple of gems in this reference. 1. We are blessed, and blessed eternally. 2. We have the joy of being in His presence. Just being with Him, makes us joyful. So to keep joy in our hearts, we need to keep pressed into our Lord where he can cover us. There He can handle our woes, and give us wisdom to know how to deal with them. But only by being close to Him.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
Psalm 45:7
To fully examine the import of this scripture, one must consider the historical period and culture of the time it was written. Aromatic oils were expensive and
reserved for the rich and important. They were poured onto important people. Here, joy is raised above this precious commodity, it is more valuable. Why? Because of the decision to hate what is evil and raise up what is holy. So we can see that God's joy is an honourable gift; not some frivilous mechanism, but a true honour and privilege to own.
I am struggling on where to wind up. There is so much on the joy of the Lord. I could quote half the Bible and relate it to subject. But I am wary of quoting scripture after scripture.
I recommend that you embark on your own personal discovery of the joy that God has in store for you all.
Discover the freedom of dancing and singing, praising and playing musical instruments, shouting and waving flags. All elements of expressing God's joy. By expressing the joy, we create more joy. We honour God's name in this rejoicing and so He bestows even more. I truly hope you do research this wonderful fruit of Joy. In these days when the world is dark and full of evil, just having some joy can be one of the most powerful witnesses.
And, like me, you may be asked: "How do you cope?"
Be blessed and full of joy in Christ's name.
Next month is the final (or the first ) fruit of the Spirit - LOVE!
Thanks for your time! 
Till next month;
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Some interesting thoughts and insights into the fruits of the Spirit by Beth. 
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Puditat, you did another fine job in explaining another in the list of the fruit of the Spirit - peace. At any given time, we can have any combination of these, but it's when all are evident that we can really shine for Him.
Thanks for all that you do for this newsletter.
Blessings,
Kenzie 
Yes, Kenzie! *jumps excitedly* Oh to have it all, at all times. And it is achievable, with God!
Thank you so much for featuring My poem in your wonderful Newsletter! I really enjoy reading The Spiritual Newsletter, it is my favorite one.
Peace is so hard to find at time, but is so very necessary for our souls.
Sky
skyisfalling02
You're welcome for the feature and I am pleased that this newsletter is your favourite. All of the editors, I am sure, will be enheartened by your comments.
You have discovered the peace that passes understanding (NOT "the peace that passes human understanding," which is, after all, no great trick!) It can be with you in the midst of death and grief, and transports you beyond mere happiness which is transitory, into joy which is forever. My poem "Hear My Song" is on the same theme.
Perhaps you would also have a suggestion for me. I need review from pros, since that is my aim, and I am not too far from doing it. I don't really want to screen out kids, because I love 'em and want to support them; but is there anyway I can increase the number of reviews from real experts? Those who are publishing or editing professionally with some regularity?
revdbob
Your comments are great and tie in beautifully with this month's topic of joy, also.
To be read by 'experts' there are a number of ways you could go about this. You could search for a review group who specifically targets your genre or who are aiming at professionalism (e.g. Going Pro).
You could set up a forum asking for reviews in return for some reward e.g. GP's or return reviews. Another way would be to go to an author's port whom you think is a good reviewer and review some of their work. Include a link to one of your items at the bottom of the email and there's a good chance that the receiver will return the kindness. There must be heaps of other ways. Just be creative, keep reading and reviewing other's work (maybe the top 100 reviewers is a good place to start).
You will get all sorts of feedback, but you can easily set aside those that are more useful. The trick is to increase your exposure right across the site. Younger people often have some great insights into what we write.
"The peace that passeth understanding..."
Puditat,
There are many times, I just wish that peace would fall over me like a tent, seal itself and accompany me everywhere I go. No matter how boring, it would be more pleasant sometimes.
And, today, I know the difference. I will forward the story as to why. I just can't seem to live within 1,000 characters these days.
This is another wonderful newsletter. I almost wish for you to never run out of fruits of the spirit to write about. Thank you for reminding me to ask for added peace to the chaos surrounding me.
Thank you so!
AND
Hey Hon,
I just can't seem to work with characters. "Under 1,000 words," I understand which makes "1,000 character limit" a nightmare. I never, ever enter the
Writer's Digest Magazine" monthly "75 words or less" contests.
You helped me to remember different times where I have accepted or rejected the peace. It was wonderful that first time at church camp at 15, somewhere along
the way, I lost touch with accepting it. I am truly glad I eagerly accept it again.
When my brother died, those four long days at mom and dad's, I would walk and pray and I could feel it. Then I would walk back into the midst of my severly
dysfunctional family, my bubble of peace would burst and I would become a basket case. His death brought my desire to understand the depths of grief, study of it and my resultant expertise as a grief facilitator.
At dad's death, nine years later, I was able to accept the peace enough to drive hundreds of miles with three children and then back three days later, but in the middle, there was my family. Somehow my ability to hear God was always drowned out by them. It was dad's death that triggered my desire to step off the dysfunctional merry-go-round whether they wanted to go
with me or not!
Other deaths and trials have followed in those 17 years. Often, the peace He gives me is remarked-able by others who don't understand. It is not within my
power to grant them peace, but it is within my power to pray for it to be poured on them, if they choose to accept it, I know they can have it.
As for my family, we are of two different species now. Thank God for grace as I know when they decide to let Him be in charge, they can have it too!!!!
Thank you for last week's newsletter (or was it the week before, oh dear, where did I put my peace?)LOL
PastVoices
Thank you for sharing some of your personal history. Indeed, peace can often seem so fleeting and elusive. But imagine what it would be like without it at all!?!
However, His peace is always there, but sometimes events, people or illness makes it difficult to feel it. Nevertheless, it is still there. It does not go away just because someone is shouting at us. That is why it seems to come and go - but it is not the peace that comes and goes but our ability to discern and accept it. Learning to maintain it is a worthwhile and enduring endeavour.
Hi
I've been writing for awhile, but I've never really felt comfortable with anything I wrote, like it was wrong somehow.
I guess my question is if there is any limit to what a Christian author can write about? Can I still write about faries and other worlds?
alainal
A great question. It is, of course, up to each person. I suggest you weigh in your own heart what you feel comfortable with. For myself, I have no problems with fantasy. Fairies, elves etc are make-believe and I love writing about such things. I will never write about occult practices or characters in a good role. Witches and wizards are very much a reality in this world and I do not believe in opening myself up to making such things sound attractive and without harm.
{Note: Please, I do not mean to offend anyone, but these are my personal opinions and beliefs. I ask that anyone reading this would respect my right to those beliefs.)
Think about the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S.Lewis used different worlds and fantasy creatures to give the Gospel message. The Bible itself mentions dragons, beasts and all manner of creatures to describe the events of the last days (Revelation).
If you are feeling uncomfortable about what you're writing, I would advise you to think about why. Does your spirit tell you it's not right, or are you afraid that people will think it's not right?
Thank you for sharing your difficult story. When my Mom died I questioned my faith, so I didn't feel any of the peace you spoke of. Actually, I didn't let myself feel anything for a long time because I was afraid I would fall apart.
I have a question that might be a good newsletter topic: How do you learn to trust God again after a trajedy has shaken your faith?
megsie2584
Wow! A great topic. I will peg that in for use after this series I am on now. I can understand the bit about falling apart. I have been there, too. It took me a long time to learn to hold onto the peace. And I still waver. But instead of gut-lurching roller coasters of peace and no peace, it's more like a gentle swell between now.
Hello Puditat!
Thank you so much for sharing a tiny piece of your story with the readership of the SNL. Losing a husband at such a young age must have been horrific... it does my heart good to know that you had faith to see you through.
I love your editions!!! They always point at one of my weaknesses that needs work. Sadly, I'm not the peacekeeper in my family - my husband is, bless his
heart. And he's had to try and keep the peace a LOT. You have made me appreciate the man more than I have in awhile. I thank you for this too!
And finally, another thank you for highlighting my poem, "Hear My Child". It's been so long that I had to go back and read it myself.
Bless you, and keep up the excellent work!!!
~wind~
windac
Aw, sweety! Your humility is amazing. Everyone has different strengths. You do not need to be a peacekeeper to have peace. But I am glad, as always, that I am able to touch and/or encourage at least one person through my editorials. Oh, and I don;t mean to point out anyone's weaknesses, but to show them how to improve what little or much they do have.
This was a great message, and I have felt God's peace. Some people can grasp it easier than others. I don't know if you've ever done the Bible study on Dr. LaHaye's Spirit-Controlled Temperament, but he goes through the fruits of the Spirit, and focuses on which temperaments have great need of certain fruits, and which ones almost naturally exist within the structure of any one temperament. Father Abraham is the Phlegmatic, and this is the temperament which can most easily grasp God's peace. Others can also, but a total surrender to the Holy Spirit will help all make use of all of the fruits. I'll be going through the fruits in my blog. I had to take a brief hiatus, but I'll be back to it soon. God bless you.
Beth Barnett
Some interesting thoughts from a different perspective. I appreciate your input on the subject. It's nice to have a different voice to my own to look at. Naturally people can be stronger in one or several aspects/fruits, but as you say, they are all available to everyone.
~ ~
I am continually amazed by the feedback I receive to these issues.
I thank the Lord for all of you. Your support is a gift!
Puditat
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Spiritual: June 01, 2005 Issue [#395]
