We have grand National Days — like Independence Day celebrated with fireworks and food and Thanksgiving Day celebrated with football and way too much food. We have special National Days—like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, President’s Day, etc. We even set aside days to celebrate trees (Arbor Day), the planet (Earth Day), changing seasons (Groundhog Day), and our Stars and Stripes (Flag Day).
We also have other types of “special” days. Days with unique purposes and very unique celebrations. For instance, did you know that Jan. 10 is also National Laughing Day? However, I doubt there is much laughter on Feb. 9, National Toothache day. YUCK!
National Pretzel Day is April 26. Sorry I missed that, for I do love a hot, soft pretzel smothered in cheese, even if it might hasten my “celebration” of National Toothache Day. May 4 is National Star Wars. May the Force be with you. Just this week, most of us missed that Sept. 19 is National Talk Like a Pirate Day. I missed a great opportunity to greet everyone with an “Ahoy, Matey!”
But, thankfully, I found out just in time to share with all of you that today, Sept. 22 is a special day. Yep. We can begin celebrating. Get out the banners, spread the news, “pack up the babies and grab the old ladies and everyone go” to the nearest…well…um
…elephant. That’s right folks, today is National Elephant Day.
I don’t know who started it, or even where and when it was started, but National Elephant Day is upon us. I read that in Florida there are National Elephant Day celebrations that include elephant painting—both painting an elephant and paintings by elephants. (What?) I wonder, are zoos in the know creating special elephant exhibits and shows? Are there baby elephant petting zoos cropping up in high-traffic tourist areas? Are ceramic elephants being offered at special prices in discount stores across the country? I wonder. Just how does one go about celebrating National Elephant Day?
I don’t know about all of that, but here’s one thing I do know. To a Christian, every day is a day to celebrate. No matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, each day contains joy for a Christian. Maybe not each day is a happy day, for happiness depends on our circumstances and not all circumstances are happy ones. But each day for a Christian contains joy.
For those of us whose citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), Psalm 118:19-24 has special meaning: “Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord … for You answered me; You have become my salvation … and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Folks, if that passage doesn’t light your fire, then your wood is plumb wet! Each and every day is National Rejoice in the Lord Day.
Let the celebrations begin!
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at VrdSpeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
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Verna Davis
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The Joy Lady: Each and every day is National Rejoice in the Lord Day
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
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THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
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THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
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THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
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THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
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Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
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THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
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African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
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THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
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Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
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