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
Discussion
The Joy Lady: Each and every day is National Rejoice in the Lord Day
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The Joy Lady: What kind of promises does a God like ours deserve?
I should have known better. I did everything I could to make sure it didn’t happen, but it did anyway. I trusted someone — and when that someone didn’t do as promised, I was disappointed. I felt betrayed. How dare they not do what they said they would do?
- Church briefs: June 15, 2013
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Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has died
Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, died early this morning at her home in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it is being reported on the Sisters of Providence Facebook site.
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A night of prayer
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to another Taizé prayer event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to reflect on the joys and wonders of the river through prayer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 8, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Pull your wheels out of the Sunday morning rut
Go about five miles west of Guernsey, Wy., and you might fall into some ruts. During the Oregon Trail years, so many wagons traveled through the soft sandstone there that deep ruts were formed—some as deep as four to six feet.
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‘Prayer Warrior Mom’ author at Open Door Bookstore June 3
Author and speaker Marla Alupoaicei will sign copies of her new book “Prayer Warrior Mom” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, in The Open Door Christian Bookstore at 3125 S. Third Place, behind Honey Creek Mall.
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THE JOY LADY: Because Vacation Bible School is that important!
It’s that time of year again — Vacation Bible School time. Frazzled VBS directors are begging for teachers, song leaders and kitchen helpers. For VBS directors everywhere, let me offer some words of truth and encouragement.
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‘The Conscience Monologues’ at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
There is something moving and powerful in hearing a woman recount her story of faith and courage in today’s world. Plan now to attend a dramatic telling of more than 10 such stories during “The Conscience Monologues: Women’s Stories of Conscience within the Catholic Church” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 1, 2013
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South Vigo Congregational Christian plans memorial service
The South Vigo Congregational Christian Church and the South Vigo Cemetery will stage an annual memorial service at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the church at 6499 Darwin Road, West Terre Haute.
The public is invited to attend and share a poem, song or other sentiment. - RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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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.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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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.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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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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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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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.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
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.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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