{"id":3506,"date":"2017-12-18T00:10:17","date_gmt":"2017-12-17T23:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=3506"},"modified":"2017-12-18T10:48:52","modified_gmt":"2017-12-18T09:48:52","slug":"2017-advent-joy-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/","title":{"rendered":"2017: Advent Joy #2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\n(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)
\n <\/p>\n

SURPRISED BY JOY<\/em><\/p>\n

1 Peter 1:8-9<\/a>  (The Voice)<\/span><\/h3>\n

8<\/sup> Although you haven\u2019t seen Jesus, you still love Him. Although you don\u2019t yet see Him, you do believe in Him and celebrate with a joy that is glorious and beyond words. 9<\/sup> You are receiving the salvation of your souls as the result of your faith.<\/p>\n

Reflection<\/h3>\n

In his book, Surprised by Joy<\/a>, the Christian writer C.S. Lewis described, in semi-autobiographical terms, his faith journey; firstly the shift from atheism to theism and then his intellectual\/spiritual shift from theism to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n

What brings you joy in life? I don’t mean superficial happiness, but deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart, the same kind of transformational change that C.S. Lewis experienced?<\/p>\n

As a teenager interested in the world of science, I distinctly recall my faith journey from atheism to theism. I realised that scientific endeavour, while it found answers to life’s questions, could not answer all the questions. I realised that the ‘world’ of scientific discovery and reason would never fully satisfy my curiosity. A few years later, through the gentle consistent witness of a Christian family in the town where I grew up, I was led from theism to accept Jesus the Christ as my Lord and Saviour.<\/p>\n

Like C.S Lewis, I was ‘Surprised by Joy’. Since then Christ has been my companion in life through life’s trials and struggles as well as the moments of triumph and celebration.<\/p>\n

Praying the psalms<\/h3>\n

6<\/sup> Crowds of disheartened people ask,
\n\u201cWho can show us what is good?\u201d
\n Let Your brilliant face shine upon us, O Eternal One,
\nthat we may know the undeniable answer.<\/p>\n

7<\/sup> You have filled me with joy,
\nand happiness has risen in my heart,
\ngreat delight and unrivaled joy,
\n even more than when bread abounds and wine flows freely.<\/p>\n

8<\/sup> Tonight I will sleep securely on a bed of peace
\n because I trust You, You alone, O Eternal One,
\nwill keep me safe.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Psalm 4:6-8<\/a> (The Voice)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nXTRA XTRA XTRA<\/em>
\nChurch of Scotland Advent Calendar<\/strong><\/a>
\nJourney daily with characters in the Nativity through video, reflection and prayer\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)   SURPRISED BY JOY 1 Peter 1:8-9  (The Voice) 8 Although you haven\u2019t seen Jesus, you still love Him. Although you don\u2019t yet see Him, you do believe in Him and celebrate with a joy that is glorious and beyond words. 9 You are receiving the salvation of your souls as the … Continue reading “2017: Advent Joy #2”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13,14,99],"tags":[96,100],"class_list":["post-3506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-meditation","category-psalms","tag-advent-2017","tag-joy"],"yoast_head":"\n2017: Advent Joy #2 - Prayer matters<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What brings you joy in life - deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart like C.S. Lewis experienced?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2017: Advent Joy #2 - Prayer matters\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What brings you joy in life - deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart like C.S. Lewis experienced?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Prayer matters\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-12-17T23:10:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-12-18T09:48:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Andrew Gardner\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Andrew Gardner\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Andrew Gardner\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/038c9cff55e97f3aef062416d2e3ff27\"},\"headline\":\"2017: Advent Joy #2\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-12-17T23:10:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-12-18T09:48:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":368,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/73ccc5dd58556662821340064c0d24a4\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Advent 2017\",\"Joy\"],\"articleSection\":[\"bible\",\"meditation\",\"psalms\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/\",\"name\":\"2017: Advent Joy #2 - Prayer matters\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-12-17T23:10:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-12-18T09:48:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"What brings you joy in life - deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart like C.S. Lewis experienced?\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1\",\"width\":800,\"height\":600},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/2017\\\/12\\\/18\\\/2017-advent-joy-2\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"2017: Advent Joy #2\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/\",\"name\":\"Prayer matters\",\"description\":\"International Presbytery of the Church of Scotland\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/73ccc5dd58556662821340064c0d24a4\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/73ccc5dd58556662821340064c0d24a4\",\"name\":\"Irene Bom\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Irene Bom\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.irenebom.com\\\/prayer_matters\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/038c9cff55e97f3aef062416d2e3ff27\",\"name\":\"Andrew Gardner\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/1026d11515ec7d2d80902646e1caeae9a623270106b1081d157fec7b95ec513f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/1026d11515ec7d2d80902646e1caeae9a623270106b1081d157fec7b95ec513f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/1026d11515ec7d2d80902646e1caeae9a623270106b1081d157fec7b95ec513f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Andrew Gardner\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"2017: Advent Joy #2 - Prayer matters","description":"What brings you joy in life - deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart like C.S. Lewis experienced?","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"2017: Advent Joy #2 - Prayer matters","og_description":"What brings you joy in life - deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart like C.S. Lewis experienced?","og_url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/","og_site_name":"Prayer matters","article_published_time":"2017-12-17T23:10:17+00:00","article_modified_time":"2017-12-18T09:48:52+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Andrew Gardner","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Andrew Gardner","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/"},"author":{"name":"Andrew Gardner","@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/#\/schema\/person\/038c9cff55e97f3aef062416d2e3ff27"},"headline":"2017: Advent Joy #2","datePublished":"2017-12-17T23:10:17+00:00","dateModified":"2017-12-18T09:48:52+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/"},"wordCount":368,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/#\/schema\/person\/73ccc5dd58556662821340064c0d24a4"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg","keywords":["Advent 2017","Joy"],"articleSection":["bible","meditation","psalms"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/","url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/","name":"2017: Advent Joy #2 - Prayer matters","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg","datePublished":"2017-12-17T23:10:17+00:00","dateModified":"2017-12-18T09:48:52+00:00","description":"What brings you joy in life - deep-reaching and life-transforming change that brings gladness to your heart like C.S. Lewis experienced?","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","width":800,"height":600},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/18\/2017-advent-joy-2\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"2017: Advent Joy #2"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/","name":"Prayer matters","description":"International Presbytery of the Church of Scotland","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/#\/schema\/person\/73ccc5dd58556662821340064c0d24a4"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/#\/schema\/person\/73ccc5dd58556662821340064c0d24a4","name":"Irene Bom","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Irene Bom"},"logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e6cb38123f3f0db25e487520afc310f04816935f0795f0254ae6811317d0aa46?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/#\/schema\/person\/038c9cff55e97f3aef062416d2e3ff27","name":"Andrew Gardner","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1026d11515ec7d2d80902646e1caeae9a623270106b1081d157fec7b95ec513f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1026d11515ec7d2d80902646e1caeae9a623270106b1081d157fec7b95ec513f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1026d11515ec7d2d80902646e1caeae9a623270106b1081d157fec7b95ec513f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Andrew Gardner"}}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8u2Du-Uy","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3611,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/22\/2017-advent-joy-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":3506,"position":0},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #6","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Treacle - Lindy and Laurence's dog - source of much joy and exercise (Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS Philippians 4:4-7 \u00a0(The Voice) 4 Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord! I never tire of saying it: Rejoice! 5 Keep your gentle nature so that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3601,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/21\/2017-advent-joy-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":3506,"position":1},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #5","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 21, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY John 16:20 \u00a0(The Voice) 20 I tell you the truth, a time is approaching when you will weep and mourn while the world is celebrating. You will grieve, but that grief will give birth to great joy. Reflection The gospel of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3625,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/23\/2017-advent-joy-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":3506,"position":2},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #7","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 THE JOY OF THE ASSURANCE OF GOD'S LOVE IN CHRIST Romans 8:31-35 \u00a0(The Voice) 31 So what should we say about all of this? If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear? 32 If He did not spare His own Son,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3518,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/20\/2017-advent-joy-4\/","url_meta":{"origin":3506,"position":3},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #4","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) Celebrations and jubilations! This is the 100th post since starting the blog on 7 March 2017. \u00a0 MARY'S MAGNIFICAT JOY Luke 1:46-55 \u00a0(The Voice) 46 Mary: My soul lifts up the Lord! 47 My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator! 48 For though I\u2019m God\u2019s humble servant, God\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3514,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/19\/2017-advent-joy-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":3506,"position":4},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #3","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 JOY TO THE WORLD Luke 2:8-12 \u00a0(The Voice) 8 Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. 9 Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3499,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/17\/2017-advent-joy-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":3506,"position":5},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #1","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) On this third Sunday of Advent, we begin a new mini-series, this time on Advent Joy, featuring reflections by Rev. Andrew Gardner of the Scots Kirk in Brussels. YOU SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY Isaiah 55:12-13 \u00a0(The Voice) 12 For you will go out in joy, be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Andrew Gardner","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/andrew-gardner\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/\" rel=\"category tag\">bible<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/meditation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">meditation<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/psalms\/\" rel=\"category tag\">psalms<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)   SURPRISED BY JOY 1 Peter 1:8-9  (The Voice) 8 Although you haven\u2019t seen Jesus, you still love Him. Although you don\u2019t yet see Him, you do believe in Him and celebrate with a joy that is glorious and beyond words. 9 You are receiving the salvation of your souls as the…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3506"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3506\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}