I suspect that most of us reading this blog could tell a story about being lost. I’m not talking spiritually right now, I’m talking in the physical. It’s funny about being lost. You never realize it until you have that moment of “epiphany.” (Usually defined as a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.) There are, of course, lots of thoughts that accompany that “epiphany.” Such as: “What was I thinking?” “I told you not to turn this direction!” “If you had listened to me instead of that GPS we wouldn’t be sitting here right now!” “How hard would it have been for you (me) to ask directions?” “If you had been paying attention instead of talking on your cell phone!" Etc., etc. ... Emotions tend to rise up as soon as we experience that “epiphany”. Emotions such as: frustration, anxiety, blame, anger, confusion , fear, and helplessness to name a few. After all those things we settle down to rethink our decisions that got us lost and begin the process of getting back on track. Sometimes we can figure it out on our own and other times we have to call someone for help.
Easter Sunday morning as I was journaling during my quiet time, the following dawned on me about Easter. I had been journaling word statements about what it meant to me that He Is Risen! They were going something like this: Our Hope, Our Sovereignty, Our Strength, Our Provider, Our Rock, Our Redeemer. But then these two word statements rose up out of me, “Our way home,” “Our way back to the Father.” Before I had even lifted the pen from the pages I was moved by those last two statements. Had I ever really thought of The Resurrection in that way? I had thought of it from the standpoint of His return to the Father. I had thought of it from the standpoint of our salvation. I had thought about it in as many ways as we do think about it. But, I had never thought about it in those simple, tender words of truth, “our way home” and “our way back to the Father.” Our way home because it is the “only” way home for a lost person, and back to the Father because Adam and Eve had cost us our relationship with our Father in the garden. But the resurrection gave us the choice to have it back. When we are lost in the physical and/or in the spiritual, there is nothing like “finding the way home.”
Next week I will be sharing with you about our next conference which will take place this fall. So, be praying as I prepare the details to share with you. This is somewhat of a unique opportunity and I want to be clear in my communications about it.
Have a blessed week and remember... If you know someone that experienced the power of the resurrected Savior through the Easter Holiday, please make sure to welcome them home!
Love you all,
His,
Vickie
Weekly comments from Vickie Arruda, founder of Pure Joy International. Keep up to date on what is going on in Vickie's life and the life of the ministry
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Voices...
This past weekend my great nephew had his first t-ball game. If you are a parent you either remember those days, are in those days, or are looking forward to them (if your child will be playing ball someday).
Our team went to bat first. The young man hit the ball off that tee with gusto as it rolled heartily past the pitcher and over second base. Immediately, the voices rang out, “Run!” Which he did... towards the same direction the ball went. (Ha,ha,ha,ha) Which made the voices ring louder, “Run to first, Run to first, Over here, Over here!” You could see the little guy experiencing sensory over load from all the voices which became nothing more than noise to him. Then finally, he saw the coach and heard his voice above all the noise and made it to first! Priceless!
My other favorite moment came when another one of our players hit the ball and all the voices started their chant of, “Run, Run to first” as the little guy just stood there in a daze looking at everyone. I could imagine it was like in the movies when you see the people’s mouths moving and their hands waving at a ballgame but the sound has been muted. Almost as quickly as all this was taking place, one of the batting coaches scooped him up underneath his (our little batter) arms and carried him to first base. Again, priceless.
I suspect we experience the sensory overload of voices some days in our life. Whether it is coming from our own self-talk, others (spouse, kids, family, peers, the world) and/or the enemy and his lies. I believe those voices can also leave us dazed and overwhelmed. When that happens, seek Him, listen for His voice and trust/know that He has you. Even if He has to pick you up and carry you to first.
Psalm 105:4 (ESV)
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 34:4 (ESV)
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 9:10 (ESV)
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 34:10 (ESV)
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:19 (ESV)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
....fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
May your week be blessed.
His,
Vickie
Our team went to bat first. The young man hit the ball off that tee with gusto as it rolled heartily past the pitcher and over second base. Immediately, the voices rang out, “Run!” Which he did... towards the same direction the ball went. (Ha,ha,ha,ha) Which made the voices ring louder, “Run to first, Run to first, Over here, Over here!” You could see the little guy experiencing sensory over load from all the voices which became nothing more than noise to him. Then finally, he saw the coach and heard his voice above all the noise and made it to first! Priceless!
My other favorite moment came when another one of our players hit the ball and all the voices started their chant of, “Run, Run to first” as the little guy just stood there in a daze looking at everyone. I could imagine it was like in the movies when you see the people’s mouths moving and their hands waving at a ballgame but the sound has been muted. Almost as quickly as all this was taking place, one of the batting coaches scooped him up underneath his (our little batter) arms and carried him to first base. Again, priceless.
I suspect we experience the sensory overload of voices some days in our life. Whether it is coming from our own self-talk, others (spouse, kids, family, peers, the world) and/or the enemy and his lies. I believe those voices can also leave us dazed and overwhelmed. When that happens, seek Him, listen for His voice and trust/know that He has you. Even if He has to pick you up and carry you to first.
Psalm 105:4 (ESV)
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 34:4 (ESV)
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 9:10 (ESV)
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 34:10 (ESV)
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:19 (ESV)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
....fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
May your week be blessed.
His,
Vickie
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Easter is only a few weeks away ...
As we begin our journey to remember
the cross this Easter we will see the normal things that take place every
year. People that have not been to
church since Christmas and/or Easter of last year will come through the church
doors. Church people will put their
signs out in their yards inviting people to the Sunday Easter Service. Others will verbally invite someone to church
because for some unknown reason it is ok to invite people to church on Easter
Sunday and/or Christmas without feeling uncomfortable about doing so. Children, along with many adults, will be
dressed up in the colors of spring. A
sense of celebration will be in the air.
Grills will be fired up with hamburgers and hotdogs accompanied by Easter
Egg hunts in many parks and back yards.
However, Monday following Easter life
will go back to usual for most and the celebration will be over till next
Easter. Why? Why is this so true for so
many in the body of Christ! Because, we
lose sight of what the power of the cross and the resurrection means to our
daily lives!
Just to remind us... Here are just a few of the basics: Eternal life, a new heart, a new identity, a
new foundation to build our lives on, a bank account of forgiveness, and the
list is endless! Please consider, for a
believer Easter should be a climax celebration of living out these truths that
proclaim the victory and hope that are ours daily from year to year.
Ephesians 2:8-9
(ESV) For by grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a
result of works, so that no one may boast.
John 3:16 (ESV) For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have
eternal life.
2 Corinthians
5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed
away; behold, the new has come.
John 1:12-13
(ESV) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 Corinthians
3:11 (ESV) For no one can lay a
foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Thank you to those that I have talked
with about where God would lead us in the fall.
We will be meeting as a staff the second week of April to talk more
about the opportunities and to seek His will.
Have a Great Week!
His,
Vickie
Friday, March 10, 2017
Would you consider...
Earlier this week on the way to the office, I was deeply impressed to pray for a friend that I had not really had much contact with in a while. She attends my church and I see her from afar on Sunday mornings. We smile and say hi, and move on.
After lifting her family up in prayer, I sent her a short text message telling her that I felt impressed by God to pray for them and wanted her to know He had led me to pray for them.
She quickly wrote me back sharing with me that I had no idea how timely that text was. I am reminded how much the enemy tries to keep us distracted with the things of this world so we are not sensitive to the person of the Holy Spirit giving us direction through the day. How many times during the day would God use us to step up and walk alongside someone, if only for a few meaningful steps to encourage them because He see and knows their struggle, journey, needs, etc.
How amazing that God sees all and directs us, His vessels, to show up on His behalf. Nothing is more exciting than to know we are being used by Him, for His Glory.
Take time to quiet your soul (mind, will, and emotions) today from the distractions of this world so you can hear His voice through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Someone may have a need that God would like to meet through you, His vessel.
Praying that we walk beside one another more often instead of running ahead or behind.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
Also, would you join us in praying about where He would have Pure Joy International to serve Him in the Fall of this year? Thank you so much. And if you sense it is in your part of the world, please contact me.
Blessing to you this upcoming week.
His,
Vickie
After lifting her family up in prayer, I sent her a short text message telling her that I felt impressed by God to pray for them and wanted her to know He had led me to pray for them.
She quickly wrote me back sharing with me that I had no idea how timely that text was. I am reminded how much the enemy tries to keep us distracted with the things of this world so we are not sensitive to the person of the Holy Spirit giving us direction through the day. How many times during the day would God use us to step up and walk alongside someone, if only for a few meaningful steps to encourage them because He see and knows their struggle, journey, needs, etc.
How amazing that God sees all and directs us, His vessels, to show up on His behalf. Nothing is more exciting than to know we are being used by Him, for His Glory.
Take time to quiet your soul (mind, will, and emotions) today from the distractions of this world so you can hear His voice through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Someone may have a need that God would like to meet through you, His vessel.
Praying that we walk beside one another more often instead of running ahead or behind.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
Also, would you join us in praying about where He would have Pure Joy International to serve Him in the Fall of this year? Thank you so much. And if you sense it is in your part of the world, please contact me.
Blessing to you this upcoming week.
His,
Vickie
Friday, March 3, 2017
No Words...
What an incredible time we had with all the ladies in Central Europe! Everyone always ask about the trips and how they are different. Wish I could explain that to everyone but I can't. Each is uniquely its own entity.
What I personally enjoy is the different themes God gives us for each trip. He Knows All and the messages prepared around the theme touch many lives.
Thank you all 600 plus people that were part of the Central Europe trip! Praying, gifting, giving and going!
Now, we look ahead to where He is leading us for our next trip. I know it is hard for some that we don't just pick a country and go. However, God has seriously taught us He will lead. His timing is perfect! Our next trip on the books is Spring Eastern Europe 2018. I do believe we will be in one or two other locations before that but we are waiting on Him.
I want to give a big shout out for all our contact people in our local churches! Thank you for doing your part so well!
Have a great weekend and remember to "Consider Your Ways"! Haggai 1:7.
His,
Vickie
What I personally enjoy is the different themes God gives us for each trip. He Knows All and the messages prepared around the theme touch many lives.
Thank you all 600 plus people that were part of the Central Europe trip! Praying, gifting, giving and going!
Now, we look ahead to where He is leading us for our next trip. I know it is hard for some that we don't just pick a country and go. However, God has seriously taught us He will lead. His timing is perfect! Our next trip on the books is Spring Eastern Europe 2018. I do believe we will be in one or two other locations before that but we are waiting on Him.
I want to give a big shout out for all our contact people in our local churches! Thank you for doing your part so well!
Have a great weekend and remember to "Consider Your Ways"! Haggai 1:7.
His,
Vickie
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Day 8 Athens Greece...
We are on the last leg of our flight from Atlanta to Arkansas as I write this blog (Sunday Night). The other team members are headed to Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee respectively.
For those of you reading this, that attended the conference, what a sweet time we had with our LORD.
I have asked Mary to post some more pictures of our last day with the women. Enjoy!
His,
Vickie
For those of you reading this, that attended the conference, what a sweet time we had with our LORD.
I have asked Mary to post some more pictures of our last day with the women. Enjoy!
His,
Vickie
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Day 7 Athens Greece.....
We finished up our last day with the ladies. It has been an incredible week! It is always hard to leave the ladies at the end of the week wherever we are! Only God can knit hearts together so quickly and sincerely.
We are all packed up and waiting for the bus to the airport to pick is up at 2:30 a.m.
Everyone is excited to get home to families! Please pray for safe travels for all!
Below are some picks if our final time with the ladies.
His,
Vickie

We are all packed up and waiting for the bus to the airport to pick is up at 2:30 a.m.
Everyone is excited to get home to families! Please pray for safe travels for all!
Below are some picks if our final time with the ladies.
His,
Vickie

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