“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and  each  will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are fellow  workers. (1 Corinthians 3:8-9)

JOY: A condition or feeling of high pleasure or delight, Happiness, gladness.

Galatians 5:21 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such there is no law.

The above characteristics are listed as virtues of spirit filled, Godly people. Paul wrote these instructions to the people of Galatia. These words are every bit as important to us today. These words instruct us in Godly behavior, and living these virtues is vital to a Godly marriage.

People of all religious persuasions practice marriage all over the world, it is a gift from God. Marriage is a gift to be treasured and carefully cared for.

Hence we have set aside a special day called "JOY DAY". July 28 is the special date chosen for "JOY DAY".

This is a day just for you, as a married man and woman, to set aside to renew your joy with each other, to remember the times past and anticipate the days to come as you walk ever closer together in God’s love.

"JOY DAY" is also a time of especial remembrance for those whose loved one has already gone home to be with God. It is a time to thank God for these special memories.

The "JOY DAY" concept is to be shared with your children, friends and neighbors as an encouragement with their marriages.

There is no such thing as ‘luck’ – there is ‘the grace of God’. It is with God’s grace that we can have this JOY.

We pray God’s blessing on you as you travel this road of JOY in Him, and in your marriage.

Where did the name ""JOY DAY"" come from, why the date of July 28?

July 28, 1929, in the little west Texas town of O’Donnell, after morning worship services, Jesse Williams married Ola Simmons in the Methodist parsonage. When Jesse and Ola passed away in 1992 they had been married for 63 years. These 63 years survived the Great Depression, the near death of Ola and their first born in childbirth, rearing three children in the church, living with a limited income. They saw all three children through college, a life of service in the church and community. They had the ordinary problems of living, they had great faith in God, and they found great JOY in their marriage.

As the first anniversary of their deaths approached, I was driving down Gessner, approaching the Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas. I was thinking of them and their 63 years. It just came to me.as a revelation: Jesse Ola and You = JOY. This was a way to honor Jesse & Ola, and a way to encourage you. The first year of "JOY DAY" brought a mailing just to the family and included a booklet of Ola’s recipes. The following years the mailings grew to include friends, neighbors and church friends. Currently about 250 mailers go out and 10,000 copies go out by way of email and the web page "ForOurLordJesusChrist.Org"

So much for history: The real prayer is for you right now and the JOY you share with your loved one. The real prayer for you right now is continued JOY in our God.

God, our Father, thank you for your wisdom in planning a special love for us and the family for us to live with. Help us, we pray, treat our families with love and grace, as you have done for us.

Amen