About

At Joyful Moments in Christ, you will follow one Christian woman as she follows Jesus and journeys to find joy and contentment in her Christian life.

As Christians, we are told that we should find our joy in Christ, but this often seems like an elusive goal that slips through our fingertips. Life can take unexpected turns where sometimes joy is found naturally and other times it needs to be sought. Regardless of external circumstances, the goal is to discover ways to find joy and contentment as we follow Jesus.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

In addition to resources that explore joy and the pursuit of Jesus, this website also offers a growing collection of materials for English language learners. You can find these resources on the ESL English Lessons page.

Founder of Joyful Moments in Christ

Jennifer is the founder of the Joyful Moments in Christ website. She enjoys discussing and thinking about various Bible topics, both for native English speakers and for English language learners. Her hobbies include swimming, cooking, crocheting, traveling, and writing.

Statement of Faith

I believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. This can be further expressed in the following words of scripture:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

I believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. This can be further expressed in the words of the Apostle’s Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Apostle’s Creed

I believe in the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, while still allowing for difficult conversations. This can be further expressed in the following words of scripture:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV)

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV)

Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables…One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind…Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother…So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Rom. 14:1–2, 5, 13, 19 (ESV)

Bible Translation

This website primarily uses the English Standard Version (ESV).

For material designed for English language learners, the Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) or the Good News Translation (GNT) is primarily used.

If you prefer to use a different translation of the Bible, simply click on the passage link and customize it to your preferred version.

The good news is that I have permission to use the ESV Bible on my website as long as each blog post uses less than 50 verses, no more than 50% of any given book of the Bible, and less than 25% of the total words in the blog post! I am also allowed to use 1-3 verses on my non-commercial images that I publish on social media, as long as I label them with (ESV). I love that I have permission to use this wonderful version of the Bible on my blog!

English Standard Version (ESV): Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

I also have permission to us the ERV Bible on my website for educational purposes as long as each blog post uses less than 50% of the total words in the blog post. I am also allowed to use the scripture in social media posts. It is amazing to be able to use an easy to read Bible on my blog for my English language learners and other people who prefer easy English!

Easy-To-Read Version (ERV): Scripture quotations marked (ERV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION ©2006 by Bible League International. Used by permission.

In addition, I have permission to use the GNT Bible on my website for my English language learner Bible studies on Luke. This is another fabulous Bible that is accessible to English language learners!

Good News Translation (GNT): Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

In posts that would violate the restrictions granted above, and on some of my earlier posts, I use the World English Bible (WEB). The WEB is known for its exceptional quality and modern language, plus it has the added advantage of being in the public domain, and therefore free from copyright restrictions. Some of the phrasing is a little more awkward than I would typically like, but it is one of the best translations legally available to me when I would otherwise violate the restrictions given to me by other copyright permissions.