Introduction and Purpose

Hello! I'm attempting to make this blog something that might be helpful in some way to you as you read... First of all: Why this title?

1)I have found that there is an unsurpassed joy that comes from knowing God and His Word (see Psalm 19:8- and multiple verses in Ps 119 that tie in joy and Scripture).

2) There is an exhortation in Colossians 3:1-2 to "set our minds on things above" which we do most notably when we think, ponder, and treasure Scripture. This pondering is not something that is done in a mechanical and reluctlant way, but with thankfulness and wholehearted joy as a response from God's great regenerating work.

3) There is such a push from our surrounding culture to pursue joy in other things than Christ and His Word. Most of these "things" pass away, but in Matthew 24:35:"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
Also: 1John 2: 15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh andthe desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And( the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

4) There is a sinful nature component of me that is not done being saved (the process of sanctification- or being made more and more like Christ). This sinful nature, or flesh does not delight in God's Word , and actually gravitates toward a suppression of God's Truth as my "old self" did in Rom 1:18. Check out the drastic contrast in Rom 7:22: "For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members."
So, therefore I need the constant reminder of great promises from the Lord like
Isa 26: 3:
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

5) I would love to be characterized as a man who takes great joy in God's Word. Or, if I was if at my funeral, and my children were required to give an eulogy in describing their father, they would say something to the extent of the man in
Psalm112:1
Praise the LORD. [b]
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands."
Wow. I know that I am far from this man the Psalmist is describing, as my wife can easily testify. But I love and long to be like this. Think about it. Fearing the Lord... Taking great delight in God's Word.
-Fear of the Lord: Check out Prov 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
-Also: Taking great delight in God's Word: Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
I remember a friend and I in Graduate School were talking through things, and we were thinking:"Can't Scripture and joy almost be put in a graph where it is in a linear fashion?" As if: the more we know and live God's Word, the more joy we actually experience in Him. It may not always be a joy manifested in what the world would call as joy (i.e. financial prosperity and fame). After all, God lead Paul and Silas into a Roman Dungeon. But if we could just have a touch of their joy as they sang in that dungeon, wouldn't the world somewhat stop and think: What is their joy all about?
There are so many other points to make concerning a delight in Scripture. Any thoughts? Or Comments?
Chris