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![]() 'Celtic Cross in Stained Glass' (2018, 10x14 in.) an original watercolor by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson. Celtic standing stone crosses are common in Scotland, the land of his forbears, where the Picts were won to Christ in the 6th and 7th centuries. |
Established in 1996, JoyfulHeart.com includes scores of articles, stories, and meditations written by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson. A companion site, JesusWalk.com, features over 50 Bible studies.
Dr. Wilson publishes an e-mail newsletter Joyful Heart Newsletter 6 to 8 times per year via e-mail with encouraging articles, also promoting his more than 50 free e-mail Bible studies. The meditations from the newsletter are available as The Joyful Heart podcast.
Why don't you sample this site right now with a brief inspirational piece, a touch of humor, and the story behind America's favorite hymn. Feel free to use the articles you find here in your bulletins, newsletters, and sermons.
Many churches, evangelists, and disciplers are using JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey, a 12-week discipleship and spiritual formation curriculum, specifically designed for new believers.
The Joyful Heart Newsletter and Podcast
These are some of the more recent articles featured in The Joyful Heart newsletter, also included in The Joyful Heart podcast.
![]() Joyful Heart Podcast ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
- Peter Waldo: Radical Discipleship. The Joyful Heart, 2 September 2025. Traces the history of Peter Waldo (1140-1205 AD), who translated the Bible into the vernacular and then sought to live out Jesus' commands, with his followers, the Waldensians, no matter what the cost. He was a proto-Protestant who lived three centuries before the Protestant Reformation.
- Children of God (1 John 3:1a). The Joyful Heart, 18 August 2025. Explores the amazing truth that we are called 'children of God,' in the light of our sin and undeservedness.
- Why Did This Happen to Me? (Genesis 50:20). The Joyful Heart, 23 August, 2025. Considers God's working unknown to us to mold us and prepare us for future ministry and events, worked out through trusting Him.
- What Is a Bible Study Journal? The Joyful Heart, July 5, 2025. Defines a Bible study journal, lists benefits, and outlines steps to begin a journal.
- A Certain Quality of Listening (Mark 4:23-25). A meditation on the vital importance of listening carefully to Jesus. Joyful Heart Newsletter, June 26, 2025.
- More articles can be found here.
Categories of Articles, Stories, and Meditations
Stories about Jesus -- how he treated people and what he taught
- Christian Maturity -- growth steps
- Encouragement for you--everyone needs an uplifting word
- Pointing people a step closer to Jesus Evangelistic articles.
- Building a stronger congregation for Jesus. Articles for church leaders and workers.
- The Lord's Supper. Meditations on Jesus' Last Supper, communion, the Eucharist.
Church Planting -- tips and perspectives
- My Scholarly Side -- Beware! These are heavily footnoted
- Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, and St. Valentine's Day -- winsome stories and articles
- Great Christian paintings
- About the Author
- Bible Study online. Questions and expositions are available.
Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.