Do you have a JOYful attitude?

Philippians 2:5   "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."
Let's take just a minute to think about Christ's attitude.  The scriptures tell us that: 

• He made Himself nothing
• Took the very nature of a servant
• Humbled Himself
• Was obedient unto death

That's a tall order, isn't it?  Can we have the attitude of Jesus?  Only if God is in complete control!  Many people have accepted Him as "Saviour" but have forgotten to allow Him to be "Lord" over their lives by allowing Him to have complete control.  We are not puppets on a string; God won't MAKE us do anything.  But if we relinquish control...complete control....we will begin to see the "fruit of the Spirit" in our lives: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  When this crop of fruit grows in your garden of life, then you'll be exhibiting the "attitude of Jesus"!!!!!

Three JOYful Celebrations

The older I grow, the more I realize that the reasons for celebrations are MANY and varied! This past weekend, Pat and I participated in three different kinds of JOY.
Beginning on Thursday night, we joined our special friends, Janice and Jim Carlisle, for a celebration dinner!  Pat and I had birthdays and anniversary last week, but the REAL reason we wanted to celebrate was that Janice had received a JOYfully great doctor's report!  She's been battling cancer since the first of the year and her latest PET-CT scan was CLEAR!  No more chemo!!!!!  Praise the Lord!!!! God has---once again--- shown Himself faithful!!!!!!
On Friday afternoon, Pat and I headed toward "Hot"lanta, stopping in Macon to pick up Alison.  We joined the whole family on Saturday for a day of FUN, FUN, FUN in celebration of Papa Pat's 60th birthday.  The children had planned a JOYful day of golf, great food (mmmmmmm CHEESECAKE) and a Braves game.  They even reminded the Braves to WIN in honor of their dad!  Of course, one of the highlights of the weekend was being with all four of our GRANDchildren! It was a sweet family celebration of JOY!
Then on Sunday, we experienced a JOY that was bittersweet...the celebration of life service of our dear friend, Betty Shrouder.  So many people loved this dear "Proverbs 31" woman.  And her life can be an example to us all.  The reason we could experience JOY admist the heartache of losing her, is because we KNOW that she is JOYfully celebrating in Heaven!  She is with Jesus and will spend eternity basking in the JOY OF THE LORD!
Three different celebrations, but all from the the same Creator!  Indeed, HE is the Giver of all JOY!

Tribute of JOY: My friend, Betty Shrouder

My friend, Betty, has battled cancer for over three years.  Yet each time I've had the pleasure of visiting with her since her diagnosis, I have been filled with a sweet indescribable JOY!  Though she would answer questions about her health, Betty would always turn our thoughts to something that would bring joy to the conversation.  No matter how sick she was, she had a smile tucked away to pull out at just the right moment.
Betty went home to be with the Lord yesterday. And though we will miss her greatly, we know that Heaven is where she would rather be.  No more sickness!  No more pain!  Continually praising the Lord and His awesome goodness!!!  Betty would say that she is the one who is blessed.   I know in my heart that she is praising Him...I KNOW because she never stopped praising Him on earth!
On Wednesday morning as soon as I awakened, I felt a prompting in my heart (I'm sure it was the Holy Spirit) to visit Betty.  I had heard that she was out of ICU.  She was in a regular room at the hospital and could have visitors.  WHAT A GIFT I received that afternoon!  We shared memories, laughter, hugs & kisses and.....most especially, a time of prayer together.  The whole time I was praying, Betty was whispering, "Lord, help me to continue to praise you in all things."  She said that over and over and over!  What an example to this ole friend and to her family as they were gathered near her bedside.
So this morning, as I write this post, I, too, choose to PRAISE GOD for all the JOY He has poured out into so many live through this precious lady, Betty Shrouder.  Father, may her life remain an example to each us to "continue to praise you in ALL things"!  That's the key to having the JOY OF THE LORD in your heart--- regardless of your circumstances!

Today I'm Spelling JOY: P-A-T

Patrick Mitchell Ashley....the love of my life!  When I first met him, he was a Cub Scout in my brother's Den.  He didn't know I existed! I was merely his friend's little sister! But he grew up and so did I---and in high school we became sweethearts.  On August 26, 1972 we became husband and wife!  That was 38 years ago TODAY! I wish I had time and space to recall all the JOYful times we've shared through the years, but let it suffice to say that I have never regretted our decision to "become one".  Many sweet memories we share---some that make us laugh out loud when we recall them; others that bring tears to our eyes.  You see, every day has not been a "happy" day, because life brings with it difficulties, struggles and trials.  Yet, God has been faithful and "His grace is sufficient" in all circumstances!
The two of us have "grown" into eleven!!!!  What a JOYful blessing!  And I really don't think we're finished "growing" yet!  We are finding that this stage of life is the GRANDEST because of those precious GRANDchildren...and the opportunities that God continues to give us to share His JOY with others.  What more could we ask?
As I end this post, I do so with a grateful, JOYful heart! God blessed me with a Godly husband who I REALLY enJOY "doing life" with!  And just in case he's reading: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and HAPPY BIRTHDAY (yep! birthday, too!)  to my favorite hubby of JOY!   

Joy Juice on my BIRTHDAY!!!!

JOY---that's what I'm experiencing on my birthday!  JOY from the simple things.....that birthday kiss and card I got from my sweet hubby before he left for work this morning; the treasured opportunity to spend a little time with my mom this morning as I accompanied her to a doctor's appt; the precious Dora the Explorer birthday card I received in the mail from those adorable grandchildren; the many birthday wishes I read on my Facebook page; the beautiful rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung to me over the telephone by my favorite daughter......and on and on and on!
My heart overflows with JOY because God has richly blessed me with the important things in life.  Family, friends and a relationship with Him!  Since Wednesdays are when I usually post a JOY JUICE devotional, I hope you enjoy this one relating to birthdays!!!!  My birthday wish for YOU today...is MUCH JOY IN THE LORD!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It's the perfect drink to serve at your next party!
All of us have experienced the excitement of a young child's birthday party.  It makes me smile just to think of all the giggling and laughter and shrieks of pure delight! They love the balloons, cake and ice cream---and can hardly wait to tear into the beautifully wrapped presents! 




Let's compare that excitement to our relationship with the Lord.  Shouldn't we be celebrating each new day praising Him for His goodness and mercy and grace?  So often we take for granted His many gifts that He freely and lovingly lavishes on us.  He invites us to a party of sorts.

Each new day is an unopened gift.  Let's ask Him to help us untie the ribbons and experience abundant joy today as we allow Him to walk with us every step of the way.   "Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17  So enJOY the gift of today...and don't forget to serve lots of JOY JUICE as you invite others to your party!!!

Drowning in JOY

Do you ever feel so overwhelmed with God's goodness that you just don't know how to express your gratitude?  Seems that lately I have just had an abundance of blessings and I know that I've done nothing to deserve them!  I told someone that I've had so much JOY JUICE poured out into my life that I feel as if I'm "drowning in JOY"....and I guess that's a good thing if---when I "drown", I die to SELF! 

It's human nature to be selfish and focus on what WE want.  But that's not what Jesus did!  He put ALL of us before himself....every last sinner!  He gave His life for us.  What sacrificial love!  Philippians 2:4-5 reminds us:
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

The attitude of Christ....that's an attitude of humility, a servant's heart, generosity, sacrifice.....and, of course, JOY!!!

Two JOYful Cinderellas

My heart is bursting with JOY this morning!  God continues to pour out His JOY JUICE into my life!  Many times I feel so unworthy of His love and continued blessing.....and I DO know that I have done NOTHING to earn His love.  It's freely ours.....just for the taking!  AND I'm taking!!!!!  This weekend was another example of feeling "lavished in His love"!  "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

Our first stop Saturday morning was in Macon at the home of  "Cindawella".  Our "Princess Naomi" thoroughly enJOYed her 3rd birthday!  WE ALL DID!  There were princessess and princes running everywhere!  And the castle cake was BEAUTIFUL and DEEEEEEELICIOUS!!!!!  Mommy (and Daddy) did a great job with every little detail to make sure that Naomi had a special day!  And she did!  I'll post some pictures soon on my facebook page!

After that grand celebration, Papa Pat and I were off to Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA.  We had been invited to come as guests of my doctor in Macon...requesting that I come and speak to a group of doctors (and their spouses/families) at a banquet he was hosting at the Ritz!  YES!!!  THE RITZ CARLTON!!!!   Now, I FELT LIKE CINDERELLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was excited---yet apprehensive, joyful---yet nervous about sharing with the group of highly educated professionals.  They were attending a weekend symposium related to the treatment of heart problems.  The only reason I was invited is because I am a "success story"!  Dr. Sogade did a procedure on my heart several years ago and I AM DOING GREAT!!!!!!!  I was given the opportunity to give my testimony and share my faith about how God used this doctor in my life to correct a problem with my heart.  Now, I have "pep in my step" and BUSY sharing the JOY of the Lord!!!! Woohooo!!!

My experiences at both these events brought JOY to my heart! How different each of these "venues" were! At the birthday party,  I knew everyone there!  They loved GiGi and accepted me for just being me!  What a PLEASURE being with my family.  At the second event, I knew NO ONE except Pat and Dr. Sogade!  I wasn't sure they would accept me, because in many ways I am different from them. But.......an amazing thing happened!  (Friends & family were praying and I sensed God's peace and JOY in an indescribable manner!) The doctors and medical professionals were so open and receptive........and accepting of this ole country gal!  Afterwards many, many of them came and talked with me, filling me with words of encouragement and thanking me for my time of sharing my "heart" with them. What a blessing!  And now I have "new friends"!  You know I love that!

All of this lengthy post is just to say: WHERE GOD IS, YOU WILL FIND PEACE AND JOY!!!!!  God was with a little 3 year old "Cindawella" and a much older "Cinderalla" this weekend!  And we BOTH experienced much JOY!

Princess of JOY

Saturday promises to be a day overflowing with JOY!  It's our precious granddaughter's 3rd birthday and we are all gathering to celebrate our little "Princess Naomi".  She has requested that Queen Mommy make her birthday cake in the shape of a castle.....so King Daddy and Prince Nathan have gotten in on the fun and created a family masterpiece!  Of course, this had to be done while Prince Jude and Princess Naomi were asleep! :)
What fun memories!  For the children and the parents...and the grandparents, too!
How often we forget that we are all truly "royalty"!  Our Father is The King!!!!  And He has adopted us into His family.  That makes us heirs of the Kingdom!  And ONE DAY we will spend eternity with The King of Kings!
Now THAT will be a party none of us will want to miss!!!!!!!  What a day, glorious day that will be!!!!!

How 'bout a JOYful giggle today!

A mom and her young son were walking through the woods, enjoying nature and the mother decided to seize the "teachable moment."  
"Son," she said, "do you realize that God made every little wildflower, every tree, every blade of grass, every single leaf?"
"Yeah!  And He made it all with his left hand," the little boy responded.
"His left hand?  Where did you get that?" the mother surprisingly asked.
"From Sunday School!" her little son informed her.  "My Sunday School teacher read it straight out of the Bible.  It says that Jesus was sitting on God's right hand!"

:) :) :) Have a JOYful day....and don't forget to enJOY the beauty of God's creation!!!!

Today's JOY JUICE

Each Wednesday I will try to post the JOY JUICE radio devotional airing for that day.  You can always tune in and listen, Monday through Friday, on the following local stations: Douglas WDMG 97.9 at 7:00 a.m.; Fitzgerald WRDO 96.9 at 7:15 a.m.; Tifton/Douglas area WKZZ 92.5 at 7:20ish a.m.; Hazlehurst WVOH 93.5 around 8:15ish a.m.; and in Valdosta WAFT 101.1 at 10:00 am.  All messages are archived on www.realradio969.com.  Just click on the JOY JUICE icon on the left side of the page.

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Savor its taste as it hits your tongue and as you swallow it deep into your soul!

If you had to guess what was the most powerful instrument ever known to man (and WOMAN), would you have a clue?  Let me give you a hint!  We all have it...and it's behind our lips and between our teeth.  YES, it's our tongue!

Our tongue can build up or it can tear down.  It can encourage or it can defeat.  The words we speak affect people more than any other action we take.  Don't believe for a minute that little children's poem: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!"  It's just NOT true!

No wonder Proverbs gives so much instruction on how to use our words! The 25th verse of Proverbs 12 tells us that "an anxious heart weighs a person down, but a kind word cheers him up."

Do your words cheer those around you?  Are you spreading the JOY of the Lord?  God wants us to edify, encourage, teach others that they are of great value in Him.  When we make a conscious effort to do this, our JOY JUICE will pour out onto others---and this makes our Father JOYful, too!

A JOYful love!

Do you remember when you first fell in love?  I'm not talking about "puppy love"....I''m talking about REAL LOVE...the kind that you feel all the way down to your toes?!  You can't stop thinking about him, you dream about him, you LIVE to be with him!!!!!   Next week Pat and I will celebrate 38 years of marriage, and I still remember that "first love" bubbling up in my heart.  (More about that another day!)

I, also, remember the "first love" exhilaration of falling in love with Jesus!  Though I'd been brought up in the church and accepted him as my Savior at 8 years of age, I don't think I truly understood what it meant to make Him LORD of my life until several years later.  It was in my young adult years that I truly fell "in love with Jesus" on a personal level!  

In Revelation 2:4 the scripture speaks of abandoning/forsaking your first love.  Today, let's examine our hearts and determine if our love for HIM is still just as exciting and passionate as it was when we first met Christ. Have we let other things like relationships, jobs, careers, worldly success, and activities keep us from REALLY spending time with Him?  If you love someone, you WANT to spend time with him, right?  Sooooo, how much time have you spent with Jesus today???  Maybe we need to fall in love with Him all over again!  Let's not forsake our first love.....He certainly has not forsaken us!!!

Hummingbird of JOY

As I was preparing a message for an upcoming event, I came across an analogy that really caught by attention! The writer talked about two kinds of birds that fly over our nation's deserts....the hummingbird and the vulture.  All the vultures see is the rotting meat of the dead animals scattered across the desert floor---that's what they are looking for! They thrive on that diet.
BUT the hummingbirds ignore the smelly rotten flesh of the dead animals.  Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants.  The vultures live on what WAS.  They live on the past.  They fill themselves with what's dead and gone.  But the hummingbirds live on what IS.  They seek new life.  They fill themselves with freshness and life.  Each bird finds what it's looking for!
So, which are YOU?  A vulture or a hummingbird?  Do you dwell on the past, refusing to turn loose of the hurts from yesterday or the things that "should have been"?  Or are you a JOYful little hummingbird looking for newness of life?  Each day is an unopened gift, given to us by the Father.  Open it expectantly and you will be filled with the JOY that comes from a personal relationship with HIM.

Fun, JOY-filled FRIDAY

Some days are so busy that we just don't have time to really catch our breath. Don't you agree?  And I LOVE to stay busy!  BUT today promises to be a little more relaxed and filled with a SPECIAL kind of JOY!   My sweet daughter, Alison, is home and we are just enJOYing "chillin" together.  We don't have anything on our agenda; we are in our comfy clothes...not worried about hair and makeup.....just taking the day as it comes and talking about what's on our hearts.  We will surely laugh a lot and maybe even shed a tear or two.  We feel free to be completely open and transparent with one another....that's the beauty of a special relationship. And that brings us both a special kind of JOY.
As I write my blog this morning, I cannot keep my thoughts from going to the truth that GOD wants us to have "special days" with Him.  It doesn't matter how we're dressed or if our hair is combed......or even if we've brushed our teeth!  He just longs for us to "BE" with Him. I can promise you, if we will take the time to bask in His presence, opening our hearts to Him----sharing our most intimate thoughts and desires---we will experience a JOY "unspeakable", as Peter describes it!
Soooo, my prayer for each of you, my blog friends, is that you will have a fun, JOY-filled weekend as you spend time with your Special Friend, Jesus!

A Tidbit of JOY

As I was reading Sheila Walsh's book Bring Back the JOY,  I came across a powerful little statement I MUST share with you today.  Sheila writes:
"Joy is not a new burden to pick up and drag around.  You can't go out and work on joy.  We are called to rest in the One who IS joy!"

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4


Be reminded that we are called to rest in Christ because without Him there is no fruit, no joy! 

 

Your Personal Serving of JOY JUICE

Have you had  your JOY JUICE today?  Let's talk about one of the most powerful instruments ever known to man....and WOMAN.....the tongue!  Our tongue can build up or it can tear down.  It can encourage or it can defeat.  Don't believe for a minute that there is any truth to the little children's poem that says: "Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."  It's just NOT true!

No wonder Proverbs give so much instruction on how to use our words!  The 25th verse of Proverbs 12 tells us that an anxious heart weighs a person down, but a kind word cheers him up!

Do your words cheer those around you?  Are you spreading the joy of the Lord?  God wants us to edify, encourage, teach others that they are of great value in Him.  When we make a intentional effort to do this, our JOY JUICE will pour out onto others---and this makes our Father joyful, too!

A little JOYful fun!

I received a JOYfully fun message from one of my former students, Londa Paulk Alderink, who God has brought back into my life! PTL! What a JOYful blessing and encouragement she is to me!!!  She is now alllll grown up and has a beautiful family of her own...AND she works for Zondervan!  At present she is working on a project that I am sooooo happy to tell you about!!!  Londa invites us to:  "Visit http://www.facebook.com/l/33c16;www.fashionmeetsfaith.com/contest to find out about a fun contest I planned and am executing for Shari (Braendell) to promote her book. You can share it with all your blog followers--which I am one of now--if you would like!"

Shari Braendell is a beautiful woman of God who inspires women to realize their true beauty.  She talks and writes about:

• What to wear and how to wear it
• Modesty isn't an old fashioned word
• Beauty starts on the inside and works its way to the outside.

Click on the link to find out more about Shari's new book, Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad.  You might even win some super-duper prizes!         Fashionmeetsfaith
(As a side-note, I had the privilege of meeting Shari personally at the SHE SPEAKS Conference!  She is awesome!!!!  You will LOVE her book!!!!) 
 

JOY Transfusion

Some days do you feel like you need a JOY TRANSFUSION?  We can all take a lesson from Paul as he wrote his JOY-filled letter to the Christians at Philippi!  Sixteen times in these 104 verses, the theme of JOY is woven into this uplifting little book!  And where was Paul when he wrote this letter????  IN PRISON!!!  Chained to a Roman guard!
How many of us feel "in bondage" today?  Chained to hurtful memories of the past; nursing our anger and bitterness!  Paul demonstrates that we DO have a choice!  We can CHOOSE JOY!  Now, I didn't say we could choose our circumstances....but we can choose how we react to those circumstances!
May I challenge you to read the whole book of Philippians in your quiet time for the next few days?  You may just find that JOY TRANSFUSION that you are needing so desperately! "Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say REJOICE!"  Philippians 4:4

:)

Have a JOYful weekend!

JOYfully Serve

We talked a lot this past weekend at SHE SPEAKS about "serving". Do you find yourself really desiring to "serve"?  Jesus had a servant's heart.  If we are becoming more like Him, then our heart should be JOYfully ready to serve others....and in doing so, we serve our Lord. But HOW and WHEN and WHERE do we serve?  Where-ever God places us!  In our homes, in the workplace, in the community....we can and should "serve" everywhere we go.
Let's not get caught in the trap of comparing ourselves with others and think that we should be JUST LIKE him or her and "serve" in the same way.  God has called us individually and He has a plan for each of us .  But my purpose is not the same as yours.  You have different strengths and abilities than I do...so use those as God leads.  Close communication with HIM is of utmost importance if we want to be in the center of His will as we serve! 
Here's my JOYful challenge to each of us today:   "Serve the Lord with gladness!"  Psalm 100:2

Bits of "JOY" from SHE SPEAKS

Yesterday I promised that I'd share more JOYful morsels that I savored at the SHE SPEAKS Conference.  Let me explain briefly what SHE SPEAKS is all about.  It's a conference held in Concord, NC which is put on by "Proverbs 31 Ministries" in which 600 women (608 this year) of the same heart and desire----Christian speakers, writers and women's ministry leaders---receive teaching, inspiration and networking experiences.  It was a JOYfully blessed weekend.  There is much worship and prayer that takes place before, during and after each of these conferences!!!
Lysa TerKeurst is President of "Proverbs 31".  She delivered several OUTSTANDING messages, challenging us to be all that God intended us to be.  In her first talk, she reminded us that our REACTIONS determine our REACH!  In other words, if we react in an "ungodly" fashion...with unkind words, anger, gossip, etc.....then we will NOT reach people for Christ.  Instead of responding quickly, we should pause so the Holy Spirit will have time to speak to our heart.  In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat "resolved to inquire of the Lord."  We, too, should ALWAYS "resolve" to inquire of the Lord before we speak, before we act, and....especially, before we REact!!!! With God's help, let's resolve to react with the JOY of the Lord!

Your Special Serving of JOY JUICE

I feel led today to post a devotional from my radio outreach JOY JUICE.  I will try to do this about once a week.  If you hear a particular message that you would like for me to post, feel free to let me know and I will JOYfully do so! More tomorrow about what I learned at SHE SPEAKS!

Have you had your “Joy Juice” today? It surely does help our day to start out more JOYfully!

Do you ever have days when it seems that you get up on the wrong side of the bed and everything that could go wrong, does!  On those days, don’t you wish we could just go to the refrigerator and pull out a good, cold bottle of Joy Juice?  After a few swallows, ours problems would miraculously fade away and we would be filled with JOY. Don’t we wish?  But….we don’t live in a fantasy world.   We live in the REAL WORLD….with real problems, real stresses, real aggravations.  We need to realize, however, that many of our problems are made worse simply because of our attitude.  Now I’m not saying that all of our problems will disappear if we simply have the right attitude.  But I am suggesting that we DO have a choice about how to react to our circumstances. If we develop a prayerful, joyful attitude---depending on God to guide our thoughts, our actions, our REactions---then He will give us the strength and wisdom to handle whatever may come our way. Philippians 4:4 reminds us to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice!”  Now that’s the kind of JOY JUICE we all need!

Reflections from SHE SPEAKS

I am still trying to process the MANY things God showed me this past weekend through gifted speakers, excellent break-out sessions, new friends with the same heart and passion for spreading the JOYful news, and the quiet time I spent alone with HIM in the prayer room. Over the next few days I will try to put some of those "revelations" and "reminders" in my blog.....sharing with you, my reader, as well as documenting for myself!  I am a "grannie" you know (GiGi is my name!) and sometimes I DO have senior moments!!!!

       Karen Ehman gave a dynamic message on Sunday morning that just keeps resonating in my heart and thoughts!  "Since WHEN did I sign up to be an AVERAGE Christian!?"  In her unique, humble yet inspiring way, Karen challenged us/ME to go beyond what most Christians think is "enough".  MORE OF CHRIST....not necessarily more events, activities, acts of service....MORE OF CHRIST!  Through her message I was challenged to spend more time with HIM, to memorize more scripture so that I will have His Word hidden in my heart, to bask in His presence and listen to Him rather being "Chatty Cathy" (which is my nature! :) ) 

         How beautifully this truth fits in with Lysa Terkeurst's Bible Study that I have just completed with the gals at my church: "Becoming MORE Than A Good Bible Study Girl".  God just wants MORE of US....Gotta go!  I hear my Father whispering....and I don't want to miss out on anything HE wants to say!

HE Spoke at "SHE SPEAKS"!

I had the privilege of attending my second SHE SPEAKS Conference by Proverbs 31 Ministries this past weekend.  One of the things I was challenged to do was....BLOG!  So here goes...this is a learning process, but one I'm JOYfully anticipating as a great learning process!  If perchance you stumble upon my blog, feel free to make suggestions! 
      I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.........I KNOW I CAN THROUGH CHRIST!!!!