Unexpected Gifts of JOY

Do you go through your day EXPECTING joy?  Or are you so focused on the "busyness" of your schedule that you forget that God is looking for ways to surprise you with His gifts of JOY?

Just today....a common, ordinary day....I have received several "gifts" from the Father!  And if you think about it, you probably have, too!  Here are just a few of my "personal gifts" that I've opened this morning:

• A gorgeous Fall day, complete with sunshine and cooler temperatures
• A phone call from a friend with expressions of love and encouragement
• An unsolicited comment regarding my JOY JUICE radio broadcast from someone I've never met before!
• Scripture which "spoke" a personal affirmation regarding one of my heart-felt prayers.

I could go on, but I think you see the point.  Things that we many times take for granted are really GIFTS of JOY from the Father.  Do we thank Him for those gifts?  We certainly should!  I think the key to JOY is having a grateful heart, don't you?  So begin looking for your personalized gifts right now!  You may be surprised at how often God slips a beautifully wrapped package your way!  Don't forget to JOYfully say: "Thank you, Lord!"

Raining Down JOY

Now, if you're like me, you are JOYfully thanking the Lord for the rain today!  In South Georgia it's been weeks since we've seen even a sprinkle!  But God in His infinite wisdom decided to send the refreshing rain today.  And now we look forward to a cool, autumn weekend!

Just as the earth gets dry and needs replenishing, so do we spiritually, if we don't continually drink The Living Water!  Sometimes we go for days without reading from our Bible and studying His Word.  And how many times do we forget to go to the "Well" of prayer?  The Bible teaches that we should pray without ceasing!  Do you know what happens when we don't?  We become dehydrated.....spiritually.  That's detrimental to our health.

Our prayer today should be: "Lord, rain on me! Open the floodgates of heaven and rain your JOY on me!"

Here are beautiful lyrics to Michael W. Smith's song:

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven
Repeat
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory
We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?
Lift your voices, lift your hands!
Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

Today's Serving of JOY JUICE---Vitamin "B" Style

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Don't forget to take your Vitamin "B" with your juice this morning!  Matthew 5:5 says: "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth."

This Beatitude addresses MEEKNESS.  What exactly does it mean to be "meek"?  Meekness is an attitude of the will.  It's more than obedience.  It's resting, leaning, trusting, abandoning yourself to the Lord.  Meekness is NOT weakness.  Just the opposite!  It's being so strong in your faith that you are willing to submit your will to God's.

John McAuthur writes: "Our world has trouble with the concept of meekness.  People associate happiness with success, power, confidence and conquest.  Jesus' kingdom is for those who are meek."

He goes on to explain, "The Greek word translated 'meek' means mild, gentle and soft.  A meek person is gentle, tenderhearted, and patient.  Meekness is a by-product of humbling one's self before God.  It is the taming of a lion---not the killing of it."

If you take this "B" Vitamin faithfully, you will notice a calming effect on your life---and others will notice, too.  It will help you to live a life of self-control and submission to God.  "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth"......AND EXPERIENCE JOY!!!!!

Believing in JOYful Miracles

Do you believe in miracles?  I know we all believe in those we read about in the Bible.  But do you really believe that miracles still happen today?  THEY DO!!!!  The problem is, we don't look for them, we don't pray for them, we don't expect them. 

Author Bruce Wilkinson says our thinking usually falls into two categories when it comes to miracles.  The Land of Signs and Wonders....which only a few people are privy to....and the Land of Good Deeds.  Most of us would say that we often fall into this latter category.  It's not wrong to be in either of these "lands".  We do believe that Jesus caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, turned water into wine, fed the five thousand...etc.,etc. AND we have heard of a few astonishing miracles taking place even today.  That's what happens in the Land of Signs and Wonders.  Then in the Land of Good Deeds, we Christians are always recognizing needs around us and fulfilling them.  That's GREAT!  But not ALL that God wants to do through us!!!!!

You see, there is another "land" called the Land of Everyday Miracle Territory (according to Bruce).  This is where we give ourselves totally to God EVERY DAY and ask Him to accomplish miracles through us!  We believe in HIS POWER, not our own.  All He is waiting for is our submission and willingness.  We must be attuned to His voice and be ready to risk....stepping out on faith even when it doesn't make sense!

Are you willing to be used of the Father as His "delivery agent".  He wants to deliver JOYful miracles in and through each of our lives.  I BELIEVE.....how 'bout you?

As you read this post today, would you be willing to post about a time when you KNOW God worked a miracle in your life or used you in someone else's life as a delivery agent of a miracle.  What an encouragement it will be to others as we share about why we believe in God's JOYful miracles!  Come on!!!  Who will be the first to post? 

JOY in the Midst of Heartache

I had a sweet friend to call me last night and share her heart with me.  It's always so inspiring to hear how God uplifts and sustains His children...especially during the "dark" moments.  This precious friend has recently been through the illness and death of her beloved mother.  You know that had to be a tough time for her.  She and her mom were very close.  But because both of them had personal relationships with the Lord, they could find JOY in the midst of the storm.

I want her to tell you her story in her own words, so when the time is right, we will post it here on my blog.  But until then, be assured that there is NOTHING you will ever have to face that you'll have to face alone.  God has promised never to leave us or forsake us...that's a promise!  And God never breaks His promises.

Remember: JOY is not always about "happiness".  Happiness depends on what's "happening"....our circumstances.  JOY depends on our RELATIONSHIP with Christ!  And as Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us: "The JOY of the Lord is our strength!"  (Even in the midst of UNhappy times!)

Whatsoever Things are JOYful

You could guess that my favorite book of the Bible is the book of Philippians....I tell people that often---maybe have even said it in my blog before.  It is such a powerful little book of JOY!  I just can't seem to get enough of it.  I find myself reading and reading and re-reading the verses, as well as trying to memorize them, so that I can "hide it's words in my heart".

A "light bulb" went on in my spiritual thinking the other day.  I really think that since I have been soaking in these verses of JOY, God has blessed me with MORE JOY!  The more I read, the more strongly I believe and then the more confident I am in our GOD of JOY!  No where in the Bible does He promise us a life of complete happiness....but He promises us over and over again that He will always be with us and that we can "count it ALL joy"!

You see, what we put into our minds, comes out through our words and our actions and our attitudes.  If we think critical thoughts, then critical words spout from our lips!  If we focus on how badly we feel, then all we'll do is complain about our ailments! (May I share a little secret with you?  NO ONE LIKES TO HEAR ABOUT OUR AILMENTS...unless it's your doctor and he's getting paid to listen!!!!!!!!!)

In other words, instead of focusing on all that's wrong---instead of watching those "worldly" tv shows and movies---instead of reading the latest steamy romance novels, let's meditate on Paul's wisdom in Philippians 4:8 so that we can be sisters (and brothers) of JOY!

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."       


^{For some EXTRA good reading, pick up your Bible and read the JOYful book of Philippians!!!}

Royal JOY

Romans 8:16-17 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ."

Do you realize what this means?!!!  We are God's children...daughters and sons of The KING!  That means we are royalty....Princesses and Princes.  It's kinda hard to wrap your brain around, isn't it?  All that our Father owns is our inheritance.  Talk about riches untold!

When we think about riches and treasures on earth, we don't know anything compared to what it's going to be like in Heaven!  Can you imagine spending eternity with Christ?!  Oh, what a JOYful thought!  That's the reason it's imperative that we come to know Him as our personal Savior and Lord!  And that we share that "Good News" with others.  You may be the only "Bible" that some people read.  Are they reading about Jesus when they look at your life and see how you react and respond to the daily struggles?

RESPOND WITH JOY!!!!  And reflect His love, His grace, His mercy. That's exactly what He wants His princesses and princes to do!  We can JOYfully live each day on earth and JOYfully anticipate our homegoing...... "For great is your reward in heaven!"  Now, go out and live like ROYALTY!

Today's Serving of JOY JUICE (Devotional)

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  And have you served some to others?

Most of us can easily recall someone in our past who was a positive influence on our lives.  They served JOY JUICE constantly to others by "letting their light shine before men"...living out that verse is Matthew 5:16.

When it's your turn to go "home"...to heaven...to spend eternity with Christ, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?  I'm sure that many of you are like me and want to leave a Godly legacy for our children, grandchildren and all who are under our sphere of influence.  Wouldn't it be great if they were able to say that we did let Jesus shine His JOY through us continually and because of that, they came to know Christ in a personal way?

Each of us can and should reach out to others with the love of the Lord and be obedient to His leading.  When we see a need that can be met, when someone is hurting and needs a friend to listen, or when we are given the opportunity to share the "Good News" of Jesus with others, we should DO IT!  That's how to let our lights shine!!!

Be on the lookout today for that person whose body language tells you they need a friend.  Look for physical needs that God can meet through you.  You can "shine" simply by giving someone a kind word and a smile.  Whatever God lays upon your heart, be sensitive and allow Him to work through you.  THAT'S the way to leave a legacy of JOY.

More JOYful Friends

Short blog today.....I'm on my way to the JAX airport with a friend to pick up MICCA CAMPBELL who will be speaking at the First Baptist of Douglas GEMS Banquet tonight!!!  I had the privilege of meeting Micca two years ago and am blessed to be able to call her "friend".  (She wrote an endorsement for my "JOY JUICE" book!)  Sooooooo, I'll see ya later and have more to post next time, I'm sure!

Have a JOYful day!!!!!!!

Friends Bring Such JOY

If it's one thing that I believe I'm "rich" in....it's GOOD FRIENDS!!!  I realize that is SUCH a blessing!  God has placed in my life just that right balance of friends who encourage me and love me....and those who keep me accountable.

Often my friends do something unexpected that pours JOY into my heart!  Like this morning....first thing, I got a text from one of my technologically savvy friends that told me to check out our church website!  She'd put a page on the site (for me) allllll about our upcoming "EnJOY the Journey: PRINCESS OF JOY" Conference coming up in March!  Now, WHAT A BLESSING that was to me.  Because, you see, I'm "challenged" in that area!  What she did with seeming "ease", would have been quite "painful" and maybe even impossible for me! :)

Isn't it neat that God partners us with people who lift us up?  He knows just what we need, when we need it and WHO can be His delivery agent.  That just fills my heart with JOY!  I think I know what Paul was talking about in Philippians when he wrote, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all of my prayers for all of you, I always pray with JOY because of your PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL......"

You see, my friend willingly, unselfishly, lovingly and graciously took the time to help because of her love for the Lord!  She "partnered" with me knowing where she could help the most....and she didn't wait until asked....Like Nike', she just DID IT!  Oh, what a JOYful blessing!!!!!

If you'd like to go onto our church website and see the "EnJOY the Journey" page, go to
www.ebcdouglas.com.  Click on the "EnJOY the Journey" tab at the top of the page!

Oh, by the way.......Mark your calendars for March 18 & 19 for a JOYful weekend in the Lord!!!!!!!!

Quiet JOY

Today has been a day of quiet JOY....seeking God's face, studying His word, asking for guidance as I prepare for upcoming speaking engagements.  It's not real often that I have a whole day of quiet, but God knew I needed it today.  And I'm sure I need it more often than I allow!

It's in the quiet times that we can hear God's voice best.  He speaks through His word, through the prompting of the Holy Spirit and sometimes through another person to confirm what He's been saying to you already.  Let's pray for each other that we will seek more quiet time with him.

Now, I'm off to dinner with my sweet hubby, my mom and my brother!  QUIET TIME OVER!  :)

JOYful Memories from the Past

We have the very BEST neighbors in the whole wide world!  We've known each other.....well....all my life!  They have been there in the happy times, as well as the sad.  They truly are the epitome of what the word "neighbor" is supposed to mean.

Yesterday, the "grandpa" of the family (who is not much older than Pat and me!) rang my doorbell.  When I saw it was him, a smile came to my face, because anytime anyone in their family comes, it's a JOYful treat!  He'd come to "share"....as he so often does.  He handed me a large gallon bag FULL of shelled peanuts and with a smile said, "With the holidays coming up, I thought you might use these to make peanut brittle and such."

I was thrilled with his "gift", but even more than that, his simple act of kindness flooded my heart and my thoughts with JOYful memories from the past.  As I reached to take the package, I had to blink back bittersweet tears.  I told him that he reminded me so much of my daddy because up until just a few years ago, it was my dad who would always show up on my doorstep with a big bag of peanuts for the holiday cooking season!  Tears slipped out of the corners of my eyes as I thanked him....not only for the tangible gift, but also for being a part of MANY JOYful memories in my family's life.

Next week is the anniversary of my daddy's "homegoing".  It's been six years....and though I miss him greatly, I am grateful for the countless wonderful memories I have of Daddy.  I'm sure I'll write a tribute on my blog later, but just for today I'd like to remember with heartfelt joy the blessings of my dad's giving nature, his positive outlook on life, his corny jokes that we still like to tell and laugh at today.....and SOOOO much more.  Top of the list of his great qualities was that he loved God with all his heart, soul and mind!  And he did consider others better than himself!  What a legacy he left behind! 

"Precious memories, how they linger...."   JOYful memories, indeed!

A Serving of JOY JUICE---In Your JOY Kitchen

                            THIS WEEK'S JOY JUICE DEVOTIONAL

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It's made from an old family recipe!

When preparing a meal, it's wise to use a tried and proven recipe in order to enjoy a delicious end product. If not, we could have a flop!  The same is true of us spiritually.  We decide on a recipe for our day which may include getting up early to have a "quiet time" with God.  But when the alarm clock goes off, we are just tooooo sleepy! So we hit the "snooze" button....telling ourselves that we'll find time during the day for our Bible reading and prayer.

When we do get up, it's too late to follow the "recipe" we'd planned, so we rush to get dressed and get to work, school or to an appointment.  About mid-morning we think we've found a few minutes to spend time alone with God, BUT then the phone rings or something unexpected changes our plans for the rest of the day. 

"Oh, well!" we think.  "I'll just do my devotional time tonight."  Nighttime comes and we realize that our FAVORITE television program comes on!  We've been waiting all week to see the continuation from last week's episode.  After the program, we get our bath and crawl into bed with our Bible, fully intending to read, study and pray.  But before we know it, we're fast asleep!

Lesson learned: It's best to follow your recipe!  "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8
Find your special recipe and follow it faithfully so that you can enjoy a delicious, JOYful day in the Lord.

Why not cook up a delicious recipe of JOY and serve some to all those God brings into your JOY KITCHEN?!

From Dread to JOY

It's that time of year again....flu shot season!  Years ago I began to get the flu shot each fall due to working in the school system and being around so many "sweet" little germs and germettes!  It's one preventative measure that I think is worth the time and effort.  But I have NEVER looked forward to getting the shot!  There has always been that sense of "dread".

This morning Pat and I decided that it was time!  He was working "in town" today, so we'd just go together and get "shot".  The wait was not THAT long, but long enough to start thinking things like: "Will it make me feel bad?"  "Will my arm be sore?" "Wonder if I'll run a little temp.?"  In other words....I started DREADING that infamous FLU SHOT!  To divert our attention, we talked about as many other things that we could think of, but in the back of my mind the dread was obviously swinging it's fists.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ashley," the nurse called us back together!  She was such a JOYful, kind-hearted nurse...doing her best to make the experience as pleasant as possible.  It took all of one minute for her to "work her magic".  I hardly even felt the needle go into my arm.  And Pat didn't cry, either! :)

What an analogy of how we let our thought life take over and direct us down the wrong path many times.  How often do we dread what MIGHT happen, only to find out that it was not anything like we'd expected.  Many of our circumstances can be filled with JOY, if we'll just trust the Lord to be in control and not allow the enemy to cause us to dread, fret and "be anxious".  When we relinquish every area of our lives to HIM, then we will go from "dread" to JOY!  And that's a much nicer place to be!

Simple JOYS

Papa Pat and I had the JOYful pleasure of having two VERY IMPORTANT guests this past weekend to spend some time with us!  Nathan (4 yrs)and Naomi (3 yrs) came to see us and we had a blast! For those of you who are on facebook, go to my page and see pictures.  And I can guarantee that you won't be able to tell WHO had more fun....the kids or their grandparents!

What a blessing to be able to enJOY the simple pleasures of life with our grandbabies! They teach us so much...about what is truly important in life.  Things like hugs and smiles and laughter and ice cream! :)

Though we took them Friday night to a small circus in town.....and they had a really good time......they seemed to like even more getting to Papa and GiGi's house so that they could play and just "be" with us.  On Saturday, we stayed busy doing things that didn't cost a penny!  We fished, we picked cotton, we rode on Papa's tractor and the lawn mower, we visited MeMa (my mom), we played with their daddy's old toys that we had kept over the years.  We even found a "vintage" dress hanging in Aunt Ali's closet that JUST FIT Naomi!  She wore it home and was soooooooooooooo proud of it!

Just a little summary of our weekend to let you know that I was once again reminded that JOY comes in the simple things!  The simple truth that Christ died for EACH of US should make our hearts burst with JOY!

JOYful Blessings from Westside

Yesterday I mentioned that I'd been invited to speak last night at a wonderful church in a Fitzgerald...Westside Baptist.  Once again, God "awed" us with His JOY and His care to "details".  Though I knew very few of these ladies, I immediately felt "at home" with them.  That's how God works!  When our hearts are in tune because of our love for Him, then we have that "supernatural" bond and experience the JOY of Christian sisterhood.  This sweet spirit was evident from the time I pulled into the parking lot throughout the whole night of fellowship and Bible study.

I gave you a summary yesterday of the message God had laid on my heart. We "planted" our fall gardens last night, talking about the kinds of seeds that God wants us to grow in our daily lives.  I used the passage of scripture in Luke 8 in which Jesus tells the parable about planting the seeds. WELL......what I did not know, but God had perfectly orchestrated, this was the passage they had used in VBS this summer and still had their walls decorated down the hall of their Sunday School wing with "gardens".  They were familiar with the passage, but God shed a new perspective on the verses....from a woman's point of view.  He had prepared our hearts and our minds to receive His message! Ain't God good?!

As I was leaving, two of the sweet ladies were walking me out and I had to laugh out loud when one of them said, "That was the kind of message where I wanted to look around and point fingers, but then I realized that the finger would be pointing at ME!" :)  The other quoted one of my illustrations and said, "But God, I didn't hear you calling those first three times!"   God can use such simple examples to speak to our hearts, can't He?  BUT we must be willing to listen...and obey!  This dear lady had "heard" Him!

What JOY floods my heart to know that God spoke to the hearts of each of us last night!  All of us could use some help in planting the right seeds in our gardens, right?  Let's call on the Master Gardener to help us harrow away the weeds and bad seeds, to prepare the soil and choose carefully the right seeds, and then depend on Him to give us the JOY JUICE with which to keep it watered. That's when our gardens will produce an abundant crop of JOYful fruit....the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT!!!

Thanks, again, Westside Sistas, for such a sweet time of worship with you last night!  And thank you, Father, for bringing more JOYful sisters into my life. I'm looking forward to "gardening" with all of them!

Planting Seeds of JOY

I have the privilege of speaking tonight at a ladies' event at a church in Fitzgerald...Westside Baptist.  I'll tell you more about that JOYful experience tomorrow!  You see, I'm EXPECTING JOY!  Anticipating God to pour out His JOY JUICE onto us.  I think that's the key to finding JOY many times!  You have to be looking for it.  Often we focus on the negatives instead of all the good things that God has done and is doing for us.  So, I've become determined to focus on the JOY of JESUS!

My message tonight has to do with planting the seeds of JOY in our "Fall Gardens".  We can't do this alone.  We need the MASTER GARDENER to show us how.  And we need fellow gardeners to help us when we fail or grow weary.

We must plant our gardens with the right attitude....the attitude of Christ. (Philippians 2:5)
Also imperative in the gardening process is to use the right tools...one of the most important is that tool we call our tongue.  Are we using it to plant the seeds which produce the "fruit" of the Spririt?
At times we must put our agenda to one side and help someone in their garden.  This takes humility and selflessness.
Don't forget to plant that seed called "obedience".  John 14:15 tells us: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

Okay....so that's my message in a nutshell! To hear the "full meal deal", come on to Westside tonight at 7:00!  It would bring us much JOY if you'd join us!  Even if you can't come, please remember to be planting your seeds of JOY in your garden of life...DAILY!

Today's Serving of JOY JUICE (Devotional)

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It's a part of God's plan for you!

Before you were even born, God knew everything about you!  That's hard to comprehend, isn't it?  I don't even pretend to understand...other than---HE IS GOD!

In Jeremiah 1:5, God tells us that: "Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you.  Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work." He designed us for a purpose!  He gave us unique abilities, talents, interests and gifts...all to be used for HIS glory.   Are you fulfilling His plan for your life?  The Bible repeatedly tells us to "serve the Lord with all your heart".  If we are serving Him, then we will be sensitive to the needs of others and ways we can serve them.

Rick Warren tells us in his book The Purpose Driven Life: "For Christians, service is not optional, something to be tacked onto our schedules if we can spare the time.  It is the heart of the Christian life."

Mother Teresa once said: "Holy living consists of doing God's work with a smile."  I think what she meant by that is that serving God brings much JOY to your life!  Are you overflowing into others' lives today!?
                                            SERVE WITH JOY!

My Sisters of JOY

May I tell you just a little bit about my "Sisters of JOY"?  They are on my heart this morning, because I spent such a sweet, special time with them last night at church.

"Sisters of JOY" is the group of ladies in my church who gather together periodically to pray, study God's Word, go on trips together to ladies' events, and simply enJOY the fellowship of other Christian women.  As always, last night was such a fun time!  You can always tell when we "sistas" are together, because there is LOTS OF JOY and laughter.  I truly believe that this is "an offering of joy" to our Lord...a delightful way to worship Him!  He wants us to laugh, to "be JOYful always"; to "rejoice in the Lord, always; and again, I say: REJOICE"!!!!

If you don't have a group of "sisters" that you can depend on to share the highs and the lows, the laughter and the tears, the hard work and the fun....then start asking God today to lead you to that group!  Oh, what a JOYful support system!  EVERYONE needs Christian sisters to confide in, to pray with, to encourage, to provide accountability in our walk with the Lord....and of course, to BE JOYFUL with!

Thanks to MY "Sisters of JOY" for being such an important part of my life! And thanks to God for bringing you into my life! I love you....each and every one! Indeed, God pours out His JOY JUICE into my life through YOU!

A JOYful Autumn Day

Don't you just love the change of the seasons?  I sure do!  The Lord knew that we would tire of the hot weather of summer and would enJOY the cool briskness of fall/autumn.  After the cold winter months, we are EXTRA JOYful to see the grass and leaves turning green and flowers beginning to bloom.  Springtime is always a welcome season of the year!

Have you even considered that our lives go through seasons, too?  We start out like little blossoms and grow into maturity, raising our own little blossoms.  Then comes the season called "empty nest"...which can be a really tough season due to the emotions that come with it.  However, having living through it, I can see the beauty in it as well.  As Autumn brings falling leaves and lack of growth, it also brings beautiful colors and refreshing, cool days and nights.  In our lives, God brings beauty throughout all seasons.  Even during the tough times, He is there with His paintbrush to turn the "picture of tribulation" into a gorgeous masterpiece.  But that's only if we will allow Him.

We must remember that though we don't have control over the circumstances, we DO have control over how we react to them!  Let's decide and determine to always trust God...no matter what...and then we will experience JOY regardless of what season of life we find ourselves in.  Now, let's enJOY this beautiful autumn day and share His JOY with others along the way!

JOYful Reflections

This week I have "reflected" on the JOYful weekend that God blessed me last weekend!  I've shared with you in my blog posts some of the things we discussed and the lessons we gleaned from God's Word as we gathered at the "EnJOY the Journey" Conference in Pooler at Rothwell Baptist. As this week comes to a close, I'd like to try to summarize the experience in a few short sentences by sharing some of the lessons of JOY that God taught me through this event.

• God  takes care of details, large and small.
• God honors our prayers, when our hearts are tender toward Him and His plan.
• Sisters in Christ are Sisters of JOY...no matter how long (or short time) you have known them.
• Christians of ALL ages can be used by God to spread His love and JOY to others.
• We all have gifts, talents and abilities that are to be used by Him.  BUT we have to be willing to allow Him to work through us.
• Every church and every Christian has struggles.  However, we can still have JOY in our relationship with Him.
• We need to strive to become more and more like Christ with each passing day. 
• Saturate yourself with God's Word, spend time daily in prayer and quiet time, apply the Truth to every area of your life......and YOU WILL EXPERIENCE GENUINE JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed, JOYful Fall weekend!  See ya Monday! Until then: Don't forget to drink your JOY JUICE!