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!