Spreading Joy- GIVEAWAY

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal 5:22-23 NIV

My first thought when I think of JOY is my attitude about life. Am I a joyous person? Do people see me smiling in the face of adversity?

But there’s more to JOY than my inner emotions. 

When I first began blogging I met a person who inspires me to not only be full of joy, but to SREAD that JOY!

Marie Wikle has a wonderful site called, Spreading Joy. It’s aptly named after a woman who is full of the Spiritual fruit of God’s Joy. It flows out of her. She has taught me what the Spirit of Joy is truly about: Giving.

There are numerous ways to Spread Joy, ways some of which I’ve never thought of until I read Marie’s book. Running errands for a new mom, taking coloring books/crayons to a Children’s Ward at a local hospital, taking donuts to work, smiling at strangers, donating used computers, bringing flowers to someone I don’t know in the hospital/nursing home, sharing flyer miles, listing items on Craig’s list that I don’t need any longer for FREE, leaving notes for a loved one, forwarding an encouraging blog post to friends, providing socks for the homeless, and the list goes on and on! 

Today I present you a challenge: Pick up a copy of Marie’s new book, Spreading Joy Daily. Not only will this book provide you with 365 practical ways to  Spread Joy to those around you, but 100% of the proceeds will go to help provide Back to School supplies to those in need (click to tweet). Spreading Joy Corp is a 501c Charity- therefore not only are you giving to a charity and getting wonderful ideas on ways to be a blessing to those around, but you’re also getting a TAX write off! (You can learn more by clicking here).

You can purchase her book on Create Space or Amazon.

 

Remember, 100% of the profit goes to providing school supplies for kids. 

As a thank you for reading this (and because Marie loves to give) one commenter will be randomly selected to win a copy of Spreading Joy Daily. Just leave a comment for a chance to win! It would be nice if you’d also tweet about this and share it on Facebook (but that’s not required for a chance to win). The winner will be contacted via email in the following week. 

Marie, thank you for your generous heart. You have brought much joy to my own life. I appreciate you.

 

You can follow Marie:

Facebook page - www.facebook.com/spreadingjoycorp

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/mariewikle/

Twitter - http://twitter.com/spreadingJOY

Update: I’m still in TIME OUT to let my body heal. But Next Tuesday, July 1^st, hop over to Hip Diggs where I’ll be talking about making HOME MADE DEODERANT! (yep, you read that correctly, homemade deodorant!)

Time Out: Injury on the Field

It is with deep regret that I'm writing this post.

Per doctors orders, I must take time away from the computer to allow my elbow (which is causing pain in my hand) to heal. I'm told 3 weeks, but I'm praying for quicker healing.

I'm so enjoying the new book our group is discussing each week, "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan.

There is so much I want to share with you, but it must wait.

I look forward to returning to the blogging world. I'll miss reading your wonderful posts and hearing your thoughts on mine.

You might see a few posts of mine go up in the next few weeks but it's because they were pre-written/scheduled. I won't be doing much blogging or emails in the next few weeks, but I am available if you need prayer or have questions.

I  refer you to Endless Impact and Living Between the Lines for posts on "Forgotten God" that publish each Wed. On these blogs you'll find links to others posting on this book about the Holy Spirit.

Until I can share more, I'll leave you with this verse about the powerful Spirit alive in you if you're a Child of God:

"For God as not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7 NKJV 

The Holy Spirit (that is IN you) is full of power, love, and will give you a sound mind when you WALK in that Spirit and not in your flesh.

Walking is an action, it's not passive.

I pray that you will pursue a relationship with the Spirit of God. Learn more about Him, walk with Him, listen to Him. The Body of Christ NEEDS the Spirit of the Living God to revive us.

Blessings to you all.
TC Avey

Forgotten God: Without Hunger, You Starve

“We would expect our new life with the Holy Spirit to look radically different from our old life without Him…Yet when those outside the church see no difference in our lives, they begin to question our integrity, our sanity, or even worse, our God.” Chan, Forgotten God, pg 31, 33

Does your lifestyle point others to God?

Can the world see a change in you? Something different about you compared to everyone else?

Is God ALIVE in you? Do you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and work through you?

 If you’ve read the Bible, you know those who profess to follow Christ show a marked difference in their conduct. They are NOT perfect, but they strive to live worthy of the name, “Christian”. 

“I am embarrassed by some of my “Christian” neighbors because my unbelieving neighbors seem more joyful, welcoming, and at peace.” Chan, Forgotten God, pg 32

Sadly, I can testify of the accuracy of this sentence. My best friend, who is atheist, shows more “fruit of the Spirit” than many Christians I know. She lives a life serving others, endeavoring to make this world a better place. The basic principles of her life are ones that should govern the Body of Christ. Yet her actions don’t stem from a relationship with God. 

So how is it that she looks (and acts) more like a Christian than the ones who sit in pews each week? 

My post from Monday (How Are God’s People Deceived?) answers much of this question—lack of knowing God’s Word and not applying it to our lives. Not allowing it to dictate how we conduct each moment of our day.

I read an article this morning that correlates to this very thing, “The Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy and What We Can Do About It” . According to this article (which I agree with) America is at a tipping point. There is a decline in people knowing the Word of God and/or not viewing it as authoritative to our daily living. 

I postulate that if we knew God’s Word and allowed it to permeate every fiber of our being things would be different in our world. Case in point, the violence, instability, persecution and wars going on around the world today. Where are the Christians? Are they filling the alters petitioning God for those suffering and dying? Are they crying out to any who will listen about the violence being committed against innocent people? Where is the Christian voice…especially in America?

Just this week I read about a man killed in Kenya for professing the Christian faith (many others died as well, read more here). There are numerous stories about Iraq at the moment. Here’s one about the diminishing number of Christians in Iraq. You can read Caleb Suko’s blog about all the violence going on in Ukraine, and the testimony of brave Christians there. 

Just do a Google Search and you’d be amazed at the world around you. My book, “The Precipice: When Everything We Know Ends” endeavors to shed light on the plight of Christianity. 

All these things make my heart ache. Make me hit my knees and ask God for the strength to continue to share His message. I long for more of God. I long for these scriptures to ring true in my own life and in yours: 

“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3 NIV

“ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 NIV

As Christians, we are admonished to remember those suffering as if it were us suffering. 

Have you ever experienced any form of suffering? It consumes you.

We are to be consumed with the suffering of God’s people around the world.

And not just for them, but for those committing these vile acts. God loves those people. He wants to send Christians to witness to them, to show them His love and grace.

But when God’s people don’t know His Word, when they don’t let His Word become ALIVE, the entire Body of Christ suffers. (Tweet please)

I’m excited about the new book club series on “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan. We, the Body of Christ, need to learn to Walk in the Spirit. We need to know the Holy Spirit, to allow Him to move in us and through us. 

Sadly, I don’t think enough Christians know much about the Holy Spirit. It’s the book clubs endeavor to grow in our own knowledge of Him and to share it with you. Please join us during our weekly discussions.

For links to others posts on each chapter go to Endless Impact or Living Between the Lines each Wed. 

Thanks and God bless you with increasing hunger for His Word.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matt 5:6 NIV