Christmas Joy 2012

Christmas…

A time of giving, sharing and just reflecting on those that we love, treasure and adore. 

Should be such a time of great joy but in this economy so many people are struggling. 

My heart often thinks of the many people who will simply enjoy time together this Christmas, and that in itself is a wonderful gift, but we can and should do more for the kids.  

I mean really....we are only Children once.

We want to do some amazing things for some awesome kids of the Battered Women’s Shelter this year. 

Will you partner with us and help us sprinkle some magic into their Christmas Morning?

We bring these ladies and children in (yes, bring them in by bus as they don’t have transportation) treat them to a very nice lunch, dessert and some encouragement as well as “free shopping” for Christmas Gifts.   So, in the spirit of Spreading Joy this Christmas, we will move forward doing what we can with what we have.  

It’s that simple.

We need your help!  There is no way we’ll be able to do this alone.

Here are some ways you can partner with Spreading Joy and make a difference for these ladies that have courageously stepped out and are starting new.  They dream of doing huge things for their kids, but many struggle just to keep them warm and fed.

Will you partner with us to make their Christmas Merry and Bright? Here are things that we need!

TOY COLLECTION:

• Will you donate new unwrapped gifts for us to give? Think about it, if you purchase 1 gift a week starting now, until the first of December, you’d have 11 gifts to donate!
• Will you see if your Organization can collect toys? Put out a wrapped gift box, attach this sign and collect gifts.
• Will you see if your group (Sunday School class, small group, ladies group, men’s group, other group or even entire Church) will collect toys.  Same process as above, place wrapped boxes at various entry points – and doing so earlier is better.
• If you aren’t close by and would like to help but shipping toys is much too expensive, consider donating Wal-Mart or McDonald’s gift cards.  We use these for gifts for the teens.  Make them in $10.00 increments.
• Could you come and volunteer?  We will need people to help with wrapping, setting up, cleaning up, picking up toys, picking up food and other things.  Please email me if you can volunteer and we’ll get you plugged in!

Donations:  

• Any gift of any size is huge!  Will you make a donation?  If you donate this weekend, once in Oct, Nov & early Dec, you’ll have an opportunity to give big without hurting your wallet or your Christmas budget.  Think about it - $25 a month for 4 months is HUGE.
• Are you receiving a Christmas Bonus?  Decide that a small portion of that will help others.
• Selling things on e-bay? Give back and the those that bid on your items know that a portion of the costs will be spreading joy to others.
• Corporate Sponsorship will receive recognition below as well as weekly tweets to your website.  We have over 500 views on our site a day as well as over 40,000 amazing interactive followers on twitter.  People that engage, take action and care!

If you’d like to mail your donation of funding or toys, please mail to:

Spreading JOY Corporation

PO Box 1771

Denver NC 28037

Lastly - will you spread the word?  Share this on Facebook, tweet this on Twitter....daily,  Post it on LinkedIn as well as even highlight what we are trying to accomplish on your website.  Your voice is powerful!  It reaches people we may never come across.  Use your voice.

Remember, we are an IRS Approved Non – Profit and your company may match Charitable Donations.  Why not check it out with your HR Department?

Here are a few videos showing you what we have accomplished during Christmas Past:

We want to rise above the discouragement of high prices, the obstacle of dead ends and the disappointment of our comfort zone. We want to be the change that is so desperately needed!

And we want to JOYn forces with Y O U to do so this Christmas!

Thank YOU!

Organizations that are Collecting Toys:

Iron Mountain – Charlotte – The Positive effects of a smart information management plan drives cost savings, strongly supports compliance and increases efficiency.

Clark Nexsen- Charlotte - Clark Nexsen, PC is an award winning architecture, engineering, interior design, planning, and landscape architecture firm that has been in continuous operation for over 90 years. With offices in Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke, Virginia; Washington, DC; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, and Macon, Atlanta and Brunswick, GA,  Clark Nexsen, PC employs a staff of over 500 dedicated professionals ? more than 175 of whom are LEED Accredited. The firm’s architecture, engineering, interior design and planning design teams specialize in healthcare, commercial, offices, government, college and university, recreational, manufacturing and land planning projects. Clark Nexsen, PC has been recognized as one of America’s leading architecture and design firms, as cited in the Almanac of Architecture & Design, DesignIntelligence’s annual factbook and ranked as one of the Top 500 National Design Firms by Engineering News-Record. Clark Nexsen, PC works to shape the future worldwide, and their focus remains constant: extraordinary effort to make projects work for their clients. For more information on Clark Nexsen, PC, visit www.clarknexsen.com.

Sport Clips- Denver - Sports on TV, a relaxing neck and shoulder massage, legendary steamed towel treatment, and a great haircut from Guy-Smart stylists who specialize ONLY in men’s and boys’ hair care. It’s what we call the MVP Treatment, and it only takes about 20 minutes.  Sport Clips - Catawba Springs Promenade, Denver, NC - (704) 827-7009  **You can DROP off your new, unwrapped gifts here!**

Corporate Sponsors: 

He who has no Christmas in his heart, will never find Christmas under a tree. ~ Charlotte Carpenter 

Voice of Truth

Voices are everywhere, bombarding us about everything.

• Look this way, dress that way...
• Be this size or else you won't fit into the "norm"...
• Work at home mom's keep their children from.....
• Stay at home mom's keep their children from...
• You can't pray this way in this place
• If you want to be a success then...
• If you are as good as you say you are then...
• You can't do it...
• You can do it....

So many things, so much to do and so much to juggle.

I understand.  I get it.

I have a family, I work a full time job, I run a Non Profit, I volunteer with various ministries and I faithfully attend church, along with a whole host of other things I do, people I hear and voices that are always telling me... "over here...listen to me..."

In reality, I need to focus on the ONE Voice.  The Voice of truth.  

God's voice, for in the end if I am to hear that precious voice say "Well Done...." then I need to focus my attention on His voice each day.

At the beginning of each day, start your day asking God to help you focus on Him and what He would have you to do.  When your day ends, thank Him for having done so.

When doubt and discouragement creep in as they often do through all the voices that come at us each day, remember the Voice of Truth that tells you that

"Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Or the Voice of Truth that tells us

"Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

We need to forget about living up to society standards and live up to Christ's expectations.

We need to stop listening to what Hollywood says is acceptable and hear what Christ says is right, pure and just.

We need to stop listening to those voices that won't matter when Heaven is our reward, that never cared for us and start focusing on the One who always cares for us, the One who always loves us and the ONE who died for us.

When you Call on the Lord, make no mistake...HE will answer!  You may or may not like his answer.  Will you listen to the voice of truth even when you don't agree or even when you don't understand?  Will you trust the voice of truth to give you courage to step out and do what only HE can enable you to do?  

Will you listen when He answers? 

Will you listen to the Voice of Truth, or will you let doubt, fear and discouragement drown out His precious voice?

The Voice of Truth... what is HE telling you?

Inspire/Encourage others by sharing your story here about truth.  

Spreading Joy is as simple as posting on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or Google + as well as pinning on Pinterest.

Becoming

Becoming…

I came across this quote some time ago and realized at that point that we live in tomorrow so much.  

I do too.  

I’m always looking forward to my next beach trip, the next Christmas or when things will simply just get better.

There is nothing wrong with that.  It’s healthy and pretty awesome to dream of what will be.  

I dream of doing great things, having really nice things and making a huge impact in the hearts of others.

The problem comes in when we “live there” in tomorrow and forget about today.

Have you considered that:

• Everything we do today, prepares us for tomorrow
• Everything we experience today, prepares us for tomorrow
• Every single trial we face today makes us stronger for tomorrow
• Every single mistake we make today makes us wiser for tomorrow
• Every act of joy, kindness and love makes us more compassionate for tomorrow
• Every single tear that falls today allows us to treasure the joy of tomorrow.

When things are easy and we are “becoming” it’s not so bad, but when the days are tearful, fearful and difficult….”becoming” doesn’t seem so great, but that is so far from the truth.

You wonder why or “what did I do to deserve that?”

You wonder “how did I not see that coming? “

You wonder how could I have been so stupid, how will I ever make it and even wonder how you can take another day of “this?”

Because of the pain, tears and unknown you never in a million years think to ask….

”What am I becoming?”

You may become cowardly…but you can also become courageous!

You may become down and out…but you can still rise to the top!

You may become a million different things, but truthfully, the choice is up to you.

We’d like to hear from you!  

What are you becoming?

I know it’s difficult sometimes, but the bottom line is you ARE becoming amazing!

And, I imagine that you ALREADY are!

Spreading joy is as easy as posting this article to facebook, twitter, linked in and pinning it to pinterest. Thank you for your part in spreading joy daily! 

Psalm 46

Psalm 46

One Sunday morning not long ago, I was doing some daily Bible reading. Ps 46 was in the que. 

As I was reading it, the song Peace Be Still came to mind and I decided that I should memorize this passage in an effort to learn more Bible verses.

Being able to quote this passage from memory has served me more than I would have imagined. Here are my thoughts on this amazing passage of comfort:

Vs. 1-3 - God is our refugee and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Thought the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Daily, everyone of us can stand to hear a reminder that God is our strength. He is with us in trouble. We face trouble on daily basis.  More often than we want to admit, we are weakened and are driven to our knees.  If we would only grab ahold of this verse and cling to its Holy Promise! During the moments in my life when the mountains seem to be falling into the sea, I have been able to pull comfort from these verses. 

Praise the Lord for being my strength and help in trouble.

Vs. 5 - God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

 This verse reminds me that God Will help and wants to help.  That I do not have to go through my journey alone and scared.  God, the creator of the universe, the Master of the seas, the One that the winds obey his very voice, is in the midst of MY journey.  How amazing is that?

Vs 10a - Be still, and know that I am God...

Worry has a way of grabbing ahold of us and not letting go. We drag our worries around with us, fretting about tomorrow. We wonder what are we going to do, we waste precious time that we could be making a difference for Heaven on worry. That is what satan wants from us. He wants to distract us, so that we forget about this verse. 

We need to remember to be still and KNOW that God will take care of us, he wants to take care of us and will continue to take care of us. Instead of looking around at the raging storms and taking our eyes off of our Lord, we need to remain focused on him. 

We need to fix our eyes our heavenly Father and run to Him. We need to crawl right up into his lap and just be still, knowing that He is in control, that He wants to bless us, guide and direct us. Knowing that He is God!

I'm just as guilty as the next person about worry, about discouragement, about distractions.  Having hid these verses in my heart, where I can grab them at a moments notice has proven beneficial so many times. Speaking with my best friend on the phone who is afraid for her prodigal daughter. Consoling my daughter when she feels like she can't keep fighting gastroparesis. Re-assuring my son that God will provide the necessary funding for college as well as direction. 

When my own heart is aching, with the desire to give big and do more for others, but the finances simply will not allow it, with the need to see my son, with various heartaches and breaks - I too, claim these promises from the Lord.

Have you hidden these words in your heart? Can you grab them when you need them? 

You know the storms are coming, you know the battle will rage? 

What other passages do you need to hide in your heart?

For Today

Father,

For today, help your child that is struggling to feel deep peace and happiness even though their mind is filled with thoughts of uncertainty.

For today, bring unspeakable joy in the midst of the storm so that we are reminded that YOU, alone are God and are worthy to be praised.

For today help us to know you are there, holding and comforting us, walking beside us each step of the way, even though our hearts are fearful, worried and unsure.

For today, help us to know that what you have waiting is all that we truly need to get through this day.

Even though we can’t see the rainbow for the rain, for today - help us to trust you, your unfailing love, your never ending grace, mercy and desire for us to be blessed beyond measure.

For today, help us to know that you delight in our delight and that we can be completely free of pain and hurt while we trust you to direct us as you heal our broken hearts.

For today, help us to see what a beautiful soul we are and that our love is a gift to others.

Help us to see that for today and always YOU are all we need.

In Jesus Precious HOLY Name, Amen!

This is my prayer for you today and always!

HUGS wrapped in prayer

Back to School 2012

Helping those that can’t help themselves….isn’t that what giving and spreading joy is truly all about?

Y O U are awesome at just that.

Y O U were instrumental in giving away 251 backpacks over the course of 3 weekends to children that may grow up to become Pastors, Teachers, Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, Business Owners,  etc.

They would have gladly ran up and hugged you and said thanked you personally, (well, the shy one’s would have quietly whispered thank you while looking down at their feet…but know that their hearts were soaring) but they couldn’t, so I’m using my voice to thank you!

The laughter, giggles and listening to them exclaim with delight as they picked out their favorite color was great fun!

Because of your heart, your giving spirit and your willingness to do what you can, where you are with what you have; these children went back to school with a huge smile on their face and joy in their hearts.

Here are the items we included in each bad for the kids: 

• 3 Spiral Notebooks
• 1 package of loose leaf paper
• 1 Package of pens
• 1 package of pencils
• 1 box of crayons
• 1 package of colored pencils
• 1 bottle of glue
• 1 glue stick
• 1 highlighter
• 1 eraser
• 1 pocket folder
• 1 pack of snack crackers
• and ONE Package of Reese's Cups!

Thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough, but it comes wrapped with great love and gratitude!

Thank you to those who had a desire to give big, but finances didn’t allow them to, so they used their voice!

Thank you to all those who gave financial gifts so that we could go out and purchase the items needed to help get their school year off to an amazing start!

Thank you to the volunteers for making this event go as smoothly as it did!

Thank you to New Grace Baptist Church for allowing us to host the main event at your fellowship hall.

Thank you to those who went shopping with me and for me, when I had went to every store within an hour’s drive and still came up short for what we needed.

Thank you to Pastor Williams and Pastor Paul for your part in sponsoring this event and partnering with us to bring hope and joy to these kids!

Thank YOU – without YOU, we wouldn't be helping the shy kid that quietly asked for purple or the excited kid that loudly proclaimed he wanted green and all the other kids in between that shared ideas on how THEY can make a difference too! Also, without YOU  there would be more mom’s in tears, wondering what they are going to give up so that they can simply get the basic supplies for yet another year of school.  

Thank you for helping 251 less moms shed those kinds of tears this year!

Y O U are awesome at spreading JOY!

 Thank YOU

Shine for HIM

We are reflecting God’s amazing light and HE has equipped us to shine so brightly that it can be seen, even in the darkest night.

Nations may rise and fall but our light will last forever.

We can and will forever impact hearts and with Social Media that impact can extend further than our minds can even imagine.

We can reach the world for the Lord without even leaving our home.

We need to realize that we are always reflecting God if we are a Christian.  We need to use our talents for the Lord. We need to help others grow and mature with their knowledge of the Lord.  We need to encourage others to keep taking one step at a time…for the LORD.

People will think things of the Lord, based on what they see and think of us.  May they always see great things about Christ in me.

When I feel grumpy – shine

When I feel sad – shine

When I feel hopeless – shine

When I feel lost – shine

When I feel like God doesn’t hear – shine

When I feel alone – Shine

When I feel defeated – shine

Regardless of how I “feel” – those emotions will pass, but the light I give off will last.

While I want to reflect God’s love, greatness and mercy, I also want to be authentically me.  When things are rough, admit it and tell others that I’m relying on the Lord’s strength to carry me through.  When I’m grumpy, own it and apologize if I’ve hurt someone in the process.

I am responsible for the light I give. 

Reminder:  

We are a reflection of God’s light.  We do not need to fear the darkness as God will turn it into light.

Psalm 18:28 You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Father, help us to remember that we are a light, regardless of our feelings or how dark our world may be.  Help us to remember that even if we flicker a tiny bit, that we will help to rid the darkness of its power. May we always shine for you, in Jesus name we ask...Amen

Gift of God's Grace

I love the Grace of God.

I love the fact that HE looks for us!  He wants to spend time with us.  Not just hear our prayers, but he longs to just spend time together.

Isn’t that an amazing thought?

The King of Kings and LORD of Lords wants to spend time with us?

We wake in the morning and God sees us in our sleepy slumber and thinks, “THERE she/he is…. I HOPE they spend some time with me today!”  or maybe it is something like “I hope we can sit and remember the wonderful things that made him/her smile yesterday! What a smile it will bring again today!”

OR maybe it will be, “I can’t wait until she/he sings today! I know it’s never on key, but it’s pure joy to my heart!”

But I wonder how often God may think “ Well, at least they talk to me in prayer, they think they need so many things…I wish they would just trust me more.”

Are we guilty of that?

Are we guilty of using and abusing the grace that God so freely gives us?  

We know His grace will reach farther than our minds can even imagine.

Do we use HIS grace as a get out of jail free card?  Saying “well, I know that isn’t right but God will forgive me.”

It’s true, HE will – but intentionally trampling all over the gift of God’s grace is not a way of keeping the sweet fellowship that we all need, not to mention the horrible image of God that we are reflecting.

Imagine how your heart would sink if your children did that day in and day out.  Imagine how your heart would feel if your child was known as the child that took advantage of your good graces.  It’s not a feeling I want to endure.

God thinks we are so amazing and so precious that He sent His only Son to die for us.  His grace is a blood bought gift that I treasure from the King of Glory.

I HOPE that you treasure it as well.

Majesty gives us grace.

Royalty paid our debt

The King of Kings loves us more than we can ever know. 

Yes, we can come as we are, but think about bringing your best after we are part of HIS family.

Yes, HE calls us friend, but gladly show the respect that Royalty deserves.

Yes, we are his child and He will always adore us, but let’s love and ADORE our Father!

God’s Grace….don’t take it for granted. 

1 Timothy 1:14
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

1 Corinthians 1:3
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

http://youtu.be/gQzrqmcwg8o

http://youtu.be/Oj06mYUj5Wk

Powerhouse of JOY

I was gifted an iPhone 4s and immediately fell in love with it!  (Thank you honey!)

I love how quick it is, how I can have my music and even purchase music.  I love how everything is just right there….the JOY of easiness.  I’m a happy camper!

BUT – being a person that loves spreading JOY, I want it to be a powerhouse of JOY to others.  I’m hoping that after you read what I’m using, you’ll be able to suggest apps that will enable me to use this powerhouse gift in even a more JOYful way than I ever imagined!

ALSO….

I love being connected, but on my own terms.  I’m just that way.

To do this I have ALL notification turned off, with the exception of a few (and I’ll share that below) that I choose to have remind me of things.  I don’t even allow my email to publish to my phone automatically.  It’s just one way that I make sure that Social Media and technology work for me, not the other way around.

Here are the apps that I have…I use them to bring me great JOY as well as bring Others JOY.  (For the sake of time, I’ll only link to the lesser known apps. You don’t mind do you? hmm?)

Social Media:

Twitter – The Standard Twitter that comes with it is awesome to me.  But, in all fairness, I love Tweetdeck and have that on there…just incase.

Instagram – I love Instagram! I love seeing the things that bring JOY to others.  I love sharing photos (almost as much as I love sharing music)

Facebook – you’d think that I’d check fb more often than I do with the ease of this app…. [shrugs]

Skype – I love being able to see my family whenever we are apart.

Google + - still learning how to better use it for spreadingJOY but love seeing the things posted there when I hop in.

LinkedIn – Do people really find other jobs, connections and such with this? Maybe I’m not using it properly.

Fun Stuff:

Quotes WP – I love quotes. I love the motivation and inspiration found there

Weird Facts – I love relaxing and flipping through the #RandomFacts here. I will often tweet them with my initial reaction to them. #makesmesmile

Gives Me Hope – Short stories of hope.  Amazing how the little things truly make a difference.

Demotivation – the silly pics with “motivational” thoughts…just check it out, you never know, you may love it.

DoodleBuddy – I am not an artsy kind of gal and this is just plain fun.

Encouragement:

YouVersion – Bible App. There are so many reading programs and bookmarking abilities.  You can share any verse and use just to read from the Bible.  I love the ease of this!

American Greetings – This is a free app and for now, the ecards are free.  I just saw recently that their site was charging to use it, so I’m not sure how long this will be free. I love how easily it works with my address book or my Facebook. This is one that I have reminders set for.  It will remind me of birthdays that are listed from my facebook friends.

Starbucks – mm mmmmm mmmmmm justsayin

Pinterest – I love this! I actually didn’t think I’d like it and that it would be just something else to keep up with.  I love the ease of seeing a picture that appeals and pinning it so that the entire article or recipe is there.

God Thoughts – This is one that I leave on the notifications.  I can set the amount of times I’m reminded to think about the Lord.  I have it set for the Max, 3.  You can easily tweet or Facebook the verse that is sent to you. (and I do…often)  I love this app.  Thank you @TheePottersHand for this gift of encouragement.

To create cute signs with quotes or my own thoughts:

I’m not artsy in any way, shape or form.  To be creative I use the free versions of the following to create cute pictures that will encourage.

Tweegram

Jusgramm

Instafram

Textgram

Versagram

Using these apps, the most non creative individual can have moments of creativity.  Total JOY!

 Photography:

TOO many to name and I’m sure a million more are being created as you read this!   Explore and have fun with this one.  But – if there is a tried and true one that you turn to time and time again – PLEASE leave the name and link to it in the comments below!

Entertainment:

Pandora – everyone loves that

NBC – love seeing shows on MY time

ABC Player – love full episodes

TV.Com – CBS player – keeps me close to the NCIS and CSI episodes that I love

Kindle – I looooove my Kindle, but when I can’t get to it, this is awesome to have

Olive Tree Bible Reader – You can get some awesome free books here too

Netflix – movie night with popcorn and m&m’s can happen anywhere

Games:

AngryGran – I don’t get this game. But I DO love wacking the people that go by with my umbrella.  LOLOL I know…that is just oooooozing of ick and not joy.

Words with Friends – I love this game, but I’ll tend to go 3 to 6 days before I remember it’s my move.  Remember, notifications are turned OFF.

Piano – This is for Megan

Whirly Word – I love this game.  You get 6 letters and make all the words out of it you can.  This game is all kinds of fun! I’ve only actually completely filled in 3 or 4 of the puzzles, so It can be a challenge sometimes.

Wordsearch – simple fun

BeJeweled – free version is just not long enough but it’s fun

Temple Run – I can’t turn the corners well, so it’s doubtful I’ll ever get past the first few turns.  No, I’m not even kidding.

Angry Birds – I have it, but suck at it, so I don’t play often.

Sky Burger – Megan has been to the moon on this one.  Me, I do ok. J This is a lot of fun.

Miscellaneous:

MobileRSS – I love this! I can tweet the articles, email, Facebook and many others that I don’t even use.  If you love having all of your favorite blogs in your Google Reader, then this app is for you!  Read, comment and share.  Easy, peasy….done!  I just love easy!

I know that there is soooo much more that my powerhouse of JOY can do for me and others!  I also know that even as you read this, it is changing and more great things are being created!

I hope that you’ll take a moment to share with me the apps that you turn to time and time again!  (PLEASE….pleeeeeeeeeeese do)

I need easy – as technology is usually not kind to me.

I prefer free – I know that we often get what we pay for, but I’m just that way.  [shrugs]

I love fun.  Who doesn’t?

Thank you for sharing with all of us and helping us to get more out of the technology that just brings great JOY!