Re-blogged from Alison's blog, heperfectlypursues

A few friends and I meet every Wednesday to worship and pray together. This past week, the mood seemed heavy. It had been raining all day, it was freezing outside, and we are in the middle of midterms. It was obvious that we were lacking joy and that we needed to come before the Father to refocus and to cast our cares on Him. We worshiped and got our minds off of ourselves and our circumstances and onto the Lord who is sovereign, good, and wise. After a few songs, one of my friends asked us the question: what gives you joy?  

We all just sat there for a moment and eventually started throwing things out there. Just going to be real, watching Baby Mama brings me immense amounts of joy. It then started to get more specific and personal…We are all thankful that Ephesians 2 describes the reality of our lives. It gives us joy that we were dead in our sin and separated from God when He made a way through Christ for us to know Him and walk with him. We also agreed that laughter and time spent with friends brings us much joy. The kindergarten teacher in our group shared how she loves helping kids learn and obey. The intern at a church said that he loves sharing what God is doing in his life through sharing his testimony. I realized that nothing gives me more joy than helping younger girls walk with Christ.

During my fall break a few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to spend 2 days in Chapel Hill. I literally got to sit outside the union one afternoon as younger girls that I absolutely adore came to catch up with me – one after another, hour after hour.  I got to hear how some of these girls that I discipled in college are now discipling freshmen at UNC and they basically told me over and over again about how much they love God. I seriously could not stop smiling the entire day.

I am so humbled at the goodness of God. He gives us gifts and passions for His glory as well as our good – to serve others as well as to give us joy. What are you passionate about? What part of God’s heart and concern for the world has he given you? What present reality makes you mad? What consistently comes to mind at random times of the day or keeps you up at night? What is life-giving to you? What gives you joy?

Whatever it is, pursue it. I’m not kidding. 

Alison Singewald says, "My life consists of God’s perfect pursuit of me and my imperfect yet striving pursuit of Him. I grew up in Wisconsin but am more than content living in North Carolina. I graduated in May 2011 from UNC-Chapel Hill and will forever be a Tar Heel." Alison is currently pursuing her masters in Biblical Counseling and LPC (licensed professional counseling degree through the state) at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.

Reblogged from Alison Lawson's Blog, Footprints
November 18, 2011

The world today appears to be moving at a faster, more hectic pace than ever before, and in the midst of so many obligations, gratitude seems like a vanishing trait, destined for an untimely death.

Perhaps we formally give thanks for a present out of an implicit obligation or because a parent trained us in that habit, but what about other kind gestures and intangible gifts offered to us for which we never consider giving thanks?

I recently spoke on this topic to a group of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). In preparing for the talk, I discovered many reasons for the general lack of gratitude that exists today. I even proposed ideas for overcoming our negligence in this area and becoming more intentional with our thanksgiving.

However, it occurred to me that, in this very busy world, numerous suggestions for being a more grateful person will have no effect if one does not understand WHY it is important to adopt a permanent attitude of thankfulness.

While gratitude may seem “optional,” perhaps we should consider making it a personal “requirement” and discipline in our lives that eventually evolves into a characteristic of who we are rather than an action carried out only once a year on a designated day or out of habit for a specific occasion.

Why? Because gratitude is important and makes a difference!

A thankful person is a more joyful and content person, recognizing and appreciating life’s many blessings rather than coveting what she lacks.

A habit of thanksgiving also improves relationships, including marriages. Showing and telling your spouse how thankful you are for him is certain to make him feel loved and respected, a key aspect to a flourishing marriage.

Additionally, studies have found that grateful families who express their appreciation for one another are also stronger, healthier families. Children tend to be less materialistic, better students, and overall happier. An attitude of gratitude is a legacy parents can pass down to their offspring, potentially influencing many generations!

A grateful heart encourages others. People like being recognized, their talents being noticed, and their gifts being appreciated. A simple “thank you” has potential to brighten another’s day, perhaps arriving when most needed, and be a blessing for all involved.

Most importantly, choosing to have an attitude of gratitude every day honors the Lord. Ultimately, all gifts and blessings are from Him. Complaining and coveting reflects poorly on the God who created us, sustains our lives, and blesses us in ways we may never fully identify or comprehend.

Furthermore, God has given us the best Gift possible, His Son Jesus. A relationship with God through Jesus grants us not only eternal life, but also an enduring peace that sustains us in times of trials and frustrations and enables us to always be thankful.

When we set aside disappointments and instead choose to be grateful every day in every situation, looking for the blessings in life, we positively reflect our faith in God to those around us, drawing others not only to ourselves, but also to Him.

Gratitude makes a difference in our own lives as well as the lives of those around us, while also honoring God who has given us so much for which to be thankful. Giving thanks should not be reserved for one day, or even one month of the year, but should instead be an attitude we adopt and share every day.

“Rejoice always…in everything give thanks…” 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18a

Alison Lawson is married to  Mike Lawson who is the the Director of Campus Security at Southeastern. They have three wonderful boys and thank the Lord for them. Alison says, "We experience both joys and trials, good times and hard times. Our lives are far from perfect, but they are filled with God's goodness and grace. To God be the glory." You can check out more from Alison on her family blog, Footprints.

Don't forget that the Women's Life Office is a rich resource for reading and teaching guides. We have a library that you can check out books, DVD studies, and teaching materials. New to the library:

  

• "James: Faith Under Pressure," a book by Pam Gibbs
•  "Raising Boys & Girls: The Art of Understanding Their Differences," a DVD Leader Kit by Sissy Goff and David Thomas and Melissa Thevathan  
• "Transformed Lives: Taking Women's Ministry to the Next Level," a Bible Study by Chris Adams
• "Victory in Spiritual Warfare: Field Guide for Battle," a DVD Leader Kit by Tony Evans
• "James: Mercy Triumphs," a DVD Leader Kit by Beth Moore

Reblogged from "girltalk" a blog by Carolyn Mahaney
by Nicole Whitacre

“Are you consistently keeping your soul happy in God?” It was an unexpected question. If Mark, our pastor and small group leader had asked, “Are you consistently practicing the spiritual disciplines?” I would have given a simple “yes.” But this question required a more thoughtful response. Do I emerge from my quiet time happy? Hmmmm. “In all honesty, I would have to say ‘no.’"
This question that Mark put to our care group several weeks ago was drawn from the personal reflections of nineteenth-century pastor, George Mueller:

“I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.”

It was easy for my friends to diagnose my lack of joy in God, for it’s a common malady. I had unconsciously “shifted from the gospel of grace” (Col. 1:21-23). My quiet times had become a dreary recounting of all my sins from the previous day, a period of morbid introspection over the cause of those sins, and an anxiety over my lack of progress in mortification. No wonder my soul wasn’t happy!
So I decided to, as my dad says, “restrict my spiritual diet;” to stand squarely on the bedrock of my joy--the glorious truths of the gospel. Because, as our dear friend Mr. Spurgeon writes:

“Here in the cross is where every enemy of joy is overcome: divine wrath, as he becomes a curse for us; real guilt, as he becomes forgiveness for us; lawbreaking, as he becomes righteousness for us; estrangement from God, as he becomes reconciliation for us; slavery to Satan, as he becomes redemption for us; bondage to sin, as he becomes liberation for us; pangs of conscience, as he becomes cleansing for us; death, as he becomes the resurrection for us; hell, as he becomes eternal life for us.”

You know what? Now I come out of my quiet time happier than when I went in! I’m still the greatest sinner I know, but I am a sinner clothed in the righteousness of Christ. And that truth, as it sinks in, permeates my soul with joy.

So how about you, is your soul happy? Is it spin around, laugh out loud, grin ‘till it hurts, happy in God? If not, then come with me to the cross. And gaze awhile.