Book Drawing for “Fresh Joy” by Heidi McLaughlin
Joy can be a challenge for any of us for a variety of reasons. That’s why I’m so pleased to give Heidi McLaughlin an opportunity to showcase her latest book, “Fresh Joy.” I’ve loved reading it myself. Maybe you also need a cup of fresh joy. Or how about one that lasts all day? In a world fraught with stress and anxiety we need to know how to access daily joy. The good news is that joy and pain can co-exist, because joy is the currency of Heaven and available to us 24/7. Heidi’s book helps you discover how you can access joy, enjoy it and grow it.
See below how to enter the drawing. UPDATE: drawing closed.
Here’s an excerpt from Fresh Joy to encourage you and give you a sample of her fabulous book.
FRESH JOY – Our “Joy Givers”
By Heidi McLaughlin
We all need friends—the kind who tell us when we have lipstick on our teeth or a tag hanging out the back of our shirt. Better yet to have friends with whom we spend a balmy summer evening lingering on the patio, watching burning candles, who are vulnerable enough to answer the question “So what has God been doing in your lives in the last while?”
Deep, intimate, and loving friendships that exude joy are life-giving and contagious. God created us for relationship. Not just spiritually but also in vibrant loving face-to-face connections that actually help us to live longer and healthier.
Loving friendships are life-giving and contagious.
Growing up we might have heard, “The only person you can rely on is yourself.” But ultimately this self-reliance robs us of true love and joy. We need each other to point out our blind spots, encourage one another when life doesn’t go as planned, and take time to celebrate our victories. It takes strength to recognize that reliance on others can be healthy and emotionally affirming. So take ownership of the attitude that fostered this false belief and challenge yourself to be vulnerable and work toward a healthy interdependence.
Vulnerability moves us toward intimate relationships.
To grow joy we need to stand strong, but admit our weaknesses, and take time to build our tribes. The door to the reservoir of joy is found in loving relationships, and we must learn to seek them and drink from them. When we connect and share the powerful characteristics of Christ, we experience the fulfillment and joy of what it means to live out the Christian life. The good of every Christian soul is hidden underneath our rubble and shame, and once it is released, we find freedom and a sense of belonging that cannot be found any other way. We help each other go from admitting our “badness” to calling forth each other’s “goodness.”
To grow joy we have to make relationships our highest priority.
Friendships are our “joy givers.” We must take the time to build tribes to pray for us, celebrate, grieve, and sandpaper each other to live out our highest calling. This doesn’t mean it’s easy, but here is how we can start:
- Ask yourself, When you fast forward to the end of your life, what is one sentence you would like people to say about you? Will it include success or relationships?
- Recognize that our greatest accomplishment in this life will be how we loved one another. Love is something that we learn how to do here on earth, and it will be fulfilled in the most glorious way in eternity.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you bring out the goodness first in yourself and then in each other.
- Recognize that isolation is a trap the enemy uses so that you are not covered by the protective and loving shield of other Christian friends. Good Christian friends keep us accountable, pray for us, and call us out on things that harm our soul.
- Ask God to fill you with his love and remove any shame so that you can live an authentic and joyful life.
My dear reader friend, trust me when I say, “We must take time and make intentional efforts to build healthy, Christian, loving relationships. They are one of God’s greatest gifts to shape us, strengthen us, make us more like Christ, and infuse us with God’s dependable joy. At the end of the day, the richest gift we will have is a deep connection with God and each other.”
Thank you, Heidi, for encouraging us!
If you would like to enter the drawing to win Fresh Joy, make a comment on my blog post. The drawing ends Thursday, April 1st. Only USA & Canada addresses can win. UPDATE: Congratulations to Darlene, the winner of the drawing! Drawing is now closed.
Heidi McLaughlin believes that there is nothing more beautiful than a woman who knows she is loved. Heidi’s passion is contagious as she inspires her audiences to grasp their magnificence and step up to the plate to embrace their full potential in Christ. She will make you laugh, and she may make you cry, but you will know you have lovingly been challenged to your highest calling.
Heidi speaks all over North America and overseas, including Poland, Romania and Colombia. She has been teaching, speaking, writing and mentoring women for 29 years. She is an award-winning author, and has written several books and Study Guides and hundreds of articles and blogs. Heidi ‘s latest book is called FRESH JOY: Joy in the Midst of Loss, Hardships and Suffering and has already won an award and is helping hundreds in North American and beyond.
Heidi lives in the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia. Heidi has been widowed twice and is the mom and step-mom of a blended family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. Her greatest joy is spending time with family and friends, laughing and experiencing new adventures. In the summer you will probably find her chasing a white ball down the many beautiful fairways in the Okanagan Valley. Heidi has experienced much tragedy, but has also learned how to recapture her JOY. Find out more information about Heidi at:www.heartconnection.ca
That post touched my heart. It’s so important for us to have good, loving and godly friendships. I think the hardest part is actually finding a friend who is willing to be vulnerable who will truly love in word and deed. Our hope is found in praying and trusting God will lead us to them. I pray God will make me a better friend.
Darlene, thank you so much for commenting and entering the contest. And I agree with you. Friends like you describe are rare. Such a one is truly a gift from God. May we all learn to be vulnerable friends even when it feels risky. Thanks!
Thank you Darlene for commenting on my post, I completely agree, we need loving and loyal friends in our lives, and those friendships don’t just happen overnight. They take time and nurturing. I love what you said at the end… That God would first make you a better friend. Wow, that’s awesome. You’re the kind of friend I would love to have.
Congratulations, Darlene! You are the winner of Heidi’s wonderful book. I will connect you and Heidi together by email. Thank you so much for entering the drawing.
Sounds like a great book
It is, Amber. I’m so glad you’ve put your name into the drawing. Blessings to you!
Hi Amber, thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. I know you will love the book, it is filled with so many ways that we can find Fresh Joy. Blessings. Heidi
Health issues have kept me more home-bound for over fifteen years. It’s taken a toll on close friendships, as I used to get out and do things with friends. Not sure your book addresses this issue, but I would love a chance to win it and glean ways to make more connections. The part posted here sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity.
Hello Linda, I can’t imagine being home-bound for so long. Our hearts go out to you. Having relationships would be so hard. I’ve entered you into the drawing and I’m praying the Lord continues to help you.
Linda, I am so sorry for your health issues, I can ‘t imagine how difficult that would be. I know there is something in may book to encourage you and lift your spirts. Blessings on you. Heidi
I could definitely use some joy in my life. I lost my Mom on December24, 2020. God speaks to me through Christian music. I have bipolar disorder and lately I’ve been struggling with depression. Please pray for me. Thank you
Oh, Sue, I’m so sad to hear of your loss. I know the pain is real. I’m praying for you right now in the midst of your many challenges. May the Lord draw you ever closer to Him. Thank you for entering the drawing.
Sue, it is so hard to loose our moms, and my heart goes out to you. This book will definitely encourage you and give you hope as you travel through this hard journey called “grief.” May God be with you. Blessings, Heidi
I love winning new books and learning about new authors.
Welcome, Kera. So glad you stopped by. And I love featuring authors and letting others know about them. So thank you for entering the drawing!
Thank you for your interest in new authors, I’m Heidi and I’m delighted to “meet you.” Hopefully we will get to know each other through the pages of my latest book FRESH JOY. Joyfully, Heidi
This book looks like a fantastic read!
Hi Shawnda. You are right! I love Heidi’s insights and personal stories. Thanks for entering the drawing!
Thank you Shawnda for stopping by to read my blog. I know my book will encourage you in unexpected and surprising ways. May God help you to find joy. Joyfully, Heidi
Thank you for sharing your insights – so much of what would make the world better starts with a change of heart.
Hello Linda. Thank you for entering the drawing. And Amen on that: the better world starts with heart change!
Hi Linda, thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. The book is filled with practical and truths to help us all find joy. And don’t we need that right now. Joyfully, Heidi
I have struggled with this my entire life. I have a hard time forming lasting relationships, and I know it’s because I live in fear of rejection, and if I’m honest, there’s lazyness too. But God, hasn’t rejected me, or given up on me. I would love to have this resource to give me encouragement.
Thank you.
Thank you, Beth, for sharing about the struggle with relationships. To some degree, we all can relate. I hear your willing heart to allow God to strengthen you to risk. May this book strengthen you whether you win it or buy it. Thank you for entering.
Beth, thank you for your honesty about your relationship struggles. You are not the only who feels like this. Rejection is hard and painful, and YES, God is the one who never rejects us. In Chapter 4 of the book I address these issues. May God help you and guide you into loving relationships. Joyfully, Heidi
I really enjoyed reading the excerpt from this book. Really liked what Heidi had to say, and I know that I would gladly read her book if I were to be fortunate enough to win a copy of it. God has blessed my life, and I love to share that with others.
Hi Leslie. I know Heidi will be so glad to hear you enjoyed the excerpt and have put your name into the drawing. Thanks for stopping by!
Leslie, thank you for stopping by to read my blog. May God help you to find joy in ways you can’t even imagine. I know this book will really give you new insights and encourage you. Blessings, Heidi
I’m putting Mary into the drawing whose comment didn’t go through.
wow what a great post!
Hi Danielle, I agree. And just think how the whole book is like that! I’m so glad to offer this opportunity. I’ve put you into the drawing.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog, I appreciate it. The book is filled with nuggets, and practical wisdom to help you find joy in unexpected ways and places. Be blessed Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog, I appreciate it. The book is filled with nuggets, and practical wisdom to help you find joy in unexpected ways and places. Be blessed, Heidi
It’s a good time for me to read about friendships and joy because I’m navigating new waters lately.
Leslie, nice to “meet” and I am so glad you are interested in friendships and joy, because there is a lot of great material on that in my book. May god help you navigate and enjoy the new waters. Blessings. Heidi