Book Drawing: “Growing a Joyful Heart” by Karen Whiting and Pam Farrel 
Need more joy? Everyone can appreciate having more joy. I have great news for you.
Growing a Joyful Heart shares how to cultivate joy! Joy is a gift from God, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In a tumultuous world we can Rejoice and increase our joy.
- We choose joy as we focus on what God has done and will do, rather than our circumstances.
- Start the process of being joyful with developing inner joy.
- Then it’s easier to bring joy into relationships to have more meaningful connections with the people in our lives.
- We choose to respond with joy in all circumstances, even in the midst of our grief and pain, through trusting that God is working in our lives with a plan and purpose.
- Once joy overflows in our hearts, we share that abundance and become joy givers.
To enter the drawing to possibly win a copy of this great book, read on! And to whet your appetite, here’s an excerpt from the book. UPDATE! Cheryl is the winner of the book drawing! The drawing is now closed.
Joyful Family Devotions After Disaster
by Karen Whiting and Pam Farrel
Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Colossians 3:16
Jim and Karen wove daily faith into ordinary days. They often chose texts that coordinated with problems or topics to which their children could relate. But they never expected to face a huge natural disaster like a category four hurricane and great damage to their home and community. They chose to study Nehemiah as they rebuilt.
They spent hours cleaning debris and pulling out old carpets. The children understood Nehemiah’s weeping at the thought of the rubble and broken wall around Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:3). They could envision what he saw as he inspected the damage (Nehemiah 2:11–13).
They read how Nehemiah carried letters from the king for supplies (Nehemiah 2:7–8). Checks and approvals from the insurance company seemed almost as precious. Like Nehemiah, the letters gave hope that repairs would begin soon. “Nehemiah” means “God has comforted,” in past tense, and they rejoiced and trusted God already knew the repairs would soon be history.
As Jim read about enemies attacking Nehemiah, teasing them, and trying to trick Nehemiah into disobeying God (Nehemiah 3–5), they chatted about what was happening in their area. They waited on permits and inspections. The children doubled up, and one slept in a closet. They understood that unexpected problems challenge our faith.
Their sons and scouting friends helped repair homes where people lost their insurance money to scammers. They realized why Nehemiah was so upset at usury, when people took advantage of the poor situations of neighbors.
But they also rejoiced with any completed work, including their home. After the restoration they rededicated their home to the Lord and enjoyed a party.
Miracle Scrapbook
Habakkuk 3:17–19 BSB
Things were very bleak for this minor prophet. Ever been there? Bill and Pam Farrel could relate! They married at age twenty with very few worldly goods but a goal to complete college. “We lived from miracle to miracle!”
What does Habakkuk recommend when you are in dire straits?
-
Exalt in the Lord: Become jubilant and triumphant in who God is.
-
Rejoice in God: Joyfully exalt about what God does.
In their early years, money was very tight. They were finishing their education, then headed to seminary so Bill could become a pastor. Pam’s way to exalt God was to track every answer to prayer and every miracle blessing in a scrapbook. These included the following:
- The congratulations: “You won a sewing machine!”
- The list of youth parents who donated monthly to send them to seminary
- The bumper sticker that read, “I believe in miracles” that our youth group gave us as they prayed for God to give us a car. We rode bikes everywhere and prayed for nearly a year until we got a phone call from a parent of one of our youth. They said, “My husband’s mom passed away and she has a car with low mileage, but it needs a brake job. We’ve arranged the servicing for a price of$42.” Bill and Pam had about $45 to their names, so it was quite the celebration as the youth gathered to place their bumper sticker on the car God provided.
According to Habakkuk, God gives much more than the minimum: God makes your feet sure like a deer on a mountaintop. God elevates your life to the heights!
Thank you for sharing the excerpt from your book, Karen and Pam.
For my readers: To purchase “Growing a Joyful Heart” CLICK HERE
I know you’re excited about this book like I am. To win a copy, enter the drawing by making a comment on the blog post by the evening of Sunday, October 2, 2023 . Only USA addresses can win. UPDATE: Congratulations to Cheryl, the winner of the book drawing. Cheryl, I’m connecting you with Pam and Karen by email.
The authors: Pam Farrel (left) and Karen Whiting (right)
Karen Whiting (www.karenwhiting.com) rejoices as she writes and speaks to inspire families to thrive.She’s an international speaker, former television host, columnist, and award-winning author of more than thirty books for women, children, and families. She has a heart to nurture the growth of wholesome families and promote the development of strong bonds of faith.
Pam Farrel is an international speaker and author of 60 books including bestselling Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti. She and her husband Bill Co-direct Love-Wise ministry helping people in their vital relationships. They are parents to three sons, 3 daughters in law and 7 grandkids. The Farrels make their home on a live aboard boat docked in Southern California.
Joy in Jesus
Susan, thank you for entering the drawing. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to connect with us.
Indeed!
I’ve been trying to focus more on joy in my life. This book sounds like it will be a great help with that. Thank you for writing it.
Cheryl, yes, I think you are right. This is a great book for you and for all of us as we all need to grow in joy. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Congratulations, Cheryl! You are the winner of the book drawing. I will connect you with Pam and Karen by email. Thank you for entering!
So excited that you won! May the book be a blessing that brings more joy to you and inspires you to add joy to lives of others!
Yes, indeed, Karen. I love supporting your fabulous insights!
This sounds like a wonderful book that will help many people!
Thank you, Lisa, for commenting and putting your name into the drawing.
How very encouraging! Our family was homeless for almost a year and it was so difficult to have faith that things would work out. It was very hard to have faith through it all. I felt like giving up so many times.
We were able to be housed and are now about to celebrate our 12th year in our home and feel so blessed every day that goes by and being able to show our son what faith can do!
Wow, Amy, what a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness, especially when His will and His timing isn’t the way we think it should be. You have encouraged us all.
Love the excerpt from the book. I’m sure the book is packed with joy.
Hi Louise. I’m so glad you enjoyed the excerpt. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Happy that you like the excerpt. Hope you’ll get the book to read many more stories of joy.
Louise, I also join Karen in recommending you purchase her book! It’s full of joy!
I agree Joy starts with Jesus
He holds it all together! Collossians
Amen!
Thank you, Mary Anne, for entering the drawing. And I agree. Knowing God is holding it all together is indeed the key to our joy.
Hi Kathy,
Looks like a wonderful read. Love the front cover!
Mona.
Blessings!many thanks!
Thank you, Mona, for entering the drawing!
I really love this post and the lesson in being joyful and positive through all things. It can be very difficult, but in my personal experience when it seems to be the darkest times there is light to be found if only, we look for it. Blessings are all around us when we open our hearts and minds.
Thank you so much for this chance, I really appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing, Amy. My readers will appreciate your wisdom. I’ve entered your name into the drawing.
I try to choose Joy all of the time. It reminds me if my mom. (JOY).
As quoted from a man that gives joy to all is WOW. Which upside down says mom
Kerry, thank you so much for your example of choosing joy–your mom’s name. How sweet. I’ve put your name into the drawing. God bless.
This looks like a wonderful and inspirational read. I definitely need to grow a joyful heart.
Wen, this book really is an inspirational read. Don’t we all need more joy? It’s so easy to be overwhelmed. I’ve entered your name into the drawing.
Oh, the joy of my salvation. Isn’t it wonderful to know that upon our salvation, we are filled with God’s joy? The world does its best to cover it up and to minimize it, but the closer we draw near to God, the more full my cup becomes. Prayers that your book touches many lives ladies.
So right, J.D. Beautifully said. Thanks for encouraging Pam and Karen. I put your name into the drawing.