 |
|
| April 2009 | Vol. 2 | Issue 2I had forgotten about spring's official arrival until there was a back up on one of the main streets headed into the borough where I live. I was a bit confused about why cars where lined up for a couple of blocks until I saw the Rita's Water Ice come into view. Rita's hands out free water ice on the first official day of spring. It is one way of saying goodbye to one kind of frost and welcoming the tastiness of another kind. Getting your free Rita's on the first day of spring is a tradition around here. In fact, one of my friends sent me some photos of her kids having their annual free water ice. The smile on her daughter's face was one of pure joy! Never heard of Rita's? Check it out here. By the way, Rita's is NOT the same thing as a snow cone you can buy at the county fair. May your spring be full of sunshine, water ice, and good times!
|
|
by Susan
|
|
Not surprisingly, I am often asked why I choose the name
Defiant Joy for the ministry. The terms "defiant"
and "joy" are not often talked about in the same sentence in a positive
light. The story of the name begins with a
bible study I was taking part in during the fall of 2005.
I was studying the fruits of the spirit and as
we focused on studying the fruit of joy, I instinctively knew that the word "joy"
needed to appear somewhere in the name of the ministry. As I sat listening to the teaching, I wondered
about possible names and then the speaker uttered the term that made my heart stand up
and take notice: "defiant joy."
The phrase is a reference to a commentary written by Karl
Barth in his work The Epistle to the Philippians. If there ever was a book of the bible that so
eloquently describes the practice of defiant joy, it would be Philippians. Paul wrote this Epistle while he was in
prison. He had a lot to be anxious about -- namely
that at this point in his imprisonment, the outcome of his trial was still
unknown. Paul was also concerned that
the integrity of the Gospel message was in question. Taken from 2 Corinthians chapter 11, here is
a partial list of some of the events Paul had endured during his life:
- Imprisonment
- Flogging
- Exposed to death again and again
- Five times he received forty lashes
minus one
- Three times he was beaten with rods
- Stoned
- Shipwrecked three times
- In danger from rivers, bandits, and his
countrymen
- Hunger and sleeplessness
Back to Philippians. Paul
is in prison. He does not know if he
will be sentenced to death. He is
wondering if those on the outside are compromising the Gospel. Yet, he makes this statement in verse 20 of
chapter 1: "I eagerly expect and hope
that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now
as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." In
essence, Paul is asking that the church not be preoccupied with the difficulty
of the circumstance (see list above!). Instead, he
encourages them to move forward with joy because the Gospel is being advanced because
of his chains. His life on earth was
about Christ and his death meant gain because his life on earth was about
Christ.
Click here to read more...
|
 |
 Joy in the Word |
|
|
Philippians 1:3-5
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
|
|
See the Joy
|
|
|
"In the Light of Grace"
Crossroads Presbyterian Church's Annual Women's Retreat
St. Mary of Providence
Retreat Center
April 24-26, 2009
Click here for more information
________________________________________________
Are you or someone you know looking for a speaker for a 2009 event?
Please consider Defiant Joy Ministries.
Check out the topics page to learn more about available presentations.
Any of these presentations can be adapted to fit your group's needs and time requirements. Does your group need a specific topic
addressed?
Feel free to contact Susan with your request.
ways to keep in touch
See the Joy - Topics - Journal the Joy Blog
|
|
Joy Moments
|
|
|
A Refreshing Time.
I recently had spring break. It was a good time to step back from my normal schedule and refuel. Joyful moments from the week included:
- Breakfast for dinner with a friend
- Celebrating a friend's birthday
- Laughing with friends over coffee
- Watching the birds return to the woods behind my apartment
- Catching up with a friend from out-of-state
- Watching movies
- Sleeping in!
- Organizing my office
- Walking aimlessly around the office supply store
- Baking a cake [a true triumph!]
- And the list goes on...
Look around you--joyful moments abound! Click here to share yours!
|
|
Joyful Resources
|
|
|
Hear the Joy!
NEW! Listen to Love You. Mean It.
Want to hear a Defiant Joy message? Cruise on over to the Hear the Joy page and check out the messages. The archive is small but will be growing in the near future.
Journal the Joy Blog!
Keep up with my joyful musings. You can subscribe to the blog using our RSS feed. Click here to learn more about RSS.
Want to share a joyful resource? Send us a message.
|
|
eNewsletter Archive
|
|
|
Read past issues.
Missed reading a past eNewsletter? No worries! You can read past issues by accessing the eNewsletter archive.
Click here to get caught up on past Defiant Joy news.
|
|
Prayer and Thanks
|
|
|
I'm Giving Thanks...- For a renewed sense of purpose.
- For a refreshing spring break.
- For a good times spent with friends.
- For financial wisdom.
- For the establishment of an Advisory team for the ministry.
- For strength to continue to choose defiant joy
Please Pray...- For my preparation for the Crossroads Women's retreat. I will be speaking about grace.
- For the women who will be attending the event.
- For speaking opportunities.
- For discipline in studying and praying.
It would be a privilege to pray for you. E-mail Susan.
|
| |
 |
With Defiant Joy,
Susan
Susan M. Ward, Ph.D.
Founder | Defiant Joy Ministries
susan@defiantjoyministries.com
If you would like to receive occasional mailings delivered the old-fashioned way to your door step from Defiant Joy,
please take a moment to add your address information to our database.
You can do so by clicking on the Confirm link located at the very top
of the eNewsletter and then entering the e-mail address you use to
receive the eNewsletter. Just follow the directions on the screen.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
