{News}

I know it's been a long time coming for a new blog post around these parts! The team at Joie Mag has been discussing and praying about the future of Joie Mag. Because of new jobs, new family members and new life goals, we've decided that it is best for us not to publish any more magazine issues of Joie. We are sad for this change, but very grateful for the time we had to write the blog and magazine, and collaborate with some amazing women. Thanks for being with us on this journey.

Making Time to Study the Bible

If you've been reading Joie for a while, you know we like to write 'devotional' posts about what God has been teaching each of us lately. Sometimes it can be easier said than done to spend time with the Lord. Here are some ways to make sure your time with God is consistent each day.

Pick a Time: If you set your devotional time at the same general time each day (morning, afternoon, evening), you are more likely to remember to do it! I like mornings, because I know I'm starting my day off on the right path.

Pick a Place: Have your Bible, pen, journal, ect in a familiar place. When all your tools are in one spot, it's more convenient than running around looking for everything! My husband keeps his Bible on the dining room table so he remembers to do his devotions while he eats his breakfast. I have my Bible by my bed, because I like waking up and spending those first few moments of my day with God. Maybe you have a comfy chair or a screened in porch that you like to sit on. You can talk to God anywhere!

Pick a Scripture or a Plan: Some people like to read through a whole book of the Bible and some people like a devotional reading plan. The benefit of reading a whole book is that you get the whole story of what God intended. The benefit of going through a devotional plan is that you get a little guidance if you're not sure where to start. Either one is great and God will teach you through both!

A good method of study is the SOAP method.

S: Scripture. Read your passage of the day.
O: Observation. Write down what you think the Scripture means and ask God to help you discern it.
A: Application. Meditate on how you think it applies to your life. How does it change you?
P: Prayer. I find it helps if I write out my prayers. It helps my mind stay focused on God. It also lets me go back and read how God has worked in my life!

Stay Accountable: Tell your friends about what you've been learning and have them do the same. Encourage each other and pray for each other!

What have you been studying lately? What has God been teaching you? We'd love to hear about it! Leave us a comment! 

~Stephanie 

JOIE MAGAZINE : ISSUE ONE

Well! Here it is, friends! The first issue of Joie Magazine. We're excited to finally share it with you! Our vision is that Christian women will use this magazine for inspiration not only for their weddings, but their marriages. We believe in true love! God-centered marriages! Honest communication! Date nights! Long coffee chats with your best friends! You get the point. :) 

There’s a little bit of everything in this inaugural issue. Our readers are all in different places in their lives, and we hope and pray there is at least one article in this magazine that speaks right to your heart. 

We've been working on this passion project for the last 7 months. A lot of research was done on how to start a magazine, but believe it or not, we still aren't professional magazine-makers! This issue isn’t perfect. In fact, the reason it took so long to launch is that we wanted it to be perfect, but finally realized that it will never be that way! There are definitely some things that could be better, prettier and more eloquent.

But there is good news: God knows the direction this magazine will go and the kind of impact it has the potential to make. We are all praying for all you women who will read it, that it would be encouraging to you each time you read it!

We want you to be part of this Joie adventure. If you have article ideas or know any women who may want to contribute, or if you have feedback that you would like to share, please email us at joieweddings@gmail.com! 

Now, go enjoie Issue One! And stayed tuned in the next few weeks for news about our second issue and other exciting things!

Here we go!
Joie Magazine : Issue One

{Colossians 4:6}

Getting honest here. Yesterday morning was not a graceful morning for me. My words were not nice. They were sharp and judging. They were just plain mean. When I picked up my Bible, Colossians 4:6 was the first verse I read, and it was a very humbling wake-up call. I immediately texted my husband and asked for forgiveness, which he willingly gave.

There are so many verses in the Bible about how words either speak life or speak destruction. And after yesterday, I get it. It's so true that what we say directly effects who we are talking to - or talking about. Let's let this Bible verse be a reminder to us all to think before we speak, and let our words be filled with grace.

~ Stephanie

To download this computer background, first click HERE (it goes to our Flickr account), then find the three little dots on the left. Click those and choose 'download all sizes'. Then choose 'large'. Then click 'download'!

5 Days in Scripture // 30 Day Scripture Challenge Update

I've spent the last 5 mornings making a deliberate choice to spend time reading God's word. And it's been really refreshing. I've been reading mainly in Psalms, but today I wandered over to James 5. 

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Sing songs of praise." James 5:13

I think most of us pray when things aren't going the way we expected... and that's great, the Bible tells us to do that! But how often do we sing songs of praise when we're happy? Like actually sing out loud! To praise Jesus! I'm going to make a point of doing that more often!

If you're interested in joining the 30 Day Scripture Challenge, you should check out the hashtag #lampandlight on Instagram. Don't worry about starting 5 days late, just continue 5 days into June! And, well, forever. :) 

~ Stephanie 

P.S. Follow Joie Mag on Insta, too! 

May Scripture Challenge (#lampandlight)

It's never a bad thing to challenge yourself to read your Bible more, right? We all have those days where it just doesn't happen. But when a community of women from all around the country come together and pledge to read their Bibles together for 31 days, it might make it easier!

Starting on May 1st, we'll join Kristin Nicole and a whole group of women and read our Bibles everyday of May. After your devotional time, snap a picture, post on Instagram (tag it #lampandlight) and write a little bit about what God taught you that day. It'll be a challenge. But it will be so worth it, don't you think?

"The more I seek You, the more I find You." A Kari Jobe song that has always challenged my heart. The more we read God's word, the more He reveals to us. And the more we get to know Him. And THAT is definitely not a bad thing!

We hope you'll take part!

(photo by kristin nicole)

He Cares {Devotional}

We all know that God is a strong and powerful God. He rules over all the nations, and power and might are in His hand (2 Chronicles 20:6). He always knows what is going on. Anything is possible through Him (Matthew 19:26).

But what about the other side of God? His gentle side. His caring side.
Like a sweet friend, God cares for you. He wants to know your worries, and he wants to help you through them. He is always looking for ways to take care of you! 

Don't be ashamed to cry out your troubles to the strong and mighty God of the universe, the God who also wants to make sure you have everything you need. He takes care of the birds of the sky, you know. Do you believe he will take care of you? (hint: you should :) )

~*~

Enjoy this fresh spring day, friends! 
~Joie Mag team

Pray Without Ceasing {Devotional}

These past couple weeks have been a lot of ups and downs for my little family. However, sometimes I think as Christians we forget who offers us the "peace that passes all understanding." It seems like it should be so obvious. The Bible clearly states multiple times to pray without ceasing, but often we get so hammered down with whatever is worrying us, that we forget to pray. Isn’t that ridiculous?!

As followers of Christ we have an amazing God that holds our lives in the palm of His hands. Isn’t it sad to think that sometimes we forget to even acknowledge His presence?  Just think about that for a moment.

It’s funny to me with today’s technology that at the first instinct of a problem, we run to our phone and text a loved one, or look up a meaning or solution on our tablet. Now, I’m not necessarily saying that these are bad reactions, but shouldn’t our first response be to talk to our Savior? 

Not only that, but when we do pray, are we just putting our requests in, or are we recognizing His lordship, divinity, and praising Him for all He has done? We should be continually talking to our Lord and Savior. How can you have a solid relationship when you only talk to Him when times are difficult or for 20 seconds before a meal?

I encourage you to take the Bible to heart, and truly pray without ceasing. Take today as a first step and continue to thank Him for all His blessings and praise Him for His holiness. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing." (KJV)

Philippians 4:6-8 –  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)

~Taryn

Speak Love

Good morning Joie blog readers! We have a special guest blogging for us today! Pastor DD, from Elevation Chapel in Newton, MA, is going to give us a different perspective on a very important verse in the Bible and how she knows it will strengthen your marriage. Thanks so much for this wonderful post, DD! 

~*~

In my 15 years of ministry, and 7 years of pre-marital and marriage counseling I’ve pretty much seen and heard it all… My husband and I always make it a point to get to know each couple, both as individuals and as a unit. So, this being my first blog post EVER, I thought it would be fitting to open with the best~ what I consider to be the most valuable piece of advice for each and every couple, in any stage of your relationship.

In literally 90% of the weddings I’ve witnessed, this scripture is given as one of the ceremonial readings. Even when a couple isn’t “religious”, this has been the reading of choice for so many. I believe the reason is that this verse is so timeless and widely applicable (also why I’m choosing to focus on this!). I also believe this verse has the power to strengthen and even save relationships.

The verse is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Now, I’m sure half of you probably just skimmed that passage because you’ve heard it so many times! But hear me out… Let’s try something… Read this verse again, except this time, replace the words “love is” with the phrase, “Because I love __________, I will be _________.” Or, “I will not be _________.” as the case may be.

So now for me, the verse reads as follows: “Because I love Max (my husband), I will be patient and kind. Because I love Max, I will not be boastful or proud or rude. I will not demand my own way. Because I love him, I will not be irritable (that’s a tough one for me!), and I will keep no record of being wronged. Because I love Max, I will not rejoice in injustice (or be happy when he is wrong) but will rejoice whenever the truth wins out (I will rejoice when he is right.). Because I love Max, I will never give up on him, never lose faith in him, always be hopeful for him, and my love for him will endure through every circumstance.”

Words are powerful. The Bible says the power of life and death is in the tongue. I truly believe that, because I’ve seen it in so many and experienced it first-hand in my near 18 years of marriage. The words we speak directly affect the circumstances we are in. Regardless of whether you have been together for a week, a year, or twenty years, remind yourself of this verse. Even read it aloud, together… Because when you model your love after this, your relationship will reflect God’s pure and perfect love.

Love & Blessings,

Pastor DD

{Devotional} Delight

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, 
and on his law he meditates day and night." {Psalm 1:2}

What brings you delight? A quick stop into your favorite bakery? Hiking with your loved ones in the spring? Cuddling up with a good book? It could be all of the above!

We read in Psalms that delight is knowing God's words by heart and immersing yourself daily in what He has to say. And when we constantly do this? We become like the trees planted by the river. They are the healthiest, producing the most fruit, and not withering.

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, 
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither." {Psalm 1:3}

Let this be an encouragement to you today, to take a break from your crazy day and drink your water. Let God's word overflow in you!

~*~

If you're at work and don't have a Bible with you, download the Bible app (by YouVersion) for your phone! It's great to have the Bible with you all the time. :)

{love}stephanie

1 Peter 3:15

This verse has been on my heart lately, and so I hope it encourages you today! 

The Lord knows what He is doing.

Currently, we're in the curating+gathering process of this first issue of our little magazine magazine. This process could also be called the waiting process. Waiting for emails to get sent back, waiting for ideas to pop up and waiting for all the little details to come together. Which they definitely are, albeit slowly. 

If you know me, you know I'm not good at waiting. 

For anything, really.

(Which is why I'm prone to using the microwave.)

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart.

The Lord's timing is better than mine will ever be. 

When I think that really cool vendor will never reply to my email, God knows when they will (or knows that they won't, which is fine, too.) When that *perfect* job comes... and goes... gather all your patience and wait on the Lord for something even more amazing. When you've been waiting so long for someone to love forever and it seems impossible to wait a little longer... just wait. 

The Lord knows what He is doing. 

~joie team

Forever Faithful

I was at a coffee shop yesterday evening and started reading Psalm 136, the chapter that reminds us line after line that "His love endures forever".

Line after line. A reminder. A promise. 

That He loves us. And He will love us forever. 

Without fail. 

He loves you. 

Remember that today. 

For the Good.

~*~

"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Write this verse on a slip of paper and hide it somewhere you'll remember. When the worry creeps up or the storm clouds gather, take it out and pray this prayer.

~*~

Thank you so much for the continuing support as we continue to collect and research for the inaugural issue of Joie! We can't wait to share all the goodness we have found.

Resting from Busy

Sometimes we idolize the idea of being busy. And not even just the silent idea of being busy, but the "broadcast it to the whole world" idea of being busy. Almost like by making our constant busyness public, it somehow confirms we are achieving more great things than that other person who CLEARLY isn't as busy as WE are. 

Yeah. 

I've been there, I've done that. I've been that person.  

God took a break. Yes, He worked really hard and put a lot of His energy into His big project, but then, he took a break.

Genesis 2:3

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, 

because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

~*~

This is your cue (mine too!). To take a break from "catching up on work" on a Saturday morning and instead, cuddle on the couch with your spouse and watch House Hunters and dream together about the day when you will buy your first house. (Or are my husband and I the only ones who do that? :) )

Our lives will always be full of things to do. Work, get-togethers, groceries, laundry, fix-it's, errands, weekend trips... It's stuff that we have to get done, but let's stop broadcasting all that. Let's make a pact to stop glorifying the idea of busyness. To take a rest day and actually use it to rest!

~Stephanie 

Getting Deeper.

This song has rocked my world for about a year now. Each time I listen to it (which is usually about twice a day), my soul wants more Jesus. My heart wants to love people better. People I know and people I don't. My best friends and the old lady at church whose name I always forget. Do you know that feeling?

This year one of my goals is to be more intentional with my relationships. First and foremost my relationship with God. To dig into His word each day, with no to-do list or time constraint to guide me. But it doesn't stop there. I want to be more intentional with my husband, who works hard for our family. I want to make sure he comes home to a yummy dinner and me, his wife, not stuck in her computer. With my best friends, that I can always be encouraging to them, even though most live in different states. And even the old lady at church, because, really, I should know her name by now. I bet she has an awesome story, and this year I want to listen to it.

~Stephanie

verse of the week.