SPEAKING JOYFULLY
Pool (of Life) Rules
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com Doing lap after lap of monotony without getting anywhere? Treading water trying to stay afloat? Drowning in despair? Whatever our state in the pool of life, whether swimming strong or barely floating, we can benefit from some key...
Name Impact
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com “Your mom wanted to name you Joy, and she was right.” My dad voiced that sentiment many times in the years after my mom had traveled to her heavenly home. As I recently celebrated another birthday, I thought about mom’s desire and...
Prey or Pray?
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com The hawk perched on the tree branch waiting patiently for its prey. Fascinated by its presence, I watched to see what it might do. My attention wandered, and in that moment of distraction, the predator swooped down and grabbed its...
Attack Analysis and Protection
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com We’ve all experienced attacks – some physical, some mental, some emotional, some spiritual. And some – well, they end up fitting every category. They start in one area and end up affecting us in various ways. Word assaults can...
The Sunflower Shows Up
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com The sunflower found its way into my hands in an unexpected way. While admiring dozens of sunflowers and zinnias at a nearby location, I mentioned to the planter how much I enjoyed them. The gardener told me all theirs had been grown...
16 Christmas in July Activities
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com Christmas in July is often promoted in marketing campaigns, but we can make it fun and meaningful too. For Christians, the celebration of what – and Who - Christmas is about has never been restricted to December; it’s a heart...
13 Fourth of July Facts, Fun and Freedom Offerings
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com We don’t have to limit our celebration to the Fourth of July! Celebrate freedom the entire weekend – and forever! Lest we think differing opinions are new to our nation, it is interesting to note that our nation's Founding Fathers...
Engaging the Core – Water Noodle Wisdom
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com “Stand on the noodle with both feet. Do not hold on to anything around you.” The instructor called out those directions to all of us gathered in the pool for water aerobics. I well remember when I first heard those instructions years...
In the Driver’s Seat
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com The dog was in the driver’s seat. Behind the steering wheel, her furry face turned from the right to the left. Instead of looking forward most of the time, she kept glancing out the side window which had been powered down partway....
Memorial Day is More
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com Memorial Day is meant to be MORE. More than barbecues and backyard gatherings. More than baseball and burgers. More than discounts or a day off. Memorial Day is MORE... much MORE. When we really contemplate its meaning, we see lives...