Echoes of Joy Blog

Offering a Sacrifice of Praise

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This excerpt is from my devotional, Echoes of Joy: A Thankful Heart.

Day 10
Offering a Sacrifice of Praise

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Heb. 13:15)

For most of us, being carefree comes easily when we’re kids. But as adults, we face adult problems, such as difficult bosses, paying the bills, and raising kids or taking care of aging parents. We deal with devastating health diagnoses, job losses, estrangements, and pandemics. Those problems steal our joy and make giving thanks more difficult.

Even Jesus struggled to accept God’s plan for him. When he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he poured out his pain to God. And yet, he still prayed for God’s will to be done.

Jesus’s example shows us that it’s possible to be thankful even when facing the most difficult circumstances. It doesn’t mean we’re thankful for the situation, but that we’re thankful in spite of it. When we open our hearts to let in gratitude, we let go of stress and striving.

Offering up praise when you don’t feel like it is a choice. Praising God in good times is easy; praising him during difficult times is a sacrifice. This sacrifice of praise comes from a humble heart that has decided to praise God no matter the circumstances. Real praise flows continuously, in both good times and in bad.

When we offer a sacrifice of praise, we choose to believe God is still good even when life isn’t. When we praise God in spite of the storms, we choose to honor him, and our faith grows deeper.

Dear Jesus, thank you for providing an example of how to praise God even when things are not going my way. Help me offer praise and thanksgiving to you no matter how difficult my situation is. Amen.

Thankful for Charlie Bones

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Ps. 107:1)

Each November, our hearts our filled with thanksgiving for our blessings. My new puppy, Charlie, is at the top of the list of things I’m grateful for this year. My sister-in-law believes that animals come into our lives the moment we need them most, and I agree because that was the case with both Lilly, my Yorkie, and now Charlie. Charlie needed a home, and I needed companionship. He and his big personality have filled my life in ways I never imagined. Continue reading “Thankful for Charlie Bones” →

The Reading Slump

Posted on by Staci Mauney

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Eccl. 3:1)

Have you ever been in a reading slump? This is an extended period of time when you don’t read much. It’s not that you don’t want to read—it’s more that your mind won’t focus. I noticed recently that I’ve been in a reading slump for a couple of months. Even when I have time to read, I would rather watch TV or scroll through my phone—something that doesn’t require too much brain power. Continue reading “The Reading Slump” →

Training Charlie

Posted on by Staci Mauney

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

Having a new puppy means I spend a lot of my time training him. We’re working on potty training, walking on a leash, staying calm at mealtimes, and not nipping when he plays or wants attention.

A lot goes into training a puppy, and I know I can’t do it all on my own. Until Charlie has all his puppy vaccines, I can’t take him to a professional trainer, and I want to do what I can to help him establish good habits before the bad ones become his normal behavior. To do this, I watch YouTube videos, read articles, and talk to friends who have dogs. Continue reading “Training Charlie” →

Charlie Gets a Nickname

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“For we are God’s handiwork…” (Ephesians 2:10)

My new puppy, Charlie, met my parents for the first time last week. I had warned my dad that I was expecting him to come up with a nickname for the little guy. He had nicknamed my Yorkie, Lilly, “Lilly Doggins,” and people still ask me about her and call her by her full name.

My dad did not disappoint me—Charlie is now “Charlie Bones,” so named because he loves to chew on his bone-shaped chew toys. One evening, my dad stared calling him “Mr. Charlie Bones-Jangles” after the song, “Mr. Bojangles.” It’s a bit of a mouthful though, so we quickly shortened his nickname back to “Mr. Charlie Bones.” Continue reading “Charlie Gets a Nickname” →