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Joy
In the deepest recesses of our souls, there is a yearning for something that transcends the highest earthly happiness imaginable. Our lives are often spent, in what seems like an endless search for . . . JOY. The joy we long for comes not from acquiring or achieving anything, but by surrendering everything. In JOY, David Young leads you into the presence of God . . . where you’ll find yourself savoring God’s grace until you’re consumed by JOY. It’s beyond your loneliness, emptiness, pain, and fears, that you’ll find the JOY that is not subject to circumstances, but transcends them all. “Beyond happiness, David Young will take you on a journey to joy—a wellspring of spiritual vitality and blessing only possible through God’s grace–filled intervention in your life. Joy is the amazing response God enables in every circumstance—including the most troubling, painful difficulties you endure.” -Dr. Jeff Iorg, President of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary “Simply wonderful and filled with truth. I’m not easily moved, but I sense an important work here. In this work, David Young gives to the child of God a pure heart . . . David literally reveals God to us in our lives. We actually learn to “see” God, and the result is JOY.” -Chuck Winters, Pastor of Cedar Heights Baptist Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas “Although this is a book on joy, David Young directly confronts the age old why must we suffer so? With statements such as “One of the most astounding characteristics of the joy of the Lord is that it flows out of tragedy,” he gives us God’s perspective on suffering. I was greatly helped by this book which served as a timely reminder that, in this life, there will be many opportunities to learn to lay earthly treasures at Jesus’ feet, and experience true joy, even with a broken heart. This highly readable book can serve as a lamp shining a path through the darkest storm.” -Tony Singleton, Pastor’s wife and Christian Counselor “For the Christian, joy springs from a close relationship with Christ. In the same way, the book, JOY, springs from the pen of a man who walks close to Jesus. In this delightful book, David Young invites us to experience anew, an important part of our Christian birthright, a joy that is deeper than emotion and stronger than feelings.” -Gene Daniels, author of Searching for the Indigenous Church “Joy is far more than a bottle of dish soap. Joy is something that is longed for and yet seems so illusive to us because we often misunderstand its true meaning. The biblical joy that Pastor David speaks of in this book is the joy that comes from living a vibrant relationship enlightened by God. It is the joy that carries us through the valleys of questioning and despair and gives us resource to praise God on the mountaintop. As you read this book you will learn of the godly joy that our Heavenly Father so desires to lavish upon us. I have watched my brother and friend, as he learned the truths of real joy, through the challenges and trials of his own life. Read, enjoy, and embrace God’s JOY.” -Dennis Fredricks, Director of Missions, Sacramento Baptist Association For more than 40 years Pastor David Young has regularly published articles, poetry, plays, Bible studies, devotionals, and sermons for various venues. While facing terminal cancer, David Young continues to pour out his life to God in his writing. David and His wife, Marsha, live in the Pacific Northwest.
338 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2012
4 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
David Young
15 books4 followersFor more than 40 years David Young has regularly published articles, poetry,
plays, Bible studies, devotionals and sermons for various venues. His writings have been translated in to several languages.
For most of that time he served as Pastor of churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Washington state. For 28 years he was pastor of Trinity Baptist Church of Lakewood, (Suburban Tacoma, WA)
David graduated from Central State University (now The University of Central Oklahoma), Edmond, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth. He has taught extension classes for Oklahoma Baptist University and
Goldengate Baptist Theological Seminary.
He has spoken, ministered and taught in Western and Eastern Europe, Central and Southeast Asia and North America.
plays, Bible studies, devotionals and sermons for various venues. His writings have been translated in to several languages.
For most of that time he served as Pastor of churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Washington state. For 28 years he was pastor of Trinity Baptist Church of Lakewood, (Suburban Tacoma, WA)
David graduated from Central State University (now The University of Central Oklahoma), Edmond, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth. He has taught extension classes for Oklahoma Baptist University and
Goldengate Baptist Theological Seminary.
He has spoken, ministered and taught in Western and Eastern Europe, Central and Southeast Asia and North America.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 2, 2013
FYI: Spiritual as well as very personal content follows. Read at your own discretion.
If it is true, as David Young says in his book JOY, that "...the deeper the child of God is pulled down into earthly sorrow, the higher he will eventually spring up in heavenly joy" (189), then I gotta tell ya that that explains an awful lot. I have times when I honestly feel so full of joy that the only place it could possibly from would be God Himself. When I consider everything I've suffered in my life, it would be so easy to fall into a pool of despair and stay there.
Now, I don't want you thinking that I'm always full of joy and bubbly and experiencing the full joy of the Lord. I do have days where I wonder how I'm going to move, let alone make it through the day. I do have days where my "Heartache finds a bottom," but Praise the Lord, it isn't long until "joy rebounds" (189).
For the sake of those of you who don't know me:
1. while I was pregnant with my first son, my left ovary and part of my fallopian tube had to be removed because of a growing cyst
2. my first son was stillborn just two weeks before his due date in 1999
3. that same year, I had a miscarriage
4. during the delivery of my only living child, my heart rate shot up to over 202 beats/minute
5. I had another miscarriage a few short years later
6. in 2009, I ended up in the hospital with severe stomach pains--I was in and out of consciousness for a week--at the end of which the doctor had to do emergency surgery where I had an ostomy (the cause of the severe stomach pains was a severe infections from diverticulitis)
7. 3 months later, the doctor reversed that surgery--leaving me with 2 huge, ugly scars on my belly
8. during all of this, my husband and I have continued to struggle in our marriage (still ongoing)
9. my grandmother (Baba) died
10. a year after my diverticulitis attack, I was back in the hospital having an ablation because I had polyps in my uterus--effectively cutting off any more chances for having more children, if that had been something I still wanted--I did.
11. last year, my son experienced the worst thing a child can go through
So in case you want to know why I smile bigger than anyone you know....why I always say I'm "Peachie" when asked how I'm doing.....why I laugh louder than anyone else in the room....why I sing at the top of my lungs even though I can't carry a tune in a bucket.....why I hug everyone I can whenever I can and I hug with my WHOLE being.....why I love so passionately.....it's because I've been deeper than anyone deserves to go (I know I'm not the only one) but I know in whom I believe and in Him and through Him, I live and move and have my being. He has truly turned my mourning into dancing--into joy.
I will NOT apologize for experiencing the full JOY of the Lord. I've asked Him to anoint me with the "oil of Joy" more than anyone else (Psalm 45:7 and Hebrews 1:9). And He has answered my prayer.
JUMOY!
I only have one other comment about David Young's book and that is about the chapter where he brings up "Pollyanna." You see, my name is Polly Anna, so I always pay closer attention when I see my name in print like that. The problem is that he brings up being "Pollyanna-ish," but he doesn't explain whether his discussion of being a "Pollyanna" is a positive thing or a negative thing. I just want to say that the real Pollyanna in the wonderful book of the same name by Eleanor H. Porter is a wonderful young woman who, with her dad, invents the "Glad Game" where they try to find something to be glad about even in the worst of situations.
If that's me--and it is, then I proudly say that I AM POLLY ANNA.....and I am GLAD that I am alive and full of the Joy of the Lord!
Hallelujah!
If it is true, as David Young says in his book JOY, that "...the deeper the child of God is pulled down into earthly sorrow, the higher he will eventually spring up in heavenly joy" (189), then I gotta tell ya that that explains an awful lot. I have times when I honestly feel so full of joy that the only place it could possibly from would be God Himself. When I consider everything I've suffered in my life, it would be so easy to fall into a pool of despair and stay there.
Now, I don't want you thinking that I'm always full of joy and bubbly and experiencing the full joy of the Lord. I do have days where I wonder how I'm going to move, let alone make it through the day. I do have days where my "Heartache finds a bottom," but Praise the Lord, it isn't long until "joy rebounds" (189).
For the sake of those of you who don't know me:
1. while I was pregnant with my first son, my left ovary and part of my fallopian tube had to be removed because of a growing cyst
2. my first son was stillborn just two weeks before his due date in 1999
3. that same year, I had a miscarriage
4. during the delivery of my only living child, my heart rate shot up to over 202 beats/minute
5. I had another miscarriage a few short years later
6. in 2009, I ended up in the hospital with severe stomach pains--I was in and out of consciousness for a week--at the end of which the doctor had to do emergency surgery where I had an ostomy (the cause of the severe stomach pains was a severe infections from diverticulitis)
7. 3 months later, the doctor reversed that surgery--leaving me with 2 huge, ugly scars on my belly
8. during all of this, my husband and I have continued to struggle in our marriage (still ongoing)
9. my grandmother (Baba) died
10. a year after my diverticulitis attack, I was back in the hospital having an ablation because I had polyps in my uterus--effectively cutting off any more chances for having more children, if that had been something I still wanted--I did.
11. last year, my son experienced the worst thing a child can go through
So in case you want to know why I smile bigger than anyone you know....why I always say I'm "Peachie" when asked how I'm doing.....why I laugh louder than anyone else in the room....why I sing at the top of my lungs even though I can't carry a tune in a bucket.....why I hug everyone I can whenever I can and I hug with my WHOLE being.....why I love so passionately.....it's because I've been deeper than anyone deserves to go (I know I'm not the only one) but I know in whom I believe and in Him and through Him, I live and move and have my being. He has truly turned my mourning into dancing--into joy.
I will NOT apologize for experiencing the full JOY of the Lord. I've asked Him to anoint me with the "oil of Joy" more than anyone else (Psalm 45:7 and Hebrews 1:9). And He has answered my prayer.
JUMOY!
I only have one other comment about David Young's book and that is about the chapter where he brings up "Pollyanna." You see, my name is Polly Anna, so I always pay closer attention when I see my name in print like that. The problem is that he brings up being "Pollyanna-ish," but he doesn't explain whether his discussion of being a "Pollyanna" is a positive thing or a negative thing. I just want to say that the real Pollyanna in the wonderful book of the same name by Eleanor H. Porter is a wonderful young woman who, with her dad, invents the "Glad Game" where they try to find something to be glad about even in the worst of situations.
If that's me--and it is, then I proudly say that I AM POLLY ANNA.....and I am GLAD that I am alive and full of the Joy of the Lord!
Hallelujah!
March 26, 2015
Going hand in hand with "In the Spirit", this is a deep biblical study on Joy and how to enjoy it. This book helps one to understand the meaning of joy. A very pleasurable read.
A geat book for that friend who is lost and looking for something. Showing how to find joy for oneself and even includes the plan of salvation.
I would recommend this for someone who doesn't know God or a new Christian.
A geat book for that friend who is lost and looking for something. Showing how to find joy for oneself and even includes the plan of salvation.
I would recommend this for someone who doesn't know God or a new Christian.
April 28, 2016
Randy Alcorn has written about happiness, but David Young has written an exhaustive book about joy. The author shares out of his rich experience of joy even as he battles cancer. I liked this statement, "We can continue to rejoice when we suffer in the here and now, because we don't live for the here and now." Read this book and enjoy a great feast as it points you to JOY!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews