Sunday, July 24, 2016

Jennifer Dukes Lee - Guest Post & Giveaway!!


Hi Friends,

It is my pleasure to welcome my friend and writer, Jennifer Dukes Lee, to guest post on my blog this week.  Jennifer is launching her new book, "The Happiness Dare".  I am pleased to help my friend, who is the real deal, and who writes with depth and honesty, to get the word out about her wonderful new book. Will you join me in welcoming her to this place...


How Your Thought Life Influences Your Happiness

It was one very pain-filled night. I was standing in the dimly lit sanctuary of my country church. I had come there to pray with a few friends due to an overwhelming set of circumstances in my life. Suddenly, I felt such a deep panic that I thought I couldn’t breathe.



It was an anxiety attack. I’d never had one before, but I knew what was happening when it hit me. I was nearly knocked off my feet by this sense of panic, even in the solitude of God’s house.

I gripped the pew in front of me while my heart raced and my throat closed around itself. I felt despair and a complete loss of control. I couldn’t find the words to pray, but years of thoughts and meditation on God’s Word let me know for sure that God was there.

Looking back, this was a moment when I learned an important truth about how God’s Word – hidden in our hearts -- serves us well in hard times. It was a moment when I realized the power of a person’s thought life.

My thinking was saving me, even in the middle of a panic attack. My mind had stored up its own happiness—from God’s truth—kind of like the way a person keeps a savings account to fall back on in hard times. When I couldn’t breathe, I remembered who God said I was and I remembered who God said he was.

Bible verses formed a line of defense in my mind, pushing back enemy forces. My mind recalled God’s promises. I remembered a happiness that I once held, and I knew for sure that joy was recoverable based upon the evidence of God’s Word. Verses came to  mind, flip-book style.

Don’t be afraid.

Lo, I am with you always.

My peace I give you.

In that panicky moment, I found some peace. I was unable to fully grab hold of happiness, for happiness felt slippery right then. But I felt a peace coming on. And based on the trustworthiness of my Father, I could believe that I would find my happiness again.

This is why: Because happiness is more than a feeling. Often, it’s a choice.


Some days happiness is a feeling.  Some days happiness is a choice...

For months after that anxiety attack, I prayed through tears for my circumstances to change. Two years have passed now, and the circumstances are almost identical. God didn’t answer my prayer to change my circumstances, but he is doing something else: He is changing me.

There are days I wish I could go back to “how things were.” There are days I still pray that God will work a miracle and change the circumstances that led to that first anxiety attack.

But even when he doesn’t answer my prayer the way I want him to, so be it. He is always good and he is always working. And he is my happiness.

My racing, anxious mind is calmed when I rest inside the arms of Christ. My unhappiness is eased when I ask God to give me the mind of Christ. The great rescue of a great Savior
brings happiness to my heart that is unsurpassed by anything I can imagine.

The best thinking we will ever do is when we think on the things of Jesus. When we, on Sunday mornings, stand before the wooden cross nailed to the wall and behold the place where Jesus had thoughts too—thoughts of you and me.

Even from the cross, Jesus taught us by example how to set our thoughts on heaven, when all around us the world may waver and buckle.

YOUR TURN:

The quality of our thought life is a tremendous indicator of the quality of our happiness.

The Bible says that God can transform you into a new person “by changing the way you
think” (Romans 12:2, NLT). That’s why studying God’s Word is imperative for all five Happiness Styles—Doers, Relaters, Experiencers, Givers, and Thinkers.

Take the Happiness Style Assessment by clicking here. In just five minutes, the quiz will help you discover what makes you truly happy.


Excerpt taken from The Happiness Dare copyright © 2016 by Jennifer Dukes Lee. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jennifer Bio:

Jennifer Dukes Lee is an award-winning former news journalist, an (in)courage writer and a blogger at http://www.JenniferDukesLee.com. Jennifer once took a dare to find out whether happiness matters to God and, if so, how to pursue it in a way that pleases Him. Out of that quest, was born: The Happiness Dare: Pursuing Your Heart’s Deepest, Holiest, and Most Vulnerable Desire.

Take Jennifer’s
Happiness Style Assessment, and find out what truly makes you happy.

GIVEAWAY
In celebration of the release of The Happiness Dare, we are giving away 2 copies of The Happiness Dare!  To enter, Leave a Comment below and/or Subscribe to "Walking Well With God". Order her book and get 4 entries!!!

1 entry for leaving a comment (Leave Jennifer some lovin')
1 entry for subscribing (don't forget to confirm your subscription by checking the confirmation link that will appear in your email inbox)
4 entries if you have pre-ordered or purchase her book this week. (Honesty system - but mention in your comments)

Drawing to be held on August 2nd (official launch date of Jennifer's book)  Winners will be notified.





Ps.  Just a reminder that I pray for all my readers in the morning and in the evening.  Know you are being lifted up!!  If I can pray something more specifically for you...don't hesitate to contact me.  Be blessed...

34 comments:

  1. Thanks Bev for this. I'm really excited about your book Jennifer! I've just come here from incourage.me. I'm looking forward to what God has given you in your writing this book to share with others. I'm running adrift at the moment - a whitewash space so your piece here is speaking to me. Much love, Louise.

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    1. Louise
      Things are kind of crazy with Jennifer's book launch, but I will be sure she gets to read your comments shared here. So glad you popped over from (in)courage!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  2. Hey Bev, followed you from incourage This morning! great to see excerpts from the book. Well I didn't preorderšŸ˜ƒbut I did subscribe though.
    Hugs and blessings to you Bev.

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    1. Ifeoma,
      Thanks for subscribing and making a comment...that's two entries!! Glad you enjoyed the excerpt, hope you'll get a chance to read the whole book. Thanks for dropping in from (in)courage Ifeoma - always good to have you here!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  3. Hi Bev, I just subscribed to your site, and I've also pre-ordered Jennifer's book already. I am slowly reading through one of Andrew Murray's classics, "The Master's Indwelling," and was so blessed to read these words of his: "Oh, that Christians understood and believed that God is a fountain of happiness, perfect, everlasting blessedness! ... The more I can have of God, the happier!" His words reminded me of the thoughts that Jennifer is speaking for today's generation! --Blessings!

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    1. Bettie,
      "The more I can have of God, the happier!" Amen! Sounds like you've found some good reading! Congrats - you've got 6 entries in the drawing. Since you've pre-ordered Jennifer's book already, should you win, you'll already have a wonderful gift to give and spread the joy! Blessings to you this day,
      Bev

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  4. Bev, thanks for this encouraging post via Jennifer's new book. It's in my stack, and I'm looking forward to diving in!

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    1. Michele,
      When I picture your home, I picture stacks and stacks of books since you are a voracious reader :) I've got Jennifer's book in my "stack" as well!! I love her ability to weave a wonderful story. Thanks for leaving some encouragement here - as you ALWAYS do!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  5. I'm seeing Jennifer's book all over the place these days and it looks to be TERRIFIC! And let's hear it for putting all those hidden-in-our-heart Scripture verses to work during those times when anxiety and fear clutch our insides and squeezes the breath out of us.

    Blessings to you today, Bev ...

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    1. Linda,
      I like that - "Hidden-in-our-heart" Scripture verses. This may sound like a weird thoughts, but I sometimes wonder if I was imprisoned (like Paul) and some of the other disciples, would I have enough scripture hidden in my heart to maintain peace and joy?? I definitely know I need them to ward off anxiety and the enemies lies.
      Blessings to you sweet friend,
      Bev

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  6. ..."And, He is my happiness." I think those words would have stood out to me even if they hadn't been in bold. Love that. Thank you, Jennifer. And, thanks for sharing, Bev. I'm finally home, and remembered seeing a new post come through from you, so I found it and clicked on it, and -- how fun for you to have something extra special to share today. :) Hope you and the school are doing well. xoxo <3

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    1. Brenda,
      You know what?? Jennifer sent me an image to include in this guest post, and for the life of me I couldn't get it to transfer onto my draft. I thought to myself...I NEED Brenda lol. Glad you're home. We definitely need a lunch date and a pic monkey tutorial. Will enter you in the drawing and if you win, perhaps I can deliver the book in person !!
      Blessings and WElcome home,
      Bev xoxo

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  7. Oh, what a powerful post! Jennifer's reminder that God's word and meditation on His truths can truly help us in those panic moments. I loved what she said about how God doesn't always changes the circumstances, but He can (and does) change us in the midst of them. I've lived that one. A few times.

    I've been hearing great things about The Happiness Dare. I'd love to be entered into the drawing for it. :)

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    1. Jeanne,
      You got it...you're entered!! Like you, I've been in that situation more times than I want to recount, where the anxious circumstances are swirling around me. He may not change the circumstances, but He quiets my anxious heart. I find that my happiness depends upon me holding the negative thoughts up beside God's Truth and if they don't match up - I need to see the enemy's lies for what they are...and pitch them!!
      So good to have you here today...blessings,
      Bev

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  8. I loved Jennifer's first book and this one is waiting for me :) I am so grateful that as we keep our mind stayed on Jesus, He truly does make us happy! Blessings!

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    1. Joanne,
      Always good to have you here!! So true that keeping our minds stayed on Him brings joy and happiness!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  9. The Happiness Dare is sure to resonate with thousands of people, struggling under a load of responsibilities and stress. Not only will the book provide uplift and strength for those who read it, I'm also thinking of the ripple effect, as these folks discover the happiness choice at their disposal. This is going to be exciting to watch!!

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    1. Nancy,
      Worry and fear pervade our society...oh what joy it will bring when people learn to turn it over to Him and enjoy the joy that He wants for us. He's got this...
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  10. I took the quiz the other day and I loved it! I struggle with several chronic illnesses, and have a ministry to reach others with chronic pain, and I can tell you, we need The Happiness Dare! You are so right, Jennifer, that while sometimes happiness comes naturally, there are times we just have to choose to be happy, no matter what we are going through. I can't wait to learn more from you in your new book. Oh yes, and I would LOVE to win a copy (and will even help you promote it via my blog)! Best of luck with the launch!

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    1. Linda,
      Thanks for leaving Jennifer some lovin'. I have several people who read my blog who struggle with chronic illness - everything from anxiety and depression to chronic migraines and fibromyalgia/nerve pain. I would love more information on your ministry so I can point people in your direction...thanks for your insights...
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  11. Hi Bev. Stopping by from Holley's link-up today. Thanks for sharing these words from Jennifer. I've always divided happiness from joy. The first being temporary and the second, something that can last as God is the source of our joy. Thanks again.

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    1. Deborah,
      I wholeheartedly agree with you. Happiness is usually temporary, but abiding joy remains even when we are struggling. I pray the world will stop straining for happiness in the temporal things of this world and find their joy in Him.
      Blessings and thank you for sharing,
      Bev

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  12. This is going to impact a lot of people. VERY exciting! So much of life is a choice and small choices make a huge difference. I love God for the way He works IN us as well as working THROUGH us. xx Visiting from Coffee from your heart.xx

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    1. Niki,
      I like your thinking - start with the small stuff - the small choices. Practicing with the small choices in choosing joy...we build our muscles to choose joy in the big things of life!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  13. How fun Bev! Two of my favorite people in the same place- you and Jennifer. I do not need a copy of the book but love reading through the comments above to hear what others are saying about The Happiness Dare. The book has been so impactful for me and the timing has been perfect.

    Jennifer - thank you for the honor of being on your book launch team. I am loving every minute of it.

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    1. Mary,
      So glad to be on the team with you sweet friend! I love how the blogging community cheers each other on in their victories!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  14. The book was great! I learned so much about myself and thoughts that had kept me from being happy or even understanding what happiness was. Glad to visit from Holley's!

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    1. Becky,
      I haven't read it completely yet...thanks for your review here. For me, the challenge is identifying where the negative thoughts come from that prevent my happiness...the enemy prowls trying to rob us of our freedom, happiness, and joy!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  15. It is in our thoughts that happiness starts. Jennifer is really inspiring. I follow her blog.
    Good luck to everyone who entered.

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    1. Lux,
      I love Jennifer's ability to tell stories and I love her blog as well. That's what prompted me to share her book here.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  16. Hi Bev, Followed you from Suzie Eller's site today. I'd love to receive a copy of The Happiness Dare! I've subscribed to Jennifer's blog previously. Now I'll go and subscribe to yours. Thank you.

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    1. Maya,
      So glad you popped over from Suzie's place...Welcome!! I've got you entered twice for the Happiness Dare book of Jennifers (don't you just love her??). Like her...I try to keep it real. Hope you'll find some encouragement here!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  17. This was one of my favorite bits of the book and it helped me realize that I was still allowing fear to hold me back from so much happiness. I have given the hard-copy I ordered to a friend, as I have the e-copy from being on the Launch Team. Would love to win another copy to give away to a friend: it's a wonderful book. Thanks for your generosity, Bev and for your support of Jennifer and this powerful book.

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    1. Anna,
      I think that is a common theme - letting fear hold us back from so much happiness. We have the power that rose Christ from the dead within us...that is strength to tell the enemy to bug off!! I love Jennifer and her adept story-telling. So glad to be on the launch team with you!! Always enjoy your insights on (in)courage!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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I would really LOVE to hear from you!! Your thoughts, opinions, suggestions and prayer requests mean a lot to me.