July 9, 2017
Echoes of Joy Blog Moving
This blog, Echoes of Joy, is moving to my new author website, stacimauney.com/blog. I am so thankful for all of my readers and followers. Please follow me to my new location as I consolidate my sites. I will continue to post new entries each Sunday. Thank you for your support!
July 2, 2017
Freedom
This post was originally published on July 4, 2011.
“They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for ‘people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.’” (2 Peter 2:19)
Freedom is a term that’s tossed around a lot this time of year as we celebrate Independence Day in the United States. But what does true freedom mean? Does it mean that we’re free to do whatever we want, no matter the cost to others? Read the rest of this entry »
June 25, 2017
Growing Through Fear and Rejection
“…may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God…” (Ephesians 3:18-19)
When I was a sophomore in college, I changed my major from accounting to English for two reasons: 1). I hated accounting and at 19 just couldn’t imagine working with numbers for the rest of my life; and 2) I loved words and wanted to be a writer. After graduation, I pursued several jobs as a writer, but most of those jobs were far from home. So instead of becoming a full-time writer, I began working in government and nonprofit positions where I used my writing and presentation skills. I then pursued writing part time. Read the rest of this entry »
June 18, 2017
A Godly Example
Originally posted June 19, 2011
“Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
When I was growing up, I discovered that my dad could do just about anything. As a welder, he could build or repair all sorts of things, and one summer, he built an impossibly large swing set with a teeter totter, swings, tire swing, and couple’s swing along with a slide that was so tall that my brother and I became the envy of all the kids in the neighborhood. Thanks to our dad, all of our friends would come over and play with us for hours on end, and we loved every minute of it. Another time, my dad took an old lawnmower that had seen better days and remodeled it so that it looked like a miniature Jeep. My brother and I spent countless hours taking turns driving that thing in circles around the yard. Read the rest of this entry »
June 11, 2017
A Lesson from Wonder Woman
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)
Have you seen the new Wonder Woman movie? Don’t worry if you’re one of the few who hasn’t seen it yet. I’m not here to spoil the movie for you, but rather to comment on a line that really spoke to me during the movie. Read the rest of this entry »
June 4, 2017
The Turning Points in Life
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isa 30:21)
It’s been over a year since I’ve updated this blog, and I’ve decided to stop being so neglectful and revive it. A lot has happened in the last year – a job change, a move to the big city, and a book release! Thank you to all who have stuck with me during my absence. I plan to catch up, one story at a time. So let’s dive in, shall we?
When I first entered the professional world right out of college, I took a job I really didn’t want as a secretary. I had applied for writing jobs at several businesses, but most were far away from my hometown, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to move. Like most young college grads, I wanted to use my degree and not feel like I’d just wasted the last four and half years of my life. However, when my mom saw the ad for a secretary in the paper, I applied and then got the job. Read the rest of this entry »
March 23, 2016
Why Do We Celebrate Easter?
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus…” (Luke 24:1)
In today’s busy world, the true meaning of Easter gets lost, even for Christians. We focus on buying new clothes, hiding Easter eggs for the kids, and preparing a huge meal. I admit that I get caught up in these things, too. I enjoy shopping for a new dress. Easter is a big deal, but not for these reasons. Read the rest of this entry »
March 10, 2016
Celebrating the Easter Season
“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen…” (Matthew 28:5)
Easter, unlike Thanksgiving or Independence Day, is not celebrated on a single day. Instead, the Easter season begins with Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, reflection, and penance that leads up to Easter Sunday. It represents the 40 days that Jesus spent alone in the wilderness before starting his ministry. Read the rest of this entry »
January 26, 2016
Are You Mary or Martha?
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’” (Luke 10:40)
If you know the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42, then you likely recognize yourself in one of these women. At certain times in our lives, we might be one and then the other, depending on circumstances. I am a Martha. I can honestly say that I have rarely been a Mary. I struggle to sit still, not because I can’t, but because I feel unproductive when I do. I thrive on accomplishing goals and staying busy. Read the rest of this entry »
January 5, 2016
Choosing One Word for 2016
“For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. . .” (Prov. 3:26)
Each New Year’s Day, we make resolutions that we don’t keep. We have good intentions – to be a better person or to live a healthier life – but inevitably, we give up. Instead of looking at our setbacks as failures, we should use these to move forward. Read the rest of this entry »
Echoes of Joy 