Hello, I’m Patricia Raybon, the author of the ONE YEAR God’s Great Blessings Devotional
Nehemiah 8:10 – The joy of the Lord is your strength!
If we choose JOY, God blesses us with His strength. Are you gloomy today? Troubled? Joy is still an option. What's blocking you from God's joy? Think about it.
Learn more about ONE YEAR God’s Great Blessings Devotional
Want half a blessing? Or God’s best? Award-winning author Patricia Raybon dares to pursue God’s greatest in her new One Year® devotional, God’s Great Blessings. Join her search for the enriching secrets of a bold Christian life, exploring 52 biblical values and virtues that God blesses not because we’re good but because He’s God. This path is uplifting, challenging, sometimes surprising but always transforming. Get on board with our Blessing God for the life-changing journey.
About the Author
Award-winning writer Patricia Raybon is author of two critically acclaimed books, “I Told the Mountain to Move” and “My First White Friend.” Her personal essays have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, USA Weekend, Charles Stanley Ministries’ In Touch Magazine and have also aired on National Public Radio. She writes full-time on life-changing faith. Visit Patricia’s Website at http://www.patriciaraybon.com.
Bound for Glory (Coming November 1, 2011)
This powerful gift book is inspired by a stunning collection of calligraphic paintings by world-renowned calligrapher Timothy R. Botts and featuring reflections in verse by award-winning author Patricia Raybon. The book’s 52 paintings are visual interpretations—in words and pictures—of African American spiritual songs. These amazing songs are an important part of our American heritage, and they continue to give us hope in the face of life’s many challenges. The book also includes 52 reflective readings from Botts and African-American writer Patricia Raybon. It also includes lyrics from the spirituals along with inspirational Scripture verses from the New Living Translation.
VISIT THE FULL BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE AT http://bit.ly/PatriciaRaybonVirtualBookTour.
She’s laughing. Even though her home is a wreck. She’s laughing. Even though her kitchen looks lousy. Paint colors all wrong. Fabric choices breaking her budget. When the wood cabinets finally arrive—several weeks late—both the size and grain completely miss the mark.
“But I’m laughing,” says the TV host of the home renovation show, giggling into the camera. “It’s how I deal with setbacks,” she explains. “I mean, you have to laugh. It gets me back on track.”
It’s a timely philosophy. Joy imparts strength. For believers, however, joy in the Lord activates His strength. In our lives. In our circumstances. In our kitchens. Both big and small.
Speaking to His disciples, Jesus put it this way: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart”—be of good cheer—“because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) We love that promise, indeed.
But why would joy in Him—and not courage or bravery or boldness—deliver the strength of almighty God? Could it be the illogic of the principle? That the beauty of joy is so winsome and unexpected that it’s disarming?
No enemy expects a foe to fight back with joy.
Yet there’s something strangely powerful about joy. About laughing in the face of a storm. About sizing up your enemy but knowing that, compared to God, your enemy is powerless. About staring up at a mountain and accessing its peaks, crags and valleys, but knowing—as you laugh—the mountain can’t overcome God’s power. Is this rationalizing? Or denial? Or is it wisdom?
“I have told you this so you will be filled with my joy,” Jesus told His disciples in the upper room (John 15:11). “Yes, your joy will overflow!” Then as His joy flows, your enemies flee. Can you laugh at that? Try it today. Then don’t be surprised when your victory follows.
Award-winning author Patricia Raybon’s newest book is the One Year® daily devotional, God’s Great Blessings, which includes this reflection on joy. She is also author of two acclaimed memoirs, My First White Friend and I Told the Mountain to Move. She also collaborated with calligrapher Timothy Botts in his upcoming gift book honoring African American spirituals, Bound for Glory. Learn more at
