I was flipping through some old cd’s of mine and ran across something I thought I had lost.  I found a disc of some songs I wrote when I was in my old band Krysilus.  And some pics!  Thought that I would share it with you.  Mind you, this is a much tamer version of the person that I used to be.  I have written quite a few songs that were not so wholesome in my day.  But maybe it will interesting to get a picture of the before now that you know the after.  So friends, meet the old me. Thanks for reading!

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So, my niece, Grace, is a part of the basketball team at her school. I offered to volunteer my services to help the coach when they practice. It brings back a lot of memories. Most of you probably don’t know that I was an avid basketball player in my youth. I joined the junior high team in 5th grade and continued playing on into high school. Thing is, I dropped out of high school the first day of my senior year. Yep, totally quit and got my GED. If I hadn’t, I truly believe I could’ve played through college and maybe even a women’s team. Who knows? This is one of my regrets….that I will never know how far I could have gone. Of course, I know that I am where God wants me, but I can’t help but wonder.

Do you have any “what if’s” in your life?
Thanks for reading.
Joy

(rss readers - Video - Joy Live at Studio B - “Faith Don’t Fail” )

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I want to introduce you guys to my two friends, Ben and Emily. They are called Carolina Story and they just released an EP. They are located here in Memphis. Sometimes Nashville and sometimes South Dakota. We are trying to put together a small tour for the month of July. If you guys know of any small, quaint venues…coffeehouses and such in your area, let us know and we will look into it. We would love to come visit your city!

The point of this blog is to point you to their music. Emily used to be an intern at Ardent Records, the label I am signed with, and while she was there, I had no idea she could sing and write. I heard her for the first time about 2 months ago and all I can say is that my jaws dropped. I respect them and their hearts, and I am personally a fan of their music. Please stop by their myspace page and really listen to their songs…read their story. And let them know what you think! They are just starting out, and I know they would appreciate your encouragement.

Myspace.com/carolinastorymusic

Thanks for reading.
Joy

I was watching a show last night on tv called LA Gang Wars. It was on the National Geographic channel. I am intrigued by those kind of programs. Those and the prison shows on MSNBC. NatGeo often has religious documentaries on there, as well, but I rarely watch those because they always get them wrong, and I just end up getting angry. I was saddened last night, though. Gang life is so foreign to me. It seems like a completely different world. Almost like we live on two different planets. People involved in that kind of life seem so unreachable. Which made me wonder how does anyone get the gospel to them? How will they be saved? Can they? I mean, you can’t even get near them. You can’t even step into their neighborhood without possibly getting shot. You may be wearing the wrong color, or drive the wrong kind of car and…..BAM…you’ve been shot. How can anyone access these young boys? Satan has made this lifestyle impenetrable.

What are your thoughts? Do any of you have any experience or knowledge in this area?

Thanks for reading.

Joy

xpq 21 white alive

This song was written nearly four years ago. It is based on Psalm 63. It was just a really personal and intimate psalm that affected my heart, and I wanted to put it to music. I was amazed that one could have such a relationship like that with God and could say such things like “I think of You through the night”. And still am.
This is one of my favorites on the album. I like the ups and downs of the song and especially the slide guitar! I think it turned out really well. Hope you guys can enjoy it too.
Thanks for reading.
Joy

I thought I would share a poem with you.

“The love, the love that I bespeak,
Works wonders in the soul,
For when I’m whole it makes me sick,
When I’m sick it makes me whole.

I’m overcome, I faint, I fail,
Til love shall love relieve,
More love divine the wound can heal,
Which love divine did give.

More of the joy that makes me faint,
Would give present ease,
If more should kill me I’m content,
To die of that disease.”

That blows easy breazy Christianity right out the window! But it’s also hard to comprehend…God’s love. I often find that it’s not what I expect. And sad to say, often not what I desire. When does one truly get to the place where we say, “though He slay me, I will hope in Him”? Oh Job….how did you do it?
Thanks for reading.
Joymp3 creedence clearwater revival live in europe

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This song was written almost 4 years ago. It was written for a friend/family member who died unexpectedly in 2004. His name was Ryan Spradley. He was 22 years old when he died, and this song was my way of dealing with his death. There is nothing profound or enlightening in these lyrics. It’s just a song that simply says “I miss you”.

Because death is a fact of life, I know that many of you can relate. And knowing that others everywhere are undergoing the same struggle, even me, I hope it brings you comfort.
Thanks for reading.
Joy

Last night, I watched a just released movie called The Secret Life of Bees starring, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keyes, and Dakota Fanning. I would absolutely love to give my thoughts, but since it has just come out, I will give you guys time to see it. Don’t wanna spoil the movie. But I highly recommend it.

Have you seen it?