The following is taken from some “holiday” questions that Joy answered for Backseat Writer.  Feel free to answer these questions on your own in the comments.

*How do you feel about Black Friday? Great deals or terrifying chaos?

Definitely this year….terrifying chaos. Great deals…true, but complete chaos.I passed a Best Buy on Thanksgiving day, and there were people camping out in front of the store. I mean, literally camping with tents and all. There is something wrong with that picture.

*How about one best presents you’ve given someone else?

I, honestly, don’t remember. I don’t know if my presents have ever been grand enough to be remembered as one of the best gifts. I did crochet my Nana and Papa blankets this year. I think that is a pretty good handmade gift.

*Let’s talk Santa. Did you believe in him as child? How did you find out he’s not real?

I did believe in Santa, but I don’t recall how I found out it was all a hoax! I don’t remember it being a disappointment, though.

*Have you ever peeked at your presents before Christmas morning? If so, was it worth it? (And what did you discover?)

Yes, I have peeked. No, it wasn’t worth it. I felt too guilty.
I don’t remember what it was. The things I remember about my many Christmases (is that even a word?!) is my family. My entire family always came together at that time. It was wonderful. We don’t do that anymore.

*What’s your fave Christmas song/Christmas movie/Christmas cookie?

I really like O Holy Night. Movie? Not sure. Home Alone is pretty funny.
I just like cookies period. Especially oatmeal raisin.

*Every time I read the Gospels regarding Jesus’ birth, different things strike me about the absolute beauty of this event. What has struck you about Christ’s birth this year?

I am still amazed at the thought of Jesus being a baby. The Creator, the One who has always been, the uncreated One….became a baby. It blows my mind. I can’t get past that. How holy that night must have been! No wonder a host of angels had to come down and worship Him and declare His praise to the shepherds! God invaded this earth….in a baby.

*What’s your New Year’s resolution?

I’ve never really taken those seriously. But, in the spirit of being a good interview-ee, I would say to drink less Coca Cola.

Listen to “Holding on to Me” on 104.7 The Fish in Atlanta! Don’t live in the area? Go to their website and click the “Listen Live” button. Feel free to email encouraging comments to the station, thanking them for playing the song or even telling them how much the song means to you!

Check out this is a great interview/devotional about “Faith Don’t Fail” with Joy and Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday

“Faith Don’t Fail” was written over the course of 2 days. It was one of those songs that came quite easily. I was mentally battling with some of the sins of my past. I was being tempted to relive those moments, even if only in my mind. My flesh was more than willing to do just that, but my spirit wanted, more than anything, to be satisfied in Jesus alone. Which one would win? I was at the mercy of God. I cried to Him. ‘God! Don’t let this faith fail me!’”

Let’s look at Luke 22:31-32.

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Read Entire Article

With all the voting going on this week, we thought we’d give you the opportunity to vote for Joy for the Christian Music Today’s 2008 Reader’s Choice Christian Music Awards.

Click here to vote

Here are a couple more great reviews for Joy’s “God And A Girl”.  

New Release Tuesday

About.com

Joy’s thoughts on Halloween featured on about.com!

Oct 21 2008

Christian Singer Joy Whitlock, a pastor’s daughter, grew up in Mississippi. She released her national debut album with INO Records, God and a Girl, on September 16, 2008.In this exclusive, Joy shares her memories of Halloween and her thoughts on the holiday.

“I don’t remember that much about Halloween as a child.  My sister and I definitely got to dress up, but my family really didn’t “celebrate” it, by any means. Growing up as a minister’s daughter, one would expect that October 31st would be a forbidden event, but we never made much of it either way. My mom would find things already in our wardrobe that could be used as a costume and we’d walk around and get candy — and that was it.I do remember one year that I was a cat. That costume was basically my dance class attire, which worked well for Halloween. My mom made a tail out of a pair of black socks.

Do I agree with Halloween? Do I disagree? Honestly, neither. It is a matter of conscience for the individual, something Paul brought up in one of his letters to the Corinthians. And, as is always the case, I couldn’t say it any better. Look at 1 Corinthians 8:4-13. 

Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

That, friends, sums it up for me. Yes, Halloween was crafted as a pagan ritual many, many years ago, but for us Christians, God knows we are not celebrating it for that reason. We know that there is only one God. 

Most of the time, Halloween is for our children. Two things I know about children is that they love to dress up and they really love candy.

What matters are our hearts. God reiterates over and over in His word that it is not ritual and practice that commend us to Him…or the abstaining of it. Not celebrating Halloween will make you no better or worse in God’s eyes. It is ALL, and always, about Jesus Christ…and nothing or no one else.

I hope you get some insight from the Scriptures here. Thank you About.com for giving me the freedom to approach this subject in a way of my choosing.”

Check out what others are saying about Joy’s record “God And A Girl”

Soul Audio

Everyday Woman

YouthWorker.com

BeliefNet.com

Hollywood Jesus

Joe53

CMSpin

Jesus Freak Hideout

Your Music Zone

LightVox

Gospel Music Channel

Copious Notes

Kentucky.com

Joy now has ringtones available for Faith Don’t Fail and Holding On To Me on all mobile carriers. Click the link below to preview!

Joy’s debut full-length album is now available everywhere!

If you want it for your iPod, or iPod wannabe, you can get it on iTunes, Amazon.com, and other digital retailers.

If you still think CD’s sound better and refuse to take part in this digital revolution (don’t worry, the internet is on it’s way out), check your local Christian music store and get you one! If there isn’t a retailer close, you can order the CD online here.

And if you’re a true audiophile, and don’t waste your time with those “lower” forms of audio playback, despise any form of music media less than 7” in diameter, and love the smell of freshly printed vinyl….well, tough. We didn’t print any.

Oh, and if you’re still wondering if this new album will please those ears of yours, maybe these reviews will sway your opinion:

JTIndie.com
CCMMagazine.com
ChristianityToday.com/
ClevelandLeader.com
Euphrony.blogspot.com/

God and a Girl received its first album review today on the blog, Euphrony Rambles. He gave Joy’s new album a very positive review. Check it out here.

Thanks, Euphrony!