Jenn’s Journey

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Happy Monday! I’m so glad you stopped by for a few minutes. May your day be full of blessings!

This week my daughter is Student of the Week at school. She has been anxiously awaiting her turn. Monday was her first day back after two wonderful weeks of vacation. She was dreading going back and there were a few tears that morning. When I picked her up after school, the attitude had completely changed. Excitement was written all over her as she chatted up a storm on the way home. "Mom, it's like I am King or Queen of the land!" I was nearly moved to tears by the sweet happiness she has in this important week of her life.

One of her other comments perked my ears.. "Everyone likes me now" Immediately it triggered memories of being her age and feeling very alone and 'un-liked' at school. I was an insecure child and I felt like an outsider most of my school days. I asked my daughter, "I wonder if you feel liked when you're not student of the week?" "Oh yes, Mom, I do!" Of course this eased my mother's heart but it did set me to thinking.

I've known for a long time that I looked for love and acceptance in people way too much throughout my life. It started young…and it didn't take much, even now, to trigger the fear of 'not being liked.' I made some poor choices in friends and boyfriends in my younger days for lack of self esteem. I've only recently begun to figure out who Jenn really is. I no longer want to base my feelings about myself on who/what people think I am. I want to fully understand and embrace who God sees me as and declares that I am. It's a struggle to put the focus on Him rather than on people; let me tell you!

I heard a sermon on this topic just last week. In a nutshell the point was that we as humans are obsessed with being the best. So much so that we will often sacrifice who we are to do so, and that as Christians, we are called for much more than that.  God did not make me, or you, to base our self-worth on whether other humans love us or not. Is human love important? Of course it is. It's one of the special things about life on earth...it's just not THE most important thing.

Ephesians 2:10 says:"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."  I am a masterpiece. You are a masterpiece. How can this not change how we see ourselves? With Jesus, we can do and be good things...no matter the messages we've gotten from other humans.

I want 2016 to be the year I embrace who God says I am and be who He created me to be as an individual. In His eyes, I am the best 'Jenn'.

Until next week, be blessed,

Jenn

Faith Filled Fridays

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Welcome to Faith Filled Friday! Grab your coffee and your strand of faith for some heart-to-heart truths from Jennifer!

Repeat after me….Nothing is impossible.

I have always loved the story of Joseph, starts in Genesis 37.  God revealed his purpose to him at a young age.  Unfortunately, those around him didn’t understand what his dreams meant and took matters into their own hands. 

Every time I read the story I am in awe on how God uses our “bad situations” to lead us right to where He wants us to be.  I don’t know about you, but if my brother put me in a hole and sold me off as a slave I’d be pretty PO’d.  Maybe he was and that detail isn’t included but Joseph went on to live life with integrity and purpose. He believed he had heard from God… his purpose was to preserve the nations of Israel.  He may not have known that was the end goal but I think he felt it in his heart.

Whether he was in a hole in the ground or being falsely accused, he was living in God’s perfect will. His assignments came with his journey.  It’s the same for all of us.  The journey can be full of uprooting (physical or emotional).  This stirs things up and gets us moving.  Water that has been sitting too long is no good; it’s stagnant. This happens when no water is being drawn out.  None of us have been called to produce stagnant, murky water. 

Another truth that has settled in my heart is this: When God wants to change your life He will give us a picture of what could be.  All we have to do is start walking towards it.  Provisions will come, our assignment comes from the journey as well as the equipment. We just need to be willing, full of faith in Him and have the heart of a servant.

Don’t take my word on it…read Hebrews 11.  It’s been called the Hall of Faith.

 “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” Hebrews 11:1-2

If you look at the life of Joseph…nothing is impossible.  Trust in Him to see you through!  Trust in Him that your life has meaning and purpose.  Trust in Him that nothing in your life is impossible to overcome. 

Filled with Faith,

Jennifer

WEDNESDAY’S WORD

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Happy Wednesday! 2016 is really here! Whew, is your mind filled like mine with wishes, desires of things you’d like to change about you, your life? Oh, every day is a new day and we don’t have to wait until New Year’s comes by again next year to be the change we want to see. Thanks for joining me for Wednesday’s Word and Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power. Grab your coffee, and your Strand of Faith, and let’s go tie some knots in our faith!

The other day I saw a post on Facebook that is a quote by Lao Tzu and it really caught my attention as it collided with the cry of my heart for this New Year, to stay in my moments that I might have more joy and a consistently thankful heart. Here’s the quote: “If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present,” or as I say, in your moment!

Oh, this hit me right in the heart, especially because it was year-end and I was way too anxiety-ridden thinking of everything I had to do to get ready to meet and greet 2016! This quote was some fresh water on/in my soul, splashing truth into the lies, sending them back to where they came from: the pit of hell!

Here are some truths to accompany these wise words of Tzu:

We need to look back, not fall back, that we may recognize unhealthy tendencies and change our choices for we cannot change that which we don’t recognize as a problem.   Looking back can be one of the most valuable tools to change accompanied, of course, with the grace of God! It’s this other tense that got me, the one that says if you are anxious, then you are living in the future, in other words whatever you are doing, you are not really there, or at least all there! Are you catching what I’m throwing?

I don’t know about you, but this is where I struggle, staying in the moments because of all my responsibilities. But is that a crutch of an excuse? Is that just a pass to remain busy, and often too busy? Oh, if we were just given the perfect equation for balance in our lives, huh, some sort of recipe to follow that we would achieve that ability to consistently stay in the present so as to not be ripped off in the future.

I think I found it…yes, the answer to this dilemma!! But I must confess, it sounds easier than it is but it really is possible! I’ve already tried putting it into practice and I’m telling you, it works! See, this life is just temporary, a sort of practice run to learn how to dwell in eternity with the One whose perfect love will carry us there, so whatever we endeavor to do, wherever we put our most energy, whatever rents the most space in our head…must have eternal value!

Pouring truth into the mind is necessary to keep out the lies that keep us chasing after another thing to check off on our to-do list, or trying to control circumstances, situations or even worse, others. We must discipline the mind with spiritual truths which will then feed the soul so as to not be caught off balance like that of a double-minded, wobbly-legged weakling struggling to stay afloat grasping for air, for a future that is secure.

So as we enter into this new year, my prayer for you, for me is found in Isaiah 26:3: He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You…because he/she trusts in you!

Oh, that we would live in the moment, one moment at a time that we would recognize and learn to trust that your hand goes before us, protects all that is behind us, and provides for us all that we need.

Until next Wednesday,

Keeping my mind stayed on Him…

Evinda

Jenn’s Journey

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Good morning! Happy New Year! 2016, can you believe it? Remember the hoopla over the year 2000? What will this year bring, I wonder? Join me for a few minutes of quiet on the first Monday of the year.

If you're like most people, resolutions are on your mind this time of year. I read an article at Forbes.com to find it's estimated about 40% of us make New Year's resolutions. Out of those only 8% of those same people realize their lofty goals. Wow! I bet many of us can relate to those few!

I decided a few years ago that I was not going to make a list of resolutions because I realized I didn't often achieve them. It's not to say I don't have goals for my life; I certainly do. I prefer to take inventory of my life, thoughts, actions, and desires often throughout the year. Perhaps the biggest thing I've learned this past year is to be more content in the process.

The other day I pulled out a long-sleeved shirt for my daughter since it has gotten cold. She put one on, and I immediately noticed it was too small. Now when did that happen? :) Change and growth happens slowly most of the time. It's like that in our lives as well. We suddenly notice that a situation that usually brought anxiety is not triggering that as quickly, or patience showed up more easily than the last time.

Children grow before our eyes, yet we don't see it daily. It's like that with our own growth, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. If we identify the areas we need growth in, and are committed to that process as a lifestyle, growth happens. I don't believe it happens by making a grandiose list at the start of each New Year. Somehow, that trips us up; the statistics show that!

Most of us know deep down what it is that keeps us from living the life we want. It's easy to ignore that need or issue and try to fill it in other ways. It's easy to eat instead, to drink, to rage, become too invested in others or blame others. I'd like to challenge you this year. If you make any resolve at all, to take an honest look at what it is that inhibits you from moving forward in life. Give it to God, and an accountability partner. Pray like crazy. This is where true change begins and I speak from experience. Another good place to start would be the Transform Classes offered by Evinda and Trench Classes United! They are truly life transforming.

Happy and blessed New Year! Until next week,

Jenn

Faith Filled Fridays

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Happy New Year!  New Year…New Blog…..Faith-Filled Fridays 

Welcome to our first Faith-Filled Friday of 2016! As we say good-bye to Debbie Croley and all her infinite wisdom, we welcome our new Faith-Filled Friday blogger, Jennifer Wyatt, a certified Christian life coach…and friend, too! Grab your coffee and your strand of faith and let’s go tie some knots together!

Every year I read the Old Testament in its entirety and the New Testament twice. I’m not telling you this to brag but as a simple testimony to what God has called me to do.  My Pastor encourages us to read the Bible in context and not rely on interpretation of single-stated scriptures.  We use the Life Journal method, though there are many others.  [I’ve added the link so you can learn about this method!]

What I have found is that I am beginning to store a wealth of scriptures inside of me that bubble out when needed most.  Timothy stated it best.

“But don’t let it phase you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

To start of the New Year I thought I would outline 10 compelling reasons why we should read the Bible cover to cover this year:

1. The Word of God Shows us God’s character. The Bible is our definitive source for the answers to our questions about God (Hebrews 1:1-3).
2. The Bible teaches us to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1).
3. The Bible helps us discover our next step (Psalm 119:105).
4. The Bible helps us to steer clear from sin (Psalm 119:11).
5. The Bible helps to renew our minds; a renewed mind is able to discern God’s will (Romans 12:1-2).
6. The Bible helps us to be certain of what God is saying when we need answers. The Bible is our final authority (John 17:17).
7. The Bible allows us to receive the desires of our heart (John 15:7).
8. The Bible is how we learn about the gospel and the love of Christ (John 5:39-40).
9. The Bible’s true stories inspire us and give us courage (Joshua 1:8-9).
10. The Bible helps us to produce good works and be ffruitful (Psalm 1:2-3).

Join me this year in a faith-filled journey as I share how my faith, and your faith can be strengthened by reading the word.

Love,

Jennifer

Paws for Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Welcome to our final PAWS for Coffee Hour blog for 2015! We are delighted you took the time to join us! Grab your coffee for some interesting facts that just may help you know your four-legged babies better…and those people you love, too!

I often study the behavior of my animals and how it correlates to what the lesson I need to learn or simply to understand them better.  I also study people.  I am a certified Christian life coach and there are many tools that help us look and see inside of ourselves as we seek to understand what makes us tick (and become ticked off :-).

I stumbled up the below image and it made me laugh.  

Not only does it fit perfectly with what I have been blogging about the last few months, it also shows how uniquely we are all created (even our pets). 

In case you don’t know why this is amusing, let me give you a little background about the Myers-Briggs personality test or MBTI.  The MBTI helps you determine your personality type, which represents your preferences in four separate categories. Each category is composed of two opposite poles. Your score shows your preference between two types in the four areas. Based on your responses, the MBTI produces results to identify which of the sixteen different personality types best describes you. The four categories are:

• Where you focus your attention — Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)
• The way you take in information — Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
• The way you make decisions — Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
• How you deal with the outer world — Judging (J) or Perceiving (P).

This test is pretty accurate in helping to understand how and why you are motivated.  For example, my husky Logan is an ENTP.  ENTPs are usually verbally as well as cerebrally quick, and generally love to argue--both for their own sake, and to show off their debating skills.  They are also innovative and ingenious at problem-solving. 

Knowing how unique we are humbles me. It makes me realize just how much God loves us. We understand that no two people have the same fingerprint. That blows my mind just to consider that there is no other one in the human population who has the identical pattern that I have or you have.

God wanted us to be uniquely different, and at the same time, have some of the same characteristics and traits of our parents through DNA. And as we grow older, we show some of the behavioral characteristics and mannerisms of our parents.

In Psalm 139, David wrote, "I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well."

God did not make us on a mass production line. He took great care in making us who we were meant to be. He had a purpose in mind for us even before we came into being.

He knew we would sin and be helpless to live up to Old Testament Law, and the expectations of others. He knew we would fall. He knew we would fail, but He gave us a chance. Even though we have failed Him, He has provided us with hope and a way back to Him.

Psalm 100:3, "Know ye that the Lord is God; it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people, and the sheep of his flock."

God has made us for His glory and to serve Him.

Paul reminds us in First Corinthians, "For you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which belongs to God."

You may not feel like a masterpiece. There are times when we feel anything but! The Lord wants us to know how much He loves us and that He is with us even in times of despair. If you feel abandoned today or like you have no purpose, please know that God is there. He may be just waiting for you to call on Him.

Love,

Jennifer

It’s True…He Cares about Everything

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Rephrased to fit the situation: Therefore do not worry saying, ‘What shall I buy?’ or Where shall I find it?’ or ‘How will I pay for it?’ For after all these things we seek during the Christmas season! But our God, our Heavenly Father, knows what concerns you and will look after you. He merely wants you to seek him first, and His righteousness, and He will take care of the rest!

Welcome to Wednesday’s Word and Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power…oh, and Trench Classes United, too! Yup, by the 1^st of the year, you should have a whole new experience at our website, so take some time to check it out in a couple of days! In the meantime, grab your coffee and come on in. I have a great story to share with you.

So it was the Saturday before Christmas and I still had some shopping to do…which is so unlike me as I’m usually done by Thanksgiving or nearly done anyways. But hey, life’s different this year and so was my shopping experience; in fact it was one I’ll never, ever forget.

I invited my eighty-seven-year old self-adopted mom to join me; I just love being in her company and knew she would be a great teammate to get the job done. Well, that morning in my very own War Room, I had prayed and asked God to help me find what I needed and to have a positive shopping experience. See, my husband likes a particular Levi jean – one that is hard to find unless you go to a Levi store -- a particular brand of socks and a particular type of chonie, aka, boxer-briefs! I know, TMI. There’s a reason I’m telling you this, trust me! :-) 

I picked Mom up after 11 and we went to my first stop and began to shop. I was focused on buying for my husband but we went in the wrong door and immediately I got distracted and started buying more for my stepdaughter and a little something, something for a couple of friends. Content with what I found, we headed over to the men’s section. Well, I wanted to get him some shirts and so I found this one that I just knew he would like…but it was a small. We searched and searched for the particular brand, with no luck. We couldn’t find anything that even looked close to it. Something told me to hang on to it as I continued my shopping. Mind you, there were soooo many others in the same predicament of last-minute shopping, but I was determined to enjoy myself.

I headed over to their Levi department and low and behold, there was a clerk! We hadn’t seen one since we’d walked into the store forty-five minutes earlier! Anyway, I asked her if they had any 527’s and she looked at me and said “if we do, there’s only a few” and she proceeded to take me to the section. I looked at the ONE display, a bit doubtful, and began looking for his size. And the clerk began to help me too! When I found the first one, I screamed like a little girl getting her first doll or something, and then she found another one…do I dare look for one more? We looked, and looked and looked. All of a sudden, she came up with the very last one, giving me one in each color: light blue, dark blue and medium blue too! I was so appreciative and thanked her profusely.

Then I held out my small shirt and said is there any way to see if there’s a medium here? I can’t even find this style of shirt. I’ve gone to the section that is that designer and can’t find it anywhere. She checked her scanner and said there is ONE medium somewhere in this store! Off she went, and fast, so I ran after her!

Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a store so close to Christmas where nobody seems to have a filter or a need to put things back where they found them the way that they found them. I mean there were hangers on the floor, clothes askew everywhere on the wrong racks, in the wrong sections. It was crazy, but I kept a smile in my heart the entire time.  This finding the last one happened with his socks and a couple of other things as well! I felt like His favor was before me and behind me. It was such a cool experience.

I had no idea just how much He was watching out for me…until we came outside of our last store after having been in there for thirty minutes. It was one of those moments where fear and joy collide as you realize what could have happened but didn’t. See, when we got closer to my car – mom was just a few steps behind – I let out a scream, but nothing came out. I stopped dead in my tracks, afraid to go closer and confirm a fear that started in my head and was fast approaching my stomach. But I had to. I ran to my car that sat there with the driver’s door wide open, quickly looked in the back and EVERYTHING WAS STILL THERE. I moved in slow motion to open the trunk and low and behold, everything was still there!

I started a sort of laughing cry; laughing at the reality of a loving, protecting and very-much alive presence of God all over my car, before me, behind me, and crying tears of relief that nothing was stolen, despite being in the City of San Bernardino (one of the highest crime cities in the country) and it being this season where many get desperate and do desperate things. How could I deny that He cares about all that concerns me…that He has His angels watching over me…and you!

Oh, Coffee Hour friend, things go better with prayer, and I pray that you experience something that makes you know that you know that He loves you, is watching out for you, over you and all around you and that He cares about ALL that concerns you!

Love,

Evinda