WEDNESDAY’S WORD

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Word Lego’s

Thanks so much for joining me for Coffee Hour @ ChicklitPower and Trench Classes United for Wednesday’s Word. I just love this little break away from the demands of life, a few moments where we can just get a fresh perspective on things, all things! Grab your coffee and your Strand of Faith and let’s go tie some knots in that baby!

Just a few weeks ago, I was visiting my grandchildren, Dillan, Ty-Ty and our newest baby, Isaiah who live in Austin, Texas. Just writing that makes my heart sigh, wondering if I’ll ever be completely content with this separation, but then again, God’s in control and it is what it is so I must. Anyway, the weather was not so kind the entire time I was there and so we were inside for most of the ten days.

God definitely has a sense of humor for I was forced to just “be” with my favorite little people, not that I haven’t practiced that before with them, but it still is not something that comes naturally to/for me. While Isaiah slept most of the time away, I was given some beautiful opportunities to connect with both Dillan and Ty-Ty on a greater level and connect we did!

I just love talking with Dillan, a bright ten-year-old who has lots of questions, is a sort of black-and-white kind of thinker and has a need to understand why things are the way they are…and whatever that may be, it needs to be explained with the upmost of patience. And Ty-Ty, well, she’s quite the entertainer, almost always the center of attention, and quite good at it. Not very much time goes by before you’re laughing with her, not at her and finding the little child within. Well, Tyler had some Lego sets for us to build, one of them looked quite daunting. It was my thinking we should start with the small one, but this precious little giggle-maker wanted to start with the big one, so we did.

Oh, my goodness, I had no idea it would/could be so much fun. As we built the castle from the ground up, I was amazed at all the detail Lego thought of, from tables and chairs, to doorposts, to decorations for the outside. It was absolutely amazing. And the crazy thing for me was time flew! I sat still, being and building with my granddaughter for three+ hours!

Putting this Lego set together with Ty-Ty was unbelievably therapeutic for me. As we built it together, one Lego at a time – we literally took turns, each of us getting to place one Lego at a time -- it made me think of our words, how every last word that comes out of our mouth has some power, some significance, either to build up or to tear down. And the longer we wait in order to choose our words/pieces carefully, the more accurate we can be, and maybe we’d even say less!

When we completed the first Lego project, I felt this sense of accomplishment, and of course, my heart was full of joy having created this memory with her.  I stared it in wonder, captivated by how this project drew me in instantaneously, restoring something within I never knew I had lost, a piece of my childhood, for I had never, ever taken the time to build a Lego set, not as a child, and not even with my son when he was a child.

I took pictures because the detail was just amazing to me. Each Lego had such significance, and had to be placed just right because if we tried to put the wrong Lego in, often we wouldn’t know it until we had laid many more so we would have to tear it apart and rebuild it.

I couldn’t help but think what if we were to carefully build one another up with our words, such that when we walked away, we had a sense of accomplishment knowing that what we had planted could/would help them with any other negative messaging they may be receiving from others? See, unlike Lego building, we don’t get to take our words back, and once they leave our mouths, well, there are consequences: building up or tearing down.

Ephesians 4:29 tells us not to let any corrupt word proceed out of our mouths but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearer.

Oh, Abba, help me, one word at a time, to build others up, and not tear them down. Help me to be mindful of the things that I say so that whatever I say, when I walk away, I know that You will use each word to build them up, to remind them that they are precious in your sight. Help me to remember when I want to tear down and inflict pain with my words that the real enemy is not them, but the Enemy of this world just using them to get to me!

Love,

Evinda

Transform Tuesdays!

Did you know that the way that we resolve conflict…or not reveals a lot about our character?

Join us to Transform your conflicts into character!

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