Faith-Filled Friday's!

Happy Friday and thanks so much for stopping by for our Coffee Hour and for our Faith-filled Friday! For those of you who have been joining us for a while, God has led Jennifer in another direction so for now, I’ll be writing for our Faith-Filled Fridays! 

Can you believe graduations are happening and summer is in full swing? Oops, sorry… There I go again, jumping ahead in life! Grab your coffee and let’s stay in this moment!

I am currently in the trenches with people who are willing to deal with their WWWs – aka, their wounds, weaknesses and worries by looking at the root(s) they are tied to. We have just finished with the Root of Despair, and oh, how I love watching so many ah-ha moments in this transforming journey with these fellow transformers! This root was actually a very powerful one for me, probably one that was the easiest to write for it’s the easiest to detect. See, what I mean is that despair is rooted in a lack of hope, and people who lose hope become incredibly desperate.

But there is something rather profound in this whole dilemma of despair, which translates to no hope. Could it be that who/what we put our hope in leaves us bankrupt? Leaves us empty of the will to fight? Threatens our stability? Steals our joy? 

Here is a list of the top 5 things we tend to put our hope in. Make a mental checkmark if any of these things steal even a little of your hope:

1. Others/self
2. Money
3. Our hurt, habit or hang-up
4. Education
5. Career

You can’t fill an internal need with an external person, place or thing! Oh, to be rooted to the Author of Hope because who we put our hope in we tend to love! Have a great weekend!

Evinda

Wednesday's Word

Just One Wish! 

Psalm 121:1-2: I will lift up my eyes to the hills from where comes my help? My help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth

Welcome to Coffeehour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United! I’m so glad you could join us today! Grab your beverage and your strand of faith and let’s go talk about making a wish!

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

Isn’t that an interesting question? This very topic came up just last week while on a flight to Texas. If you’ve ever flown before, you know it’s not too hard to make a friend on the planes nowadays considering how close we are forced to sit to one another! ☺ She was on her way back home after surprising her son…interesting since I was on my way to Texas to surprise my grandson. By the way, did you know they have a crossing-over ceremony for elementary school to middle school? I sure didn’t but I was taking this opportunity to make some great memories and go cheer for him after surprising him. 

Anyway, back to my conversation. Thinking about it now, I can’t help but marvel at the ease with which our conversation maneuvered right into our hearts…hearts of two moms swapping parenting stories and burdens. It wasn’t long before we both realized we had something quite major in common, a mother’s heart that aches for her child/children when they are struggling in life and cheers for each and every victory they win. 

In the course of our conversation, the topic of having just one wish came up. She shared something sweet and appropriate that her youngest son had shared. He’s in his first year of college, and his girlfriend was literally ripped from him due to depression, and subsequently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder so she’s spending the last of her first year of college in a hospital. Of course he wanted her better and back on campus. She smiled as she shared her son’s wish, and then suddenly her eyes filled with pain. She said “If I had just one wish, I’d wish for addiction to go completely away, just go completely away.”

I sat there for a few seconds, stunned into silent and more in agreement than disagreement. What a wonderful wish! Of course that wish opened up the door for more parenting stories, nonfiction stories of losses because of others’ addictions, but it stirred something within me and got me to thinking. Uh-oh! ☺ 

I wondered to myself, especially because of all I’ve experienced as it relates to addiction, and because of the curriculum that He wrote through me and teaches through me, if that one wish were granted, would it solve all life’s problems? Is the problem of addiction really the problem…or a symptom of a deeper issue?

I mean at first thought, without going deeper and exploring it, it sounds good, seems as though many problems are entwined with addiction, and they are, and yet, honestly, it’s rather simplistic and somewhat unrealistic. So I ask myself, if I had one wish, what would it be? 

Well, here goes: I’d wish that all would come to the reality of the necessity of their need of a Savior which would be as a result of accepting that we are all broken in one form or another and that He loves us through our brokenness; that we can’t do life without Him. What if everyone were to quit hiding in unresolved guilt and shame, quit making decisions on fear, despair, let go of rage and anger, and stopped thinking they had to have someone to be someone? What if everyone just got honest with themselves and allowed others as well as themselves to look back, not fall back, glance back, not stay back, own it so they could disown it;  grieve it so they could leave it? What if we all quit pointing the finger, stayed in our own lanes, in our own cars so we stopped causing so many emotional wrecks?

In other words, what if everyone just looked up and realized where their help comes from?

Maybe, just maybe, the beauty that comes from the brokenness could be and would be appreciated by more of us and maybe more would see Jesus in us.

So if you had one wish, what would you wish?

Looking to Him from Whom my help comes from,

Evinda

Jenn's Journey

Ah...summer vacation is here…for the kids at least! In our house we are looking forward to sleeping in and no homework. I remember how happy I always was when summer break came. Being a kid is so simple…or is it? Grab a cup of coffee and join me.

I've been reflecting on aging recently. Not the getting old part but the getting wiser part. I can honestly say that I am enjoying the 40's more than any other decade. Other than missing the energy I had in the past, I wouldn't go back if offered the chance!

My daughter is finishing up first grade this year. It's been interesting to watch how what others think affects her. She has recently decided that we are poor! Why? Because we don't have an elevator in our house and she doesn't see me spending money every chance I get. ☺ I find this somewhat amusing, yet sad. The act of comparing to others starts so young and it seems worse for girls. I know you understand what I mean. Clothes, relationships, friendships, money…all ways we feel the need to ask, "Do I measure up to her?"

 I've spent far too much of my life comparing myself to others. Years ago, in grade school, I recall a friend saying how glad she was that she is not as ugly as I am. That hurt, of course, but it also planted a competitive seed in my heart. As I look back now, I realize her saying this was more about her insecurities than it was about my looks. I now know that that friendship was not healthy on many levels, but that's a topic for another blog!  

Perspective comes with age. For me, the 40's have been about letting go of thought patterns that no longer work for me.

Let me share something I’ve recently read from Brene’ Brown, author/psychologist:
"All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – have to go. Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.''

 It's very freeing to come into our own, and it's a choice we all have as we grow. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child; I reasoned like a child. When I became a woman, I put the ways of childhood behind me." 

Until next week, be blessed,

Jenn

Freedom Friday's

Welcome to our Final Freedom Friday blog post from Jennifer. We will continue our Fridays with various faith-filled series to encourage you in your journey. But for now, grab your coffee, and your Strand of Faith and come in for some insightful wisdom from Jennifer.

Walking in who we are called to be

In the past, when I contemplated who am I called to be it turned into a complex quest for analyzing and rethinking my purpose.  As I have been walking out my freedom I have realized that I am simply called righteous.  Now, that may sound arrogant, but isn’t that what Jesus died on the cross for?

Righteousness is an attribute of moral purity belonging to God alone (John 17:25). It is He alone who is truly righteous. We are counted righteous in the eyes of God when we receive Jesus by faith (Phil. 3:9). Our righteousness is based on what Jesus did on the cross. The righteousness that was Christ’s is counted to us. We, then, are seen as righteous in the eyes of God. Though we are actually worthy of damnation, we are made righteous (Is. 61:10) by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He gave us freedom from sin, death, fear, anxiety, the list goes on….

Most of the time we focus on our lack and what we don’t have.  We daily reach for goals that, in our own mind, will make us better or bring us closer to where God wants us to be.  In that reaching is where we find discontent.  In that searching we miss the peace that God has placed before us.  He did all the hard work on the cross so that we could walk in the fullness of life.  How is it that we walk right past that?  

Our attention rests on what should be, what could be and what isn’t.  God’s promises are true! God never lies and He never fails us.  If God has set our feet in a direction, then all we have to do is walk on that path.  We derail ourselves with doubt and fear; we beat ourselves up for our lack of faith and we sit and wait when we simply need to believe.

When you get off track, stop and think what He has done in the past.  Meditate on how many times God has shown up.  If you can’t recall, then read the Bible – it is full of examples of freedom, faith and miracles. Read Psalms 136 – “His Love never quits,” His love never quits for you!  He is a good, good Father and wants only the best for His Children. 

Believing His best for me…and for you,

Jennifer

Wednesday's Word

Our Sphere of Influence

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven! Matthew 5:16

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. I love Wednesday’s Word time, a time where we can take a scripture and apply it to our own life in a way that brings it to life within us so that it may come out of us! Grab your coffee and your Strand of Faith and let’s go ties some knots together! Oh, we’re going to the Hollywood Bowl with over 17,000 others! ☺

It was the perfect weather to have a little picnic before actually going inside the Hollywood Bowl. It wasn’t too warm or too cold. There was a slight breeze that kissed our skin every few minutes and wafted on into the air, making the sky so clear and the leaves of the trees sing as a beautiful backdrop for what we knew would be a great experience. It was a perfect night for a concert under the stars! 

As the starting time drew near, the area we were in filled up. Everywhere I looked, I saw the same thing. I felt a feeling of dismay as I realized I hadn’t gotten the memo to wear all black! It was like this giant sea of black with maybe a sprinkle of color every few hundred yards. I was one of those sprinkles! ☺ I shrugged that dismay off my shoulders as quick as it came and continued to enjoy our friends, the great picnic food, and a glass of wine. What in the world…I tried not to cringe as the smell of pot began to fill my nostrils more than I’d ever experienced! Really?! Again, I determined in my heart to enjoy this time and not let others weaknesses weaken me!

When it was time to make our way to our seats, I marveled at how simple it seemed, how traffic just seemed to flow to their assigned seats. I mean, we are talking 17,500 people! By the way, not one fight broke out; the overall sense was that everyone was there for a good time to see a great band, all there for one purpose. Hold that thought.

It took us about 15-20 minutes to make it all the way around and up to Section T2 and by the time we sat down, I was definitely a bit winded and grateful for a seat. But as I took in the gorgeous view, inhaling the fresh air and exhaling any tension, I marveled at the view! It was calming, peaceful, despite all the thousands of people. 

As the Bowl filled up, and people began to show their enthusiasm for The Cure to take the stage, I was struck with a thought that I don’t ever think I’ll forget: Imagine having this kind of influence that can bring this many people together! What would it be like to have the responsibility of having influence over this many people? What would you do with it?

I shuddered at the thought! What a ginormous responsibility!

Matthew 5:14 comes to mind, the words spoken by Jesus Himself: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” So at that moment in time, actually for almost three hours, The Cure was a city on the hill, not hidden. Verse 15 tells us that a lamp is put on a lamp stand, not under a basket so it may give light to all who are in the house. In this part of time, for the three hours, The Cure was to give light to all in the house of the Hollywood Bowl.

Now, please don’t get me wrong; I’m not judging this band in any way whatsoever; I’m merely bringing the spiritual component of life to this moment in time. Aren’t we supposed to bring Him with us wherever we go?  

The point I’m trying to make is we ALL have a sphere of influence. Now grant it, it may not be the size of the Hollywood Bowl, and we are not The Cure, but we are all called to let our lights shine for all to see “in the house” which means wherever we are.  This may be while waiting in line at the grocery store, or at a fast-food place, or in the bank; but the one place we all have a sphere of influence is within our own homes. Why does the light seem to go out in our homes? Why oh why is it so difficult to let that light shine in the house and so easy to pick up that broom and ride?

When we get there, we will be reminded of who was involved in our sphere of influence, and the greater the influence, the more this scripture rings true: to whom much is given, much is required; the bigger the sphere, the more responsibility. 

Who or whom has God put in your sphere of responsibility? Be on the lookout because it could increase…or decrease daily!

Love,

Evinda

Jenn's Journey

Good morning, friends. I hope you are enjoying your long weekend. ☺ As you celebrate, please take time to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Take a moment to pray for this country of ours, too! Grab a cup of coffee or tea and relax…it's a holiday!

I'm up early this morning. The birds are just beginning to sing, which is my favorite time of day, and the darkness is fading into light. I've been struggling with what to share this week. So often my blogs have been written out of my pain, or a difficulty I've experienced, and the lessons I've learned. Right now, I feel like I am having a mountaintop experience after being in the valley for a long, long time. I am so grateful.

I get inspired by memes that I see on Facebook. I save the ones that speak to me the most. In fact, I have so many saved to my phone I may have to weed them out one of these days. The one that spoke to me this week is: "Those mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb." Think about that for a minute. 

 Life tends to pile more onto us than we can handle. Anger, political unrest, abuse, loss, tragedies, death, divorce, broken relationships, addictions…the list could go on. Everywhere people are staggering under the loads they carry. I've been there. I just happen to be in a moment where I've stepped on top of the mountain.

Not for one minute do I think I've accomplished this on my own. Nor do I believe that I won't ever have to climb another mountain. What I do know is this: there is Someone who has shown me that not only will He help me climb the mountain, He will shoulder the load. It's taken me awhile to learn this and accept the help He gives freely.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. What are you carrying, friend? What mountain do you need Him to carry you up? His promise of rest is waiting for you. 

Until next week, be blessed,

Jenn

Freedom Friday's

It’s Friday…already! Whew, time’s flying by! Join us for another revelation in Jennifer’s freedom journey! You won’t be disappointed. Grab your coffee and your strand of faith…the knots will be worth tying!

John Maxwell, Leadership expert, states that “Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.”  Most people see success as and endpoint but it really is a journey.  Our purpose is simply a (me or you shaped) hole that only we are uniquely qualified to fill.  It is our responsibility to discover what hole God created us to fill.  Hurt and pain can keep us from wanting to walk in our purpose. We can feel aimless, pointless and worthless in that moment.  

Knowing our purpose is not only essential to our freedom, but is our freedom journey.  The pain that we have suffered makes us uniquely qualified to help someone else!   

For a very long time I have felt pointless, aimless and invisible to the world and to God.  I allowed various past and present hurts to keep me feeling that way.  One day I read in my Bible, “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, 6 NLT) 

I realized that God was brewing up a greater purpose that will outlast my pain, but He needed me to open my eyes and see it. So I have started reaching out to others instead of pushing away.

We can be a blessing in the lives of others by looking at:

• Where God has brought us. What pain in your life can you help someone else through?
• What God has done in you. How has He prepared you to be a light in someone else’s life?
• Those who need help. Where are the women who are now experiencing what you once did?
• God’s strength and depending on Him.
• Opportunities to be a blessing in someone else’s life.

Believe me when I say that helping others will help in your healing and freedom journey.  Move from being a wounded woman to a warrior woman in God’s army.

Jennifer