Java with Jennifer Journal

September 2010 Taste This!

What I Am In To Lately

Our first Fresh Grounded Faith of fall took place this month just outside Seattle, Washington.  Over 1,000 women joined me, Michael O'Brien, Lysa TerKeurst and Abby Rike to drink in God's goodness.   And then, the very next weekend, we took a sold out Fresh Grounded Faith to Jacksonville, Florida!  There, Kathy Troccoli and Abby joined me, and it was extra special because my folks joined us, too!  Of all the amazing people I got to hear speak and sing this month, I think the sweetest voice of ministry I heard was when my dad took the stage at Jacksonville FGF and prayed for the women.  He will always be my favorite pastor. 

 

I found a book I simply love, and it's by a living author!  It's called The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  Her colorful storytelling swept me into the lives of the uniquely southern characters she created.  It's set in the Deep South during the early '60's.  The writing was so compelling, the story so creative and the voices so authentic.  The message was both sobering and inspiring.  When I got near the end of the book, I dreaded finishing it. I still miss my new friends--Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter!  I'm looking forward to this author's next offering; this was her debut novel.  It will be hard to top. 

 

I've tried a wonderful tea you just must taste-especially if you love books. 

It's a black tea blend of estate Assam teas and it's called...C.S. Lewis Blend Tea!  The Tea Embassy in Austin, Texas created it to honor my favorite dead author!  Since Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland and was an avid tea drinker, the Tea Embassy made this special Irish blend in his memory.  I love that!  If you give it a taste test, it may just lift your IQ-or at least your mood!

 

So, give these things a taste test:

 

1.  A Fresh Grounded Faith event near you (or any women's conference where you connect with women and God)

2.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett

3.  C.S. Lewis Blend Tea from Tea Embassy

September 2010 Fresh Grounded Thoughts

What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately 

How Much is Your Dirt

  
"How much is your dirt?"  That was the question I heard from the other end of the phone when I answered, "Hello, this is Jennifer."  "Jennifer, (spoken with a thick country accent) how much is your dirt?"  I hesitated at first, thinking this was a crank call that would not end well no matter how I answered.  So, instead of trying to second guess the very odd caller and his equally odd question, I said, "I think you have the wrong number."  He insisted, "No, your number is on this pile of dirt."

 

At this point, I started thinking of people I know who would do something like this to me as a joke.  I thought of my friend Chris.  "This is something he would do," I thought.  He would find someone to fake a really backwoods country accent and give them $20 just to call me with such an outrageous question.  So again, I thought, "No matter what I say, this just won't end well!"

I decided not to try to be clever with my response, and instead told him again that I thought he had the wrong number.  His voice became just a bit perturbed and said, "I'm looking at it right now."  "Can you read it to me?" I asked.  With a tone of voice that said, "I can't believe this woman is giving me such a hard time," he slowly read each number to me.   All the numbers were correct until the second to the last one.  Whew!  "It wasn't a crank call," I thought.  "It's just a country man who has trouble dialing a phone and really wants to buy some dirt!"  I told him his mistake and he apologized and hung up. 

 

No one has ever been that insistent on buying my dirt before...except for One.  That is what Jesus did for me.  He bought my dirt.  And He continues to buy my dirt each time I get soiled, stained and messy.  This city girl can't imagine anyone paying good money for a pile of dirt, but the man on my phone was willing to.  Even more amazing is that Jesus is willing to, but the currency he uses is far more valuable than mere money. 

 

 "...you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18, 19 (NASV)

 

You are so valuable to God that He was willing to pay the ultimate price for your dirt.  That's amazing love!

Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately.

September 2010 Spill the Beans

You Ask It, I'll Answer It

Question:

Dear Jennifer,

I have been walking around for some years with a secret...I have bi-polar disorder and I am a Christian. I am not on medication, and when I was first diagnosed, my husband totally became distant. I tried to explain what the disorder is, and he simply told me it is all in my head.  Nine years ago, I tried to seek help from my brothers and sisters in the faith.  Although they meant well, it was scary or totally new to them.  I was even explained that this disorder was connected to demon possession.  I soon claimed to everyone that the Lord healed me, and quite honestly, I was hoping that through my faith, the healing will come...and I still believe.  However, in the meantime, I am quietly and secretly coping.  It is becoming harder to cope with because of age factors.  I am 35 years old, and although very young, my hormones are shifting in a new direction.  I stopped seeking professional help for fear my husband finds out.  Please help me find common ground.  I am ashamed and would greatly appreciate your prayers and comments.  I would like to know if there are any more Christians facing this battle. Thank you.

God Bless You.

Karen

 

 

 

Answer:

You are not alone.  There are many who struggle with the same difficult circumstance and it is nothing to be ashamed of.  It is also, my sweet sister, not in your head and not a result of demon possession. 

 

Perhaps it's time again to seek help from a physician.  Of course, as we age and other things in our bodies change, existing conditions can sometimes be pronounced or exacerbated.  Why suffer when you don't need to?  God often uses doctors and medications as His agents of healing.  Your doctor can check and find out exactly what is wrong and what can be corrected.  Perhaps your husband could even join you on a visit to the doctor so he could hear from a professional the nature of your struggle. 

 

Faith is expressed in many ways--praying for healing, believing for healing and visiting a physician for healing.  I pray you find an ally in a physician, strength in God and understanding in your husband. 

 

May God's grace help you be brave, my sister, and walk by faith.

Jennifer


And, now the beans are officially spilled!

September 2010 Prayer Requests from Jennifer

I need your prayers - if you have time, will you please consider praying for me? Here is my prayer list for this month:

Lets pray for each other this month.  As Java sisters, we need each other! Lets pray this passage:

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God."  Ephesians 3:15-19 (NIV)