Java with Jennifer Journal

Convicted to Avoid

"What do you guys think of Jennifer Rothschild?"

That was the opening question of a post in a chat room recently.

The web offers interesting opportunities to communicate with each other and sometimes we don't even realize we are doing it! The dear lady who asked the question about me didn't realize she was asking the question "to" me.

Someone close to me let me know my name showed up so I went to the chat room to take a look at what was written! When I read the remainder of her publication, I felt compelled to address the writer's concerns.

Her inquiry and comments gave me an opportunity to deliberate on what I do in ministry and why I do it, and so below I pasted her concerns and my response. In doing so, I seek to give you opportunity to deliberate upon what you do in ministry and why you do it also.

As you read, PLEASE, don't get tripped up by her assumptions (for most of them are unfounded) but instead, use them to deliberate upon what you are convicted to avoid.

Wassial!

From the February 2008 Issue of Java with Jennifer

Contributed by Becky Williams, correspondent assistant.

Wassail - There’s a very good reason that this warm winter drink has been popular throughout much of British history. This savory cider-like drink has claimed fame in Christmas carols, as well as English folk literature like Beowolf and the classic plays of Shakespeare.

The name Wassail originated from “ves heil” (Old Norse) which translates into Old English as “was hál.” The phrase, eventually merged into “wassail,” means “be in good health.”

Perhaps I’m a bit biased after fifteen years of enjoying wassail, but I must say, drinking a mug of wassail in honor of a friend’s health is an annual tradition worth keeping. Wassail!

Williams’ family's traditional recipe:

• 1 quart Hot Tea
• 1 quart Apple Juice
• 1 quart Cranberry Juice
• 2 cup Orange Juice
• 3/4 cup Lemon Juice
• 20-30 Whole Cloves
• 3-4 Cinnamon Sticks
• (1/2-1 cup sugar if desired)

Directions: Boil the water in a large pan and steep tea bags for proper time. Add juices and spices. Simmer on stove top for 20-30 minutes. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks. Serve Hot.

Cooking Tip: Counting the cloves before you add them to the wassail helps you keep track you take them out and ensure no-one gulps down a clove!

Dr. Phil's February Favorite: Coffee Art

February Taste This

What I Am In To Lately

Febuary was the month of Valentines...I hope you felt loved.

"Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us that we should be called the sons of God." - 1 John 3:1

Phil and I said we wouldn't exchange gifts this year, but he changed his mind! He surprised me with some aroma therapy goodies! Because I am a little fidgety at night, he gave me a bottle of Sleep Pillow Mist: Lavender Chamomile. Lavender Essential Oil soothes and calms so you can relax and Chamomile Essential Oil has a lulling effect to enhance sleep. I just love the fragrance!

He also gave me a little bottle of roll-on Instant Aromatherapy to keep by my computer while I write! It contains Eucalyptus essential oil to clear the mind and Spearmint essential oil to ease mental fatigue. Whew!

Once rested and de-stressed, I focused on Pride and Prejudice - my book for the month! I was drawn in by the imperfect yet perfectly portrayed characters and the high resolution picture of an oppressively class-bound culture. Of course, I love the strong woman at the center, Elizabeth, who navigated her way through all the genteel perils.

Two other women who struck me as particularly interesting were Mrs. Bennett and Mrs.Gardiner.

February Fresh Grounded Thoughts

What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately 

February marks the month I begin writing again! After I turned in my Self Talk, Soul Talk manuscript last spring, I vowed I would not write for the remainder of 2007.  I wasn't worn out, bummed out or burned out; I was just trying to be wise. 

My reason was simple.  After writing six books, I've learned the hard way that burnout begins long before I smell the smoke.  In the past, by the time I detected burnout, it was like an incinerator, and I was lost in the flames.  I am finally figuring out that rest must be a discipline, and sometimes discipline is hard!

Hebrews 3:19 says, "So we see that they (the Children of Israel) could not enter it (His rest) because of unbelief." What God has shown me is that when I can't or am unwilling to rest (which means to trust fully in Him rather than in me), it is an act of unbelief. Does unbelief keep you from the rest God intended?

Spilled in February

You Ask It, I'll Answer It   Question: In the introductory video of Fingerprints of God, you quote some verses regarding the healing of the blind. How do you resolve those verses with your current situation? Is it hard to read those verses? My daughter died two months ago and it is hard for me to read verses about healing (especially the story of Jairus' daughter). I can't just skip over the verses I have a hard time with. I have to come to terms with the fact that Jesus CAN heal, but He doesn't. Can you share your experience in this area? - Mary S. Answer:  To my Java readers, I changed this precious questioner's name before I published this.  She knows who she is, but I want to protect her privacy.  To Mary: Oh, my deepest sympathy for the loss of your precious daughter. I know all my Java friends feel the same. May God continue to heal your heart.

February Prayers

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

1. I am still working on a Bible study to be published by Lifeway in early '09.  Filming  for the study begins in September.  Whoo! Hoo!  The purpose will be to help women speak Truth to their souls.  Pray for me to be creative and fresh, and to meet felt needs of women through God's Word.

2. Thank you for praying for our first Fresh Grounded Faith Conference in Waco. It was amazing. God did more than we could have asked.  Please continue praying for the future FGF Conferences.  The next one is in Richmond, VA on April 18-19.  I sense God is working through this new offering.

Thanks a buzzillion!

- Jennifer

How are you "being?"

"There are three levels of existence," my brother observed as he cleared the dishes from Christmas dinner.   He went to the stereo and turned down Johnny Cash, who was crooning in the background, and settled in a creaky chair near me to finish his thought. "Doing, having, and being."



His commentary came after he and I had been musing over what it meant to be real. It's interesting how much of life can be discovered over strong coffee and my mother's pound cake.

Jane, Waco and Leopard Print!

The New Year began with Connor staying up until midnight for the first time.  He shared sparkling cider with us and celebrated New Years Eve.  His profound comment after the ball dropped, we cheered and toasted our cider, was, "Is this all there is? Do we get presents?!"

2008 is the gift.  It's a chance to start new, leave behind the old things and keep only what is wise and beneficial.  One thing I am definitely holding onto is my love for dead authors!



Lately, I've been on a Jane Austen kick. December's book was Persuasion, and this month, I'm reading Emma. How delightful that PBS is featuring her books on Masterpiece Theatre for the last and next few weeks!  You really must pick up one of her books or check out the series on PBS.  My next book of hers will be Pride and Prejudice - I'll give you a 'taste' of it in next month's Java.           

"Is the lack of artwork one of the greatest heart-breaking parts of your blindness?"

 You Ask It, I'll Answer It 
                                                                                                                                          
Question:

I, like you, love art. I knew from the time I was 10 that art would have a significant part of my life forever (assuming 'forever' were up to me). For years, I've prayed "Lord, please don't ever take my sight." Seeing artwork, including God's in every sunset is what fills my cup.

Is the lack of artwork one of the greatest heart-breaking parts of your blindness? I honestly don't know how - or can't fathom how - I could deal with that.

So, from one "artsy" gal to another, how did God help you deal with this?

I appreciate you. - Wanda