When it comes to books, I LOVE BOOKS! One of my favorite things to do is to snuggle up on the couch or in bed and read a great book! Thus the reason why my giveaways revolve around books!
One of my all-time favorite books is, "The New Lottie Moon Story". This book is incredible. I first came across this book while studying at seminary in my missiology class. What I love about this book is that here you have this incredible woman of God who accomplished some amazing things within her lifetime, but yet, she faced many of the struggles and obstacles that we at some point have faced or will face. Let me share with you some of my favorite quotes from this amazing book:
"For approximately two years, Lottie seems to have lived a nondirective existence at Viewmont, immersed in her family and in the national crisis. Then she became impatient to seek her own destiny." -Gosh, haven't we all been here?
"She needed a job. Lottie's friends advertised her search for a school in which to teach. If she thought of the mission field, she knew it was impossible. Not only would the Foreign Mission Board not appoint single women, but it could not appoint anybody." -Nothing is impossible with God-as many of you know, Lottie went on to be a missionary in China.
"Perhaps she was not sure whether foreign missions, with the retrains imposed on single women, would be as fulfilling as work as running her own school." -Again, we all experience doubt at times in regards to our purpose.
This book is a must read. Not only will you be encouraged, but you will also realize that you are not alone and that God does have a magnificent plan for your life!
Anyway, if you are looking for another great read, make sure to respond to the giveaway question listed below!
Blessings,
Jen
GIVEAWAY #2!
Ok, here we go with GIVEAWAY #2:
What do you love about your job?
The Prize? Kristen Billerbeck's "She's All That" book. For someone who's more into non-fiction than fiction, I must confess, I LOVE Kristen Billerbeck's Spa Girls Collection. Her books take you through the lives of three girlfriends and in turn, allows you to escape the real world. So, if you are looking for a great fiction reading book, this just might be the one!
When it comes to our jobs, it's so easy to focus on the negative aspects. As many of you know, in addition to being a Life Purpose Coach, I am also a high school teacher. As a high school teacher, I could easily allow myself to focus on all the things that I really don't care for which include:
* Grading papers
* Dealing with irate parents
* Being at work everyday at 7:00 a.m.
* Lesson Plans-having to prepare on my time-off away from work
But, if I start to focus on those things that I LOVE about my job, those things that I find exciting, not only am I more thankful for what the Lord has blessed me with, but my days are filled with so much more joy. So, what do I love about teaching?
* Working with kids
* Seeing the "light bulb" go off when they finally get something
* Seeing kids dive into their assignments and in turn, doing an outstanding job
* Being able to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them
* Seeing them experience new things for the first time
* Joking with them
* Them joking with me
* Having kids come back after they have graduated and telling you thank-you for pushing them to do their best
You know, when I focus on the things I really enjoy about my job, those other things don't seem as bad. So, what is it that you love about your job?
I am REALLY looking forward to reading your responses!
Why Lord?
Do you ever sit back and wonder what happened to the life you once dreamed about? I have. It actually happened on Wednesday. Every Wednesday, our school has Chapel and we have been blessed to have a variety of speakers come and speak words of truth and encouragement to not only our students, but also to the staff.
This past Wednesday we were BLESSED with having Pastor David Uth from First Baptist Orlando. This man is incredible. I watch him speak on TV nearly every Sunday as I get ready to head out to my home church and I can't help but to be challenged and encouraged as I listen to him speak the words of God. Well, before he spoke on Wednesday, he introduced two people he brought with him-the youth minister at First Baptist Orlando and the girl's minister. As soon as he introduced this woman of God and explained that she was the one who specifically worked with the teenage girls at the church, my heart just dropped. Why? Let me explain.
When I was attending seminary, my heart's desire was to work with youth and be in ministry full-time. I had these huge dreams of working in a church where I not only had the opportunity to work with youth, but would also have many opportunities to speak, write, go on mission trips, youth retreats, etc. When I graduated seminary, I did these exact things; in Texas and Florida. But after about three years, not only did my dream fade away, but unfortunately, I was deeply wounded by the church I was working for at the time. So wounded that I wanted nothing more than to get out and get a job at McDonald's. That's how bad it was.
Well, eventually the Lord healed my heart and allowed me to work through my shattered dreams. From that point on, the Lord has blessed me immensly within the field of education. I love education and the reality is, I am still working with youth and in turn, ministering to them on a daily basis. But you know what, on Wednesday, my heart sank when I saw this girl. All I could think about was, "God, what happened? Why did things not work out the way I thought they would? What that girl is doing, is what I dreamed about doing. Lord, I was faithful. I wanted nothing more than to be in ministry and in turn, make an impact for you. Why did things turn out the way they did?" Does any of this sound familiar?
As I went on through my day, I felt as though the Lord was speaking words of encouragement to me. I felt as though He was showing me that even though my life didn't turn out the exact way I had planned, He is still very much using me in ways that I have dreamed about. The truth of the matter is-I am in ministry. I am still working with youth. I still get to go on retreats with teenagers. I still get to minister to teenage girls who are searching for answers. And what's even more amazing is that I actually get to see and talk with these students more often than what a youth minister would. So the reality is, God is using me and is giving me the desires of my heart. Unfortunately though, I was too wrapped up in seeing what somebody else had, when all along I was allowing myself to miss out on what God was doing in my life and how He was truly using me to make a difference.
Do you feel as though some of your dreams have been shattered? Have you wondered why things have turned out the way they have? If so, you are not alone. Rest assured that God knows what your life looks like. He knows the desires of your heart. He knows the dreams that you dream. He desires nothing more than to use you in ways that you can't even begin to imagine. Trust Him. He is faithful. He will do what He has promised to do in your life. Though you may not understand it right now, hang on, He will show you. Believe me, I'm living proof of this. My dreams were at one point shattered, but through that brokenness, the Lord has continued to use me in ways I never even imagined-more than I could have ever of imagined. Not only am I blessed to work with teenagers from an educational standpoint, but He has also blessed me with being able to work with women who are searching for their purpose; women who question whether or not He does have a plan for them. Let me reassure you-He does have a plan for your life. No matter where you have been or what you are currently going through, He has a plan and He promises to work everything out according to His purposes. Stay focused, trust Him, be patient, and watch what He will do. If He did it for me, I can promise you that He will do the same for you!
Who are you Becoming?
Nothing excites me more than a great novel. I love cuddling up on the couch under a blanket with candles blazing all around me and a great book in hand.
In addition to being a Life Purpose Coach, I also work as a full-time high school English teacher. My favorite part of the job is reading great novels with my students. Currently, my 12th graders are reading "Pride and Prejudice". If you have never read this book, let me encourage you to do so. There's just something about the the way Jane Austen takes a hold of your emotions and in turn, draws you into the life of the characters.
My second favorite "activity" is watching the movie versions of novels. Not only does the book come to life, but it also allows you to see the many differences between the two. Tonight, I was finally able to watch the new release, "Becoming Jane". This movie is based on the life of Jane Austen. While we don't know a lot about Austen, research has shown that many of her writings paralleled her true existance. As I watched the movie, I couldn't help but notice that Austen experienced many of the things that we as women face in our lifetime. Here are some of the similarities:
* Austen desired to find her one true love
* Parents and society had their own thoughts on how they felt Austen should live her life
* Many people within her society felt that money was the answer and in turn, would bring happiness
* Austen had dreams of writing, but yet she had those "dream killers" in her life who felt that those dreams were a waste of time
* Austen dealt with rejection
* Austen dealt with doubt
* Austen questioned what her purpose was
As I sat on my couch watching this movie, I couldn't help but focus in on the title, "Becoming Jane". This movie clearly portrays Jane Austen becoming who she was created to be. As I continued watching, I kept asking myself, "Jen, who are you becoming?" As I look back on my life and the many experiences I have lived through, whether good or bad, I can't help but see the hand of God guiding and leading me into becoming the person He has created me to be. He has always led me onto the path that He desired me to be on. He has always had a plan for me. He is good.
So, with these thoughts, I can't help but ask you, who are you becoming? If there was a movie written about your life and who it is that you became, what would the movie portray?
Take some time to think about this and journal your thoughts. If you get a free moment, feel free to leave a comment and let me know who it is that you are becoming.
Blessings!
And the winner is........
JESS!!! Congratulations Jess! Be on the lookout for an email from me!!
Thanks to all who commented! It was WONDERFUL reading everyone's thoughts. I look forward to hearing more from each of you! Make sure to check back often!!
Jen
Thanks to all who commented! It was WONDERFUL reading everyone's thoughts. I look forward to hearing more from each of you! Make sure to check back often!!
Jen
GIVEAWAY!!!
Because I would love nothing more than to hear from you, I figured what better way than to pose a question and in turn, give away a free gift!! Every week I will pose a new question. The deadline for answering the question will vary week by week, so be sure to keep checking the blog. Once the deadline has arrived, I will randomly pick a name from the posts and the name chosen will be the winner! When you leave a comment, make sure to leave me your email address so that I can contact you upon your win!! I think this could be fun!! Ok, here we go-question #1:
* What do you feel passionate about? What gets you out of bed in the morning?
This weeks prize? Katie Brazelton's new book, Character Makeover! I look forward to hearing from you!!
Blessings,
Jen
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