Guest Post: “Me? A Snooty Church Lady?”

September 18, 2015September 5, 20155 Comments

For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I’m happy to introduce you to Hope Venetta, woman of faith and blogger who shares her journey through her posts at hopevenetta.com. I “met” Hope via social media and COMPEL, then had the pleasure of connecting with her in person at the She Speaks 2015 Conference in July. She has a beautiful spirit, and her words are very life-touching, I’ve found, particularly as they relate to ministry. I’m glad to feature one of her posts as part of the New Day September series on the highlights of She Speaks….

Me? A Snooty Church Lady?

Have you ever been humbled by how God chose to show you your sin and bless you at the same time? One Sunday after church, my husband Tom and I debated whether it fit into our budget to go out for lunch or cook at home. We are trying to save money and pay down some debt. Clearly going out for lunch doesn’t exactly fit with that plan, so after going round and round about being disciplined, and saving, and Dave Ramsey, we somehow ended up at a sandwich shop. As it turned out, we were in exactly the right place for a divine appointment.

When Tom placed his order, a tough looking woman standing behind me in line tapped me on the arm. As I turned towards her, she offered me a slip of paper. Now I usually don’t take things from random strangers, but I felt a prompting to accept it from her. I was fully expecting it to be an advertisement for a local business, some kind of donation request, or information about an event at a nightclub. It was none of those. It was a coupon for a free sandwich. When I realized what it was, my every intention was to hand it back to her. People in my city can be very neighborly, but I didn’t want to accept this random act of kindness from her. Not her. Not this woman who looked and sounded like a cast member of Orange is the New Black. I took a breath, ready to tell her why I couldn’t accept the coupon, and for some reason I couldn’t speak. Her face that looked as if she had indeed seen rough times, also looked so pleased to have been of service. I couldn’t take that away from her by refusing her kind gesture.

As I ordered my sandwich, something rose in my spirit. Something in me wanted to reach out. I wanted to engage her, to start a dialog, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t seem to get over myself and find common ground with her. Dressed in a hoodie and jeans, with thick cornrows in her hair, I am ashamed to admit that I judged this woman by her dress and demeanor. As I listened to her conversation behind me, I actually had the audacity to think I was better than her because of my cute church outfit, my knowledge of correct grammar usage, and my own perception that my rank was above her in the socioeconomic strata. To me she looked like and sounded like a thuggish woman who was straight out of the cast of Orange is the New Black. Yet, God was using her to meet a financial need of mine by covering an unplanned frivolous expense. Because of my pride and snooty attitude, I could scarcely look her in the eye as I thanked her. I actually thanked her several times, and not once could I make an eye to eye connection. So much judgement in my heart. Even though I was the one being helped.

Tom and I left the sandwich shop and went to a park to eat our lunch. Before we said grace over our meal, we looked at each other across the picnic table and marveled at how God is proving himself be our provider. Yes, this time it was only the cost of a sandwich, but that is beside the point. It seemed like a gentle reminder from God that He is who He says he is and that He does not change. That He is a provider. That He is not a respecter of persons. That His blessings come in unexpected packages – even in the form of thuggish looking women who look and sound like they just got out of prison.

It is clear that I have more work to do to overcome pride and a judgmental spirit. I thank God for the opportunity to grow and become the woman He created me to be. I am also thankful that He is teaching me what a blessing it can be to allow others to express their gifts. By me accepting that coupon, it allowed the other woman to experience generosity. Despite my preoccupation with my own mental baggage, I did notice that she had a look of self-respect and the good kind of pride, knowing that she was helping someone. I could not let my self-importance take that away from her by rejecting her offering. Who knows, perhaps that was her sacrifice to God. Her giving of herself with no expectation of a return. God is amazing and can use all kinds of circumstances to accomplish His purposes.

He is so great, and I am so blessed that He loves me and has adopted me into His family, flaws and all.

How about you? Have your blessings come in unexpected packages?

Hope is a follower of Christ, wife to Tom, fledgling gardener, and all-around, wannabe, domestic diva. She blogs about living an authentic, Christ-centered life at www.hopevenetta.com. (Photo credit: Melchee Johnson)

Guest Post: “Are You Catching or Being Caught?”

September 11, 2015August 30, 2015Leave a comment

In last week’s post, I shared the life-changing experience I had at She Speaks 2015, a conference for women faith writers and speakers hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries. I learned so much and am now so encouraged to continue to serve through words.

The best part of the conference was gathering with so many other women dedicated to God and sharing His message through words. I’m pleased to introduce you to Adrian Jessen, blogger at Adrianjessen.com. Her post Are You Catching or Being Caught? is one of many where she shares her love for God, fitness, and nature. I hope you’ll be inspired as I was…

This week my husband and I celebrated our 11^th wedding anniversary. We’re different than most so instead of heading to a plush hotel and enjoying a couple’s massage or getting all dolled up to visit our favorite fancy restaurant, we loaded up our kayaks and bikes and headed east.

We had an awesome time paddling on the beautiful Pungo Creek. We even did a little kayak fishing! While fishing I had this thought:

Are you catching or being caught?

We went out a few times with no luck. At the beginning of our last morning it seemed like we were going to have the same experience. Fish were literally jumping out of the water all around us (I thought they were going to jump in my boat.). But they were not interested at all in our shiny, fluttery bait – we were not catching!

Then…(the suspense is killing you, I know) we finally caught a couple of striped bass.

Victory!

We were super excited! I mean, look at that grin on his face!

Then probably about 200 yards away we saw a ton of fish jumping out of the water. We paddled over and discovered a huge school of gar were enjoying a virtual feeding frenzy, jumping and splashing all over the place.

We would cast and reel in. Cast and reel in. As quick as we could get that bait back out there, we were casting and reeling.

And then – you guessed it – VICTORY!

We both finally reeled one in.

Then I thought how we are so much like those gar. As we paddled around, my husband said he saw thousands of tiny baitfish under him that the gars were feeding on.

They had a more than ample supply of real food, real fish all around them. But then when we distracted them with our shinier and more visually appealing bait, they were distracted from what God had provided them, and we snagged them with our hooks.

I think that happens a lot of times in our lives as well.

God has provided us with everything we need. Right here. Right now. All around us.

But we get distracted. Everyone is trying, too. It seems there just can’t possibly be enough blessings to go around.

“Surely what is around me isn’t enough.”

Then we see that shiny, more attractive thing that we think we’re searching for, and before you know it – we’re caught.

We get snagged and are pulled away.

Now, we were just doing some catch-and-release fishing, but in life that’s not always the case.

We go after the things we think will bring us happiness. We go after something that looks more appealing. We go after the newest, shiniest thing.

Only to find that thing wasn’t what we needed after all. That thing was merely a false hope that sometimes, unfortunately, leads to some pretty negative consequences.

So, what’s this got to do with you?

Well, can you take a minute and reflect on your life? What areas do you feel like you’re constantly searching, chasing the next thing?

Your job? Relationships? Finances? Health?

You think you’ve almost got it figured out and then something different gets your attention, and you go chasing after that one.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m excited for you, but I sure know what that feels like. And, I know it’s exhausting! So are you catching or being caught?

Let’s all make a decision right now.

After all, Jesus himself reminds us,

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?…” Matthew 16:26 NIV

Let’s agree together right now to stop chasing those things the world promises will make us happy and trust God for the things HE promises will bring us true joy. Maybe then we can avoid getting hooked by the world.

Will you agree to that with me? Let’s do it!

Let’s Get FIT Together!

Adrian Jessen is a speaker, blogger, author, and transformed follower of Jesus Christ. And, a health and fitness fanatic! Her mission: to empower people to pursue a healthy and active lifestyle – mind, body, & soul – by providing the training, resources, and encouragement needed to succeed.

Follow her on Twitter and Facebook as she shares her expertise based on over 15 years of experience in the health care and fitness fields, personal experiences, and the truth of God’s word in hopes that you grow into the best YOU possible.

Photo credits: Adrian Jessen. This post originally appeared on Adrianjessen.com. Used with permission.

Let God Define Your Treasure: She Speaks 2015

September 4, 2015September 4, 20152 Comments

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 NIV

What God has for me, it is for me. Those were the words impressed in my spirit at the end of two of the most glorious, joy-filled conference days I have ever experienced. She Speaks 2015, a conference for women faith writers and speakers and hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries, was more than a conference – it was a gathering of faith, and water for those of us thirsting. It.was.worship.

When I signed up, I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew deep within that I wanted and needed it. When you have a soul need, truly thirsty for something, God will send it in a package so full of gift. At least, that’s how I felt. Looking back on it, I’m still in awe, and my soul is satisfied.

So what exactly did we do there? Glad you asked. There was praise. Both days, before any session began, we lifted voice in song to God. We prayed, raised hands, and then sang some more. There was the Word preached. We were reminded on day 1 by P31 president Lysa TerKeurst that the first part of our calling is to be with God, then be sent out by God. There was the Word inspired. “Let God define your treasure,” implored speaker Whitney Capps as the conference came to a close.

There was the learning, absolutely. On the writer’s track (vs. the speaker’s track), I gleaned from sessions on how to write a book, how to create graphics for blog posts, why we need to write like poets, and more. Practical and timely.

And the people. I met so many beautiful spirits in women who are committed to God and committed to spreading His word. They became my sisters whom I will cherish forever. I’m thrilled to introduce you to three of them: Adrian Jessen, Hope Venetta, and Erin Blake. I’m even more excited to feature them throughout September here on New Day. Please come back and share in the gift God has given them to write. In the meantime, check out their blogs!

Proverbs 31 Ministries has changed the landscape for me not only as a writer, but as a woman of faith. I appreciate all God has done and continues to do through this great ministry. Please check their web spaces through the links below and delight in all that is offered!

Lastly, I’m so encouraged to continue on this path of ministry through words. I’m a previous self-publisher of a Christian magazine called PRAISE!, and I’ve found renewed focus to continue that effort here on New Day. Additionally, as an extension of my writing, I soon will be offering blog consultation and editorial services to other aspiring bloggers and writers who are called to this path and ready to share as God has led. Shaping your space can be daunting in the beginning as you’re preparing, researching, studying, and organizing your thoughts and plans. That’s where I can help – let’s work together to get you on your way and put the right touches on your writing ministry! Full service details and rates will be available soon.

Thank you always for supporting New Day. I pray that your spirits are refreshed and that you find God in a whole new light through the words offered here.

Proverbs 31 Ministries links:

About – the what, who and why behind P31

Main site – links to speaker blogs, studies, devotionals, bookstore

Meet Lysa TerKeurst, P31 president – bio, topics, blog

Whitney Capps, speaker – bio, topics, blog

COMPEL Training – “COMPEL is a membership site for influencers who want to write words that move people.” I’m a member – it’s a great investment!

I found treasure at She Speaks. Has God led you to yours?