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Life Lessons: The Truth is…

09.11.2018 by Jennifer Howe //

This month FACETS is thinking about life lessons—the sharp chisels, gritty sandpaper, and beautiful gems in our lives. Life lessons speak to where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going in life. I (Jennifer) am thankful for truth-filled lessons, but I rarely find them “easy-peasy, lemon squeezy.”

IMAGE: LIfe Lessons, Jennifer J Howe, pink

I’m a wife and mom, and I probably wear ten other “hats” interchangeably. Sometimes I imagine the hats are real accessories. The “wifey” one is shimmering white with a 21-diamond-studded, tungsten carbide band. My blue mommy hat dangles mini mementos from a wide brim: diapers, pacifiers, bottles, homemade baby food, Tonka trucks, Matchbox cars, Legos, dirt clumps, critters, frisbees, footballs, sweaty clothes, smelly shoes, an empty refrigerator, happy tears, sad tears, and a few fear tears. My teacher hat is decorated with green, orange, purple, and red pens; lesson plans; books, books, and more books. Antique typewriter keys spell out AUTHOR & EDITOR on the writer hat’s band. A pink friend hat is covered in rhinestones, dark chocolates, mugs, coffee beans, and tea bags (D’uh!). The athlete hat sports softballs, belts from several martial arts, fried eggs, smoothies, dumbbells, and running shoes. Graphite images wrap around the bright-white paper artist hat.

The question is, are my hats the reality and totality of Jennifer? Are yours the sum of you? Is it who we’ve been, are, and ever will be? When I answer those questions, I lean into truth lessons I’ve learned.

Truth: I am not what I do.
The life lessons I’ve encountered speak to something crucial: I am not what I do. See, when a hat defines me, I’m probably wearing it, loud and proud, on the treadmill of life. At least, that’s my experience. When I’m defined by what I do, what happens when marriage is hard, children grow up, jobs change, friends relocate, or the brain writes “athletic checks” the body can’t cash? Some hats can inform me of important details in my life. The hats can’t define me or you because we’ll be crushed under the weight of performance, good or bad, and permanence or absence. Lesson (being) learned.

Truth: Truth is hard.
If I listed identity words connected with my life, it’d be a mixed bag. There would be a childhood description, a young adult one, and something after that (technically, until yesterday). Good, bad, and ugly would swirl in the mix. Words reflect I’m a survivor…saved…but also selfish…and I battle anger, shame, and sadness over many things. That’s where I’ve been, honestly, even up to a second ago in some of it. I’ve seen the good, bad, and ugly in a hard but honest way: I’m oh-so-flawed!

Truth is hard, but one big truth can’t be ignored. As true as the description up there may be, reflecting my flaws and struggles, there is something truer (if that’s a “thing”).

Truth: Nobody’s perfect.
We hear that all the time, and it’s true, but the truth is imperfection causes problems deeper than just “not quite getting it right” and follow-up apologies. The cycle of wounding God, ourselves, and others has to be broken, and it will never be a behavior mod kind of thing. I was desperate to deal with the rotten “stuff” of life—mine and others’ dished my direction—and the road I took led me to biblical truth: this world (everyone and everything in it) is pretty messed up.

Truth: Jesus is the answer to imperfection.
When I think about who I am today, I’m thankful to rest in the truer truth: I’m a daughter of a king. Actually, the King. And that was brought about by a lesson: Father-God is real, He speaks true and loving words, and He demonstrated love in Jesus.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18 CSB

That’s one of all the places in the Bible where we meet truth head-on. The reality is, truth has to be met; it can’t be ignored. Our imperfection (sin) flies in the face of Holy God and must be addressed. (If you’re unsure about God, the Bible, Jesus, and truth; maybe it’s time to have a conversation with a trusted Christian friend or pastor. I wrestled hard—and contentiously—with exactly those things. I encourage you because I care.)

Truth: God is real, and He loves me.
And that life lesson in truth up there—that God is real and holy, loves deeply, and has provided a way to be free from overwhelming power of sin and death—that’s what informs my identity and my future.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 CSB

Then I learn how valuable I am and have no doubt where I’m going simply because…well, Jesus. I once had images of clouds and harps juxtaposed with fire and pitchforks. The Bible gives detailed descriptions, and I don’t see our culture’s caricature of the afterlife in there. What I love is that this intricately created universe truthfully reveals the fingerprints of the Designer who made it. And when He comments on truth and the only way to His eternal life, we should listen.

Truth: There is a reality I can’t see, but I will…
Somewhere between all ready and not yet. Where I’m going is all about a reality I can’t see—yet!

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV

[F]or we walk by faith, not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7

Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and have made a good confession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

I once had a false impression of where I was going; now it’s clearer. While I won’t have a perfect image until I see it with my own eyes, I can walk more confidently in truth now about the future. (I’m learning to walk that out every day.) I don’t really wonder where I’m going. I do wonder what it will be like to see and embrace the perfect presence of God with a newly-created mind and body. (Can I be a little taller, please? *giggle*) And my spirit longs for that in some way every day! You, too?

When you think about your future, what feelings do you have? What about the future do you long for most? Comment below or at the FACETS Facebook page. I’d love to hear from you.

If you haven’t, take a peek at Tracy’s thoughts from last week, too!

Signature, Jennifer Howe

Categories // Jennifer Howe's Perspective, Life, Life Lessons Tags // Facets of Faith, Faith, Identity, Jennifer J Howe, Jesus, truth

The Jet Fuel That Propels Our Hope

07.11.2018 by Jennifer Howe //

Hi, everyone! I wish you the very best (a little late) as we Americans remember the historic significance of July. I’m thankful to live in this amazing country with the blessings it affords. If not for brave souls who made sacrifices—even risking their lives and fortunes—this would be a different nation. I’m grateful our founding fathers were smart and determined. Their choices and wisdom made all the difference. With all her faults, I hope God would still bless America with his presence.

But I digress. On to the real reason I’m here…

How Does Prayer Fuel Hope (jjhowe)

We’re talking about something dear to my heart: prayer. There are precious fruits of the labor in prayer; we chose to think about hope. My soul often leans into prayer. I was planted in a family who prays. I am beautifully connected to a sort of second family who prays in my church. And I hope my sons are the next generation of men who pray prayers that echo like thunder. Prayer is powerful and effective for the needy soul. (I’m that soul on any given day.) Are prayer and hope inextricably linked?

What is prayer anyway?
Prayer is comprised of words. But, it’s not yammering on or making small talk. Often the words aren’t warm, fuzzy feelings, and they aren’t some kind of “light” or “positivity” we send out into the universe. The words are a two-way exchange incorporating listening, and so they become a conversation. Prayer’s focus—and the most important part—is who the conversation is with.

Words and The Living Word
The Bible tells us what prayer is and to whom we pray. Prayerful words are designed to create intimate communication with God—all of God, the Trinity. Prayer puts us in direct communication with the God of the universe, our Heavenly Father; through Jesus, the Son; by the power of the Spirit. And that sounds a little heavy in the theology department, but it’s important to think in those terms sometimes.

But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. Matthew 6:6a CSB

I’m thankful our Father hears what is prayed privately, or even silently (6:6b).

Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. Hebrews 10:14-16

In what other way can we approach the throne of God (from the physical world) but through prayer?

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. Romans 8:26

Plain and simple. Sometimes there are no words. Sometimes we don’t know how to pray. When we’re at a loss for words or we fear our wants and needs might be muddled, we count on the Holy Spirit to speak into that moment. He is willing to step in, and if we let him, Spirit will pray in our stead.

Why Pray?

He said to them, “Whenever you pray, say: Father, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Luke 11:2

Let’s never forget who we are praying to, first. We’re asking God to break through in our world in the ways only he can. He is holy, set apart. Today that looks like a whole other reality; someday we’ll walk into his presence and see his face. Nothing in this world happens without his knowledge, but we can have meaningful, intimate conversations with our almighty Father in heaven from this realm.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44

…bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28

The hardest prayers to pray can be for those who have hurt us, friends, or family members. Those are tough prayers, but this is a command.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. James 5:13a

We’re familiar with these prayers. When we have compassion for the sick, weak, or hurt, we pray. That’s actually a directive. We learn to pray in the big and little stuff. (The latter can be harder to remember.)

Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:38

Let’s not forget to ask the Lord to equip his people to speak well, be able to give answers, and to share the hope! (See 1 Peter 3:15-16.)

…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 ESV

We pray. At all times. All kinds of prayers. Persevering in prayer for all of God’s people, including ourselves.

But, where’s the hope?
I need to know where the jet fuel in prayer is for the hope I need, and you may too.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

Our good and merciful Father has given grace through Jesus. We don’t deserve it and can’t earn it. Our “living hope” is salvation through Jesus. We were saved from sin into a beautiful relationship with the Father. All because of Jesus. This life will end. What comes next hangs from nails in a cross. It’s a free gift—but a choice we make nonetheless. Since it’s an “already but not yet” kind of thing, we employ hope. We are children of God now, but we’ll walk heaven’s streets later. This is fuel for the hope fire, isn’t it?

I rise before dawn and cry out for help; I put my hope in Your word. Psalm 119:147

…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Because God is good (see his goodness in grace above) and he cares for us, our concerns are his concerns. When we are distressed or depressed, it matters to our Father. He has given us his Word (the Bible), the Living Word (Jesus), and his Spirit because he loves us that much! We have all we need in our terrible trouble. Every. Single. Moment. More hope. He cares about the little things and the big things.

If we don’t have strength or words or wisdom…

We have Jesus and the finished work on the cross.

We have the precious words from God on the pages of the Bible.

We have the Spirit who will pray with and for us.

God strengthens us through the pages of scripture, none of which make sense without Jesus or the Spirit. He hears our words, which are often inspired or amplified by the Spirit. But the only way to the Father is Jesus. The gift of the Spirit is through Jesus. Jesus is our hope. We pray to stay in close relationship with the One who loves us, cares about our lives, and acts on our behalf.

Nothing is possible without Jesus. (Talk about hopeless!) If we pray…if there is any hope to be fueled at all…it’s because of Jesus.

Thanks for reading, friends. Do you find prayer fuels your hope? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on that. Share a time when prayer solidified hope for you. Comment below or stop over at the Facebook Page.

Love you all!

Signature, Jennifer Howe

Categories // Faith, How Does Prayer Fuel Hope?, Jennifer Howe's Perspective Tags // Facets of Faith, Faith, hope, Jennifer J Howe, Jesus, prayer

Change, Faith, and Jelly Beans

05.15.2018 by Kim Findlay //

We sat at our table in Panera to discuss life, friendship, oh . . .and Facets of Faith. We share a meal, catch up on life, and then turn our attention to what needs to be discussed for this ministry we get to do together. This particular time we were brainstorming topics for the coming spring, settling in on the month of May.

What about discussing the topic of change? Everyone faces it. The three of us nodded our heads, each thinking about the myriad of change we’ve experienced throughout our lives. One of us, probably Tracy, turned serious. You know if we write about it, we’re going to have to live it. We groaned. We knew if we said yes to this topic, chances were change was on the horizon. Little did we really know. You can check in with what Tracy and Jen shared earlier this month by clicking on their names. As for me? Well, as I often say . . .welcome to my world.

How Do You Go Through the Change? (Green)

Change

As I reflect over my forty(cough) years, I can confidently say that the one constant has been change. As soon as life seemed to settle in somewhat of a predictable pattern, change would trip me up.

…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2b, NLT

Most recently? A cross-country move with my still-newlywed husband and three stepkiddos. To many that may not seem like too big of a deal, but for those who know me? Yeah, it was exactly what I said I would never do.

So I thought I’d offer you a glimpse into how I processed this life-changing um, change.

Phase One: Stare

It started with a FB message asking if I knew anyone looking to for a job as a Children’s Director. The one asking? An old boss of mine. And he wasn’t just any boss, he was a favorite. The one I said I’d work for again in a heart beat. 

Huh. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said that because his request? It was for a job in Massachusetts a thousand miles away. I sat in my car (which may or may not have been moving) and read his message. . .over and over. I figured if I stared at it long enough, maybe it would change. The words might morph or simply disappear. But like watching those pimple-popping videos (don’t judge), I simply couldn’t look away. And before I knew it, I entered Phase Two.

Phase Two: Doubt

The funny thing was that he wasn’t asking me if I wanted the job. He was simply asking if I knew anyone looking for a job. The thing that he didn’t know that I knew that had just happened? I was leaving a retreat where I sensed God leading me to resign from my current position to get ready for whatever came next.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9, NLT

Surely God wasn’t asking me to move to Massachusetts. Surely He knew I said I would never move away from my parents, my friends, and my youngest daughter’s grave (click here for more of that story). Surely He wasn’t asking me to do that. Not that kind of change. No, the kind of change God would ask about was comfortable and local and not requiring much risk. Right? (insert eye-roll emoji here times seven)

But then it happened . . .Phase Three.

Phase Three: Wonder

After about the ninth time reading that stinkin’ FB message, I began to wonder. Could this be? Was this it? Was this what God was preparing me for —this particular change? Only it wasn’t just a career change. It was a house change and school change and a job-for-my-husband change. It was a family change and friend change and who-the-heck-is-asking-anyway change.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

And yet I couldn’t stop the idea from rolling around. New England was pretty and it was close to my oldest daughter. The job was intriguing and so was working for this leader again. The challenge and expectations. The teamwork and iron-sharpening-iron-ing. I traveled to Massachusetts, was offered the job, and worked for a year all in a matter of minutes as I sat in my car until Phase Four knocked on the window.

Phase Four: Worry

How would moving actually work? What would happen? What about the kids? My husband? My parents? What about my friends? My time? How would we pay our bills?

Question tumbled over question in an effort to gain my attention. Every worse case scenario begged to be recognized as my heart gripped in fear.

Five more minutes passed and now I was fired and homeless because I wasn’t who I used to be. Tears blurred my vision. Was God really asking me what I think He was asking me?

Was I willing to take a risk, to not only change but to be open-handed with my future and embrace the change?

And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

I sat with that question for moment, suddenly longing for jelly beans and a Diet Coke —my go-to staples in stress. But then I tip-toed into Phase Five.

Phase Five: Faith

I thought about previous seasons of change where I saw evidence of God’s faithfulness. My heart began to yearn for more than a sugar buzz as I turn to the true source of hope, to the One who never changes.

I remember other seasons of change when God revealed Himself in ways that exceeded my expectations, that blew past my understanding, and ignited a holy imagination flamed only by the power of His Spirit. When I felt the breath of eternity brush against my cheek and remind me of His goodness and grace.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. “ Ephesians 3:20

I began to savor the delicacy Scripture offered. Its truth. Its hope. Story after story of God’s steadfastness and loving kindness.

As the worst-case-scenario reels began to play, I paused and gave thanks for the ways He has redeemed every broken piece of my heart and restored every broken dream of my soul.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8

I’ve become a stalwart of faith . . . no. Not really. There’s a reason I’m a connoisseur of jelly beans and it isn’t because my faith is strong.  He is. He is my strength and my salvation, my rock to whom I cling. And every time I entered a season of change, which seems to happen all.the.time…I go in kicking and screaming but come out with a renewed picture of God’s character, a glimpse of His longing to help in times of trouble and change, and a sense that He is at work in my life through each and every season.

Fast forward a few months and here I sit in a home in Massachusetts. I said yes to the possibility of change that day in my car. Yes to trusting God with the details. Yes to following Him even when the pathway through change has been muddy and unclear. Yes to this life of adventure and obedience. 

And while I may have jelly beans and a Diet Coke next to me at this moment, I realize the way I go through change is by fixing my eyes on Jesus, the true Author and finisher of my faith. Because the only way through change is, well, through. But with Him, all things are possible. Even navigating change.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” Hebrews 12:1-2a

How do you navigate change? Join the conversation by posting below or jumping over to our Facebook page. Either way, I’d love to hear from you!

Signature: Kim Findlay

Categories // Going Through the Change, Kim Findlay's Perspective Tags // blended families, Change, encouragement, Faith, hope, Job change, Second chances

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