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January 2021: The Blessing

01.07.2021 by Jennifer Howe //

Hello, friend. We’re glad you stopped by. We have something special planned for January 2021, and we want everyone to be part of it. We’re calling it The Blessing. We’re counting blessings and extending blessings to our readers and writers. Enjoy!

The Blessing—January 2021 (Team)

Friend, the FACETS love you! And we always have, whether you are the quiet, anonymous reader, a gracious reader who comments on words that struck you, or the vulnerable guest writer. You are part of what makes FACETS sweet. You’re kinda the reason this whole thing happened, you know. You are a blessing—you’re kind of a big deal. Did you know that? Over the years, hundreds of you peeked at this corner of cyberspace. Thank you!

Story Time!

Do you know the story of FACETS of Faith? If you’re a long-time reader and pieced together the stories in our posts, maybe you do. It’s a good time to share what we could never have known in 2015—our story. We hope you enjoy it because, to us, it’s full of blessings!

Once Upon a Time…

In 2015, three friends from a local writing circle met at a Panera for the first time and dreamed up a safe, online space for women to have conversations about life, faith, and friendship. There were three of us, then four, then three again. The founding team was set: Tracy, Kim, and Jen.

Two team members had a clearer vision of the project, but one had no idea this was actually going to be a thing for a few weeks. “Oh. Wait! You mean, we’re actually going to do this thing?”

A Vision Became Real

Those were sweet days in the life of this collaborative site. The three of us learned so much about creating a website, and all the details. We picked a name, drafted a mission statement, identified our reader, and talked about invitations to guest writers. We chose a site design and logo. We picked colors to distinguish writers’ posts at a glance. We met for months to plan at our favorite hidey hole. We divvied up the work. Eventually we found our stride.

Tracy is a fountain of amazing ideas and connections! She and her husband, Sam, have been plain sacrificial in supporting the site. It could never have happened without their choice to back the site in every way. And Sam graciously and tenaciously fought the tech battle for us time and time again—from the set up to the time FACETS was hacked. (Thanks for serving this site so well, Sam. You were the invisible team member, until we begged you to write for us!)

Kim always shares her best words infused with her beautiful heart, and her readers love her for it. Her heart has always been for her readers, and it was for our team. If you only knew how precious she was when our team struggled to take things a little slower, a little gentler, and be more loving and relational. If you could see how we came together at such tender moments and tried to be present and listen well, you’d be blessed, too.

Jen is always learning more about who she is as a writer and as a woman. Writing a short bio was a hurdle. Can a few words define a person, a writing journey, and a hope to share powerful thoughts? What do you do if you’re a writer who has more words than allowed and prefers to write herself out of content more than writing herself in? Sometimes that’s Jen. She found a happy place behind the scenes and working on the graphics.

Becoming a Team

Our friendships grew. My goodness! We laughed. We cried. We worked through the challenges of our individual ideas, preferences, and emotions. You know, that’s where friendships are forged or forgotten. We hit bumps in the road, and it was a decision every time. Would we choose to honestly see each other and listen? Would any one of us choose “my way or the highway”…or would it be the high way? These friendships were forged early, and we made the choice to stay in relationship over and over.

Rolling With Change

Things happened, beautiful things! Tracy stepped into a ministry role and became the kind of advocate for women that, honestly, is tenacious and amazing! Many posts reflected her lioness heart on behalf of the weak. Kim’s life blossomed, too: hosting an event for women, a new man in her life, the wedding, a honeymoon, and eventually a blended family dynamic—all while she was working in ministry and trying to get words on the page. Jen was working through old relational trauma, finishing the homeschooling race, and trying to define her “grown-up self” while trying to get words on the page. We were doing life together, though.

And then it happened. We knew it could. A FACET moved to—Bean Town. We were thrilled for Kim. We could leverage technology for our meetings. No big deal.

In 2019 Kim needed to formally step away from FACETS of Faith. It was a hard decision. The whole thing was hard. We love her, and we know readers do, too.

Nature (and a Team) Abhors a Vacuum

There was an empty spot, and Tracy and I worked through it in many conversations over months. We knew something just wasn’t right. A site focused on life, faith, and friendship perspectives cried out for more perspectives.

In December of 2019 we invited Megan to the team. She wrote as a guest in October 2017, and we thought she would be a perfect fit. Her words and perspective are a blessing to us for lots of reasons! She brings fresh, gentle hope to every topic. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading her words.

The 2020 Challenge

That brings us to 2020, the year no one saw coming, and there are no words for it. Our meetings went virtual when we couldn’t meet. We did get a few sweet moments in around the shutdowns. It was complicated. Then, at the end of the summer, Tracy made the hard decision to step away from FACETS.

The Fork in the Road

I (Jen) have stood at a fork in the road lots of times. A creative, strategic internal processor likes to look at all the steps that can be taken and know where the road might go. Maybe it was time to run hard and fast with the site…

Nope, it was time to be still. I needed to hear what God wanted, especially when I can be temped to do what I want.

The Final Chapter

FACETS—the team and this site—it’s been a journey…a privilege…and an honor. Fifty-eight topics. Forty-two guest posts. A post each month from the FACETS since the beginning of 2016. We wrote a lot of words (a super-lot if you count the ones over the laughable 600-to-800-word limit!). Wow! So many powerful, heart-felt words in one space by so many amazing people!

Thank you, writers! And thank YOU, readers! It’s been a blessing.

Standing at the Door

January 2021 is bittersweet. This month we’ll share posts from writers who want to share words related to blessing…

YOU are invited to share thoughts about a memorable post here, of your own reading-writing journey here, of a guest writing opportunity at FACETS, or a prayerful blessing to the readers!

We’re throwing the door wide open before we close it. You’ll see things you haven’t. It might be a post, a graphic with Scripture, or a prayer of blessing. The timing will be rather…random. *Grin*

Dear friend, you are loved! We hope you take the opportunity to make January 2021 at FACETS of Faith something special! Consider sharing with all of us.

Let’s get the word out so no one misses this month. Share on your social. Share in the comments. Share, share, share.

In case you were wondering, the powerful words here are still available for a time. Read, read, read while you can.

~ The FACETS

Categories // The Blessing, The FACETS Team Tags // Blessing, Facets of Faith, Jennifer J Howe, Kim Findlay, Megan Abbott, The final chapter, The story of FACETS, Tracy Stella

Important Team Announcement

11.22.2019 by Tracy Stella //

We have an important team announcement we want to share with our FACETS readers. Our team is changing, and Kim will be stepping away from regularly posting.

We are thankful for the time we got to spend with our friend and sister.  When she and her family transferred out east, we all talked about how the FACETS dynamic would look.  Because we valued the relationship, we wanted the partnership to remain intact.  We were willing to navigate new waters with remote collaboration because we treasured our friendship and loved what God was doing in and through our writing together.

Over time it became apparent it’s much more difficult to collaborate half a country apart. Let’s face it, technology doesn’t fill all the gaps as much as we wanted it to.   The three of us had to admit it was more challenging than we thought.   We did try to make it work.  Eventually, though, we had to wonder if God might be doing something new. Through prayer, we paused and reflected with God.  It was an important decision, and we welcomed Him into the process.

After several months, we all agreed it was a new season. We cried (because that’s what happens when good friends walk through change together).

We have so many memories to treasure up in our hearts.  It took bold (naïve) courage to take the plunge and write together.  Kim and Tracy may have pushed Jen off the ledge, but that’s what good friends do … they challenge each other to grow.  We did a lot of that.  God brought us together through laughter, conflict, and shared inside jokes that would have us in stitches.  Tracy remembers heckling Kim incessantly about one inside joke (still to remain inside, but it has to do with bicycles).  Jen fondly recalls her amusement as she realized once again she’d be the middle child.  We remember the uproarious outbursts at Panera that may have caused a few eyebrows to raise around the restaurant. Almost. Every. Meeting.

That’s what made the decision so hard.

Our beloved friend is still doing what God made her to do.  She’s writing because God has given her words that must be shared. You can find Kim at A Big Umbrella.

We love you, Kim!

Kim and Tracy 2017

Thanks for sharing in our journey!

Categories // Changes, Life Tags // Announcements, Changes, Facets of Faith, Friendship, Jennifer Howe, Kim Findlay, Tracy Stella

A Purifying Perspective on Fire, God, and Life

11.30.2018 by Kim Findlay //

This month at Facets of Faith we’ve been taking a look at what we believe to be God’s most precious attribute. You will want to check out Tracy and Jen’s posts as well as our guest this month, Erin. 

Attribute: Refining Fire (K. Findlay)

I have to be honest, this topic gave me a run for my money. I’m a week late and wrestling with each word I’m about to share. Not just because I struggle to narrow it down to one aspect of his vast character, but because of this season of life I find myself in right now.

Hard. Lonely. Intense.

It ranks up there with the death of my daughter and the slow decay of my first marriage. I feel like I’m in the furnace of struggle and God is burning off the excess, separating the impurities of my life with what is precious and most valuable.

Perspective

As I sat with the idea of identifying His most precious attribute, I was surprised when the words refiner’s fire came to mind.

I don’t like fire. I’ve seen its destructive power firsthand when fire destroyed my home in 2005. I know the suffocating effects it leaves in its path as my daughter, Emma, died in its wake.

But you don’t have to have firsthand experience with your own fire these days to glimpse fire’s power. Just turn on the news and you’ll see the destruction in places like Paradise, California and through the path of the Camp fire.

So it’s curious to me that as I pondered this month’s question that I didn’t choose his peace, his hope, or his faithfulness —all of which are true. I circled this other answer, words I’m almost fearful to whisper but have been buried in my soul for years.

Refiner’s fire

My heart’s one desire

is to be holy

Set apart for you, Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for your my Master

Ready to do your will

I first heard this song by Brian Doerkson back in the early 2000s. Before fire destroyed our home. Before my daughter took her final breath. Before life as I knew it smoldered with suffering. I remember singing the words and longing for them to be true in my life, I just didn’t realize the cost.

Remembering

I remember the moment my heart, my soul, and my mind converged in longing to see God move in a mighty way through my life. I witnessed the devastation of a former co-worker’s life. His story impacted me greatly as he stood before our staff and shared not only the destruction, but the hope and the intimacy he experienced as God restored his life.

I want that. I remember thinking. I want to know Jesus the way I see he knows Jesus now. Then I prayed, Lord, do whatever it takes so I might know you better, so I might live and long for you as my one desire.

to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:16

The Furnace

The very next day, fire broke out in my home and everything changed as I plunged into the furnace of suffering. I had no idea what I was supposed to do or how I would survive. My worst nightmare had become my reality as the heat of sorrow and grief suffocated me. I felt alone and afraid and so very lost.

I see now that I wasn’t lost. Not really. Nor was I alone. God sent reinforcements from the moment smoke began to billow in the sky through the gift of a neighbor. He reminded me through my daughter’s funeral director of a very different yet slightly similar story I’ve know since I was a child.

There were these three guys, maybe you’ve heard of them? Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, three guys who made a decision to not worship King Nebuchadnezzar despite his declaration that all must bow down before the image of gold he had set up. You can read more of their story here (Daniel 3:1-30). But their decision to stand firm and worship the one true God had dire consequences: “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Daniel 3:6

Into the furnace they went, bound and tied. 

This kind funeral director didn’t leave me standing in the flames alone, he led me straight to the truth. “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?’ ‘Yes, your Majesty, we certainly did,’ they replied. ‘Look!’ Nebuchadnezzar shouted. ‘I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!’” Daniel 3:24-25

Jesus was with these three men, and this gentle man reminded me that Jesus was with me as well.

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisors crowded around them ands that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their head was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!” Daniel 3:26b-27

The Ashes

I wish I didn’t carry the scars of the fire, but I do. Deep scars of loss and grief and suffering beyond what I ever imagined possible. But just like these three men, I’ve stepped out of the fire and survived. But I’ve not only survived, I’m being refined to resemble Jesus. I still have a ways to go, but it’s happening. And others see it, too, as I shared thoughts and experiences that could only be offered through the gift of Jesus’ presence.

I’m learning to be grateful for all of the hardship that’s happened. I’m not a fan of it, let’s just set that record straight. But I see what He’s doing in me, and through me. I see how He’s been transforming me and how I’ve learned more about Him over the past 13 years than I ever thought possible.

He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:23

Purifying Perspective

A refiner’s fire purifies. It separates the precious from the impure. Because of the fire, I’ve learned that God’s mercy has no limits and His grace never runs out. Because of the fire I’ve experienced the depth of His love, true and everlasting love from which I can never be separated no matter what happens or what I do.

Because of the fire I faced my biggest fears and, by His strength, I survived. And I’ve not only survived, I’m living and breathing and enjoying this life He’s entrusted to me.

Because of the fire I can say with certainty that God is good no matter what. His goodness has absolutely nothing to do with me or the circumstances that happen to me. They have everything to do with Him —His character, His essence, simply put —His is good.

Because of the fire my desire for God’s kingdom to come has grown exponentially. I long to see Him now, not just the hope or wish of heaven in the future. I experience the gift of His Spirit now. But I also have the promise of heaven, knowing that all of this pain and suffering and sorrow and tears will end. I will see my sweet girl and I will see Jesus!

Because of the fire I learned to see the battle —the very real battle that is happening between the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of darkness and I know, without a doubt, that Jesus is victorious. I tasted that victory in the darkness of grief. I tasted hope that defies my circumstances.

Because of the fire I learned to see beyond myself, my selfish desires, and my eyes have grown accustomed to see God throughout my every day. I learned to recognize His voice, His promptings, His gifts —so much of what I could not see before.

No, while fire is certainly not the most precious thing, it has led me to all that is precious. It led me to Him. And while I still long to see my girls grow up together, to celebrate the 13 birthdays I’ve missed, to not feel the stabbing pain as my precious girl danced into heaven, I can’t help but see the tenderness as God heal my heart and restores my soul.

And just like Shadrach, Mischeck, and Abednigo, I walked with Jesus through the fire and there is nothing more precious than that.

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:26

What attribute of God is most precious to you? Join the conversation by posting below or jump over to our Facebook page to share.

Signature: Kim Findlay

Categories // Kim Findlay's Perspective, Precious Attributes of God Tags // God's goodness, grief, healing, hope, Kim Findlay, Perspective, perspective shift, suffering

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