Gain A New Perspective

Psalm 27:13

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” 

I am a two-time, stage four cancer survivor.  Last year I went through an extended period I nicknamed the death days.  From the moment I opened my eyes each morning until they closed again at night, I contended with a sense of impending doom.  I was afraid, tired, and overwhelmed.  My circumstances were desperate, and I constantly thought about my demise.

Eventually, I broke through the haze and remembered to choose life.

In Psalm 27, we find the future King David in a tough spot of his own.  He was at war with enemies who were persistent in their desire to chase him down and kill him.  David retreated into caves in order to survive.  Yet David did not lose heart or despair, but rather he saw a vision of his future - one in which he would live.

We want our pain, discomfort, loss, or sorrow to be quickly overcome.  We would rather believe in God’s goodness after the fact than hold fast to our faith with patience during the trial as we wait upon the deliverance of the Lord.

Yet in our waiting we gain new perspective.

In the secret places with God we remember His faithfulness, remind ourselves of His promises, and gain both strength and endurance to overcome even the most difficult trials. If you feel battered and hopeless, draw away from the violence to seek sanctuary with the Lord. Take heart and allow His love and truth to change your perspective.

Prayer: Lord, You are a good God.  Thank you for meeting me in my most difficult moments with Your grace, mercy and goodness.

Claim Your Inheritance

Ephesians 1:18

“I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called you, and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people.”

When my sweet dad suddenly passed away in 2001, he left very little to our family in terms of possessions or wealth. But the longer he is gone, the more aware I am of the greatness of my spiritual legacy. It was my dad who sparked my interest in spiritual life. He also deposited within me some generational gifts, such as love for people, a commitment to marriage and family, and a desire to honor Christ with my life. Over time I’ve come to understand, value, and claim the real legacy of my father’s life.

In the opening of Ephesians 1, Paul spoke about the power and purpose of our divine gifts and calling. Then in verse 18 he turns his attention from teaching to prayer. Paul, in effect, prayed for a greater spiritual inheritance. He didn’t ask for prosperity, influence, or position, but rather he prayed for enlightenment of the heart and the hope of our calling. He wanted us to lay hold of the blessings of God.

How many of us think of our heavenly inheritance according to the things we can see and measure, limiting our understanding of God’s goodness toward us? What if there is a greater legacy yet to be seen for those who love the Lord?

I challenge you to pray boldly Paul’s prayer over your own life. Ask the Lord for greater understanding of the blessings, promises, and plans that are hidden in His heart for you.

Prayer: Help me, Holy Spirit, to have an enlightened heart that empowers me to claim the deepest blessings of my inheritance.

Uncovering Spiritual Manipulation and Trauma

Uncovering Spiritual Manipulation and Trauma with Dr. Cassie Reid

Featured during the October 2021 Brave Strong Girl Mentoring Chat

All kinds of spiritual abuse create trauma.

Every relationship, especially those that involve positions of authority, has the potential to abuse or manipulate.

In this Brave Strong Girl Mentoring Chat, Dr. Cassie Reid shares how to uncover manipulation and poor leadership in others, and in our own hearts, to prevent ongoing trauma.

Abuse recovery is not a destination. It’s a journey of healing.

How to help people heal from spiritual abuse:

• Identify the people who abused versus the general community. (One person/pastor/mentor does not mean an entire organization is corrupt or abusive.)

• Lean into grief. (It’s a grieving process to leave a church, lose a relationship or to experience a wound.)

• Deal with your own role in the experience. (What is it that allows you to be susceptible to spiritual abuse?)

• Regroup and Rebuild. (Don’t sit dormant! You had a loss to grieve and a need to rebuild.)

• Talk about it openly. (Find a safe person who is able to hear and understand; a therapist, a mentor or a friend.)

• Practice autonomy from any system. (It’s okay to want to be a part of something bigger than yourself, but maintain a sense of your own destiny.)

• Be brave and address behavior that feels wrong. (Ignoring bad behaviors can snowball into something that hurts you or others.)

• Do not judge trauma. (A poor response to someone who confesses can be more damaging than the abuse itself.)

• Deal with our own junk in the trunk! (What is your own trauma that might hinder you from seeing the signs of abuse?)

Dr. Cassie Reid

Dr. Cassie Reid is passionate about the synthesis of the clinical and spiritual in the field of therapy and beyond which includes her new organization, Church Rehab. It began as a vision in 2012 to provide a safe place for those in ministry, those hurt by ministry, and everyone in between.
Check it out, along with her blog site below:

“Our goal is the cure and prevention of spiritual abuse in the modern church.”

— Church Rehab

Embrace Small Beginnings

“Who dares despise the day of small things?”

Zechariah 4:10

My husband and I had struggled with infertility for years. On some days we were tempted to give up hope of ever becoming parents. We could imagine the picture of our family, but with the passing of time and no pregnancy, our anticipation had begun to give way to despair.

Then something seemingly small turned the tide of our life.

When my husband and I saw our daughter on a sonogram for the first time, she was so small that my husband said she looked like a mosquito. For months he would call her skeeter. It was hard to believe that the tiny throbbing heart would one day develop into a beautiful six-pound, three-ounce baby girl.

Something similar was happening to the Jewish people in Zechariah 4. They had begun to believe that the temple of God would never be reestablished. As a result they were blind to the small signs of progress along the way. Just when they had almost given up hope, along came the prophet Zechariah with a reminder. He looked right into the face of small beginnings and declared they would yet see the capstone of the temple set in perfect precision and order.

Are you holding on to a God-sized promise and seeing only a little bit of progress? Don’t despise the small beginnings, but rather watch for them and embrace them. Remind yourself with every moment that God is overseeing His word and His promises. He has not forgotten you. Keep your eyes on the capstone of your faith, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Teach me to embrace and rejoice in small beginnings, knowing that You will bring about great things.

Stewarding Your Influence

Brave Strong Girl -

September Mentoring Chat

BRAND ISN'T JUST FOR INFLUENCERS, IT'S A TOOL FOR ANYONE WITH INFLUENCE

The concept of “influencers” is very polarizing these days.

Some want to become one with all the affiliate links, blue check marks, and sponsorship perks. Others see that career path as a marker on the downward spiral of humanity.

No matter what camp you join, tools like influence and brand aren’t limited to social media. We see their greatest value when these tools are wielded in the hands of leaders like you, who recognize the potential for those you lead.

It’s easy to think of brand in marketing campaigns or public popularity. But as leaders, look at how these tools help you connect with the hearts of those you’re here to serve:

• COMMUNICATING IN VOCABULARY THEY UNDERSTAND
  
  

• Speaking to their felt needs and how you can help
  
  

• Consistent experiences that keep them coming back
  
  

• Using your platform and outlets to serve
  
  

• Being clear about what you offer so they know that you have what they’ve been looking for
  
  

• Knowing the role you play in their lives and approaching your communication based on that relationship

BRAND IS A TOOL FOR ANYONE WITH INFLUENCE. AND THAT’S YOU.

I think social media gurus have commandeered these terms (no shade, I promise!) because frankly; they know how to use them more effectively than a lot of leaders. Yeah, that’s an ouch statement for me, too. I don’t mean they achieve more Kingdom results (although some are Kingdom centered), but that they see and maximize brand potential. Influencers work with large brands, gain the following and the visibility, and attract their communities because they are diligent in building and guarding their brand. They know what they want to represent to world, what they offer, what they’re about, and what they’re not. Their communities know what they can expect and keep coming back for more.

You don’t need to imagine what that could be like for your organization. You can live it today.

Learn more or sign up for Jen Weaver’s Brand Clarity Course:

Not quite sure how this applies to your ministry? You can chat with Jen!

Jen Weaver

Is a Ministry Coach, investing in your personal leadership growth and helping you develop message & brand clarity for the ministry you love.

She is also the author of “A Wife’s Secret to Happiness” and serves as a Bible teacher, conference speaker, and contributing writer for various publications. Married to her best friend Jared, she’s a happy boy mom of two young sons and is most likely to be found with her hair full of dry shampoo and a coffee mug in hand.

Pray for Jan - Back to Work

Back to Work

I have been in recovery from my home for several weeks - So what have I been doing?

• Big surprise - I’ve been to several doctor appointments, tests, and follow up meetings. It’s not very exciting and nothing to take pictures of.

• Mark and I have been on a few trips to our ranch. Recently, we relocated our RV to be a better viewpoint, hooked up the power, brought in water, set up feeders/cameras and had some paths mowed down - it’s getting better all the time.

• Lexie, John and their dog Piper met us at the ranch one weekend. I was giving Lexie a tour on the ATV when I gave us a wild ride. I hit a stump and threw us into the fence while stepping on the gas pedal at the same time. We flew in the air, bounced off the fence and finally landed square on the ground. It was a miracle we didn’t get hurt.

• I decorated my home for fall before surgery, but while recuperating I did a little estate sale shopping. I found a collection of Waterford Crystal for a deal. Couldn’t wait to set my table and share.

• Luke and Jordan (who live in Colorado) flew home for a friend’s wedding and spent part of the weekend with us. We had family dinner - but no pics.

• Happy birthday to Ashley and James. We had a couple of family meals to celebrate them as well.

• I’ve also taken tons of naps and watched hours and hours of Downtown Abbey.

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What’s Next?

Will you continue to pray for me as I return to a more normal schedule and work life?

• Pray I will return to work well and I will be able to do so with kindness to others.

• Pray for my continued health and healing to manifest in my body.

• Pray that my mind, will and emotions are centered on what God is thinking about so that I may follow His lead with ease.

Pray for Jan - New Update

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and for following my updates. I am leaning on you.

I am three weeks post surgery and my recovery from the procedure is terrific. My incision is almost completely healed. I am no longer experiencing any headaches or equilibrium issues. My fatigue is much less.

Medical Update

• The spots in my brain are manifestations of breast cancer. Although we had hoped for better news, it is good to know for certain the details of what is actually happening.

• I am waiting on additional results which will reveal more details about the pathology as well as the information from my gene study.

• Today I am beginning a new drug treatment. I will be taking a drug designed for HER2 positive patients who have had previous treatments. These drugs will be given to me on a three-week rotation.

Prayer Requests

Pray that the new drug will work to fight the disease in my brain and that it will not only reduce but eliminate the remaining spots in my brain without debilitating symptoms or side effects.

• Pray for my physical, mental and emotional health to remain steadfast and courageous.

• Pray that my spiritual stance will honor God and give hope and encouragement to others who face struggles of their own.

Square Up

You might remember that when I experienced my first recurrence of cancer in 2015, I heard the Lord say square up, and I saw an image of my son in his high school football uniform. This encounter is still ringing in my ears.

Squaring up isn’t so much about going to war but more about positioning myself in the presence of God and waiting on Him to war on my behalf. In this position, I become steadfast, single-minded, brave and courageous.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Ephesians 6:13

The vision of square up was life-giving for me. If you find yourself in need of spiritual wisdom, encouragement or hope, please read.

Here’s the original blog post from 2015:

Ready for Action

Pray for Jan - New Update

“Lord, give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness.”

Jim Elliot

It’s been a long week - but a good one.

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I am so grateful for the countless prayers, gifts, phone calls and text messages I’ve received from you.

Reviewing all the posts has been like taking a road trip down memory lane. Thank you for spreading the prayer call all over the world.

Personal Update:

I am currently in recovery from the biopsy procedure and doing quite well. My incision is healing well and I am scheduled to see see the doctor for a follow-up (with more results/plan of action) on September 9th.

Prayer Requests:

• Continued healing and overcoming of the related fatigue and nausea.

• Grace for myself and my family as we prepare for the next season. (Worry free!)

• That my actions and attitudes will be helpful, encouraging and honest and honor God’s leadership in my life.

Thanks to each of you who sent flowers - they are stunning - and to the many of you who donated gift cards - we shall be satisfied for weeks to come.

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Get your own personalized bracelets from @stacksbysanch.

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Do you need prayer too?

Are you facing a cancer diagnosis?  Maybe you're in the midst of a financial crisis, a marriage collapse or the loss of someone you love.  Maybe you are simply lonely or discouraged.  Can I encourage you?  God has not forgotten you or your pain.  He's present to encourage you.  Lean into God, even in your darkest moments.  You will find him faithful.

Hold Fast - A Personal Update from Jan Greenwood

A Health Update for Friends

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This week I am having a biopsy to determine if cancer is reappearing in my brain. I will be in the hospital for a couple of days and in recovery for several weeks. Since my initial diagnosis in 2009, I have enjoyed the privilege of sharing my life with family and friends, via my blogs. It seems natural to continue to communicate through this tool.

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When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, I fell in love with this Scripture.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ”

— Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

This verse became so important to me because it taught me how to be steadfast.

Steadfast: firmly fixed in place, immovable, not subject to change, firm in belief, determination, or adherence, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dependable, reliable

For many years, I tried to behave in all the ways outlined in the definition, but often I found myself double minded, lacking in determination or commitment. As I faced my initial diagnosis in 2009 this verse freed me. I was taught to “hold fast” to one thing - the confession of my hope, and then to allow all the pressure to be steadfast to rest on God alone.

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This week I will be having a brain biopsy. We will be looking for answers to questions about my recent test results and of course determining the next steps to sustain my healing. Regardless of the outcome of the procedure or what the days ahead might involve, it’s still true -

my hope is in Him.

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As we prepare for the next few weeks, I have some specific prayer requests.

• Please pray for my healing and full recovery.

• Please pray for Mark, our children and our family as we walk together.

• Please pray for clarity and for unity regarding what comes next.

• Please pray that I will be steadfast and reflect my love for Jesus to those who care for me.

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Many of you are also asking if there is something you can do to help us. Mark and I really have few needs, but if you would like to contribute toward a meal card for us, a good friend set up a simple link to make it easy.

I am grateful for your ongoing love and support and I hope today’s post communicates how thankful I am for this community of faith-filled prayer warriors.

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A Teachable Moment

While driving down the road this week, I had a very important conversation with one of my boys. We talked about something we've discussed many times before without seeming to make any progress.

This time, it penetrated.

It was a teachable moment.

I wondered why now and not before?

Often I communicate "right and wrong" rather than "love and acceptance." If I only instruct, then what I really say is you must learn to be good because you are bad.

We shouldn't teach because someone is wrong, but because someone is loved.

1. Jesus represented God as a loving Father. If we believe God is loving, then we trust Him to use His power in a loving, healthy way.

2. If we believe He is more concerned about His "rightness" then we'll interpret His instruction and discipline as judgment. No one sets out to judge their children (or spouse, or family or even themselves).

I love our children and I so want to instill in them a genuine, life-long love affair with Jesus. I'm sure you feel the same. My goal is to communicate love, acceptance and security. If the heart is safe, it will be trusting, teachable and even compliant.

I'm praying to more fully embrace the love of God for myself so that others may experience through me His acceptance. If I do, we will both be good soil for the truth and find many more teachable moments!

Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming the Fear of Fraud and Finding Your Authentic Self

Guest Blog by Morgan Klefeker

Have you ever felt like a fraud in your own position? Unqualified, unprepared, underdeveloped? Like if anyone really truly found out your capabilities or lack thereof, you would be booted out?

There is a psychological explanation for this feeling: Imposter Syndrome. This universal feeling undercuts the most talented, experienced, and capable people in and outside of the workforce. And it’s a lie.This phenomenon of self-doubt has led to many struggling with anxiety and depression. In his book Abba’s Child, Brennan Manning says this: “Imposters are preoccupied with acceptance and approval. Because of their suffocating need to please others, they cannot say no with the same confidence with which they say yes. And so they overextend themselves in people, projects and causes, motivated not by personal commitment but by the fear of not living up to others' expectations” (30).

According to Valerie Young, an expert on Imposter Syndrome and author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, there are five different manifestations of Imposter Syndrome: the Perfectionist, the Expert, the Natural Genius, the Soloist, and the Superman or Superwomen. 

The Perfectionist: sets impossible standards and doubts their own abilities or worth when they are unable to meet them

• Do you have difficulty delegating to others? Are you a micromanager?

The Expert: worth is based on their knowledge about their position or field

• Are you afraid of asking questions or saying “I don’t know?”

The Natural Genius: believe that their worth is based on how quickly they can pick something up

• Do you avoid challenges if you know it’s something you won’t immediately excel at?

The Soloist: refuse help because they believe it shows incompetence

• Are you afraid or ashamed of asking for help?

The Superwoman: overload themselves with too many tasks in order to feel like they measure up

• Is it difficult for you to say no to more tasks even when you have hit your limits? Do you find it difficult to rest because of all the work you “have to do”?

If you relate to any of the above, you have experienced Imposter Syndrome. Ultimately, Imposter Syndrome is a lie that people come to believe. They tie their worth to their achievement. The truth is that you are a child of God, perfectly loved before you even had the opportunity to do something perfect. You have nothing to prove, nothing to hide, nothing to lose.

God is our true and ultimate source, not our own striving or abilities.

Here are a couple of practical ways to combat Imposter Syndrome:

1. Reflect on what lie or manifestation of Imposter Syndrome you might struggle with. Do those feelings of inadequacy get in the way of your calling?

2. Now, Invite the Holy Spirit to speak the truth into this lie. If you feel inadequate, talentless, stupid, or weak, ask God to show you the truth and speak over you. (John 14:6; John 8:32; John 16:13)

3. Be vulnerable and bring a trusted friend or coworker into the conversation. Vulnerability brings light to the darkest places and builds bridges between the largest gaps. It is not weakness, it is strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; James 5:16; Galatians 6:2).

4. Thank God. Insecurity and Imposter Syndrome in extension, robs your opportunities to thank and praise God for all He has done in your life and through you. Take time to thank God for your accomplishments and position, knowing that He is the true source. (2 Corinthians 4:7; Psalm 29; Daniel 2:23).

References:

Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978) The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: theory, research, and practice, 15(3), 241-247. https://mpowir.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download-IP-in-High-Achieving-Women.pdf

Manning, B. (1994). Abba’s child: The cry of the heart for intimate belonging. NavPress Publishing Group.

Weir, K. (2013). Feel like a fraud? gradPSYCH Magazine. https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/11/fraud

Wilding, M. J. (2021). 5 Different types of imposter syndrome: and 5 ways to battle each one. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-different-types-of-imposter-syndrome-and-5-ways-to-battle-each-one

The Cure for Leadership Fatigue

My personal journey to becoming a grace-giving leader was long. I began by striving to earn each leadership position by proving myself every step of the way. I did not understand that when God calls you to lead others,

He calls you by grace — not by works.

As an emerging leader without this understanding, I found myself wrestling with much uncertainty. Impatient to accomplish great things, I was often frustrated when obstacles were placed before me that seemed designed to hold me back. I was overly sensitive to other’s opinions and strove to please everyone. I had an insatiable yearning to make a difference in the world by being part of something meaningful, but I knew nothing about the importance of grace as a powerful tool of leadership. Instead, I thought the answer was to ignore the discomfort in my heart and to just work harder.

For years, I simply denied my feelings and just kept going. I wanted to prove myself to God and others. I did not want to stop and really look at the sensation of resistance that I later discovered was the presence of the Holy Spirit asking me to wait on His timing. I did not want to wait. After all, He created me competent with a willingness to help others. He put me in these leadership positions to do just that. So I pressed on adding even more projects and responsibilities in spite of my discomfort and impending burnout.By ignoring that nudging on my heart, I soon began to believe I was entitled to more leadership positions. I thought, “They owed me.” Somehow, someone was holding me back or even taking advantage of me.

This kind of self-centered thinking led to many frustrating days of waiting on promotions that I believed were long past due. I didn’t want to wait for what comes next. I was in a hurry.

Surely God needed me to keep pushing forward so I could get all His work done.

During those early years, I would feel my head press against a leadership lid, a limitation or even a glass ceiling, and I would think, “Surely someone will see that I have earned advancement.” When they didn’t notice or seem to care, I just performed more. Blame would race along the edges of my mind and injustice would scream for relief. It became easy to believe I was personally rejected or disqualified and that someone or something was holding me back. Was it because I was a woman? I often felt overlooked, disqualified, unchosen, and left out. I struggled with thoughts like: “Maybe I’m not called,” “God doesn’t like me, trust me or care about my feelings.” or “I must have missed it.” There was also a struggle with hopelessness.

I constantly battled the lies that my dreams will never come to pass and that I am doomed for failure and frustration.

My moment of truth came when I finally crashed, burned, and realized I was the one creating most of the proverbial glass ceilings all by myself. My need for recognition, acceptance, and success was creating a leadership lid on my life. I couldn’t be trusted by God to lead sooner or greater, because my own heart was not at peace. In His unsurpassed wisdom, God frustrated my plans and resisted my strategies in order to sift out my selfishness and insecurity. If I had advanced easily, according to my own plan of action, I would have spent my whole life trying to work to earn what God wanted to give me for free.

It’s called grace.

Every time I strove for recognition, He comforted me with His presence. Every time I wondered if my gender was the problem, He accepted me. Every time I wanted to shatter the hindrances and obstacles I perceived, He gave me the grace to wait.

This idea that I could change the way I view myself and others through a lens of grace instead of a lens of performance began as a seed of hope in my heart. That hope eventually broke through my hard shell of self-protection opening my eyes to the continuing patterns of self-sabotage that limited my leadership.

That season of growth and maturity eventually led to a greater intention on my part to learn from others, embrace my passion to lead, and allow God to stretch my understanding of what it means to do those things with grace.

Special Thanks to Propel Women for Featuring This Article

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*Excerpt from

The Grace Giving Leader

“Jan's passion is inspiring, her leadership is proven, and the wisdom she shares in The Grace-giving Leader will set you on a path to living a life of impact for God's Kingdom.”

— Christine Caine, Best-selling author, Founder of Propel Women & A21

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Featured Article by Jan Greenwood