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.

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.

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!

Finding Beauty in the Mundane

Guest Blog by

Morgan Klefeker.

This past summer, I moved to Austin for an internship. It was meant to be an exciting and fun adventure in my life but it proved to be a much quieter and somewhat boring experience. Because of the pandemic, there was very little to do outside of the home and so I had to find joy in the tiny house I was staying in.

But during that season, God showed me that He is in the midst of big adventures and quiet moments.

I began to take notice of the sunrise, a good cup of coffee, a laugh shared with a loved one. These moments were something I had experienced countless times but it felt especially beautiful when I took notice of them.

In the Genesis story, we see God creating the entire universe and after each creation, He stood back, smiled wide, and said “It is good.”

Gratitude is joining hands with God and saying “This, this is very good.” In that way, it connects us to God, opens the door for His presence, and urges our hearts to worship Him. In finding the beauty of every moment, I also became aware of God’s presence in that moment. 

What would it be like if we lived life in this way? Much like a child, we could gaze at God’s creation full of wonder, joy, and gratitude. Even in the hardships of life, we can still take notice, show gratitude, and find the beauty. This life is teeming with beauty, from the ornate design of a bird to the wonderful creation of each sunset. We only need to take notice.

March 2020 brought with it plenty of reasons to complain. So many difficulties, heartbreaks, and setbacks, it seemed like the whole world felt hopeless. And while feeling those disappointments and hurts is an incredibly important step in healing, the Lord taught me the power of finding beauty in the mundane moments of our life. And in the process, He created in me a heart of gratitude.

The Power of Mentorship

Guest Blog by

Marisa Donnelly

To find out more about this Brave Strong Girl Mentor, simply visit her mentor profile right here!

When you’re young, you (unfortunately) spend a good amount of your life wishing you could be somebody else. I remember being four and obsessing over my mom’s every move. Then I was six and taping Britney Spears posters to my bedroom door. Then I was twelve and idolizing Avril Lavigne, blasting her ‘S8ter Boi’ soundtrack on full volume while I got ready for school. 

There’s something about our youth that is so impressionable, so eager to soak up everything we can from the people who seemingly have it better than us, have it all together, have the ‘dream’ sort of life. 

As I’ve grown, my silly obsessions have been replaced with longings to grow my business, be a better and more present mother to my stepson, and expand my creative network. 

Even as an adult, I’ve been longing for mentorship, for connection, for guidance in this (often isolating and difficult) journey of life.

And truly, no matter how young or old you are, no matter the story you’ve written or the path you’ve walked, and no matter the things you believe or follow—we all need mentorship. We all need someone’s hand to hold, shoulder to lean on, or mind to brainstorm with.

Mentorship brings us closer to others—and to ourselves.

When we work with someone (in both the mentor and ‘mentoree’ seat) we uncover things about ourselves that we perhaps wouldn’t have found alone. We confess the pain and longing on our hearts, we break down our walls, and we recognize that it’s okay to trust people and be honest.

Mentorship heals old wounds.

As we process our emotions with someone else, we recognize where we hurt. We allow someone else to see us vulnerable, to ‘poke’ the bruises and stir up something inside of us that we were trying to bury. Although it hurts, we begin to talk, to process, and eventually, to heal.

Mentorship empowers us to new heights.

In mentorship with someone, you realize that there is far more that you are capable of. Whether you’ve been denying yourself the truth of your potential or you’ve been afraid to take the next step, when you work with and alongside someone, you become filled with joy, power, and purpose for the places you can go.

Mentorship opens doors.

Life is all about collaboration. I say this as a mother who has learned the house doesn’t function without everyone’s cooperation. I say this as a business owner who has recognized her flaws and shortcomings in running her own one-woman show. And I say this as a human, recognizing that the people I’ve coached and been coached by have opened doors, have built connections, and have created opportunities I didn’t realize were possible.

It all starts with a little nudge, a little faith, and a little bit of conversation.

God has Taken the Broken Pieces and Made Them Beautiful

I see you friend; I see your pain.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps. 107:1

This week I have spent time reflecting over my life – going through the different seasons and remembering those events that have shaped me and brought me to where I am now. Some memories are sweet and full of joy, others are more painful and still sting a little so I tend to move on quickly from those, but something interesting occurred this time as I wrote a list of “highs and lows” next to each other. Every time I went to add a “low” I almost hesitated because I realized…

with each difficult moment, I can point out something beautiful.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps. 107:1

I want to be mindful here because I realize some of our moments of pain are still quite real and raw. We cannot see the beautiful anywhere around us , and the thought of it ever being beautiful again is not easily accepted. If I could reach across this screen, I would sit quietly with you and affirm the pain. Life is not always fair. I pray I can offer a perspective as one who has moved a little further down the road. There is enough space between me and these low moments, enough time where I can see differently. I stand in awe.

God has taken the broken pieces and made them beautiful. He has turned things around for my good.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps. 107:1

Of course, there are moments I wish had turned out differently, but we cannot change the past. As I look to God’s goodness in the now, I am thankful that God has not given up on me. He has remained constant in His goodness and faithfulness. He has remained near as I have wanted to drift away.  

His love truly endures forever!

Wherever you find yourself today, whether is a season of joy or mourning, may there be a stirring in your heart to breathe out thanks to God for where He has brought you! I encourage you to reflect and look for those moments where you can see the hand of God moving. “Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story…” You are a child of God, welcomed in the family, and loved by the King of Kings!

There is reason to rejoice today!

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps. 107:1

God's Will = Gratitude

God's will for you (and me) in Christ Jesus is in everything to give thanks. ⁣⠀⠀⠀

Usually when I want to know God’s will it’s about big decisions or life changes. But God prioritizes communicating about His will differently in the Word and He clues us into part of His perfect will for us in 1 Thessalonians. ⁣⠀

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)⁣⠀⠀

So this seemed a fitting focus for habit formation, especially given our season and the crazy of our year.⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This isn’t a weight to carry of how we “should be” as believers. Such burdens cause us to judge and condemn ourselves for our shortcomings when we don’t live up to the things we “should do.” As with all things in Christ, this is an invitation into the life Jesus offers—not work to muscle through on my own, but obedience empowered by His Spirit at work in me. ⁣⠀

So here is the habit formation.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. Throughout the month I’ll be sharing verses and concepts that we may tend to overlook when giving thanks. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. I’m forming a habit of giving thanks and linking it to regular action in my home and invite you to do the same. For me, it’ll be focusing my attention and giving thanks to God each morning during my time of preparing my morning cup of coffee. (linking the spiritual habit to a physical routine can help in remembering to do it.)⁣⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. During those first few sips ️ I will ask the Lord to do His formative work in me and cultivate in me a heart of gratitude, asking Him to open my eyes to be attentive to how He is moving in my life. ⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’m excited to engage in this aspect of God’s will in greater measure. You in?! I’d love to hear what habits you use to practice or grow in gratitude! #habitformation

Jen is one of our amazing featured mentors at Brave Strong Girl!

Follow Jen on instagram @thejenweaver and check out her website: www.thejenweaver.com

Jen Weaver

pastor, author, coach, Brave Strong Girl Featured Mentor

Visit Jen's Mentor Page

Embracing a New Season

Change can be one of the most difficult things for people to embrace; however, change is inevitable.

I’ve come to realize the times I‘m resisting change are when I’ve settled with my circumstances and become comfortable with where I am in life; I’ve stopped dreaming & activating my faith in pursuing more of God. In seasons of comfort-ability, or what I think of as ”auto-pilot,” if I’m not careful I can get stuck going through the motions of life.

If I’m in this place too long, it’s easy to miss out on the new thing God may be whispering to me.

“Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 AMP

 Today, I encourage you to be open to the new things God has in store for you. He wants to do something new in & through you - it just may come in a whisper. And the beautiful thing is He says, ”I am about to do a new thing!” - we don’t need to create the new, or make the new thing happen, we just respond to what He is already doing with awareness and declare “I’m In!”

He wants to see you grow, prosper and flourish! He’s your biggest cheerleader and believes in you.

• Let go of the past,

• Be aware,

• Respond in faith: I’m in!

Joanna Perez

blogger, ministry leader, advisory team lead

I Hope In Your Word

I love the language of the psalmist here, and really all throughout Psalm 119. There is desperation in the prayer, deep longing to see the salvation of God and to receive a reprieve from suffering.

Since I don’t have winskins hanging around my house, I decided to investigate what it would mean for a wineskin to be smoked. What I found was a that a wineskin left in smoke would become hardened, dried, even shriveled up.

My mind was instantly brought to the condition of many hearts. It made me shiver a bit as I remembered different seasons where my own heart could have been described this way.

Can you relate as well?

But friend, can I encourage you with these words of Scripture to know and believe that we have hope in God and in His promises? This year has been hard, to say the least, but wherever you may find yourself as we draw towards the end of 2020, you can stand firm on the promises of God. He has not left you nor forsaken you.

When the smoke surrounds us and threatens to shrivel up our hearts, we remember the faithfulness of our God, His promises and statutes, and allow them to breathe life into our fragile places. We can experience freedom in our longing and desperation but also in His grace and presence. Take courage dear friend, hope in God! He is our firm foundation and place of refuge.

May the God of peace be with you! 

Emily Miller

workplace professional, graduate student, advisory team leader

Announcing Our Newest Collaboration

Are you beginning to think about Christmas gifts?

Us too! That's why we are so excited to introduce you to Amber 'Thompson' Colberg and her company, Prayerful Signs.

What is Prayerful Signs?

Prayerful Signs is a business who designs gifts utilizing acrostic poetry and prophetic prayer to offer words of life, truth and encouragement to people.

This bundle of custom inspired prints was made with prayer and intention to encourage a woman in her walk with Christ. All prints are black font on a white background.  The print set is offered at a discounted price of $30 (regular $45). In addition, if you use the code "BSG" at checkout, you will receive an additional 10% discount off your total order, including bundles, custom items and the BSG trio.

Shop early because custom Christmas orders are only being accepted until November 6th.

Meet Amber

• Brave Strong Girl is an affiliate partner with Prayerful Signs.

The Power of Hope

Never underestimate the power of hope.

The Bible gives us so many promises in Scripture around the topic of hope.

Recently, I started writing down various scriptures with the word hope. There are so many! But by the time I finished writing the 5th scripture (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 31:24, Romans 15:13, Hebrews 6:19, Romans 5:3), I noticed a pivot in my thinking. Suddenly, I begin to see hope as a reality. Like an overwhelming sense of expectation coming alive in my soul.

·         Expect doors to open

·         Expect your enemies to scatter

·         Expect shackles to fall off your feet so that you can dance

·         Expect your heart to sing again

·         Expect to fall more in love with Jesus and His Word

·         Expect to plant seeds of hope for others

Oh, my dear sister-friend, God’s Word is alive and active.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! (Psalms 31:24) NLT

Rhonda Love

intercessor, business professional, advisory team lead