Credit to goes to RestMinistries.com– Bless YOU!!!!! 

Do I have any “Wounded Healers” in the room?

You’ve been there– you would have never signed up to have gone there, but it happened and it’s now a part of your life song. You would never, ever choose to go back to that awful time, but because it happened….you know how to better minister to others. 

Whether it was divorce, abuse, neglect, abandonment, drug use, failed relationships, depression, an accident or illness….you have felt pain beyond your coping ability.

It might have been your choosing, or you could have suffered pain from someone else’s choosing. That’s beside the point. You suffered. Big time. 

There was probably a point in time you just couldn’t see through the pain, the struggle, or the trauma -it seemed as though it would never end. You got to the point where you lifted your hands and said, “God, you’ve got a problem here because I cannot ….I mean cannot…cope any longer- take this mess and give me the strength to live day by day.” 

Oh, sweet friends…..you too? 

Having “been there”, when we see someone who is currently there, let it burden us to move. 

Almost 44,000 people viewed this image that was placed on my FB wall yesterday… I was so taken back by the response, I had to address it. There is so much beauty in this message…and so much scripture that backs it. 

Ministry is…

1. Listening when you’d rather fix the problem.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” ~James 1:19 

They’ll remember your grace.

2.  Searching for the joy when it’s easier to say “It’s not fair.” 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~James 1:2-4

There is always something left when everything seems to be taken…

3. Helping when you feel like the one who needs help.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” ~Isaiah 49:20

Sometimes helping others gets our minds off of ourselves. It’s a blessing to serve.

4. Telling God “use me” when you’d rather be rescued. 

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” ~Phillipians 1:6

If you’re sucking air, God isn’t done with you yet.

5. Encouraging, even when you don’t understand God’s reasoning. 

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” ~John 14:13 

Lord, let your will be done, but please give them the strength to get through this. They can do this with You.

6. Hugging when it feels awkward.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15 

Sometimes we need human touch, it releases emotions helping us to not feel so alone. 

7. Saying “let’s pray right now”, instead of “I’ll pray for you”. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Phil 4:6-7

The best thing you can do for someone is pray for them. Then, ask how God can use you to help.

8. Serving, when you doubt you have anything left to give.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30 

If it’s God’s will…He will give you the strength, and the rest.

9. Comforting by being the flicker of light in other’s dark taverns.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”~Matthew 5:14 

His love stands out in us…

 
Can you think of more, my friends? What is ministry to you? 

Photo Credit

Yes, Lord. I will write this. 

Many of you know the story of the woman at the well. Is it one of your favorite stories in the bible too?

She went there at a time other women weren’t there because she was embarrassed about the choices she had made and what they thought of her. The other women went at the same time, chatting away, joyfully drawing water together. But, she was alone.

Does it amaze you as much as it amazes me that Jesus chose to meet her, instead of the crowd?

My aunt was telling me of a radio broadcast she had heard this week. The woman on the radio said she was praying about all the things she wish hadn’t happened to her. Some things she caused, many she didn’t. As she sat there praying, she felt the Holy Spirit press upon her thoughts. While she was rambling on, “If only I didn’t do this, that and the other. Or, if this didn’t happen to me….then…then…”

“I would be perfect”.

Ugh. 

So often I picture myself at that well. We all have so many things we would change and we all have so much responsibility. The outside world can be harsh and our inner dialogue can be even more difficult to combat. 

But, I have a question for you. Have you ever felt like the woman in the well? Have you ever felt stuck in a trap,  all alone, uncomfortable, wondering if you will ever get out? Wondering if anyone even sees you?

I sure have. I know it’s hard to believe that I would say that. But, ladies- I wouldn’t have the compassion I have today if I “hadn’t been there”. Please, know that. 

Often times during my life, I’ve pictured myself at the bottom of that dried-up well, looking up, seeing faces peer down at me. Sometimes they are familiar faces of family, friends and even acquaintances… they send down food and well wishes and they make me feel not so alone. When they give in the name of the Lord, I’m reminded of how faithful he is and how he hasn’t forgotten me. Other times I look up and see people peering down, they have a concerned look on their face and yell, “Let me know if you need anything!” and they walk away. Then, there are times when I see a face that overwhelms me with joy because I know…just know, they will help get me out of here! They peer down, shake their heads and walk away. 

Have you been there too?

I don’t know if it’s the desperate situation, or the reaction of the people that hurts worse when I think of this scenario….

There is so much to say about this and so little time. I’m sitting here, at my dining room table with loads of “Cognitive Behavioral Technique” books I need to study….but I wanted to come to  you with my whole heart and say…..

The many times I have spoken of meal ministry and ministry in general, I’m not meaning to minister to you…..I’m using you…..to minister to the woman in the well.

Remember, where ever you are in life ” Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Pslam 84:10

I’d rather be in a well with Jesus than anywhere without Him….

Love beyond measure, Janelle

Hi Ladies, I felt it would be appropriate to share with you a message that was given at my beloved church, Maranatha on this snowy Sunday morning. Good ole Pastor Bruce was preaching today. He’s a very friendly family-man who loves sports, people, and God. He also has a candid way about him…after he reads scripture (verse by verse -which I appreciate), he then gives a life metaphor to make it even more relatable.

We laugh, we cry, we pray, we ask God to search our hearts. It’s good stuff. 

Today we covered 2 Corinthians 6:17-20:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 

Then we watched this video:

I wish we could see ourselves through God’s lens.

We were all born into sin, but because he gives those {who believe} a free pass through Jesus, we are as white as the snow currently covering my front lawn. There isn’t anyone who doesn’t look beautiful covered in that blanket of pure grace. But, when we choose to allow our flesh to take over (yes, even as Christians-and I laugh as I write that), it causes us a lot of grief when we are left to deal with earthly consequences….This vicious cycle leaves us with less time to do his work that he has prepared for us to do. Theoretically, we are on the clock-wasting time. 

My prayer today is for every living soul reading right now to ask God to search their hearts. We all struggle with sin in our lives. It could be gossip, sexual sin, gluttony, dishonesty, unforgiveness, jealousy, murder… anything. We all fall so very short of his glory, don’t we? My hand is raised.  But there is so much freedom in following God’s design for our lives. Living within the walls of His perfect word is comforting and delivering. There are times when I feel like I need to figure my life out…but I can’t. I then go to the word and the answers are always there for me. 

Sin isn’t always something we can control. There are times we are effected by the sin’s of others. It’s difficult. It’s not fair. But, just as God has forgiven us, we are to forgive others. God will see us through all of this. 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:20-21

 Do you have a testimony to  share? Do you have a Before and After picture of yourself?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments….

(photo credit)

” We loved you so much that we were delighted not only to share with you the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Words Paul wrote to his beloved church in Thessalonica.  

Have you ever been in ministry?

While it might seem glamourous to be in the spotlight or given a special task, but for most of us in ministry it’s an uncertain, prayerful, insecure, and ultimately obedient….ummmm, yes? 

From my own experience, I can attest it wasn’t anything I sought out, ever wanted or saw myself doing. I was not prepared for this, raised for this, or born with an outgoing personality for this. Not only that, I struggle with “people pleasing”. For those of you in ministry, nod your head if you agree that ministry is not the place for a person who struggles with “people pleasing”. Are you with me? 

Nevertheless, when we work for the Lord, whether it is big or small in our eyes, we are saying…

Yes, I will love and rave about you, Lord. 

Yes, I will imitate you.

Yes, I will share your word. 

Yes, I will serve you.

Yes, I will love others.

But there is more. So much more….and if we don’t allow the “more”, we are missing the big picture of what God wants us to do. 

Paul says with all sincereity that he loved his church so much that he shared his life with them. 

John 3:16 says:

” 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.” 

God loved us so much….he shared his life and ultimately gave his life for us. 

I don’t know about you, but this brings me to tears. 

It also brings me to my knees convicting me that I have been in the position of “self-closure” in order to protect myself from getting hurt. 

I’ll do all of these things Lord, but share my life with others? Really? What if they misunderstand me? Talk about me? Become competitive? Judge? Realize I’m not that awesome? Leave me?What if….what if….what if. 

I’m fairly certain that many people in ministry or even just in general have a difficult time with sharing their lives with others because of the fears that come along with it. It would be very easy to fall into the trap of placing an invisible glass curtain (or in this case, screen)  separating the servant from those being served.  I’m here- you’re there. This is good. I love you, you love me…wave hi!!!

It just doesn’t work that way. 

When we love, we need to love hard, be on the front lines, and leave the “what if thinking” behind us. We need to be “all about it”. 

Going into the new year, I challenge you Ladies to do this….share your lives with others as an act of obedience to God.  Paul loved the Thessalonians without question. In the position he was in, he could have been so easily rejected and forgotten. Not only that, God knew the final outcome when He came here in the flesh- He didn’t have to “what if”, yet He did it anyways knowing ….fully knowing. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts…..

Much love to you, Janelle 

While I was having my “quiet time” the other day, I read something that stood out to me… Something that I thought would really resonate with anyone reading right now. It was about what to do when we have a friend in need. 

I’ve been a friend to those in need. I’ve also been a friend in need. 

The thing is, sometimes friends really don’t know what to do or what say when their friend is hurting…even if they are close. Perhaps they want to do something, they just don’t know what. Often times, they ignore the situation because they don’t want their friend to feel ashamed. That awkwardness (and sometimes even the solitude) becomes an additional layer anguish in a hurting person’s life. Not only is the trial hard- the ripple effect can be even harder on the one who is suffering. 

Have you been there? 

Maybe you’ve gone through a divorce, suffered a death, battled a serious illness, lost a job, or are coping with depression. 

And if you have been there, you know what I’m talking about.

You may be on the opposite side- you are a friend of someone who is suffering and  are overwhelmed with empathy for that person. But again….you don’t want to overstep your boundaries. Well….this is just the thing for you to read. 

Here we go…

A Friend in Need

Friendship gives license to show up at the door of need without asking, “When would you like me to come? ” or “What would you like me to do?” Nor does friendship call out, “Just let me know if you need anything.”

Practiced friendship whispers, “I’ll be there” and promptly steps through the door with sensitivity, respect and understanding. 

But what about honoring the right to invite? Those who wait for parchment invitations wait long, for need rarely throws a party-rarely even has a voice. 

Yet need has its own needs. It needs protection from strangers tromping in with work boots and good intentions. And it needs relief from acquaintences wearing spiked heels of advice and pat answers. 

Need waits with longing for the familiar entrance of dear ones who pad barefoot through the soul on ordinary days. “

~ Susan L Lenzkes 

So there you have it, Girls….friendship isn’t polite, it’s real.

There is a huge need out there for friends….I’m talkin, friends. Go be one!

{My kido’s first day of school yesterday}

Yesterday, my “Middlest” jumped into the van after her first day of second grade squealing with excitement. “Mama! we did the COOLEST experiment in class today- we just HAVE to do it at home so everyone can see what I’m talking about!” I asked her what kind of experiment it was and she began,”All’s ya have to do is put an egg in vinegar and the vinegar eats the egg shell and turns the egg into a bouncy ball!”

Hmmm….that did sound pretty cool. 

So, when we got home, I looked over her syllabus and sure enough…there was the egg experiment description with a little note. It said, ” This experiment shows us that just a little bit of acid, after a while, will eat away at the shell of the egg. The bible also tells us this lesson….just a little bit of sin, after a while, can start to chip away at us. In this particular instance the vinegar also hardens the egg. Likewise, our hearts can become hardened if we keep allowing sin into our lives.”  

I thought to share this with with you ladies in hopes that you too will do this experiment at home with your children! It sure does teach a valuable lesson -and yes, it’s pretty cool too. 

So thankful my daughter has such a wise and loving teacher. SO thankful. I get tears just thinking about it. 

Ehh hem…so, here we go. 

Fill a clear container with white vinegar and drop an egg inside {you had no idea that this was all you had to do to be a “super cool mom”, did you?}. You can see the bubbles start to form around the egg immediately! 

“Do not be misled :Bad company corrupts good character.”

~1 Corinthians 15:33

I talked to the kidos about this verse while we watched the bubble form around the egg shell.

I explained that sometimes the friends we choose to be around can make bad decisions – those decisions can, in turn, rub off on us too. We can choose to start being like them instead of how God wants us to be! It’s sooo important to reach out all people, but our closest friends should bring out the best out in us. If we know someone is doing something wrong, we need to love them enough to let them know it could hurt them and make the choice to do what God wants us to do in our own lives instead. If we don’t, before ya know it- those little lies here and there add up and cause a lot of damage! 

Can I get an amen?

I am certain my kidos will be on both sides here in life -haven’t we ALL been? Oh, how desperately we need a Savior.  

Pretty neat, hu?

This is about 18 hours later…

By 24 hours this is what it looked like- a rubber ball. Woah. Amazing. 

“Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their hearts falls into trouble”

~ Proverbs 28:14

You can see that even the inside hardened from just a little bit of acid over a period of time! Wow. 

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

~1 Corinthian 15:57

Noooo. Not the bell.

By grace. Amazing grace…

What’s grace, you ask?

It’s getting something that we don’t deserve.

It’s a gift.

A”get out of jail free” card.

A pardon.

There isn’t anything we can do to get grace…it isn’t earned.

God can’t possibly love us anymore than he already does. So, there should never be guilt-driven deeds, tithes, works, etc. going on in our lives.

“For it is by grace you have been saved , through faith-and this is not from yourselves-it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast”

~Ephesians 2:8-9

So often we can get “religion” and “grace” intertwined….but truly, they aren’t the same. In fact, I get the “he bee jee bees” when people label me as a “religious” person- because I’m not. I’m saved by grace, not religion. I’m not religious at all, actually.

What I know is this-Because I love Jesus, what He did for me and continues to do for me, I can’t help myself but to read his word daily, be obedient to Him, pray to Him throughout the day, teach my children to love Him, tell others about Him, and {this is a really fun part} love others~ because when I love others, I am loving Him. 

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”

~Matthew 25:40

I encourage you, sweet friends….to stop… relax…. bask in the knowledge that if you were the only person on Earth- Jesus would have died for just YOU.

That’s really something.

That’s everything.

Give of yourself… because you can’t help yourself…to be motivated by the deepest love there ever was.

Questions about salvation? e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com – I don’t have all the answers, but I have a bible and it does. Much love to you!!!!!