Faith: Okay Jennifer, last month you revealed the new Java with Jennifer. What's the deal with all this new stuff this summer?

Jennifer: It has come all at once hasn't it.

My Dr. Phil, and I have been waiting for the summer. Because Phil is a professor, this was the opportunity for us to regroup and revise. I don't know if I am more excited about my new book, or the other new things we are launching.

Faith: Well, first tell us about your new book, Lesson I Learned in the LIGHT.

Jennifer: Many of my friends know about my first book, Lessons I Learned in the DARK, and the related bible study Walking by Faith. I had one more book left in a contract with my publisher Multnomah, and I had been praying for months as to what that book would be. Then one day, during a radio interview I was asked a question that God used to narrow my focus. The interviewer asked, "Jennifer, if you had just one moment of eyesight, what would you want to see?" I tell the entire story in LIGHT, but the short answer is "I would choose to look at God's Word - for it has been the Light of God's Word that has sustained me, led me, and enabled me to thrive."

Faith: That's the subtitle of LIGHT, right?

Jennifer: The subtitle is "All You Need to Thrive in a Dark World." Lessons I Learned in the DARK was about what blindness taught me about walking by faith, and not by sight. Lessons I Learned in the LIGHT is about what God's Word taught me about perseverance, running the race, and "keeping the faith."

Faith: I like that. How can people get the book>?

Jennifer: Lots of ways. But I must first tell my friends about what our ministry team has created - because it has an impact on how others get the book. It's the "other" new thing called Sole Sisters.

Sole Sisters is kind of similar to what the music industry calls a street team. I call it a ministry and prayer team. Sole Sisters is made up of hundreds of old and new friends - those faith-walkin' women who have been touched by the message God's given me - who want to help extend this message to others.

Basically, we have created "activities" my friends can do to help others know about my book and message. Simple activities like Telling Five Friends about the book, or Writing a Review at Amazon.com, Sending an Postcard, etc. And, if my friends log-in to the Sole Sisters website and report what they did, they can earn points toward fun stuff and gift certificates.

Faith: So is it kind of a fan club?

Jennifer: Not really. I guess if they are a fan of God, then it is. It's more like a grass roots publicity and prayer team. More than anything, I need the prayers of my friends. But I also know God can use the small things friends do to make a big impact.

Faith: Why the name Sole Sisters, and where can friends find more information?

Jennifer: Sole Sisters is just a play on words for my faith-walking friends. The Sole Sisters website answers lots of questions and can be found at http://jennifer.omotion.net

Faith: Now what about your new Website and Store?

Jennifer: I won't go into detail here. But I do want my friends to see all the hardwork our ministry team has put into the new design of my website, JenniferRothschild.com. We also have a new online store my son Clayton designed. In the words of the 21st century philosopher Napoleon Dynamite, "it's sweet."

Faith: Can we get the book at your online store, www.JenniferRothschild.com?

Jennifer: Oh, yes. But I hope they might consider the special offer found at the bottom of this newsletter, and in the Sole Sisters highlights below. For example, one of the ways to earn points toward free stuff is to Buy Two and Get One Free. During the first three months the book is launched, we will have new activities posted at http://jennifer.omotion.net every week or so. Some of them are really fun.

Last month our family spent a long weekend in Florence, Oregon - a lovely coastal town at the edge of the Pacific ocean. Talk about enchanting, adventurous, and thrilling! We hiked, walked desolate beaches and hung out with Starfish and crabs! We ate fresh chowder on the pier next to barking Sea Lions and even rode real, non- girlified dune buggies!

The sand dunes on the coast remind me of a movie set-so vast and majestic. Some of them were 200 feet high. As we boogied in our buggy, we were tossed, jostled, and air born-it was like riding a roller coaster while getting your face exfoliated. I had a thick layer of sand in places on me that had never been introduced to sand! Believe me, my skin (what was left of it) was very supple!

When we weren’t being adventurous, I had time to listen to books. My choice for the trip was 1776 by David McCullough. He is my very favorite writer of history - such a great story teller. The thing that captured my thoughts about this particular book was the picture of George Washington that emerged. His colleagues, his adversaries, casual observers, and of course the author all noted in one way or another his “self command.” What a great quality to be remembered for. Since reading the book, I am on a passionate pursuit to obtain that same quality.

Aren’t books great? They teach us so much. Charles W. Eliot put it this way; “ Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. “

After our fun at the coast, Dr. Phil (my husband and manager) and I met with Harvest House Publishers. I like them so very much. The editorial staff was great - one woman, Betty (a managing editor), told me how she watched a flower bloom the previous Saturday. Yes, she sat in a lawn chair in front of a Poppy for six hours until she saw it bloom. I don’t know why, but that totally fascinated me - I've never met anyone who planned and then spent time waiting for a flower to open. Have you? She didn’t even glance away for a moment for fear that she would miss it. Now, she has seen a flower bloom - and I have had my imagination quickened by her report in such a way that I feel like I’ve seen a Poppy bloom also.

The weekend ended as I carefully packed a box of the most wonderful dark chocolate Truffles into my carry-on bag! They came from Euphoria Chocolate Company in Eugene, Oregon and amazingly, they made it safely home to Springfield without me devouring them (I haven’t mastered self command yet!). Oh, my friend, NOBODY KNOWS THE TRUFFLES I'VE SEEN!

So give these three things a taste test:

1. 1776 by David McCullough
2. An adventure on a sand dune, roller coaster, or just get a facial!
3. Treat yourself to some fabulous truffles like the ones from Euphoria

Have you ever become friends with someone you have never met? I have. His name is Nathaniel Hawthorne! Even though I was born nearly a century after his death, I have gotten to know him by his books, most recently, The Scarlet Letter.

I know I must have read it in high school but, I guess Leif Garrett and Shawn Cassidy were just more interesting to me than Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale! But, as Robertson Davies says “A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight." Well, I'm not sure if I am in the noontime of my life or heading into early evening, but I do know I am crazy about how Hawthorne has introduced me to many life changing truths about myself and my God.

Recently, I was struck by the way Hawthorne handles the subject of hate. Maybe it’s the condition of our world that made the topic rise to the surface as I read. Or maybe its just the unredeemed condition of our hearts that made me recognize the familiar darkness in one of the book’s characters.

Old Roger Chillingworth was the scorned husband of Hester Prynne. He carried out a secret strategy to violate his wife’s lover as deeply as he, himself had been violated. He finds himself playing the role of the devil and he realizes that his hate is transforming him. At one point in the story , with utter shock and disdain, he looks and fully sees who he has become because of his hatred. He sought to repay and he was the one who paid. Hate shrivels us up and turns us into an object more distasteful than that which we abhor in the first place.

The main character, Hester, sees the toll hate, revenge, guilt and secrecy are taking on each of them. She pleads with Chillingworth to stop torturing her former lover, Arthur Dimmesdale. Of course, the obsessed Chillingworth refuses. In desperation,Hester asks if Dimmesdale’s suffering served to pay his debt to him. Chillingworth responds with “no, his debt has only increased.” How true of a picture his response is-hate and revenge is never satisfied. The urge only grows. Hester is able to see that the only one who can free himself from this “evil maze” is Chillingworth . She pleads for him to forgive and hence unchain himself and Dimmesdale:

“There might be good for thee, and thee alone, since thou hast been deeply wronged and hast it at thy will to pardon. Wilt thou give up that only privilege? Wilt thou reject that priceless benefit?"

Have you ever thought of pardon as a privilege and forgiveness as a priceless benefit? Hawthorne did- see why I like him so much?! It is only forgiveness that quenches the thirsty flame of hate. It is only love that satisfies the need for revenge. Because God is more familiar with our frail human condition than we are, He reminds us over and over again that vengeance belongs to Him. And it is our role not to exact revenge but instead to exercise forgiveness.

I heard Bill Bright say once that what you feed grows and what you starve dies. So with that in mind, let's starve the life of hatred and feed love, tolerance, and forgiveness so that it blossoms and grows out of control! Oh my friend, don't neglect the privilege of pardon!

Well, that’s what’s been percolating lately!

Question: I am curious, what is the first thing on your mind upon rising in the morning?

Answer: It depends on the morning! Truly, my thoughts are most precise first thing in the morning, and my feelings are most clear and uncluttered. For that reason, usually my first thoughts have something to do with my own inadequacy in meeting the demands of the day and God’s suffiency. I said years ago that before I get up in the morning I fall down and it’s still true. I fall down each morning out of dependence, worship, and trust. Only then, do I rise in strength. It's still true. And now, my friends, the "Beans" are officially spilled!

Each month we will give away something from the JenniferRothschild.com Store. All you have to do is click on the link below, to let us know you were here. Your name will automatically be added to a random drawing to win.

The winner from the last issue is Debbie Petras. from Arizona. She wins Jennifer's Walking by Faith Bible Study Member Book.

Debbie, please email us your mailing address.

Buy 2, Get 1 Free
In celebration of the release of my newest book, Lessons I Learned in the LIGHT, when you buy 2 Lessons...LIGHT, we will send you an additional copy absolutely FREE. All will be autographed.


This offer is only good when you purchase through this unique Amazon.com link - it will be purchased through Amazon.com but shipped from Jennifer Rothschild Ministries. Don't forget you must use the unique link at Amazon.com for this special offer. Buy only 2, and we will send a 3rd copy Free in the same shipment.

Bonus: Not only will these books be autographed by Jennifer, but if you join Soles Sisters, you can earn 30 points toward free stuff.

 

Here is what a reviewer from Publishers Weekly wrote about Jennifer's Lessons I Learned in the LIGHT:

"Her gentle, pleasing style first draws readers in and captures their imaginations. Only then does she deliver her more powerful punches."

I hope you'll consider being one of my faith-walkin' Sole Sisters. I covet your prayers, and appreciate so much the things you do to spread the word about my message.

Here are just a few of the small things you can do to make a big impact.

• Buy 2 Lessons..LIGHT, Get 1 Free (30 points)
• Email Five Friends (10 points)
• Join Soles Sisters (10 points)
• Write a Review at Amazon or Lifeway (10 points)
• Email us a Photo with You and a Friend (20 points)
• More

Here are a few Quick Links you might find helpful.

• About Jennifer Rothschild
• Video: My Story
• New, Jennifer Rothschild Store
• Subscribe to WomensMinistry.NET weekly eNewsletter
• Email Jennifer