Java with Jennifer
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| Coming to a Cafe Near You |
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Dear friend,
Greetings from my quiet office where our new little Shi-Tzu, Lucy, is hiding behind a pillow on the futon, taking a nap. This is our small "calm" moment between the past whirlwind of April and the coming activities of May. I'm praying that May, with all of its fullness, saunters through life sweetly and slowly. To find out why, read my prayer requests below.
Good Morning America aired their interview with me on Tuesday, April 22, and I've heard back from countless people who were touched and encouraged by its message. Thanks to everyone who wrote in with your kind comments.
How are things on your end? I hope you enjoy the bundles of photos in Espresso Shots, as well as my new chocolate discovery of the month. Let's grab our mugs (where did I put the creamer?) and talk. God's been teaching me some insightful things about holding hands...
As always, email me your thoughts or questions. I'd love to hear from you!
Your friend,
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| Taste This! |
What I Am In To Lately
April has showered me with blessings! I was sprinkled with God's kindness by meeting Renee Bondi when I visited TBN this month. She is a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice and a beautiful spirit. She inspired me and reminded me of my hero, Joni Eareckson Tada. You must check her out!
I also was immersed in encouragement at the Moody Living Hope Conference held in Chicago this past weekend. I was invited to speak, but I was the blessed one because I got to sit under some amazing teaching from stellar women.
Carol Kent is a woman I deeply admire. Each time I hear her, I marvel at God's grace in her life and the way she humbly and skillfully communicates. If you need encouragement because you've had a big life change, you need to read her book A New Kind of Normal.
I also got to meet Lisa Harper! I've heard of her for years, but I finally got to see first hand what the "Lisa Buzz" is all about! She is a phenomenal Bible teacher and a witty and captivating communicator. I am now a big fan of hers!
Dr. Linda Mintle presented a message on making peace with your thighs. Yes, every woman in that auditorium took notes!
 Sara Groves was the musical artist for the conference, and I just want to say, "I love Sara Groves!" She sang some old songs, and she sang many songs from her new CD Tell Me What You Know. Here's what I know--Sara is an anointed poet who weaves stunning and unexpected words that seem to say exactly what we all feel. My favorite song from her new CD is "When The Saints." Her music is an intelligent, honest, and encouraging offering to your faith journey.
While in Chicago, we stayed in the Hotel Indigo. It's a down-to-earth version of the boutique hotel concept--cool, but not too edgy. It feels more like a tropical resort than an urban hotel. The lobby has oversized Adirondack chairs, stools with pineapple-shaped backs, and walls painted in beachy shades. It was a refreshing change, and so much fun!
Okay, now for something really tasty! I found a new chocolate that is fab and affordable: chocolate-covered bing cherries by Dilettante! You can get a small bag at your local Wal-Mart. Indulgent luxury is only $3.00 away, and if you buy cheaper chocolate, you can afford a night at the Hotel Indigo where you can take time to make peace with your thighs.
So, give these things a Taste Test:
1. Renee Bondi
2. Carol Kent --A New Kind of Normal
3. Lisa Harper -- What The Bible Is All About For Women
4. Dr. Linda Mintle-Making Peace with Your Thighs
5. Sara Groves' new CD-Tell Me What You Know
6. Hotel Indigo
7. Dilettante Chocolates |
| Fresh Grounded Thoughts |
What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately
Phil and I will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary on August 9th of this year. He was only nineteen years old when we met, and now he's been my husband for half of his life! On his dresser sits a beloved picture taken outside of our college dining hall just a few months after we began dating.
In the photo, I have long, straight black hair with thick bangs. He has bushy, curly blonde hair. We are both wearing faded jeans and tennis shoes. I know exactly what we were wearing even without seeing the picture because I remember when the photo was shot. He and I were walking hand in hand, when our friend with the camera yelled, "Smile!" Phil dropped my hand, put his arm around me and grinned. Now, over twenty years later, Phil still holds my hand. Or is it that I still hold his? Who is really holding whose? Hmmm.
When our youngest son, Connor, used to walk with his Dad or me, he would reach for a hand. He would snuggle his small hand into our larger ones. He burrowed; we grasped. Even if Connor let go, he would still be held. Again, who is holding whom?
Handholding is a lot like hope. It seems like we hold on to it, but really hope holds on to us. Since I first found faith in Christ, hope has held me, and I have held onto the hope that holds me. That being true, what keeps our little hand clinging within the larger hand of hope? According to Romans 15:4, it's two distinct things--perseverance and the encouragement of scripture:
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
Think for a moment how amazing it is that we have a book that is thousands of years old, and yet it is as relevant to life in the twenty-first century as this morning's newspaper. Why should an ancient book assembled by a diverse group of prophets, farmers, shepherds, kings, and fishermen offer any hope to men and women in the grip of contemporary problems, pressures, and heartaches? Because God Himself put the Book together. The Bible is both relevant and alive.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 nkjv)
The Bible is alive because God spoke it, God continually works through it, and God's Spirit shines the light of understanding upon its pages for those who seek Him. The hope that touches the lives of those who read it is not some shallow, surface level, wish-upon-a-star kind of hope, but a living hope. A hope that can reach anywhere to anyone. A hope that can overcome anything. What was penned in antiquity is the very source of encouragement and hope that leads us to greater perseverance today!
To persevere is to never quit, wait patiently, and keep moving, even when standing still--and that kind of perseverance leads to hope. It reminds me of the only kind of exercise I actually enjoy. It's called Isometric Contraction. You can do it while you wait in a long line or while you sit at your computer. It's where you flex and firm your muscles even when you are supposedly still. It's actively participating in strengthening yourself even when you're not moving. It's a great picture of perseverance.
Perseverance is how we cling within the grasp of God. It's waiting, and not pulling back prematurely. It's staying and standing even without visible results. That kind of trusting tenacity leads us to a hopeful expectation. Perseverance leads to hope in the same way quitting leads to feelings of hopelessness. When we give in or give up, we eventually give out! But when we agree with the grip of God upon our lives, we remain strong and steady.
The word perseverance in Romans 15:4 shows that the phrase "holding on to hope" is quite accurate. It is an unwavering unwillingness to let go and give up. As Tertullian said: "Hope is patience with the lamp lit."
Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately! |
| Spill the Beans |
You Ask It, I'll Answer It
Question:
Dear Jennifer,
When you speak to groups, do you use any kind of notes or devices to aid in your speech? For many years, I did some public speaking, but as I got older, it was more challenging for me as I couldn't read my notes clearly. If I wanted to share a quote with my audience, I would have to have someone else read it, which I thought was totally ineffective. Any suggestions that you may have, or if you know other people with visual problems who have succeeded in this way, please let me know.
In God's Light, Carolyn
Answer:
Using notes has never been an option for me. Since I don't read Braille, I have had to rely solely on memorization for my presentations, and that's really hard to do! But it is probably the best thing for me as a speaker.
There is no substitute for committing something to memory. It demands that I be truly familiar with, passionate about, and personally connected to the content. I don't memorize verbatim, but I do live with a message long enough for it to be flowing through my blood stream! A message spends a lot of time floating around in my brain, and then I place it into an outline that consists of several pictures in my mind. Those pictures have points and quotes attached to them, and then they become landmarks along a path. As I speak, I travel down the path, visiting each landmark in order. That keeps me on track.
I use very few quotes, and I memorize them. I memorize the Scripture I use also, but I always ask the audience to look it up on their own so they can read a completely accurate rendering. If I'm really organized, I have quotes and Scriptures projected on screen as I speak. (That is only if!)
I've learned that as people listen to a speaker, they remember what they can see in their mind's eye. That's why I use stories to communicate. Audiences may not remember exact quotes, phrases, or scriptures, but they will remember what they saw in their mind and felt in their heart. That should free up the "note bound" speaker!
There are times when I finish a message, and I think, "Man, I forgot to say 'such and such' during point 3!" or "I wish I had saved that story until the end of the message." But that's also when I rest in the truth that I am simply a flawed vessel God uses, and my middle-aged brain is part of His handiwork! People hear what He wants them to hear regardless of what I actually say. I find great security in that truth!
I offer my best stewardship in memorizing and constantly honing my technique, but ultimately I trust in God to work in, through, and in spite of me!
And now, the beans are officially spilled!
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| Prayer Requests |
I need your prayers - if you have time, will you please consider praying for me? Here is my prayer list for May:
1. Thanks for continuing to pray for my writing. I am plugging along with the LifeWay Bible Study and am pleased to see the depth and creativity God is granting. I attribute much of this to your prayers, so please keep it up! I sense this study will really help women get free.
2. May is busy with graduation festivities. Please pray for time to go slowly! Please pray for family safety in travel.
3. Please pray for continued discernment as we schedule the next year's speaking engagements. May we have wisdom and hear God's Voice.
4. As always, I ask you to pray for protection: spiritually, physically and emotionally. May the Glory of the Lord be our Rear Guard. And may His Glory be your Rear Guard also. (Isaiah 58:8)
Bless you, Jennifer
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| And the Grande Goes To |
 The Winner of the Month
And the grande goes to Scott E. of Oronogo, MO (scott@cco...)!
Scotthas won a Fresh Grounded Faith Collection that comes in Pink Tote Bag (that comes with a free Walking By Faith Music DVD)!
Congratulations, Scott! Please email us your mailing address.
Each month we 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. Then read the next month's email to see if your name was picked!
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| Thanks-a-Latte |
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A Special Offer for Special Friends
During May only:
The Fresh Grounded Faith Collection in a Pink Tote Bag (Great for Mother's Day!)
This popular FGF Collection is usually offered only at Jennifer's live events, but for the month of May, you can get it too from Jennifer's online store!
The Best-Selling Collection Includes
- A Pink Mini-Tote
- A packet of Jennifer's Girlfriend Blend Coffee
- Lessons I Learned in the Dark
- Lessons I Learned in the Light
- Walking by Faith Music CD
Purchase by Tuesday, May 6, and we'll ship it 3-day priority mail (you pay only standard shipping) to make sure it gets there by Mother's Day.
Click here for this Special Offer! |
| Sole Sisters Highlights |
Small Things, Big Impact
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:
- Join Sole Sisters (10 points)
- Email Five Friends (10 points)
- Write a Review at Amazon or LifeWay for Jennifer's new book: Self Talk, Soul Talk (10 points)
- Email us a Photo with You and a Friend (20 points)
- And more!
See the most recent List of Activities here.
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Taster's Choice
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Links You Can Use
Here are some Quick Links you might find helpful:
Need Jennifer's Bible study workbook in format for visually impaired? Email us here! |
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