Nov./Dec. 2017

the Load
Lighten
Latta
Barbara
Loves Me For Me
He
Michelle Bengtson
Dr.
the Load
Sharing
Derringer
Diana
many more
Plus
articles
encouraging
Positive Note Magazine
November/December 2017
Issue 11

Purchase
CHOOSE JOY
Study Guide and Companion DVD
Order at:
www.thebookshelfandme.com

Contributing Writers
Jannette loves spending time with the Lord and her family. She's a
fangirl of everything lovely, and always tries to see the best in
everyone, except for the villains in her YA series—Ambrosial
Acres.
When she's not blogging or writing her latest article, she listens to
sermons while sweating away unwanted calories, cleans the house
until it sparkles, laughs at the silliest things and enjoys the
outdoors, especially her daily walks through the enchanted forest.
Of course there's more to be said, but then her bio would end up
being a memoir.
Diana Derringer is an award winning writer and author of
Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas,
Easter, and More! Her blog at www.dianaderringer.com
helps people with a non-English background understand
the meaning of unusual English expressions and offers a
brief respite for anyone who enjoys word play.
Margaret is a retired career counselor, long-time small
group leader, and recent seminary graduate. She has
recently begun writing devotionals to share her love of
the Bible and encourage others to walk closely
with Jesus.
Barbara Latta is the author of Navigating Life's
Curves blog, contributor to Stupid Moments, More
Christmas Moments, Abba's Promise, Christian
Devotions and the Pike Journal-Reporter in
Zebulon, Georgia.

Gaye loves to laugh and isn't afraid to poke fun at her
own mishaps. With humor, authenticity, and passion, she
helps women find uncommon grace in the everyday. She
is the author of "God, Girlfriends, & Chocolate," and loves
the stories that come from observing life.
Lyn Niemann is an inspirational speaker, PR consultant,
and spiritual director with OmniBrave. She's passionate
about helping others clarify their message and brand so
they can help more people. Contact her at
lyn@omnibrave.com
Heather Riggleman hails from Nebraska and is the
author of Mama Needs a Time Out and Let's Talk
About Prayer. She is also an award winning journalist,
and a well known coffee addict without a recovery
plan. You can find her writing about mental health,
motherhood, marriage, and about doing real life with
her tribe. To connect with her, visit
heatherriggleman.com
Sharon lives in West Michigan near her children and
grandchildren. Her season of widowhood has been filled
with grace after many years of caring for her husband who
suffered from MS. She has served in women's ministries
through Bible studies, retreats, personal ministry, as well as
women's conferences in Ukraine and Africa.

Becky Chinnici Anderson was raised in an environment, completely
void of any spiritual education of Jesus and who He is. At the age of 18
she gave a baby up for adoption and spent the next years confused
and spiritually lost. After cocktail waitressing and dealing black-jack as
a prime source of income, she survived a short and tumultuous first
marriage. She met and married her husband Bill who led her to Christ
when their son was 6 years old. She prayed that God might someday
use her to grow His kingdom by allowing her to help other women find
the contentment she found in her Godly role as wife and mother.
Laura has spent over 25 years in HR,
Leadership, Coaching, Training and
Development. In 2011, after losing her dad and
sister, Laura found herself being called to
continue the spirit lead discipleship of her sister.
You can learn more at
chosejoyfoundation.com.
Author, speaker and board certified clinical neuropsychologist, Dr.
Michelle Bengtson is also a wife, mother, and friend. She knows pain
and despair firsthand and combines her professional expertise and
personal experience with her faith to address issues surrounding
medical and mental disorders. Learn more on her site:
www.DrMichelleBengtson.com

Table of Contents
Between Contractions
Sharon Ruff .......................................................................................... 3
With Jesus You Can Achieve Wholeness
Jannette Fuller......................................................................................... 4
Sharing the Load
Diana Derringer ....................................................................................... 7
He Loves Me For Me
Dr Michelle Bengtson ............................................................................. 8
Trashy Answers
Becky Chinnici Anderson .................................................................... 11
Lighten the Load
Barbara Latta ........................................................................................ 13
The Answer to our Moments
Gaye Lindfors ....................................................................................... 15
What's the Question
Margaret Schrock ................................................................................ 17
It's Not About Me
Laura Frankl Pedersen ...... ................................................................. 19
Don't Forget to Add Jesus to the Recipe
Heather Riggleman .............................................................................. 20
Where's my Purpose?!
Lyn Niemann ....................................................................................... 21

Hello
Readers!
These past few months have been pure insanity. Joanie and I have
added a few more items to our plate, starting with Life on a Positive
Note (which you can find on YouTube!). We even launched a bookstore
called The Bookshelf and Me and we are beyond excited. We have
books, DVDs, music, and a lot of great gifts for you to check out.
These amazing months haven't been without their heartache, but it truly
is a testament to God's amazing grace, love, and mercy. He has held us
in the palm of His hand and the good things are coming in bigger waves
than the bad.
We hope this issue finds you and your loved ones doing well! And, as
always, we appreciate you, we love you, and we're praying for you
always. Enjoy another great issue of Positive Note Magazine filled with
stories that will inspire. Have a very Happy Holiday Season!
~ Joanie and Jenni

GayeLindfors.com
Author, speaker, soul-sister.
Gaye Lindfors takes joy to a
whole new level in her book.
Purchase it wherever books
are sold or visit her website.
Sara Frankl teaches us all how to
find, choose, and keep joy in the
midst of tragedy. Purchase her
book on the website.
ChooseJoyFoundation.com

Between
Contractions
Jeanne Moran
Sharon Ruff
A weaned child simply rests on the mother’s lap, content to be in her presence. I ache for those
that I know who are suffering with disease, emotional distress, heart-breaking family crisis, and
the collapse of their faith. Like women in labor, we grab our bellies and wail for those we know
by name and for the multitudes that we know only through the media.
We labor alongside one another as if in a maternity ward.
My question to God is, what do we do between contractions? We seem to have so little down
time between major life crises. How can we maximize that time to steady ourselves before the
next wave is upon us?
Some of us may slip into denial and intensify our activities to distract ourselves from the
“contractions” of life. Others may be paralyzed by depression and fear and pull the covers over
their heads hoping the pain will go away. Those of us who have borne children know that
despite distractions and hiding, the contractions continue. Labor coaches encourage us to
relax between contractions. So does God.
Because it is counter-intuitive to rest or relax when we know another contraction may soon be
upon us, it takes great intention to quiet ourselves when our mind and heart are racing with the
remnants of the last unsettling episode. Rather than take a few moments to relax, we try to
brace ourselves for the next onslaught.
But God reminds us in Psalm 131:2. “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; like a weaned
child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me [ceased from fretting]” (AMP)
I’ve learned that it is work to rest between contractions. Sometimes I cry out in my heart asking
God, is this a waste of time? He whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a
NIV)
3

With Jesus You Can Achieve Wholeness
Jannette Fuller
With Jesus, you can transform your mind and body, living a life of wholeness. Sickness, disorders,
and diseases can affect anyone, whether it’s inherited, self-inflicted, transmitted by another, or the
result of being attacked by the enemy. For me, I’ve been struck from every angle
mentioned above.
At the age of seventeen I started having panic attacks, which in turn created a stomach ulcer.
Then, after giving birth to my first child, the anxiety and panic increased, instilling an unhealthy
fear known as Agoraphobia. A phobia that binds the mind and soul, creating intense fear to where
its victim cannot leave the house, or go anywhere without someone they trust, in fear of having a
panic attack. Nonetheless, I still went out and did what I needed to do, including doctor visits,
even though I dreaded it. A couple years later, I gave birth to my second child, but this time the
culprit of my negative thoughts and emotions was much darker―its name was depression. The
anxiousness wasn’t a problem anymore, but not wanting to get out of bed was. I felt disconnected
from life, lost interest in everything, and was zapped of energy, passion, and hope. I felt
like a zombie.
As if those demons weren’t enough―as a child of God, I believe that’s what they were―I inherited
my family’s history of poor eyesight and high blood pressure, which didn’t help my anxiety/panic
disorder. Still, the pain didn’t stop there, I suffered from other afflictions as well, including
hormonal imbalances. Seventeen wasn’t a good age for me, because I also had a Benign tumor
removed from my right breast.
Now, it’s time to fast forward. After giving birth to five children, five healthy children, thanks to
God, my blood pressure continued to stay high and my hormones continued to shift, aggravating
the anxiety and agoraphobia, while my gums and teeth began to weaken. Yes, it was a lot to deal
with, but it gets better (I get better…way better).
4
After years of praying for miracles, guidance, and help, the Lord answered me, showing me a
better way to live. A better way to take care of my spirit, soul, and body. I never viewed food as
medicine, neither did I realize what I was doing to myself when consuming fast-food, quick meals
(boxed and microwaved), or the amounts of caffeine and sugar I took in daily. Looking back on my
poor eating and drinking habits, makes me sad. Who knew that a lack of good nutrition could
affect more than weight gain, high blood pressure, and a poor self image? I had no idea that I was
feeding my demons―the anxiety, agoraphobia, negative emotions and thoughts, and my entire
body―all along.

https://draxe.com/
But once the Lord opened my spiritual and physical eyes, He showed me the right way to take
care of His temple, my body, through the right foods to eat and what liquids to drink, along with
daily exercise or being active. He showed me that the proper amount of sleep and taking care of
my teeth and gums are just as important too. Did you know that your dental health is connected to
your overall health?
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in
your midst?
Issue 5
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and
you together are that temple. (1 Cor. 3:16–17).
For the past six years, I’ve researched all the foods that my body needed, and despite the lack of
finances to go completely organic, the Lord has provided enough money for me to eat healthier,
which has made a HUGE difference for the better in my overall health. I am happy to say water
with a slice of lemon is my favorite beverage, besides my delicious smoothies. But when I do
indulge in a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, I can do so without feeling guilty.
Did you know being outside can help your body produce vitamin D? All you have to do is soak up
some rays as often as you can. And don’t forget about your mental and emotional health. The
Bible tells us to take every wrong and negative thought captive, along with renewing our mind,
because this, too, is essential to our wholeness.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).
You are what you eat, so eat wisely. There may be a time when you’ll realize that you should’ve
taken better care of yourself long ago. Establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes
determination and commitment, but it is possible. Remember, everything with God (with Jesus) is
possible. It’s never too late to start eating healthy and being physically active, if you’re able.
One more thing, I may not possess a diploma or certificate in nutrition and natural medicine yet,
but I do know someone who does. For more information on vitamins, minerals, nutrition, exercise,
and natural remedies, please visit the link below.
Here’s to your health! Your GOOD health!

GingerKolbaba.com
GottaTellSomebody.com

November/December
Jannette Fuller
Sharing the
Load
Diana Derringer
When you feel all alone —
physically, spiritually, and emotionally spent —
remember Jesus has been there too.
He walked our earth.
He died our death.
And now he holds us up.
With complete understanding,
Jesus shares every trial,
bears every burden,
and supplies the strength to endure.
“He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being
made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he
humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross”
(Philippians 2:7-8 NIV).
7

Loves Me for Me
He
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
8
Do you ever find yourself doing things, in order to feel good about yourself or valued by others?
I would’ve said no, until I came to the end of myself, and all I could do.
Born an achiever, the description served me well for decades. I was born weighing less than 3 pounds at a time when that
was not considered a viable birth weight. Doctors predicted I wouldn’t live, or would be brain damaged.
Three years later, the doctors again predicted my death when I succumbed to a life-threatening illness with an equally
threatening treatment. Unaware I was deathly allergic to aspirin, the doctors prescribed the medication to reduce an
extremely high fever in hopes of saving my life and preventing brain damage.
My body endured anaphylactic shock, while my parents were prepared for my death, brain damage, or at least severe
physical and cognitive consequences. Doctors warned I would never again walk.
Those doctors didn’t know me or my personality.
I sustained the least devastating effects, but was left with physical deformities of my legs and foot, and feet that were
significantly different in size: one grew to an average women’s size, while the other remained the size of a small child, twisted
and misshapen, resulting in years of physical therapy to teach me to walk again.
People identified me as a self-starter, hard-worker, go-getter. Neither average nor quit existed in my vocabulary.
In school I earned top honors and straight A’s.
Each accomplishment was merely a stepping stone to the next. In that, I resembled my father.
I didn’t know the term at the time, but today I imagine some referred to him as a “work-a-holic.” He took his responsibility as
head of the household very seriously. But every “a-holic” pays some price. My father’s came in the form of his health.
He suffered a massive heart attack when he was merely 40-years-old. True to form, however, he took even that experience
and worked to full capacity to beat the odds: another cigarette never again touched his lips, his diet became completely
“heart-healthy,” and he took up exercising, running every single day for the next two years until a second massive and fatal
heart attack took him from us just a few months after his forty-second birthday.
I was just a young teen at the time. But given that my mother did not have any post-high school education and was from
another country, I jumped into the familiar role of doer. I determined to help support our family in my father’s absence. I was
also determined to ensure I would be able to support my family once I married and began a family of my own.
I had the personality to make it happen. True to form, nothing stopped me.
I first earned my bachelor’s degree, then my master’s, and finally my doctorate. My husband and I held together through four
years of a cross-country commuter marriage so I could complete my clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowships allowing
me to specialize in the very male-dominated field of neuropsychology.
I had never before known failure. It wasn’t an option for me. When met with obstacles, I just dug in deeper, tried harder, and
worked more.
Just after reuniting permanently in the same household, we started a family with the birth of our first child just as the walls
came crashing down around me. Shortly after he was born, my mother and best friend, received a cancer diagnosis.

That knocked the wind out of my sails, yet I endeavored to dig in deeper and do whatever needed to be done. Within the year, my
husband received a very rare abdominal cancer diagnosis. Doctors told us to get our affairs in order, and in the course of caring
for my mother and husband, my physician apologized as he told me I was miscarrying our baby.
I couldn’t count the number of times people asked me “how I did it,” while exclaiming that they didn’t think they could if our
situations were reversed. I never quite knew how to respond. I never felt I had a choice. It was as if my entire life I had been
groomed to manage adversity by just digging in and doing more. Curling up in a ball and pulling the covers over my head never
entered my mind as a possibility.
Still stunned and in shock at the doctor’s words, I called the hospital where I worked, to check my calendar in order to schedule a
higher level ultrasound around my patient’s appointments to see me.
What was I thinking? Dig deeper…work harder and it’ll be alright. Except when it won’t.
At some point, no amount of effort will change your situation. Jesus even declared, “in this life you will have trouble…”
I’d feel better if I could tell you I learned my lesson the day I saw our baby’s flat lined heartbeat. Or when I received the call telling
me cancer took my mother. Sadly, I didn’t.
Even then, I just kept doing. I just tried harder and worked more. To some degree, I think I went from a good work ethic to just
trying to numb the pain. When it didn’t work, I just kept trying.
Until, I couldn’t.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to. My body would no longer let me. Several emergency room visits and two surgeries later, I could no
longer do. Trying harder was futile.
I could no longer accomplish anything. Unable to hold down liquid or food on my own, IV fluid and nutrition kept me alive, while I
dwindled down to a 74-pound skeleton of my former self.
Never before nor since have I felt so weak or helpless. Weak and helpless never before existed in my vocabulary nor my
mentality. All I could do for days, weeks, and months on end, in-between home health visits, IV-sticks, and dehydration checks
was think, pray, read, and reflect.
I came face to face with the very place I had unknowingly run from my entire life.
I had come to accept the enemy’s lies that the more I did, better I did, the more value I had as a person, the more worthy I was.
Extending that just a bit further, perhaps the more I did, the better I did, the more God would find me acceptable and worthy of
His love.
Raised in a Christian home, I had accepted Jesus Christ’s shed blood on the cross for
me, and received Him as my personal Savior. Yet somewhere in my naiveté, I
missed the assurance that God would not withhold His love, nor grant me any
more love regardless of what I did or didn’t do.
That revelation came only when I could no longer do, and had to simply be—
without any accolades or accomplishments. When all I could do was rest in His
presence, relying on Him for my very strength and life-giving sustenance, that
was when I came to the realization that all He required of me was that I would
believe in a God who desired not work or accomplishments, but a relationship
with me, and with that came His complete love and approval. Jesus is our true
source of love.
What a heavy burden that lifted. Now the work He provides for me to do is
completed out of a place of love for Him rather than pressure to perform to
receive His love or acceptance in return.
Do you need a special touch of the Father’s love today? All He asks is that you believe in Him and His son,
who paid the price for us to be found worthy and acceptable of His great love.

HeatherRiggleman.com
BarbaraLatta.blogspot.com

Becky Chinnici
Anderson
Trashy Answers
I sat in a chair, eyes squarely fixed on the trash can a few feet away. In my hand was a wad of
paper. “If I make this basket, I will quit this job and find a new one.” I missed the basket.
Darn. I made another wad; “two out of three” I thought. I missed again.
“Oh, Come on!” I hissed.
I eventually made enough baskets to justify quitting my most recent dead-end job. I employed
this method of decision making for most of my young adult life. Paper wads answered important
questions like: Who should I date? What should I wear? Where should I eat? What should I do
now? I rationalized this ridiculous process with this justification, “Why not use paper wads? I
mean, life is just one big roll of the dice anyway.” And the truth was, I didn’t know anyone who
seemed to have a better system for making tough decisions. Many people I knew followed their
horoscopes or went to tarot card readers. As precarious as my system appeared to be, playing
the odds with a wad of paper and trash can felt a lot less risky than tapping into the occult.
My new system began when I became a Christian 16 years ago, at the age of 34. I met Jesus
while homeschooling our son. Using a children’s Bible, Jesus answered my question about how
I could get to Heaven. He said, in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me ” Then when I wanted to know why I was here on Earth
He explained to me in John 15:14-15. Why did God create us? God created us for His pleasure
and so that we, as His creation, would have the pleasure of knowing Him. What I should wear
each day is answered in 1 Timothy 2:9 which explains “…women should adorn themselves in
respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.” The question, ‘What should I eat?’ is
addressed by Jesus in In Mark 7:18-19 when He declared that every kind of food is acceptable
in God’s eyes. Jesus has the answer to everything. Jesus is the answer, to every question,
every dilemma, every problem, every concern.
I must admit that I do still like going for some two pointers when I have some paper wads
around. But the answers to my future are no longer in my trashcan. My future is in the
hands of Jesus.
11

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holiday season.

Lighten
the
Barbara Latta
Load
Fall is a popular time for travel as tourists drive to mountain regions to view the changing
autumn colors. My husband and I were no exception and were anticipating a trip to the Blue
Ridge Parkway on our motorcycle.
The new travel bag we had ordered arrived just in the nick of time for our weekend trip. It fit
perfectly on the luggage rack of the bike. Now the trick would be packing enough for three
days for two people in that tiny bag—and keeping the weight limit down to the requirement
for the motorcycle. For a man, no big deal. For a woman, a huge challenge.
Only the most vital necessities would remain on the list as I packed and re-packed. After
changing my mind several times, I finally had everything in the bag and it was secured to the
back of the bike.
I found out living on the bare necessities was easier than I thought. All those extra things that
usually go with me on a trip were either done away with, or brought along in smaller sizes.
Eliminating extra pounds and clutter made travel easier and the re-packing process faster the
next morning when getting back on the road.
Our spiritual life can gather heaviness that follows us around like an overweight piece of
luggage. We can become accustomed to the baggage and not even realize why we have
negative emotions and mental agony.
Our trip was much more enjoyable because of the lighter load and I felt free by leaving
behind things I could live without.
Jesus said to come to Him with our burdens and He would give us rest (Matthew 11:29).
Our soul can be made light and free when Jesus removes the condemning baggage we drag
with us through life. With Jesus, we can lighten the load.
13

JannetteFuller.com
DawnaHetzler.com

our to
Moments
Gaye Lindfors
The Answers
Gaye Lindfors
Her cheeks were flushed, and her neck was covered with nervous red blotches. Her name tag
read “Renee – Trainee.” The reindeer antlers she wore on her head made her feel even more selfconscious
as she tried to figure out how to enter “no whip” on my hot chocolate order
Jesus, please remind her that this is just one day. Bring grace-filled people into her line
this afternoon.
The lady in the purple parka with the big hood could have used a cart. Or a counter. Or a shelf.
Anything to rest the seven boxes she was balancing in her arms. But the line at the post office
extended out the door and we were at the back end of it. The purple parka lady was clearly ready
for this day to be over. Her tear-filled eyes signaled, “Enough!”
Jesus, please give her the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Bring
people into her path that will share her burdens—especially those in her heart.
The blonde, curly haired little boy strapped in the shopping cart with a half-eaten ginger cookie
crumbling in his hands could-not-stop-crying. His mom was trying everything to calm him down,
but he was beyond the calming down point. It was too much for both of them. Another young
mother spoke words of encouragement to the weary mama in the check-out line. But her hope of
holding it together was weakening.
Jesus, please give that mama a special dose of patience today. Remind her that she is not
defined by well-behaved or past-the-naptime children. Bless her with hugs and kisses when
this moment passes.
‘Tis the season …
Lines go on for days …
Customer service employees can’t keep up …
Programs and parties require more energy than we have …
Traffic snarls and keeps us from getting to where we want to be when we want to be there.
Jesus, our to-do lists are long, we’re tired, and we’re trying to do too much too fast.
Thank you for showing up and being the answer to our moments.
15

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What's the
Question
Margaret Schrock
“Jesus is the answer” declared the church sign. I’d heard that phrase many times, but suddenly
I wondered, “What is the question?” An answer presupposes a question. Like a contestant on
the TV game show Jeopardy, my mind raced through possible questions for which Jesus is the
answer. Desiring expert help I turned to the Bible to discover what Jesus said about Himself.
Jesus declared Himself to be many things – the light of the world, the bread of life, and the
good shepherd. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Here He
made three statements about Himself and declared that He is the answer to three very
important questions.
How can I get to heaven? Jesus said, “I am the way.”
What is God like? Jesus said, “I am the truth.”
What happens when I die? Jesus said, “I am the life.”
As the way to heaven, Jesus takes us to God -- not good deeds, moral living, or religious
tradition. No more worries if we’ve done enough good, faith in Jesus opens the way through
the cross.
As the truth, Jesus not only tells us about God, but He shows us. He came from God,
proclaimed God’s message, and did God’s deeds. In fact, Jesus said that to see Him was to
see God (John 14:9).
As life, Jesus gives eternal life that starts now and goes on forever. He arose from the dead,
and when we believe in Jesus we too live eternally after physical death.
For anyone who wants to know God, Jesus is the answer.
God’s gift to us at Christmas was more than a cute baby, He gave us the One who paves the
way to heaven, connects us with God, and gives us eternal life. Jesus truly is an incredible gift
from God. When we believe in Jesus, we receive all He came to give. What better Christmas
gift could we hope for?
17

GabrielsCorner.com
(712) 323-7756
DianaDerringer.com
Diana Derringer
Words
Wit
&
Wisdom

It's not About Me!
Laura Frankl Pedersen
I have been reflecting on this past year of my life and
although I keep telling people that I pray 2018 is better
than 2017, the journey I have walked in 2017 has made
a huge impact on my life. In January of this year, I was
diagnosed with breast cancer. Ten months after the
diagnosis I am finishing up treatments…FINALLY.
One of the things that I realized, is how when “life happens” to us, it can turn our whole world upside down. I can
wake up in the morning feeling good about myself and life in general, and then all of a sudden…
• I run into someone who leaves me feeling sad or upset.
• I have a conversation that can leave me feeling unappreciated or like I’ve failed.
• I receive a phone call that sends life in a whole new direction.
The list can go on and on.
What I have learned these last ten months is that all of the things that happen to us in life are just that, they are
things that happen.
They are not who we are. Who we are is the things that we CHOOSE!
We can choose…
• To be upset or joyful
• To feel unappreciated or driven
• To be scared or brave
We all have choices to make every day, from the time we wake up in the morning until our head hits the pillow at
night. Some of the choices are big and some are small, but they are all choices…and those choices are ours to
make.
All the things that happen to us in life are external things. But our internal existence, the thing that dictates our
emotional and outward reactions to all the externals, should be guided by one thing … Him. He has provided us with
that guidance in His word.
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from
me you can do nothing.
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control."
Our ability to choose love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, even
when “life happens,” is when we stay connected to Him.
You see, this life is not about us, our hopes, dreams and desires. Rather, it’s about when He can do through us.
It’s really all about Him.
19

Don't Forget to Add
Jesus
to the Recipe
Heather Riggleman
No sooner then when I hit the start button on the bread maker,I knew I had forgotten the most important ingredient. You
know the one that makes the magic happen, the key ingredient that makes the dough rise and acts as a catalyst binding
every ingredient together creating soft, fluffy, warm dough that when it’s baked gives way to golden, crisp goodness.
Yeast. I left out the yeast.
French bread isn’t its namesake without being light and fluffy — all because of one simple ingredient. As I dumped the
required amount in, I sucked in my breath thinking: Our days are dense, bitter and hard when we forget to include Jesus.
And how often have I forgotten him lately?
Life isn’t made of picture-perfect moments, snapshots of success, perfectly placed furniture with clean and well-dressed
kids. Real life is full of little moments, like bits of yeast. Each grain small and insignificant but piled together creates — a
beautiful place to dwell.
But those dense moments can rub our soul raw when we try to go through life on our own. I can’t begin to tell you how
often I forget and then I go through hard moments to be reminded these moments sneak up on us. Just when we think
we can do life without him, expectations, tantrums and shattered glass drag us down while perfection breaks our back in
the midst of it.
Life is much like making bread, we need to add Jesus to the mix.
We need his presence, his grace, his warmth. Without him, life is dense, flat and tasteless. Without him, our messy
beautiful world of marriage, motherhood, career and life doesn’t make sense. There is no peace, and we can’t
catch a breath.
When we are spent beyond weariness, add Jesus — he becomes our strength to muddle through.
When the clutter, the laundry pile, and bills threaten to topple over on us, whisper his name and he becomes the answer
—our anchor.
When we forget homework, can’t find our keys, and yell at the kids, stop and close your eyes, picture him standing there
with you. Jesus becomes our redemption on a rough morning.
When the crankiness and bickering of kids threaten to push us beyond our limits, add Jesus and he becomes the source
of patience and wisdom.
When our phones and Facebook messages are silent and loneliness tells us we are unwanted, turn to Jesus and he
becomes our soul saving friend.
If your life is dry, dense or bitter, ask yourself if you’ve added the most important ingredient.
20

Where's
my
Purpose
Lyn Neimann
WE'RE GOING TO LONDON THIS SEPTEMBER!
Years ago, when I was especially grumpy that I hadn't discovered my purpose, God showed me how important the
little things were. We can learn from the process as it prepares and encourages us.
I wanted to speak to thousands. God said, "You can start with your father."
When you think about it, our purpose is pretty clear when Jesus asked one of his disciples three times,
"Do you love me?"
Each time the disciple said yes. And each time Jesus replied with a command.
"Feed my lambs."
"Shepherd my sheep."
"Feed my sheep."
I wondered, what's the difference between lambs and sheep, feeding and shepherding?
Well, lambs are a year old or less. So, feeding speaks to basic needs. Mother Teresa comes to mind. Think about
your gifts and talents. Do you tend to enjoy helping those who don't know or may be seeking God? Or are you more
passionate about helping those who already have faith?
Would you rather volunteer at a food pantry, or would you rather cook a meal for a pastor and his family who need
rest? Shepherding sheep, on the other hand, speaks to guiding believers.
I'm reminded of the time I attended one of my church's volunteer meetings at a local coffee shop. It was my first time
meeting everyone. As I was walking to my car afterward, a young woman ran after me, calling out my name.
LondonChristianTour.com
“You know, this might seem strange,” she said, “but there’s just something about you that makes me feel like I can
talk to you.”
She briefly told me about her marriage struggles. I told her that I believed we were sharing a "Divine appointment"
and I briefly summarized my own experience before offering her the name of the marriage mentor who had helped
me. She suddenly understood why God had put us together. And in that parking lot, for those few brief moments,
there was absolutely nothing unclear about my purpose.
21

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