OK, it is November and every November there is a devotional about being thankful……..but this year I simply must share what I am especially thankful for…..love!!

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

How absolutely amazing is that!! And the best part…..it is the TRUTH!!

And it doesn’t end there. His love heals the broken hearted, sets the captive free. (Ps. 147:3; Luke 4:18)

For God so loved the world (you and me), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

His love softens our heart. And as His love softens our heart, His love flows out of us. Our hearts can be like a sponge soaking up more and more of Him until we are finally a reflection of Him.

Will you join me this Thanksgiving……Let us give thanks for so great a love. “But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13)

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC( Women of Character) Graduate

Would you consider being a part of our STAND IN THE GAP campaign for 2015? Our goal is 1,000 people that will partner with us for January, February, and March, which are some of our toughest financial months. Each STAND IN THE GAP partner will make one $25 gift each month for 3 months in addition to their normal giving. This will bring in $75,000 towards our first quarter expenses. This is perfect for partners that already give or for people that would like to give but cannot make a long term commitment. Sign up today at http://www.americaskeswick.org/support/help-now/stand-in-the-gap
Thank you in advance for your partnership. Come STAND IN THE GAP WITH US.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

Take a moment to think about your most treasured relationships. What is it about them that made them special or stick out in your mind? I know for me, we had something in common that initially brought us together. Maybe it’s an activity, or a person, or a common ministry. But, then, what made it grow? What began to set it apart as more special and having a deeper connection? Christ-centered friendships must be cultivated. They are like gardens needing constant attention to nurture the vegetation and to keep out the weeds. In order to keep your friendships healthy and productive, you’ll need to pay attention to nurturing the quality and characteristics of your friendships.

If I think just of my current friendship, the following are the things that made it grow from a common connection to a deep friendship.

• Authenticity and Vulnerability: Becoming open and real with each other, no hiding, no pretending, and no trying to be what we are not. The willingness to slowly risk letting the other person into our private world, allowing our friend to see our weaknesses.
• Prayer filled: The ability to pray together, share requests and pray for one another
• Encouraging: The simple ways that my friend encourages me and pushes me gently to greater heights as well as the encouragement to endure and trust.
• Sacrificial: Giving of our time and putting aside ourselves when our friend needs us. Stopping our agenda to help them walk through a tough situation or time in their life (Proverbs 17:17).
• Grace-filled: Godly friendships live by grace. Grace recognizes that we are sinners who can’t save ourselves. We need to walk in grace with our friends and ourselves because are all sinners. A grace-filled relationship doesn’t judge or change because of our sinfulness, but instead they are forgiving, embracing and sustaining.
• Edifying: A good friend builds up the other in Christ (1 Corinthians 14:26). Friends who suck the life out of us are not Christ-centered. A Christ-centered friend drives you to God and not to herself or her agenda.
• Confronts in Love (Ephesians 4:15): Friends focused on Christ seek to serve the interest of others rather than their own interest (Philippians 2:4). It is frustrating to see a friend walking in sin, but it is unloving not to speak the truth to her. This truth, however, must be spoken with much grace and kindness in true humility. If a friend is not willing to confront in love, it’s not a friend you need.

Friendships that are Christ-centered demonstrate grace, mercy, compassion, love and forgiveness. Let these truths change your perspective on how you are being a friend. Let Jesus Christ transform your friendships. You might want to look up the one-another’s in Scripture (there about 59), practice them and you will have an amazing Christ-centered and blessed relationship. The one-another’s are God’s way of helping us cultivate relationships He meant for us to have. It is with that type of relationship that I can feel fully known, loved, secure and supported. He set up such an incredible relationship to help us survive life on this earth.

What type of friendships are you cultivating? Do you drive your friends to God or to yourself?

Lynne Jahns

Lynne Jahns is a Christian counselor and holds the honor of being the first Director of Barbara’s Place at America’s Keswick, a residential addiction recovery ministry for women. Lynne is married to Bill Jahns, who also serves on staff at America’s Keswick as the Director of Housekeeping. When not working and studying, Lynne loves to be outdoors and to travel. Family is very important to both Lynne and Bill and a lot of free time is spent with relatives and close family friends. Lynne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from Cedarville University in Ohio, a Master of Arts degree from The College of New Jersey in Community Counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Louisiana Baptist University.

Would you consider being a part of our STAND IN THE GAP campaign for 2015? Our goal is 1,000 people that will partner with us for January, February, and March, which are some of our toughest financial months. Each STAND IN THE GAP partner will make one $25 gift each month for 3 months in addition to their normal giving. This will bring in $75,000 towards our first quarter expenses. This is perfect for partners that already give or for people that would like to give but cannot make a long term commitment. Sign up today at http://www.americaskeswick.org/support/help-now/stand-in-the-gap
Thank you in advance for your partnership. Come STAND IN THE GAP WITH US.

Would you consider being a part of our STAND IN THE GAP campaign for 2015? Our goal is 1,000 people that will partner with us for January, February, and March, which are some of our toughest financial months. Each STAND IN THE GAP partner will make one $25 gift each month for 3 months in addition to their normal giving. This will bring in $75,000 towards our first quarter expenses. This is perfect for partners that already give or for people that would like to give but cannot make a long term commitment. Sign up today at http://www.americaskeswick.org/support/help-now/stand-in-the-gap
Thank you in advance for your partnership. Come STAND IN THE GAP WITH US.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one (wo)man sharpens another.

From a very early age we are seeking friendship. If you don’t believe me, go spend some time in your church preschool classes or toddler nurseries. As young girls we are naturally forming bonds with other kids. We especially learn this in school, clubs, and church, and just because we grow up and get married doesn’t mean we are not still seeking connection and friendship with others. God created us as relational beings. He put the desire for friendship in our hearts. We all need female friends to help us navigate this world we live in and to give us a place to be ourselves and to help us grow. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and it can really wreak havoc on our relationships. The world tries to defile women’s friendships. God wants to only bring healing, growth and hope through them.

Webster defines friendship as a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. God demonstrated a depth of intimacy in friendship when He spoke to Moses “face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Jesus also illustrated that friendship has a deeper and more personal connection than other relationships. “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). The gospel is the power of God that transforms our earthly friendships. It frees us to be the kind of friend people need. (1)

Friendships are healthiest when they are chosen by God, when we ask God to lead us to our friends and show us those that would add depth to our lives emotionally, spiritually, and socially. It is in the friendships where both people have a love and affection for Jesus Christ, that God can use that relationship for His glory and their benefit. Godly friendships seek to encourage each other in Christ and enjoy discussing Scripture and how it can be applied in our daily lives. My healthiest and deepest friendships have been the ones that were grounded in the Word and our connection to our Savior and God.
Ponder these C.S. Lewis quotes on Friendship. (2)

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”

We were not meant to do life alone. Scripture demonstrates the power in the intimate connections between people; Ruth and Naomi as well as Mary and Elizabeth are prime examples. Who is in your life that has added depth and godliness? Who in your life can you run to for wisdom and guidance as you face your daily struggles? Who can you pour your heart out to and not feel alone?

I am thankful for the friends in my life and the roles they play. How about you? Have you told them lately? Do you need to ask God to lead you to a friend like that? Stay tuned for some of the characteristics that make a relationship Christ Centered.

Lynne Jahns

Lynne Jahns is a Christian counselor and holds the honor of being the first Director of Barbara’s Place at America’s Keswick, a residential addiction recovery ministry for women. Lynne is married to Bill Jahns, who also serves on staff at America’s Keswick as the Director of Housekeeping. When not working and studying, Lynne loves to be outdoors and to travel. Family is very important to both Lynne and Bill and a lot of free time is spent with relatives and close family friends. Lynne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from Cedarville University in Ohio, a Master of Arts degree from The College of New Jersey in Community Counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Louisiana Baptist University.

1. http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/blogs/2014/04/02/cultivating-gospel-centered-friendships/
2. http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-friendship-20-good-scripture-quotes/#ixzz3JLTl6jc3

What are God’s appointments in your life? I think sometimes our perspective is more horizontal rather than vertical. God brings events and circumstances into our lives to accomplish His plan and purpose. Sometimes they are difficult things.

And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. Jonah 1:17

Sometimes they are blessings.

Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. Jonah 4:6

Each time God appointed something in Jonah’s life – it was with a plan and purpose. We can see that because we are seeing the whole story, but imagine Jonah who was living it. I think we fail to see God’s appointments in our lives because we don’t see the big picture. We see the overdue bill, or the traffic jam, the snow storm or the newborn baby, or the new job.

But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. Jonah 4:7

When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. Jonah 4:8

What is it that God has appointed in your life? God’s appointments in your life are for His plan and His purpose. Remember that God is in the process of conforming you to the image of the Son. His appointments are a means to accomplish that.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1Thessalonians 5:23-24

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

Be blessed today and keep your eyes open to God’s appointments.

Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John for 30 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 11 in all. She delights in reading and teaching, but mostly in laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Think Gourmet, not fast food.
1. Decide – to read it regularly – as your daily manna. Begin with 10 minutes a day if that will get you started.
a. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. Exodus 16:4

2. Dig into it deeply — Use a study Bible, concordance, commentary, and other study resources.
a. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

3. Dawdle (a D word that means tarry) — Think Gourmet, not fast food.
a. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching… Luke 10:39

4. Dwell on the truths – meditate
a. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalm 119:15

5. Determine to memorize it.
a. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Think gourmet, not fast food. Savor the Word.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John for 30 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 11 in all. She delights in reading and teaching, but mostly in laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. Mark 6:45-51

The Gospels are full of great stories! Such familiar stories that we often glance over too quickly. So many of my favorite stories take me back to childhood Sunday School classes and Bible picture storybooks. But these Words we read are true and apply to us today. Mark 6:45 -52 tells the story of Jesus walking on water. This probably is one of the first Bible stories I learned. I can recall our Children’s Ministry team a few summers ago shared this story with their students by actually having someone dressed as Jesus and “walk” across our lake. (Okay, no miracle here. Just some strategically placed buckets under the water. )

But we are grown up so what does this story have for us today? Oswald Chambers mentions this very story in a devotional from his book My Utmost for His Highest. Near the end of the devotion he states that, “God’s end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now.” Just as Jesus walked across a stormy sea He walks through our storms too. He is there if we would see Him. And even if we don’t see Him, the truth is, He’s still there. We walk by faith and not by sight. Today, in the midst of your chaos, can you hear Him say, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid”?

May you find peace that surpasses all understanding as we look to Jesus.

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy’s on staff at America’s Keswick in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday school and Bible studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

There’s a song I love that has these words:
“Forever God is faithful. Forever God is strong. Forever God is with us. Forever and ever. Forever.”

One thing I can tell you for sure today is: statements, words, songs like that give me great comfort and peace in the world that is my today. Were it not so, I’d be daily undone, with no place to go for solace, peace or rest.

That being said, there is no greater source of soul rest than truth, not just any old truth, but THE TRUTH of God’s Word. The following passage is one that the Lord has brought to mind countless times and has used to still my mind and silence fears, slow down myriad racing thoughts, etc.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Allow your ears to hear and permit your soul to receive what is tangibly imbedded in each Word. God is with you and He is with me. He alone is our truest peace no matter what we are going through, no matter how we are being tried. I am oh so glad that there is something tangible in this world which God so faithfully offers and delivers to all who will listen and hear:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

And then, finally, if we will meditate on these things:
…“whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy…”

Dear sisters, we have a forever Shepherd who is committed to everything we need, to whatever our soul requires for feeding, caring, guidance and everything in between.

Stephanie Dale Paul

Stephanie serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women of Character. She has been married for over 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. They have two grown children.
Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.

1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=NKJV
2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+23&version=NKJV

I remember years ago, I overheard one of my fellow staff members telling men in the Colony that they needed to “GROW UP”. I was unsettled that he was so abrupt with the men so I took my co-worker aside and asked him to consider being a bit gentler. He chuckled and explained WHY he told them to GROW UP. Now, years later, I have to agree with him; sometimes the best encouragement to someone is to GROW UP. Oh, we might find a gentle way to say it, but the bottom line is the same.

Recently, during our staff enrichment, another staff member shared briefly a verse from 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” For whatever reason, God opened my eyes to that verse in a fresh way. He clearly pointed out an area of my life that I am still acting and living as a child. Immature. It is an area that I have not had much victory and have not let Gospel grace have its transforming impact.
What areas of your life are you still clinging to your “childish ways”? You know those areas where you are still doing things your way rather than God’s way. In what areas do you struggle? Perhaps you have been struggling with for years? Areas where you have consistently chosen disobedience rather than obedience. Areas where the Gospel has yet to reach deeply into your heart and change you?

Oh, please don’t act so shocked, or am I the only one?

Well, let me share with you what my co-worker shared . . . GROW UP. “When I became a (wo)man, I gave up childish ways.” May that be true of us.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John for 30 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 11 in all. She delights in reading and teaching, but mostly in laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

I am sure you have had times when everything you read brings you to a particular topic or a certain verse. I have been reading through various books and devotionals and have come across many things written on suffering. I picked up a devotional and read the WRONG day and it was about suffering. From the words written in Discovering God’s Daily Agenda by Henry and Richard Blackaby I read this:

“The Greek word translated “to suffer” originally meant “to experience something from the outside,” whether good or bad. But over time the word lost the positive meaning it came to be used solely for unpleasant experiences, for unjust punishment, abuse, threats, insults or discrimination. The word is used forty-two times in the New Testament, mostly to describe Jesus’ suffering on the cross and the persecution of His followers. Interestingly, Paul only used it seven times in all of his New Testament writings, while Peter used it eight times in 1 Peter alone.

The Apostle Peter suggests that to endure unjust suffering for the sake of Christ is to follow His perfect example. It is not something for which Christians should feel ashamed. While unbelievers may experience good fortune on earth, they will ultimately suffer for eternity. Believers, however, may face adversity on earth, but their reward will be everlasting life.
Suffering is common to all people. We have the choice of suffering as a result of our sin and rebellion, or suffering as a result of righteousness. The former is at the hand of God, and the latter is in the hand of God.”

That last paragraph really jumped out at me and gave me a greater understanding of suffering. It seemed to answer a lot of “why” questions. Why am I suffering? Here is a simple test. Is my suffering a result of sin or of righteousness? It also answers a bit more for me, how do I handle my suffering? I either handle my suffering with repentance or I handle my suffering by trusting in Jesus Christ. How will you and I choose to view our suffering? How will you and I handle our suffering today?

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy’s on staff at America’s Keswick in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 29 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday school and Bible studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)

I write this in my new office in Barbara’s Place at America’s Keswick. My original goal was that we would have been open this week and would be concluding our first week with women being in residence at Keswick. Well, that hasn’t happened. In fact, I am surrounded by the sound of hammering and power tools.

As a staff, we have been diligently preparing for the opening, and volunteers are recruited and ready. But, apparently, God is not ready for us to open. I have had to constantly remind myself that the timing of the opening is God’s not mine or Keswick’s. For whatever reason He has, He has chosen to allow the enemy to put obstacles in our way.

Sometimes I think it is because He wants us more ready, or He has a certain person in mind to start the program that has yet to apply; maybe it’s something totally different and we may never know. I must trust that God who has laid the foundation and paved the way for Barbara’s Place will be faithful and will complete it (Phil. 1:6).

The verse above really struck me when I read it this morning; it was like God was reminding me that we will open and we will be fully up and running and to not be in such a hurry. God has set the time in motion way before we even had Barbara’s Place on our radar screen.

Do you struggle with waiting? Do you try to rush God’s timing? I know I do. Join me today as I fully lean on the promise that God will surely complete His work and the timing will be perfect.

Lynne Jahns

Lynne Jahns is a Christian counselor and holds the honor of being the first Director of Barbara’s Place at America’s Keswick, a residential addiction recovery ministry for women. Lynne is married to Bill Jahns, who also serves on staff at America’s Keswick as the Director of Housekeeping. When not working and studying, Lynne loves to be outdoors and to travel. Family is very important to both Lynne and Bill and a lot of free time is spent with relatives and close family friends. Lynne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from Cedarville University in Ohio, a Master of Arts degree from The College of New Jersey in Community Counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Louisiana Baptist University.