Jen's Mind Unwinds

Jen's mind unwinds about life and spirituality. Funny, practical, serious. 

[jensmindunwinds]

🤗🤗🤗GIVE AWAY alert😍😍😍 Mother's Day is coming! Does your mom like to read? If so, this book is a great gift. You can purchase it through link in bio or at Amazon or Barnes and Noble! . That being said, would you like to WIN one for your mom? People who already own this book can win one for mom by 1) leaving a review on Amazon 2) screenshotting your review and sharing it on IG. Don't forget to tag me or I won't see it! . I will pick a winner May 5 and mail it May 6. Happy reading and reviewing! . #winabook #mothersdaygifts #leaveareview (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwuf9E4A7ng/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kpn40b9dqhoa

[jensmindunwinds]

Gender Identity - The Real Discussion

Check out my article on page 6 of the April Issue of Faith Filled Family Magazine! Enjoy and discuss!

[jensmindunwinds]

Easter - The Main Event

Easter is coming! I can't believe it's almost here! Especially after that 8 week long January and 6 week long February and now all the sudden March was only three weeks....and BAM! Spring break and Easter are around the corner. Life is weird. 2019 is officially on a roll and then, before you know it, it'll be Fall (pumpkin spice lattes! Eeeek!) and then, the main event, Christmas! Or is that the main event?

Ya'all, I am a Christmas lover! Through and through! For me, that is the culmination of the whole year! Christmas means Christ's birth, that a savior has come to the world due to the great love of our creative Father to reconcile us to Himself (Luke 2)! And due to this, year after year, we end our calendar celebrating with friends and family, cozy decor, gifts that show our love for one another and so much more! What better way to close out a year than to put all our perspectives and priorities straight. I truly love Christmas.

But is it really the main event? Christ's birth is certainly a big deal. But, really, it points to what's coming down the road! The main event is when He lays down His life to reconcile us all to Him and the Father! This is where life begins! Real life! This is where hope is born and fear dies! This is where death, the whole idea and reality of it, loses it's sting (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)! Imagine an angry bee coming in for the sting zooming right toward you with the nastiest smirk on his face, then he comes in close makes contact with your skin and as you grimace and brace yourself, it's just a little "boop". Every muscle in your body relaxes realizing no real threat has occurred and you burst into giggles with the relief and hilarity of it all! The bee bumbles off humiliated and defeated. THAT is what it's like when death comes for those whose life is in Christ. DEATH HAS NO STING.

The reason this is all on my mind is even though I already knew and realized all of this, I recently had a mini wake up call. Isn't it funny how easily the daily ins and outs of life can distract us from our firmly held beliefs? I work at a decent sized church that last year put on a pretty good Easter Egg hunt. This year, I was surprised to learn that for at least this year, we're nixing it.

The immediate response to such news would be "but we had such a good turn out? Isn't the point that we get these people into the church?" Well, of course. However, the reason not to do it was a real perspective shift and priority adjustment...at least for me.

Why We Won't Have an Easter Egg Hunt this Year

So many wonderful organizations in our community put on hunts too. Therefore, are we really meeting a need? That being said, all the time, money, and resources that go into putting on an egg hunt is a big deal! What we began to wonder is "are our kids seeing that we make a big deal out of our hunt and then when Easter hits, we're just mentioning Jesus? The way one of our team member's put it is profound, "We don't want kids to love the egg and like Jesus".

Egg hunts are usually done with the purpose of bringing new kids in. Our church has no trouble seeing new young faces every week in the Kid's Department. That being said, with the statistics that most family's only come to church once or twice a month, we aren't even necessarily seeing the new faces that come, consistently. We get tons of new kiddos every week but the overall attendance numbers stay about the same. What does that tell us? That we need to monopolize on the kiddos that do come when they're there and tell them how amazing Jesus is!

Therefore, although Easter Egg Hunts are always a good time. For this year, we're gonna try something new. We're gonna make Easter Services the big blow out they ought to be! We are gonna go so big that families leave church that weekend with no doubt in their mind that Christ rising from the dead is Easter, and it's a BIG deal (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). Easter at our church will be a Par-Tay!

I'm excited about how this might go. Maybe it'll fail...but hey, everything's an experiment. If nothing else, this whole idea turned a light bulb on for me. I'm reminded that Jesus rising from the dead is Easter, and it's a BIG deal!

[jensmindunwinds]

We're all in this together. Give back. Pay it forward. 1 Peter 4:10 #circleoflife #payitforward #doyourpart #givebacktothecommunity #contribute #contributetosociety #getsomegiveback #wereinthistogether #useyourgifts #shineyourlight #takepart #biggerpicture #thebiggerpicture #seethebiggerpicture #loveallserveall #livetolove #inspirationalquotesandsayings #inspirationalquotestoliveby #inspirationalquoteoftheday #wordstoliveby #goodword #wisdomquotes #truewords #wednesdayquotes #wednesdaymotivation #joinhands #jointeffort #giveandtake #einstein #smartman (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvh2-R3hZ0c/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yut9ozlnj2fz

[jensmindunwinds]

One of my favorite things to teach people has always been that conviction and condemnation are different. You can tell the difference and point out Satan's lies because conviction brings hope whereas condemnation leaves you hopeless. However, today, a good friend said it differently. Conviction COMPELS us to change/repent/move forward. I like that too. I like that a lot. . #conviction #convictions #compelling #condemned #holyspirit #encouraged #convicted #goodword #goodwords #preacher #bringit #hope #hopeless #hopelessness #sundaysermon #sundayservice #sundaymotivation #sundayquote #sermonquotes #repent #heartchange #actsoflove #bookofacts #hopefull #knowthedifference #holyspirityouarewelcomehere #preachtheword #preacherman #preachthegospel (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvaCbOBB12p/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=125r1n3rt2ml8

[jensmindunwinds]

My Jesus-Lovin’ Bucket List

So, I was scrolling through FaceBook this morning and came across a cartoon of a woman sitting at her computer typing and her husband says, "are you writing your autobiography?" Her reply was, "no. I'm writing my ought-to-biography. The things I ought to do in life". I got a good chuckle out of it. Then, it got me to thinking....what is my ought- to- biography for my life of faith?

If I were to write an ought-to-biography for my life of faith, a Jesus' Lovin' Bucket List if you will, I'd want it to include: leading others to Christ, intentionally living out my commitments made during child dedications and sharing my gifts every opportunity I get.

Leading Others To Christ

Okay, confession time....I can not in this moment as I'm writing this think of one time I've led someone through the sinner's prayer. I think I maybe did once as a child with my friend while we were playing in the woods. And of course, I've led groups of people through a corporate prayer to give their lives to the Lord, but never one on one that I can recall. I don't know why. Maybe it's because up until now my role has always been to be the one who plants the seed, or waters it setting it up for some other follower of Christ to take it the rest of the way. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 says:

6 I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

So, as you can see, maybe I was just the set up gal which is totally fine as it's God who gives the increase. I really couldn't tell you what the reason is but I sure would love to experience the honor of being with someone as they repent and believe for the first time.

Intentionally Living Out My Commitments Made During Child Dedications

I LOVE child dedications! In our faith, this is where we stand before our church family as a blood family with our little ones and promise before all to raise them up in the Lord. In turn, the pastor leads the church family in response to our promise, promising to do their part to represent Christ in all their dealings in view of our little ones. They also promise to pray for our littles and do their part to point them to Christ as well whether that's as their Sunday school teacher, youth leader, or just a friendly fellow Christ follower brushing elbows with them in our church world.

As part of the church family at the child dedications of others, I do not take my part lightly. I hope all the time to be intentionally living out my promise to these little ones and their parents. If I see them in the lobby, I'll smile. If I'm working in the nursery, I'll be totally present, making sure they realize how loved they are. When they get baptized someday, I'll be the loudest cheerleader. I vow that they'll never catch me lying, cheating or using foul language. I vow that if they do catch me doing those things, they'll see me humble myself, repent and apologize. I promise to listen to them when they speak their minds and celebrate their accomplishments. Last but not least, I promise to support the parents by gently reminding their kiddos to respect them if I ever see them not doing so publicly.

It's my hope that we would all take Child Dedications this seriously. It's my firm belief that raising kids truly does take a village! A Christ loving and honoring village! (Mark 10:16; Matthew 18:10; Proverbs 22:6)

Sharing My Gifts Every Opportunity I Get

I also want to be a good steward of the giftings God has blessed me with. I Peter 4:10 says to use whatever we've been gifted with to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. I hope that I am relentless in cultivating and perfecting my strengths and abilities. I pray that I would never use them for my own glory but only to serve others and shine light on them. I pray that I would not be lazy and waste my gifts (the whole use it or lose it thought) and I pray that I wouldn't be so selfish and narcissistic to believe that I might as well not use my gifts because someone else is better than me because it's not about that. What we've been called to do is not about how good we are; rather it's about what God plans to do with it. My giftings are not about me, but about Him and His glory through His plan.

Well, that's my ought-to-biography. Have you ever considered what yours might be? I'd love to hear about it!

[jensmindunwinds]

Kingdom mentalities for the win, huh?🙌 Hash it out below👇 #hessogoodtome #godisgoodallthetime #godisgood👑 #godisgood #godisgood❤️ #godisgood🙏 #payitforward #testhim #tithing #money💰 #moneymoney #moneymoneymoney #moneymanagement #moneymatters #moneyslave #moneytips #hardtopic #toughsubject #blessingsflow #praisegodfromwhomallblessingsflow #dontgowithout #tryit #moneytalk #asmymindunwinds #nonsense #faithlife #faithworks #trustingod #trustissues #trustgodandchill (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvSlTtnhN3z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=25bb8mwj669v

[jensmindunwinds]

I ❤ the new review I found on Amazon this week! Big thanks to whoever you are! #asmymindunwinds #thankyou😘 #thankyoujesus #thankyougod🙏 #newreview #bookreview #theyloveme #theylovemetheyreallyloveme #christianreads #jesusbooks #christianbooks #whattoreadnext #devotional #dailydevotional #devotionals #morningdevotional #jesustime #timewithjesus #thankful #imsoblessed #amazonreview #authorlove #itsyourturn #ilovethisstuff #lovethisstuff #booklove #tbrpile #tbr #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvFxh2TBdj4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=a9rua93iaycy

[jensmindunwinds]

Story time! Something's been on my mind and I wanna share a bit of my story. Topic: tithing Setting: the recession of 2008 So, I may live pretty comfortably now with not a lot to worry about as far as providing for my family goes, but it wasn't always that way. We were on WIC, EBT...all the things. Even then, my husband was "good with money" and would sit down to evaluate our budget. For a long time, we'd see that computer in black and white tell us that that the money we were bringing in was NOT enough to cover all we have to pay. It's a scary place to be. But, one thing we knew...if the budget says we can't pay our bills anyway, we might as well stay faithful in tithing. There's legit nothing to lose at this point. God either takes care of us or He doesnt. So, let's just obey and pay. Guess what? The budget never told us any different for months! BUT not once did a bill ever go unpaid. Somehow, it always miraculously worked out. We paid our tithes. God took care of the rest. I'm passionate about tithing because I'm evidence it works. Will you trust and obey today? #obeyandpay #tithes #tithing #10percent #tenpercent #offerings #trust #trustandobey #trustinhim #trusthim #dontworry #testimonytuesday #testimonialtuesday #testimonies #wins #followmystory #godsfaithfulness #faithfulness #basicobedience #obedience #malachi #storehouse #firstfruits #godsmoney #goodsteward #stewardship #moneymoney #money💰 #giveittogod (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu7jMrQhLLH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7gdlsy5bzyin

[jensmindunwinds]

It's more than saying thank you, but that's a start. #thankyou😘 #gratefulmindset #gratefullness #gratefull #gratefullheart #grateful🙌 #gratefulness #gratefuleveryday #begratefuleveryday #everydaygrateful #positionyourself #mindsetquotes #mindsetreset #mindsetmatters #lifestyleguide #lifestyleinspo #thankfulquotes #thankful🙏 #thankfulness #thankfulfor #thankfuleveryday #thankfulheart #thankfulheart❤️ #sayit #liveit #liveitout #leanin #inpirationalquotes #wisdomquotes #goodadvice (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4uz3rBTM-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8cj3qoxzmp1l

[jensmindunwinds]

#internationalwomensday ? Okay! Well, let me tell you, women are not always known for lifting each other up and empowering one another. However, with these women, it's another story. They're doing amazing things with great love that are giving women a good name! Check out all their profiles and give them some love! I'm especially thankful to them for how they've supported me in my journey. ❤ #womeninministry #womenstrong #thehutchoven #jesusheartedwoman #emboldenedbook #emboldened #proverbs31woman #momsnightoutbook #asmymindunwinds #girlpower #lovetheseladies #ilovetheseladies #godlywomen #jesusgirls #celebratewomen #shepreneur #girlboss #celebrateeachother #lifteachotherup #sharethelove #ladyfriends #sisters #sisterhood #sistersinchrist #gushpost #support #lovejesus #shelovesjesus #shespeaks (at Snohomish, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Buw7mL6B-OG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fd4zvibzmbs8

[jensmindunwinds]

Hey, ya'll. Mowgli and I got matching best friend necklaces from the dollar spot in Target. Look how thrilled he is! #targetdollarspot #dollarspot #target #targetdoesitagain #bestfriends #bestfriendship #bestfriendsgoals #bestfriends❤ #jewelrytrends #mypup #mypuppylove #mypuppy🐶 #lovemypup #besties #bestiesgoals #hesthrilled #imthrilled #bestdayever❤️ #twinningiswinning #wearecute #socute #toofun #lookatus #puppyandme #meandmypup #jensmindunwinds #loveus #loveusomuch (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Buu2ltUhRqJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p7cdeyqry4t1

[jensmindunwinds]

Sassygirlsbookexpo.com They included a free chapter of my book at the end so this is a good place to "get a taste" #authorinterview #freechapter #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #gettoknowme #whatareyoureading #whattoreadnext #tbrpile #booksbooksbooks #kindlereads #asmymindunwinds #interviewready #takealook #justataste #takeapeek #sassygirls #followme #bookwriter #justme #hereiam #meetandgreet #nicetomeetyou #thisisme #bookstuff #dailydevotional #feelingblessed🙏 #iloveyouall (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BukYIjKhvmU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3kyuw2frhpn4

[jensmindunwinds]

Have you found this person yet? If so, CONGRATS! 🎉 #congratulations🎉 #trust #toughlove #lovehurts #lovehurts💔 #butonlysometimes #hurtssogood #truefriendship #truefriendships #realfriendship #realfriendships #closerthanabrother #jesusfriends #godlyfriends #gotyourback #dailywisdom #wakeupcall #youneedit #whatyouneed #takeitlikeaman #thankthem #thankyourfriends #loveyourfriends #noteasilyoffended #tribe #pack #circle (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BufKTT2BPGo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3pp26g5s2cgh

[jensmindunwinds]

Dove Chocolate & The Comforter - A Look at The Holy Spirit

Who loves FaceBook Memories? I love when I get the notifications for those everyday. It's sometimes hilarious, sad or intriguing to see what I posted in the past and how things in my life are either different or the same now. Well, today I opened up the notification and started scrolling through my memories to see this...

Ha! I'm such a nerd! Then, I opened up to read the comments and saw that I had mentioned to a friend that I had planned on posting a blog about how to identify the real comforter. So, seven years later, friends. Here we go!

Many of us go to chocolate, t.v., food, drugs and alcohol, sex, social media or any myriad of other things for comfort when only one thing, or one person rather, is needed. John 14:26 in the Amplified Bible says:

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

There are definitely more than these three ways to identify the real comforter in our lives, but for today, these are three ways you'll know and recognize Him:

He'll always point to or remind you of God's truth

You'll see fruit in your life

You'll always feel you have a choice

The Holy Spirit Shines Jesus

The Holy Spirit will always point to the love and light of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will always remind you of the truth of Jesus (John 14:26). This is real comfort! Jesus is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6)! Elsewhere in the Bible we read that the truth will set us free (John 8:32)! What can possibly be more comforting than that?! Does chocolate, sex outside of marriage or social media point you to that truth? Nope! That's why even though they may give the appearance of comfort for a little while, it's shallow and short lived. This is how addictions begin. The fix doesn't last long enough and you need more and fast.

The Holy Spirit Produces Fruit in Your Life

Galatians 5:22 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If you do not see these manifested in your life, then it's a real solid indicator that whatever you have "comforting you" is not the Holy Spirit.

If you're experiencing actions, thoughts and attitudes in your life more along the lines of anger, sadness, anxiety, impatience, rudeness, meanness, hopelessness and you always feel out of control, then consider getting down to the root of what could be feeding all of that and cut it out straight away. And you must depend on the Holy Spirit to help you (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16-17).

The Holy Spirit is Not Controlling

Remember as stated above that the Holy Spirit is a Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) No where does it say He is a dictator, manipulator, controller or will wielder. His fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. He is not malicious or crazy.

Fake sources of comfort make us feel we have no choice in anything. I have to eat this chocolate or food because it'll make me feel better. I have to have sex to feel loved. I need to drink to numb the pain. Social media is where my "real" friends are. You believe the lie so you keep going back to those false comforters.

The Holy Spirit will never make you choose Him and Jesus.  Rather, He's gentle with you and woos you like someone after the pure beauty of your heart (2 Peter 3:9). I John 4:8 says God is love and 1 Corinthians 13 says "love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Friends, the Holy Spirit is not controlling. He loves you and wants you to choose Him of your own volition. No body wants someone to be forced to choose or love them; neither does God and the Holy Spirit.

So, although, I often go to chocolate such as Dove when I'm feeling blue, and it's a definite bonus to read the little things inside the wrapper, I always go to the real comforter who was manifested as a dove (Matthew 3:16) for the real thing. However, this time I might just give a little more weight to that little inspiration in the wrapper...

You're right, Dove. It is my call...and although you'll always be my chocolate of choice, my comfort of choice is the Holy Spirit.

[jensmindunwinds]

The judging centers on popular vote, social contribution, and overall presentation (cover, content, flow, and originality). I can increase my popular vote (the dumbest part of this 😂) by asking friends, family, and colleagues to vote at the website in the photo! #popularvote #sodumb #therestiscool #mybook #loveit #voteforme #helpagirlout #authorsupport #authorlife #authorlife📖 #bookawards #readit #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksuggestion #whattoreadnext #tbrpile #whattoread #christianwriters #christianbooks #devotionalbook #asmymindunwinds #feelinthelove #feelingthelove❤️ #bookstuff #bookmarketing #bookmarket #booktime (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuXhjoOhR7Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zf0c26toamsf

[jensmindunwinds]

You have to cherish every moment with your littles because one day they'll be too big for your lap. Luckily my 5'6" 120lb 14 yr old hasn't reached that point yet...but I may only have 10 years left. At 24 his love for cheeseburgers may sink my recliner. So, for now, I enjoy the moment....or shop for an industrial recliner. 🤔 #enjoythemoment #enjoythemoments #bigboystatus #bigboy #littleboys #myboy #sweetboy #mamasboy💙 #mylap #staylittle #staylittleforever #staylittleplease #toofast #timeslowdown #slowdowntime #timeslowdownplease #momofboys #boymom💙 #momsofteens #jensmindunwinds #howbigistoobig #justtherightsize #justright #raisethemup #family #momlifebelike #momlife❤️ #mommydom #cherisheverymoment (at Lake Stevens, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuU9YhFhJ4C/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13j9snzwpucw9