• Home
  • About the Work in Progress
  • Confident Faith
    • Christianity
    • Women of Faith
    • Weight Loss Journey
  • Confident Marriage
    • Marriage
    • Marriage Resources for Christians
  • Confident Parenting
    • Parenting
  • Confident Blogging
    • Blogging
    • Favorite Link-ups
  • Work with Me
    • Graphic Design
  • FREE Resource Library

Being Confident Of This

Grace for the work-in-progress woman

When You Need a Fresh Perspective of Your Goliath

July 26, 2016 by jstults 2 Comments

Sometimes we need an utter change in perspective, don’t we? I just read a different perspective on David’s attempt to kill Goliath. I think I’ve probably heard it before, but it sure isn’t the perspective I usually hold. Usually I consider (probably like most of us) that Goliath was a huge giant and that it would be difficult for any regular-sized person to take him out. A friend was sharing that she’d heard this at a camp meeting:

While others said, “Goliath is so big we can’t beat him,”
David said, “That guy is so big I can’t miss him!”

Wow! Do you ever view the story of David and Goliath from that perspective?

Does your "Goliath" seem too big? Read this encouraging perspective on how to look at your problems.

That really got me thinking about the other things in my life that I may view differently if I simply had a change in perspective.

One big thing has had my attention lately. I’ve shared openly about the struggles in my marriage – about enduring things I’d never planned on, would never have imagined, all the while holding out hope that my marriage might actually improve.

Right now I’m in the middle – truly about halfway through everything that has to happen because of all that has gone wrong.

One thing I’ve learned about the middle – about being halfway through a trial – is that it’s dark. It’s so very dark. God hasn’t removed the struggle, though I prayed He would, but honestly knew this was something we’d have to deal with. God hasn’t sped up time to magically transport us to the end of this ordeal.

God has made it so that we walk through these issues day by day. He hasn’t allowed us to skip through the situation.

And what have I done?

I’ve basically looked at my situation and said,
“Our Goliath is so big, I don’t know that we can beat it.”

What happens when I view our Goliath as too big? When I think we can’t beat it?

Stress. Discouragement. Exhaustion. Fear. Frustration. Anger.
Absolutely nothing productive – in fact, nothing good at all.

Here’s where a perspective change is so desperately needed in my life.

It’s true – on our own, it would be difficult to get through this.

When I’m in need of a perspective shift, here’s what I remind myself:
“Our Goliath is so big that we can’t help but rely on God to see us through!”

What happens when I view our Goliath as so big that we need God’s help?

Peace. Trust. Dependence on God. Prayer. Faith. Kindness.
Productive feelings. Emotions that let me continue through all that I have to do in a day.

I’m halfway through. The middle of a tunnel is always the darkest, isn’t it? And I certainly feel stuck from time to time.

But here are the truths – the TRUTHS – that I remind myself of, to keep on going:

God has not abandoned us.
I am still married.
Our children are healthy and happy.
God provides for our daily needs.
My husband is a completely different person – in all the good ways!
My husband is becoming the spiritual leader in our home.
He’s encouraging us all in our prayer time, in our personal devotions.
We are all attending church together.
We’re all much happier and more content than before, despite all that’s happening.
God has brought us through halfway.
The first half of this situation has been the darkest.
If we’re halfway through, that means the best is ahead – the best is yet to come!

One passage that I love to go back to is Hebrews 11. The chapter is full of “by faith…” statements. It’s a chapter full of trials, struggles, and challenges, and it’s a chapter full of people who do not give up! Take some time and read through it – be encouraged by others who have struggled with big “Goliath-sized” issues and have kept the faith.

My friend, Leah, has done a Bible study for times when we’re feeling discouraged, when life is difficult, when our Goliath seems too big. This short, easy-to-use Bible study is full of Scriptures that draw us close to the Lord. Check out When Words Won’t Come.

And my friend, Arabah Joy, has a book called Trust Without Borders. It’s a 40-day devotional that is designed to strengthen our faith.

I strongly recommend both of these books. They have blessed me in my own growth these past few years. They have helped me survive this battle with my own Goliath. I pray they will be a blessing to you as well.

What situations are you facing where you could use an adjustment in your perspective? Ask God to help you see your situation in a new perspective. Start telling your Goliath just how big your God is. Remember that your Goliath is so big that there’s no way God can miss it! Whatever situation you’re facing, trust God, then gather your stones, take up your faith, and slay your Goliath!

* * * * *

Rebekah M. HallbergRebekah has been completely overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of the Lord in her life. He has proven His faithfulness in every area of her life, especially in her marriage. She has come to understand the power of redemption and God’s work in her own marriage. Her goal is to be Sharing Redemption’s Stories – encouraging wives who are praying for redemption in their marriage.

Filed Under: Christianity, Uncategorized

Merry Christmas and My Final Grace and Truth

December 25, 2015 by jstults Leave a Comment

Merry Christmas, friends!

As I mentioned last week, this will be my final week as a co-host for Grace and Truth, but I encourage you to link up in the New Year with one of the other co-hosts.

I’ll still be here blogging away and joining with you all in the link-up!

Thank you for your faithfulness,

Jen 🙂

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Meet Your Hosts

Satisfaction Through Christ
BLOG
| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

Kaylene Yoder
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

The Brown Tribe
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Arabah Joy
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Being Confident of This
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Busy Being Blessed
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Sharing Redemption’s Stories
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. Links of this kind will be deleted. We also reserve the right to delete posts that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.  By linking up and leaving your email address, you also agree to receive e-mails relating to Grace and Truth.

Grab A Button

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This-Button” style=”width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-125x125_zpsekotjchq.jpg
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=“125″ height=”125″ />
</a>
</div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=577717 mode=1]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: #GraceTruth link-up, bloggers, Blogging, Christian bloggers, Christian living, Christian Women

An Important Announcement ~ Grace and Truth

December 18, 2015 by jstults 3 Comments

Hello, faithful readers and friends!  I realize that many of you are busy with holiday preparations this next week, but I wanted to take care of some important “business” with you all.

We will be hosting the Grace and Truth link-up next week even though it falls on a holiday (I’ll be scheduling mine ahead of time)!

Remember that the link-up is open all week long and  entries are shuffled randomly, so please don’t feel pressure to come and join us on Christmas day. However, we’d love to have you join in later in the week as you have time.

One other important note (in case some of you miss the Christmas link-up), after months of wrestling with the future of Being Confident of This and how Grace and Truth fits into that, I’ve decided to take a break from co-hosting the Grace and Truth link-up.  So, the December 25th link party will be my last as a co-host.

I encourage you to follow the other co-hosts! 🙂 Not only can you link up at one of their blogs in the New Year, you’ll benefit from their fantastic content as well.

Not to worry – I’ll still be here blogging as I have time, and still linking with all of you lovely bloggers at Grace and Truth. I value the relationships we’ve been building there.

One of my hopes in taking a step back is to free up more time to focus on writing new content, which you may have noticed has been scarce as of late. 😉

I have plenty of ideas and outlines rattling around in my head, lessons the Lord has been teaching me, but now that I’m working part-time outside of the home finding time to blog is even more of a challenge.  I know many of you are in the same shoes! I greatly appreciate your faithfulness to Being Confident of This and your constant encouragement – it helps to keep me writing.

May God’s presence be evident to you this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas,

Jen 🙂

 

Thanks for linking up with us last week. If you were featured, feel free to grab a featured button below!

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This Button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-Featured_zpsvo3gvxsx.png
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Meet Your Hosts

Satisfaction Through Christ
BLOG
| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

Kaylene Yoder
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

The Brown Tribe
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Arabah Joy
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Being Confident of This
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Busy Being Blessed
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Sharing Redemption’s Stories
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. Links of this kind will be deleted. We also reserve the right to delete posts that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.  By linking up and leaving your email address, you also agree to receive e-mails relating to Grace and Truth.

Grab A Button

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This-Button” style=”width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-125x125_zpsekotjchq.jpg
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=“125″ height=”125″ />
</a>
</div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=577716 mode=1]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: #GraceTruth link-up, Blogging, Christian bloggers, Christian living, Women of Faith

Grace and Truth Week 41

October 23, 2015 by jstults 1 Comment

Faithful friends and readers, please forgive me for my lateness in posting the link-up! I hope you all find some encouraging truths here this week.

Jen 🙂

Welcome to Grace and Truth, the Christian Living link-up that takes place every Friday!

Christian bloggers wanted for Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up. Come share your recent Christian Living post with us!

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Meet Your Hosts

Satisfaction Through Christ
BLOG
| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

Kaylene Yoder
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

The Brown Tribe
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Arabah Joy
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Being Confident of This
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Busy Being Blessed
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Sharing Redemption’s Stories
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. Links of this kind will be deleted. We also reserve the right to delete posts that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.  By linking up and leaving your email address, you also agree to receive e-mails relating to Grace and Truth.

Grab A Button

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This-Button” style=”width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-125x125_zpsekotjchq.jpg
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=“125″ height=”125″ />
</a>
</div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=556556 mode=1]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Come Away With Me

March 28, 2015 by jstults 4 Comments

Weary.

Burdened.

Just plain tired of being tired.

Sometimes we don’t realize how worn out we are until we have a chance to get away, a chance to rest, a chance to “be still.”  We don’t realize we’ve become weary in following our Father. We don’t realize we’ve become weary in serving others.

This past week we took some rest at a cabin in the woods during our children’s Spring Break.

I noticed that I didn’t feel as needy this year as I did last. Last year I was nearly desperate for some time away. Life seemed so very overwhelming in many ways then. And it’s not that life never feel overwhelming now, either, but it was different then.

I wanted relief.

I yearned for escape.

I thought that by “getting away” from it all, I might find peace from life’s problems. But those problems just followed me wherever I went.

I was looking for rest in the wrong places.

Come Away With Me, Rest, relaxation, get-away, finding-rest-in-Jesus

This year hasn’t been quite so difficult thus far, in spite of the flu-turned-bronchitis-add-to-that-mono months of December and January.  I have only one word for the difference – contentment. In general, I am content.

I’m certain the difference can be attributed to my walk with the Lord, which has been a little closer and a lot sweeter lately. I’m learning that no matter what comes my way, He is my only source of life, love, strength, shelter, and so much more.

In Him, I find rest.

Come-Away-With-Me, finding-rest-in-Jesus,  in-need-of-rest, feeling-weary

 

It’s that rest born from trust that leads to peace and joy beyond our understanding.

It’s a supernatural rest that doesn’t make sense using man’s logic because from the outside perspective our lives might look a little hectic. And the world would tell us, take some time for yourself. Quit serving others and serve self. You deserve it. You neeeeed it.

But I hear another voice that says take up your cross and follow me.

And just when I’m feeling overwhelmed that sweet reminder comes that by His side the burden will also be light.

Don’t get me wrong, now. I’m not against rest and I certainly need physical rest at times myself. But even more than physical rest, I need spiritual rest.

Do you have it, my sisters in Christ?

Do you have rest? If not, it’s yours for the taking and you can find it by abiding in Him moment by moment, day by day, trust building upon trust.

How-to-find-rest, Come to Me, Come-Away-With-Me. finding-rest-in-Jesus, I-need-rest, feeling-weary

Sometimes we need a rest.

But sometimes we just need Jesus!

Jen 🙂

While we were away, I had the opportunity to spend time taking pictures.  Lately I’m often reminded of the power of the Cross.  It’s because of the cross we can cease striving and be still. It’s because of the cross we can rest in the gift that is Grace.

Sharing with: Grace and Truth

 

Filed Under: Christianity, Uncategorized, Women of Faith Tagged With: Abiding in Him, Christian living, Christian Women, Devotional Thought, Faith, finding rest, Jesus, tired, weary

Battling Worry ~ Grace and Truth Week 11

March 27, 2015 by jstults 2 Comments

Hello, faithful readers! It’s Spring Break this week, so we are enjoying extra time as a family. We visited an indoor waterpark (thanks to Groupon!) earlier this week and had so much fun together.  As I write this, we are preparing to head to a retreat cabin that is available to pastors and their families.

It will be a few blissful, media-free days for us. We plan to enjoy a lot of nature and reading and board games.  I’m very grateful for ministries like this that provide getaways and retreats for families in ministry.

If you are a family in ministry and didn’t know such places exist, please contact me and I’ll be happy to hook you up! (I was unaware myself until a couple of years ago) I know since we started full-time ministry, getting away has been essential to restoring ourselves.  It’s just nearly impossible to have a stay-cation as a pastor, so I’ve learned. 🙂

Anyway, I read so many great posts last week, but the one I chose to feature is from Cheryl at Treasures from a Shoebox.  She details a great method for using the passage in Philippians 4 to help stamp out worry!  I  really like this idea and look forward to using it myself. Thanks, Cheryl!

In other news, my first 5K in 2 years or so takes place on Saturday, so keep praying for the knees and my health! Thanks!

Because of Him,

Jen 🙂

 

Thanks for linking up with us last week. If you were featured, feel free to grab a featured button below!

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This Button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-Featured_zpsvo3gvxsx.png
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Meet Your Hosts

Satisfaction Through Christ
BLOG
| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

Kaylene Yoder
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

The Brown Tribe
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Arabah Joy
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Being Confident of This
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Busy Being Blessed
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Sharing Redemption’s Stories
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. Links of this kind will be deleted. We also reserve the right to delete posts that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.

Grab A Button

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This-Button” style=”width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-125x125_zpsekotjchq.jpg
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=“125″ height=”125″ />
</a>
</div>

Join the link-up below!

[inlinkz_linkup id=500244 mode=1]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Beyond Comfort ~ Grace and Truth Week 10

March 20, 2015 by jstults 2 Comments

Hello, friends! How has your week been? I’ll be honest. It’s been a little up and down here. I’ve learned that I do really well persevering as long as I’m receiving fairly constant encouragement and seeing results. But the minute I run into a roadblock, I often begin to lose heart.

Earlier this year when I wrote about the word Persevere being my word for the year, I had no idea how much I needed to learn in this area. Part of persevering for me seems to be maintaining hope.  It’s obviously still a work in progress, but the Father has been faithful in giving me this lesson in many different areas of my life. He’s making the message nearly impossible to miss. 🙂

Last week’s Grace and Truth was full of repeated messages as well, it seems! I read several posts about letting go of fear so that we might become who God created us to be. I also read a few about how BIG our Father God truly is.  But two posts stood out to me in particular because of some situations we have faced both in our family and in ministry.

Meredith from According2Meredith wrote about how often we let others down when they need help the most – perhaps because of mistakes they have made, etc.. I agree with much of what she wrote and think it falls right in line with Agape love – that unconditional love Jesus shows to all of us sinners who mess up time and time again.  Loving others requires us to go beyond what we are comfortable with.

Along the same lines, Ruth from The Mustard Seed wrote about practicing what we preach in the Church.  Is it possible that our churches have become so “middle-class” as to make those who feel lesser-than avoid them?  How can we reach those who really need to hear Truth?

It’s easy to grow comfortable in our Christian “bubbles” and forget about the world out there that desperately needs saving!  I know I’m guilty of losing that urgency from time to time.

I look forward to reading what you all have to share this week!

Jen 🙂

 

Thanks for linking up with us last week. If you were featured, feel free to grab a featured button below!

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This Button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-Featured_zpsvo3gvxsx.png
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Meet Your Hosts

Satisfaction Through Christ
BLOG
| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

Kaylene Yoder
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

The Brown Tribe
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Arabah Joy
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Being Confident of This
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Busy Being Blessed
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Sharing Redemption’s Stories
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. Links of this kind will be deleted. We also reserve the right to delete posts that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.

Grab A Button

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This-Button” style=”width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://beingconfidentofthis.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-125x125_zpsekotjchq.jpg
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=“125″ height=”125″ />
</a>
</div>

Join the link-up below!

 

 

 

[inlinkz_linkup id=500243 mode=1]

Filed Under: Blogging, Christianity, Grace and Truth Link-up, Uncategorized, Women of Faith Tagged With: #GraceTruth link-up, bloggers, Blogging, Christ-centered living, Encouragement, Faith, Love one another

Fear and Blogging ~ Grace and Truth Week 9

March 13, 2015 by jstults 2 Comments

Hello, faithful readers! It’s that time of week again when we all gather ’round for some encouragement. How is everyone? Has the week been victorious?  Has it been rough?  Has it been a roller coaster of in-betweens?

Wherever you are in the spectrum this Friday, keep in mind that Jesus knows; He understands.  Whether we’re sorrowing or rejoicing, struggling or persevering, He’s with us. He’s FOR us. That gives me comfort, friends!

This week I’m happy to introduce you to Shari Lynne who blogs at Faith Filled Food For Moms. In this week’s featured post, Shari writes all about that fear that all of us face in blogging, but honestly, her words could apply to so many areas of life.  Are we doing too much? not enough? right? wrong? and on it goes. We all know the struggle of wanting to do our best at something, yes? 🙂

I love this line in particular from her post:

Fear…Fear…Fear

Unfortunately this can lead to striving OR it can paralyze us into doing nothing or even worse…quitting!

How true!  We can swing from one extreme to the other if we miss her important advice.

Jen 🙂

Thanks for linking up with us last week. If you were featured, feel free to grab a featured button below!

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This Button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://www.confidentingrace.wordpress.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-Featured_zpsvo3gvxsx.png
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Meet Your Hosts

Satisfaction Through Christ
BLOG
| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

Kaylene Yoder
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

The Brown Tribe
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Arabah Joy
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Being Confident of This
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Busy Being Blessed
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Sharing Redemption’s Stories
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. Links of this kind will be deleted. We also reserve the right to delete posts that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.

Grab A Button

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This-Button” style=”width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://www.confidentingrace.wordpess.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-125x125_zpsekotjchq.jpg
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=“125″ height=”125″ />
</a>
</div>

Join the link-up below!

 

[inlinkz_linkup id=500242 mode=1]

Filed Under: Blogging, Christianity, Grace and Truth Link-up, Uncategorized, Women of Faith Tagged With: #GraceTruth link-up, bloggers, Blogging, Christ-centered living, Effects of Fear, Fear, Fear of failure, overcoming fear, Perfectionism, Writing

Comfort Eating ~ Grace and Truth Week 8

March 6, 2015 by jstults 2 Comments

Hello, readers! No doubt you have noticed some changes ’round here. I’m really excited to have the new and improved Being Confident of This up and running in time for this week’s Grace and Truth link-up.

Now, if I could only learn to use the new and improved features well….  Let’s just say it’s a work in progess. It’s a good thing I have excellent blogging friends to help me iron out the kinks! 🙂

Last week I featured two bloggers whose posts really encouraged me, but there was one more that I really wanted to share with you all as well. So, this week I want you to meet Rosilind Jukic from A Little R and R. Since I’ve been sharing about my weight loss journey lately, her post about comfort eating fits right in with that theme. I greatly appreciate her candor about such a personal subject!

The Father has been helping me to follow my healthy living plans more carefully the last week or two and I’m starting to see some success! Isn’t it exciting to see the fruits of your efforts?

Trusting Him to continue the good work,
Jen 🙂

Thanks for linking up with us last week. If you were featured, feel free to grab a featured button below!

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This Button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://www.confidentingrace.wordpress.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-Featured_zpsvo3gvxsx.png
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement each and every week. If you’re a blogger our hope is that you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader our hope is that you’ll meet new bloggers that love Jesus just as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Meet Your Hosts

Satisfaction Through Christ
BLOG
| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER |G+

Kaylene Yoder
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

The Brown Tribe
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Arabah Joy
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | G+

A Divine Encounter
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | G+ | STUMBLEUPON

Being Confident of This
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Busy Being Blessed
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Sharing Redemption’s Stories
BLOG | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | G+

Grace&Truth-Rules2

1.) Follow your hosts via their blog and/or social media channels. This is not mandatory, but appreciated!

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. Links of this kind will be deleted. We also reserve the right to delete posts that don’t align with the theme or that are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!

4.) All links are randomly sorted – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

In order to be featured next week:

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. This is not mandatory to participate, but is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to feature and promote via their social media channels next week.

7.) By linking up you agree to allow the hosts to use your featured post image if you are chosen as a feature for next week.

Grab A Button

Grab button for Being Confident of This

<div class=“Being-Confident-of-This-Button” style=”width: 125px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://www.confidentingrace.wordpess.com/category/grace-and-truth-link-up/
” rel=”nofollow”>
<img src=”http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r536/Kitzers3/GraceampTruth-125x125_zpsekotjchq.jpg
” alt=“Being Confident of This” width=“125″ height=”125″ />
</a>
</div>

Join the link-up below!

 

[inlinkz_linkup id=500241 mode=1]

Filed Under: Blogging, Christianity, Grace and Truth Link-up, Uncategorized, Women of Faith Tagged With: #GraceTruth link-up, bloggers, Blogging, Christ-centered living, Eating, Faith, weight-loss journey, work in progress, Writing

Moms Who Gather

March 6, 2015 by jstults 4 Comments

I felt so lonely when we first moved.

New pastor’s wife to a new community, a small community.

None of my usual comforts nearby. No church friends. No work-out buddy. No library with an awesome children’s section. No new YMCA with its handy child-watch room. No Wal-mart for last-minute needs.

Hardest of all, no family.

And I needed a way to connect, to meet some like-minded women, to make friends, especially mama friends.

So, without really knowing what I was doing, I started a group for moms.  The first year was hardest. I felt so inadequate and out of my element, a leader who didn’t really trust she should be a leader just yet.  But the Father kept encouraging, keep at it.

The second year our group actually fizzled out. I didn’t know what to do, how to “fix” it. So, I cried out for help.

The loneliness returned and I despaired.

Moms Who Gather, simple fellowship, sweet fellowship, moving, loneliness, friendship

Then a neighbor invited me to join a group of women who were going to clean up the community parks.  We spent the summer scraping paint, picking up trash, using our shovels, and dreaming up grand plans.  With sweat on our brows, we chatted and laughed, stopping here and there to calm a needy child or give some correction.  They became friends to me, these volunteers, these giving women.

So that Fall, I decided to try once more for that space I wanted, a space to just be real with some mama friends – no need for makeup or jewelry, clean houses or nice clothes. Just some adult conversation in a comfortable place – an informal gathering for an informal crew.

Now we gather, almost every week.

We aren’t many, but the fellowship is sweet. We talk of babies and toddlers, problems at school and problems at home. We talk of husbands we love and house chores we hate. We even talk politics sometimes. No subject is off-limits.

And lately we talk an awful lot about Jesus, too.

It’s so simple, yet so much more than I planned from the start because it came from Him, these gifts -my friends, my people.

We gather,

and He blesses every time.

Jen 🙂

I’m joining back up with the Five Minute Friday group this week after a looooong absence, and boy do I feel rusty!  If you’re new around here, FMF is when a large group of us free-write on a one-word prompt for only five minutes (well, some of us are known to stretch the rules a little) – no planning, no editing, no stressing. 🙂  If you want, come join us over at Kate Motaung’s place!

Also sharing with:

Grace and Truth

Filed Under: Christianity, Uncategorized, Women of Faith Tagged With: Christ-centered living, Christian Women, Encouragement, Fellowship, Five Minute Friday, friends, Gather

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 8
  • Next Page »

Hi, I'm Jen: a work in progress. I'm imperfect - a mom of four, pastor's wife, discipler, and sinner saved only by grace. I like to sing, read, write, teach, and smile. I have a heart for encouraging women everywhere to understand God's limitless love for them and what His grace means for everyday living. Welcome! :) Read More…

Contact Me

jstults[at]beingconfidentofthis[dot]com

Reader Favorites:

  • Why Reading Isn't Enough ~ Study the Bible
    Why Reading Isn't Enough ~ Study the Bible
  • Six Practical Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive
    Six Practical Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive
  • 6 More Benefits of Studying God's Word
    6 More Benefits of Studying God's Word
  • For the Wife Who's Not in Love Anymore
    For the Wife Who's Not in Love Anymore
  • The Secret to Being a Warrior Wife
    The Secret to Being a Warrior Wife
  • Painted Red: The Significance of the Passover
    Painted Red: The Significance of the Passover
  • How to Study the Bible: 4 Resources
    How to Study the Bible: 4 Resources
  • Much Ado about Missions: 8 Resources for Teaching Missions
    Much Ado about Missions: 8 Resources for Teaching Missions

Join the facebook page for everyday encouragement!

Join the facebook page for everyday encouragement!

Share This Blog:

Facebook Twitter More...

Follow Me on Pinterest

Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.
Hope for the Hurting Wife: 30 Days of Practical Encouragement for Your Marriage.   marriage book|difficult marriage|husband|wife|hard times in marriage|marriage encouragement

Categories

New devotional release from Jen Stults - Being Confident of This: 30 Days to Discovering Your Identity in Christ. This book is for every Christian woman who wants to walk in confident faith instead of struggling with doubt, fear, and insecurity! self-esteem | self-confidence | self-help | motivational | personal growth | spiritual growth | how to be more confident | Christian women | devotional | Bible study | identity in Christ | superwoman myth | being like Mary

Copyright © 2023 | Crave Theme by The Pixelista | Built on the Genesis Framework