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Beyond Religion: The Vital Necessity of Knowing God's Word for Yourself
In our journey of faith, it's easy to fall into the trap of religion - going through the motions, depending on others for spiritual nourishment, and neglecting our own personal relationship with God. But in these days, it's more crucial than ever that we move beyond religion and into a vibrant, life-giving connection with our Heavenly Father.
The Danger of Secondhand Faith
Don't get me wrong - pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders are vital gifts to the Body of Christ. They are called to equip us, guide us, and point us to truth (Ephesians 4:11-12). But they were never meant to be a substitute for our own direct relationship with God.
The Truth That Sets Us Free: My Journey of Healing and Hope
Hello dear friend,
As I share parts of my story with you, I want you to know that I'm writing not from a place of being stuck in the past, but from a place of healing and freedom. The hurts I once carried no longer weigh me down, and that's all thanks to the transformative power of Jesus Christ.
As I prepare to launch my book "Blooming in the Shadows," I want to share with you that I am no longer stuck in the pain of my past. Once I brought my wounds into the light, I felt a tremendous weight lift from my soul. Of course, the enemy still tries to sneak in and stir up old fears, but I cling to this truth: I have given all my trauma and baggage to Jesus, the ultimate Healer. I believe wholeheartedly that the more I share my story, the more healing is released - for myself and for others. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. If I felt that His sacrifice wasn't enough to cover my past and sins, then what would have been the point of it all?
Salvation: The Doorway to Your Royal Inheritance
When we think of salvation, we often focus on the moment of our initial decision to follow Christ. We celebrate the forgiveness of sins, the assurance of eternal life, and the joy of being reconciled to God. And rightly so! Salvation is an incredible gift, purchased for us by the precious blood of Jesus.
But here's the beautiful truth: salvation is just the beginning. It's the doorway into a life of unimaginable blessing, authority, and purpose in Christ. It's the start of a journey into the fullness of our royal inheritance as children of the King.
The Beautiful Garden of the Gospel: Understanding the Good News of Jesus
In the midst of life's thorns and thistles, it's easy to lose sight of the breathtaking beauty of the gospel. But when we pause to really soak in the good news of Jesus, it has the power to transform even the most barren landscapes of our hearts into flourishing gardens of hope.
What is the Gospel?
The word "gospel" literally means "good news." It's the announcement that, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him and experience the abundant life He always intended.
When Storms Come to Your Garden: Finding Peace in Life's Challenges
Hi there, garden friends. Jennifer here with a bit of encouragement for when the skies of life turn gray.
Last week, we talked about tending to the new growth in your spiritual garden through simple daily practices. But what happens when storms roll in unexpectedly, threatening to uproot all that tender progress?
Uprooting Sin: The Vital Difference Between Confession and Repentance
In our spiritual gardens, sin is like a weed that threatens to choke out new growth. It's tempting to simply acknowledge its presence and move on, but true freedom requires a deeper uprooting. This is where understanding the difference between confession and repentance becomes vital.
Confession: Acknowledging the Weed
Confession is the first step in dealing with sin. It's the act of agreeing with God about the reality of our transgression. In 1 John 1:9, we're told, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Glimpses into Creative Healing: Where Art Meets Heart
Sometimes healing doesn't look like we expect. Sometimes it looks like spilled paint, torn paper, and colors that won't stay inside the lines.
A Peek Into the Process
I remember the first time I let myself create without rules. Sitting with my watercolors, tears mixing with paint, I watched as God turned my mess into something meaningful. It wasn't about the art - it was about the heart.
Encountering Jesus in the Garden of Your Mind
Hello dear friend! It's Jennifer again, and I'm so glad you've joined me today. I want to share something very close to my heart - how meeting with Jesus in our memories can bring profound healing.
After I was baptized in the Spirit, I began learning that Jesus is in everything, that He was present in every traumatic experience I had gone through. So I started to practice rewiring those experiences by closing my eyes, going back to those moments, and asking Him to reveal Himself to me there.
My Testimony
Hello! Jennifer here again, and I am so grateful that you have come to read the blog.
I have been intentional with these blogs that I don't focus on self but on adding value to you, my dear reader. With that said, I want you to know the things I write about are things that I have learned through revelation in my time with God, whether reading the Bible or through personal experiences. Trust me, a mere few years ago, I had no idea what the Old and New Testament meant, who Esther was, nor could I tell you Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were the Gospels.
Moving from Fear to Faith: Tending Your Garden in the Storm
I used to think faith meant never feeling afraid. Now I understand that faith is what grows in the garden of our hearts when we bring our fears to Jesus.
The Storms We Face
Like sudden weather changes in a garden, fear can arrive unexpectedly:
• Health concerns shadow our peace
• Financial worries freeze our joy
• Relationship struggles uproot our confidence
• Future uncertainties cloud our vision
Understanding God's Heart for Healing: A Garden Love Story
Have you ever wondered what God really thinks about your healing journey? About your broken places, your slow progress, your two-steps-forward-one-step-back dance of growth?
Let me share what I'm learning about the tender heart of our Gardener God.
The Father's Garden Heart
Like any master gardener, our Father doesn't expect instant blooms. He knows:
• Every seed has its season
• Growth happens underground first
• Storms can strengthen roots
• Pruning leads to abundance
When Church Hurt Meets Mother Wounds: Finding Healing in God's Garden
Sometimes healing comes in unexpected ways, revealing wounds we didn't even know we carried.
My journey with mother wounding started early - those deep childhood hurts that shape how we see ourselves, others, and even God. But it wasn't until my faith began deepening that I discovered another layer: church hurt. While I didn't grow up in church, I've come to understand that church hurt, like mother wounds, affects us all in different ways. None of us are untouched.
Sacred Garden Tools: Simple Growth Practices for Busy Moms
As a mom, finding time for spiritual growth can feel like trying to plant a garden in a hurricane. Between sticky fingers, endless laundry, and "Mom, watch this!" moments, how do we nurture our souls? Today, let's explore some practical tools that fit into the beautiful chaos of motherhood.
Tending Your First Garden Seeds: Simple Steps for Sacred Moments
Hi friend, Jennifer here again. After our first exploration of finding safety in God's garden, I've been touched by how many of you shared your initial garden experiences with me. Today, let's dig a little deeper (garden pun intended!) into making these sacred moments part of your daily life.
What Biblical Inner Healing Really Is (And Isn't)
What Biblical Inner Healing Really Is (And Isn't)
In a world full of healing crystals, manifestation journals, and "good vibes only," it's crucial to understand what Biblical inner healing truly means. As someone who has walked this journey, let me invite you into God's garden of truth and transformation.
Finding Safety in God's Garden:Your Journey Begins
What Does Spiritual Safety Feel Like?
God's Garden vs. World's Chaos
In our world of constant notifications, deadlines, and demands, peace can feel impossible to find. But God's garden offers something different. Think of stepping from a busy street into a walled garden - the noise fades, your shoulders relax, you can finally breathe. This is what God's presence offers our spirits. While the world speaks pressure and performance, His garden whispers rest and renewal.
Blooming with Jesus: Where Broken Seeds Become Beautiful Gardens
🌸Have you ever felt like a seed buried in darkness, waiting to bloom? That's exactly where I found myself not too long ago. As a photographer who spent years capturing other people's precious moments - newborns, growing families, expectant mothers - I was telling everyone else's story while my own creative spirit lay dormant, buried under years of rejection and wounds.
Unlock Your Artistic Superpowers with These Vibrant Custom Colors
As an artist, there's nothing quite like discovering your own unique color palette. Those special hues that just feel like you.
Well, get ready to uncover your new favorite pinks and greens with the help of color expert Jennifer Mehling. In her latest tutorial, Jennifer shares the secrets to mixing luscious, vibrant shades from just a few key base colors.
"The magic is in the mixing!" Jennifer says. "Don't be afraid to get in there and play. Start with your strong base colors, then gradually build and adjust until you've created your very own signature shades."
