October 01, 2010
Helping You Find Your True Beauty!
October 1, 2010
A Peek Inside Today's Issue...
- Stepping off the high dive
- Free teen girl devos
- Supporting Each Other
- Stories of Hope
- New Audio Podcasts
1. Stepping off the high dive: taking risks
This month we are taking a big step of faith. I have officially resigned my position as a Physical Therapist as of September 22nd in order to have more flexibility to travel, speak and minister with my husband CJ. Starting September 22nd, my status changed to prn at the hospital, which is similar to a substitute. I will work weekends and fill-in for therapists that are sick or on vacation.
The way I describe it to people is like this: I am standing on the edge of a high dive getting ready to jump off. I know it will be exciting, but I'm still scared to jump off. 1, 2, 3...ready or now, here we go!!!
And yet God is teaching me so much through this time. He is teaching me to relinquish the control of my life and trust Him to lead us and provide for us. He is teaching me that security in life does not come from a paycheck every two weeks but from Him. He is teaching me to care more about what He thinks about me than what other people think. He is teaching me faith.
And He is showing me that I don't need to give in to fear, doubt and unbelief. That what we are doing right now is making ourselves available to Him. Then, He can lead and direct us from here. We are opening our lives and our schedules to be available for whatever He leads us to do.
For example, as doors open for us to speak, we will be on the road traveling as "Tramps for the Lord." However, when we are home, CJ can accept jobs to substitute teach and I can work prn at the hospital.
However, if at some point God leads me to take another physical therapy job, I can do that. Or if He leads me to take a 3-month travel therapy job, I can do that. And if He opens up doors for us to travel and speak full time, great! If not, we are confident that He will lead us in the next steps and provide for us every step of the way.
Very. Exciting. Times.
I don't think we'll ever look back on our lives and regret making this decision. However, I think if we don't take this step, we could someday look back and ask ourselves, "What if..." "What if we had taken that step of faith...what could have been? What did God want to accomplish through our lives?" We don't want to live with any regrets. Therefore, we are ready to take this step of faith and allow God to lead us.
How about you? What is God asking you to do? It may be something small. It may be something big. Whatever it is, we encourage you to listen for His still, small voice...and then obey.
"Then Jesus said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."' Luke 9:23
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2. Free Teen Girl Devotionals
Have you signed up for our free teen girl devotionals yet? They are encouragement from God's word each day to help you in your journey to find your true beauty. Almost 500 girls have signed up already...sign up at the link below and tell your friends:
3. Supporting Each Other
FindYourTrueBeauty.com was created to be a place to help and be helped. It's designed to be a community of girls and women finding their true beauty in Christ. Here are some ways people are reaching out to one another and encouraging each other!
How to Stay Pure When You Know He's the One
4. Stories of Hope
Many girls and women share their stories on my website to offer hope. If you need encouragement, read a few of these powerful testimonies today!
5. New Audio Podcasts Be encouraged to find your true beauty in Christ with these short teachings! You can listen or download the PDF transcript if you prefer to read :)
Are you thriving or just surviving?
Having a youth retreat or conference?
Bring CJ and Shelley to Your Next Event!
Finally...
Has this website encouraged you? Do you have any comments or ideas? If so, I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this e-mail and tell me what you think!
And help us by spreading the word. Tell your friends to check out www.FindYourTrueBeauty.com and to sign up for this newsletter. In doing so, you'll be giving her a gift...a free PDF copy of my book, "Mirror Mirror Am I Beautiful."
Helping you find your true beauty in Christ,
Shelley