Faith Without Borders Welcome!

Welcome to “Faith Without Borders: Everyday (In)couragement Wherever You Are”!

We’re so glad you’re here! :-)

Here are your next steps for joining up with us and assuring that you are connected to us in every way possible. Please be sure to complete each step and let us know if you encounter any challenges or have questions. This is new for us, too! We are here to help and want you to get connected with the greatest of ease.

• Make a friend request to Jessica Stinson or Sarah Tummey on Facebook by clicking the link. From there, you will be added to a private group for “Faith Without Borders”.  If you have not used a private group on Facebook before, have no worries! It's very simple and we’ll all learn together as we go.

• Once you are on the group page, please go to the "Notifications" bar, next to tools and help, and select 'all posts'. This way you won't miss out on anything. :)

• Introduce yourself! This (in)courage community is focused on “Everyday Faith”. We hope to create a place where people from all walks of life come together. Tell us about yourself – feel free to share as much or little as you’re comfortable with. We are so excited to meet you!

This Facebook group page will be our meeting place. A virtual cozy coffee shop, if you will. So, pull up a chair and make yourself at home!

During our time together, we will also be reading & sharing Lysa TerKeurst’s book, “Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions”. We would love for you to read and share along with us, but if you don’t have the book that is O.K too!

If you are sincerely interested in reading along and purchasing the book is a hardship for you OR if you are interested in blessing a fellow group member with the purchase of a book, please send a private Facebook message or email to Jessica Stinson (myglasshalffull@outlook.com).

Each week, Sarah & I will be posting on our blogs from the book and linking those posts to the Facebook group page. You’ll find a schedule for the postings under the “File” tab.

We will use our personal blogs for in-depth chapter reviews each week. The Facebook group page is where the on-going, interactive “conversations” and daily (in)couragements will take place.

We pray that you will find (in)couragement, hope, & inspiration within this community – just as we have found with one another and our other fellow (in)couragers.

 - Jessica and Sarah

Unglued

If you asked me to use 5 words to describe myself, "emotional" would definitely make the list.

I don't see that as a negative characteristic, although learning to manage the emotions continues to be a journey. It's what makes me care so much and be so passionate about certain things. It makes me sensitive and empathetic. It's the thing that connects me with others beyond a surface level.

But, just like every coin, being emotional has two sides. Those very characteristics that make me compassionate and empathetic are the very ones that get in the way when it comes to having to make logical decisions. My emotions are usually pretty raw and right on the surface. I do not bury things too deep and I definitely would not make it in the professional poker world. I've learned that I have to give myself at least a day or two to let things soak in and emotions settle before I can make a smart, sound decision where matters of the heart are concerned. Is that the case for you, too?

So, when I was asked by the gals at (in)courage to lead a group of people through a book study with a focus on everyday faith, "Unglued: Making Wise Decisions In the Midst of Raw Emotions" by Lysa TurKeurest seemed like a natural choice. And it's no coincidence that I could use this message in my personal life right about now as well!

The book study begins on October 2nd and goes through December 2nd. My new-found friend and co-leader, Sarah Tummey, and I will be reading and studying the book. Each week, Sarah and I will post about chapters on our personal blogs and facilitate discussion on a private Facebook group page.

We'd love for you to join us! Young or old, married or single, male or female - at the heart of us, we are all the same. "Faith Without Borders - (In)couragement Wherever You Are" is a group that will lift you up and focus on strengthening your everyday faith. You'll find a strand of your story woven into the stories of others.

Want to join us at "Faith Without Borders"? Come on over...

31 Days of Finding Joy - Day 1

What a day to start this project. I decided to participate in the 31 Days of writing and picked a topic weeks ago. I didn't realize that today, the first day of writing, would be the kind of day it has been.

Finding joy is just what I need to do. If you had watched this play out on TV, you'd be expecting me to say "Screw it. There isn't anything good about this day." And that is what I would have done at one point in my life. But not today.

Today, the disappointments and let downs of the day pale in comparison to the joy in my life. And that is all about the way I am choosing to see things. I am letting the wonderful, joyful things shine brightly and that is where my gaze is set.

My joy for today - genuine friendship, sincere connection.

People that are courageous enough to be vulnerable. A respect for the knowledge and perspective you bring. True collaborations that seek to foster community. Understanding that together we are more than we could ever be standing alone.

God has given me new perspectives on my relationships. I am changed. Some relationships have endured and changed too. Others, sadly, have not.

Today, I realize that to get where I am going some things have to be left behind... my pride, my need for approval from key people in my life, and some relationships.

I thank Him for every relationship and the lessons He has taught me through them. 

That is my joy for Day 1!