JEN SEVERN'S BLOG

This morning I started my day off reading an article from the Harvard Business Review  The Best Leaders Have Contagious Positive Energy.  In there it talks about, " What Makes Positively Energizing Leaders So Successful? There is a botanical term for these results: the heliotropic effect. That’s the phenomenon whereby plants naturally turn toward and grow in the presence of light. In nature, light is the life-giving force; photosynthesis occurs only in its presence. Human beings have the same inherent attraction toward life-giving and life-supporting energy. This form of energy is what you receive — and give — in relationships with others.Decades of research shows that this positive relational energy nourishes us and makes us come alive."   This morning I am thinking about LIGHT. Jen's Weekly Mini Bible Study What is a light that you enjoy being around?   Jen: I love the sunset and sunrise.   Are you a plant person? Have you seen plants turn towards the sun? Did...

 Have you read First Lie Wins? I loved it! It's a thriller that keeps you guessing. There are lots of twists and it's not too graphic, I like that. It was great! Coyote Sunrise was a well told story. It's written for elementary aged kids. It's a good story, but honestly there are a bunch of touching hard stories in it, which is great, but I like to read to escape... so it was too slow and sad for me... I'm not saying it's not good, because it is... it's just not my jam.  I keep track of all the books I read on Goodreads! I give stars out... I'm Jen Severn on Goodreads! Hope to see you there! 

  Jen's Weekly mini  Bible Study MINI BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK WITH JEN   When you do Bible study with me… I’m going to ask you…  WHO IS GOD?  WHO IS JESUS?  WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT according to this passage. IF GOD IS who he says he is…. what is your I AM… your identity… from God’s perspective? God if you are…. then I am….   Take time to read this story in  Mark 5:24-34  (in more than one version of you like. It’s at the end here for you too). It’s 10 verses. It’s a story told from Mark’s perspective. He quotes Jesus. The red letters are some of my favorite. Some Bibles print what Jesus said, in red. SHARE WITH US: what you learned about who God/Jesus/HS is & who you are from God’s perspective… I shared my take away in photos & Devo below.   DEVO FROM JEN Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Me too. When I’m overwhelmed I want power over the situation. For a minute think about power. When you think of power what do you think of? I think ...

  Habits to Heal You can't drive forward if you are always looking in your mirrors. Where you fix your eyes… it matters.   This week I decided to take a break from social media. Here's why:  One I saw a Matthew McConaughey ad that said, “can you just take 3 months to take care of yourself. Turn it all off. Focus on you.” I honestly look at Social Media a little like work. In ways I like it. I try to be positive and inclusive, inviting people into what I'm doing like bible study and book club… Real Estate about did me in with Social Media, I was so sick of my own face. It's part of the job, in a way, but man, I don't really like being my own brand. So many people are on social media, and I've tried hard over the years to be a voice of positivity, to be authentic, to point people towards Jesus… but it hasn't happened without people feeling hurt, left out, uninvited, offended, and so many other things. I have done social media and just kept trying… but it's...

  Habits to Heal Live LIFE together. There's a great message from Paul to Timothy where Paul instructs Timothy to find faithful available and teachable people who will train others to invest in. There's a moment between Elijah and Elisha where they literally are life of life and one asks for a double portion of the other's spirit. We see Jesus not just teach but do life with people, with His focus for strength on the Father, but his feet on the ground with people. Don't just share the gospel, share your life.   Who are you doing life with? Today our neighbor was grilling and had leftovers and brought some over for the boys. This weekend friends stayed the night! We made smores. Seek moments of fellowship. Sharing God and life with people in small moments of life.    Praying you find the healing ministry of fellowship.   “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses ent...

      One of my mentors, Cheryl Merridith, once told me her dear friend was battling cancer and it was in stage 4. She encouraged me with this mindset of her friend, “I'll race you to the finish line.” God talks a lot about this race, this call, this life… Run it like it matters.   Everything hinders around eternity and this race marked out for us. But, we know the challenges and distractions, heartbreaks and trials, even just the unseen vs. seen… My point is there's a lot going on.    But I'm convinced nothing is greater than our God.   How we start matters. It's Sunday and I started like this… I listened to the devotional for Sugar Fast 2 times. It's short. I listened to Lectio 365 a few times while I was at the gym. I listened to worship after that. While I was at the gym my friend texted me saying she was at Red Rocks and it's so good. She needs me to listen to that and something else she has been thinking about. So, on my way to church I listened ...