JEN SEVERN'S BLOG

We gave Kristina an awesome going away gift!  It is easy and a great memory.  According to Kristina, “It was one of the best gifts she has ever gotten.” We did the same thing for Scott’s Grandma’s 90th birthday. She was delighted. If you want a meaningful lovely gift here is an idea that will knock it out of the park.  It is a gift from all  their friends not just one friend and, this makes the gift heart-warming and a true treasure. Here are the supplies you need: A 3 ring photo album for 8.5×11 pages 1 ream of 8.5×11 White Card Stock 9×12 envelopes 10x 13 envelopes The addresses from your friend who is moving of their friends that they would have coffee or a meal with.  Their friends whom they hang out with. Stamps (for both the inner and outer envelopes) 8.5×11 page protectors Directions: 1.  Ask your friend who is moving for the addresses of her friends who she would have coffee or a meal with. 2.  The number of addresses she gives...

Amy and I are reading the book, “The Hole In Our Gospel”.  It is powerful.  One of the most inspiring and eye opening books that I have read in a long time.  It is changing my world view.  I challenge, encourage all of you to get it, get the study guide that goes with it, get the six week challenge book.  It is rich!  It’s empowering, eye opening, great book.  Before I go on I say, do it! Here is a link for more info: www.theholeinourgospel.com My prayer for us today: “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision. “We may think God wants actions of a certain kind, but God wants people of a certain sort.”  C.S. Lewis I hope you are all enjoying your summer so far!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite quotes from the book   Love and War  by John and Staci Eldredge and my own thoughts on love this Valentine’s Day at the end.  Love and War was a great read!  Scott and I read it together.  We need to do that.  It gets us talking and thinking about our life and marriage.  We usually feel more connected, motivated and honestly prepared to deal with the next challenge life has for us.  One of the best things for us that came from this book is, to remember to pray together because, God has answers for us!  Instead of us leading the charge, lets pray and see what God thinks.  It takes some pressure off us and, we are seeking his way together.  Well, on to my favorite quotes.  I hope you enjoy them.  I hope you get the book!  If a marriage book isn’t for you, try  The Sacred Romance  by John Eldredge.  It’s really rich.  It’s not weird (it kin...

I want to sincerely thank all the men and women serving in the United States Military.  This book reminded me of the great sacrifice and service each of you undergo to protect and defend our country.  You have my full support and gratitude.  Thank you and your families for your service! This in an incredible story of survival, grit and friendship.  I found as I read, I was again reminded how proud I am to be an American and how blessed we really are.  This book told  a piece of a few young men’s stories and I am changed by their courage.  It’s a great story on what it looks like to be a community when things get tough.  There are emotional bonds tied, both on US soil and during war in Afghanistan when one chooses, to rally around friends who are going through a personal hell.  Lutturell tells an great story in his book of war, courage, friendship and even a little faith.  One of the best b...

I have been reading John Pipers book called  The Passion of Jesus Christ; Fifty Reasons Why He Came To Die . It has been an encouraging read in getting my head wrapped around why Jesus had to die and what is the big deal about Easter in the Christian faith. I have put the opening scripture that John Piper starts his book off with and then added part of the introduction.  You can download this book for free at John Piper’s web site.  I hope where ever you are in your faith journey that this book will encourage you.  I know it has been encouraging me!  If you are just checking Jesus out, this is a great philosophical read.  I hope you have a wonderful Easter.  He has risen, conquered sin and death for you and for me.  Jesus did not save us when we had it all together, but he died for us while we were living in sin.  He loves you and me.  There is nothing, not one big bad thing in your life that Jesus’ blood can not wash away....

Happy Easter!  Celebrate, Christ has RISEN!  Today is Book Club post day, and I am going to recommend a book that I have not read–going out on a limb, but a small one, since it’s a book that several people have mentioned to me in the last few weeks.  They have said it’s a quick read, but a great glimpse into the future God promises those who love him.  It’s called:   Heaven is For Real .  It is a story of a young boy who during emergency surgery dies and visits heaven, is brought back to life by modern medicine, and lives to share what he saw (as told by his Dad).  With today being Easter, I thought this was a great selection!  Look at the parallels–both Jesus and Colton were alive on Earth, both died, both were brought back to life–one by modern medicine, one by God (or maybe both by God…)  Both Jesus and Colton live to tell us Heaven is for real.  One lived to tell us about his visit, and one l...

I just finished one of the BEST Bible study books I have done in a LONG, LONG time.  This study is a great guide on how to read your Bible and actually get something out of it.  It’s simple and it’s not at all stifling or stuffing a bunch of rules at you; it’s really refreshing.  This would be a great Bible Study book to do over the summer with your friends.  It’s called  Can We Talk? soul-stirring conversations with God by Priscilla Shirer . There is a video to go with it.  We enjoyed that as well.  Her Bible Study method is full of grace and it’s great for busy women.  She shows you how to have 15 meaningful minutes with God.  I am going to share a bit from her book, but I can’t do it justice.  It’s worth getting!  It doesn’t matter if you have never cracked a Bible or if you have been studying it for years.  It’s a refreshing perspective having conversations with God. Priscilla talks about “The 5 Ps of Hearing God thro...