Flying Solo

Fridays with Ken

What I love about the Shepherds is they were the lowest of the low. Some people, because they’re gifts aren’t “seen” or don’t play out on a larger stage, view their role as insignificant thus offering this beautiful life God has given them, little participation. What is in the place of the often “hidden” offering that is so valuable?

Simplicity gives the freedom of availability.  Jesus was a carpenter that was able to touch so many lives.  Ministry is all around us because hurting people are all around us.  We bring too much of our western mindset to our thinking about what is valuable.

 

What can we do to realize that every gift is not only viable but also needed?

If we focus our energy on loving the way Jesus does then we would see that every gift is just a vehicle for love…and it’s love that brings transformation.  When I’m working in my gifts my focus is far more on loving who is in front of me than trying to figure out how I can help them.

Ken Edwards is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and has earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Master of Arts in Religious Education of Southwestern Seminary. But his discernment matches his education and for me often the greater gift. He lives with his wife Janet and three children in Franklin, Tennessee. And this is him enjoying what he loves, the mountains in Wyoming. Except he's usually behind the camera. And he has been kind enough to spend Friday’s with us. What he is offering us regarding his time is a gift. I hope we will take advantage of it.

 

Got Question's for Ken? Email your questions to [email protected]

 

 

Thursday Thumbprint

One of the things that I love to do at the end of every year is look back over the year before and see all the beautiful ways God has moved in my life. I love to recount “our lovestory” if you will.

In the months of July-September I worked on a new Fiction Book. The hardest one I had ever written. And each morning I needed God to show up- Because I had no idea what I was going to write next. And He did…

I also enjoyed the beauty of taking a season off from Bible Study- and watched as he began to knit my heart together with my “bonus” children. And I watched as He began to help me identify the remaining places in my heart that needed to heal…gently, and lovingly.

Look back over the months of July-Sept of this past year- and identify what God has given you to enjoy and love- What have been his Thumbprints on your year?

Wednesday 1 on 1 with Lou cont........

What have you come to treasure the most about being single? 
     
My singleness is a great gift from God.  I am complete in Him and able to study and minister and travel.  I have my family to gather around me.  I miss my husband greatly.  It is as if I lost one half of my memory when he passed away.  I miss his companionship.  We were terrific traveling buddies.  And, another person to share with would be lovely.  Only time will answer whether that is a reality or not.

 

    We are talking about faith this month as well and the faith it took for all of the players in Jesus’ birth…Mary, Joseph, the wise men, the shepherds. What has your personal faith played in your story?

    From the answers I've already given you can see that I am faith-driven.  I have decided to place all of my faith in the righteousness of Jesus for me and His Word in my mouth and in my heart.  It is my existence and reason for living.

    When do you feel you have had to trust God in your life more than any other?

    Today.

Tuesday Tips

I’m sharing in our tips four of the most valuable things I’ve heard in regards to Faith and Life…

 

Coach to his team in the movie Cool Running- when they wanted to win the Gold Medal “If you’re not enough without it, you will never be enough with it.”

Monday Musings

Remember…. we are launching an all new Flying Solo on Monday January 3rd! We will no longer host it at this address. Instead you will find it by going to my main website and clicking on the “Flying Solo” button on the home page or by going to www.denisehildrethjones.com/flyingsolo

Our goal is to make this a more interactive-community. The journey of singleness is such an amazing ride and we have so much to learn from each other in our experiences. So, that is what we are hoping to create for you.

Now back to our Christmas story. There were some other characters at Jesus’ birth that night. They were shepherds…the lowest of the lows. There was no lower occupation than that of Shepherd. And yet while they were doing what they do…angels showed up and declared that they were invited to the most amazing party anyone would ever witness. And in that moment they believed. And their faith allowed them to witness the birth of Jesus.

I believe this is a beautiful reminder to those of us who serve faithfully where we are planted…God will show up in the middle of that kind of faithfulness and allow us to witness the extraordinary in the ordinary. So many of us live the quiet lives. The ones that never get applause, but without them the world would never run as smoothly as it does. And so faithfully, each day we serve with the best of our gifts and the best of our time and the best of our hearts. And in the middle of our service I am certain God has and will continue to show up in the ordinary place…

Don’t ever negate what feels insignificant…because to God nothing is insignificant. And the faithful, no matter the vocation, always get invited to the party…if they’re willing to believe.

 

Sunday Reflections

This is your time. Reflect with us about your week, your friends, or what God has become to you. This is your space. Your time.