Welcome Letter

Welcome from the Editor

New years and anniversaries give us a moment to pause and reflect on what is behind us. And my guess is if I were to have a heart to heart with you, most of you would have incredible stories of God’s fingerprints of faithfulness all over your lives. That is certainly true for my life and it couldn’t be more true for the ministry of Just Between Us. Thirty years ago, no one—publishing executives, sometimes our own team, and many others—thought it was possible to run a magazine with a handful of part-time staff with mostly volunteers (over 30 to be exact)! But here we are celebrating 30 years of ministry to women all over the world—you! Without God’s faithfulness which, by the way, we’ve chosen to be our word for the year, we would not be here. Without your faithfulness to us, we would not be here. When I think about how faithfulness is one of the characteristics of God’s nature, I am so deeply grateful and sobered at the same time. Grateful because the God of the Universe chooses to be faithful to me through the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between—even when I am unfaithful to Him. Because of who He is, His character cannot be anything but faithful to you and me. People let us down and we let them down, but we have an intimate God who never lets us down. How refreshing to know that there is someone who we can be certain will do what He says He’s going to do. We don’t have to wonder or doubt—even though we do at times. Everything He does is an outflow of His faithfulness—He’s reliable, dependable, consistent, and loyal. He will never stray from

who He is. But most importantly, at the heart of God’s faithfulness is His great love for you and me. Deuteronomy 7:8 says, “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Let that sink in…He is the faithful God, the keeper of His covenant of love to every single one of us.

So as you leaf through the pages of this issue, I want you to realize that you are holding faithfulness in your hands. God has not only been faithful to you our faithful JBU family through the years, but also to our new family members who are about to embark on this faithfulness journey with us for the first time. We are so glad you’ve joined us!

It’s my prayer that this issue will point you to God’s faithfulness in your life in new and deeper ways. Author Jane Rubietta kicks off our faithfulness year with her wonderful article, “Finding God Faithful in All Our Unknowns” on page 22. And we were privileged to sit down with JBU founder Jill Briscoe who challenges us to faithfully finish the race all the way home in “Faith Conversations” on page 18. Let’s take some time this new year to recount the past faithfulness of God in our lives and lift up our hearts to Him in gratitude, and to be on the lookout for His faithfulness in the coming days. May we celebrate our always faithful God! And we celebrate you our faithful JBU family of readers.

Rejoicing in God’s faithfulness,

Contents vol 30 no 2 SPRING 2020

14 How to Start the New Year Off Well What if you started with how you want the year to end, then worked backwards? by Catriona Futter

22 Finding God Faithful in All Our Unknowns How God interrupts our everydayness with His unchanging presence. by Jane Rubietta

In celebration of our 30th ministry anniversary, we will be giving you a peek into the past in each issue this year! Look for this logo.

26 Losing at the Guilt Game Learn how to recognize and reject false guilt so you can be set free! by Lisa T. Grimes

28 Riding the Waves Six steps to navigate the aftermath of crises with the ultimate life preserver. by Sylvia Schroeder

Begin at the End to Start Your New Year by Catriona Futter, pg 14 ENCOURAGING & EQUIPPING WOMEN FOR A LIFE OF FAITH www.justbetweenus.org

FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS call toll-free 800-260-3342, or

Faithful in All Our Unknowns by Jane Rubietta, pg 22

visit our website

1 just between us SPRING 2020 26 Winning the Guilt Battle 28 6 Steps for Navigating a Crisis 30 How Big is Your God? 32 Soothe Your Soul with Songs

justbetweenus.org. From Canada call 262-786-6478.

30 Stargazing Have you been standing on a promise, but things look worse instead of better? Remember life-giving power is released through faith in a big God. by Debbie W. Wilson

30 Years in Print!

A Time to Celebrate God’s Faithfulness

It’s been 30 years since God took founder Jill Briscoe’s dream for women around the globe to be spiritually encouraged through the written word and made it a reality. Just Between Us has been a faithful lifeline and friend to readers in every state in the U.S. and in over 65 countries—and it has been a great privilege for our staff and volunteers to walk alongside you. What an amazing journey we have been on together—and all because of God’s faithfulness. Hours have been devoted to bringing you biblically based articles that God’s Spirit would use to refresh your spirit, challenge and uplift your heart, and draw you ever closer to God and His great love for you. We thank you, our dear readers, for your faithfulness to us, and your loyalty, encouragement, and prayers. We would not be here celebrating this incredible milestone without you! It is an honor to be your friend and encourager through these pages year after year. “Together we have shared in the blessings of God” (Philippians 1:3). Great is His Faithfulness!

Contents vol 30 no 2 SPRING 2020

03

INSPIRATION

Welcome Letter 3

Joni’s Corner 8

Living on Purpose 10

Transparent Moments 11

Bits & Pieces 12

CREDITS

Advisory Board Anita Carman Pam Farrel Judy Briscoe Golz Nancy Grisham Pam MacRae Elizabeth Murphy Jackie Oesch Stephanie Seefeldt Founder/ Executive Editor Jill Briscoe Editor Shelly Esser General Manager Mary Perso Assistant Editor Suzan Braun Web Director Mary Ann Prasser Editorial Assistants Aubrey Adams Carol Becwar Ann Cook Constance B. Fink Gayle Gengler Betty Hinds Cherry Hoffner Melinda Papador Jen Symmonds Danae Templeton Susan Vanselow Art Director Kelly Perso Circulation Manager Suzan Braun Web Debbie Wicker Renewals Manager Nancy Krull Marketing Julie Santiago Director of Mission Advancement/ Social Media Ashley Schmidt Subscriptions Rebecca Loesche Julie Matthews Mary Richards Lin Sebena Software Support Rebecca Loesche Photographer Wayde Peronto/ Babboni Photography

24

FEATURES

18

FA I T H CONVERSATIONS

All the Way Home Jill Briscoe is still walking in obedience to finish strong. by Shelly Esser with Danae Templeton 18

In the Process of Time Some of God’s greatest gifts are found in the waiting rooms of our lives. by Lisa Elliott 24

Soothe Your Soul with Songs The healing power of music. by Terry Powell 32

Rooted in the Storm No matter the weather, God grounds our soul. by Kelly Fowler 36

38 ENCOURAGEMENT

The Homefront 38

Mental Health 40

NEW

ADVERTISING Ellie Dunn For more information call 856.582.0690 ext. 2# or email ellie@carldunn.com. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscription Price: $19.95 per year for four issues. Outside US, add $6 per year prepaid US currency; $5 in Canada. Gift Your Ministries: Group subscriptions are now available at reduced rates. Encourage and inspire the women who make ministry happen at your church or other places of outreach or service to others. Energize their relationships, refresh their faith, and become equipped as a team for facing ministry challenges through JBU. For more information, call 800-260-3342 today!

Real Faith 41

Chronic Hope 42

It Is Well 43

The Deeper Life 44

Between Friends 46

Just Between Us (ISSN 1069-3459) is published quarterly by Just Between Us, 777 South Barker Road, Brookfield, WI 53045-3701. Make all checks and money orders payable to: Just Between Us, Subscription Orders 777 S. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI 53045

To order by phone, or for more information: call 800.260.3342. From Canada call 262.786.6478. Email: jbu@justbetweenus.org Website: www.justbetweenus.org Periodical Postage Paid at Brookfield, WI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Just Between Us, 777 S. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI 53045.

Just Between Us is a member publication of the Evangelical Press Association. Copyright ©2020 by Just Between Us. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. We occasionally share subscriber mailing addresses with select organizations. If you would like your name removed from direct mail promotional lists, please call 800-260-3342 or email jbu@justbetweenus.org.

Soul Refreshment

Let’s make one resolution this year: to anchor ourselves to God’s grace.

~Chuck Swindoll

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lam. 3:21-23

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading. ~Oswald Chambers

This one simple act of beginning each day with God sets each day on the path of wisdom. ~Elizabeth George

We’re most happy when we’re enjoying God and fulfilling His purpose for our life. ~Nancy Wolgemuth

Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God. ~Jim Elliot