Looking Back & Ahead

As I sit back and reflect on the past few weeks, I am grateful.

There are so many things to be grateful for ... not only all that God's done for me as His daughter, but all that I'm seeing Him fulfilling in the lives of women.

God is moving on the lives of women, not simply within our church, but all over the globe. Women are stepping out in faith like never before and realizing the call on their lives by their Father. It's an awesome sight to behold!

Together we are such a powerful force and voice for the kingdom!

I am also grateful for some pretty incredible women that stand behind me and support me through every event, especially Joie de Vivre. I have the greatest, committed team of gals around! And, as Joie de Vivre grows, so does this team. New faces provide even more energy and enthusiasm. I love it!

Thanks to all of you!! 

(You know who you are! ;))

Here are some of the moments that were captured on camera:

More pics on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/joliwomen.

Hope to see you at our next Joli Night, "Coffee & Conversation" - Sunday, July 21st - 6:00 p.m. More information to come!

See our sidebar for all upcoming events!

-Daphne

The beauty of His presence.

 

There are those times when God lets good things happen in such the perfect places in our lives.

  Those times when you think that the whole world is caving in on you;

and God just comes along, picks you up and sets you high above the troubles of life,

to see the beauty of His presence. 

 

Joie De Vivre was that place for me. 

 From coming to the states from our home in Haiti,

to facing many trials from day one of the start of this time in the states,

God reached down and took me out of that sadness and

 showed me a beautiful love of women from all over Louisiana.

From the first time Daphne talked to me about my coming to Joie De Vivre,

there was a peace of knowing that God allowed our paths to cross,

and I knew deep down in my heart that amazing things were to come.

On the first night of Joie De Vivre, I was so nervous. 

 I was in a new place and barely knew anyone,

but yet felt so at home because of the warm welcome I received. 

 I happened to glance up from selling jewelry and my eye caught the donation boxes

 that were overflowing with donations that women brought in for my precious ladies in Haiti,

and my heart swelled with a love for women that I had never met. 

After being so blessed on Friday night, I was even a bit more nervous for Saturday.

 How could it get any better?!

  Yet, I was blessed beyond measure throughout the entire day. 

One lady after another came up to us giving words of encouragement and blessings on our ministry.

There are not enough thank you notes in the world to cover all the "thank you's"

I have in my heart for every lady involved in Joie de Vivre;

every lady who purchased a piece of jewelry,

every lady who brought in donations for my Haitian ladies ministry,

and every lady who gave towards our building fund.

How blessed I was to hear that Joie De Vivre brought in 10% of the needed $80,000!!! 

 I am amazed,

humbled,

and blessed

by everything that was done for me and our ministry in Haiti!

 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

 We look forward to sharing with you as we continue raising funds! 

All of you who had a part, have set the bar for the churches and people that will come after you!

Thank you Daphne for seeing the vision

 and allowing us to show it to all of the ladies involved in Joie De Vivre!

May God bless you in abundance for all of the hard work

and sacrifices made to make Joie De Vivre a tremendous success!

 

 

                                                   -Nikki Jordan

                                     (Gospel for Haiti)

 

Ch. 11-Braveheart

 

 

So,
is anyone else as sad as I am that this book doesn’t
continue for a gazillion more encouraging and challenging chapters?!?!

 

I can’t believe that we are finally finished with all 11 chapters, where did the time go?
 I hope that through this book you have each gained some wisdom and insight to being
Warrior Chicks.
 I know I sure have!

 

Anywho,

onto chapter 11 titled Braveheart.

 

Admit it, like me,
when you first saw the chapter of this title you automatically had a picture in your mind of
 William Wallace as he leads a rebellion against the cruel English ruler.

 

 

 

How amazing are the women who Holly points out within this chapter when it comes to putting aside fear, self doubt and ridicule, to complete their calling and doing the right thing?

 

Ashley Smith, Abigail and Elizabeth Blackwell
were all normal women who overcame the fear of the unknown and the physical threats to themselves and came out on the other side as world changers.
 They went from victim to overcomer.
 A couple may have only had the thought of preserving themselves and their families,
 but what they didn’t realize was that their stories became an encouragement for other
 “normal” women to realize that they CAN overcome their situations and the fear that can sometimes be crippling if they give themselves over to a braveheart.

 

 

Personally, I have this little problem;
it’s called comparing myself to people who I THINK have it all together. 
My failure though, is not realizing what they may have had to overcome to be who they are now.

 

 

Holly reminded me of this when she stated that,
“Every hero in the bible encountered fear”.

 

“Really?” I thought, “You have got to be kidding me!”

But seriously,
 when I read through the scriptures this week,
 time and time again I was pointed to person after person who felt fear right before a big battle or a major change.

Moses did.
He even told God to pick someone who spoke better than he,
but fear and doubt was overcome and he led his people to freedom!

David of course felt fear many times and overcame it!

It even seems to me that Jesus must have felt a tingling of fear before His crucifixion.
 I mean his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane let’s us know that for a split second He would have preferred the quiet life at home sitting next to the hearth rather than face the inevitable.

 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Luke 22:42-44

 

However, I really love what happened...
an angel of the Lord strengthened Jesus.
 If you think about,
 it all of those people within the Bible who faced fear, were strengthened by God.

 

Holly puts it this way,
 “…everyone of them who praised their God destroyed the fear”
 and she later says,
 “Keeping our focus on God destroys fear”.

 

To me that’s a pretty significant statement,
and most of us as believers would agree with that this is so!
 But how often do we live it?

How often through the struggles of life do we praise God in the storms?
Sure, we love to praise Him and love on Him in our good seasons,
 but how often are we thankful for the dry,
tough ones that invariably change our lives and make us stronger?
 

Not nearly as often as we should.

Our God is a big, fearless God!
 

He commands cool angel armies decked out in all sorts of battle gear,

 ready to do battle for YOU!

 

I think you could be brave if you remember that alone.

Though the chapter has less to do with the actual movie Braveheart and more about overcoming fear, or rather in spite of fear, to do what is needed to be done in order to further the purpose God has for you, I couldn’t help but find so many great examples from movies about what Holly talks about in overcoming fear and diversity for a greater cause.

 

I absolutely love Robin Hood, the Kevin Costner version of course.
 There is a line in the movie, which always speaks to me when I think about people overcoming ridiculous odds because of the passion, and heart that they have for the greater cause.
 Robin is in Sherwood Forest after the evil Sheriff of Nottingham has burned out his men’s families and friends, destroyed their homes and their livestock.
They are fed up and want to just pay off the Sheriff so that they can live in peace.
Robin delivers a speech trying to encourage them to fight on when they ask how?
 In their minds they are lowly peasants.
 He then tells them something so significant I think it’s lost on most.

 

He says,
“You wish to end this? You wish to go home? Then we must stop fighting amongst ourselves than face it at the price where it may be dear. I, for one, would rather die than spend my life in hiding. The Sheriff calls us outlaws, but I say we are free. And one free man defending his home is more powerful than ten hired soldiers. Crusades taught me that. I will make you no promises, save one: that when you truly believe in your hearts that you're free, then I say we can win!”

 

At this point Robin knows that to get the men riled up he must ignite their passion to be free!
Which was there cause!
Causes have inspired those who would not normally do so to fight for what is right,
or stand up when everyone else was sitting down.

 

Their cause was what inspired 300 soldiers to defend their country against the invading Persians in the movie of the same number. Their cause was bigger than their fear.

 

I encourage you, find your passion, and let it drive you to your purpose.
 Find a cause that compels you, and when you get there...

 

there will be fear, praise God.

There will be obstacles, praise God.

There will be trials, praise God.

 

And He will bring you through it.

 

Be passionate and be brave warrior chicks.

 

 

                         
                                                               -Amber


 



The Power of Unity

 

 

 

God gave me this topic a few weeks ago.

I toiled with it a little, but I knew that God wanted me to write on the topic of Unity.

When I was ready to write my blog post.

God began to really speak to me on exactly what He wanted me to write about.

I hope that something that I share today will help you.

 

 

 

 

Unity is a powerful tool, that if utilized in the body of Christ,

would make the church more of a powerful entity.

 

Unity is defined as harmony or agreement between people of groups.

Synonyms for unity are oneness, harmony, concord and union.

 

If we read our Bible we will notice that unity is talked about quite often in the scriptures.

 

So, certainly this lets us know that unity is important to God.

 

Eph. 4:1-6 speaks on unity and maturity in the body of Christ.

 

We are to build unity by service to one another.

 

In the Bible, think about when they were with one accord, how God moved in the upper room.

I guarantee God moved so mightily because there was unity in the spirit.

 Acts 2:1-4 talks about how many were filled with the Holy Spirit

 and began to speak with other tongues.

 Praise God. Unity was present. I guarantee it.

 



The Bible also speaks about unity in Deuteronomy 32:30,

one can chase one thousand and two can put ten thousand to flight.

We need that kind of unity in the body of Christ.

There is power in Unity.

If two or three of us can agree upon anything it shall be done.

Matthew 18:19-20.

What are you believing God for today?

Is it healing, deliverance, financially, spiritually, marital or children?

Find two or three friends to touch and agree with you on that thing.

There is power and God is able to do it!!!

There is so much that can be done when we are united.

But the devil doesn’t want to see that. We must be wise because the enemy loves to see us divided.

He doesn't fear anything more than he fears unity in the body of Christ.

The church is one of the places that unity is not exhibited as much as it should be.

But it should be most prevalent in the church.

The Bible speaks more on unity than it does on heaven or hell.

Does that let you know that it is important?

One may ask why doesn’t unity exist? Because of several reasons.

 Here are a few:

1.    Jealousy -

I am not helping his/her vision. Let him/her do it himself. Could be because of friction, because of something someone else said. So many possibilities.

2.    Meanness -

Just simply letting the enemy deceive them that they don’t need to help. When you sow into another man’s vision, when it’s your turn, God will have people there to help you as well.

 3.    Mess/Confusion -

Maybe there were some past issues and some don’t want to be involved. But we have to see past that, because in the end, it’s all about Jesus!!

4.    Fear of asking for help from the leader or directors stand-point-

Sometimes the person running it, may not want to bother anyone so they don’t ask for help. But we must remember that we are helpers one to another.

5.    Sometimes unity doesn't exist because of lack of trust.

Sometime it’s hard to trust and open yourself up because of past heart. But pain and hurt comes and goes, you have to learn to press through those things. Trust on and try again. Everyone is not out there to do harm. There are many good people out there waiting to share in that vision!

 6.    Lastly, just unwillingness to support someone else's vision.

Not because of anything they did, but that person may feel they are too busy.

But God has called us to serve and be a blessing.

If you are a blessing to others, God will turn around and bless you.

The Bible says in Psalms 133:1,

"behold how good & how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

What can you do to enhance the vision of your local church, one of the departments in the church,

an outreach in your community or a friend’s dream?

Ask yourself what can I do to help someone?

 

I read this quote the other day and loved it.

 "So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth".

Baha'u'llah

 

 

So what are the benefits of supporting someone else in unity?

1.    One day you may need support.
2.    God is pleased and overjoyed when we work together.

3.    Getting the job done quicker.

4.    Blessings flow from sowing into someone else’s vision.

"Give, and it will be given unto you; a good measure- pressed down, and shaken together,

and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. "

Luke 6:38.

Imagine it from a parent’s perspective.

How pleased are you when you see your children getting along

or working together at a common task?

Excited, pleased or emotional.

Well that's the same way God feels when He sees us (His children) working together.

Let's put aside our differences and do what is most important, working together to reach the lost. Remember everything that we do should be about Him!

There is power in agreement.
Colossians 3:14 NIV

As I said earlier, one can chase a thousand; two can put ten thousand to flight.

There is power in numbers and unity!

 Come on, let's be the team that God has called us to be.

Well, you may say, "I don't work in that area."

There is always something that needs to be done in the body of Christ.

The bible says whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might! Ecclesiastes 9:10.

We are helpers one to another. 

How much more can we accomplish when we work together.

 

How do we achieve unity?

1. Figure out what the common goal is, the vision.

2. Pray for wisdom to achieve that goal through unity.

3. Each person involved must figure out what they bring to the table and do their best to be an asset and not a hindrance to the vision.

4. Work earnestly toward achieving that goal through love, peace and unity.

5. Rejoice with one another once the goal is achieved.

 

Knowing that there is more ahead, if unity can remain in the body of Christ.

The church is the place where we should unite in unity and strength.

A place where we worship God in spirit and truth.

We are there to grow and mature in Him, to be more like Jesus.

The church is where we are to build up, encourage and strengthen one another.

To minister and serve one another.

Let’s not be divided but united in the power of God to do great works.

Believe it or not, there are many souls that are relying on the unity of the spirit.

Keep your focus on the purpose and revelation that God has placed before us.

Where there is no vision, the people perish, Proverbs 29:18.

 

Satan is the master of division.

Pay attention, why does he come to fight division?

Because he knows that when things are done in the spirit of unity,

there is something beautiful about it.

Aaron S Williams said,

"When we work together for a common goal, we could achieve magnificent things”.

In conclusion, we all love coffee, espressos, lattes, etc.,

well think of all of the ingredients that are used in that delicious cup of goodness.

They all blend together to create something magnificent.

Church Fuel said it best,

“All of the ingredients that go into a cup of espresso make it delicious. In the same way, each of us contributes to the body of Christ”!!

Good stuff.

I will leave you with this short video.

Please watch it.

God bless. 

 



 

                                                                   -Angie

              

                                                                    

 



Apply, Apply, Apply...and Then Apply Some More

 

 

 

 

I’m sad today...

for those of you who may not know, Jason and I are now in California and that means I missed out on Joie de Vivre.

 

I absolutely love that weekend!

 

I’ve never been to a ladies event like Joie de Vivre and I’ve been to MANY.

I miss the fellowship, the teachings, and the worship.

I miss sitting with my dear friends and enjoying the weekend together.

 I miss picking out a new outfit or two, to wear and getting ready to go.

I miss the food, the laughter, the tears and the blessing that this weekend is.

 

 I’m sure that Daphne and the Joli Team went above and beyond to make this year life changing to each and every lady present.

 They love you guys and are committed to helping you grow in your walk with the Lord.

 

When Jason and I first got married we took a position at a church in Florida.

Having grown up in California, I really liked it there because

the culture was similar in many ways.

There’s a big Latin influence, the beach is near-by and there’s a very laid-back vibe.

 

There was, however, one major difference.

 I had a hard time wearing make-up.

That might sound silly to some of you, but I was a young 20 year old who was having fun being 20, make-up and clothes were a “top priority.”

 (Nowadays, my priority, when it comes to make-up,

 is keeping my two little girls out of my stash).

 

 Where I grew up, it was 75 degrees all year with zero humidity.

 Florida had 102 degree temperature with 100% humidity that

caused my make-up to slide down my face.

 By mid-morning my eyeshadow was covering my chin and I looked like I had two black eyes because my mascara was no longer on my eyelashes, but under them.

 

Not so cute.

I took me a LONG time to find a make-up that would work with that kind of weather.

 

I tried everything:

applying a little, applying a lot, re-applying it in the middle of the day.

Applying foundation & no powder, Powder with no foundation, Foundation and

powder together, water-proof mascara.

 

I tried it all.

 

And then I discovered Make-up PRIMER and I swear I heard angels sing.

 (Just kidding)

Matte Primer, if applied before make-up, would keep my make-up in place.

 No smudging, no melting, no eyeshadow on my chin anymore.

 

WOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!

 

I went through more bottles of that primer than you can imagine and I still use it!

 

And come on ladies, once you find a product that you like, one that works,

 you stick with it!

 You go crazy if it gets discontinued!

 You might even hoard it!

You might even go as far as keeping one in your car,

one in your purse,

one at work and one at home.

We like our “go-tos” don’t we!

Keeping that in mind...

how many of you reading this were blessed to be able to attend Joie de Vivre this weekend?

 

I’m trying not to be jealous, here (haha).

 Last year’s conference with Charlotte Gambill,

 is STILL having an effect on my life a year later.

That’s how I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt, that if you were there you were IMPACTED.

 

For some of you God spoke to you through the worship and the Word like never before. Some of you have pages and pages of notes scribbled,

little nuggets of wisdom that you don’t want to forget.

And there are others who were challenged and changed,

 and you’re never going to be the same.

 

 

Please, please, please, DO NOT FORGET TO APPLY!!!

 

JAMES 1:21-25  

“So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

 

Think of the Word of God like the PRIMER for your life.

When we apply it, our lives are secure.

We have confidence that the PRIMER is holding everything in place.

 Keeping you in perfect peace, even when everything is in chaos.

Keeping you hopeful, when all you want to do is give up.

 Keeping you steady, when it feels like the bottom is about to drop out.

 

Don’t just walk away from this weekend and let the teachings and the experience end.

Bask in it for a few days or even a few weeks.

 Let the words that were spoken permeate your heart.

 APPLY all those pages of scribbled notes to your life.

Let it change you, mold you and shape you into who God wants you to be.

 

And beyond that, let the Word of God become your “Go-To”.

Commit to spending time in the Word, daily.

The Bible promises that the Word of God will not come back void (Isaiah 55:11),

so there’s no chance of it not being effective!

 

Hoard it!

 

Psalm 119:11 says to “hide the Word of God in your heart to prevent you from sinning against the Lord,”

 

Apply, Apply, Apply the Word to your daily life and then Apply it some more.

 

 

                                               -Amanda

 

We are approaching the end of our book, Warrior Chicks by Holly Wagner.

You may begin reading Ch. 11,

and meet us here on Friday to end our discussion of the book and recap what God has shown us through it.

We hope to see you there and are so glad that you have been growing with us during this semester of Joli Blog!