When It’s OK to
p U e v i G by Lori Ann Wood
Be
! s u o e g a C our
by Catriona Futter
STEPPING INTO TRUST YOUR PRAYER LIFE CAN INSPIRE OTHERS SERIOUSLY, MOM GUILT AGAIN? CHASE YOUR FEARS AWAY
spring 2022 | F I N D
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welcome from the editor SHELLY ESSER
Happy New Year! We are so glad you are spending some of your precious time with us in the pages of Just Between Us. It’s our prayer that this magazine will draw you closer to Jesus throughout the new year. Just Between Us is all about words, especially God’s Word. Words are powerful. They can define us. They can save us. They can hurt us. They can encourage us. And they can change the course of our lives. Every new year our team asks God for a relevant word for the year to make the focus. We always consider what you—our treasured sisters—need and what’s going on in our world. For over 30 years, our mission has been to encourage you for a life of faith. Hidden in the word encourage is COURAGE! And it means to “give or increase confidence; to inspire with strength; to raise up or to increase; to push forward; the strength to persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” Doesn’t that sound like everything we need at this time? We thought so too, so we decided to make courage the word for 2022. Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Given the uncertain world we are living in with all the heightened anxiety, fear, and discouragement, it seems like now more than ever, we are going to need to encourage each other regularly to be courageous! He is with us as we rise up with courage in our homes, our workplaces, our places of worship, our communities, our world—and our faith. Even though we don’t know what the coming year holds, we can give each other the strength and confidence to get through.
Speaking of courage, God decided to start with me. At the last minute, we had our interview fall through and were left reeling. The JBU team thought our readers would like to get to know their editor! My initial response was NO…but after wrestling with God for a few days (throwing a spiritual tantrum), I surrendered a weak yes. I’ve always been the behind-the-scenes person telling other women’s stories, so this has been a real step of courage for me. Thank you for graciously taking it with me! Throughout the year, we will be featuring a Courageous Women series to inspire you to do the same. MaryAnne Constantine shares her incredible story on page 32, the first in the series, bringing hope and healing to other hurting women. Catriona Futter will help us be courageous in our everyday life through her article, “Choosing to Be Brave” on page 14. Every page is splashed with glimpses of courage in one way or another. Thank you to our authors who are real and transparent, always stepping out in faith, and pointing us to Jesus. We hope you know that you have a cheering section of sisters who are encouraging you to rise up in this dark world and inspiring you to be courageous in whatever ways the Lord leads you in this new year. You’re not alone. We’re right there with you! Being Courageous Together,
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contents
VOLUME 32
on the cover 14 Choosing to Be Brave
NO. 2
What courage looks like in our everyday lives. by Catriona Futter
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Being Okay with Giving Up
How to pray the prayer of relinquishment. by Lori Ann Wood
Stepping-Stones of Trust 22
God as our Rock strengthens our faith in challenging times. by Heather Hagstrom
Alone with the Alone 24
our faithfulness and joy in prayer may be Y the catalyst for lifelong devotion in those watching you. by Debra Celovsky
SPRING 2022
features Courageous Women 32 Does the Pain of Abortion
Ever Go Away? One courageous woman’s story is bringing hope to hurting women. by MaryAnne Constantine
faith chats 18 An Encourager of Women
helly Esser is an editor of words and a reader S of hearts. Interview by Ann M. Cook
Mom Guilt 26
Letting go of the control to be perfect. by Rachel Greening
Chase Your Fears Away 28
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spring 2022
You can learn how not to be afraid.. by Jill Briscoe
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CREDITS Founder/Executive Editor Jill Briscoe
Circulation Manager Suzan Braun
Editor Shelly Esser
Advertising & Accounts Manager Sharon Vaught
General Manager Mary Perso
Marketing Julie Santiago
Director Digital Media Mary Ann Prasser
Outside Your Front Door
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Strengthening Your Soul
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Advisory Board Anita Carman Pam Farrel Judy Briscoe Golz Nancy Grisham Pam MacRae Elizabeth Murphy Jackie Oesch Stephanie Seefeldt
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42 Living Well Minutes 43 1in5 the Word
Photography Wayde Peronto Babboni Photography babbonis.com
Creative Director Julie Krinke
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columns 36 Your Story 38 Intentional Faith Discovering 40 the Word
Subscriptions Phil Perso Mary Richards Jan Schuldt Lin Sebena
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in every issue Welcome from 3 the Editor 6 Our Team 7 Between Us 8 Happy Home eart-to-Heart 10 Hwith Joni
Director of Mission Advancement/ Social Media Ashley Schmidt
Editorial Assistants Carol Becwar Ann Cook Constance B. Fink Gayle Gengler Betty Hinds Cherry Hoffner Melinda Papador Marilyn Pritchard Danae Templeton
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Transparent Moments
Renewals Manager & Software Support Rebecca Loesche
Assistant Editor Suzan Braun
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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! 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.
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spring 2022
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meet our
team
JILL BRISCOE Founder
MARY ANN PRASSER Director Digital Media
Our Just Between Us team is made up of incredible women with hearts to see you flourish in every area of your life, especially in your life of faith. They bring their collective gifts to make sure you don’t feel alone and that you are continually encouraged, so you can grow closer to Jesus and make an impact in His world.
SHELLY ESSER Editor
ASHLEY SCHMIDT
Director of Mission Advancement/Social Media
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General Manager
REBECCA LOESCHE Renewals Manager & Software Support
SUZAN BRAUN
Circulation Manager & Assistant Editor
SHARON VAUGHT Advertising & Accounts Manager
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About Our Ministry
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Just Between Us is a vibrant and expanding not-forprofit ministry that continues to transform the lives of women around the world. Our heart-focused and biblically-based content in the print magazine, on the website, in the weekly digital mini-magazine, on social media, and other products—all help women find hope and encouragement while growing their faith and deepening their love for Jesus.
Did you know Just Between Us is primarily funded by women just like you? Costs in all areas of the ministry are rising, and today more than ever, women are seeking answers, looking for hope, and needing a friend in lonely times. We rely on donations to support women around the world, which in return supports their community and your community!
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BETWEEN US
When I Deny Jesus
Lysa TerKeurst
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don’t doubt God is real and that God is good. But I often pray, “God, give me relief from my unbelief.”
I pray this when what He allows into my life does notnot seem good to me. When we we assume we we know seem good to me. When assume know what a good God would do, and He doesn’t do it— that’s when things can get a bit complicated. It’s the place where we can be tempted to distance ourselves from God with a heart of distrust.
words, thoughts, or actions that we don’t really believe the truth of who Jesus says He is or what He’ll do. How heartbreaking. For us. For Jesus.
Let’s take a closer look at Peter’s story in Mark 14.
But before we give in to feelings of shame, let’s look at Luke 22:61–62. This passage gives us a slightly different glance at the moments immediately following Peter’s final denial: “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
While we see Jesus remaining faithful in the midst of a beloved friend’s betrayal (vs. 43–45) and the high priest’s interrogation (vs. 53–65), we find Peter with faltering faith as he stood waiting in a courtyard (vs. 66–72).
The look that passed between Jesus and Peter wasn’t one of condemnation. I believe Jesus’ eyes were filled with compassion for Peter. The same compassion He has for us today. A look that invites us to trust Him and draw near to Him once again.
Afraid. Cold. Forgetful. Peter soon denied the One who loved him most.
We need to ask ourselves where we’re denying Jesus’ truth in our lives. Where are we denying Jesus’ forgiveness—for ourselves or others? Where are we denying Jesus’ redemption? Where are we denying Jesus’ hope?
I can’t help but think about Peter—a man who boldly declared to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Mark 14:31), but then found himself doing the exact opposite.
Once. Twice. Three times. A rooster’s shrill cry ushered in the shocking realization that the very thing Peter swore he’d never do, he did. And as much as we might want to shake our head at Peter, I for one know I can’t. I know what it’s like to have intentions that are good but the follow-through falls to pieces. It’s easy to say the words—we’re all in for Jesus, but then we get hurt by someone and it becomes difficult to live out those words. Fear, pain, and insecurities can really do a number on our hearts.
Nothing is beyond the reach of our Jesus. And I know today when we confess where we may be denying Him in our lives, He will look at us with the same compassion He did with Peter. So when doubts and disappointments drag us down, we draw near to the Lord and pray, “I don’t have to understand this to trust You. I will kneel in prayer and keep watching for evidence of all You are doing, big and small.”
So, in a moment of doubt and disappointment, Peter chose to distance himself from Jesus to the point of complete denial. To deny Jesus is to say with our
and the #1 New York Times’ bestselling author of Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way and Uninvited. She lives with her family in North Carolina.
Lysa TerKeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries
LysaTerKeurst.com LysaTerKeurst Lysa TerKeurst
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spring 2022
Right now, in the middle of the reality you didn’t know was coming ... your life can still be beautiful. Gain healthier ways to see your situations through truth-based perspectives with Lysa’s new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story. Order your copy today at seeingbeautifulagain.com.
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They certainly did a number on Peter’s, as he watched Jesus, the One he had seen perform miracles, and allow Himself to be bound and arrested. Jesus was supposed to be the King who would deliver the Jewish people from the oppression of the Romans. Peter didn’t realize this was the only way he could experience Jesus as King in eternity.
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