Fasting as an Act of Worship
Finding Purpose in Christ
Navigating the Daily Grind with Faith: Tips for a Balanced Life
FEATURES: IDENTITY AND PURPOSE
FEATURE ARTICLE: Creating a Mind That Supports Your True Identity
Wes Bullington shares how he aligned his mental health with his identity in Christ, transforming his mindset and well-being
FEATURE ARTICLE: Grounding My Identity in Christ
“When did I stop being fearfully and wonderfully made?” Midjina Richard asks, as she reflects on her journey through young adulthood as she gains a more mature spiritual identity
FEATURE ARTICLE: Discovering Purpose
Wes Bullington reveals how to unlock the connection between your identity in Christ and your life’s purpose. Explore how scripture and psychology intertwine to provide meaning, resilience, and fulfillment. Learn to align with God’s will, embrace your unique gifts, and live a life of hope, gratitude, and Kingdom impact. 24 13
Transforming
Production Staff
ABOUT US
Project Manager and Spiritual Director
Web Director
Karla Sanchez Tavera
Empowering men and women to find their identity and change negative habits, to create healthier rhythms of life.
Content Creators
Darion Brown
creator specializing in web development and maintenance to ensure a seamless user experience for R417 platforms
Feature Writer
Wes Bullington
Wes Bullington studied Music and English before focusing on creative writing at UGA His journey with mental health sparked a passion for psychology and ministry, aiming to help Gen Z understand their identity in Christ through music, writing, and psychology
Jordan DeLaney
A passionate advocate for holistic well-being, Jordan is our Content Creator with dual master's degrees in Public Health and Social Work With years of ministry experience, she guides others in spiritual and personal growth, emphasizing equity, intentionality, and integrating science with wellness strategies for abundant living
Midjina Richard
Public Health professional and a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) who prides herself as a first-generation Haitian American with strong family, faith, and equity values
Marlena Sculac R1417's Nutrition and Fitness Adviser, Marlena has always been passionate about holistic health - health of the mind, health of the body, and health of the soul
“See, I am doing a new thing!”
Isaiah 43:19 Your voice remains at the center of our mission. Use it.
eace and Joy, an e-magazine created for Christ-followers who seek to pplying scientific principles of positive psychology Our mission is to ce converge, offering you tools, insights, and inspiration to flourish g, it's not unusual to feel overwhelmed by life's challenges However, as t lean hard into God's promises We live in the world, yet not bending to nxious generation," but instead defiantly embracing the joy and peace hip with Christ. We created this space to support you on that path. c study of what makes life worth living, aligns beautifully with the s have spent the last twenty-five-ish years pulling together st lives By integrating these concepts with our faith, we can ow in grace, build resilience, and cultivate a deep sense of
Every other month, Peace and Joy will share a variety of articles, stories, and practical tips designed to help you steer straight through the crooked twists and turns of your spiritual and emotional journey From exploring the power of gratitude and forgiveness to finding joy in everyday moments (see more on these “glimmer” moments in Maddy’s social media strategy), our content aims to enrich your walk with God and enhance your well-being
In this first issue, we delve into the theme of "Identity and Purpose" You'll find inspiration, expert insights on developing a healthy mindset grounded in God's truth, and applied psychology We also provide biblical reflections that highlight the joy available to us in Christ no matter our circumstances or news of the day. Each issue will provide resources and space to nurture the development of your most Christ-like mind. Our October/November issue will dive deeper into mental health and holistic wellness. As we build future issues, we encourage you to reach out to us with your ideas As we create this magazine, we do so to serve you Therefore, your voice remains at the center of our mission
We believe that by embracing the power of scientifically-grounded psychology life hacks, and grounding them in our faith, we can truly thrive Echoing the original “adventurer for the gospel”, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, another one of my heroes, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr, once shared, “In a real sense all life is inter-related All [humanity] are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be This is the inter-related structure of reality”
Thus, our service to your well-being constitutes an act of enlightened self-interest For all to thrive, we need you to step into your individual destiny
Join our movement, and boldly push back against a world screaming its dark messages of anger and fear No matter the events of the day, both personally and generally, we aren’t to live in fear (Philippians 4:6-7), but in victory Our hope is that this magazine becomes a source of encouragement, helping you to experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised as we await His return
Thank you for joining us on this journey May each page bring you closer to the abundant life God desires for you
With blessings and gratitude, WendyBiddle,
Editor-in-Chief drwendy@romans1417org
Anchored in Faith: Choosing to Rise Above Fear
How to shift from living in fear to walking boldly in faith and hope, guided by God’s promises.
First Things First: Build a habit of pulling God into your day as soon as it begins. Create a private morning prayer to pray before you even open your eyes. The, instead of grabbing your phone to check the news and social media, make prayer and Bible reading part of your morning routine. 1.
2. Utilize devotional apps, online Bible plans, or prayer journals
3. Build a Support Network: Protect space in your weekly calendar to attend church services Bible study. In this way, you integrate social support, encouragement, and accountability structures into your life. Engage in serving and growing alongside likeminded others.
4. Memorize Scripture: Memorize Bible verses with which you connect for comfort and guidance, especially during challenging life situations. As you grow stronger in this way, your mind becomes naturally more apt to rely on God's truth rather than negative emotions like fear or anger.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds”. — Ephesians 4:22-23
see digital resources on p.8
Navigating the Daily Grind with Faith:
Tips for a Balanced, Purposeful Life
The Challenge
Does it ever feel like living for Christ, while also balancing the normal demands of life is just too much? It can feel like pressures of academics, extracurricular activities, and social interactions compete with the desire to grow spiritually and live out one ' s faith authentically. We get it. From that place, we have a few tips to encourage you as you build a lifestyle that allows you to navigate these dual commitments effectively. Check out these practical strategies and insights to help you integrate your faith into your achievements, while maintaining a balanced and more content life. ALWAYS ON YOUR PHONE? CHECK OUT THE "Digital Basics For the Spiritual Warrior on the Go" ON PAGE 8!
Identity and Purpose
5 Tips to Balancing a Healthy Social Life and Relationship with God
Our identities are rooted in Christ. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) Remind yourself daily that you’re a child of God, Paste affirmations on your mirror, pull empowering Scripture into your -day-day-life with Post-its or whatever it takes . When you know your worth, you won’t easily bend to others
Rooted in True Identity Set Boundaries 01 04 02 05 03
Trustyourgut,friend Gettoknow whatmakesyoufeelweird,respect yourlimitsanddecidewhatyou’re comfortablewithaheadoftime If youknowcertainsituationsmight challengeyourvalues,planyour response Boundariesmakeiteasier tostandfirm Everythingdoesn’t havetobeabigrealityshowdrama, andsayingnodoesn’thavetobea bigdeal Keepitshortandsweet, andyou’remorelikelytobeclear andconfident “Nah,I’mgood,”works justfine Themoreyoupractice,the easieritgets
Confidence doesn’t come easily, but it is worth it to pursue its growth
To become rock solid in what we believe, we must know why we believe it This means spending time in the Bible and prayer, so we write those values onto our hearts (Proverbs 3:3).
Confidence in Conviction Stay Busy with Positive Activities
Fill your time with activities that align with your faith Join a ministry group, volunteer, or get into hobbies you love Don't be afraid to try something new Staying busy with good stuff makes it easier to avoid negative influences.
If your buddies aim to do something that doesn’t sit right with you, suggest something that does Have a movie night, go for a hike, or just chill and talk There are plenty of ways to have fun that don’t violate what you value
Build a Strong Social Support System
Friends should uplift us and respect our beliefs While it’s cool to have friends with diverse perspectives, our closest pals should support our faith journeys Remember, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17)
Digital Basics For the Spiritual Warrior on the Go
Our Favorite Cheap and Free Resources for Staying Connected -Wherever We Are!
YouVersion Bible App
Why we love it: YouVersion: YouVersion is a popular Bible app offering free access to numerous Bible translations, reading plans, devotionals, and features for sharing, highlighting, and engaging in community discussions.
02
Study Gateway
Why We Love It: StudyGateway: The ultimate streaming platform for young believers. Access powerful video teachings, Bible studies, and resources from top Christian leaders to deepen your faith journey
03
Bible Gateway
Why We Love It: Your go-to digital tool for exploring any Bible version, diving deep into scripture with ease, and boosting your spiritual journey anytime, anywhere.
and Purpose
Introduction:UnderstandingOurselvesasHuman“beings,”notHuman “doings”
If I were to ask you, “Who are you?,” how do you think you’d respond? If you ’ re like most people, you might say, “Well, I’m a teacher,” or, “ a student, athlete, musician, officer, nurse, etc….” There is nothing inherently wrong with these answers, but in reality, these responses describe what individuals do, not who they are. The language we put around our identity actually holds enormous power. Understanding our identity in Christ gives us signifiers that describe who we are, not what we do. However, in our modern culture, this can be challenging. Currently, culture tells us that our group identities, as defined by the world, rank as the most important things about us. Without God, our group identities, such as, “Republican, Democrat, American, Black, White, Latino, Asian'' dominate our self-image, as well as the way others see us. Even those group identities we link with your pursuit of a relationship with God, such as, “Methodist, Baptist and Catholic” can easily become the most significant way that we understand our identities.
Group identities are not inherently wrong, especially when our racial, ethnic, and religious identities play a large role in how we interact with the world around us and understand our cultural backgrounds. But, many of these group identities also come with ideologies. When we allow our identity to be defined by anything other than God, our ideologies can easily become poor replacements for the Truth. When we elevate our group identity and ideologies above our God-given identity, we have replaced our perfect, loving God’s power to define us. We give the essential authority to ground our sense of who we are to fragile, ever-changing, flawed, and human ideas. When a group identity and ideology make up the core of how we understand ourselves, this becomes inherently divisive and exclusive, since not everybody will agree or fall within our group identity and chosen ideology. In contrast, when our identity is rooted in Christ, this is inherently inclusive, since Jesus invites all to accept His free gift of salvation. Have you ever experienced someone having a breakdown or falling apart when you poke a hole, in say, their political ideology, or have you fallen apart yourself when someone challenged your political perspective? This is likely because you or the individual in question has unconsciously replaced God with an ideology. You can poke holes in God all day long, but He can take it, unlike our man made ideologies. Ultimately, God is constant, stable and never changing. The same cannot be said for ideologies.
AligningOurSelf-ConceptswithOurNewNatures
Even after we have established a relationship with God, we can still fall into pitfalls as we understand our identity. Before we knew Christ, our sinful nature ran unchecked, but once we had died to our sins and accepted Christ’s free gift of blood as atonement for our sins, we received the Holy Spirit as well as a new nature. However, we are still fallen, foolish children who often act out of our old identities. Unfortunately, many non-Christians see their identity primarily through their greatest faults. Additionally, many Christians will understand their identity by their greatest sin struggle. Someone might say, “I’m an alcoholic,” or, “a drug-addict, adulterer, thief, liar, etc…” I want you to know that this is absolutely not how God sees you. These adjectives describe an individual’s struggle with sin, but not who they are. To ground our language in the Truth, try, “I am a blood-bought son or daughter of the King who sometimes acts out of my old identity and struggles with abusing substances.” This language better differentiates between something we struggle with and who we are.
MindfulThoughts:HarnessingTheirPowertoInfluenceOurMentalHealth
The language we put around our identities also plays a massive role in how people who struggle with mental health understand who they are. When I was in the middle of the very worst season of my mental health journey, I hated who I was because I understood my identity as a mentally unstable, manipulative, lonely, broken, unwanted and messed up obsessive, compulsive freak. While these were clearly lies straight from the enemy, there were times when I really believed those horrific deceptions rather than focusing on who God says I am. In a similar fashion, your diagnosis and your struggle with mental health are not who you are. You may rebut, “If you only knew the thoughts running around in my head!” Although French philosopher René Descartes’ quote, “I think, therefore I am,'' may be sufficient proof for existence, the reality is, I assure you that you are not your thoughts. Your thoughts may qualify you for basic existence, but do not summarize your entire nature.
RelationshipsAmongEmotions,Thoughts,andActions
I want you to imagine a triangle and each corner represents your emotions, thoughts and actions. If I were to ask you, “How much control do you think you have over your emotions?” And I asked you to give a percent. How would you respond? Most people may concede that they don’t have complete control over their emotions, but will likely respond to my question with, “something like 70% falls within the reach of my control.” However, the reality is that we have almost 0% control over our emotions. You cannot, through sheer will, force yourself to feel a certain way. Now, you can take actions that could elicit a given emotion, but on its own, you can’t control your feelings. Therefore, try not to condemn yourself for feeling a certain way, say depressed or anxious.
Next, how much control do you think you have over your thoughts? Most people would argue that they have a good bit of control over their thoughts. This one is a little more complicated, but I like to say 50/50. Yes, you can certainly choose to think about one thing, or try not to think about something else. However, we all experience random thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere. Many of us also experience intrusive thoughts. You cannot control every thought that pops into your head, therefore, I would encourage you not to be judgmental towards your thoughts. They are not a direct reflection of who you are.
Finally, we get to our actions. How much control do you have over your actions? This one is very nearly 100%. There are certainly exceptions where individuals suffer from involuntary movements, but generally speaking, we are in charge and responsible for our actions. Once we can grasp this concept, it starts to matter a lot less how we feel and what thoughts we ’ re experiencing as it relates to our identity. What really matters is how we respond or act on our thoughts and feelings. Yet even still, your thoughts, emotions and actions are still not your true identity. Yes, they can reflect your identity and, specifically, your actions usually represent your character, but they do not fully express who you are. So, if you are not your emotions, thoughts, actions, struggles, sins and successes, then who are you?
If you have a relationship with Jesus, you are a beloved, blood-bought son or daughter of the King. The problem with rooting your identity in something other than God is that everything else is unstable, changing, and therefore, ultimately, chaotic. Placing our identity in Jesus gives us somewhere stable and constant to plant our roots. During Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, He affirms this idea. Matthew 7: 24-27 says, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (NIV). Placing our identity in anything other than Jesus is like building our house on sand. Jesus is our rock and understanding our identity in Him gives us a greater internal locus of control and leads to greater joy, growth and a deep and meaningful understanding of who we are.
God’s written word says a lot about our identity. For now, I will focus on two key verses that define our identity as an adopted son or daughter of the King, beloved, a co-heir with Christ and His fine handiwork. Romans 8: 15-17 says, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship (or daughtership). And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (NIV). You are not only “saved” when you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and savior, you are adopted and given a new nature. This means that you have a new family when you develop a relationship with Jesus and your fellow Christians become brothers and sisters. I want you to know that you are not simply some lowly servant to God, you are His precious child. Additionally, Ephesians 2: 10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago ” (NLT). He thinks so highly of you and cares deeply about what you think, feel and do. He calls us His masterpiece, which means our value to God is beyond measure. Beloved, you are loved and known by God far more than you could ever hope or imagine. My prayer is that each of us would know and believe that deeply within our hearts.
Grounding My Identity in Christ: When Did I Stop Being Fearfully and Wonderfully Made?
I may sound silly, I used to think my life wasn ’t so bad, and that I was near perfect. God indeed took his time creating me in his image, as I could see my physical and character qualitie. I was always told I had nice teeth, and as soon as I started to love my skin and culture, other people began to praise me for those as well. I worked hard in school, and felt pride graduating at the top of my high school class as valedictorian.
As I’ ve grown a little older, my sense of identity has grown more complex. I am a black Haitian woman. While I can and do face various oppressions from those identities, until a few years ago I had only thought about the benefits I had. I wasn ’t born into a super-rich family, but I had what I needed for the most part, and I couldn’t have asked for better siblings. I never had major surgeries or a medical crisis. As a result, I genuinely had an easy time believing that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I thought I was more precious than rubies and that God favored me. But lately, that hasn’t been my mindset. Lately, my negative thoughts have crowded out my awareness of my blessings. For example, I have noticed my teeth have shifted. I have scoliosis. Then I was reminded of the time when I was hospitalized as a little girl for a scalp condition, and now all I can think of is will that happen again at the sight of any dandruff. While I inherently know that death is inevitable, I irrationally panic for any little health thing. I find myself now wondering: What really made me ever believe that I was “fearfully and wonderfully made”?
Was it all those worldly things or was it that I saw myself and believed in my heart that God made me in his image?. Was it because I was in a season of my life where I was more connected to God and believed these thing? Honestly, I started to blame my increased awareness, having studied Public Health in graduate school, and part of me naturally wonders if ignorance is bliss.
But why do I have to stop believing the word that spoke to me that made me confident, love, and appreciate the work that God created, which is me? Why was I no longer in awe of myself despite having already been aware of my imperfections? Before, I could appreciate and own my imperfections. Why do I now criticize myself so much and think others notice them, too? I continue to reconcile my new knowledge regarding the risks of being a vulnerable human with God’s eternal truths.
As I reflected, I realized my focus was no longer on God. Yes, I prayed and held the same values regarding my faith, yet I was personally disconnected from God. I initially declared the Lord's truth over me by practicing gratitude and being able to go straight to God whenever I was troubled, whether in prayer or worship in song. However, something always came up for me to discredit the Lord's work. Unfortunately, I gave more energy to all of my worries and thoughts. Slowly but surely, I found my way back through more thoughtful prayers and being kinder to myself.
Grounding My Identity in Christ:
When Did I Stop Being Fearfully and Wonderfully Made? (cont.)
I sat in the mirror with my uniqueness and tried to embrace them for what they were. It's funny because how I viewed myself physically really wasn ' t the issue. It was more so how I spiritually viewed myself. I felt terrible and guilty, allowing myself to question how God had made me. It also did not help that I was suggesting that my outward appearance was the only thing that made me fearfully and wonderfully made or even more precious than rubies. As a result of thinking this through, I realized that I never stopped being fearfully and wonderfully made. I found myself tormented by a harsh inner critic who replaced God's profound spiritual truths with the world's superficial lies and half truths, such as our physical circumstances define us. To protect myself from this happening again, I committed to putting the Lord’ s truth into my daily life. I put sticky notes on my mirror and dug out a journal with this verse given to me by my sister. I hope these steps can strengthen my focus, and bring me back to how I used to feel about myself. If you want to read more about what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made and go deeper into the verse, check out the resources below.
Associated Verses
Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Proverbs 3:15: “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”
Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
For a Deeper DiveL
What Does Psalm 139 Mean By "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"? By Jennifer Heeren What Does It Mean to Be Fearfully and Wonderfully Made? By Sam Allberry
WonderfullyMade
Identity and Purpose
Having Friends While Anchored to Your Faith
Negotiating strong ties with others while building our relationship with God challenges us all, but here are a 12 tips to empower your resolve to stay grounded in the Rock
Psalm 18:2 -- 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold
1 Start Your Day with Prayer
Open your heart to God each morning, seeking His guidance and wisdom. He is your fortress. Worried about something your mom or a friend said? Let Him know how you feel, and thank Him for caring for you enough to help you out (1 Peter 5:7)
2 Embrace Humility
Approach every interaction with kindness, knowing that God’s strength shines through your weaknesses
3. Reflect on Scripture
Meditate on verses like Psalm 18:2 to remind yourself of God’s presence. Let His Word guide your responses in conflict.
4 Set Healthy Boundaries
Building meaningful relationships requires protecting your well-being Seek God’s wisdom to establish those boundaries.
5. Engage in Worship and Community
Surround yourself with a faith-centered community that uplifts you and strengthens your connection to God.
Stay anchored in the ultimate Rock and watch your relationships thrive!
Who am I?
Why am I here?
Becoming a New Creation
The answers to these questions truly depends on whom you ask, and then whom you believe.
Most of us, if not all, go through life for many years drawing our answers to these questions from various incomplete, even broken, sources. The loud voices of our family, teachers, coaches, friends, music, tv, and our feelings fill in a picture that we feel describes “me.” There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of these influencess. In fact, they often offer wonderful models and support as we adventure through life. At the same time, all in creation pales in comparison to the Creator. Only our Creator truly knows the answer to why He created us (purpose) and who He made us to be (His beloved).
Yet so many of us travel through our days living blind to these truths. We instead seek answers from the world around us. As a result, many of us struggle with the consequences of believing the lies the world tells us about who we are and why we are here.
What does our Lord say about who we are?
What does the Lord say about our purpose?
Why lies have you come to accept in the place of these truths?
How can you push back against those lies this month?
It’s entirely normal to feel occasionally confused or shaken in one’s faith as one navigates relationships. The solution thankfully isn’t about isolating yourself or being “perfect” Instead, work on grounding your sense of your value and who you truly are in Christ.
Practice standing firm in your conviction and leading by example. Over time, you’ll come to see yourself as a “new creation” more clearly
Becoming a New Creation
2 Corinthians 5:16–17
“So if anyone is in Christ, (s)he is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”
Fasting as an Act of Worship
By Marlena Sculac
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Food It’s a basic necessity of life and a huge part of any culture What we eat gives insight into our family and where we come from and it is often something we look forward to - maybe acting as a pause in a busy work day or what brings friends and family together on the weekend. But have you ever thought of eating as an act of worship?
First, I want to talk about what this verse doesn’t mean. It’s not implying that we need to have a “perfect body” in order to glorify God or that we need to fix all of our physical imperfections so that God would love the temple in which He dwells. God cares so much more about the heart of a person than what we look like on the outside (1 Samuel 16:7) He has said that we are already “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)
However, I think this verse is saying that God cares about our physical body and the physical choices we make with it and for it.
God cares about our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing and we have the honor of being co-laborers with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9), meaning that we get to partner with Him to do what is on His heart for us and the world at large. If God is a healing god, which we know He is from countless examples in the Bible, then we as his colaborers get to partner with Him in that healing work. I think that there lies a responsibility for us to help create health for ourselves and each other. One way we get to partner with God in healing is choosing to eat food that nourishes our body, His temple. Our body is a gift from God and we get to honor the gift-giver by caring for our bodies Filling ourselves with the good food that He created for us is worship unto Him when we do it with a heart posture of worship
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 16:17-18
Want to choose to eat healing foods, but don’t know quite where to begin? Below are two days of healthy eating ideas with additional scripture-based meal plans We hope you enjoy and are able to bring God into your eating habits - it changes everything!
2 Days of Healthy Eating
DAY ONE
Breakfast
Avocado Toast
Ezekial bread toasted, ½ avocado, 1 egg (scrambled or sunny side up), top with Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
Snack
6 oz Greek yogurt, 1 tsp honey, muesli, fruit of choice
Lunch
Beet Salad
Arugula or spring mix, add ½ granny smith apple, 1 serving goat cheese crumbles, a handful of walnuts, 1 sliced beet, sea salt, mix 1 serving *EVOO and balsamic for dressing
Snack
2 tbsp hummus with carrots/bell peppers
Dinner
Mango Fish Tacos
White fish grilled w *EVOO/salt/pepper, organic corn tortillas or use romaine as a wrap, shredded purple cabbage, white or black beans, fresh lime, sliced mango
(can substitute fish with chicken if so desired)
Just for Fun
No Bake Power Balls
Rolled oats, nut butter, honey, chia seeds, raisins, cinnamon, kosher salt. Mix together!
*EVOO - extra virgin olive oil
2 Days of Healthy Eating
DAY TWO
Oatmeal & Fruit
¼ cup steel cut oatmeal and 1 tbs ground chia seeds, whisk in ¼ cups almond milk + ¼ cup water, add cinnamon, and cook until thickened. Mix in a handful of nuts, dried fruit, or fresh fruit.
Apple with 1 tbsp almond butter or 1 piece *low glycemic fruit with handful of almonds
3 Turkey Roll Ups
Washed Romaine leaf, spread hummus, add nitrate free turkey, and ½ avocado sliced Trail mix
½ cup almonds, ½ walnuts, 1 cup raisins, 1 cup dried blueberries, ½ serving 70% or higher dark chocolate chips
Mediterranean Bowl
Bake sliced sweet potato and chopped broccoli. Cook brown rice on the stove. Cook chicken on the stove. Once cooked, combine ingredients in a bowl and add pickled onions, feta, 1 tbs hummus, and kalamata olives.
(can substitute chicken for salmon if so desire)
Frozen Banana Bites
Cut up banana into ½ in slices, add small amount of almond butter, top with other banana slice, let sit in freezer for 10 min, dip in dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), freeze for an hour before serving
*Examples of low glycemic fruit: cherries, grapefruit, apricots, pears, apples, oranges, plums, strawberries, peaches
FOR A DEEPER DIVE, CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES
On God and Food
https://knowledge.e.southern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi? article=1012&context=jbffl
Biblical eating pln
The Daniel Plan: https://www.danielplan.com
Creating
a Mind That Supports Your True Identity
New Mind of Christ: Unlocking Your Mind’s Superpower for Transforming Your Brain
Romans 12:2 talks about a new start in the mind, and this beautifully matches up with the scientific theory of neuroplasticity. It is precisely this neuroplastic capacity of the brain to reconfigure itself, to create new connections with neurons, that allows us to change our thinking and behaviour over time If we think in the spirit of Philippians 4:8 that which is true, pure, good, we can begin to think in a way that is positive and spiritual. Prayer, meditation, gratitude we can train our minds to be peaceful, strong and resilient by deliberately being in that state. It is the grace of God, a soft mind that enables us to rid ourselves of bad habits and live our lives in the image and spirit of Christ, in relationship with God and living a more joyful, richer life
Philippians 2:5
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”
Discovering Purpose: GenNext Christians Seeking Meaning in Today's World
Introduction:WhyamIhere?
Ever wonder what the point of your life might be? While it’s a natural question many explore occasionally, for Christians, the answer to this question relates directly to our faith and our lifelong pursuit of a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior. Amid all the voices in our world, to whom can we believers go to learn how we should direct our lives?
How much does the answer really matter? A lot, as it turns out. Experts tell us that individuals with a strong sense of purpose tend to live longer, display higher psychological resilience, healthier hearts, and stronger overall holistic health. How can we align this knowledge with who we are in Christ? Since our goal as believers remains to become more and more like our Lord, this becomes our compass as we chart our path. Knowing and understanding your identity as one rooted in Christ is essential before embarking on the journey to understanding your purpose.
So what is your purpose? In the following discussion, I refer to the concept “ purpose ” using two approaches:
A believer’s general purpose, which we all share with one another 1.
Your specific and unique purpose as a hand-crafted child of God 1.
To assist your reflection as you process your own understanding of your purpose, I’ll share some tips of how I have worked through some of the challenges I’ve faced. I also provide some specific questions you can consider. First, if you are a child of God whose faith is in Christ, you will have a general purpose shared by everyone who has a relationship with Jesus. Although many non-Christians and Christians alike obsess over their “ purpose, ” “calling,” or in Christianese, “God’s Will for my life,” we can relax. Thankfully, we were never meant to agonize over purpose.
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Discovering Purpose: GenNext Christians Seeking Meaning in Today's World
As our King and High Priest, God has given us an extensive guide to live our best, fulfilling lives while also honoring Him, those around us, and working to advance His kingdom: His Word. In the Bible, God has identified for us the general purpose, calling and will He has for all of our lives in His written word. These purposes for your life are those that don’t need to be questioned or doubted. It’s written down for all time.
FEATURE ARTICLE: Discovering Purpose: GenNext Christians Seeking Meaning in Today's World
BiblicalFoundationofGod’sPurpose
So, let’s take a look at just a few of the specific places where God shows us His goals for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you, ’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”’ (NIV). As we navigate through our days, we can rest in this promise that our Father has promised to prosper us while protecting us from true hopelessness. To access this hope, we can follow the advice of 1 Thessalonians 5:1618, telling us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV). Your purpose is to rejoice, pray and give thanks at all times. Also in 1 Thessalonians (4:3), we read that our God wills our sanctification in our daily lives, keeping us pure and free from guilt while learning to control our bodies as we honor Him.
PersonalReflectionandApplication
Investing time reflecting on these questions should help point you towards your purpose. Notice it takes time intentionally devoted to reflecting on these questions to gain clarity regarding our purposes. Therefore, don’t worry if the answers don’t come immediately. While exploring purpose can create a lot of anxiety in people, I would encourage you that there isn’t just one right answer. We are not walking on a tightrope when it comes to following God’s will. I believe God’s will is more like a river, where He establishes the banks of the river to keep us from harm and misery, but within the river, there is plenty of room to explore, fail and succeed. Remember, God is our heavenly Father and He has plans to prosper you. He will take care of you better than the very best of earthly fathers and mothers. Like a good father, He may let you temporarily fail because His heart is to shepherd and instruct, but He will ultimately never leave or forsake you. Our specific purpose as sons and daughters of the living King has a lot to do with the unique ways that the Lord has made us. As 1 Corinthians 12 describes, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them." These gifts enable us to serve and build up the church, reflecting Christ's commandment to love one another. Rest assured your purpose contributes to the body of Christ. While a “ one size fits all” handbook to finding our purpose in life doesn’t exist for any of us, I can give you my thoughts and share the tools that I have used to discover my unique purpose.
Reflectonthesequestions.Makenotes,ifthathelpsyoutothinkand remember:
What do you love?
What are you passionate about?
What are you good at?
List your gifts and talents, both physical and spiritual
What do you like doing?
What kind of difference do you want to make for God’s Kingdom?
Tap into your passions and convictions
What issue or topic has God specifically designed you to care a lot about? What perspective do you see that others are missing?
How can you use these gifts to minister to the body of Christ and further His Kingdom?
ChallengesandGrowth
As you walk through your purpose, note that the Lord will be working to make you more and more like Him as you go. Sitting on the potter’s wheel can be very uncomfortable, yet this is a necessary and important position in order to grow. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (NLT). So, God’s purpose for your life is to stand out from what we see in the world, and instead let Jesus transform the way you think by spending time with Him. By bringing God into our daily lives through prayer and study, we learn how to be more like Him as we walk through our individual circumstances. As Christians generally, and specifically for the almost 60% of us in GenZ struggling with mental health, this can bring tremendous relief. Our purpose and pursuit of God’s will is not some elusive, eternal, divine mystery for which we alone hold responsibility. We can rest in Him and know He has us every step of the way.
Conclusion
So, let’s put it all together. According to the Word, the Lord tells us it’s His Will for us
To prosper, be protected from harm, to have hope and a future
To rejoice, pray and be thankful
To be pure and avoid sexual immorality
To make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them
And finally –
To reject the customs of the world, and renew our mind so that we may know God’s specific will for our life.
While these ideas come from just a few key verses, the Bible is full of more verses, passages and illustrations that explicitly define and reinforce God’s will for your life and your purpose! As long as you are following God’s plan for your life, as described above, you don’t have to worry if you are in God’s will.
Spend time in prayer and I promise, He will speak to you and gently lead you towards His purpose for your life, and since He designed and created you, this will also be the path that leads to the most personal fulfillment, peace and joy in the Lord. God bless you in your journey to understand your identity and purpose in Christ!
For a Deeper Dive:
Check out Clarence and Marlon Sellers, “More Purpose Podcast,” wherever you tap into your regular podcast fix
Prayer Playbook
This is a planned Daily Prayer Playbook on Purpose and Identity for Gen Z Christians to support your pursuit of your God-given purpose and identity. You drill down on essentials day to day in order to create a habit of prayer, scripture, contemplation and focus
Daily Structure for Winter 2025
1. Begin with Praise (2 Minutes) Begin by thanking God for His power, His love, and His wisdom, acknowledging He has created you specifically for a reason. Thank him for you and the way that He is making you
Example Verse: “I sing to Thee because I am great and wonderful made, Thy works are marvelous, I know that full well." – Psalm 139:14
2. Scripture Meditation (5 Minutes) Read a scripture about identity or purpose and consider what it means. Ask God how it relates to your life and purpose.
Example Verse “"For I know what I have planned for you, " the Lord says, "plans to multiply you and not to defile you, plans to give you hope and a future " – Jeremiah 29:11
3. Guided Contemplation (5 Minutes) Follow a daily prompt that asks you to think more deeply about who you are in Christ and why you are living your life. While we provide example prompts below, feel free to cook up your own To get started, you can easily ask Google to provide help The power comes from investing time in your relationship with God, in order to better discern His Will and Presence in your daily activities.
Monday: "How do I consider myself God’s special creation?"
Tuesday: "What talents has God given me that I could be of service to others?"
Wednesday: "What is my barrier to receiving God’s purpose?"
Thursday: "Who in my life can I model for them as they pursue God’s purpose for them?"
Friday: "How can I move my goals closer to God’s will?"
Prayer Playbook
4. Guidance Prayer (3 Min) Pray that God will help you know and live your purpose. Pray for direction, for strength, and for chances to fulfill His will for you.
Example Prayer: "God, tell me how I can live purposefully today Show me places where I can shine, use my talents to serve You."
5. Confession and Surrender (3 Minutes) Pray for and cling to any questions, worries, or areas you aren’t really letting God in on your mission. Inspire Him and promise to give up these places.
Example Verse: "Come with all your heart to the Lord, and lean not on thine own understanding." – Proverbs 3:5
6. Day Plan Action (2 Min) Ask God for one thing you could do today that is your purpose, be it being kind or encouraging or sharing your faith or following your purpose. For instance: "I will intentionally bless one person today, sharing God’s love in my words "
Prayer Guide
7. Ending Prayer and Thanksgiving (3 Minutes) End with a thank you prayer for God’s help, grace, and purpose in you Pray for each new stage of improvement and lean on Him for the future.
Example Verse: "Give thanks in all things; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."– 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Each day is a daily repeat of this regular, reflecting rhythm that can lead to selfactualization and growth in identity and purpose through intentional prayer and scripture meditation. It’s a rhythm that undergirds faithfilled living and it’s keeping Gen Z grounded in Christ and His divine plan for their lives.
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