Welcome to those of your stopping in from Jenny’s devotion with Proverbs 31 Ministries! You came to the right spot today. We are giving away five copies of her novel, Just Between You and Me, and – are you ready for this? – a Baked Goods Dreambox from Zingerman’s (courtesy of Thomas Nelson Publishers)!
In Just Between You and Me, Maggie Montgomery has a rather voracious sweet tooth and were she not a figment of Jenny B. Jones’ imagination, she would be the first to enter our giveaway today. However, since she is excluded from our contest, as am I, you should take advantage of the better odds and enter! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or sign up for our free monthly newsletter. One lucky winner will walk away with the gift basket and a copy of Jenny’s novel. Four other winners will each receive a copy of Just Between You and Me.
Zingerman’s Baked Goods Dreambox: “It’s a big foot and a half long pine crate stuffed to bursting with testaments to the temple of sweetness: our incredible nosher-sized Sourcream Coffeecake, two Ginger Scones, a Magic Brownie, a Dulce de Leche Buenos Aires Brownie and a Pecan Blondie, a Ginger Jump-Up Cookie, a Big Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, a nosher-sized Pecan Pie, a jar of American Spoon Cherry Berry Spoon Fruit, Mandelbread Jewish Biscotti, Washington State Fireweed Honey and one of our homemade Zzang!® Chocolate Bars.”
***Note: this dream 
box feeds 14 to 16 people, so be prepared to throw a party…or go into sugar shock. Or you could just send it to me. That’s a perfectly acceptable alternative.
And now, a few words from the lovely and talented Jenny B. Jones:
Just Between You and Me deals with the issue of fear–from phobias to the big, deep emotional things that can put the “pause” button on a life. One of my fears is flying. I hate it. I love hanging out in airports, but as for getting on a plane, I’d rather not. Despite the fact that I know who holds my life in His hands, I still have yet to get on a plane without being certain my life is about to end 30,000 feet in the air. Four years ago, I was on my way to a conference. It was a horrible flight. My friend Erin and I were praying for our lives. Literally. Out loud. Erin went with the 23rd Psalm. I went with some sort of begging-whining-made-up-on-the-spot thing. While flying doesn’t bring out the best in me, it also doesn’t seem to stop me from traveling. But it does ensure that my brain will be nonstop with panicked thoughts. On a recent trip, I jotted a few down. Thought I’d share.
Totally nervous. Somebody needs to take me out with a tranq gun. You know, the kind they use on rabid baboons who escape from the zoo.I need to workout. If I live, I’m gonna do that. And be kinder to strangers. And floss every day. And smile more. And read some classics. Okay, maybe just floss on the even days.
Yea, though I descend on American Airlines, I will fear no evil. . . but this turbulence is scaring the heck out of me.
Dear God, even though I’ve eaten enough this week to feed a small country, and now would be a good time to die calorie-wise so I don’t have to run all this off. . . it would be super cool if that didn’t happen.
Would I assist in an evacuation since I’m sitting on the exit row? SURE! (Was that believable? Because there is no way. It is every short girl for herself. Dude, if we go down, all rules are off, and I will go all Jackie Chan on you.)
Before a flight, I always eat whatever I want in case it’s my last meal. And it ain’t no salad, you know what I’m saying?
What was that noise?
The woman behind me has tuberculosis. I know it.
Seriously, what WAS that noise?
The pressure in my air conditioning vent could part the Red Sea.
I should advertise my books in SkyMall catalog. Right next to the FitFlops and the Nighttime Bunion Regulator.
Wow. The plane is really shaking. No wait. That’s me.
Okay, so flying is my big nail-biting fear. What about you?
Leave a comment. Share your fear. And enter to win enough sweets to give your dentist nightmares for a decade!
fear – a small but very powerful 4 letter word. I have had a fear of needles for 47 years. Makes it hard to go to the dentist, get a vaccination, shot , etc. I can’t explain why either, just have a great fear of any type of needles, other than sewing needles. I love to sew and have stuck my fingers with those for years.
On a happier note, I was so excited to find this website. I would love the basket, but more than that cannot wait to read this book. I LOVE TO READ!
Thanks so much ! I love P31 whether I win or not! The devotionals are awesome and encouraging. Thank you for what you do for us everyday!
Looks like an awesome read! I loved the devo. Fear is something I struggle and it really encouraged me to give it to God!
I would have to say that because I am such a control freak that my biggest fear is when I am in a situation where I am totally out of control. It can sometimes be almost paralyzing. I too know that God is truly the one who is in control and has my life in His hands, and yet, when I don’t FEEL in control it really shoots my anxiety levels up.
Thanks for sharing about fear. Isn’t God amazing in how He uses the common things to reach out and point out what He needs to work on in our lives. When someone asks me what I fear–my Christian response would be “nothing.” However, the Lord knows better and He nudges me to be honest with Him. My fear–okay fears–besides water and heights, have to be that my I won’t see my children come back to the Lord. What if Satan keeps the grip on them He has? What if God decides to test my marriage of 31 years with infidelity or death? My fears are the what ifs in life. Thanks for reminding me that Peter was victorious over his fear only as he focused on Jesus! That is how I can too!
Oh talk about fears. My worse fear ever I would have to say is being stuck on a bridge in my car where there is water hundreds of feet below me. That just gives me instant panic attacks! Oh and don’t make it a bridge that is shaking for any reason what so ever!
Hi:
I am a subscriber to Encouragement for Today, Charles Stanley Ministries, etc. Sometimes I get very anxious when I feel overwhelmed. I have to remind myself that God is in charge and I need to rest in Him. For us women, Christian or not, single, married, with children, or not have the same needs, wondering if we are living up to our Father’s purpose. In other words feeling special or important. Anyway, sometimes you can’t express everything on paper, but God knows everything about us. This novel is very interesting to read and I will purchase it soon. Thank you for the encouragement and sharing. God bless..
Thank you for today’s devotional…It really hit home!!! I hope to win a copy of your book.
I will be looking for this book at the library asap! Sounds great…and so relevant.
First time I went on this website! Fear! Yes, that’s me in capital letters. I have had a fear of living my life since I was about 15/16 years old. And I am 43 today! I have never really started LIVING my life. Just going from day to day, doing absolute necessary chores I can’t escape! I gave up my studies, I gave up many jobs. But I can’t give up being a mom to my lovely 7 year old daughter! I would definitely like to read this book. Especially because it is written with humour. I have always loved reading, but have read much to little over the past 10 years. I hope to change that.
The fear of being alone kept me alone for years- but as God gave me opportunity he also has given me the courage to open up and be proud of the unique person he made me to be- to serve him in the way that he has designed for me, and help others through everything that he has taught me. What a blessing! I still struggle with that fear, But as long as I lean on God and trust who he is, the perfect creator, I can move forward through anything.
Well, I found your website today and your devotional “Take a walk on the Wild side” really touched me. “Fear”, Well I fear being alone, although I know Jesus is always with me and will never leave or forsake me. To step out of the boat is really scary but I know I have to do it for God to accomplish His plans for my life. I would love to have your book. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly.
Thanks, Jenny, for the great devotional. I am afraid to try to be a writer also. I hope to move ahead on that very soon. I know I should not fear this venture because God has already answered a big prayer in my life. I was diagnosed with leukemia (AML) in mid-October. I am already in remission and am undergoing follow-up chemotherapy to keep me in remission. God has taken very good care of me during this ordeal.
All summer and early fall, I had a lot of sore throats and felt terrible. I kept seeing my doctor and he was monitoring my problems. Later he was the one who suspected my cancer and sent me to the hospital. During this time (summer and early fall), the Lord kept bringing Psalm 23 to my mind whenever I would pray. I knew He was focusing on “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will FEAR no evil.” God was preparing me for the leukemia diagnosis. During my treatment, He was allowed me to meet some wonderful people and be able witness to them. I have been ministered to by so many nice folks. He has taught me a lot about leaning on Him alone and denouncing fear.
I needed this devotional today. God is telling me to have NO FEAR in 2010 and reach for my DREAMS, not just my goals, MY DREAMS!!!
First of all, your “encouragement for today” was a knife to the heart. as in the good way. It’s really ironic because lately I’ve been dealing with this fear that’s been growing at a rapid pace. So when I read what you wrote, it encouraged me a lot to “take my eyes off the raging waters, off all the logical reasons why not, reach out my hand and slip it into God’s.” Oh, and I am so looking forward to reading your book whether I get a free copy of it or not. Anyways, one of my biggest fear is bugs. I just can’t stand them. Sometimes, the things I’ve done to avoid them seem absurd even to me. But other than that, I am especially afraid of not being accepted and of loneliness.
Fear. Wow. Depending on the day, there can be so many. Will my husband survive his tour in Iraq?Will my children remain healthy? Can I get everything done for the move without my husband? Will my son have friends in our new location? Will my friend survive her surgery? What if the plane with my family crashes and I don’t go down with them?Some days I’m paralyzed with fear. My biggest one is that God will decide that I love my husband too much and take him away just to show that I CAN survive without him. But then I look back over my life and see all of the things I SHOULD (logically speaking) have been afraid of, but the thought never occurred to me because I just knew that God was taking care of it, so why worry? Why can’t I be that way about everything? I guess I’m heading in that direction and getting better as I grow closer to God. I just wish I would hurry up and arrive there! Hmmm, I guess my next project to tackle will be patience……….
Fear the ugliest 4-letter word.
I have trust issues and fear is the result. For such a small little word; it is a paralyzing emotion. I don’t think I ever thought of it as an emotion until just now. I have let my emotions rule.
Thank you for your devotion on Proverbs 31. The articles are truly inspirational and always well timed. Raising 4 children on my own has been challenging and the encouragement from the ministry has been life-saving!!
Loved the book “Just Between You and Me”, I read it last week from my local library!
My biggest fear … Mice. I have no idea why, but I can totally fall to pieces in one second if I see one in our basement, or worse yet, on the main floor of the house!
Having to suffer emotionally or physically for an extended period of time.
This book sounds like something I should read. What do I fear? Lots and lots of stuff! Too many to list.
Thank you for the insite this morning. I need to not “stay in the boat”
I am soooo happy to have found your website! I am always looking for new authors to read and this has been a Godsend! This new book looks amazing and I can’t wait to pass it on to my friend. Thank you for all the work you do.
I have just joined a book club and we each rotate choosing a book. After reading the description of this book, I know what my recommendation is going to be. I just don’t know if I will be able to wait until then to read it!
I am in total fear when riding with my son on the highways of Houston….feels like a racetrack!
I love to go on cruises but this entails flying out of the midwest to a coast. The flying is what causes anxiety. I am claustrophobic and take great pains to get an aisle seat or at least one near the front of the plane. Nevertheless the seat plans often go awry and I make it but not comfortably. I have to talk myself into going. After all my kids are waiting for me and I have to go. I know it makes no sense but…..
Thank you so much for sharing how you overcame your fear to be a writer. I am at that same place. Your testimony gives me hope & courage to finish my first book & attend the She Writes conference in July. I have no idea what will happen but God keeps telling me to go (step by step). I am nervous & excited at the same time. I hope to exchange books with you one day.
This is going to sound really funny but my fear is fear of ladybugs! In the midwest in the spring & summer, they are everywhere. They get into everything & they bite. If one lands on me I go crazy & my family dies laughing!!!
Like most of us in life my fear is public speaking. Like Peter I Donna often have been guilty of taking my eyes off of Jesus. God really begin to deal with me in 2005 also giving me all of 4 books to write God had told me my true identity. He would set with me at the dining room table as I read his word and give me inspiration under the divine guidance of the Holy spirit. I began to be invited to speaking engagements and was eager to do the will of my father yet this fear would consume my mind as the day for me to speak grew closer my voice would tremble. Lord I would pray let this fear pass me all eyes would be on me I need them to look at you Father not Donna because she is flawed.Satan literly turned my world upside down at that time with major attacks upon my children. I began to think Lord how can you use this broken vessel who’s children are going crazy in their teen years help I am sinking like Peter. I took my eyes off of Christ and began to look at all the turbulence in my life Fear took over my walking on water. Those Books are still waitng to be published I so want to do what God has called me to do. I want to take these broken wings and learn to fly again for Jesus.
What does that mean my comment is waiting moderation?
Thank you so much for your devotionals , I look forward to them each day , you really speak to my heart . I struggle with fear daily it is one of my biggest struggles to be exact ! Thank you so much for insite and wisdom I look forward to your next post .
The goodie Basket looks and sounds AMAZING !!
This sounds like an excellent book…very timely. Me, I fear people. I don’t like to be around people as I’m always feeling very inferior. I also fear the dark…always have.
Thank you for today’s devotional. Fear is something many of us struggle with. It was good to be reminded of how many blessings I may be missing or opportunities are missed by staying in my comfort zone and never peeking out. Thank you for Proverbs 31 ministries.
Thank you for today’s devotional. Fear is something many of us struggle with. It was good to be reminded of how many blessings I may be missing or opportunities that are missed by staying in my comfort zone and never peeking out. Thank you for Proverbs 31 ministries.
I teeter between knowing everything is in GOD’s hand and
I need a job. GOD always takes care of me and I need a job.
I have the faith to get off the boat, I just need to stay focused
on Jesus so I won’t sink. I’m afraid of sinking!
My biggest fear – failing as a mom. It’s a fear that motivates me to take on too much and try to do too many things.
I really enjoyed your devotional this morning. Fear of many things has stopped me from doing alot of things in my life,..some things were probably good left undone, but I know there are things I’ve missed out on. I would love to read your book to help inspire me to do the things that I’m afraid of that I know God would want me to do.
I have a very irrational fear of spiders, the smallest ones!! Good thing I live in the North! I really think my 14year old daughter and I would very much enjoy this book. If I don’t win, I will be looking to buy!!
Love this website!!
I agree with Stephanie. My fear is loss of control, especially involving my children. They are older now and growing in independence. The decisions they make sometimes threaten them…even their very lives. I continue to turn them over to the Lord, but fear for them.
The book sounds great! Thanks for hosting another wonderful giveaway!
Fears. Oh, I don’t have any. And then reality hits. Fear of surrendering all. All. I am not a controlling person at all but I do fear controlling people. I was in a relationship where the controlling was very smooth. Scared me to death when the realization came. Through God’s grace I am out of the relationship, it was a “dating” relationship. But now I am sooooo fearful of trying dating again and opening up. It has been 16 months. I used this time to “heal”, but I am very lonely, but not afraid to be alone, since I have raised my children on “my own” with God’s provision, who’s kidding who, and would love to share in a real relationship, but am scared to death to open myself up and try again because of this past experience. My church is huge and very biblical but how do you “meet”? Sounds simplistic but is very complicated. FEAR!! Past mistakes. FEAR!! Love to read this “fiction” about fear.
I need to read this book. Fears have taken over my life and are keeping me from developing a relationship with the Lord and hindering my relationships with everyone else.
I have a huge fear of getting outside the box and change. I have a very small box that I am extremely comfortable in and I cringe at the thought of even thinking about getting out of it. I know that this is a huge thing and my husband works very hard to get me out of it all the time. This past Sunday he made me set on the other side of the church and I wasn’t sure that I was ok with it. He now says it was divine intervention because when we got into the sanctuary someone was in our usual seat causing us to have to set somewhere else. I know that God wants me to step out of the box, but I am definitely fighting my fear on that.
My number one fear is of rejection and judgement. I came from a background of lots of this and with God, I am still working to overcome it!
What a fabulous devotional, I laughed all the way through it. I can’t even imagine being afraid to fly, I love it!!! But I could actually see you in that seat, it was wonderful. A great way to start my day with God’s word and a good laugh. Thanks!
I so appreciate the humor that goes along with your fears! It can be comforting to “make fun of yourself” in the midst of fear- takes some of the “fear” away. I enjoyed the devotional a lot today and am adding your book to the titles to purchase list. (I work at a library) Have a blessed day everyone1
What don’t I fear? I have a lot of fears that I battle. One of my biggest is that my children won’t choose to live a life for God. There are no signs of this at the moment – but I’m still raising them and at some point they will make the choice that they want to run with their faith on their own or not .
I am deathly afraid of mice and spiders. Just seeing them paralyzes me. Seriously, the right half of my head goes numb and I start bawling. One time a spider came crawling into the bathroom, stalking me, while I was on the toilet and I couldn’t get up or kill it. I was stuck there for twenty minutes until my aunt came by and heard me screaming. She came in and killed the spider and carried me out of the bathroom! I guess it’s lucky that my hubby doesn’t mind killing spiders!!
blessings
Fear is something we all struggle with. I love the Proverbs 31 devotions I read every day! I am always looking for good reads recommended by Godly women! Thank you for SheReads!
Jenny B. Jones just spoke my heart. I love how she shares her fears, her humor and her wonderful spirit of true confessions, in a way that made me laugh and cry at the same time. I see myself in her words.
I am a young fifty year old mother and wife… that’s right – I said young – and in my lifetime I have learned a few lessons in having faith and overcoming fear; with four kids you would hope so. However, I have not accomplished that with flying. I have never flown – ever. I start to hyperventilate just thinking about getting on a plane… but I am sure that I am not the only person who avoids this mode of transportation – right? right??? I live in Virginia…. a good two days drive from my family in Okla. I keep wondering how God is gonna get me on that plane should I ever be needed back home in an emergency. I lay in bed and pray – “God just take the fear away, I know you can do it God.. come on God – God??? Hello???” Nothing – just the sounds of invisible spiritual crickets chirping away in the night. Jenny’s words hit home and I can’t wait to read Just Between You and Me.