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!
The future. What if I don’t get a good job? What if I don’t get married? What if I turn into a cat lady!?!?..ok that was a bit extreme…I don’t even like cats that much. I know its in God’s hands but sometimes it still terrifies me.
loved the devotional!
The fear of not really seeing how God has or will redeem some egregious mistakes in my life sometimes seems overwhelming, as the repercussions of these mistakes have been far-reaching. Re-focusing on situations God redeemed in Scripture has helped, as well as just getting to know Him better and learning to believe that He is faithful.
What do I fear? Well, a big one is confronting people. I lean towards the people pleasing side and confrontations or just the thought of them can make me break a sweat.
I haave two fears. first is of flying and the other one is of going to the dentist. I don’t know why,I just have always been afraid of the dentist since I was a kid.
I swore I would be a writer when I was seven years old. That was 50 years ago, I’ve been too afraid to try. I believe God wants me to write, I guess I just don’t have the faith to take the first step. How do I know if it’s just me or God putting the desire in my heart?
My major fear is water. Driving over it or flying over it… or sitting near it on a windy (thus wavy) day on the edge of the beach. I live at the edge of Lake Michigan. Great during the day; creepy at night. Thought I’d concoured my fear for some time; was able to drive over bridges going into Louisville, KY a couple of times without my knuckles turning white or hyperventalating, but the ever present thought of how would I escape from my car if we went over the side of the bridge and fell into the river and who would I get out first, still lingered. It’s helpful to find someone who is full of faith, like myself, but still battling some fears. I wonder how I can be so sure of God in so many areas of my life but weak in others. . . . thanks for your encouragement!
Count me in! Thank you for the opportunity.
I love this site. It’s a joy to find a place that recommends great books to read. I’ve enjoyed reading the interviews with the authors too. It’s like meeting new friends! Thanks so much.
Great site! Just found it! My fear? Not being significant. I am an introverted person that just sort of melts into the background. I fear never making a difference, never doing anything of value, being stagnant.
Thanks for the encouragement. I think my biggest fear is change…of new things, and the unknown. I needed the reminder to have the courage to step out of the boat and experience the things God has for me!
Over the past few days, I have realized that fear is one of the biggest roadblocks in my life. I am slowly learning to trust God everyday of my life for all things. I am interested in reading and finding out how you overcame. Thank you!
Wow! That devotional spoke to me! Thanks for the opportunity to read more! blessings on you today!
Huge fear of failure. I will not try things sometimes because I don’t want to fail at them. I need to step out more often, like Peter walking on the water……great devotion- Thanks!
I used to think I was scared of heights, but realized that I don’t mind being way up in the air–as long as I feel like I’m not going to fall. So my true biggest fear is falling from great heights. I guess this means no hot-air balloon rides will be in my future.
I like the part about giving your dentist nightmares…..I’m headed there today! The book sounds great and winning the treats sounds great also!
Sometimes I’m afraid I’ll never get over being so hard on myself. Though, I know better, I’ve got to fight the feelings and stick with the facts.
Thanks for the great leads on titles and authors. Much appreciated for our monthly book club!
In the last year, I have taken bold steps and made great progress in my journey to become fearless by learning to trust God. I pray to Him each day that he forgives my weakness to question and fear, and I know each day as I leave my door that he is with me, holding my hand. Your book sounds wonderful and something I can totally relate to.
~~Roxann
Thanks so much for this timely devotion – it means a lot! The fears I battle the most are probably the future and failure. Nothing major, right?
I love God Loving websites. I enjoy sweet gooey goodness!
I try to not fear anything but some things get ahold of your inner most being and won’t let go such as I fear snakes! I hate that I fear snakes, it really hinders my enjoyment of yard work and walking in the woods. Where I live, snakes can’t hurt you….except when you see one and you begin to climb up the side of your husband and tiptoe on his head! Then it hurts!
The biggies though? I fear my loved ones won’t accept the Lord! I fear losing a child!
For years I’ve wanted to be a School Nurse. In 2003, I almost registered at the Community College. I was convinced of an easier, faster school. So, I did that. I received my certification for Medical Assistant. I tried in 3 different School Districts, but they only hired either RNs or LVNs. Time passed and I still held on to that dream. In 2009, I found a School District that would hire me, but as an assistant. There are so many restrictions that I have because I’m not an RN. I’m almost there, but I still haven’t let go of my dream. Different things keep coming up, mainly finances, that just keep holding me back. I’ve come to realize that it’s mainly my fear of failure and a lot of What Ifs that are holding me back. I’m finally registered at the Community College and plan to start this summer.
My big fear is flying…just don’t like it at all. I recently took my daughter to Disney and had to fly..she totally loved it but I sat there trying to disguise my fear!
Love to win the book!
My phobia is of heights. I’ve always had this problem. I’m usually okay if I don’t look down but usually the temptation to look down is so great that I do it anyway.
I appreciate your website. My greatest fear is that I won’t overcome my hurts, habits, and hangups so that I can become all God created me to be. Willing to be willing to do the work Lord!
This book is exactly what I need. I spend way too much time dreaming and thinking, yet stay paralyzed with fears, some I’ve only recently become aware of. I’m very excited to read this book, whether I happen to be one of the lucky ones who wins or I buy it for myself!! Thanks so much for a great devotion!
Can’t wait to read this book!!!
I am looking forward to reading this book. The subject matter is one the Lord has been walking me through. Thanks!!
Thank you for the giveaway! The book looks excellent. I am afraid of heights, don’t think I am ever going to overcome them enough to go bungee jumping or skydiving!
I found this website yesterday. I have been a big fan of Proverbs 31 ministries for a long time now and I love to read (when I can). I am looking forward to receiving my first newsletter. Jennifer
I love this site. I love reading about the authors and their books.
Thank you She Reads.. My Fear, Cliffs and Bridges. Oh my
My biggest fears have everything to do w/my child. Anything and everything you can imagine that you could fear for your child,- that’s me. Oh and I have big fears over being victimized. I try not to read the news a lot b/c that only makes that worse.
My biggest fear has always been my house catching on fire in the middle of the night, or atany time really. I honstly get nervous when I can’t fall asleep and my thoughts always end up in my fear. I sare around and think of ways to rescue my fish, guitar, bible, laptop, scrapbooks, camera, phone, ect…
It’s harder than you’d think… trying to think all that out. wierd how thestuff you’d save changes! Please enter me in the drawing for thi AH-mazing book package!!
that book looks amazing! my biggest fear – definitely spiders! i seriously tear up our of fear when i see one, no matter the size.
Thanks for having such a fun giveaway. I enjoy She Reads very much & the daily devotionals from P31.
Oh, forgot to share my fear. Ok, totally afraid of heights. Driving across a bridge causes me to grip the handle of the car tightly and clench my teeth. Going around a high curve on the expressway causes me to yell at my husband ‘slower’ I SAID slower’:) Sounds funny, but my oh my it is truly a fear. I am working on just yelling silently:)
Afraid of being out of control in any way. I remember a commercial on the Weather Channel where an SUV skids out of control on a snow covered interstate and hits a guard rail. To me it was like watching a horror movie. I had to cover my eyes whenever it cameon.
My fear is of rejection
My fears are libririans and mascots/any people wearing costumes like Barney or that Chick-fil-a cow. Ok, i’m not terrified by them, but they freak me out just a little (I had bad experiences with both. Don’t ask;). My biggest fear is probably not giving God my all. Like I don’t want to get to heaven and be told I did good BUT you could have done so much more. I feel like I’m called to writing or speaking or missions. I guess we’ll see! Oh please pray that I’ll be able to go on a missions trip to Honduras this summer
This is my first time leaving a comment or blog on any web site. Wow. The devotional really spoke to me. I wish all my life and I will be 51 this year. I know my Lord, but do I try to help Him? Yes, I get in the way. Thank you for telling me again, to embrace life and get out of the Lord’s way. He makes all things NEW.
I also have a fear of flying. I think it stems from a basic fear of heights. I always have my Bible in my lap – that way I’m sure of who I am putting my trust in. I would be OK if the plane just fell apart in the air without ever knowing it was coming – just not those few minutes of free fall as your life flashes before you. And I’m OK if my whole family is with me because no one is left behind. But my children are all married now and having children xo it never happens that we are all together!
This book sounds like it was made for me. I look forward to reading it. I have been dealing with many fears in my life of just what the future holds for me & my family. I am trying to learn to trust God!
Ah – I fear the dentist and getting shots – yikes! And the fears seems to get worse with age… Lord, help me
Oh, I enjoyed this! I forwarded it a couple of friends. I can’t say I’m big on the whole flying idea either so I feel for ya, Jenny!
My biggest fear is that I’m bound for greatness and I’m going to miss it somehow. That I’m going to spend my life walking in circles and never get anywhere. Kind of like having a gift card to Sears only to realize I’ve been shopping in Walmart the entire time…if that makes any sense.
Thanks again for sharing this! It gave me a much needed laugh…
Deb
Shudder. My Godzilla sized fear is when I have to drive across tall, skinny bridges over water. It is always, always my ‘depends’ moment. What happens to me physically depends on how much liquid I’ve had, how long I’ve held that liquid. My fear depends on how my faith meter is fluctuating…if the UPS driver is tailgating me…I breathe in a Lamaze chant…’I will not fear. I will NOT fear. I WILL not fear…but the only thing I’ve given birth to is the fact that I will drive miles out of the way to avoid tall, skinny bridges over water.
I am not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of the splat that would come if I fell over the bridge.
My biggest fear is rejection, of my spouse, kids or someone with whom I am sharing my faith. I have to take my eyes off myself and focus on God and know that He has it all figured out.
Dear Sirs,
I had clicked on and signed up but did not knpow what I wassigning up for.
I am still getting the SHE SAYS in my emails. I had tried to send a email
and got email I had signed off but I AM STILL GETTING EMAIL OF SHE SAYS.
please take me off your list please. tidbit4Jesus@verizon.net
Virginia Stewart
I have a fear of flying. With months of prayer, I flew to Alaska (from New York state) in 2007, and I had a wonderful time! But I haven’t flown since, and it would take more months of prayer if I decided to do so again. I’m concerned this is hindering me from what God might want me to do to serve others. Why don’t I trust Him more?!
What a great website for book clubbers…especially those who help to choose the books! I love the look and feel of it and all the great info. Thank you so much for getting it going.