AHW MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER
About His Work with Janet January 2016
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FORSAKEN GOD?
REMEMBERING THE GOODNESS OF GOD OUR CULTURE HAS FORGOTTEN
"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people." Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
I wish the above quote by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. had come to my attention when I was writing my February 9th release Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten because his comment summarizes what this book is about. We, the followers of Jesus, need to join forces--and what a mighty force we would be--and not only remember how good God has been to us, but proclaim His goodness to a world that has lost sight of their Creator. A world that is trading good for evil, right for wrong, moral for immoral, trust for mistrust, spiritual for secular . . . and the list goes on.
We must take action wherever we are, wherever God gives us a sphere of influence. We must break the silence and boldly proclaim the goodness of God as we work, play, shop, recreate, communicate, fellowship--wherever our life takes us, we take a stand for God. Break the "appalling silence" and turn the few who are challenging the waywardness of this culture to a roaring multitude of believers singing the praises of God! Would you do that . . . not just for me, but for the future of our nation, our families, our communities, our world and GOD.
Sadly, it's not just the world that has forsaken God: His church is following the world faster than ever before in history. The moral compass we could all depend on as Christians is spinning any direction that feels right. It's spinning farther and farther away from the God of the Bible.
God put the premise of Forsaken God? on my heart almost ten years ago, but I never lost hope that it would one day be in print: I just didn't know when. As always, God's timing is perfect and NOW is the time for this book to light a fire in our hearts again. To make us bold for Christ as we find ways to remember God's goodness to us and to past generations. Remembering God's past goodness, gives us hope for the future.
Will you indulge me, as I ask you to do something I have never asked of you before? Will you help me get this book into the hands of men and women in your sphere of influence? God had a plan for Forsaken God? and its time is NOW.
Forsaken God? is not a Bible study, but it does trace the waywardness of the Israelites and how their forsaking and forgetting God relates to us today. There are study questions after each chapter for group discussion.
My heart is not in fancy marketing campaigns; but simply a grassroots request. If you've followed me in the past and share my heart and passion for one generation teaching and training the next generation in leading and living a godly life, will you please help me get this book into the hands of every Christian, church staff, group leader, family member . . . . Wherever God opens a door. Let's start the migration back to remembering, sharing, and vocalizing the goodness of God to a world sinking quickly into Satan's abyss.
Some have already ordered multiple copies to give to friends and families. Let's not be the lone person looking towards God while the rest of the crowd follows the culture. Let's influence that culture for Christ. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.
Forsaken God? is a must-read book! Janet Thompson skillfully points the reader to specific ways we can remember the goodness of God. This book poignantly weaves biblical wisdom with the true stories of people who have rediscovered the power of honoring, praising, and celebrating God. The bonus in the last few chapters offers hands-on steps for fostering a generation of people who choose to remember the praiseworthy deeds of our God and will pass that knowledge on to others. This is a book you will refer to again and again.
-Carol Kent, speaker and author of When I Lay My Isaac Down (NavPress)
Thank you in advance for your help and for your prayers for God to use His book in a mighty way! About His Work,
Janet
PSSS: Read the Author Interview with Anita Agers-Brooks about her book, Getting Through What You Can't Get Over and a chance to win a free copy.
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FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Team That Jesus Built
How to Develop, Equip, and Commission a Women's Ministry Team
Building, remodeling, or refurbishing your ministry?
THERE ARE NUMEROUS THEORIES AND BOOKS written on leadership and team building, but from personal experience Janet learned that none surpass the example of Jesus and His team of disciples. Using the Gospel of Mark as the text, Janet will help you develop a team that is equipped to do the Lord's work even when you are not around.
Through personal observations, step-by-step instructions, and simple how-to applications of Jesus' leadership principles, The Team That Jesus Built equips laywomen-regardless of church location, denomination, or size-to cultivate leadership skills and create teams for the glory of God. The goal of every ministry leader!
Fellow author and speaker, Pam Farrell, says, "My mentee, Brittany Van Ryn below is loving your book.. building a new women's ministry team and ministry at her church plant. Thx Janet! ."
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I Would Love to Speak at Your Event!
To contact Janet
about your event
call or email to discuss availability.
Janet speaking at Calvary Chapel Boise MOPS event
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Our testimony this month is from a ministry leader in a church in Colorado who used The Team That Jesus Built to build her team.
Hi Janet,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family! I wanted to let you know that your book " The Team That Jesus Built" helped me so much these last few months. I used your process to determine the roles and made my first list of prospects...it's interesting how God took that and brought exactly who He wanted to be on our team as the list looked somewhat different than what I thought. It was very cool to walk through that process and see how God moved and worked. We now have a team of 9 women, plus me and the cool thing is most of the women I did not know and they don't know each other...God totally brought them and He is using them and their gifts for His glory. I went through the interview process and one women said no to being on the team, and it was the right decision. I'm now using it to put my planning retreat together and train up the next leaders. Go God!!
Thank you for the resources you have created, for sharing them with the world...so blessed to connect with you. Joni Leahy
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Mentoring Tip
January 21st is National Thank Your Mentor Day (January is National Mentoring Month). Send a thank you card/email/text to the mentors who have poured into your life.
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"GRAMMIE'S CORNER"
Over the years, you've watched me post pictures of my Idaho grandkids adventures at AWANA'S. They've learned so much there and grew in their faith. Then one by one, they decided not to go back. Katelyn, who won first place in the Bible Quiz last year, was the last holdout. Then after Christmas break, she decided she too was ready to stop going.
I have to admit that at first, I was sad. I looked forward to cheering her on again in the Bible Quiz competition and watching her continue to grow in her faith. But then, I realized maybe God was calling me to get more active in mentoring 10 year-old Katelyn.
Last Easter, she asked for one of my books, so I gave her Face-to-Face with Mary and Martha: Sisters in Christ. We started doing the study together, but hadn't worked on it lately. I realized that God was telling me to make it a priority to work on this study with her whenever we were together.
So the last two weekends, we have made time to study together. This past Saturday, we went to a coffee shop and then had lunch with Grandpa in between her basketball game and her brother and sister's games. As we sat at the Souper Salad restaurant that she chose, in her sweet way, she said, "This is very special." Melt my heart!
I'll try to be sure we study often at her house too or when all the kids are with us because older brother and younger sister like to listen in. It's so easy to get discouraged with things we can't control, but I've learned to turn my focus to what God wants me to do in this situation and how can we let Him turn it to good.
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Meet An Author
How would you describe your writing in general to someone who hasn't read any of your books?
I tell true stories to show readers they are not alone in their struggles, I hope to give them courage to make fresh starts with fresh faith. In order to provide real takeaway value to my readers, I research, interview, and share personal insights so I can provide spiritual inspiration and practical tips to help them get through tough moments when the thought of getting through a whole day is overwhelming.
What inspired you to write Getting Through What You Can't Get Over?
I went through a season of my life where I was still recovering from one traumatic event while a new one rolled over me - then another, and another. I call it my Jobette season, (think female version of Job from the Bible.) I learned that there are things people will never get over, but by gripping Christ's hand, they can get through to a place where pain-filled people may laugh yet again.
I also learned that well-meaning people in the 21st century are no different from Job's well-meaning friends in the Bible. People made similar comments to me as his friends made to him - some almost verbatim. As other hurting people began to reach out to me for comfort and advice, I realized there are a lot of walking wounded in need of real hope and encouragement.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30 second blurb?
There are some things people will never get over, no matter how much they want to. For instance, a parent won't get over the loss of their child. A couple won't get over the loss of their home. An adult doesn't get over the abuse they experienced in their childhood. A person in chronic pain doesn't get over their desire for one pain-free day. But, there are ways they can get through, and by believing God, they can put one foot in front of the other, walking through dark valleys, until one day, they realize they've stepped back into the light of genuine laughter. Forever transformed as they discover the purpose hidden in their pain.
How did you research or plan your book?
I did in-depth studies of PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as the result of common traumas, not related to military service. I interviewed real people who have experienced things many of us can't begin to imagine. I spoke with therapists and counselors, particularly about the importance of facing each specific step in the grieving process so a person can truly heal. I also researched the most common traumas every day people face, to give those impacted a voice.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book? Or Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?
I believe those who will benefit the most from my book are the walking wounded who are desperate to feel better, who are misinterpreted as, "just wanting attention," or who have forgotten what it's like to smile or laugh without it being fake or forced. People who are tired of the cliche's, the trite answers, the easy fix-its from people who don't understand. Proverbs 25:20 says it best, "Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound." (NLT)
But I also wrote it for those who know and care for someone I just described. Getting Through What You Can't Get Over isn't just a handbook for the hurting, but it also provides insights and ideas for those who want to help, who want to avoid adding stinging nettles to a wounded soul.
To learn more about Anita, her ministry and her books visit her website. If you would like to enter a drawing to win a copy of Anita's book, please contact me.
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