Today is a Resource Blog – a review of two 30-day devotional books, written by Jen Barrick and her mother Linda Barrick. At the age of 15, Jen and her family were in a terrible car accident, hit by a drunk driver in 2006 in Lynchburg, VA.  Jen was in a coma for 5 weeks; the doctors did not give her much chance of living or being able to function well if she did. God has given her many miracles and although she has been through many surgeries and countless physical therapy sessions, she is a vibrant and active young lady. Early in her recovery she quoted scripture and has been able to sing praise songs, even when her brain injuries prohibited her from having regular conversations.  I remember praying for this family even though I did not know who they were. Jen’s life is truly a miracle from God and she treasures each day.
Jen and Linda were our main speakers for Blessed Girl Teen Conference in 2019. They both bring such joy and encouragement as they share their story and current blessings.  The devotional books they have written include stories, prayers and places to write about what you feel and answer questions to process the scriptures you have read for the day.
“Priceless” is a 203 page paperback devotional published in 2018 by Moody Press. The reader is encouraged to be honest with God and tell Him how you feel. In Day 5 you are asked to tell God why you are angry and given steps on what to do if you feel angry.  Each day has a scripture from the book of Psalms, such as Psalm 37 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”  Inspiring words are given such as on Day 22: “Like salvation laughter is a free gift from God. It’s God’s best natural medicine.  We have the choice every day to focus on the positive or negative. I like to think of Jesus laughing, not at me but with me. He is my best friend.”
In their second devotional book, published in 2020, “Beyond Priceless”, Jen shares: “My life will never be the same.  I have lots of hidden disabilities and every day is hard. But I’m not sad. I’m overflowing with peace and joy because I learned a secret; in the midst of my greatest trials, Jesus is enough!” This devotional is written recognizing that young women experience many feelings and it is important to acknowledge them . “The ups and downs of our feelings teach us to understand and experience new attributes of God and to learn to rely on Christ, our solid ground.”  There are places to write about how you feel about yourself, how you think God sees you, and you are prompted to write a prayer to God.
Jen writes, at the end of the book, “I pray you will allow God to capture your whole heart. Choose to go on an adventure with Him every single day.” This young lady will inspire you and challenge you to do just that, talk to Jesus every day and invite Him into your life; not just once but each day. You can find out more about their story and resources at hopeoutloud.com.
Blessings,
Jeri

SPRING—I have always thought of the Spring season as a time of freshness, a renewal; a time to look forward and to have hope for what is ahead.  Everywhere around there are trees budding and flowers blooming. Neighbors are outside working in the yard or taking walks and it is a good time to rene those  friendships.  Our Christian life needs a time of renewal also, to let go of the past and to “Press on towards the goal to win the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” as Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14.  Paul also tells us “we are hard-pressed on every side, struck down but not destroyed” (II Corinthian 4:8), but we know that God does send the refreshing rain and from that comes new growth. This is the “preparing soil and planting season” for those in our area. We  have most likely had our last frost, and it is safe to plant seeds in our gardens and fields. It is amazing how God has created the seasons and each season brings its own blessings.  As Ecclesiastes 3 tells us: "there is a time to reap and a time to sow, a time to plant and a time to gather”. Take time to take notice of the things you need to move on from, clearing out the dead plants, leaves and twigs in your own “Soil”, then as you need nourishment—seek refreshing water (Holy Spirit), and food (the Word of God). We also need the sun (Son of God) and fellowship (Other Christians); these will bring new growth in you and sustain you. Encourage others during this time as we look forward to being replenished from our Creator and Redeemer.
 Blessings, 
Jeri
"To plant a Garden is to believe in tomorrow”   Audrey Hepburn
 







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—”Blessed” meanings.. Synonyms are: exalted, rewarded, saved, holy, divine, favored, graced, fortunate, happy.  82 verses in the Bible contain the actual word “blessed”, however there are many more instances of God blessing people and nations. The internet can give us 1000 quotes on being blessed or blessed quotes. We can say we have a blessing, we are blessed, or tell others to “Be Blessed “or “Have a Blessed Day”. It is a positive word and when spoken to others, it is to wish them a good day or event. Including the term “Blessed” in the Girls’ conference title came from wanting each of us to realize how deep God’s love is for us and how blessed we are. It is in this knowing that we can rest and have confidence.
The first Blessed Girl Teen Conference was in February, 2014. It came about after I was trying to find a conference to take teen girls to, as I had done many years ago. The problem was that the only one I located was in Nashville, which was much too far to attend. I felt the Lord impressing upon me to start one and after much prayer and consideration, I began formalizing a plan. I knew many wonderful ladies in the Roanoke Valley who could lead the seminars, and asked my daughter in Lynchburg to recommend a lady to be the main speaker. She gave me the contact information for Rachel Travis, a former Mrs. Virginia winner and a former student at Word of Life Bible College. She did an amazing job speaking and even did a sweet duet with her mother. Although I had not planned further than this first conference, the attendees and youth leaders said we must do another; and so, we did and our 8th Annual Conference was February 2021. We did not want to cancel, even with the Pandemic, so we limited our attendance and also provided a virtual option. Evaluations and comments were positive and plans are to continue a virtual option in order to reach those who are unable to attend due to illness or location.
 
The first Conference also was centered around the Beatitudes. Found in Matthew 5:1-12, this is one of the most well known passages and includes 8 Blessings.  This is part of the sermon that Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus makes it clear that broken people are accepted and that brokenness is normal. The poor in Spirit, those that mourn, the meek, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, are those that Jesus came for.  Because He blesses us we will be comforted, filled, show mercy, see God, and have the kingdom of heaven. Basically He is saying it is worth it, the hard times will seem small when placed next to the gifts and promises of God.
Like a parent who loves their children and wants the best for them, so too is our Lord who hurts when we hurt, yet sees the bigger picture and provides the strength we need. God who walks with us in the storm, who wipes the tears from our eyes, who works things together for our good, who gives us a promise a day in His word. God who tells us we need fellowship, we need to bear one another’s burdens, and we can cry out to Him anytime, and that He will never leave us or forsake us. This God is the one we can depend on and the one we can rely on, the one true God, the I AM. The more that we delve into who God is, the more we can be assured that His desire is to bless us.
An old song, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Whenever I take time to count my blessings, my attitude and perspective is lifted and my load seems lighter. Let’s do that today, and more often; giving our cares and worries to God, allowing our days to be brighter and not just be blessed, but know we are blessed.
Blessings to you, Jeri  #blesssedgirlteenconference