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We Want to Hear from YOU! Email Us @ rebeccastjames@rsjames.comMESSAGE FROM REBECCA: Hearts Wide Open
Rebecca on the set of Sarah's ChoiceNot too long ago I was greatly impacted by something my life coach did. I was sharing about the challenges of keeping balance in ministry. As usual he listened intently and then brought wisdom to the table. At the end of the conversation, he shared that in his own life he too had struggled with exactly the same thing. I was so impressed that he, in his position of leadership, was so vulnerable with me.
Often I’ve felt that professionalism requires a strong front rather than what many people perceive as a sign of weakness. Over the last few years I have learned that sometimes one of the most powerful and surprisingly strong things we can do as leaders is to share vulnerably at appropriate times. This invites beautiful community. We all hurt and by sharing in this way, as led by God, we invite others to relate deeply with us.
I have a very open and honest relationship with my best friend Karleen. She is married and has four kids. It’s amazing because she lives in a completely different world from my life, yet we have so much in common! When we get together we can relate on so many levels. Spiritually, she’s strong—she brings accountability and encouragement to me. Sometimes we are going through the same things, or have similar challenges in our lives, but they are due to a completely different set of circumstances. I constantly see how God has ordained our friendship and provided us for each other. I so see God’s beautiful hand on our friendship.
The apostle Paul once wrote these challenging words:
“Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you. Our hearts are open to you. If there is a problem between us, it is not because of a lack of love on our part, but because you have withheld your love from us. I am talking now as I would to my own children. Open your hearts to us!” (2 Corinthians 6:11-13, NLT).Hearts wide open before others. That’s a very cool thought. If we live with a purity of spirit we’ll have nothing to hide. We have nothing to be ashamed of, no fear of being found out. What a liberating feeling! That doesn’t mean we’re perfect, just that we are committed to living openly and honestly before others. The Dutch priest Henri Nouwen said that we could be “wounded healers.” We may have struggled with certain things in the past, but now we are not looking back, we are looking toward the future. We need to be as vulnerable and open with others as possible as we do life together.
The book of Proverbs offers some great wisdom on this theme of the value of living honestly before others.
• “Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty” (Proverbs 11:3, NLT).
• “The godly are directed by their honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin” (Proverbs 11:5, NLT).
• “Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth” (Proverbs 16:13, The Message).Is there an aspect of living vulnerably before others that is scary? Absolutely. But we are made for community. Sometimes it can be messy, but where would we be without the help of others speaking into our lives? Choose one of the verses above and commit it to memory. Then walk in the truth.
Be encouraged!
REBECCA
REBECCA LATEST BOOK “LOVED” GETS PRAISE FROM TITLETRAKK.COM!Check out the great review Rebecca received from the friends at
Titletrakk.com!
“SARAH’S CHOICE” PREMIERES IN BOSTON!Rebecca’s forthcoming movie, “Sarah’s Choice” was previewed in Boston to enthusiastic audiences! It will debut November 17th nationally on DVD –be the first to see it and share the news with friends…
Here’s the recent preview article in the Christian Post!
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090930/pro-life-movie-starring-rebecca-st-james-makes-world-premiere/index.htmlCHECK OUT NEW AND CLASSIC RSJ MUSIC ON MYSPACEJust up--I Need You ! Check out all the latest on
RSJ MyspaceUPCOMING TELEVISIONRebecca has national television appearances coming in November!
• November 8th – Crystal Cathedral –live airing from Garden Grove, Calif.
• November 19th –Day Star-TV “Celebration” –live telecast on the Day Stay Network!
She is this week taping a guest appearance on JC-TV’s popular “Top 3”—to be aired in November –we’ll advise you of airdate…
RSJ ON THE ROADOctober 23 -- Anchorage Baptist Temple
6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, Alaska
November 15 -- Calvary Chapel
12808 Woodruff Ave.
Downey, California
November 21 -- The Grove
19900 Grove Community Drive
Riverside, California
November 22 -- The Grove
19900 Grove Community Drive
Riverside, California
November 29 -- Rock Church
2277 Rosecrans St.
San Diego, CaliforniaREBECCA'S MAILBOXRebecca,
You have always been an inspiration to me, since I saw you in concert for the first time years ago, while I was in high school. I continue to enjoy your music and books. I just received your book Loved, yesterday, and I can't put it down... I feel like I am reading my life's story over and over again, on each page. You are truly an amazing and talented person! Thank you for living your life for God, and helping other to see His love through you. I can't wait to see Sarah's Choice!
Keep up the good work of spreading God's love,
Sarah