Unveiling Jesus

UNVEILING JESUS
You know when you layer a filter over a photo and it changes what the subject of the photo looked like in person? It might be nearly imperceptible to others or totally transforming, like when you simply brighten a photo or completely change a color one into one that looks black and white or vintage. 

We do the same in every aspect of life. We all view any number of things through filters. What veils our eyes may be the result of past experiences, teaching we’ve had, the homes in which we grew up, the friends we’ve surrounded ourselves with, culture, media, those who have been in positions of leadership or authority in our lives, or any number of other things.

It’s the same with our perception of Jesus.

We “know” Jesus through the filters of religion, through what we’ve been taught by our parents and church leaders, by how we see Christians act and how they treat others, by what unbelievers say and believe about Him, by the disappointments we’ve faced, and the suffering we've seen. Not only that, culture, media, politics, and so many other things in the world around us shape our “truth”.

Do you know there are multiple places in the Bible that talk about a time to come when Jesus would be unveiled? (You can find a few in John 17:1, Philippians 1:6 & 10.) 

That time has come. 

God is unveiling the truth of who Jesus really is and who He’s not. He longs to remove the filters from before our eyes so we can finally see Him clearly and experience deep, intimate friendship with Him.

Sometimes, you simply need someone to help you lift the veil or remove the filter you've been using, allowing you to clearly see what's been right before you. 

Jesus is all about relationship, not religion. Come encounter Him.

 STARTING THIS WEEK!
6 Week Online Course, May 12th – June 16th

Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. EST – FB Live* (Recorded so you can still catch it even if you can’t make the live.)

Thursday Night Topics: Relationship, Not Religion; Made to Worship; Communion & Communing; Chatting with the King; When Life Gets Real; “Swept Off Your Feet”

Plus, “Coffee & Conversation” – Tuesday mornings 8:00 a.m. EST (Join us on FB* with your cup of coffee or tea in hand as we have a chat about that morning's topic. These are bonus sessions that will also be recorded.) 

Coffee & Conversation Topics: Hope, the Prophetic, the Supernatural Aspects of God & Heaven, Decreeing & Declaring, Being the Church, Live Q & A 

Cost: $150 (payable via Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or check)

Those who seek Him find Him… 
Chase after His heart. 
Know Him in truth…and be known in love.

Register to be added to the group.
*Not on FaceBook? Ask us about other options.



Living for Him,
Andrea & Brian
 
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same


What About the ONE?

WHAT ABOUT THE ONE?
I think we each have an innate desire to make a difference in the world. There's a longing in our hearts to make our mark, do something significant, have it be on a large scale, and make a name for ourselves. 

It used to be a hope that we'd be remembered for something "great" after we'd left this earth, but now, we want to be known far and wide through social media in the now.

It's no different in the ministry world. The perspective is simply shifted to having a platform that will enable us to reach more people for Jesus. Sometimes that's great; other times, it's still all about self-promotion. I'm not here to judge and won't. I'm simply acknowledging it.

The thing is . . . I'm no different. I want to make a huge difference in the world around me, too. What God has recently been speaking so powerfully to me about is the importance of seeing and reaching the ONE. Yes, multitudes are great. Jesus Himself drew them to Him and spoke to them. Yet, He noticed and stopped for the ONE - the blind man, the Samaritan Woman, the paralyzed man, the woman with the issue of blood, the Centurion . . . In reaching the ONE, He transformed generations - and nations.

I've been a lot more focused on the one because that's what God has been prompting me to do. The added bonus? I've found tremendous freedom in letting go of trying to create something larger myself and instead, leaving that up to God and His plans in partnering with me. 

What's been amazing to witness is the transformation happening in the lives of the "ONE" and how that's being worked out in families. Families means generations and generations shape culture. Reaching the ONE makes history.

I'm asking God to make me more aware of the ONE in front of me. I can get so task-oriented that I miss people more often than I want to admit. I'm thankful each time He opens my eyes.

Need a conversation or prayer together? Please reach out. I'll stop to make time for you. You're ONE who matters!
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same


Feeling Paralyzed?

FEELING PARALYZED?
God has been speaking to me over and over recently through the story of the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda. Reading the account in The Passion Translation has helped me to see and hear things I’d never noticed before.

You can find the story in John 5: 1-16. You’ll read how Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish feasts and while there, He went to an area in the city near the Sheep Gate, which is where the sacrificial animals were brought into the temple. The note on this verse makes an observation that “the sick gathered there like bruised, wounded sheep, needing healing” (note, vs.2). I was struck by the recognition that hundreds were lying under the covered porches . . . “all of them waiting for their healing” (vs. 3). The Lord pierced my heart when I read that because I sensed His longing for ALL to be well – then and now. So many are still waiting on God for healing – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually . . . 

The man at the pool had been waiting for 38 years. Time after time, he had tried to scramble into the pool when the angel stirred the waters, hoping to be the first in and be healed, yet he was unable to get healed from the source he had relied on for so long.  

When Jesus saw him, His first question to the man was, “Do you truly long to be well?” (v. 6b) That may seem like an odd question to ask, but this man had created an identity as “the paralyzed man” and to be able to walk again meant letting go of who he was known as and who he identified himself as being. Life and his approach to it would look very different and feel unfamiliar if he were able to walk again. That was likely a little scary. Did he prefer to remain as he was, or was he willing to let go of how he saw himself? 

The man never answered Jesus’ direct question. Instead, he made excuses and blamed others for getting there first, “stealing” the healing he was longing for himself, yet he didn’t recognize the Healer who stood before him. How often do we do that ourselves? We blame others when we don’t get what we feel should be ours, we make excuses why we can’t obtain it, and we may even miss the solution being right before us.

Interestingly, in turn, Jesus didn’t respond to what the man said, neither did He pray for him to be healed. Jesus simply said, “Stand up! Pick up your sleeping mat and you will walk!” (v.8) The man had to act in obedience and do what he hadn’t been able to do in 38 years. 

In picking up his mat, he also had to break the Jewish Sabbath law that he had lived by all his life and choose to literally step into the new covenant Jesus was making available to him. The law he lived under couldn’t heal, but Jesus was the fulfillment of the law (Matt. 5:17) and healing was found in Him.

The man never questioned Jesus’ command to him. He acted immediately and when he took that step – I think more out of obedience than faith, he was healed, no longer paralyzed but taking steps forward into his destiny. The man didn’t even know Jesus’ name, let alone that He was the Messiah. Yet, he experienced the fullness of Jesus in that encounter – His love, miraculous healing, and also His passionate pursuit of the man’s total freedom in every way, as we’ll soon see.

The crazy thing? The Jewish leaders didn’t rejoice over the miracle of this man’s healing but focused instead on the man breaking the Sabbath law. They were so steeped in religion, they couldn’t rejoice over the freedom that had been gained through relationship. Unfortunately, we still see that in churches and Christian circles today. When Jesus doesn’t fit within religious confines, many find it offensive.

As the story continues, Jesus found the man a second time. In this encounter, Jesus affirmed the man’s healing, then told him to “Walk away from your sin so that nothing worse will happen to you” (v.14) Jesus’ words to the man left me confused. What sin had the man committed?

As I spent time in God’s presence asking Him about it, I asked if the man’s sin had been not living life and engaging with his destiny and calling even though paralyzed? Maybe it was that he hadn’t “walked” forward, despite his physical limitations, but instead wasted his life in self-pity? Maybe Jesus was telling him to act and take steps forward in his life because if he didn’t, he would remain “paralyzed” and would end up in an even worse state of hopelessness that would steal life from him in even greater measure. If the man continued to believe he was useless, powerless, too many years had been wasted, and he was too old to make a difference now, he would remain just as paralyzed as he had been when he couldn’t walk and that would be a sin. How often do we do and think similarly?

I believe Jesus was telling the man that he still had life to live and purpose to embrace. He was to walk forward, leave the past behind, and not allow what he had known previously in his life to keep him paralyzed from moving into all that still lay ahead of him. If he wasn’t willing to do that, he would continue sinning by remaining paralyzed by his past mindset and perspective of his life.

The story doesn’t record how the man discovered Jesus’ identity, but he went back to the Jewish leaders and told them who had healed him. It ignited the Jewish leaders’ persecution of Jesus – all because of what Jesus did on the Sabbath and how it broke their religious laws (v. 16).


Jesus isn’t about laws or legalism. He came to set us free from the law. The law only brings death. Jesus came to give us life.

So many of us remain in a paralyzed state each day. We allow mindsets, beliefs we have about ourselves and perceived limitations, as well as any number of accepted obstacles to prevent us from taking steps forward into our destinies and callings. We don’t engage in the things God is telling us to do because we don’t believe we’re able, worthy, or young or old enough to accomplish the dreams God has placed in our hearts. We’re afraid we’ll stumble and fall, so we stay put, never venturing to stand up, pick up our mats, and walk.

I believe many have been paralyzed for a long time – even decades. God is able to make you walk. He’s inviting you to stand up and take the first step into all He has waiting for you. Your future doesn’t have to look like your past or your present.
  
Will you stand up? Will you let go of the identity you’ve embraced as your own and be willing to walk forward in the truth of who you’ve been created to be? Will you allow God to redeem “wasted” time and make something beautiful out of your testimony?

If your answer is yes, paralysis ends now.

If we can pray for you on your healing journey, please reach out to us!


Living for Him,
Andrea & Brian
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same


All the September News!

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!
Fall is just around the corner and with the cooler temperatures and changing leaf colors often comes a greater need for wellness support. Are you ready?

This month's Gifts with Purchase help us hold onto the waning days of summer and prep us with supporting our health in a number of ways. Check those out below, along with some great recipes & fall wellness tips for putting those freebies to good use! Be sure to grab your September diffusing calendar, too!

Have you seen the Facebook, "How Much Have You Changed Challenge?" I posted my first and most recent profile pictures and was SHOCKED at the difference. I had to share it with you to show you the HUGE difference Young Living has made in my life! Pictures speak 1,000 words!


As "The Renovated Life," Brian and I are all about Spirit, Soul, & Body well-being. SCROLL DOWN to catch our upcoming, 6-week course on "Developing Intimacy With God," as well as our local worship gathering dates.



SEPTEMBER GIFTS WITH PURCHASE!
 

Look at all those oils! What a great way to hang onto the vibrant life of summer as we head into the fall season. Take a look and by the end, I bet you'll be as excited as I am! The full breakdown of the US September 2021 Gift With Purchase can be seen in the graphic above. Keep in mind that with each new promo level, you also receive the gifts in the previous promo levels.

*Pro Tip: Keep in mind that these Vitality Oils are the same oils found in their darker labeled counterparts, which extends the uses you know these oils have. The white labels indicate they're safe for dietary use.

*Remember, in order to get the Subscribe to Save Exclusive Orange Vitality and Copaiba Vitality, you have to be enrolled in the Loyalty Rewards program (formerly known as Essential Rewards) and/or have a Subscription order that meets the PV requirements for those items. The extra bonus of meeting all these PV amounts with your S2S order is that you get even more Loyalty Points to spend later!

Let's chat about each of their benefits! 


Life 9 (300 PV tier)
17 billion live cultures from nine beneficial bacteria strains in Life 9 help support gut health, while also being good for healthy immune function and metabolism. So, as we say goodbye to summery dishes and prepare for the richer foods of fall and winter, Life 9 will have our digestive system prepared and in tip-top shape.

• Go pro with probiotics. Support your healthy lifestyle by moving your body, eating a balanced diet, and taking Life 9 to promote healthy digestion.*
• Support your systems. Add taking a Life 9 pill to your daily multivitamins and supplements for an extra boost of probiotics.


Grapefruit Bergamot Vitality Drops (300 PV tier)
To keep up with staying active as we head into fall, YL's Vitality Drops have electrolytes and Vitality oils to help flavor your water, keep your body hydrated, and make it easier to recover and keep going. The Grapefruit Bergamot has a bright, crisp taste that will remind you of summer and brighten your mood.

• Up your hydration game. Add a few drops of YL Vitality Drops to your water bottle for a yummy taste that will encourage you to keep sipping throughout the day.
• Boost your body. After a hard workout, add some YL Vitality Drops to your green smoothie for a kick of flavor and extra electrolytes.



Lavender Lemonade Vitality Drops (250 PV tier)
A mixture of refreshment and calming, Lavender Lemonade Vitality Drops also keep you hydrated and help your body recover after an active day or workout. I have a feeling once you try both flavors you'll be stocking up on the 3-packs YL has of them both!

• Add some delish. After setting a personal record at the gym, cool down with a drink infused with flavorful Lavender Lemonade YL Vitality Drops.
• Sweeten the deal. Add a great taste to an ordinary glass of water, plus get an extra boost of trace minerals when you add YL Vitality Drops to your daily hydration routine.


EndoFlex Vitality 5-ml (250 PV tier)

Whole-body health. That's the goal with all of Young Living's supplements and oils, and EndoFlex Vitality is a key ingredient to that lifestyle. Spearmint, Nutmeg, and more make up this blend that is perfect for adding a few drops daily to a capsule and putting it down the hatch. I love how it supports my thyroid and hormonal health. It's a favorite of mine!

• Build healthy habits. Keep up your overall wellness by building a daily checklist of things like stretching for 15 minutes, meditating, and adding EndoFlex Vitality to a relaxing cup of tea.
• Juice it up. Spice up a well-balanced breakfast with a delicious fruit smoothie that has a few drops of EndoFlex Vitality for a refreshing boost.


Longevity Vitality 5-ml (250 PV tier)

The purpose is in the name. Supporting multiple systems in our body, Longevity Vitality is particularly good for supporting our immune systems, as well as promoting healthy-looking skin! Take this daily and use the CBD Beauty Boost and you will see smoother, healthier-looking skin, which is very important as seasons change. Less having our skin dry out, more looking flawless and feeling great!

• Keep grooving. Add a little movement to your day by dancing around to a few favorite tunes, then hydrate by adding Longevity Vitality to a cool glass of water.
• Treat yourself. After a hard day burning calories, take time for a breather and pour yourself a cup of tea with a few drops of Longevity Vitality.


Lemon Vitality 5-ml (190 PV tier)
Lemon Vitality is bright and fresh and sunshine in a bottle. Adding a drop or two to your morning NingXia not only tastes great, but it also helps cut through brain fog, supports your immune system, and will have you upbeat and ready for the day.

• Zest it up! And some sparkle to your daily routine by putting 1–2 drops of Lemon Vitality in a vegetarian gel capsule and taking with a meal.
• Make breakfast fun. Blend a drop in pancake or waffle batter and top your breakfast with fresh fruit for a healthy meal that tastes like lemon-poppyseed cake.


Citrus Fresh Vitality 5-ml (190 PV tier)
Citrus Fresh Vitality is Lemon and other citrus oils with a bit of Spearmint that all come together for a bright, citrusy melody in your drinks, recipes, and helps turn that frown upside down. Supporting general wellness and packing in all the benefits of the citrus oils, a few drops of Citrus Fresh Vitality in a capsule every day is a welcome part of a daily wellness regimen.

• Season like a boss. Use Citrus Fresh Vitality in recipes such as fruit salads, salad dressings, and marinades to enhance the flavor.
• Personalize your beverages. Add 1–2 drops of Citrus Fresh Vitality to every 2 ounces of your favorite fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies.


DiGize Vitality 5-ml (190 PV tier)
To go along with the Life 9 to prepare your digestive system for the shock of going from light summery dishes to richer fall dishes, DiGize Vitality is also good in a pinch when you need some relief. Make a warm tea with it or add a few drops to a veggie capsule and take it with some water to help with digestive discomfort. This is a "never-run-out-of-oil" in our house!

• On the go. When road tripping, enhance your traveling experience by adding a few drops of DiGize Vitality to your water bottle.
• Time for tea! Make a soothing tea with antioxidant properties by adding honey and DiGize Vitality.


Orange Vitality 5-ml (Bonus Subscribe to Save 190 PV tier)
Ease into fall with the sweet taste of citrus but the calming vibes of fall. Orange Vitality helps support your immune system and is a great addition to all kinds of dishes, smoothies, deserts, and more! Remember, this is the same oil that's in regular Orange, which you'll find is a staple in a lot of fall diffuser blends. Orange is a fall favorite for so many reasons!

• Boost your cooking. Use Orange Vitality in sweet or savory dishes for added flavor and zest in a healthy life.
• Hydrate like royalty. Add Orange Vitality to your drinking water after a run to give it a burst of flavor.


Copaiba Vitality 5-ml (Bonus Subscribe to Save 190 PV tier)
Copaiba Vitality has one of the most unique flavors of all of the Vitality oils. A bit of spice and somewhat richer, this is a great one to add to your meats and savory dishes. Help your body as it recovers from a workout by adding 3-4 drops to a veggie capsule and drinking plenty of water - with some of those Vitality Drops for a little extra hydration! This oil is an unsung hero in my book as it's amazing for supporting the body's natural response to inflammation. I use it daily!

• Post-workout routine. Add Copaiba Vitality to Pure Protein Complete or your favorite protein drink.
• Flavor it up! Add Copaiba Vitality to your favorite smoked salmon or smoked meat recipes.


Free Shipping (100 PV tier)

Raise your hand if you like free!
• Treat yourself. Stock up on gym-ready favorites and let us cover the cost of your deliveries.
• Get easy savings. Reach our 100 PV tier and we’ll ship your order for free!



SEPTEMBER'S RECIPES & FALL WELLNESS TIPS
Which of these will you try first? Bright, fresh flavors to drink, a phenomenal daily capsule . . . each supports our health & well-being in SO many ways!







As we finish out the summer and head toward fall, let’s make sure our bodies are well-equipped to handle that transition. It’s oftentimes during these cooler months that our bodies fall below the wellness line. Here are a few healthy habits you can adopt to help boost your immune system naturally.

- Eat more raw fruits and green vegetables. 

- Get outside and enjoy some fresh air and sun. 

- Get adequate amounts of sleep. Limit processed sugars. 

- Increase water intake. Get quality vitamins, minerals, and pre- and probiotics daily.

 Speaking of good-quality supplements, be proactive & stock up on these fall must-haves…



THEN & NOW . . . WHAT A DIFFERENCE!


I had to share this side-by-side with you because not only was I shocked to see the difference in myself, I realized the main change has been the fact that I've been living a Young Living lifestyle since 2013. As I have, I've progressively gotten rid of more and more toxins from my environment and products as I've proactively supported my health and well-being. 

If you haven't started your own Young Living journey yet, isn't it time?

If you're already a Young Living member, don't keep this good news to yourself! You can share what you've discovered with others and if you're not already a Brand Partner, let's chat about how you can get your YL oils & products paid for as you help those you love to live well!



SEPTEMBER'S DIFFUSING CALENDAR
Enjoy these daily diffusing recipes and discover some new, favorite combos! Save the graphic to your phone or calendar for easy reference and enlarge for easier reading.




SPIRIT & SOUL LOCAL EVENTS, ONLINE CLASS + BLOG POSTS

As The Renovated Life, we focus on spirit, soul, and body. 

Young Living undergirds our focus on overall health & wellness for our bodies. But . . . that's not our only focus because we want to help meet the needs of the WHOLE person, which includes spirit and soul well-being, too!
 

If you live in the Atlanta area, Brian and I would love for you to join us at any of our upcoming worship gatherings in our home, plus keep an eye out for our weekly, faith-related blog posts that I post on Tuesdays.

Our worship gatherings are happening on September 11th & 25th this month. We have a potluck dinner first, then follow with worship. Check out our Events Page for more information and to register for individual events.

--> Plus, keep your eyes open for the September prophetic word being posted soon!



DEVELOPING INTIMACY WITH GOD: 6-WEEK COURSE 


There's a place you can go in your relationship with Jesus that's so intimate you experience His breath, His heart, His thoughts . . . And, when you're not in His presence, there's a tugging within you that longs to connect again.

Have you had a longing in your heart for a more intimate friendship with God? One in which you hear His voice, begin to know His thoughts, and move more in sync with the beating of His heart? 

We were designed for this kind of intimate connection with God. His invitation is always, "Come be with Me," but so often, we either don't know what to do in our times with Him that will develop and nurture that kind of deep friendship or we've gotten busy, distracted, and drawn away from our connection with Him. We want to help! 


Join us starting Thursday, September 23rd, at 8:00 p.m. EST for a weekly, 6-week course that will help you develop a more intimate relationship with the Lover of Your Soul.

Click below for more details and to register for the upcoming course.




That's it for this month! Please reach out if we can help you on your wellness journey!

Happy Oiling,
Andrea & Brian
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same