Chat

It was my first Webchat. Writing fast and furious, I fielded questions about writing the true stories of the Live Free series, about teen issues, and about my own story. At times my thoughts flew faster than my fingers. I valued the opportunity, the questions giving me glimpses of what others are thinking about and wrestling with. Hopefully, prayerfully, what I shared will encourage a few. (If you'd like, read the chat at Abunga—scroll to September 10th.)

I thought about it later. It would have been amazing to sit down and chat in person, for all to talk and share what God has been showing us about these topics, to pray together. I’m guessing some that joined—whether silently listening or participating with their questions—might have longed for some human contact, eye-to-eye knowing that people care; perhaps some honest on-our-faces prayer and gathering of hope that God really is here listening, weeping for those who are scraping the bottom for a bit of healing or direction.

He is here, listening, inviting relationship.

Challenge for this week for me . . . perhaps for you too: Ask God to help me see someone who needs the hope he gives. Sit with them. I don’t necessarily have to say much. I can pray.

I can pray for you too. Feel free to e-mail me through my site, http://www.jankern.com/

Jan
author of the Live Free series, Standard Publishing

true stories, true hope

for teens, young adults,
and those who care about them.

New Release

When I started writing the Live Free series, I didn't know how tough it would be or where it would take me or the others who participated. None of us knew when we started talking about issues like self-injury and sexual compromise how hard it would be to tell some of the stories--but oh, how much it was needed. Sometimes there were healing tears. Often there was hope: "Maybe someone, by knowing my story, won't have to go through what I did," and even more,"Maybe others will begin to believe there is a way out for them too."

March 3rd, the second in the series released. Seduced by Sex, Saved by Love--A Journey Out of False Intimacy is the true story of a young woman named Suzy. Others also offered their stories and perspectives for the book--both girls and guys.

I think the best way I can introduce it to you is through Suzy's letter, included in the book:

In my one chance to address you directly, there are so many things I want to say. I want you to know I am praying for you. I want you to know that I know what it feels like to look at your own life, and despise what you see, feel trapped in who you’ve become and the cycle of compromises you’ve made.

Dear friend, I have made choices in my life where, I thought for sure there was no turning back. The consequences were detrimental at best, and often I was left with gaping wounds in the depths of my soul.

What can I tell you that will make a difference? I can only pray God reaches through my story and touches your life for the better.

An important point for me to make is that you haven’t gone where God will not go. He is in active pursuit of you. Sometimes we think we need to clean up our lives to come to him. Not so. If you are in the muck, turn around. He is there.

In the midst of all my facades, lies, promiscuity, self-destruction, and selfishness, the God of sinners pulled me to himself, set my feet on solid ground, wiped off the dirt, and began to make me whole. If he can do that for me, then he can do that—and even more, if needed—for you.

Suzy

Read more about Seduced by Sex, Saved by Love--A Journey Out of False Intimacy at my author blog. Click on "books" in the left column. Just under the book image on that page, you'll also find a link to an excerpt. If you'd like, tell me what you think.

God bless!
Jan

Self-Injury—Raising Awareness

Last week I read an article that said that 1 in 6 teens are involved in self-harming behavior. Anytime I read a statistic, on self-injury or anything to do with teens who are hurting and broken, I want to ask, “How many never give their voice to those numbers?”

An article from July, 2007 gave another perspective. 633 students from five high schools, average age 16, anonymously participated in a survey. 46% admitted they had been involved in some form of self-injury within the prior year. 60% of those described their self-injury as moderate to severe.

If those numbers are anywhere closer to representative, then the numbers are much higher than 1 in 6 teens.

March 1st is National Self-Injury Awareness Day. Do you know the signs that someone may be self-harming? Do you know how to begin to help? It’s okay if you don’t, and it's not something you should feel you have to do alone. Here are some ways to raise your awareness or help others do so:

Visit my site where I’m blogging about this topic, including how teens help teens. Also, click on “self-injury resources” in the side column for links and resource suggestions.

Consider reading Jackie’s true story in Scars That Wound, Scars That Heal—A Journey Out of Self-Injury. Not only will this book help you understand self-injury and how to help, it’s a book that can be given to any teen or young adult who may be struggling. It is written for them.

(Read an excerpt.)

I interviewed both guys and girls for that book. Suzy was one of those who shared her story. At one point she told me, “Though I had been cutting, really the main way I was self-harming was through my promiscuous lifestyle.” I told Suzy’s story in the second of the Live Free series. Hers is an amazing love story. Seduced by Sex, Saved by Love—A Journey Out of False Intimacy will release March 3rd (available to preorder).

Jackie, Suzy, and others have shared their stories. Their voices mattered. Remember, real stories are behind the statistics you read about. Some of those could belong to people you know. It could be yours.

There is help and there is hope for healing. Feel free to contact me through my website if you need more information.

(The LORD) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds . . . Great is our Lord and abundant in strength. His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:3,5 NAS

On my knees for you.

Jan

http://choose2livefree.com/
http://www.jankern.com/

Journeys

I’m excited! This month has been an amazing experience for me as my book, Scars That Wound, Scars That Heal—A Journey Out of Self-Injury officially released September 5th (a Live Free book, Standard Publishing). Wow, talk about journeys. I’m thanking God for taking me on this one with this series.

In this book, the first in this series written for teen and young adult guys and gals, I tell the true story of Jackie’s secret struggle with self-injury. I also tell the stories of others and how God is an essential part of the journey out of self-injury. You can read an excerpt at my author site. (Once there, click just under the picture in the sidebar.) The book is not only for those who might be hurting and struggling, but also for those who want to come alongside and help.

BOOK GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment to this post—maybe, if you want, tell me what new topics are on your mind that you’d like to hear about from the Girls, God and the Good Life bloggers. Then include your email addy (or email me so I know how to contact you). I’ll draw a name on October 5th.

And if you happen to live near the Sacramento area, you can meet Jackie (and me too) on Saturday, September 29th, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Wayside Bookstore on Sunset Blvd. in Rocklin. (Or Friday night, the 28th, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Wayside store in Grass Valley.) I’d love to meet you, and I’m sure Jackie would too. We’ll just be hanging out and having an informal chat about the book and the topic of self-injury.

Speaking of topics, I’m deep, deep into writing the third of the series, which is about internet use . . . and abuse. You know, those moments when we cross some lines into totally losing track of our time online, like with a game, or chat, or MySpace. Or we get involved in stuff and we kinda get that sense that it just isn’t at all something we should be doing. Ever do that?

Well actually, I need some help with this third book of the series . . .

I’m looking for teen- to twenty-something girls who would like to answer questions via email about their Internet use. Don't worry, the questions aren't too probing, and you can choose the questions you want to answer. Also, for your privacy, I won’t use your real name in the book. Email me if you think you’d like to participate. I hope you do.

Back to work for me. Until next time . . .

Jan

http://www.choose2livefree.com/

“Hi, I’m Jan. I’m new here.”

Have you ever rehearsed what you were going to say as you were about to walk into a new situation? The awkwardness and the nerves can tend to dictate what actually ends up coming out of your mouth . . . and whether or not you’re going to cringe at the memory later.

Probably better to laugh.

But seriously, I am new here. I’m Jan Kern, and this is my first post on Girls, God and the Good Life. I’ll be posting on the 6th and 20th of each month, and I’m really looking forward to the dialog.

Just a little about myself . . .

I grew up in a fun neighborhood but not in a Christian home. Right at the end of sixth grade, my parents took me to our (rarely used) living room and told me they were getting a divorce. The reasons would later prove to be very painful for my mom, my sister, and me. By the end of that summer, the three of us moved from New Mexico to California where I discovered peer pressure and choices I never knew existed. I struggled. I made a ton of mistakes. Thankfully, while in high school, someone told me I could find answers and strength through a relationship with Christ. That's another story for another time, but I did begin to learn what it meant to trust God through all kinds of crazy situations.

By the time I was twenty, I was in ministry working with teens and I haven't stopped. I'm now married and have been living and working with my husband, Tom, at a ranch for at-risk youth for the last twenty-something years.

In my posts, you’ll probably hear about our two children—Danny (24), and Sarah (21). I love being a mom! Out of everything I’ve done in my life, that role has been a definite favorite.

Well, our kids are pretty busy now, so I have more time than ever to do some of the other things I love, including to write. I’ve been writing for a while, but I’m excited about my current project: the Live Free series (Standard Publishing). Each of the three nonfiction books in this series tackles a tough issue through a dramatic retelling of a teen's true story. Each also includes the honest perspectives of other teens and young adults. The first book, Scars That Wound, Scars That Heal, is set to release September 3. It tells Jackie’s story and her journey out of self-injury. I’m sure I’ll share more about Jackie in future posts. She has an amazing testimony of God’s work in her life.

OK, I'll be quiet now and let someone else talk. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Jan