In 1904, a young millionaire named William Borden graduated from high school. His untold wealth was because he was heir to the Borden Dairy estate. His proud parents celebrated his graduation by sending him on an extravagant trip around the world.

While touring Asia, the Middle East, and Europe though, William saw poverty and sorrow as he'd never seen before. He began to feel a growing ache and burden for the hurting people of the world. William's response to what he saw was to give his life away to make a difference. Friends and family were shocked to receive a letter announcing his intention to become a missionary.

His friends expressed surprise that he would throw himself away as a missionary. After all, he was a millionaire, he had connections, potential and the world was his to do with as he pleased.

Borden wrote in the back of his Bible, "No reserves." He intended to hold nothing back.

In 1905, already a missionary in his heart, Borden became a freshman at Yale University. During his first semester he started a small morning prayer group. By the end of his first year, 150 freshmen were meeting weekly for Bible study and prayer. By the time Borden was a senior, 1000 of Yale's 1,300 students were meeting in these groups. During his college career, Borden also went outside the campus and cared for widows, orphans, the sick, and housed addicts by founding Yale Hope Mission.

Along with his college diploma, Borden received several high-paying job offers, but he refused each one. Don't you know his friends and family once again wondered at his abandon? How could he turn his back on his privilege and promise?

In his Bible, Borden added two more words, "No retreats."

Borden completed graduate work at Princeton University and then concluded he was called to minister to Muslims in China. On his way sailing to China, he took a brief stop to study Arabic in Egypt in order to be better prepared. But, during his brief time there, William Borden was struck with spinal meningitis. It only took a month for that dreadful disease to take the young life of William Borden. He was only 25 when he died.

The story of his passing was told in nearly every American newspaper. His biographer, Mary Taylor, wrote, "A wave of sorrow went round the world." I bet as people read the sad obituary they wondered at his choice, at God's will, at the apparent waste of his life.

But was his life really a loss?

Borden didn't think so and I don't think so either. He had written two more words in his Bible. Underneath "No reserves" and "No retreats," he had written, "No regrets."

Borden teaches us that what we hoard, we lose. But what we give for Christ is never truly lost. Oh to live as he did with no reserves, no regrets, and no retreat.

He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. John 12:25

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET

This event idea was sent to us by Marsha Gabbard of Faith Christian Fellowship (Mason, OH).

Held on a Saturday the week prior to the actual Super Bowl, the ladies received an invitation (with a referee & whistle picture) to "Make the right call" and join us for a "Souper Bowl" Party!

They were encouraged to wear any sports jersey/sweatshirt/T-shirt and to bring a can of soup (which would be donated to our church's food pantry).

Lunch was served, using various football trays and helmets for chips & dip, salty snacks, sloppy joes, & desserts.

Decorations were pom- poms, megaphones, and grass-looking vinyl tablecloths.

A game was played, asking various Super Bowl- related questions, and the first person to stand up and give the correct answer, won a mini-bag of chocolate candy; at the end, whoever had collected the most bags of candy, won a bigger prize (a football-shaped container of trail mix).

I also shared some football trivia, then went into the lesson, which made parallels between the game of football and the game of life:

• Play book = Bible - for direction/guidance, our purpose, how to live, how to be the best team player we can be.
• Coach = Pastor, mentors, teachers to lead us.
• Running = We're all running in a race; Gal. 5:7 "Ye did run well; who did hinder you?" Let's make sure we're not the ones responsible for hindering anyone else in this race.
• Tackle = Ever felt tackled/attacked by someone? Ever leave you scarred or bruised? Knocks the wind out of you, doesn't it?!
• Pass = We can't hoard the gospel to ourselves, we have to pass it along, involve as many as we can; we also can't do it all ourselves - we can't win all by ourselves - it's a team effort - we need the fellowship of the saints, their encouragement, their prayers.
• Time out = Sometimes we need a time out! We have to take breaks/vacation/sabbaticals, refresh ourselves.
• Pep talk = Go to church and hear the preaching, or to women's ministry, & get revved up to face another day/week.
• Fumble = Sometimes we fumble = we mess up! We drop the ball, don't make any progress. But we don't stay down! Prov. 4:12 "When thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble."
• Lose yardage = We can go backwards, but we just have to pick up from where we are and keep going forward; may take us a little longer, but the race isn't to the swiftest... it is to he that endures to the end! (Matt. 10:22)
• Practice and training = "Study to show thyself approved unto God"; we have to exercise those reading and praying muscles, or they'll get weak.
• Equipment & protection = Put on the armour of God! Wear the helmet of salvation, hold the sword of the Spirit, have the shield of faith, breastplate of righteousness. (Eph. 6:17)
• Bad call = Sometimes life isn't fair, is it? But we can't fall apart when things don't go our way.
• Cheers = Encouraging words, motivating others to keep up the good work; and promises from the Bible Matt. 14:27 "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."
• Referee = God will be our judge (not your mom or your best friend, not a teammate who would be biased); He determines if you're playing the game according to His rule book
• Keeping score = We know the final score - we know who wins!
• Trophy = We win the ultimate prize! We get eternal life in heaven! Phil. 3:14 "press toward the mark for the prize"

When it was over, everyone received a sports- decorated goody bag, containing a miniature soft football and pieces of heart-shaped chocolate.

Thanks for sharing Marsha!

Jennifer's Java Gift Set - Author Jennifer Rothschild shows readers how to clean out their "thought closet" and speak truth to their souls in her newest release, Self Talk Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself. Order this book for yourself or a friend in December and receive one FREE pouch of Jennifer's Girlfriend Blend Coffee.

Take a minute to visit these recent sponsors...

• Check out Priority's female friendly Bible Studies
• Driving Reflections®
• Anita Renfroe, special guest of Fresh Grounded Faith

Devotional journals are a great way to get into the Word with a little direction. This week, we feature three of our favorites.

Get out of That Pit: A 40- Day Devotional Journal by Beth Moore

Based on her popular book, Beth Moore takes some of the highlights and adds space for you to make personal applications

The Search for Significance Devotional Journal: A 60-day Journey to Discovering Your True Worth by Robert S. McGee

This one is also based on a popular book, but it gives you the opportunity to dig a little deeper and make more personal applications in the journaling and prayer areas.

My Utmost for His Highest Journal: A Daily Devotional Journal by Oswald Chambers

Can you say classic? We know and love this book, but it is also available in this edition with a leather cover and space to journal. A great twist on a classic... and a great gift idea!

Looking for more great books, music and gift ideas...

Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly ministry update specifically for friends who want to keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.

Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter, you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly" WomensMinistry.NET eNewsletter. However, if you want to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest group when asked to update your profile.

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I'm so excited to tell you about the launch of our Fresh Grounded Faith Conferences!

These Kingdom-minded, regional events encourage women to connect with each other and God. Our desire is to warm your heart, and awaken your spirit through great Bible study, incredible worship, and off-the-charts laughter.

The Waco, Texas Fresh Grounded Faith with Jennifer Rothschild will feature wonderful friend and funny woman Anita Renfroe (there's a reason she's received 4 million YouTube visits for her TotalMomsense performance). We'll also have incredible worship by former Women of Faith worship leader Shelley Jennings.

Someone Has to Win... Why Not You!

When you visit our Featured Sponsor link, you will automatically be entered to win a free book, cd, or other resource from WomensMinistry.NET.

We randomly select the winner from those that click through the featured sponsor links in last week's issue.
This week's winner is... favorofgod58@aol...

Here's what some of our recent Ad Sponsors are saying:

"We have never been disappointed in how advertising in the WomensMinistry.NET newsletter has put us in touch with women of prayer all across the world. Thank you, Phil and Jennifer, for this AWESOME newsletter. The MDOP ministry will be forever blessed because of it." Kathy Coleman, Founder, Mom's Days of Prayer

Here's how it works... send us your great ideas and if we use them in a newsletter you will be automatically entered to win the book bundle for the quarter. The more great ideas you submit, the more chances to win. At the end of the quarter we will announce the winner and the books she has won!

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