God intentionally created different colors and different cultures, but we still can’t figure out how to live as one.

On this episode of Better Together Facebook Live, host Barb Roose talks with author, educator and co-founder of Brownicity, Dr. Lucretia Berry, about how to restore God’s dream of us being united as one in Christ.

Brownicity is a community dedicated to transforming our world and eliminating racism.

Big Ideas From Today's Show

1. Race is a construct. 

Dr. Berry reminds us that God made humanity but man created racial categories and hierarchies. Understanding this simple truth inspires us to realize that we can create a better way to understand and navigate our differences.

2. Policies impact our American framework. 

Lucretia's course, "What LIES Between Us", is an incredibly helpful tool available to provide us with a better understanding of the policies in place that have impacted our country. The goal of understanding our policies is not to simply bring up the disturbing parts of our history, but to empower people to create something better!

3. Since our country is made up of complex people, it has a complex identity. 

Differences are normal! They are part of being human. Differences are not something to fear or shy away from, but something that can be embraced and celebrated.

About Our Guest Dr. Lucretia Berry...Dr. Lucretia Carter Berry is the founder of Brownicity - Many Hues, One Humanity (brownicity.com), an agency dedicated to advocacy, education and support for racial healing and antiracism that hosts thousands of learners committed to an antiracism learning journey. She is a wife to Nathan and a mother of three little girls. A former college professor, she is learning to courageously create the world for which she is designed. Lucretia designed a ‘beginners’ course and authored the accompanying study guide called, What LIES Between Us: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing. She is the
Anti-race/ism Curriculum Specialist for Community School of Davidson (NC), a contributor for (In)courage.me, a TEDx and Q Ideas speaker (Charlotte), and a Senior Consultant for Point Made Learning’s The American Dream Game.

Lucretia and her family get to be a part of the amazing community that is Mosaic Church, Charlotte. She finds joy in prayer, dark-chocolate covered almonds, and dancing!

Links from today's episode:

Brownicity:

www.brownicity.com

What LIES Between Us Course and Study Guide: 

https://join.brownicity.com/courses/what-lies-between-us-self-paced

b.Kids Let's Learn About:

https://join.brownicity.com/courses/b-kids

Better Together host Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author with a passion to help women live beautifully strong and courageous in Jesus' name. She's the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Visit Barb's online home at barbroose.com.

Do you have a dream that you’re afraid to share with others? We should never stop dreaming even when we face disappointments.

On this episode of Better Together Facebook Live, host Barb Roose talks with Jill Kemerer who will inspire you to embrace your unique journey.

Big Ideas From Today's Show

1. Allow your rejection to lead you to dependence on God.

After receving numerous rejections and having 11 books turned down, Jill realized that the rejection wasn't the main point. God wanted to bring her closer to Himself. If you are facing rejection right now, lean on God for His strength.

2. Keep holding on.

Jill encourages us to keep moving forward, even in the face of discouragement. When things get tough, push on friends! It will not be in vain.

3. Give yourself permission to invest in your dream.

Ladies, don't be afraid to invest your time and money in your dream. Hire a coach, go to a conference, invest in a class, search for resources online. Although investing can be expensive, the payoff is worth it!

About Our Guest Jill Kemerer... Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling, multi-published author of Christian romance novels with Harlequin Love Inspired. She loves coffee, reading, fluffy animals, and taking long nature walks. Jill resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. Please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and sign up for her newsletter.

Links from today's episode:

Check out Jill's website:

jillkemerer.com

The Cowboy's Christmas Blessings

https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335488435_the-cowboys-christmas-blessings.html

Better Together host Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author with a passion to help women live beautifully strong and courageous in Jesus' name. She's the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Visit Barb's online home at barbroose.com.

Last night, my youngest daughter called at 8pm because her car stopped working and needed a ride. She was studying for three nursing school exams and was super stressed.

I got home and then my oldest daughter video called me to show me her brand-spanking new crutches and the flesh-colored tennis ball sticking out of the side of her ankle as well as the massive pink and purple swelling around the whole ankle. “They said that it’s not broken, Mom. But I can’t walk.”

I text my middle daughter to make sure that she was still alive...

Some days are like this. I can’t fix what’s happening in their world. But it’s also not healthy or helpful for me to let Fear tell me all kinds of “What if” worst case scenarios or what I call “WorryFlix” stories.

In my Surrender Bible study, I teach six Surrender Principles to help you let go of what you can’t control so that you can finally grab on AND hold onto God’s peace.

Today, I’m thinking about Surrender Principle #3: “I can always let go and give my problems to God.”

This Surrender Principle which is based on 1 Peter 5:7: Give all your worries and cares to God because He cares about you.”

Instead of letting Worry take over, I prayed.

Later today I’ll coach my daughter in how to use her AAA to tow car the car. We’ll pray and trust that God will provide for her repair bill. He always does.

Later, I’ll check on my oldest daughter. I hope that she took it easy today, but if not, that’s for her to manage, not me. She doesn’t need me to push all of my worries on her. Love is listening, not nagging.

SHARE YOUR COMMENT BELOW: What about you? How can you apply Surrender Principle to your life today?

LEARN HOW TO LET GO AND LIVE LIKE JESUS

 Are you facing a problem in life that you just can't fix, no matter what you do? Perhaps you've heard the phrase "Let go and let God." But it's easier said than done. Is it possible that giving up on what you can't change is God's path to peace for your life? In this six-week Bible study of Jesus in the wilderness, Barb explores Jesus' time of testing and contrasts it with the Israelites' failures in the wilderness.

As you learn from Jesus' example, you'll discover six principles that will equip you to let God lead you to victory despite your circumstances as you deal with the problems and pain you are facing.

Are you looking for ways to stay healthy during this pandemic season?

On this episode of Better Together Facebook Live, Barb Roose shares some of her favorite healthy hacks to keep you eating well during these crazy times!

What You'll Need :

Note: This recipe is completely customizable! Feel free to add the ingredients you enjoy. 

1  Jar with a Secure Lid

Cherry Tomatoes

Shredded Carrots

Peppers

Red Onions

Lettuce

Steps:

1. Place the heaviest contents on the bottom of your jar (carrots, tomatoes, peppers, onions, etc.) until the jar is about half full.

2. Shake the contents around lightly to make sure they settle at the bottom of your jar.

3. Pack the lettuce tightly on top to reduce air pockets (more air can cause your salad to spoil faster).

4. Screw the lid on your jar, and you're done! Be sure to refrigerate if you will not be using it right away! This salad will last for around 5 days. 

Varieties: Instead of using lettuce, consider using quinoa or add chicken, shrimp or cheese for some extra protein!

Links from today's episode:

Barb's Surrendered Devotional

https://www.cokesbury.com/Surrendered

The Cowboy's Christmas Blessings

https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335488435_the-cowboys-christmas-blessings.html

Shari's Closet Outfit Planner

https://closetoutfitplanner.com/

Better Together host Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author with a passion to help women live beautifully strong and courageous in Jesus' name. She's the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Visit Barb's online home at barbroose.com.

Honduras 2013. Somehow, I ended up in an arm wrestling contest.

Paty and I propped our elbows on the folding white table and giggled while clasping hands.

Seriously, I should have not been wrestling Paty. She was my friend. We should have been sharing a piece of cake somewhere. But there we were...arm wrestling in front of a large crowed screaming in mostly Spanish - that I couldn’t understand. But I’m gonna assume they were cheering for me - ha!

Someone blew whistle. I threw all of my energy into that one arm. So did Paty!

Our forearms quivered, but there was no significant movement in one direction or the other. This went on for about a minute, and I started to feel really tired.

Someone captured a picture of my wrestling match with Paty about a minute into our match. The wide-eyed look on my face could have been translated, “I can’t keep holding this; I sure hope it’s over soon!”

Does my armwrestling match remind you of any situation you’re in right now? Are you trying to wrestle a situation at home, at work, or in a relationship that you can’t seem to fix? When we face problems but we’re unable to protect, fix, or get something back on track, it’s easy for us to feel overwhelmed or discouraged.

Surrender Principle #4 is: “Trusting God’s promises will bless me, but pushing my plans will stress me.”

If it’s gonna get done, God’s gonna have to do it. Here’s the kicker: He can get it fixed, removed, restored, clean & sober, financially secure or straightened out - all without your meddling, fixing and forcing solutions. God doesn’t want you wearing yourself out with worry or stress. Instead, He wants to exchange your chaotic heart and mind for His peace and promises.

PRAYER: God, I need to let go. I’ve been wrestling with ____________________ for a long time and it’s too hard. I’m opening my hands and surrendering ______________________ to You. In return, I want to receive your peace. I trust that You will do what is right and best for everyone and everything involved. Calm my fears and help me to courageously live by faith and trust in You. Amen.

🙃 What isn’t working in your life but you keep pushing to make it work even though you're about to lose your sanity over it?

-Story from Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus Bible Study