YadaFactor

It’s amazing how the word wonder has different meanings. According to Webster the definition is “a cause of astonishment or admiration” or “a feeling of doubt or uncertainty.”

I think of the hymn lyrics:

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

In 2005, I believed God told me in my time in scripture that I would be moving from Florida (my Egypt) to go to a “Promised Land,” which I believed was Colorado. It took five years, and God allowed many circumstances to move in my husband’s heart, but we went in 2010. We were there almost three years when great trials came.  I felt the Spirit revealing that this was my wilderness time, and that it was temporary, but I was not open to hearing that message. I began to wonder if I had heard God correctly the first time.

Today I was reading Luke 7:18-35. John the Baptist was in prison, and he sent messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

John was in wonder and amazement when Jesus came to be baptized by him, saying “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” (Matthew 3:14).  And “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who ranks before me, because He was before me’” (John 1:29-30).  Why did John then wonder later when in prison, hoping to be released?

Jesus did not rebuke him, but said He was fulfilling prophesies in Isaiah through healing and telling others good news. We often doubt and begin to wander when prayers are not getting answered in ways we thought. Little did I know that three and half years later, in 2013, God would send us to live in Lynchburg Virginia, which I did not see as a “Promised Land.” But now, nine years later, I have more hindsight to see God working all things out for good and for our best.

The real struggle is to stay in scripture to continue to hear God speak until He gives full revelation of the work He is doing in our lives and in our world till He returns. Having my Yada sisters along for this journey was critical to not fully wandering away.

Like the lyrics, He knows I am prone to wander. However, He is the One who leads me to wonder in awe of all He does, despite my doubt. John was not released from prison but was soon united with Christ after His resurrection. I can only imagine the joy and wonder he experienced when he was was united with his Lord for all eternity.

Now that is a wonder that awaits us all!

Cindy Chamberland is our resident thinker and a forever student of God’s word. Cindy has a doctorate in clinical counseling and a private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Lynchburg, Virginia. She has a passion to connect with people and help them find hope and healing. On the weekends Cindy loves to ride motorcycles with her husband of 35 years to see the incredible beauty in God’s natural world. She also enjoys running and hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She has two grown children and six grandchildren.

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

Hello! My name is Cindy Chamberland. I am one of the YadaFactor Co-Founders and Board Member. I wanted to share some of the “beginnings” as often we look at January as a time to start over or make resolutions that we often find challenging to keep. Each time I come across Isaiah 61 and see title “The Year of the Lord’s Favor”, I think “could this be the year?”

Isaiah 61 was the first “promise” I was told in a time of my life I felt like giving up; on my marriage and life itself. I was crying out to the Lord with all that was in me. When I was in Isaiah 61 the first verse stood out to me as if Jesus himself was speaking audibly to me personally.

Jesus told me He was the anointed one to come to me; a very brokenhearted woman and promised He would set me free. This was also at a time when God was calling me out of a large Bible study as a leader, as well as a college/career leader in my church. I could not understand why God would ask that of me when serving was my joy and lifeline, but He knew I needed to get to the roots of my own pain.

This began a journey of personal counseling and a few months later, Pegi, Debbie and I began meeting to share our struggles. As we did, God led us to read, journal, and share with each other what we believed God was saying to us. So often, after we met, we would leave our time together amazed at what the Holy Spirit was revealing to us which we had not experienced together in Bible study.

It was about a year later, God brought me back to Isaiah 61 and revealed to me that He was calling me to be sent out to heal the broken hearted, set captives free and release from darkness for the prisoners as a counselor. I was dumbfounded as I was 38 years old and had not completed an undergraduate degree. I knew I would have to go back to not only get that degree, but also a Masters degree. I thought it was too late and I was too old, but God had other plans. I was accepted to Palm Beach Atlantic University where I spent next 6 years completely both degrees and 5 years later also had completed a Doctorate degree.

Since this first promise, God has given me many more promises for myself, my family, and for the call of YadaFactor and counseling. God asked me to put all my promises in one book so I can one day write a story of all God foretold to me that has been fulfilled. I credit the commitment Pegi, Debbie and I made to each other to meet faithfully for 18 years, as so often we wanted to give up. By not doing so, we were able to persevere while holding each other up in prayer and love. We experience “The Year of the Lord’s Favor” time and time again, every year.

Currently, I am reading through the book of Luke. Luke 4:18-19 was spoken by Jesus in a synagogue when he was quoting Isaiah 61. He stated vs. 21 “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Many were amazed as we should be as well. He came to earth from Heaven above and He will come again. Maybe this can be the year of the Lord favor for all of us in his coming as well as coming to know/yada Him intimately.

What are your New Year prayers and promises you can write down in your own journal or promise book? God is speaking! This belief is the heart of all of us at YadaFactor as we hope every ear hears Him and all have eyes to see Him at work in your life. May we all have a year of the Lords favor.

God bless!

Cindy

Cindy has been married to her high school sweetheart for 39 years Pete living in Lynchburg Virginia where her two married children live as well as her 7 grandchildren. Her parents moved from Florida to live in Va near their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Cindy and Pete love to ride on their motorcycle to enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and nature all around them.

Working in ministry, or any non-profit setting, is not for the faint of heart. And when you combine the two, oh boy! It’s so rewarding but takes many hands. I’ve been working in Christian radio for the last three and a half years planning events, running social media, and co-hosting an afternoon show. It’s a fast-paced environment where I’m thankful to use my passions and skills for the Kingdom. Growing up in the world of social media has been a blessing in my career path. When I learned that I could use these passions to help expand a ministry that has grown so dear to me, it was a very easy decision! I’m excited to play a small part in helping the social world learn about YADA.

It wasn’t until I met Cindy, almost three years ago, that I first discovered YADA. I was intrigued because of the way Cindy lived her life and I knew she had something that my heart needed. She talked about Jesus like He was someone she’s had coffee with everyday for the last 40 years. I had never experienced Him like that but I wanted to in the most desperate way. Five years ago, I wrote these words on the first page of my brand new journal: “My only desire in life is to walk in accordance with Christ…to embrace a life of freedom that He has set apart for me. I can do this because I am His. I am chosen.” That became my mission statement as I began to journey through one of the darkest seasons in my life. It sounded great at the time but, realistically, I had no idea how to walk in accordance with Christ or embrace a life of freedom. I’ve been in my own Yada group for over a year now and I’ve been blown away by the way Jesus has spoken to me. In this past year, I’ve laughed with Jesus and cried with Jesus all in the pages of my journal. I’ve seen what YADA has done in my own life and I’ll do whatever I can to help others who need to hear from God too.

Cassie loves spending time with her adorable niece, Evie.

Cassie has recently joined us as an amazing volunteer helping with our social media marketing plan!

Seek Wisdom for Renewed Hope

by Christine Davis, YadaFactor Coach

Wisdom.  Is it the same as being smart? The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom, and I believe God’s wisdom is an amazing source of hope for Christians. 

In First Kings, Solomon succeeded his father David as King of Israel. He was a very young man, and he lacked the life experience he knew he needed.  Near the beginning of his rule, God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon asked for God to give him a “discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”  God agreed to give him “a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never be anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”  Moreover, God gave Solomon what he did not ask for, including wealth and honor, because He was pleased with the request.  Under Solomon’s rule, the great temple was built, and he ruled wisely and justly. 

In the book of Daniel, some of the smartest, strongest, and handsomest young men of Israel were taken captive into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.  They were given the finest training and education Babylon had to offer, in hopes of their serving Babylon well.  Four of these men, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, accepted everything the king offered to them, except for eating the king’s rich food.  I believe their decision to eat only vegetables and water was wisdom from God, a daily reminder that their true citizenship was not in Babylon but in Israel, worshiping the one true God.  When their faith was put to the test, these men refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar or his false gods.  Again, God granted them wisdom.  As a result, God spared them from death in a fiery furnace and from the mouths of lions.  

The book of Proverbs consists of writings by Solomon containing bits of knowledge and wisdom across a wide variety of topics, but most frequently about man’s relationship with God and with his fellow man. Over and over again, the book urges the reader to get knowledge and to desire “her” above all else.   People from far and wide flocked to King Solomon to ask him questions about all kinds of topics, and the book was preserved as scripture by the Jewish people because they recognized the value of the wisdom it contained. 

At the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he promised us “another Comforter” who would be with us always – The Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:17, Paul prays that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” This indwelling Holy Spirit, which we receive at the moment of our conversion, gives us indwelling wisdom.  Here are my favorite verses in the whole Bible, James 1:5-8:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double minded and unstable in all they do.

This passage is a clear promise that God will give us wisdom if we ask for it, provided we receive it in faith, believing and not doubting wisdom has been given.  Using the Yada practice of reordering vertically, we bring our concern to God. We pray for wisdom and listen fiercely as we read scripture. We read, journal, and pray, wrestling truth fully, until we “know that we know” God’s wisdom has been given. Then, we act in faith, obedient to God’s revealed wisdom and not doubting it.

The hope and freedom this practice creates is truly miraculous.  Should we buy that house? Marry that man? Go back to school? Accept that responsibility?  God is ready and willing to give us an answer.  I have to wonder why we all don’t have more peace, and I would have to guess that it’s because we do indeed doubt when he reveals His wisdom. For me, the best solution is to allow enough time to listen.  More Yada! 

Why do you suppose only a few received wisdom in the past, and now all believers are given access to God’s wisdom? Could it be God’s wisdom provides the hope to which we need to hold fast, both now and in the days and years ahead? These are troubled times.  There are going to be hard choices to be made.  I am grateful that I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom as I face a very uncertain world.  God’s wisdom is a priceless treasure.  She is worth more than gold or silver.  Let us seek her, Yada sisters and brothers, hoping and trusting in the wisdom found in our precious Lord Jesus Christ!

The Bible is essential for God’s people to grow and mature to do the work Jesus commissioned. Yet, many believers have no idea where to start or how to stay consistent and effectively engage with the Bible. Scripture engagement is learning the life-giving benefits of intentionally “immersing” ourselves in the Bible to experience God’s presence and truths flowing through us to a broken world.

Our culture seems to be spiraling out of control as biblical values are diminishing. We believe there are important correlations here that can no longer be ignored. God has propelled the ministry of YadaFactor for such a time as this!

YadaFactor provides the guidance needed for real life change around biblical practices. Our discipleship model puts each student at the feet of the Father, learning not just how to read the Bible, but how to immerse themselves in Christ, while growing in deep relationship to know God and hear His voice.

By God’s grace, and your generosity, YadaFactor is impacting hundreds of lives across the nation and globe.

CLICK HERE TO READ A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY!

“I love you, Pegi.”

These were the first words I distinctly heard God say to me. I was in the middle of cleaning dishes and wiping up breakfast spills as I prepared to take my boys to school, then hand in my letter of resignation at work. His voice caught me completely off guard, interrupting the mental rehearsal of the conversation I would soon be having with my boss. Surprised by the peace I felt, I paused my busy activity to listen…closer. “You’re going to write a book. Name it: Revelations of a Housewife. I winced in bemused disbelief. Seriously? Yeah, me, a dyslexic housewife, write a book? I knew I was hearing the One I’d been praying to, only now He was speaking directly and specifically to me while proposing the impossible.

I remember this experience as if it were yesterday, but it actually happened 25 years ago. I’m still listening to His voice of love, but the writing He inspired has lain dormant for many years. Family priorities, YadaFactor ministry, life events, and other excuses have crowded it out. But there’s also something deeper and more daunting that discourages and derails me. Writing words for others is risky. You can’t take them back. Busyness and writer’s block guard against criticism, failure, and vulnerability. Yet the loving call of God remains.

Recently, I stepped down as Director of Training at YadaFactor ministry to manage the changes and logistics of moving three times since COVID began in 2020. Somehow, between downsizing a lifetime of family memories, boxing up our belongings and building a new home, I made my way back to a writing routine three days a week. During it all, there’s been one constant: Intimacy with God when reading His Word, journaling, and sharing with my two sisters, Debbie and Cindy. Loving God first and loving my sisters as I love myself has provided a steady foundation and reminder that no matter how I’m feeling or failing, serving or flailing, I can stand.

Most recently, I’ve been reading through the Book of 1 Chronicles about David’s life. Being with David daily, I’ve plodded along through lots of lists of names, tribes, wars, job descriptions, and preparation for building the Temple. But when I arrived at chapter 17, God showed me something worth all the trudging. This is when David hears the full revelation of God’s plan for his life, spoken through Nathan for the first time.

The Holy Spirit jumped within me, prodding me to stand at spiritual attention as if to say, “Did you get that Pegi? Did you? I gave you the revelation of my plan for your life and asked you to write it so that you may inspire others, just like I did with David.”

Our testimony is powerful! In fact, the loud voice speaking to John in Revelation 12:11 says, “They (believers) overcame him (Satan, the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Debbie, Cindy and I have witnessed the power to overcome in each other’s lives for the past 18 years. This is why we’re so passionate about helping others experience this gift of Yada intimacy that God gave us!

Pegi with her husband Joel.

Because the Living God has radically transformed her life, Pegi desires to see other women’s lives changed and she is committed to giving them tools to do it. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and has been passionate about sharing YadaFactor with others for 18 years. As part of a mission’s team, Pegi traveled to India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where she taught YadaFactor and trained leaders. Pegi and her husband Joel have been married for 40 years and have two grown sons, a daughter preparing for college, and two grandchildren. They enjoy family time, travel, kayak adventures, beach walks and nature watching from their home on the Banana River. Pegi’s 15 years of experience as an Al-Anon member has greatly influenced the forming of YadaFactor and her years of listening to God and journaling in Yada have equipped her to persevere in her call to write stories of hope for others.