Jamie Hooker, Author at The Captivating Woman

October 22, 2015

Fall is Life

Fall.
Scarves, sweaters, beanies.
Pumpkin spice everything.
Light rains and picnics for lunch.

There are so many reasons why I absolutely love fall. I’m a person who loves action and getting things done. Fall, for some reason, feels like that for me. A time of winding down the year and really accomplishing all those long to do lists that were left behind for beach trips and summer fun. It doesn’t hurt that fall also brings my birthday.

Apart from all the amazing things that fall brings, God tends to use this time of year as a refocusing for me. He beckons me back to a routine with Him that was crushed by my summer calendar. This year has been no different for me. God is bringing me back to Him, and back to one of my favorite Bible stories: Mary and Martha.

Luke paints the story perfectly in Chapter 10 of his Gospel. Jesus entered into yet another village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home along with her sister, Mary. While Mary sat and listened to Jesus telling stories to the other guests, Martha was distracted by all the serving that needed to be done. Not only was there a lot that needed to be done, but Mary was not helping her at all.

I always put myself in Martha’s shoes at this point in the story. The SON OF GOD came to her village, where she grew up, and wanted to come into her house. No matter how clean her house probably was before Jesus got there, I imagine her thinking that it definitely was not clean enough for the Messiah and all these guests. Oh, all the guests! Better start cooking a four course meal for them and make sure they have something to drink. Like right now! Where is Mary? She said she would help, and now she’s just hanging out? Not. Fair.

Mary goes a little further than I would, and she calls out her sister -in front of everyone.

“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40, ESV)

And Jesus is so kind to Martha, telling her that she is anxious about so many things, but has forgotten the most important thing: spending time with Him.

What? Not doing things was better? That doesn’t compute with my checklist loving, to the minute planning brain. But it’s what Jesus wants. Time with me.

So, every fall I have to refocus, and I have this feeling I’m not alone. This time around, Jesus is reminding me to be more of a Mary, less of a Martha. With my long list of to-dos, I still need time to rest in Him. I need to be intentional, but it will so be worth it.

What has God been teaching you this fall? Anything exciting? Share with us!

October 6, 2015

Top 3 Books to Read Before 2015 Ends

I love books. I love the smell of an old book from the library as much as I love getting a brand new book in the mail. I love downloading books to my Kindle and asking friends every other week for new recommendations. And, let’s be totally transparent here, I have easily 50 books on my “to be read” list. I never know which book to crack open next!

If you’re anything like me, you told yourself 2015 would be the year you would read more. And, you probably haven’t lived up to that self-imposed obligation (I’m guilty). So, if you want to enter 2016 having actually crossed one of your New Year’s Resolution off, here are my Top Three Must Read Picks before 2015 comes to a close.

1. If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski

If you don’t know who Jamie Tworkowski is, you need to check out his story and that of his organization, To Write Love On Her Arms first. I love his heart for hurting people and his passion for making people’s stories known. What makes his blog and organization great has been fully transformed into a physical copy you can carry around with you in If You Feel Too Much. This is less of a book and more of a collection of short thoughts/stories of the past 10 years. It encapsulates Jamie’s triumphs and struggles, his wins and defeats. He is open, honest and genuine in every word on every page. I fully recommend this book if you have ever struggled with depression, self-harm or know someone who has. It is a quick read, but also something you can read in small doses as each chapter stands alone as a separate story. Definitely worth the read.

2. Soul Detox by Craig Groeschel

I have read this book TWICE this year and am starting to read it a third time as you read this. I have never felt so challenged to make changes in my personal life as while reading this book. It covers every type of toxin that could exist in your life: toxic behaviors, toxic emotions and toxic influences. I have to warn you, if you read this book, you will feel convicted after every chapter. I did not think I had a problem with envy, but Craig proved me wrong. And, I think his words will help you grow in ways you never thought you needed to.

The church staff I work with read through this book together earlier this year, and now our whole church is reading through the book in small groups. If you are going to read this book, bring someone along with you. Keep each other accountable and ask tough questions. It will hurt, but you will love the you that comes out on the other side.

3. Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Whether you have read C.S. Lewis before or not, this is great book to add to your list of “To Be Read.” It is written from a fictional perspective but has deep spiritual insight. If nothing else, it will get you thinking about the spiritual wars happening daily with or without your knowledge of them. I don’t want to give too much away, you just need to read it.

What about you? Any books on your must read list? Like I already said, I have a list of over 50 books to be read. What’s a few more going to hurt? Comment below and share what your top must read picks are before 2015 is a wrap.

Happy Reading!

September 9, 2015

Go Global

There we were, in the Houston International Airport, about to board another flight, this one heading to Managua, Nicaragua. We were a group of twelve, ready for a week of serving and scared of the unknown. The flight to Houston for three of us was the first time in a plane. The next flight to Nicaragua for most was the first time ever out of the country.

The plane took off and all eyes were glued to the window. The months of fundraising and praying were combining with feet-to-the-ground action in just a few hours. The excitement of it all mixing in giddy laughs at 39,000 feet. The seven days that followed were a complete blur of laughs and tears, tickles and spins, photographs and prayers. And there we were, in the Houston International Airport, again. Only our memories to keep us company.

Nicaragua had captured my heart long before this trip, and now had the other eleven from my group in her grasp. That’s what missions does to people. It changes you. How could it not? Anytime you remove the comfortable and replace it with Jesus, the radical happens. When we take one step towards Jesus, He pulls us deeper than we ever thought we could go.

So, when are you going to go? Yea, that’s right, you. When? Where?

Now, you probably think I’m crazy. You have a life full of commitments and obligations. You could never find the time or the money to go. It’s better to just send others fundraising money then send myself. I have a year’s worth stories that say otherwise. When we actually GO, we get to see firsthand what Jesus wanted us to see: the poor, the orphans and the widows. Sure, you have people just like that in your community, but you never truly see them, do you? We’re always in a hurry to get from work to home, from this meeting to the next, from Monday to Friday. When you go on a missions trip, the focus comes off you and your schedule and it becomes about Jesus and His schedule.

And eyes are opened.

I firmly believe that if you go on a missions trip, it will drastically change how you serve Jesus in your own community. A little perspective is all you need. So, I’ll ask again, when are you going to go?

August 19, 2015

Life at 27

It’s safe to say, I’m not where I thought I would be at 27. When I graduated high school over 10 years ago, I had hopes and dreams of becoming a teacher or a writer and changing the world. None of which have panned out, none of which involved Jesus.

After finding Jesus and beginning a relationship with Him towards the end of my freshman year of college, my hopes and dreams began to shift focus. I still wanted to be a writer, but wanted to give a voice to people who had none. I was going to be a journalist and actually care for the people I was writing about. This dream looks great, sounds great, and was all about other people. The problem wasn’t that the dream was bad, the problem was that it was still MINE.

I’ve learned in these nine years of serving Jesus that good things, outside the will of God, are no longer good things. Honestly, I’m still learning this everyday.

It is in God’s Will that we find fullness of joy.

It is in His plans that we find peace.

It is in His timing that we succeed.

Not for the glory of ourselves, but for His Name.

Living in a culture where “do what you want” is the norm, it’s hard to step up and do what God is calling you to. Like, really hard. Like, maybe the hardest thing you will ever do. Sorry, no sugar-coating here. It’s going to be challenging. It’s going to take you to places you might never have thought you would go. The only rest in the chaos is the knowledge of Matthew 28:20.

“…and behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So, life at 27. It may look a little different than I thought it would, but it’s ok. God is with me. Always.

August 19, 2015

Captivating Woman – Rachel Parrish

I grabbed my Americano from the counter and sat down at my favorite coffee shop in Napa (Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company). You cannot miss Rachel Parrish walking in. She carries this presence with her: warm and inviting. Plus, she just went platinum and looks AMAZING. She walks in smiling, in a killer outfit she probably just picked up at a flea market for ten cents. I have the distinct pleasure of calling Rachel friend, and am so happy to sit down and talk with her about life and about captivating women.

After a quick time of catching up (actually, let’s be honest, after two hours of catching up), we finally get down to business…

Jamie: First things first, where do you live, who do you live with and how old are you?
Rachel: I live in Napa, CA with my hubby, Nate. And I’m 29. 30 in November!

J: What three words would you use to describe yourself?
R: Outgoing. Enthusiastic, to a fault. Quirky (which is just a nice way of saying weird).

J: What is your day job?
R: Christian High School Bible Teacher. I also teach Chapel Leadership and Chapel Media Arts. We basically run Chapel for our high school and middle school. It is super fun!

J: What made you get into teaching?
R: Weirdly, becoming a teacher just happened to me. I also loved working with kids. I was a day camp counselor and worked on staff at my church with the youth group. Teaching just came very natural to me and I loved it! Also, I love shushing people.

J: That’s awesome! And, having sat next to you at church, you are very good at shushing people. But, what are you most passionate about?
R: Wow. That’s a hard question, actually. I’m a really enthusiastic person, I get really excited about lots of stuff, so I often mistake that for passion. When I think about passion, I think of Jeremiah 20:9 when he speaks of sharing the Gospel like “fire in his bones.” Whether it’s songwriting, teaching, or preaching, I have a passion for communicating the Gospel in a way that’s accessible, but not sugar-coated. Part of what makes the Gospel so sweet is knowing the gravity of sin, and the lengths that God would go through to make us His children. Grace isn’t amazing if we don’t realize what it’s actually about.

J: Have you ever had an experience or time in your life where you wanted to just throw in the towel and walk away?
R: Yeah. Heck yeah. The first nine months of Nate’s and my marriage were spent living with my parents. For the first three months it was intentional as we were saving money to buy a house. It was the next six months that we were there out of necessity. Nate was in a band called Worth Dying For at the time, and they were in the process of recording their second album with Integrity while I was working on staff as the youth ministry assistant at my home church. Within three months Nate and I both experienced unexpected unemployment. There was a lot of questioning God in that time. We were mad that He would “do that to us”. We knew that God had a plan, but we weren’t too stoked on it. It was very difficult to see any end to our situation. It was a pretty hopeless time. Now, of course, we can see that the Lord really was working it all out for His good, and ours, but our journey has been just one big surprise after another. Sometimes it’s really awesome, and other times it’s not. But those first nine months really taught us how to trust the Lord and walk with him through the fog.

J: During that time, did you receive any really great advice?
R: I can’t think of anything specific, but it probably came from my mom or dad. They are always right.

J: Speaking of advice, what advice would you give to someone who is chasing their dream?
R: Go to college and study something you love. AND…don’t read those “5 Worst College Majors” articles that come out around graduation season. My degrees (Music and Theology) top those lists every single year. There is so much more peace in obeying the Lord and living out your calling than living by the fear of man and our culture.

J: If you could travel anywhere, where would you choose and why?
R: I would really like to visit Israel. I want to see all the places I talk about with my students every year in Bible class.

J: I’m not going to, but if I came to your house tonight for dinner, what would you serve me?
R: Probably breakfast. Nate and I are big on breakfast. Like Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson.

J: Who are some Captivating Women you love and how could we find them on social media?
R: I really love the She Reads Truth gang. Those bible studies are so dynamic. Also, a friend of mine that I went to school with, her name is Gennean, you can find her at Blog.Gennean.com or Instgram @gennean. She is an adventurer in the the Lord. She is serious about seeking Christ, but in a sweet and very genuine way. I just adore her. AND last but not least, Vanessa Shepherd is another woman I hugely admire and love. She is passionate about ministering to teen girls and meeting where they are at, while digging into scripture. She runs a ministry called Living Head Over Heels, and you can find her at DearLHOH.com and her Instagram is @dearLHOH.

J: What do you think makes a Captivating Woman?
R: Finding your identity and worth in Christ. When you serve in response to the cross, it puts your soul at rest in a way that makes others want that peace for themselves.

J: What is your favorite Bible Story?
R: The woman caught in adultery. It is my favorite lesson to teach in my Bible class. It is such a clear reminder to me to check my heart. Am I being like Jesus, or am I being like the Pharisees?

As we finished our coffees, Rachel and I had an epic adventure of us both locking our keys in our cars…in the ignitions. So, if you need a reminder that we are ALL human and mess us, there you go. Seriously, check out Rachel’s blog (http://rachelparrishthethought.blogspot.com/) and her Instagram (@parrishthethoughtblog). And, don’t forget to give Parrish a listen. Rachel and her hubby, Nate, are amazing songwriters and musicians.

Subscribe to The Captivating Woman via Email