The Bible, Mary Poppins, a Curb, A Mirror and a Guide. What?!

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What are you reading this summer? Do you have a summer reading list? How about a favorite movie? There’s nothing better than a good book or movie on a summer day. Have you considered adding the Bible to your summer? 

So what in the world does the Bible, Mary Poppins, a curb, a mirror and a guide have in common? Well, I’m so glad you asked. 

The Bible.

I decided to add the Psalms to my summer reads. The book of Psalms is an Old Testament book of the Bible filled with poetry, prophecy, prayer, comfort and wisdom. Whether you are a Bible scholar or a beginner, reading the Psalms gives you a great summary of the entire Bible. 

Martin Luther said,

“The Psalms are a Little Bible, wherein everything contained in the entire Bible is beautifully and briefly comprehended.”

So according to good old reformer Martin Luther, if you read the Psalms, you get a great summary of the Bible.

Mary Poppins.

Have you seen the new (not so new) “Mary Poppins Returns” movie featuring Emily Blunt? I know the classic Julia Andrews will always be cherished, but you need to give Emily a try. I loved it! I used a reference from the new Mary Poppins movie in my devotion for True Girl (a ministry of Dannah Gresh). In this devotion, I teach moms and daughters about the use of “law” and “gospel” in the Bible. Just read my devotion (below) and you’ll get it! Just know that everything in the Bible always points to Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of law and gospel … for you! When you know this, you can better understand what you are reading. 

A Curb, a Mirror and a Guide.

Go on, now read the devotion. As Mary Poppins says in her song, “A Cover is Not the Book,” … “The quicker you’re into it, the quicker you’re out of it.”

 

A curb, a mirror and a guide. 

Written by Jody Token

“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.” Psalm 119:92-93

I grew up under the teaching that the law serves three primary functions: A curb, a mirror and a guide.

A Curb.

As a curb, the law creates boundaries. I can’t help but picture the scene in the Disney movie, Mary Poppins Returns as they take a joyful carriage ride (Is there any other kind?) inside a family heirloom china bowl. At the end of the song, “Royal Doulton Music Hall,” the lyrics explain: 

“Get yourself some peanuts and candy floss and go right on in!”

“May we Mary Poppins?”

“Yes- just keep away from the edge of the bowl”

The children learned the boundary (the curb) is there to protect them. 

In the Psalm, David realizes the law is a delight because God desires to protect him, not to harm him. Without the law, David would perish in his own sin and affliction. He desires to remember the law because the law gives him life.

A mirror and a guide. 

The law and the gospel work together in this verse. The acronym S.O.S. a simple way to understand the mirror and the guide. First, S.O.S. “Shows Our Sins.” When we look in a mirror through the lens of the law, we recognize ourselves as sinners. At the same time, we see Christ’s finished work on the cross in us, therefore the mirror “Shows Our Savior.” 

S.O.S. Shows Our Sin & Shows Our Savior

The law becomes a joyful guide to love and serve the world around us. 

Action Point: Look in a mirror. Who do you see? First, see yourself as a sinner in need of a Savior. Now see yourself fully forgiven because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Smile, you are a Saint!  

Short bio: Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up.

Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com.

online self-defense for girls

Click here to learn more about The Great Flip online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment.

online self-defense for girls

online self defense for girls online self defense for girls

 

American Heritage Girls flex leadership muscles with The Great Flip

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Callie’s story

Callie, a Pioneer in an American Heritage Girls (AHG) Troop in Oregon, wanted to share her love for martial arts with her troop and earn the Harriet Tubman Level Award. When she heard about an AHG program alliance called The Great Flip, she found a way to flex her leadership muscles (and her self-defense skills too)! 💪🏼🇺🇸❤️

The Great Flip is online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resource designed to give girls a fun, playful and empowering introduction to the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Girls can also earn the AHG Martial Arts Sports Pin using The Great Flip online videos and lesson plans.

Callie’s AHG troop leader, Karrie said about Callie’s leadership;

“I was very impressed by her ability to keep the girls focused, encouraging them to show her the skill, and willingness to show them, individually, how to perform some of the moves.  It was a fun day and very informative.  It was great to see our girls stepping into leadership and mentoring roles.  What a great example to the younger girls in the Troop.”

Callie took a few moments with Coach Jody, creator of The Great Flip to answer these questions:

What is your name, charter and troop number? (I have deleted personal information for her protection ❤️)

Her name is Callie. Her “charter” is the church that sponsors her AHG troop. Her “troop number” includes her home state of Oregon and her troop number). To learn more about starting an AHG troop click here. 

What is your AHG troop rank?

“I am a Pioneer, which is the second oldest unit.”

How did you use The Great Flip online self-defense program with your AHG troop?

“I used it for my Harriet Tubman level award.”

Why did you decide to use The Great Flip for your leadership project?

“It sounded really fun when I first heard about it. My troop had already been planning to do it but none of the leaders knew anything about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ). I did. I have been training in BJJ for almost a year. When I taught The Great Flip, I was a white belt with four stripes. Since then I have been promoted to a first-degree gray belt.”

What did you do to prepare for your project?

“I watched the videos and practiced them with my mom until I felt comfortable enough to teach them.”

Who participated?

“Almost all of the girls in the troop (and a few of the leaders, who paired up with the girls who didn’t have a partner) participated.”

What did you like the most about teaching self-defense to your troop?

“It was really fun. The girls did really great. They came ready to learn and were open to advise and correction.”

What was most challenging about teaching self-defense to your troop?

“None of the girls knew anything about BJJ, so I had to start with the basics.”

What would you say to a girl who is afraid or nervous about learning self-defense?

“The more self-defense you know the less likely it is that you ever have to use it. However, if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, you will be prepared.”

How would The Great Flip make the learning experience better or easier until they are ready to go to a martial arts academy?

“It familiarizes BJJ and teaches some techniques that are used during live matches at an academy.”

 

Thank you, Callie! I’m so proud of you! – Coach Jody

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.

American Heritage Girls values alliances with like-minded organizations and works to establish relationships in order to offer additional resources and benefits to its members. The Great Flip is an AHG program alliance focused on teaching girls life skills. The Great Flip offers online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resources. AHG Troops and families subscribe to The Great Flip, gain access to simple self-defense videos inspired by the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Creator and Coach, Jody Token is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and Christian girl influencer. She teaches girls to seek God’s Power instead of girl power. To learn more about The Great flip and request a free self-defense video at www.thegreatflip.com

Want to use The Great Flip in your next AHG troop meeting? Click here to get started.

Click here to learn more about The Great Flip and request a free self-defense video.

online self-defense for girls

 

More shots from AHG troops across the country training with The Great Flip!

Share your action shots with me on social media @thegreatflip on Instagram or Facebook #thegreatflip

See you on the mat!

 

Six Ways To Get Faith

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Cross-eyed And Cross-eared For Jesus!

Six Ways To Get Faith Into Daughter’s Eyes and Ears.

When it comes to reading the Bible, do you ever feel like the words go in one eye and out the other? Or what about in church when the pastor is preaching (on and on and on. LOL) Do his words go in one ear and out the other?

If you struggle, imagine how our children might feel? I have good news; it’s okay to be a little “crossed-eyed or cross-eared” for Jesus! Get it “Cross-eyed, Cross-eared?” (Sorry, not sorry, mom joke.)

It’s okay to acknowledge the difficulty you have when reading the Bible. When your children come to you with questions, it’s okay to admit you don’t have all the answers. But God has great news for you and your children. He gave you this amazing, supernatural promise;

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

Did you catch that promise? How do you get faith? First, let me tell you how you do not get faith. Faith does not come from your studious pursuit of knowledge. Faith does not come by hours of work. It doesn’t even come by your own understanding.

Look at that verse again. How does faith come? Faith comes by hearing through the word of Christ. The words of Jesus (He is the Word) will enter into your eyes, your ears, or your fingers (if you are blind and reading by Braille) and plant a gift of faith inside of you (It’s all a gift).

Your get faith by hearing. God gives faith simply by hearing through the word (the Bible) of Christ. I’m not telling you to nod off in church, but when the preacher speaks God’s words, he’s delivering faith to you, whether you know it or not. What a relief for you and your children as you grow in your knowledge of God’s word. Another reason to bring your children into the church. Trust God’s gift is being poured out even when everyone has the wiggles.

You might not understand what you are hearing or reading (yet!) but keep listening and studying. The seed of faith will cause a desire to want more. Trust God to give you this unending gift of faith as you study His word. When your children have questions, that means faith has been planted. Together you can seek answers and grow in your faith together.

Here are six practical steps you can take to make reading the Bible more enjoyable and most importantly, steps you can take to increase comprehension for you and for your children while resting in his promise as the faith-giver.

Get a children’s Bible. girl reading Bible

Research age-appropriate children’s Bibles. My favorite children’s Bible is Sally Llyod-Jones “The Children’s Storybook Bible.” I like this one because the Bible stories are written to lead the reader to discover Jesus throughout all of scripture. She says, “The Bible isn’t a book of rules, (the Bible has rules in it that show you how life works best) or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure.”

Get yourself a good study Bible.

There are so many options and translations to choose from. Ask your pastor and friends what they recommend. A good study Bible might have cross-references, historical summaries, and a Concordance of definitions and meanings. If you already have a Bible, you might consider getting a separate Concordance to aid with comprehension. I have the “Strong’s Concise Concordance and Vine’s Concise Dictionary of The Bible.” Many denominations have additional study resources such as small catechism, prayer books, etc.

Read the Bible aloud with your children.

Choose a time of day that works best for you; morning devotions, meals, bedtime, etc. Keep it short and simple but read the words out loud. The Psalms are a beautiful way to begin and end each day.

Play an audible Bible app.

Play the app while driving in the car and/or at home. I have Bible Gateway, You Version, Bible Hub apps on my smartphone.

Encourage Bible verse memorization.

Write, paint, chalk, (have fun) to aid with memorizing Bible verses. Practice saying the verses out loud. Turn the words into a song and create hand motions to help with memorization. There are many resources for this too.

Join a Bible study.

Of course, in-person conversations and community is best, but life is a little crazy right now. Most importantly, join a community of believers for help and prayer. Hundreds of years of theologians have gone before us to guide us in our studies. We can look to them for guidance.

 

Next time you hear or read something you don’t understand, take notes, circle or underline it and put a date by it. Ask God for wisdom. Explore your Bible resources for answers. Remember, scripture interprets scripture! Trust that the gift of faith is working in your heart and mind. When you finally understand that portion of scripture (it’s okay if it takes days, weeks, months, or years; God is at work through faith), put a new date on it to celebrate the gift of faith!

Now, go find a favorite Bible verse and share the gift of faith with others! Here’s one of my favorites:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up. Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com

 

Here’s a devotion to share with your daughter. It is one of many featured in the True Girl Summer Subscription Box. I give girls a simple promise from the Bible on how to get faith. Check it out!

Cross-eyed and cross-eared for Jesus!

Reading the Bible can be intimidating. Sometimes I feel like I’m reading words that go in one eye and out the other. And other times at church, the words of the pastor go in one ear and out the other.  

I have good news; it’s okay to be a little “crossed-eyed or cross-eared” for Jesus! Get it CROSS-eyed, CROSS-eared? (Sorry, not sorry, mom joke!)

It’s okay to acknowledge the difficulty of reading the Bible. It’s okay to admit you don’t understand. But God has great news for you. He gave you this amazing, supernatural promise;

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17.

Did you catch that promise? How do you get faith? First, let me tell you how you do not get faith. Faith does not come from your studious pursuit of knowledge. Faith does not come by hours of work. It doesn’t even come by your own understanding. 

Faith comes by hearing through the word of Christ. The words of Jesus (He is the Word) will enter into your eyes, your ears, or your fingers (if you are blind and reading by Braille) and plant a gift of faith inside of you (It’s all a gift). That’s how you get faith. God gives faith to you by simply hearing through the word (the Bible) of Christ. 

You might not understand what you are reading (yet!), but keep studying. Faith will cause a desire to want more and understand more. Trust God to give you this unending gift of faith as you study His word. 

Action point

Next time you read something you don’t understand, circle or underline it and put a date by it. Ask God for wisdom. Explore your Bible for answers. Scripture interprets scripture! Trust that the gift of faith is working in your heart and mind even during uncertain times. When you finally understand that portion of scripture (it’s okay if it takes days, weeks, months, or years; God is at work through faith), put a new date on it to celebrate the gift of faith!

Find a favorite Bible verse. Write in on a postcard. Memorize it. Try this one:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up. Request a free video at www.thegreatflip.com

Coach Jody offers online self-defense videos, lesson plans and anti-bully resources for girls!

Click here to review online courses.

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance. Click here to learn more.

online self-defense for girls

 

 

 

Two things only a father can do to empower his daughter

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Countless books and studies have been published on the father-daughter relationship. And as a daughter, wife and mother myself, I have witnessed the powerful force between a father and his daughters. I’m blessed to have a husband and two daughters who seek to build a strong father-daughter relationship. I’d like to share two things only a father can do to empower his daughter(s) to make their relationship strong. 

Stick around to the end, you can watch my YouTube video featuring my husband teaching our daughter a fun self-defense skill!

Here’s the podcast I produced last year, but it’s still valuable today.  Enjoy. Be sure to scroll down to subscribe and see the offer for free stuff!

Studies show that a good father-daughter relationship leads to increased confidence, better body image, higher intelligence and overall wellness in a girl’s life. Don’t get me wrong, a girl needs her momma, but for totally different reasons. And yes, I know, a mother and daughter can engage in these two activities (highly recommend it).

However, when a father embarks on an intentional journey to do these two simple things, something magical happens. There is a unique and mysterious bond every girl desires to have with her father. And if this bond is missing or broken, the girl will have brokenness in her heart. 

Girls seek approval and attention first and foremost from their dad. Studies show that a girl’s sense of self-worth and confidence is tied directly to her relationship with her father. What he thinks about her and how he expresses his affection for her is a central source of her perceived value. It also affects her femininity and teaches her how to relate to boys and men. Every girl needs a father and/or father figure for future healthy relationships with boys and men in her life. 

Of course we live in a broken world. And fathers and daughters mess up. Sometimes there are little flaws, but many times big, ugly flaws leave scars in relationships. However, it’s never too late to rebuild and restore the father-daughter relationship. These two things are the foundation of the father-daughter relationship. (Be sure to read to the end of this blog to read “What does a good, good father look like?”)

Those two things.

There are two things only a father can do to empower his daughter. These two things will work at any age. Be sure to enter into these activities with an open heart and with the intention to truly connect. I think the father and the daughter will truly be empowered.

Conversation.

Talk to your daughter. Often. Girls tend to connect emotionally through spoken words. I know my daughters love “words of affirmation” from their dad. They love to hear him compliment them, praise them and encourage them. Don’t make this complicated. Talk at home, in the car, on the phone. Send silly texts and emails. Write simple notes and place cards in her backpack or on her pillow. Be intentional about your conversations. As girls get older and schedules get busy, schedule time together to talk. Go to breakfast, lunch and “date nights” together. Talking includes listening. At first, it might be simple or one-ended. But over time, the dialogue will grow as trust deepens. Be willing to be vulnerable. Put down the cell phones. Listen and talk. Look her in eyes and talk to her. 

Touch.

When your daughter is little, physical contact is easy. Hugging and kissing that sweet baby girl usually comes naturally. But as daughters mature, dads tend to draw back mostly because their daughters are going through those awkward puberty years. But don’t drawback. Daughters still need to be hugged. Daughters need to see and feel how a gentleman treats a young lady. Studies show that girls directly link a father’s physical attention to emotional connection. When a father stops hugging his daughter, she feels abandoned and may perceive she’s done something wrong. Physical connection should not be lost as a girl matures. It might change, but she still needs her father’s loving physical touch. 

 

Online self-defense to empower your daughter!

Teach her the Brazilian jiu-jitsu style “arm bar.” I have simple step-by-step videos for you.

Try my online self-defense videos to make physical touch intentional and empowering with your daughter. It takes three easy steps to begin online self-defense training.

  1. Choose an online program perfect for you and your daughter.
  2. Enroll and
  3. Begin training.

It’s that easy. Welcome to The Great Flip, online self-defense inspired by the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu, safety and faith-filled empowerment.

Choose your video training. Enroll now.

Don’t get me wrong, the father-daughter dance is sweet.  But from my experience, when the precious father-daughter dance moment comes to an end, the dads head for the nearest corner while the girls head for the dance floor. 

A  father-daughter self-defense event might be a fun way to physically connect with your daughter and give her life skills to last a lifetime! Simply watch the videos and practice empowering techniques together. 

The Great Flip is a great activity a father can do to empower his daughter.

Life Skills for Girls

Try the wrist escape with your daughter.

Want to try a technique now? Click on the picture to the right and try the wrist escape! Every video at The Great Flip is less than three minutes. Short. simple. empowering for girls ages six and up.

Let’s get started. 

See you on the mat! – Coach Jody

 

 

 

Great Time to join The Great Flip

 

What does a good, good father look like?

You will not find perfection in your earthly father or any earthly father figure. And if you no longer have your earthly father or a strong male role model, there is a Heavenly Father who wants to extend these same two activities to you. He offers his spoken word through the Bible. He offers his physical touch through baptism and communion. The Heavenly Father reveals himself through his perfect son, Jesus. He offers his unending love, compassion and forgiveness which leads to healing, hope and love. He loves you.  This is a free gift … for you. 

  • “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
  • “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

To learn more, find a Christian church in your community that teaches “faith alone. grace alone. the word alone.”

The most important gift you can give your daughter is the gift of Jesus Christ.

 

Someone is going into the lake. Guess who? Watch this video of my hubby teaching my daughter a few self-defense skills: Click here.

 

About Coach Jody

Coach Jody is a certified Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and mother of two daughters. Her daughters inspired her to develop an online self-defense experience to gain a basic understanding of self-defense skills, prepare for the martial arts environment and improve overall health and wellness.

The Great Flip is a national program alliance for American Heritage Girls. These girls value fun father-daughter activities! This is a great activity a father can do to empower his daughter. Coach Jody has spent twenty years inspiring young women to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Enroll now.

 

(I recommend “Bringing Up Girls,” by James Dobson, whose insight helped me write this blog)

How To Be Strong This Summer

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

 

Taking care of your body is important. Eating whole food instead of processed food, drinking water instead of soda, exercising instead of prolonged screen time and getting enough sleep are four awesome ways to decrease obesity and increase our immune system. Review these four “Be Strong” tips in the family activity below. 

I know a lot of people are saying “be safe” and it’s important to consider your safety in all aspects of life. I’m a self-defense coach, so yes, I can teach you a few things about safety. But I want to encourage you today with tips about “being strong.”

Be Strong.

I want you to be strong in your body, mind and spirit. When you focus on your strength, you’ll be able to make wise decisions about safety too.

God’s word says something amazing about how to “be strong.” When you trust in the Lord, you have less stress. When you have less stress, your anxiety reduces. When your anxiety reduces, your body becomes healthy and your bones grow strong. 

Why trust God? Because he loves you! “For this is how God loved the world (put your name here): He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. This is a trustworthy promise for you! Let that sink into your body and bones.

Sit down with your family and discuss the four ways you can be strong:

Four ways to be strong.

Pick one healthy habit to improve this week. Record your progress. Take pictures and share with #TrueGirl #TheGreatFlip. 

  1. Eat whole foods. If your food doesn’t grow from the ground or eat from the ground, it’s probably not whole food. Oh, how I wish I could grow Oreos in my garden. :) Learn how to cook something healthy or try a new fruit or vegetable. 
  2. Drink water. Reduce your intake of sugar and/or caffeine. Find a water intake calculator and refillable sports bottle to reach your goal. Squeeze fresh lemon in your water. Yum!
  3. Get enough sleep. Tweens and teens need between 9-10 hours of sleep. What time should you go to bed to get enough sleep?
  4. Physical exercise. Reduce screen time and exercise. Start a fitness challenge with your family or friends. Play a sport. Run around the house. Do jumping jacks. Do something active for at least 30 minutes every day. What will you do to achieve this goal?  

Learn about the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu with me here at The Great Flip.

Click here to request a free video and lesson plan. Not only will you get physically fit, but you will also learn an amazing life skill too! It’s a win-win!

 

EXTRA CREDIT: Read my blog that was featured on True Girl’s website and learn how trusting in the Lord offers five more ways to be strong. Click here.

 

Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up at www.thegreatflip.com

Click here to request a free self-defense video and lesson plan!

See you on the mat! – Coach Jody

online self-defense for girls

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program partner. Coach Jody is a contributing writer for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh.

Click here to request a free self-defense video and lesson plan!

Click here to learn more about online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment.

 

How Sabbath Rest Saved My Daughter’s Life

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When it comes to taking care of your body, mind and spirit, remembering the Sabbath day is an important spiritual discipline.  And here’s “the great flip,” we enter into spiritual disciplines not to earn God’s love, but because we already have it. Here is my daughter’s story. 

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8

My daughter, Megan, is a senior in college and struggles with perfectionism and anxiety. Can anyone relate? But she has discovered the joy of Sabbath rest. 

“I’m a workaholic,” she confessed. “I get in a zone and I can’t stop being productive. If I don’t stop and remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, my body will crash,” she says.

Now, she sees Sabbath as a gift. Her Sabbath provides motivation to work hard all week so on Sunday, she can enjoy church with her friends, receive the means of grace through the word, remembering her identity in Christ through baptism and receiving faith nutrition through communion. Her intentional effort to protect the Sabbath day now protects her from burnout and exhaustion. She is refreshed and refueled for a new week.

She doesn’t allow her “to-do” list to enter into her Sabbath day. Instead, she gives it to God and He gives her rest and joy. Not every week is perfect, but it’s a pattern of living that has brought order to her routine. Now on Sunday afternoons she takes time to hang out with friends, lay on the couch, do art projects, play her ukulele, or go for a hike. 

A fresh perspective on spiritual disciplines.

It’s important to have a healthy view of spiritual disciplines like honoring the Sabbath Day, prayer, fasting, and service so these disciplines do not become legalistic activities. Starting with the correct mindset will help you and your daughter enjoy spiritual disciplines and not despise them. 

Even Martin Luther in his explanation of the commandment to honor the Sabbath Day said, “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.” 

Consider spiritual disciplines as gifts from your heavenly father to gladly hear and learn. God promises to meet us where we are through these disciplines. He promises to extend his grace and blessings. He promises to meet us in these quiet places. 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

We enter into a spiritual discipline NOT to earn God’s love, but because we already have it.

We have his complete love and affection through Jesus. From a position of gratitude, we enter into spiritual disciplines. We don’t serve God in order to get more from Him. He has given us everything through Jesus. He is our great reward. When our motivation changes from “have to” to “want to” our entire Christian perspective shifts.  Suddenly, like my daughter, you will see everything as a “good and perfect gift (James 1:17)” including commandments and spiritual disciplines. 

My daughter surrounds herself with like-minded friends who desire to honor the Sabbath Day. These faith-family friends (her church buddies) help her build a schedule, keep her accountable and celebrate with her on those Sabbath rest days. 

Consider sitting down with your family to prioritize Sabbath rest into your schedule.

  • Have a family meeting to talk about Sabbath rest and its benefits.
  • How can you structure your week so that the Sabbath day is kept holy?
  • What activities do you need to prioritize to give your family the gift of Sabbath rest? 
  • What would you do if the Sabbath day was free to rest and enjoy? 

Share your Sabbath day stories with me at @TheGreatFlip and #thegreatflip

Welcome to The Great Flip

Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up. I created a fun, playful and empowering resource for you and your daughter to learn self-defense skills at home, school or after school.

Click here to request a free self-defense video.

A big shout out to my daughter, Megan for sharing her story. She is a psychology major at Asbury University and is an advocate for mental health awareness. Follow her blog at  “The Peace He Gives” Blog https://megantoken.blogspot.com

Megan trains self-defense skills with me. We make training together fun, playful and empowering. Give it a try at home, at school P.E. class or after school in an enrichment program or Christian club.

For more faith-filled empowerment resources from Coach Jody, click here. 

online self-defense for girls

  • The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.
  • Jody’s blogs and devotions can be found at True Girl, a Pure Freedom ministry of Dannah Gresh.
  • Contact Coach Jody

 

As featured at True Girl

https://mytruegirl.com/blog/how-the-discipline-of-sabbath-rest-changed-my-daughters-life/

 

As featured in Christian Parenting

How the discipline of Sabbath rest saved my daughter’s life

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8 ESV).

My daughter, Megan, is a senior in college and struggles with perfectionism and anxiety. Can anyone relate? But she has discovered the joy of Sabbath rest.

“I’m a workaholic,” she confessed.

“I get in a zone and I can’t stop being productive. If I don’t stop and remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, my body will crash,” she says.

Refueled through the Church

Now, she sees Sabbath as a gift. Her Sabbath provides motivation to work hard all week, so on Sunday, she can enjoy church with her friends, receive the means of grace through the word, remember her identity in Christ through baptism and receive faith nutrition through communion.

Her intentional effort to protect the Sabbath day now protects her from burnout and exhaustion. She is refreshed and refueled for a new week.

She doesn’t allow her “to-do” list to enter into her Sabbath day. Instead she gives it to God, and he gives her rest and joy. Not every week is perfect, but it’s a pattern of living that has brought order to her routine.

Now on Sunday afternoons she takes time to hang out with friends, lay on the couch, do art projects, play her ukulele, or go for a hike.

A fresh perspective on spiritual disciplines

It’s important to have a healthy view of spiritual disciplines like honoring the Sabbath Day, prayer, fasting, and service so these disciplines do not become legalistic activities.

Starting with the correct mindset will help you and your family enjoy spiritual disciplines and not despise them.

Even Martin Luther in his explanation of the commandment to honor the Sabbath Day said, “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and his word but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.”

Consider spiritual disciplines as gifts from your heavenly father to gladly hear and learn. God promises to meet us where we are through these disciplines. He promises to extend his grace and blessings. He promises to meet us in these quiet places.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 ESV).

Gratitude in our disciplines

We enter into a spiritual discipline not to earn God’s love, but because we already have it. We have his complete love and affection through Jesus. From a position of gratitude, we enter into spiritual disciplines. We don’t serve God in order to get more from him because he has given us everything through Jesus. He is our great reward.

When our motivation changes from “have to” to “want to” our entire Christian perspective shifts. Suddenly, like my daughter, you will see everything as a “good and perfect gift (James 1:17)” including commandments and spiritual disciplines.

Rest in your home

My daughter surrounds herself with like-minded friends who desire to honor the Sabbath Day. These faith-family friends (her church buddies) help her build a schedule, keep her accountable, and celebrate with her on those Sabbath rest days.

Consider sitting down with your family to prioritize Sabbath rest into your schedule. Have a family meeting to talk about Sabbath rest and its benefits.

How can you structure your week so that the Sabbath day is kept holy? What activities do you need to prioritize to give your family the gift of Sabbath rest?  What would you do if the Sabbath day was free to rest and enjoy?

 

5 Surprising Ways To Teach Your Daughter To Care For Her Body

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As featured on the My True Girl Blog.

Teaching your daughter to take care of her body is important. Eating whole food instead of processed food, drinking water instead of soda, getting enough sleep and exercising instead of prolonged screen time are four amazing ways to decrease obesity and increase our immune system.

But God’s word says something else brings health and nourishment to your body and bones. Check out this proverb:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

Why trust God? Because he loves you!

“For this is how God loved the world (put your name here): He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

This is a trustworthy promise for you! Let that sink into your body and bones.

But how does it make us healthier?

When you trust in the Lord, you have less stress. When you have less stress, your anxiety reduces. When your anxiety reduces, your body becomes healthy and your bones grow strong. When your body and bones are healthy, you desire to trust God, seek after the life Jesus has intended for you through the power of his Holy Spirit.

I offer this proverb, not to increase your list of things to do. (I know you have plenty of that) Instead, I offer the proverb as a promise from God. When he says “trust in the Lord…”, remember He is trustworthy.

My favorite children’s Bible is “The Jesus Storybook Bible.” The author says it best. “Some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn’t mainly about you and what you should be doing. It’s about God and what he has done.”

Jesus lived a perfect life … for you. He trusted perfectly … for you. His Holy Spirit lives in you and gives you faith to believe his word is  … for you. Even faith is a gift.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

Now read this passage of Scripture again and instead of hearing a “to-do” list, read it as a promise for you and receive faith.

Because of Jesus’ great love for you, you can joyfully:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

What are five ways to bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones:

  1. Trust in the Lord

  2. Don’t lean on your own understanding

  3. Submit to him

  4. Do not be wise in your own eyes

  5. Fear the Lord and shun evil

Okay, so technically, there are six points there, but I put five and six together.

Now, go get your daughter! Review the five ways to bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Grab a journal and/or calendar. As you set wellness goals for you and your girl, be sure to include a way to reduce the stress and increase your trust in God!

Jody Token, along with Dannah Gresh, Staci Rudolph, and other women who love tweens, writes daily devos for True Girl subscribers.  Jody is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up at www.thegreatflip.com.

Looking for more ways to bring wellness into your daily lives?! Check out the all-new True Girl subscription box! This month, we are shipping THE WELLNESS BOX! It contains all the great stuff you need to complete a simple but life-changing month of mom+daughter wellness!

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.

online self-defense for girls

made matchless leah tatina

Stand on God’s power (not girl power); Listen to the Empowered Girl Podcast! 🎧

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The girl power movement is shifting sand. The message is always changing. The lies are evolving. How do a mother and daughter get ahead and get a handle on the culture?

Leah Tatina, the creator of Made Matchless, has a solution. Instead of focusing on the lies, we should first ground ourselves and our daughters in God’s truth. No matter what the lie is any given day, God’s truth will remain. This is God’s power in action for our girls (and mom too!)

Learn how to stand on God’s power by listening to my podcast called The Great Flip “empowered girl” Podcast.

Download Leah’s free “I am” Made Matchless Pledge at her website at https://www.madematchless.com/

 

Made Matchless features The Great Flip on YouTube!

Leah is crushing it on YouTube! She made an amazing resource for me about Girl Power vs. God’s Power. Check this out!

She’s amazing!

About Leah

Leah Tatina, Made Matchless creator, is delightfully educating and inspiring girls and their moms to live out their unique God-given purposes with Biblical resources, events and curriculum. She considers herself an ordinary homeschool mother who serves an extraordinary God. Instead of focusing on the lies of the girl power movement, Leah focuses on God’s truth.

Be sure to like and subscribe to The Great Flip “empowered girl” Podcast at your favorite podcast place (Apple, Spotify, Anchor, etc.)

You can financially support these podcasts at my Anchor podcast, click here.

Don’t forget to download a free resource from Leah at her website: https://www.madematchless.com/subscribe/

Find Made Matchless on Youtube @madematchless

Follow Leah on Social Media @madematchless

 

Hi friends, welcome to The Great Flip online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up. You and your daughter can learn self-defense that is fun, playful and empowering using my online videos and lesson plans. Families are learning self-defense at home, at school and after school using The Great Flip.

Learning self-defense can be scary for girls. My coaching style is fun, playful and empowering for girls age six and up. I equip you to talk about bullies and bad guys in a safe and age-appropriate way.

Instead of going to a stinky martial arts gym, start your journey with me. You get to be in charge of a safe, positive and affordable experience.

online self-defense for girls

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.

 

 

 

 

the great exchange

The Great Exchange is The Great Flip

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It is finished. Not only did he take your sin and the sin of the whole world. He “became” your sin! And in exchange, he gave you his righteousness. You “became” the righteousness of God!

Put on your royal robes and crown of gold, ladies! You are a daughter of the most-high king!

Rejoice in this. Ponder this mystery. You did nothing to deserve it. “While you were still a sinner, Jesus died for you.” Martin Luther refers to this mystery as the great exchange. The greatest gift of all … for you.

I call it The Great Flip! 

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. John the Baptist proclaimed these words when he saw Jesus approaching. Today, you can proclaim these same words. He takes your brokenness. He takes your shame. He frees you from the power of death. He doesn’t ask for your permission.

 

Jesus is a holy thief. He takes away the sin of the world and nailed them to a cross. He did it all for you because he loves you.  It is finished. Listen, Jesus, the Word enters into your ears and creates faith.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” 

For more encouragement about the meaning of Easter and the gospel message, read my blog or listen to my podcast from last Easter. Click here. 

Welcome to The Great Flip

Hi friends, my name is Jody Token. I’m the creator and coach of The Great Flip online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up. I created a fun, playful and empowering experience to learn simple self-defense skills and share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. My resources give you an opportunity to talk about bully prevention and God’s healing words for girls and have fun learning life skills.

Be sure to request a free video and lesson plan. 

And find an online plan right for you and your family, church, school and/or after-school enrichment program.

Contact me. I look forward to serving you.

Blessings,

Coach Jody

online self-defense for girls

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program partner.

Coach Jody is a contributing writer for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh.

 

 

girl power vs God's power

God’s Power vs. girl power (Spoiler alert; God wins for you!)

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I was blessed to be a contributing writer for True Girl’s subscription boxes. True Girl is a ministry of Dannah Gresh. The spring and summer boxes will feature my devotions. Today’s devotion is all about God’s power vs. girl power. Spoiler alert … God’s power wins for you! His power is always better and greater than girl power.

Read this devotion with your daughter and participate in the activity at the end.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

I remember when my daughter first saw this verse. She thought she could defy gravity! Imagine the possibilities! She could win first place in her cross country meet. Ace her math test. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me!” she exclaimed! But no matter how hard she tried, she didn’t get first place and that math test was harder than she expected. She felt exhausted and defeated.

What is the source of your strength? Better asked … Who is the source of your strength? Your own girl power or God’s power?

three life skills for every girl  Girl power is driven by results and must be earned.

The promise is conditional. If you work hard enough and win, you get credit. If you work hard and fail. You feel like a failure. It’s no wonder girls suffer from depression and anxiety more than at any time in history. Girl power is fake power. 

But God’s power is unconditional, never-ending and a free gift from Jesus.

This Bible verse, penned by the apostle Paul, promises Christ-followers the power of Jesus in all circumstances. Christ’s strength will empower you in any situation, in good times and in bad. If you win, he celebrates with you. If you lose, God strengthens you with his comfort and peace. God’s power is real power.

three life skills for every girl

A girl can do anything not because of who she is or how hard she tries. A girl can do anything because of whose she is and His name is Jesus!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

Action Point: Write the words “girl power” on a piece of paper. Now rip it up and throw it in the trash. On a new piece of paper or in your journal write today’s Bible verse. Now write things you need strength for today. Say a prayer thanking God for his power in your life! 

 

Short bio: Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up at www.thegreatflip.com

Want a fun, playful and faith-filled empowered activity for girls? Welcome to The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resources for girls age six and up.

Request a free video and lesson plan.

Shop online courses.

Download a free excerpt from My Anti-bully Ebook.

Let’s start from the very beginning (it’s a very good place to start). Visit my homepage.

online self-defense for girls

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.