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Monday, April 2, 2018

Women of the Word - Cintia Listenbee

As an encourager, I was looking for fellow encouragers online. I kept looking until I found this gem: Cintia Listenbee at simplycintia.com. Cintia has an economy of words that ministers to your heart. From Brazil, her culture is evident in her writing. I love learning about her customs while she shares her faith. Cintia is also multilingual, so infrequently some posts are written in Portuguese (which I allow Google to translate). Regardless of language or culture, her strong faith emanates from a blog post. Meet this month's Woman of the Word - Cintia Listenbee.

Cintia Listenbee


1. As someone who studies the Bible, what are your favorite tools and resources?
CL:
The Bible itself. I find that today, we have such an infinite number of resources that we forget to read the Bible. I believe that the Bible should interpret itself. I also believe that in order to understand the words I read in the Bible I should understand the world of the Bible. Reading and studying the Bible itself is my priority. I go to tools and resources second. I also believe in going to experienced teachers as resources. I have a couple of mentors and teachers that I use to point me in the correct direction when I have questions. I am really trying not to forsake the Bible itself because of the abundance of resources out there.


2. Old Testament, New Testament or both?
CL:
The Bible is one unit so both are very important as I seek to know and love God. If I pick one and not the other, I miss out on a lot of goodness. I have learned to look at the Bible as one book and I try my best not to pick and choose what I like but to enjoy the Bible as God meant for me to receive it: as one unit.


3. Why do you study the Bible? What was your initial motivation?
CL:
I want to know God better and I decided that studying the Bible is the best way to do that. I also want my life on earth to make sense. The more I understand God's words, the easier it is to understand the course of life on earth. I joined a group of women who were lovers of the Bible and their enthusiasm and process really motivated me to study and to learn on my own. Their love for Bible study and for God was quite contagious!


4. How does inspiration work for you? How do you know that what you're writing or understanding is as if God is moving the pen and you're just the vehicle?
CL:
I often say that if I learn something from God, it is my joy to share it with others. I believe that being used by God should be organic. I am available to be used while I'm in the dentist chair getting my teeth cleaned or when I am paying for my groceries in the grocery store. I saw my parents and grandparents live this way so I try to follow their example. All of life can be used for God's glory: from my writing to my running to my breathing.


5. How do you handle complex topics that may not align with popular views? Can you give an example?
CL:
I had a job interview this summer and the interviewer told me he combed through my blog to see my political position, affiliation, etc. He told me he couldn't find anything and he was curious. I told him he could keep combing because he wouldn't find anything. My goal is to spread hope and encouragement online, one post at a time. I told him if he or anyone else wanted to know my opinion about complex topics, I'd take them out for coffee (for which I'd pay) and we can share our hearts that way. I try to find the correct avenue to share my opinions. The world is full of experts already, I choose to be an encourager.


6. When confronted by the truth of scripture, even for difficult topics, how does it re-orient you?
CL:
The Bible is a mirror and every mirror requires a response. I remember foolishly not looking at a mirror one time when my kids were in preschool. I ran several errands and when I came back home I walked by a mirror and saw that the makeup from the night before made me look like a raccoon. I immediately washed my face and had a great laugh. Likewise, I choose obedience when confronted with the truth of scripture. Recently, doing good to those who despitefully use me (Luke 6:28) has been a choice I can't ignore.


7. Who is your target audience and what is your overriding message?
CL:
My target audience is the loving people who live with me (my immediate family) because how I live will influence them the most, for generations. My message for them is to know God and to live for Him, using His standards found in the Bible. Online, my target audience seems to be women and men who want to live a better life, one small step at a time. My message for them is, "there is hope."


8. Tell us a little bit about yourself, current projects you are working on and where you can be found.
CL:
I'm a wife and mother who loves God and who has dedicated my life to His service. I have been blogging at www.simplycintia.com since 2003. This year I am "going print" and publishing my own books. This year my writings can be found in "The Upper Room Disciplines 2018" https://www.amazon.com/Upper-Room-Disciplines-2018-Devotions/dp/0835816249/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515171188&sr=8-1&keywords=upper+room+disciplines+2018
and later on this year in their monthly devotional magazine. I'm everywhere on Social Media sharing hope. You can also find out more about me at www.cintialistenbee.com


9. How do you deal with discouragement and doubt? (Bonus question)
CL:
Unfortunately, discouragement and doubt show up at everyone's door. I have learned to have my trust anchored in God's Word. A few years ago I was so discouraged in one area of my life and I was experiencing a lack of peace. I noticed my mind was wandering aimlessly so I wrote down 10 Bible verses related to God's peace and I posted them close to my kitchen sink. Every time my mind began to wander, I looked at those Bible verses and God filled me with hope. I find this approach effective and I use it quite often. God is my source of peace, joy, and security. I just have to remind myself often.

If you were encouraged by what you read, please take a moment to comment and encourage this month's Woman of the Word.


--Nylse

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14 comments:

  1. Great answer to the difficult answer question. I try to encourage too, but they probably will notice some things I disagree with.

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  2. Can I just say I loved this interview? It's always wonderful to meet someone as encouraging as Cintia is! As I read the answers to her questions, I found myself nodding. And, as I read her way of dealing with discouragement, I took note. I'm dealing with discouragement in an area of my life right now. God's word is the answer to everything!

    Thank you, Cintia, for sharing your wisdom and hope here!

    Nylse, I'm your neighbor over at #RaRaLinkup today. It's so nice to "meet" you!

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  3. I loved this interaction! And, Nylse, your questions were so deep and insightful. Thanks for this great intro to Clintia!

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  4. Loved this interview! Thank you for sharing!

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  5. So great! And Cintia is so wise to share difficult views one on one. Much less chance of being misunderstood and easier to see your heart when you look into someone's eyes. Visiting you from the Tune in Thursday Link-up. laurensparks.net

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  6. I love Cintia's target audience.
    Thank you for sharing this interview and introducing us to this woman of God.
    I popped over from this week's Grace and Truth link-up.

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  7. Thanks for introducing us to Cintia, Nylse! Such an inspiring interview!

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