Karen Renee
NJ CHRISTIAN CRAFTER, FITNESS & NUTRITION COACH & WORSHIP LEADER
Using my God-given gifts for good.
Education, Certifications + Experience
DEGREE:
B.S. Exercise Science: Bloomsburg (Commonwealth) University of Pa.
CERTIFICATIONS:
National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer (NASM CPT)
Precision Nutrition L1 Coach (PN1-NC)
American Red Cross: CPR/AED/First Aid
CURRENT JOBS:
Corporate Health Fitness Performance Coach at Exos (FT)
Lead Vocalist at JamestownDuo.com (PT)
Jewelry & Apparel Creator/Seller at MSJ Christian Designs (PT)
VOLUNTEER:
Worship Leader at Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church
and Liquid Church
About Me - Before & After Finding Jesus (My Testimony):
I grew up in a Catholic household. I went to CCD and attended church with my grandparents when we slept over, but when my Grandpa passed away, church became an Easter and Christmas thing. But one thing remained constant, I knew there was one God and Jesus was that man on the cross.
After my husband and I got married in 2009, we both longed to find a church that we could call home. I really wanted to find God and learn more about true Christianity, but after visiting every Catholic church in our town, and even settling into one for about a year, it didn't last. Something was just missing from this experience. I wasn't finding God at church.
Fast forward to having kids, we were blessed to have a girl (2013) and a boy (2016), just what we wanted, but I also recall saying to myself, "What am I supposed to teach these kids about life?" I knew God was still missing. We became members of a different Catholic church and enrolled my daughter in CCD; it went virtual due to Covid times, and the downward spiral began. She was no longer receptive to learning about God and I still had no idea who He was, so I begged my mother-in-law to help her through her weekly CCD assignments. I was confident she could help her, but she couldn't either. I emailed the church and took her out of of the program. She was heading in the opposite direction of what I was hoping. I wasn't quite sure what to do at this point.
In February 2023, I texted my brother and sister-in-law. I sent them a link to a bible from Amazon that I thought they recommended years ago and asked if this is still the one they recommend me reading. The next day, an NLT Life Application Study Bible arrived on my doorstep. My heart felt so full. I was ready to learn and understand what Christianity was all about.
Ironically, a couple months later, I was at one of my lowest points in life physically and mentally, and that is when God showed His face to me, through my husband's family. I was shown love in a way I had never experienced; and therefore, I sought Jesus. I knew I needed Him; I could no longer do this in my own strength.
In the recent years before I found Jesus, I was very focused on me...my chronic health issues, my job and the money I was making (or rather, not making), my mood, my sleep, my food, my fitness. I thought I needed to have all this in check so that I could feel good (and look good) so I could be a better employee, Mom, wife, friend, etc. As I found success in improving my physical health, the self-absorption and self-love reached an all-time high, of course with the best of intentions. I even started learning about and dabbling in New Age practices, of course having no idea I was being deceived. And then I hit rock bottom, mentally and physically.
As I was starting to learn about Jesus, the desires of my heart slowly started to change. I was going to church, reading the Bible, listening to worship music, having conversations about Jesus with family and old and new friends, and found myself becoming turned off to worldly things I used to enjoy, such as secular music. I no longer could handle hearing curse words and if it ever slipped out of my own mouth, I apologized to God! The way I dressed changed. I found peace in the chaos, the kind that truly surpasses all understanding. I was transforming and actually realizing that I was coming back to who I was when I was a young girl...one who was very sweet, innocent, caring and empathetic. Not that I had lost that completely, but as you age, you get influenced by the world and sometimes you lose sight of others and focus on yourself a little too much, because you think you have to in order to survive or succeed in life.
I now understand that God is in control. I yearn to hear his voice to give me wisdom and strength, to teach me and guide me, because I certainly can't figure this life out on my own. He has given me gifts and I long to use them for good, hoping to bring others to Jesus. If we all followed Him, this world would be a much better place.
I understand that FOOD AND FITNESS can become an idol; I was there. I thought health (and wealth) was the the key to a happy and successful life. I now believe that taking care of our bodies should be done because it is a beautiful gift from God and it houses the Holy Spirit, our personal helper, comforter and counselor. In this life here on earth, I'd like to be able to do all I can to please Him, and it will be much more attainable if I can keep myself as healthy as humanly possible.
My gift for SINGING was definitely a gift from God, and it took me forty something years to realize that he gave me this voice to sing for Him.
I've always enjoyed wearing JEWELRY. Now I create and sell it. (See my blog page to learn about how I got started making jewelry.) Creating Christian jewelry has also led to custom APPAREL. My hope is that you wear these items and they invoke beautiful conversations about Jesus.
Each of us has our own unique faith journey and relationship with God. My encouragement to you (and myself) is to give yourself grace when you fall short of your own Godly expectations. You will not be perfect as you seek and follow Jesus, but you will grow and change little by little each day, that's sanctification. Repent, read God's word and pray daily, and know that He has already forgiven you.