I wanted to share something from my devotional book that I thought was so good. Such a good reminder that it is us who looses sight of him and who can so quickly get caught up in the things of this world, instead of staying focused on him, our first love.
"Are you still in love with Jesus? Before you remember anything, remember him. If you forget anything, don't forget him.
Oh, but how quickly we forget. So much happens through the years. So many changes within. So many alterations without. And, somewhere, back there, we leave him. We don't turn away from him...we just don't take him with us. Assignments come. Promotions come. Budgets are made. Kids are born, and the Christ ...the Christ is forgotten.
Has it been awhile since you stared at the heavens in speechless amazement? Has it been awhile since you realized God's divinity and your carnality?
If it has, then you need to know something. He is still there, he hasn't left."
-Max Lucado-
May the Lord Jesus Christ himself...encourage you strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. 2 Thessalonians 2:16
He wants to be our first thought, our last thought and every thought in between. He is the giver of life and everything we have and are. Don't forget to take Him with you everywhere you go.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Couldn't be me! Then who?
Why is it that we think we are so incapable of doing what God has called us to do. It seems like we are so quick to put off tomorrow what can be done today. Isn't there always an excuse? Either we aren't capable, don't have the materials, assuming someone else will take it on, too busy, doesn't fit into our schedule, etc.
Here are a few people that God was calling to do exceptional things. Question is, did they believe that The Almighty, All Powerful, All Knowing God could truly make up for what they thought they were lacking in?
MOSES:
"But Moses said to the Lord, 'Please Lord, I have never been a skilled speaker. Even now, after talking to you, I cannot speak well. I speak slowly and can't find the best words'."
SARAH:
"Then the Lord said, 'I will certainly return to you about this time a year from now. At that time your wife Sarah will have a son.' ...she laughed to herself, 'My husband and I are too old to have a baby.'"
JONAH:
"The Lord spoke his word to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because I see the evil things they do.' But Jonah got up to run away from the Lord by going to Tarshish."
It's amazing what God can accomplish in and through those who are ready and willing.
MOSES:
Moses thought his speech was lacking therefore didn't feel confidant in what God was asking. "Then the Lord said to him, 'Who made a person's mouth? And who made someone deaf or not able to speak? Or who gives a person sight or blindness? It is I, the Lord. Now go! I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say.'" Do you think that settled it, NO. Moses went on to still request that the Lord send someone else. Since Moses wasn't willing to do the part God was asking, God found someone else to help fulfill the need God had. Don't get me wrong God still used Moses, but just think if he would have just said yes.
SARAH:
Then we have Sarah who was older, well past her child bearing years, laughing at God because HE was going to do a miracle that no one thought possible. Something that we would think impossible, but sometimes we forget that ALL things are possible with Him. God kept his promises and saw her through, and she gave birth to a son who was named Isaac.
JONAH:
Let's not forget Jonah. God was calling him to share and show His love to a town who so desperately needed to hear the good new. Instead of listening and obeying, he quickly ran the other way, only to be caught. You can't run from God. Once Jonah finally listened and obeyed, such rewards came from that.
Is God calling you right now to do something that you are making excuses for. What excuses are you giving God? Either your too busy, don't feel like you are capable, doesn't fit into your schedule, pushes you past your comfort zone, assuming someone else will take it on.
God made us each special and unique. No two of us are alike. He has called each of us to do something for such a time as this. The true question is, Are you ready and willing?
God is working out His plan. All we have to do is trust, follow, obey and watch Him go to work.
He is simply looking for a vessel that is open and ready to be used. Who is willing to take and step of faith and watch His incredible hand at work.
"Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them." Luke 17:33
Here are a few people that God was calling to do exceptional things. Question is, did they believe that The Almighty, All Powerful, All Knowing God could truly make up for what they thought they were lacking in?
MOSES:
"But Moses said to the Lord, 'Please Lord, I have never been a skilled speaker. Even now, after talking to you, I cannot speak well. I speak slowly and can't find the best words'."
SARAH:
"Then the Lord said, 'I will certainly return to you about this time a year from now. At that time your wife Sarah will have a son.' ...she laughed to herself, 'My husband and I are too old to have a baby.'"
JONAH:
"The Lord spoke his word to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because I see the evil things they do.' But Jonah got up to run away from the Lord by going to Tarshish."
It's amazing what God can accomplish in and through those who are ready and willing.
MOSES:
Moses thought his speech was lacking therefore didn't feel confidant in what God was asking. "Then the Lord said to him, 'Who made a person's mouth? And who made someone deaf or not able to speak? Or who gives a person sight or blindness? It is I, the Lord. Now go! I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say.'" Do you think that settled it, NO. Moses went on to still request that the Lord send someone else. Since Moses wasn't willing to do the part God was asking, God found someone else to help fulfill the need God had. Don't get me wrong God still used Moses, but just think if he would have just said yes.
SARAH:
Then we have Sarah who was older, well past her child bearing years, laughing at God because HE was going to do a miracle that no one thought possible. Something that we would think impossible, but sometimes we forget that ALL things are possible with Him. God kept his promises and saw her through, and she gave birth to a son who was named Isaac.
JONAH:
Let's not forget Jonah. God was calling him to share and show His love to a town who so desperately needed to hear the good new. Instead of listening and obeying, he quickly ran the other way, only to be caught. You can't run from God. Once Jonah finally listened and obeyed, such rewards came from that.
Is God calling you right now to do something that you are making excuses for. What excuses are you giving God? Either your too busy, don't feel like you are capable, doesn't fit into your schedule, pushes you past your comfort zone, assuming someone else will take it on.
God made us each special and unique. No two of us are alike. He has called each of us to do something for such a time as this. The true question is, Are you ready and willing?
God is working out His plan. All we have to do is trust, follow, obey and watch Him go to work.
He is simply looking for a vessel that is open and ready to be used. Who is willing to take and step of faith and watch His incredible hand at work.
"Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them." Luke 17:33
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Encourage One Another Daily!
I love an encouraging word! Doesn't it brighten your day when someone sends you a hand written note, a text message, a FB message, a special little gift, all just to say Hi or thinking of you. I enjoy those moments when you are at church or listening to the radio and you hear something that makes your heart happy, maybe even brings a tear to your eye because it's just so amazing.
What is it that moves you?
Are you one who is always grumpy, only sees the negative in things, enjoys making ones self glorified so others look less? Or, are you one who enjoys happiness, wants to make the most of things, likes brightening someone elses day?
"Encourage someone daily...We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul. -George M Adams"
We have all had them, those rough days. Those days when it's like could anything else possibly go wrong, and then it happens. Something or someones comes along and brightens your gloomy day. Doesn't it just put a skip to your step, a smile to the once frown, a glimpse of hope to your drought of sorrow. I know it does for me.
Another good quote I have heard is "be kinder then necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle".
We are so quick to let loose if it doesn't go our way. When really, we aren't the only ones facing something. We all face something at some point in time whether big or small, and if we could all just remember that we are oxygen to someones soul, what a better place this could be.
Things come up in life that are hard, frustrating, disappointing, unexpected, but when that happens we have to be ready to choose. We have to remember that it's a choice to live your days in pain, hurt, sorrow, grief, or you could choose live in peace, hope, strength and happiness. It's a choice! Hope you are choosing to live each day in His light, which brings peace, hope, strength and happiness.
"I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6
I don't ever want to be the person that deflates someones oxygen source, I want to help supply that source. Jesus is my everyday oxygen source. He is the lifter of my soul. He knows just the right thing to say or do to make my day oh so much brighter, but some of that does depend on me and how I choose to see it and except it. Let's choose the life He has for us and created us for.
What is it that moves you?
Are you one who is always grumpy, only sees the negative in things, enjoys making ones self glorified so others look less? Or, are you one who enjoys happiness, wants to make the most of things, likes brightening someone elses day?
"Encourage someone daily...We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul. -George M Adams"
We have all had them, those rough days. Those days when it's like could anything else possibly go wrong, and then it happens. Something or someones comes along and brightens your gloomy day. Doesn't it just put a skip to your step, a smile to the once frown, a glimpse of hope to your drought of sorrow. I know it does for me.
Another good quote I have heard is "be kinder then necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle".
We are so quick to let loose if it doesn't go our way. When really, we aren't the only ones facing something. We all face something at some point in time whether big or small, and if we could all just remember that we are oxygen to someones soul, what a better place this could be.
Things come up in life that are hard, frustrating, disappointing, unexpected, but when that happens we have to be ready to choose. We have to remember that it's a choice to live your days in pain, hurt, sorrow, grief, or you could choose live in peace, hope, strength and happiness. It's a choice! Hope you are choosing to live each day in His light, which brings peace, hope, strength and happiness.
"I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6
I don't ever want to be the person that deflates someones oxygen source, I want to help supply that source. Jesus is my everyday oxygen source. He is the lifter of my soul. He knows just the right thing to say or do to make my day oh so much brighter, but some of that does depend on me and how I choose to see it and except it. Let's choose the life He has for us and created us for.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sleep and Masks, Who Needs Them?
Have you ever had one of those nights when it's late, you know you need to sleep, but you just can't fall asleep? Instead your mind is on active overdrive, going from one thought to another. That's me!
Tonight while my mind was on overdrive, I got to thinking about people. Mainly us ladies. For the most part I think all of us like to think we have it all together. Being the wonder wife, incredible loving mother, that our schedules are full with exciting activities, that we have nicely put together homes, that we are fantastic chefs, etc. Well, at least that's the front we want everyone to believe.
Why is it we feel we can't be real, we can't be honest? It seems like no on wants to talk about their everyday struggles. Things we all face at one point in time or another. Hopefully we are learning from the things in which we deal with...so if we are learning from them, wouldn't we want to share and help someone else. Oh that's just it, we don't want to admit that that is something we are or have struggled with therefore we don't talk about it.
Maybe you really struggling with self-image, maybe your marriage is going through a rocky patch, maybe you feel frustrated and discouraged with your kids, maybe your finances are in shambles, maybe you need some accountability or encouragement with your devotionals. Maybe just maybe you need a FRIEND! Not an acquaintance, but a FRIEND! A friend who excepts us for us. One who is there to laugh with you, cry with you, offer advise to, or just be silent with. Maybe just maybe we need a FRIEND who we don't have to pretend around. Who excepts us no matter what is behind the mask. The one we can call up and say, "Hey, today just sucks", or "I just feel so down about myself and how I look", or "Man, money is tight, I don't know where to begin". Instead we just carry on as if nothing is wrong and we are just hunky dory.
God is calling us to be real not fake. Let's put down the masks and open ourselves up to realness. The realness that we all need help, we all need to vent, we all need an encouraging word. Whether we want to admit it or not we all need help through the everyday battles that we face.
Ladies, Jesus is a friend to all. He is our biggest fan. He knows our past, present and future. He knows when we are falling and when we fail, but He is right there to catch us. He will dust us off, straighten us out, and get us back on course.
I've learned over the years that people will come and go, but "Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" - Hebrews 13:8.
Tonight while my mind was on overdrive, I got to thinking about people. Mainly us ladies. For the most part I think all of us like to think we have it all together. Being the wonder wife, incredible loving mother, that our schedules are full with exciting activities, that we have nicely put together homes, that we are fantastic chefs, etc. Well, at least that's the front we want everyone to believe.
Why is it we feel we can't be real, we can't be honest? It seems like no on wants to talk about their everyday struggles. Things we all face at one point in time or another. Hopefully we are learning from the things in which we deal with...so if we are learning from them, wouldn't we want to share and help someone else. Oh that's just it, we don't want to admit that that is something we are or have struggled with therefore we don't talk about it.
Maybe you really struggling with self-image, maybe your marriage is going through a rocky patch, maybe you feel frustrated and discouraged with your kids, maybe your finances are in shambles, maybe you need some accountability or encouragement with your devotionals. Maybe just maybe you need a FRIEND! Not an acquaintance, but a FRIEND! A friend who excepts us for us. One who is there to laugh with you, cry with you, offer advise to, or just be silent with. Maybe just maybe we need a FRIEND who we don't have to pretend around. Who excepts us no matter what is behind the mask. The one we can call up and say, "Hey, today just sucks", or "I just feel so down about myself and how I look", or "Man, money is tight, I don't know where to begin". Instead we just carry on as if nothing is wrong and we are just hunky dory.
God is calling us to be real not fake. Let's put down the masks and open ourselves up to realness. The realness that we all need help, we all need to vent, we all need an encouraging word. Whether we want to admit it or not we all need help through the everyday battles that we face.
Ladies, Jesus is a friend to all. He is our biggest fan. He knows our past, present and future. He knows when we are falling and when we fail, but He is right there to catch us. He will dust us off, straighten us out, and get us back on course.
I've learned over the years that people will come and go, but "Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" - Hebrews 13:8.
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Fear Factor!
"Don't be afraid", "Don't be afraid", "Don't be afraid", "Don't be afraid", "Don't be afraid"...
You are probably thinking "what in the world are you afraid of Jenny, that you would need to repeat to yourself not to be afraid". Well, honestly there are lots of things I could be and am afraid of, but we aren't talking about me today.
My little girls life has been turned, twisted, bumped, thrown all around over the last 7 months and from that has come a lot of fear. Fear of dying, fear of getting sick, fear of germs, fear of the dark, fear of the unknown, fear of people, fear of things, and the list goes on. As a mother this breaks my heart.
"Fear not for I am with you...Isaiah 41:10"
Children have such big imaginations, such great faith, such loving spirits. My princess knows that there is a God, knows that He loves her, knows that He is always with us, but yet right now, fear consumes her.
Ironically, lately she has been wanting me to read scripture to her each night and since we have been reading almost every night it is mentioned to not be afraid. God has approached several people in our reading and he commands them to not be afraid.
God obviously knew way ahead of time that fear is something that we would all struggle with. It's one of those things that is so much easier said then done sometimes, right? How many things in our everyday life do we fear?
We fear our kids wont be liked or excepted among their peers, we fear we wont have enough money to cover the bills, we fear we might be in an accident, we fear we wont be excepted, we fear we might lose our job, we fear this or that might happen. I have news for you, the Lord says "DO NOT BE AFRAID".
He is always with us; He is there to be our friend when no one else will; He is there to supply all our needs (not wants, needs); He is there to bring peace to our storm; He is there to give wisdom for the decisions we have to make. He is the I AM, the KING of KING, the ALPHA and OMEGA, the SAVIOR, the STRONG TOWER, the PRINCE of PEACE, He is our EVERYTHING!
So do not fear, for He is with you. Whatever you may be afraid of right now, give it over to Him. Let Him bring His everlasting peace to your fear. He will see you through, He brings peace like no other.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:17"
You are probably thinking "what in the world are you afraid of Jenny, that you would need to repeat to yourself not to be afraid". Well, honestly there are lots of things I could be and am afraid of, but we aren't talking about me today.
My little girls life has been turned, twisted, bumped, thrown all around over the last 7 months and from that has come a lot of fear. Fear of dying, fear of getting sick, fear of germs, fear of the dark, fear of the unknown, fear of people, fear of things, and the list goes on. As a mother this breaks my heart.
"Fear not for I am with you...Isaiah 41:10"
Children have such big imaginations, such great faith, such loving spirits. My princess knows that there is a God, knows that He loves her, knows that He is always with us, but yet right now, fear consumes her.
Ironically, lately she has been wanting me to read scripture to her each night and since we have been reading almost every night it is mentioned to not be afraid. God has approached several people in our reading and he commands them to not be afraid.
God obviously knew way ahead of time that fear is something that we would all struggle with. It's one of those things that is so much easier said then done sometimes, right? How many things in our everyday life do we fear?
We fear our kids wont be liked or excepted among their peers, we fear we wont have enough money to cover the bills, we fear we might be in an accident, we fear we wont be excepted, we fear we might lose our job, we fear this or that might happen. I have news for you, the Lord says "DO NOT BE AFRAID".
He is always with us; He is there to be our friend when no one else will; He is there to supply all our needs (not wants, needs); He is there to bring peace to our storm; He is there to give wisdom for the decisions we have to make. He is the I AM, the KING of KING, the ALPHA and OMEGA, the SAVIOR, the STRONG TOWER, the PRINCE of PEACE, He is our EVERYTHING!
So do not fear, for He is with you. Whatever you may be afraid of right now, give it over to Him. Let Him bring His everlasting peace to your fear. He will see you through, He brings peace like no other.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:17"
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Did you pass or fail?
Have you ever had one of those times in your life when you were tested? No, not a test at school, or a driving test, not a test to see what kind of personality you have, or to see if you have an IQ...
I'm talking about those times when your faith is tested. We all have had them. The moment in time when you either stand firm on the Solid Rock in which you stand, or you fall into the trap of compromise and begin to sink into peer pressure. I had one awhile ago, and tonight as I was reading scripture it all came together. "People will hate you, shut you out, insult you, and say you are evil because you follow the Son of Man. Luke 6:22"
There are times in our life when we have to make tough decisions, and they are even tougher when it involves the ones, family and friends, closest to us. One thing I have learned though, is that the word of the Lord is true! It is our manual, hard drive, receipt to life, our 4 wheel drive, our caffeine...I think you get my point. The word of the Lord does not come back void.
I had to make a decision that effected someone close to me...and all though the answer seemed so clear to me, it wasn't for them and from that I felt the pain of Luke 6:22. But even though it hurt me as to why they didn't understand my answer, my heart was at peace because I knew I needed to follow the Son of Man and what He has called me to do and be.
So many times we or should I say I, want to please people, we want people to like us, we hate conflict, we just want peace and happiness, but God also made us all different. We need to remember that the only one who we need to please and follow is Him. In the end He is who we are accountable to.
Whatever test you are facing or have faced remember that the answer is in the book. Not everyone might like or agree with your answer, you might get Luke 6 thrown at you for what your answer is, but remember that if you are
I'm talking about those times when your faith is tested. We all have had them. The moment in time when you either stand firm on the Solid Rock in which you stand, or you fall into the trap of compromise and begin to sink into peer pressure. I had one awhile ago, and tonight as I was reading scripture it all came together. "People will hate you, shut you out, insult you, and say you are evil because you follow the Son of Man. Luke 6:22"
There are times in our life when we have to make tough decisions, and they are even tougher when it involves the ones, family and friends, closest to us. One thing I have learned though, is that the word of the Lord is true! It is our manual, hard drive, receipt to life, our 4 wheel drive, our caffeine...I think you get my point. The word of the Lord does not come back void.
I had to make a decision that effected someone close to me...and all though the answer seemed so clear to me, it wasn't for them and from that I felt the pain of Luke 6:22. But even though it hurt me as to why they didn't understand my answer, my heart was at peace because I knew I needed to follow the Son of Man and what He has called me to do and be.
So many times we or should I say I, want to please people, we want people to like us, we hate conflict, we just want peace and happiness, but God also made us all different. We need to remember that the only one who we need to please and follow is Him. In the end He is who we are accountable to.
Whatever test you are facing or have faced remember that the answer is in the book. Not everyone might like or agree with your answer, you might get Luke 6 thrown at you for what your answer is, but remember that if you are
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Do you love like Oscar the Grouch or like Elmo?
Oh what a night...I must say it was a rough day yesterday. Lincoln is off and on steroids and chemo all this month, and boy have I decided that steroids are not fun to deal with. I have a little monster at times. Thank goodness he can sometimes be a "grouch" but other times a lovable "elmo".
I had had enough yesterday...the tantrums, the crying, the yelling when he doesn't get his way. For him, it can be anything like not getting the right color of spoon, to not fixing him the food he wants right then and there, to not being able to go to grandma's. Here I thought last night I might have a moment to escape, to find solitude. Oh wait I think that might only exist in ones dreams.
Most people would like to think that their bedrooms are this place of solitude and rest. They can go there to escape all that might be going on. Maybe read quietly, watch a few shows or a good movie, maybe even SLEEP (what's that? It's so over rated, NOT). Not me! Right now my daughter has been so afraid and worried that she has been sleeping on our floor for comfort, and the last two nights my son has decided that his room and daddy in it, isn't good enough, so he has joined me in mine.
Even though it was frustrating dealing with him yesterday and then knowing that sleep would not be good, I was reminded of God's love for us. His unconditional love. The love that excepts us for who we are, where we are. "And from far away the Lord appeared to his people and said, 'I love you people with a love that will last forever... Jeremiah 31:3''
How many times do we wander off, do our own thing, frustrate Him, disappoint Him, think we can do it on our own. Does He then turn us away? Does He hold it over our heads that we let Him down, disappointed Him, hurt Him? NO...instead He is always there for us with arms wide open. He wraps us in His arms, brushes the dust off us and sets us back on the right path and gives us another chance.
No matter how frustrated I was, no matter how much I needed my space; when my son came running and wanting to snuggle you better bet these arms were wide open to embrace him.
I had had enough yesterday...the tantrums, the crying, the yelling when he doesn't get his way. For him, it can be anything like not getting the right color of spoon, to not fixing him the food he wants right then and there, to not being able to go to grandma's. Here I thought last night I might have a moment to escape, to find solitude. Oh wait I think that might only exist in ones dreams.
Most people would like to think that their bedrooms are this place of solitude and rest. They can go there to escape all that might be going on. Maybe read quietly, watch a few shows or a good movie, maybe even SLEEP (what's that? It's so over rated, NOT). Not me! Right now my daughter has been so afraid and worried that she has been sleeping on our floor for comfort, and the last two nights my son has decided that his room and daddy in it, isn't good enough, so he has joined me in mine.
Even though it was frustrating dealing with him yesterday and then knowing that sleep would not be good, I was reminded of God's love for us. His unconditional love. The love that excepts us for who we are, where we are. "And from far away the Lord appeared to his people and said, 'I love you people with a love that will last forever... Jeremiah 31:3''
How many times do we wander off, do our own thing, frustrate Him, disappoint Him, think we can do it on our own. Does He then turn us away? Does He hold it over our heads that we let Him down, disappointed Him, hurt Him? NO...instead He is always there for us with arms wide open. He wraps us in His arms, brushes the dust off us and sets us back on the right path and gives us another chance.
No matter how frustrated I was, no matter how much I needed my space; when my son came running and wanting to snuggle you better bet these arms were wide open to embrace him.
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