As the year is coming to a close, I feel a great desire to reflect on what last year looked like. Some things that God has taught me are:
- It can be exciting to try something new!
- I got the opportunity to preach to over 100 youth in the spring.
- I have had the privileged of leading a women's bible study.
- It is fun to serve as a family!
- It can be scary when things change - but that can be very good for one's character!
- Grade One - enough said!
It is said that we give our children two things; One is roots and the other is wings.
- Changes to friendships - I have grown to trust God for my security!
- Through times of trouble God will carry me through!
- Vulnerability is key to a community of friends!
- Prayer is the glue of any really good relationship!
- Quiet times are crucial to the health of my soul!
- Being teachable is an incredibly important quality!
There are many more I'm sure, but these are some of my top ones this year!
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:1-5
What a great year it has been! Thank you Daddy for the many lessons learned, for the good, the bad and the ugly! You have brought me through, given me the grace and strength I need in any and every situation.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Karate Kid
Okay, so I watched Karate Kid this week...one of my all time favorite shows.
Both the original (wax on/wax off), and the latest with Jackie Chan (one of my all time favorite actors!).
My favorite line was in the second one, and that is what I want to share today!
Being still and doing nothing are two totally different things.
Why do I like this so much?
Well, it's because so many times I feel like I need to be doing something.
Sometimes though, the need is in being, not doing!
I cannot hear God if I am so busy trying to make everything happen.
I need to stop and listen to His still small voice.
I need to allow Him space and time to minister to my soul.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11
Thank you Daddy for quiet times in Your presence. Please help me to sit quietly with You, to put aside all the things that crowd my mind and allow You to do Your good work in me! Help me to realize that those times are a valuable investment in the most important relationship I will encounter!
Both the original (wax on/wax off), and the latest with Jackie Chan (one of my all time favorite actors!).
My favorite line was in the second one, and that is what I want to share today!
Being still and doing nothing are two totally different things.
Why do I like this so much?
Well, it's because so many times I feel like I need to be doing something.
Sometimes though, the need is in being, not doing!
I cannot hear God if I am so busy trying to make everything happen.
I need to stop and listen to His still small voice.
I need to allow Him space and time to minister to my soul.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11
Thank you Daddy for quiet times in Your presence. Please help me to sit quietly with You, to put aside all the things that crowd my mind and allow You to do Your good work in me! Help me to realize that those times are a valuable investment in the most important relationship I will encounter!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Do You Trust Me?
I really love how the amplified bible translates some passages.....
......it's like....do you get it?!?! Are you sure you heard me?
I will not, I will not, I will not.....assuredly not!
It is like God is saying....Jen, do you trust me? Because I will not fail you!
Did you hear me child? I will not heave you helpless!
I love you my daughter and I will not relax my hold on you!
How can I not respond to something like that!
Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified Bible)
I am so grateful Daddy that you are a huge and mighty God! As this year wraps up, please help me to remember all the things you have done for me, how you have revealed yourself to me and how you have helped me grow in character and wisdom. Please help me overcome any unbelief and to continue to be teachable in the coming year!
......it's like....do you get it?!?! Are you sure you heard me?
I will not, I will not, I will not.....assuredly not!
It is like God is saying....Jen, do you trust me? Because I will not fail you!
Did you hear me child? I will not heave you helpless!
I love you my daughter and I will not relax my hold on you!
How can I not respond to something like that!
Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified Bible)
I am so grateful Daddy that you are a huge and mighty God! As this year wraps up, please help me to remember all the things you have done for me, how you have revealed yourself to me and how you have helped me grow in character and wisdom. Please help me overcome any unbelief and to continue to be teachable in the coming year!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Silent Night
May you be greatly blessed as we celebrate the birth of the King of all Kings!
The Lord broke His 400 year silence with a baby's cry!
Praise the Lord, for He who promised is Faithful!
"The days are coming", declares the LORD,
"when I will raise us to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called;
The LORD our Righteousness."
Jeremiah 23:5-6
Thank you Daddy for the extra special time I have had preparing to celebrate Christmas!
May you be glorified as we spend time with family and friends!
The Lord broke His 400 year silence with a baby's cry!
Praise the Lord, for He who promised is Faithful!
"The days are coming", declares the LORD,
"when I will raise us to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called;
The LORD our Righteousness."
Jeremiah 23:5-6
Thank you Daddy for the extra special time I have had preparing to celebrate Christmas!
May you be glorified as we spend time with family and friends!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Immanuel
Willful obedience is what brings about the great things God has planned for us!
One willing woman, who agreed to do God's will.
One willing man, who risked slander and disgrace, agreed to do God's will.
One Savior born to take away the sins of the world!
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:
His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,
but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:1-24
I pray Daddy for the grace to be willingly obedient. Thank you for choosing Mary and Joseph, two people who were willing to be part of something bigger than themselves...and for Jesus....the Light of the World!
One willing woman, who agreed to do God's will.
One willing man, who risked slander and disgrace, agreed to do God's will.
One Savior born to take away the sins of the world!
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:
His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,
but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:1-24
I pray Daddy for the grace to be willingly obedient. Thank you for choosing Mary and Joseph, two people who were willing to be part of something bigger than themselves...and for Jesus....the Light of the World!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Do You Have a Weary Heart?
There is so much up in the air right now, but I choose to spend my first time with my Daddy and I love how He has prepared me each day and given me His grace and His strength. I realized yesterday that at one moment you can think you have things all figured out, that a relationship can seem like it is finally going the way you always hoped....and then wham....the next phone call all you can hear is bitterness, resentment, hurt and anger.
At that moment I was thankful for something my friend and pastor said sunday afternoon:
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10
Daddy, you know the hearts of your children, I do not. I lay down my expectations, worries and concerns at your feet. I release them to you, to do your good work. I pray that they will have soft hearts and be receptive to your quiet call to them, because like you have done for me, I know you want to heal their hearts and free them from their heavy loads. Please help me to continue to do good and give me Your grace when I feel weary.
At that moment I was thankful for something my friend and pastor said sunday afternoon:
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10
Daddy, you know the hearts of your children, I do not. I lay down my expectations, worries and concerns at your feet. I release them to you, to do your good work. I pray that they will have soft hearts and be receptive to your quiet call to them, because like you have done for me, I know you want to heal their hearts and free them from their heavy loads. Please help me to continue to do good and give me Your grace when I feel weary.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Prince of Peace
I am very excited to spend time preparing for Christmas, and one of my favorite names for Jesus is - Prince of Peace. We can all use a little peace, and I pray that peace will reign in our homes as we celebrate the birth of our Prince of Peace;
who's birth was prophesied long before he came to save us!
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 6:1-7
Thank you Daddy, that we are not unaware of what You have done for us! Thank you for our Prince of Peace and may He reign in our hearts and our homes as we spend time remembering what You accomplished when this prophesy was fulfilled!
who's birth was prophesied long before he came to save us!
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 6:1-7
Thank you Daddy, that we are not unaware of what You have done for us! Thank you for our Prince of Peace and may He reign in our hearts and our homes as we spend time remembering what You accomplished when this prophesy was fulfilled!
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