Long time to Type!

Good day to you! It's been awhile since I have posted (over a year) and I was sitting here thinking, I should start blogging again, embrace the ability to reach thousands of people and possibly strike up a good discussion. A great many things have happened since I have last put up a post. Some good, some not so good. Life got (and still can be) really hectic. I won't go in detail but I am teaching on Wednesday nights, changed jobs, and went through several rough months here recently. With all that being said, I am still beyond blessed. God has provided me with food, shelter and a great group of friends to help us through it all. We are [hopefully] about to move to a house with central heat (Yay!) Our current house runs on a fireplace or gas heat. Gas, as we all know, is ridiculously expensive and the fireplace only heats a fourth of the house, but created a LOT of smoke (we had to take down our fire alarms because they kept going off). Needless to say, I am super excited about the prospect of moving. We had a plan to build a house on our own property, but God has other plans, so I will let Him lead the way (I would rather not have the responsibility of home maintenance anyway). I have started couponing, and let me tell you, it is wonderful! Getting stuff for cheap or free and having a mini-stock pile is handy. When it comes time for mission projects, I have plenty to give away. Below is a picture of stuff that we are donating to a place in town that helps people get cleaned up and find a job. It feels good to do something like this that is beneficial all around. It doesn't cost me much, but allows me to get more product for less which means more to give away!

My church has started dedicating every Sunday evening to small group men's and women's bible study. So far, I love it. We are currently working on "Brave: Honest Questions Women Ask" by Angela Thomas. I have done several bible studies in this format before and enjoyed them. For some reason, this one has really hit me. I don't know why. Maybe I am finally really determined to turn it ALL over to God, instead of just the parts I want to. That's always been a struggle for, fully trusting God, seeing as how I don't really FULLY trust much of anyone. I think this new found determination is because of everything my family and I have gone through in the last 6 months. We built our lives around our good fortune, financially and otherwise. "They" say hindsight is 20/20, and looking back, we were not good stewards of the money and good fortune God provided us. We have had to fully rely on God to get us through to get us where we are now.

Philippians 4: 12-13 says: 

12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him[b] who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

Man has God been there! He is what has gotten me through everything. The is new study we are doing has really opened my eyes to what is really going on. First, I am worn out. Why? Stress, worry, and working, a lot. I have been trying to "fix" all the problems in my life on my own and man is it tiring to try and do that. I am so worn out from stressing and trying to handle it all on my own. But it is of such great comfort to know that I am not alone. I have sisters in Christ who are going through the same thing and I have God on my side. He knows I am worn out. He knows I need rest. This study has helped me realize that I cannot do everything and I was not intended to, even Jesus needed rest both emotionally and physically. I have also learned about my thorn. Something that is from Satan that God intends for good. Something that is I am meant to deal with. For how long I do not know. Only God can remove my thorn. I believe my thorn is meant to teach me something, but I am stubborn and fairly set in my ways. But my stubbornness and arrogance is nothing God can't handle. I think the most eye opening things I have learned is about his grace. His grace is sufficient. But what does that really mean? For me, it means God's goodwill towards me is sufficient to strengthen me and comfort me. No matter what thorn I am meant to suffer with, God will strengthen me and comfort me but I have to let Him.

So no matter what, God will always be there for me. He wants what is best for me.

Chew on that!

~J

Happy Father's Day

Today is a day for us all to show appreciation to our dads for the things they have done for us and the way they have shaped our lives. So Happy Father's Day to all the Dads. My prayer for you is that you are still are enriching you child's life every day; guiding and teaching them in life lessons, regardless of their age. But most of all, that you are showing them the way of the Lord, who is the supreme Father of us all. I pray you are mimicking His love and compassion.

Growing up I remember hearing things like, "you will understand when you get older" or "this is important stuff to know" and like every other I brushed it off  a lot of the time. However, my dad never gave up. Some people just quit repeating themselves, but not my dad. Up until a year or so ago I still got the same talks that I got before I went to college. But you know, I am BEYOND grateful for it. He wants me to have the best, happiest life possible, so he repeated it until he was sure I understood. And all the sayings are true, you really do understand once you get older. It all kinda "clicks".

I am beyond blessed to have the dad I have. All he has ever wanted was for me to be happy, although growing up I only thought my parents were mean and just wanted to make my life miserable. But I realized several years ago, that wasn't the case. My dad wanted to make sure I was ready for the "real world". The life where there won't always be opportunities for him to swoop in and save me. Some lessons are learned the hard way. Others can be avoided by having ears that hear. (The irony here is that I just read my Sunday school lesson, and it was talking about having ears that hear God..completely unplanned that it fit perfectly!)

In most of my situations, I had ears that heard. Maybe because I heard it so much, maybe because it just "clicked" sooner for me then most people. Either way, I am grateful for my dad and all that he has taught me.

I love you, Dad. Happy Father's Day.

Over Ambitious?

I am one of those people that likes to plan. I rarely wake up in the morning and spontaneously decide to go do this or that. It's just not me. I would say, that I agree with the motto "Fail to plan and plan to fail." I don't think it applies to everything, but a lot of things in life it does.  For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to do great things (in the worldly sense) and I planned accordingly.  


I was extremely immature in my spiritual life. I never really considered what God wanted from me. As I have grown spiritually, it is something I considered. Unfortunately, I never let it occur to me that this is not my life. God gave me this life and he can take it away at anytime. Over the last few years I feel I have grown in my spirituality more than ever.


Since college, I have wanted to be a lawyer, a CEO, a marketer, and so on, but didn't give serious thought to the question, "God, what do you want me to do with my life?" Currently, I am content with my job. I like it. I like what I do and the people I work with, even dealing with the patients! I feel like it is where I should be at this point in time.


But, I still have ambitions, only this time I have asked God to show me what he wants me to do. There are so many things I want to do. I really want to start a local mission group. A group of people that just go around to houses and help people with the things they need. Eventually, I want to be able to bring in other church groups and put them up with a place to stay. Another thing is to move up at my current job. Who really wants to be complacent with their job? I don't know many people that don't want to take on new things in their jobs. Other things include being a stay at home mom, an {awesome} cook (since you can't be much less than awesome in this family when it comes to cooking!!), an effective and efficient Women's Ministry leader, a godly wife and mother...the point is, I have ambitions. I don't want to be "simple" (which is how I view my life). I want to impact people's live for Christ and make a difference for the Gospel. But it's not easy. I can't do it alone. I have to manage my time and prioritize the things in my life, but most importantly, ask God.


Personally, I don't think all that can be done at one, unless it's God's plan; but so far I don't see that happening. But if it is something that God wants me to do, He will make it happen. I sure hope it is, I like a challenge, it makes life interesting! :)


Until next time!!

It keeps on coming!

It has been a while since I last posted. If you haven't read my last post, read it and you will see what I mean. But a lot more has happened since then. Ronnie lives with us now, and each day is a challenge. Being newly-wed and having to adjust to having a husband, I also have a step-child to get use to. So those two things alone are difficult. Then I started a new job last July, Eli started a new job sometime in August and trying to adjust to all these changes is difficult. God has gotten us through all that though! But now we have Ronnie living with us, just another addition to the may things to get accustom to. Everyone is up at different hours, different body temperatures which means different desires for the temperature of the house, one bathroom for all four people (and it seems I take the least amount of bathroom time too..just an FYI!!) and the list goes on. But we are managing to not kill each other by the grace of God. He continues to provide. 


Another adjustment in my life was my dad having a stroke in November, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in September. He had just gone through his second treatment and it happened. It it scary. He is doing well now, still doing therapy. I just do my best to keep his spirits up. :)


Christina started softball about a month ago, so my just when I thought my schedule couldn't get more full, it did. But I am super happy that she loves it, and for a kid that has not had any "formal" training she is great at it...a natural!! She started playing the clarinet in band, and has gotten really good at that too! I am glad she is dipping in several thing now, it will help her decide what she would like to do later in life.


But just when things are calming down some new stuff arises. The place I work is opening a new hospital and they are shifting people around, trying to find who will go where. Still not sure where or what I will be doing, but at least I have a job and they WANT me. Also, Eli's beautiful blue car was stolen today...nothing is safe anymore. :( But thankfully we have full coverage insurance, so that will help a lot.


But you know, as I go through all this I ask God, why? What did I screw up so bad that all this keeps happening. I mean I don't expect to have a peaceful, happy-every-second-of-the-day life, but something has give. But as I look back, God has provided. He blessed us with a house that could fit the four of us. He gave me job that gives me structure, a set schedule (so I know what I will be working all the time, makes it a lot easier to plan), and where people appreciate me and tell me they appreciate me. Eli's job and  promotion (praise God!!) make it so we have the money for the things we need (like expensive dental work!!) and the things we want without struggling. And the list goes on.


The thing is, I don't deserve, nor have the right to know 'why?' God made me. Granted, I don't always appreciate that fact, but most of the time I do. My attitude has been all wrong towards the things that have been going on in my life, not to mention I stay so focused on the negative things, I don't get to see the beautiful and wonderful things God has given me.


We recently had a revival at church. We talked about trials in life. Everything in my life, God has a purpose for. I may not see this purpose right now but God has one. Also, the Bible study my Sunday school class is doing, 'The Battle Belongs to the Lord' falls right in line with the revival topics. It is talking about transformation and and the battles we go through in life. But looking back and seeing my reactions to the situations, makes me see what COULD be the purpose. God is teaching me patience and trust in Him. I want things in a very particular way at a very particular time. God is showing me that things don't work in my time, no matter how much planning I do. I need trust God that thing will be okay and quit relying on myself so much because I am human and nothing, no one but God is perfect. No matter how much I try to make things perfect, they won't be. If I continue stressing on perfection and structure and don't learn patience and trust in others, I will probably have a heart attack or aneurysm in the next 10 years! I don't like living my life stressed and concerned about everything, and I think this is God's way of breaking me of this behavior. Now I know some of you are thinking "There is nothing wrong with being concerned about things." But the degree to which I am concerned and worried about things is not healthy. I can bring myself to tears in the blink of an eye focusing on what will happen 2 months from now with the stuff that is going on. In reality, all the worry and concern I have most of the time is unfounded (discovered from personally experience); I just haven't learned that lesson. But I am happy to say that it is slowly working for me. Even if patience and decreasing my stress level in reaction to events, isn't God's purpose, it is still super beneficial for me.


Now this may all seem random to you, but it is how it circles around in my head and therefore how it comes out. I didn't proofread all this, because frankly, it's a lot to proofread and I don't feel doing it!! :) So hope you were enlightened some by thins...until next time, have a great weekend!!

Life as I know.

So many of you know what happened to Ronnie, my father-in-law. Praise God that he is doing so much better these days and it is only by the grace of God. If you had asked me a month ago if he was going to make it I would have said no, and so would have plenty of other people. So seeing him now in the shape he is I can only think "Thank you God for allowing him to continue living!!" He really is an amazing man. He is in a nursing home right now doing so rehab and hopefully will be able to come home soon. Most people that are in their right mind and have to sit in a place with a bunch of people moaning and groaning would be bitter. Not Ronnie. Although he is not thrilled with his situation he knows God has a plan. He tells me regularly that he is here for a reason, for his roommate.From what his roommate tells me, Ronnie has been nothing but encouraging, loving and  caring for him.They sit and talk about how awesome God is and how He blesses them. Ronnie is reminding this man that God has a plan for him and that God has shown him grace in many ways. He is sharing the Gospel with him.

To me that is beyond inspiring and encouraging. Seeing Ronnie in the shape and situation that he is in and seeing that Ronnie is still following the commands of God, makes me think. I am way better off right now. What am I doing? Ronnie is sharing the Gospel and love of God in his situation so why can't I? Why is it that Ronnie can go out of his way to be kind and loving to this man that he BARELY knew, but I am not?? Ronnie has such a heart for others. I hope that I can learn from him and continue to grow in my spiritual life and be half the Christ follower that he is. :)

That's all. :)

Good night and God Bless!!

This is Authority From God?!?!

I have been thinking a lot about our government and how it operates. Personally, I think it could be run a lot better. I have said before that I could do it better. Really though, it takes one heck of a strong person to sit in that office and take all that criticism and not lash out at the country; along with all the other pressures they have on them. They have an ENTIRE country to run! You think running that store or office is tough, try the country. So people talk all this junk about how they could do better and just what they would do...that's fine (you'll never understand) but what about all the people saying they are going to stop paying taxes because the government is robbing us blind. (Keep in mind we let these people get elected or we voted for...just saying) Well here's thing, do you know how much money it cost to run a government?? I don't.


My REAL question is...What does the Bible say about paying taxes and how we should react towards our government?


I looked at Romans 13:1-7 and Mark 12:1-17


Romans 13:1-7 says:

Submission to the Authorities

1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.


Mark 12:1-17 says: 

The Parable of the Tenants

12:1-12pp -- Mt 21:33-46; Lk 20:9-19

1 He then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. 6 "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 "But the tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 "What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven't you read this scripture: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?" 12 Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

12:13-17pp -- Mt 22:15-22; Lk 20:20-26

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15Should we pay or shouldn't we?" But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. 17Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.


I am unsure how literally we are suppose to take this considering our government's history in the last several years. However, I know that Jesus NEVER changes and His Word still stands firm today. With that being said, I believe that when it states we are subject to the governing authorities, I take it literally. We may not fully agree with what our government is doing but we have ways to change that. When was the last time you really prayed for our government and the people actively running it? I mean really prayed, for their wisdom, their heart, their salvation, or their safety? We just expect that the government is going to do what is best for me....I...all 311 millions of us. Like that is going to happen. The fact of the matter is that we should be wanting the government to make decisions in the best interest of God and His will. Then maybe we wouldn't find it so hard to be subject to the government and to pay our taxes. The Bible clearly states that we are not to resist authority and that we should give Caesar (the government) what is his and God what is God's (which is everything we are!!) 


The parable in Mark is the perfect example. The man set up the vineyard, he did all the initial things and asked other to look after it. But the tenants did not want to give that made what was due to him...sound familiar?? In the end the tenants will be destroyed an others will take their place.


Even if we choose not to be subject to our government, there will be someone that will. If many of us do not, we will end up like all the other civilizations in the past...destroyed and read about in history books.


The same goes for our faith in God. Even if we choose not to follow God, others will. They will give the glory that is due to God. We should want to be a part of that...glorifying God for the things He has created for us and given us. 

The TRUTH

God sent an awesome message to 2Springs today. It's hard to top what was said. That being said I am going to put the notes I took in red and put my thoughts on it in black.

The message was the final sermon in the Encounter Series; titled 'The man in search of truth' John 18:28-38. Everyone in life is looking for something. Have you ever felt like there is something missing in your life but you haven't been able to find it? Maybe you are looking for something to believe, some truth and standard to life.  Our culture is so focus on telling us we have the right to be happy and we are entitled to 'stuff.' Whether that 'stuff' is the newest technology, newest in-fashion clothes, or the right to received love without having to return it. Yet this is not biblical. God does not say we deserve these things that we desire.

 We also seem to think these things will fill a void or an emptiness in our life. In fact, they won't, at least not forever. Take for example the last newest technology you bought. How long did that happiness last?  Are you still overjoyed and excited when you use it or see it. I know I am not. Jesus provides us lasting fulfillment, which warms my heart daily and anytime I need a uplifting.  This is the TRUTH. Jesus is this TRUTH.

 First let's look at how the TRUTH fits in our post-modern culture.


1.What is the stature of TRUTH? Where does it stand in our culture?

• It is relative. Truth is what you make it, whatever you want to believe and as long as you truly believe it then others cannot hold you at fault for you acting on it. For example, Hitler cannot be criticized for his actions because he truly believed that what he was doing was right. How twisted is that? Even though this is an extreme example it's how we operate in relation to religion. You can believe that the cat is holy and that is fine. What?!!?! 
• It is being weakened. This because of the 'keep everybody happy' theory that we have in our culture. When was the last time you went to a restaurant, had a complaint and the person just said 'Oh well'....umm never. Some place apologize profusely and/or replace your food.  Our society tells us that we should never be offended (or at least the majority). People are also so use to being catered to. We do not want to be hurt or told what we are doing wrong. People will quit going to church if the preacher or Sunday school teacher tells them (through the TRUTH of course) that what they are doing is wrong, they are very likely going to quit going to that church. How childish! Church is not for entertainment (even though my preacher is pretty entertaining!!). We are suppose to be instructed and taught (and build upon what we are studying at home) so that we can imitate Christ and spread the Good News!! The Truth is what it is, neglecting to hear it  won't change the fact that it is the Truth.
• It's optional. We want to pick and choose what we want to believe. God offers salvation and grace and mercy, but he who never punish me! Ummm yes he would. That's the amazing thing about God's love. He disciples us when we need it, and for our own good!! This stems from the fact that we do not like for someone else to call the shots in "our" lives. The fact of the matter is, it is not our life. God is the one that gives us life therefore He is the ONLY one that has the authority to take is way from us or direct our life. We are blessed because he did give us freewill but for those that say they are in Christ, we should be surrendering to God our live.  This is by far the hardest thing to do. I struggle every minute with this. I have matured a lot in my life, but this is by far the one thing I really struggle with.  I don't like the feeling of not know what is next.  Blessed are we that God sees our true hearts, and knows what we struggle with and what we would like to be.

Now that we see our culture's stance on TRUTH what is it really like?

2. What is the nature of TRUTH?

• It has a leader /a source. Jesus. God. Lord. Heavenly Father. Call Him what you want, He is where the Truth begins. There is no other source. All Scripture is God breathed. From Him and Him alone.(Timothy 3:16) Enough said on that!!
• It has a standard. This standard is unchanging regardless of the changes that go on around us. No matter how much technology advances or the standard of living changes, the standard is still the same. How awesome is it that we don't have to keep up with amendments or alterations to the Truth God gives us. One can believe what they want, say what they want, or be part of the majority, but that does not change the Truth.  Just think of how hard it is to keep up with the law changing in our government. "This bill is going through Congress. Oh, and this one was rejected. Or was it the other way?"
• It is unending. The Truth does not stop. There is no point to where it does not apply anymore. There is great comfort knowing there is no end to Truth. There is not going to come a time where it won't be applicable in my life.

3. What is the sufficiency of TRUTH?

• The Truth is sufficient for us and our lives. Jesus is the final authoritative complete revelation of God to His Truth. Does this matter? Of course it does! Our emotions are flaky. Something may feel right but that doesn't mean it is. If our feelings go against what the Scripture says, it's an automatic red flag. You can pray all you want about something but if the result of that prayer, you feel "God" telling you to do something that is against Scripture, it is not really God. It is your feelings, or maybe even Satan. Our opinions and our ideas are not sufficient either.

Later :)