a Word to help you through the day

Blessings Returned

Jen — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:22:13 GMT

Good Morning Girls! I shared with you all on Tuesday the story of my coconut water gift. I drank it last night and enjoyed it to the full, knowing it was given to me in love!

When I first got the bottle of water it felt so good to know my friend had thought of me. Later that night as I was making my new favorite tea (Pukka after dinner tea- delicious!!!) I thought of her. I quick grabbed a packet of tea and wrote a note to her, telling her that it was MY new favorite drink just like the coconut water was her favorite new drink. She shares the same sweet tooth that I do and I knew she would love the fact that it helps put off that after dinner sugar craving. I had been blessed with a gift and it created in me the desire to return the blessing.

It reminded me of the verse I have been meditating on for the last few days. It says in Numbers 18:29 Be sure to give to the LORD the best portions of the gifts given to you.  This verse has come to speak a few things to my heart.

God has given us all good gifts. Many good gifts. Gifts in the form of talents, resources, experiences, etc. I believe we are to use the gifts we have been given to bring God glory. To give back to Him the best of what has been given to us. It's just like the tithe but applies to every gift. He gives us the gift of time....we give a portion....our best portion according to the scripture....of our time back to him. He gives us the gift of humor, we use it to bring laughter to others in a positive way not by telling crude and tasteless stories. We have the gift of a beautiful voice, we bless the LORD with songs of praise (I for one do not have this gift but I bless the LORD with my own special joyful noise lol).

When we have full revelation that every good gift is from the LORD it creates a desire to use those gifts to bless others and bless the LORD. It also fills our gifting love tank when we see what the use of our gifts does for those around us.

Take some time today to notice the different gifts you have been given. Ask the LORD how you can give back to Him your best portion of what has been given to you. Take action and experience the blessing that comes when you use your gifts to bless the LORD and those around you!

Numbers 18:29 NLT Be sure to give to the LORD the best portions of the gifts given to you.

Love, Grace, and a Best Portion of Gifts Day to You All-

Jen

Delight in the Details

Jen — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:35:56 GMT

Evening Girls! My kids go the same school a dear friend of mine teaches at. After school today my daughter Charley handed me something. It was a bottle of La Croix coconut water. Attached to it was a post it note from my friends that read "one of my new favorite things...thought I would share...."

You would have thought I just won the lottery!

That bottle of carbonated coconut water made my day (and I was having a decent day already)! Here's what the bottle of water spoke to my heart: "My friend knows...remembers.....AND acknowledges that I love carbonated water. Not only that but it is something that she loves and she wanted to share with ME something she loves. And the cherry on the camel's back....she took the time to write a note and find Charley to bring it home to me."

You Gifters are nodding in agreement. The rest of you are raising your eyebrows thinking "Wow. It said all that. It's just a bottle of water." Trust me. It did.

You know what else it said? It said "I see you. I love you. I care about your desires down to the simplest bottle of water." That was a p.s. from the LORD.......

Just yesterday I was at Target where I had seen the same water. I was very excited about it and put it into my cart. I was trying to stick to my budget and had already grabbed a couple Sobe waters that were on sale, so I ended up taking it out and putting it back on the shelf. "I'll get it next time" I said. (I really did....just ask my friend who was with me at the time)

But God just wanted me to have a little taste of the coconut bubbly now instead of next time. You may think it's coincidence. I'm okay with agreeing to disagree......

Girls, there is nothing special about me. What the LORD has done for me He rejoices in doing for you. Perhaps He is already doing it but to you it's "just a bottle of water". Or maybe He is waiting for you to lay your requests before Him trusting that He does in fact delight in giving you the desires of your heart!!!

Spend some time with Him today, thanking Him for the Gifts He's already given as well as the ones that are on the way!

Psalm 37:4 NLT Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart

Love, Grace, and a Day of Delight to You All-

Jen

I know we didn't pick up where we left off yesterday....we will pick it up tomorrow. Today's Gift story is a perfect lead into what I was going to say. See how good Gods timing is (even though I have a whole list of things I feel like maybe He is a little late on- lol)

The Original Gifter

Jen — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:32:45 GMT

Good Morning Girls! I confess I am a Gifter. It is my love language. I have no problem confessing this. Do you want to know why?

Because God Almighty is the original Gifter! Every single thing He does for us is a gift. A free gift! I guess that means in the most basic and foundational way, I am just like Jesus (ha-ha-ha-...that's the gift of laughter at work Girls...)

It says in Luke 11:13 God gives greater gifts than what we "evil" people give. It says in Romans 4:16 that faith is given as a free gift. It says many times throughout the New Testament that God has given each of us different spiritual gifts. He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit himself. And foundational to our faith, he gave us the gift of His only son!!!! Every good thing comes from our Heavenly Father. Every gift is from Him! It is absolutely okay to love gifts.

Now for those of you who are not really into gifts, you may think this sounds selfish. But here's the deal. Not only do Gifters love receiving gifts, we love GIVING gifts. We spend a lot of time, thought, energy, resources, and effort it wanting to give the perfect gift- just like what the LORD does for us. It blesses us to bless others. Again, just like the LORD.

However, sometimes we feel depleted. As much as we love giving gifts, our love tank slowly drains if we do not feel gifted ourselves. The hard part about that is we are not always surrounded by other gifters. We may have even married what seems to be an anti-gifter. (not that I know anything about this) It may seem like the anti-gifter we married goes out of his way to buy us the dumbest most useless things. It may seem like the anti-gifter is trying to tell us he doesn't really know us, understand us, or even want to know and understand us. It may seem like the anti-gifter is telling us our desire for gifts is a pain in their hiney, thus we are a pain in their hiney.

Can any of you relate? Are any of you nodding your head saying "Yep. That pretty much sums it up. I have married the anti-gifter". Well here's the deal Girls. The anti-gifters- they do love us. They do cherish us. They really truly wish they could get it right. Sometimes though we make it so very hard on them that they quit trying. They are tired of disappointing us time after time.

That is why I am so very thankful to the LORD. He has taught me over the years that truly EVERY good gift comes from Him! Even when He uses someone else to bless me, it is really from Him. He put it in their hearts to give. I have learned to look to Him, rather than people
to fill my love tank. When I go to Him and tell Him I am feeling empty, He takes care of me. That is why it is so important to see the gift in EVERYTHING. Everything from the cold rainy day yesterday that caused me to hang out in the fort with my kids for 2 hours to the beautiful morning today which is perfect for hanging coupons. Rain or shine- it is a gift.....If we purpose to see it and receive it.

Now don't get me wrong, if you ask me what I would like as a gift, I will not respond all spiritually saying "Oh, I trust the LORD will lead you to the perfect gift." No. I have a list of things I would like on any given day. You could ask me on October 9th or February 2nd, I always got a list. But here's the deal, I don't stress over the list. I don't fret over the list. And I definitely don't need the things on the list in order to be happy. I truly have all that I need to be happy. Gifts in the forms of "things"....well that's just the cherry on the camels back as my dear friend likes to say.

So Girls, if you have ever felt guilty about liking gifts, don't! And if you have ever felt as though your gifting love tank was low, go before the LORD, the original Gifter. Let him fill your gifting love tank to the overflow. It may surprise you to learn what things you really need to be happy!

There is another thing you can do when your gifting love tank is low. I touched on it earlier, we will talk it about it more tomorrow........... (oh I do love a good cliff-hanger......)

Ephesians 2:8 NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (seriously....with a gift like that, how can you not be filled to the full!!!)

Love, Grace, and a Day with the Original Gifter to You All-

Jen

Feeling Dull?

Jen — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:05:03 GMT

Evening Girls! I missed writing last night. Not for lack of gifts to be thankful for- just lack of energy by the time I got home from a very long but blessed day.

I know the LORD is working in me with this 30 day countdown. What started out as a fun way leading up to the big 4-0 has turned into a lesson of gratitude and thankfulness- and it is life changing! You want to know how I know it is life changing?

Yesterday I actually thanked the LORD for my cellulite! Not kidding. I taught bootcamp at 8:30am and then headed out to work hanging pizza coupons. I hadn't really packed anything to eat and I realized that I had the strength and energy to keep on going for a long time. I thought "Thank you Jesus for my cellulite. It has enough stored energy (in the form of fat) to sustain me during this 3 hour workout." And then I started laughing out loud as I realized what I had said. Especially because I actually meant it!

Laughter. That is the gift I am thankful for today. Well one of the gifts. The other gift goes with it. It is the gift of friendship. They are a package deal. For me you can't have friendship without laughter and laughter is much more fun with a friend (though I do entertain myself and laugh at myself a LOT....probably more than is normal...or even healthy at times lol...see, I just did it again).

I have been blessed with the most amazing girlfriends. I know they are a gift from the LORD. I never used to have many girlfriends. I always opted to hang with the boys. There was less drama, back stabbing, and gossip with the boys than the girls. With the boys you just argue, call each other stupid names and move on. With girls....Lord help us- with girls you fight, you tell everyone how much you hate the other one, you spill each others secrets, you make up (and still tell each others secrets), and you never really feel safe. It is Darwinism at it's best. Survival of the fittest......and most conforming. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not much into the conforming thing.

As a young adult I had more girlfriends, but not many. When I gave my life to the LORD I looked around and realized that I didn't REALLY have any friends. I had drinking friends. I had gambling friends. I had "go to the bar" friends. I didn't have any REAL friends. Sure they were kind. They listened to my problems, they complained about theirs. We talked and hung out. But we weren't what the LORD intended friends to be.

I know this because none of my pre- Jesus friends stirred in me the desire to be better. They didn't challenge me, encourage me, or pull from me. In fact, I would say we held each other back. If someone showed any sign of self improvement we were quick to get on each others case for fear of being left behind. "Why would quit drinking?" "What's the point exercising?" "Who cares if your husband wants you home?" With friends like that.........

When I gave my life to Jesus, I slowly lost all of my so called friends. It was difficult at first, but it didn't take long until I realized that for every "friend" I lost the LORD brought me 3 or more godly, good, pure, true friends. I'm talkin friends that make you want to be a better you kind of friends. Friends that cry with you. Friends that pray for you. Friends that put your needs above their own. Friends that encourage you when you are down. Friends that tell you when you are being a whineball. And most of all, friends to laugh with. Laugh till your stomach hurts and you pee your pants just a little. That's the kind of friends I am blessed to have!

Girls, if you are feeling dull and lifeless, you need a little Girl time. Your goal? Laugh until you make someone pee a little (it's not that hard for those who have had kids). If you do not have any of those kind of friends take time to pray and ask the LORD, He will bring someone your way!

You want to be my friend? I have 1 pre-requisite. You can find it in John 15:14 NLT. First person to know what my pre-requisite is receives a gift........

Proverbs 27:17 NLT As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend

Love, Grace, and No More Dull Moments to you All-
Jen

The Heart of the Gift Obsession

Jen — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:17:41 GMT

Evening Girls! The other day I received a comment from a dear friend of mine regarding my "everything is a gift" blog. She said she wished she had a consistent positive attitude like I do.....

I laughed.

Out loud.

And then I laughed some more.

Sure, for the most part I am an upbeat, glass is half full Girl. I prefer to be optimistic and care free over doubtful and worried. I prefer laughter over tears, and smiles over scowls. I am happiest when I make others laugh and smile. But I haven't always been that way, and it isn't always easy.

I spent many years in a very dark and lonely place. Many years hating my life and my self. Many years wishing I were someone else. And at my lowest point(s) wishing I were dead.

Once you have been to that darkest, loneliest place you never want to go back. And you never want anyone you love to go there either. Maybe that is why I am a little over the top at times. If I can give others a moment of joy, perhaps I can give them a glimmer of hope. And often times all it takes is a glimmer to prevent you or someone you love from slipping into the pit.

Sometimes I forget how much my life has changed. I forget about the hours I spent crying in my closet willing the pain to go away. I forget that before I was funny, I was bitter, sarcastic, and depressed.

I never want to take this gift of joy and re-birth for granted. That is why I am purposing to see the gift in EVERY SINGLE THING that happens. Even if it starts out as evil, I am trusting God at His Word that says He will turn it into a gift (well actually it says that He causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him but that pretty much sounds like a gift to me!)

So that's what this 30 day journey is all about. It's not about me getting a bunch of gifts on my birthday. It's about recognizing all of the amazing gifts I have already been given and continue to receive each and every day.

I'm still asking that you would join me on the thanks-gifting train. I've only been on it for 4 days but it's been an amazing ride so far. I believe it's going to pick up speed like a locomotive and be the ride of our lives!!!

2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!!!!

Love, Grace, and a Thanks-Gifting Night to You All-

Jen

More and More Gifts!!!

Jen — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:16:03 GMT

Evening Girls! I'm really diggin' these 30 days of gifts leading up to my 40th birthday.  Who knew it could be so fun turning 40?

My day was once again filled with amazing gifts that only the LORD could give. Let's see, where do I start......

Well with my coffee of course! My body felt oh so tired and heavy this morning. I could hardly even pray because I would catch myself over and over again just staring out the window mid sentence. I probably had drool hanging out my mouth but I'm pretty sure Jesus didn't mind.

Maybe I kept getting lost staring out the window because I couldn't believe how beautiful and sunny it was. They had predicted rain for the next 3 days (whoever "they" are anyway). I was given the PERFECT day to go hang flyers. Thank you Jesus!

Halfway through my flying shift I got to head to the gym to teach a cycle class.  I was pretty sure nobody would be there because....HELLO?? I wouldn't be there on this perfect day if I didn't have to be. But you know what. Someone did come. And she came for me!

She said "I need you. You are tough and I love it. I never work out as hard as I do in your class." How is that a gift? Well I believe the LORD has given me the gift of encouragement. It says in Gods Word (too tired to look up exact verse) that to those who are given the gift of encouragement they should be encouraging, and for 45 minutes today I got to use it on beautiful Rosita who wanted her cute little hiney kicked (she's in way better shape than me)! Thank you Jesus! Not only for the gift of encouragement but for the opportunity to use it!

I guess the LORD saw how much fun I had encouraging her that he gave me another encouragement assignment when I got back to the pizza place with one of the employees. My reward? Feeling good AND 2 slices of awesome pizza...SCORE!!!

God stayed true to his word when he somehow gave me the strength to finish out my door hanging shift with 60 town homes.....each one with a full flight of stairs leading up to the door. Part of me wanted to sit down and cry, but I got it all done! Thank you Jesus!

On my way home I received a call telling me I was no longer needed to work this Thursday night at the school.   SWEET! The LORD decided I deserved a night off! I am so excited to see how He pays me for the wages I had been counting on. I will be watching the American Idol results show with my kiddos and the LORD will be taking care of my canceled work shift. Thank you Jesus!!!

As you can see, I have had another amazing Grace gift filled day! How about you? Have you jumped on the gift wagon with me yet or are you still sitting on the side lines with your face scrunched in a semi scowl? Sure wish you would all join me........

Romans 8:15 Message This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a child like "What's next Papa?" (and I cannot wait to see what's next!!!!)

Love, Grace, and a What's Next Papa Night to you All-
Jen

40 in 29

Jen — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:52:42 GMT

Evening Girls! It's been a very long (but good) day and I can hardly keep my eyes open but I had to tell you what my gift(s) were today......

Today I worked at 2 of my jobs. They were both weather dependent. Though it looked like it could rain at any time all day long, it waited until I was done with my final job. Thank you LORD!!!! The gift of perfect timing in all things.

Some of my other gifts today were my morning coffee (which I can't wait to go to bed so I can wake up and have again tomorrow), the gift of laughter with some Girlfriends, the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart and telling me to go a different way to church (and I made it in record time!), and the gift of having ears to hear when the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart (Hallelujah! It's about time I listened lol)

Sleep Sweet Girls. I am now going to enjoy the gift of a nice warm bed to rest my soon to be 29 AGAIN body in.

I pray you were all gifted plenty yourselves today!

Proverbs 10:8 NLT The godly are showered with blessings

Love, Grace, and a Blessing Shower to you all-
Jen

40 in 30

Jen — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:47:03 GMT

Evening Girls! I know, I know, I fell off the radar again. I've been taking a little break as I transition into job #4 (teaching Cycle and Boot Camp at LA Fitness). In case you have forgotten what the other 3 are, they include: delivering coupons for Chanticlear Pizza (it takes special skills), scoring after school Middle School sports (track starts tomorrow- at least I get to be outside), and Realtor (though I have yet to buy or sell a house). That's what you get when you Major in Psychology..............

So I have been busy- just like all of you. I also haven't had any ideas on what to write about, so I enjoyed the time off for awhile. Fifty-five days to be exact. But today.......today came with inspiration. Today is a very important day. Today the Countdown begins......

What Countdown you ask? Well it's the 40 in 30 Countdown. In 30 days I will be 40! Do you know what that means? It means......

PRESENTS!!!! LOTS AND LOTS OF PRESENTS!!!!!

That's right.  I am not experiencing your typical "this is not what I thought my life would be like when I turned 40" phenomenon. No! Though my life does not look like what I thought it would look like, I don't really care. What I care about is PRESENTS!!!!!

"How Rude" you say? Well here's the deal. God made me. He made me a Gifter. That is my love language. I love giving gifts. I love receiving gifts. I always have, pretty sure I always will.

So in my prayer time with the Lord today, I told Him I am expecting some awesome gifts- starting TODAY! I even thanked Him in advance for them. Kind of like the 12 days of Christmas......only it's 30 days....and they are all for me.......it's like heaven on earth.......

So I am going to share with you all each day as we count down to the big 4-0 what the LORD does for me.   Starting now...........

Today I was scheduled to teach a Cycle class. It's not my normal class but I was subbing for another instructor.  I spent my drive time to the club praying over my class as I always do, it is a little nerve wracking to sub a class, but I was still looking forward to it.

Apparently I was the only one looking forward to it since no one showed up! The rule is you have to wait for 10 minutes and if no one shows you can leave. You still get pais, which it cool, but I was still bummed. I was bummed because I wanted to work out. Sure I could have stayed and worked out but mentally I was prepared to cycle....I could not get myself to go out to the weight room or run on a tread mill (lame I know).  Also, I drove almost 30 minutes to get there. Total time AND gas waster!

I told my friend, "God is going to do something really cool with this. All things work for good, so something good is coming." And it did!

I stopped at the pizza place to pick up my check from last week. I walked into the office and there were 3 bags of flyers sitting there. The door hangers didn't show up today. I could tell my boss was upset because of his colorful language (and by colorful I'm not talking red, green, and magenta here).

I grabbed a bag and said "give me a map, let me get these out for you." He was more than willing to give me a map and even apologized for his rainbow of words.

So here's the deal. I got paid to teach a class that I didn't teach. Then the LORD redeemed my workout time by blessing me with a 2.5 hour walk outside AND an extra $30 in my pocket!  In addition to that I even got to lighten to load for my boss that was feeling frustrated, which means I was even able to give a gift as well as receive one!

Thank you Jesus! Thank you for the gift of redemption- not only of my soul, but of EVERYTHING that is ever lost. Even down to smallest detail such as a missed workout!

Girls, I would love it if you would join me in my countdown. Gifts are always more fun when you have someone to share them with- might as well be YOU!

Matthew 7:11 NLT So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him (go ahead....ask Him.....join me in the fun!)

Love, Grace, and 30 Gift Filled Days to you all-

Jen

Kinda Yes.....

Jen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:02:36 GMT

Hey Girls! I was just about to sit down and share this very profound serious revelation with you all that I experienced over the last 24 hours but then.........

I got a text from my boss that read "How comfortable would you be subbing a cycle class in New Brighton tomorrow at 9:15am?".

My heart stopped, I held my breath and all I could think to reply was "Serious?".

Here's the deal. I officially start teaching Boot Camp this Friday morning. I am prepared for that. Cycle......well cycle class isn't supposed to start for me for another 2 weeks! I have 2 full weeks to prepare to teach cycle class. Two safe weeks. Two weeks to make sure I can correctly set a bike for someone, plan a workout, build my own endurance, and learn how to talk into a microphone when I can barely breath!

Tomorrow........tomorrow is not 2 weeks! Tomorrow is.......TOMORROW! And it's not even at the club I am hired to work at........AAAAAHHHHHHHH.....

So my next text I send to my boss is "How do YOU feel about me subbing a cycle class tomorrow at 9:15?" Her response......"Kinda Yes".

Kinda Yes. I couldn't have summed it up any better. "Definitely yes" is wayyyyyyy to confident. Her and I both know I am still a little rough around the edges. "I don't know" or "I'm not sure" is not confident enough as we know I can do this.

But "Kinda Yes".....kinda yes is just right. Kinda yes says "You need to start somewhere. You need to start sometime. You will be just as nervous in 2 weeks as you are right now. You might as well start now".

Kinda Yes. I like it. You know who else I believe likes it? Jesus. I believe Jesus likes it because Kinda Yes also says: "Bless the LORD O my Soul and all that is in me. I cannot do this on my own. I need you with me every step (and every pedal) of the way." And that makes Him smile..........

I believe He loves it when we are nervous beyond our comfort zone but willing to step out of the boat anyway. I believe it is when we are willing BEFORE we are "perfect" that makes it easier for the Lord to use us and carry us through each assignment. It's really hard to lead a know it all. A "know a little but am willing to learn"....those are the ones that are trainable. teachable, and ready to do the work set before them. Even if their comfort is still at a Kinda Yes!

Girls, don't wait until you are confident in yourself before you take advantage of an opportunity. Know that a KINDA YES is enough......God will fill in the rest!!!!

Psalm 108:1 My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!!!

Love, Grace, and a Kinda Yes day to you all-

Jen

ps would I love and appreciate your prayers.....DEFINITELY YES!!!

Blessed Detours

Jen — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:41:06 GMT

Good Morning Girls! I read the story of Jonah again this morning. There are so many treasures in that story. Each time I read it I see something new.......

Today I want to talk about detours. When I hear the word detour I think of having to go out of my way to get to the same destination. I also think the long way. The inconvenient way. The I am not sure how long this is going to take me way.

At times I feel as though it describes a majority of my life. One big detour on the road to who knows where.........

It is so easy for us to look back on our lives and say "I should have", "I could have", "I wish I would have".  So easy to be filled with regret and remorse. So easy to feel as though we are so off course that we will never reach our true destination. So easy to start questioning what our true destination even is anymore!

Most times we end up on a detour by "mistake". A door opens and we feel in our hearts it is the path we are supposed to take only to discover later that we are "off track" (or so it appears). Very rarely do we do as Jonah did and outright say "No Lord!" and board a ship in the opposite direction; though sometimes we do.

Today when I read the story of Jonah I felt a new peace regarding all of the detours of my life.  I am reminded that God knows the end from the beginning. He knew before I was born the detours of my life.  And he has blessed them all.....

Yes! I believe the Lord has used each and every one of my detours as a blessing for myself and someone else!  It says in 2 Corinthians 4:15 in the Message Bible: Every detail works to your advantage and to Gods glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!

The story of Jonah shows this wonderful Truth. While Jonah was on detour hiding in the ship the Lord came a lookin for him in the form of a violent storm. By the time Jonah was tossed overboard the entire crew of sailors were awestruck by the Lords great power and vowed to serve Him (Jonah 1:16). Jonah's disobedience, his detour saved a ship full of men!

Girls, looking back at your life with regret adds no value to it (ask me how I know). Trust God at his Word that says he will use EVERY DETAIL to work to both your advantage and to His glory!  We may be surprised to see someday that what we thought of as mistakes and detours God saw as "part of the plan".

Regardless of how long it takes to reach your destination trust that you will in proper time reach it- and you will have blessed many others along the way!

2 Corinthians 4:15 Message Every detail (including detours) works to your advantage AND to Gods glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!

Love, Grace, and a Blessed Detour Day to you all-

Jen

Grumble King

Jen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:35:21 GMT

Grumble King

Jen — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:35:02 GMT

Good Morning Girls! Yesterday I threw out a challenge to us all. I challenged us to eliminate all complaints and grumblings. Whenever we felt the desire or caught ourselves beginning a complaint we were to replace it with a "Praise the Lord" or Thank you Jesus".

Some of you may not have been up to the challenge. Some of you may have started grumbling and complaining at the challenge. I know when I am in a particularly grumbly mood the last thing I want to hear is "try not to complain or grumble today". I would prefer to list all of the valid reasons I have for complaining and grumbling to the idiot who suggested the challenge!

If that was you I understand. It's okay. I do not take it personally if you were irritated with me yesterday.

For those of you who are stuck in the land of Complaints let me assure you of something: God will still use you. He will even answer your grumblings and complaints. Not with sarcasm or frustration but with love, kindness, Grace, and compassion.

How do I know God will still use you when you are a whiner and complainer? Simple. I read the book of Jonah last night. You want to talk about a grumbler....Jonah pretty much wins the Grumble King prize in my mind!

Have you read the book of Jonah lately? God himself gives Jonah a job to do (how many of us pray for that daily) and what does Jonah do? He complains "I don't want to do that" and tries to RUN FROM GOD BY BOARDING A SHIP GOING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION!!!! Are you kidding me?

Oh Girls, how many times have we beaten ourselves up and let the devil tear us to pieces over mistakes we have made? Sure, we may have made some pretty dumb and even awful mistakes but have any of you flat out told the Lord "NO!" and ran the other way?! Sure, we may have run from God at times in our lives, but never this blatantly. Jonah...he responded like your 1 year old does when you tell them to come over to get their diaper changed!

Jonah....amazing....he complained the entire time he carried out his assignment from the Lord. He even argued with the Lord. He didn't think God should extend the same Grace to the people of Ninevah that he himself was experiencing throughout this whole story!

God could have smote Jonah out. He didn't though. He kept using him and kept trying to teach him the amazing depth of his love for ALL his people. He could have lit into Jonah saying "Are you kidding me!? Look at how these people immediately repented and changed their hearts towards me! Look at you....you ran from me! Your flat out disobeyed me! You argued with me! You tried to tell me I was wrong to love my people even though you are acting in a very unlovable way! And worst of all you are complaining because you are hot and wish you were dead because THAT would be better than watching me welcome 120,000 lost souls into the Kingdom of Heaven!!!!"

But God didn't. He loved him AND he used him to save an entire city.....

Now Girls, I don't recommend following in Jonah's example. I think Jonah was a miserably unhappy man. I do however want you to fully understand that being a grumbler does not disqualify you from Gods love. Tell the devil to take his lies and move on. Give him something to grumble about! Standing up to the enemy just may be the very thing you need to get your groove back and lose the grumbles!

Exodus 15:24-25 Then the people complained and turned against Moses. "What are we going to drink?" they demanded. So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink.

Love, Grace, and a revelation of Gods love for YOU day to you all-

Jen

Without Grumbling?

Jen — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:13:21 GMT

Good Morning Girls! I have been studying Joseph lately. I shared with you all yesterday that I noticed for the first time that Joseph never defends himself. Even though he has every right to declare his innocence, he never does. Neither did Jesus.

You know what else Joseph didn't do? He didn't grumble or complain. I believe if he did grumble or complain it would have been recorded. After all, the Lord makes it clear that the Israelites grumbled and complained their entire lives while in the wilderness. The Lord has no problem revealing the complaints of those He loves.

In reading the story of Joseph I could not find one time that he complained. And seriously, if anyone had a right to grumble or complain it would be him! If I were Joseph, a few of my grumblings and complaints would sound like this:

"I can't believe my neanderthal brothers threw me in this pit. Just wait until I get home and tell dad" (Joseph may not have grumbled but he was a tattletale which did not help his situation with his brothers)
"Seriously.....seriously....you are going to parade me around here naked and sell me to the highest bidder? I am Joseph. I am favored. I have a coat of many colors to prove it!"
"When is this woman going to stop harassing me?  Where is the Human Resource Department in this Palace???"
"HEY! Cup-bearer! You stupid idiot! How hard is it to remember to tell the king about me? I asked you for one stinkin' favor in return for interpreting your dream and you can't even follow through? Moron!"

Don't think for one moment that I am disrespecting the story of Joseph. I am not. What I am trying to show you is how I, and I believe most of us would respond if this were to happen to any of us today. I believe that because we do it all the time for far less severe things.

I do not know anyone personally who has been sold into slavery, charged with attempted rape, and unjustly thrown into prison. I do however know that I have grumbled over a long stoplight, not having the extra money to buy the pair of jeans I want, and having to go to work when I didn't "feel like it". I have complained about it being too hot, too cold, too dry, and too wet. Summer seems like it will never come, and then when it's here I say I can't wait for school to start again.

My computer is too slow. So is my metabolism. My money goes too fast. So does my mouth. My dog stinks, the dishwasher has to be unloaded AGAIN, and I see some new wrinkles by my eyes. I have a rough life.........

I laugh at myself when I stop and think about all that I grumble and complain about. It's not like I am one of those grumpy unhappy souls that walk around bringing misery to everyone they come into contact with (bet you are all picturing that person in your life right now). Still, does my grumbling and complaining get me anywhere? Does it bring me blessing? Peace? A sense of fulfillment? Does it make me feel closer to the Lord? No. No. No. And No.

I am realizing that the only thing that grumbling and complaining does is that it feeds my flesh. It satisfies that "it's not fair" attitude we never seem to outgrow. It cries out against all of the injustice we are faced with and must deal with daily. It draws attention to the personal sacrifices we make each day for those we love and care about. It lets the world know "Hey! I am working hard over here against some pretty difficult stuff.  Is anyone noticing? Does anyone want to reward and recognize me?"

Yes. Someone does want to reward and recognize you. However, He is not moved by grumbling and complaining.  He wants to reward you simply because He loves you! He loves you! Even when the rest of the world finds you annoying....He loves you! He wants to pour out His love, Grace, mercy, blessings, and favor upon you! Will you let HIm? Or will you find His blessing to be just another inconvenience in your day?

Jude 1:16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want.

Take the grumbler challenge with me. Every time you hear yourself about to grumble or complain say "thank you Jesus" or "Praise the Lord". You may be surprised at the amount of times you are blessing God today!

Love, Grace, and a Grumble Free Day to you all-
Jen

In My Defense....And in His Faithful Love...

Jen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:22:11 GMT

Happy Snow Day Girls! Today is the kind of day I dream about. A day where it seems as though the Lord has personally blessed me. Blessed me with a mandatory stay at home day. A don't busy yourself with errands day. A surprise can't go to work day. A midweek Saturday. A sit down, relax, pour a cup of coffee and spend some time with me day. All this snow just so my Creator can have a few extra minutes with me.........how amazing is His love for us???

I've been thinking about Joseph a lot lately. Thinking about his life, his trials, and what we hear most about in church....his triumph. From the Pit to the Palace. A sermon that is still one of my favorites. In the past I always focused on the palace part of the story. I mean, who ever wants to think about the time in the pit? Especially when we feel as though we are in our own pit and waiting for our time in the palace? We don't want to look at the pit! We want to keep our eyes on the prize....the palace.....the victory!!!!! Adios pit!!!

But the Lord has been revealing truths to me about the pit. The importance of the pit. The blessings while in the pit. The purpose of the pit. As these truths settle in my heart I feel myself able to rest in the Lord and relax in my efforts to scratch, dig, claw, and crawl out of the pit by my own efforts. I am confident I will be in the palace. I am also confident that the pit will be less craptastic as I continue to rest on the Truths the Lord is speaking to my heart.

I have read the story of Joseph and heard many many teachings on Joseph over the years. To be honest with you I figured it was one of those Bible stories that I knew most every detail of. Today however I noticed something new. It wasn't a new detail but a lack of a certain detail that got my attention.

I noticed for the first time that Joseph never once tries to defend himself. He never asks his brothers "Why are you doing this to me?". He never cries out to Potiphar "I didn't do it! Your wife is a desperate housewife who kept throwing herself at me!" He never yells, shouts, pleads, or begs. He simply keeps on doing what he knows to do regardless of where he is located. The pit, the palace, the prison, the palace. He character is consistent though his circumstances are not.

I certainly cannot say the same for myself! I am the first to cry out in my own defense when I am charged with an injustice (even when I know I am guilty). Regardless of how small or large the offense, I will plead my case to the end!

Not Joseph. He understood that the fight was not his. It was the Lords. He let God handle his defense and I must say his outcome was pretty good! Sure, he still spent time in the pit, still spent time in prison, but the Lord makes it clear to us that during all this time He was with Joseph and showed him his faithful love. (Genesis 39:21)

I am beginning to see that when we truly understand the magnitude of Gods love for us we will be able to stand firm in Gods grace regardless of our circumstances. We will no loner feel the need to defend ourselves as we will know as we know that the Lord is fighting each and every one of our battles. What's our job in all of this? To be like Joseph. To maintain our character whether we are in the pit or the palace and see the faithful love the Lord is showing us each and every day!

2 Chronicles 32:8 "We have the Lord our God to help us and fight our battles for us!"

Love, Grace, and a Day of Rest in His Faithful Love to You All-
Jen

The Pursuit of Righteousness

Jen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:54:52 GMT

Hey Girls! We live in an extremely goal oriented world; especially in America. We place a high value on achieving many things. Whether it be personal, professional, relational, financial, or any number of "achievements"; we love to gather, list, and announce them to the world. We wear our achievements like a High School kid wears their letter jacket.

In fact, I've come across a few people who I bet secretly wish that we had Letter Jackets for Life. On their sleeves they would list their financial worth, their biggest "deal", their titles, their awards, perhaps even their weight. Whatever they take personal pride in, and would love the world to see and recognize them for what they have accomplished.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of the things you have worked hard to achieve. There is nothing wrong with wanting recognition. We all want to feel as though our lives mean something. We all want to feel as though we have added value to the world around us, and it feels good when others let us know that we have.

So many people spend their entire lives trying to prove something to themselves and the world. Prove that have something to offer. Prove that they are worth something. Prove that they are worthy of respect, admiration, honor, and love. Prove that their life matters.

They spend all of their time, energy, talents, and resources in these pursuits. Unfortunately, in the end they are still left feeling unsatisfied. They are still not confident that their life matters, and that they are indeed worthy of love, honor, and respect. I believe it is because in their desire to prove their worth they have pursued the wrong things. Their intentions may have been pure, but they were no less misguided.

It says in Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. The Lord knows the desires of our heart. He knows we have a need to know that our life matters. We need to know that we are worthy. We need to know that we deserve a good life.

He also knows that we will try to find these answers in the wrong things. That is why He tells us what to pursue. Even though He tells us what to pursue, we still miss the boat at times. We read pursue righteousness and our mind says "do good things and do a lot of them to earn right standing with yourself, God, and the world." We read pursue unfailing love and our mind tells us "you are not complete unless you have a perfect mate and 2.3 perfect children."

So we spend our lives pursuing works and love....and we find our motivation and encouragement from the world in the form of the rat race and chick flicks.......Bless the Lord O my Soul!!!!! And we wonder why we still feel so empty......

Girls, I have finally begun to come to a place of understanding what righteousness really is and how it is achieved. Righteousness is just a big word for right standing with God. In other words, a place where you know as you know God loves you, is proud of you, is not angry, disappointed or fed up with you.

And it can only be achieved one way......through Jesus. When you accept that because of what Jesus did for you at the cross you yourself are righteous, you will be delivered from a life of trying to prove yourself! When I read pursue righteousness my mind AND my heart now say pursue Jesus!

Likewise, there is nobody in this world who is capable of unfailing love. We are human. We are prideful. We want our way. We can learn to put these fleshy desires aside and walk in love, but nobody gets it right 100% of the time. At some point we will fail someone we love or someone we love will fail us (if only for a moment). To ignore that truth is to set yourself and your loved ones up for disappointment.

The only one capable of unfailing love is Jesus. He assures us many times in His Word that He will never leave us or forsake us. The Psalms are filled with praise over Gods unfailing, never ending love for us. When I read pursue unfailing love, again my heart and my mind say pursue Jesus!

From now on I purpose to pursue Jesus rather than the trivial pursuits of the worlds ideas of personal accomplishment and success. I believe with all my heart that when I pursue my worth by pursuing Jesus I will in fact accomplish the work the Lord has planned for me.....but I will have accomplished it with grace rather than blood, sweat, and tears. I will find life, righteousness, and honor...without forsaking my friends, family, or any of the things that truly matter.

Anyone care to join me?

Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Love, Grace, and a Pursuing Jesus day to you all-
Jen

What I Know vs. How I Feel

Jen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:39:09 GMT

Hey Girls! There are days when I feel like Jesus and I are walking arm in arm all day long. I feel loved. I feel blessed. I feel like heaven is smiling upon me. Last Tuesday was one of those days. Oh how I love those days.........

And then there are days like today. Days where I feel as though Jesus must be busy walking arm in arm with everyone else and doesn't have time for me. Days where I feel hope slipping because one thing after another is falling apart before my very eyes. Days like today where I feel unlovable, unfaithful, and of course fat (that's my go-to negative feeling you know).

Not too long ago days like today could drag me deep into the pit at warp speed. I would start thinking all sorts of crazy thoughts and asking all kinds of questions like "What did I do wrong? Is God testing me or trying to teach me a lesson? Is this because I was thinking mean things about Tom last night?  Is this because we did not go to church yesterday?"

On top of having all of these negative feelings I would torment myself with thoughts and imaginations about what I had done to deserve a craptastic day like today. It must somehow be my fault right?

But if that were true, wouldn't that also mean that on those days where I feel like Jesus and I are BFF's it was because of something I did right?

And if those two statements were true, doesn't that make the presence of the Lord all about me and not about Him?

And isn't that a dangerous, legalistic, (and completely wrong) view of Jesus?

How could you ever really trust someone who only agrees to be with you when you are on your best behavior? How could you truly trust someone who says "When you are good, I will love and protect you. When you are bad....well then good luck....you are on your own."

Yet that is often exactly how we view the Lord. We view Him by our feelings. We view Him by our circumstances. We view Him by our experiences in life.  The problem is the fact that our feelings, circumstances, and experiences change from day to day. If we base our relationship with Jesus on these shifting piles of sand then our view of Jesus shifts with every wave that rolls in.

Jesus does not change. His love for us does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He died on the cross for you 2000 years ago and He would do it all over again for you today. You need to know that. KNOW that.  As in "I feel as though Jesus is a million miles away from me today but I KNOW that He says in His Word that He will never abandon me (Joshua 1:5).....therefore I will cling to what I know and not how I feel".

Girls, that is why preachers, teachers, pastors, and ordinary Girls like me emphasize the importance of spending time in the Word. It is not a rule to make your lives burdensome. It is a lifeline. It is a place to go when your feelings, circumstances, and experiences leave you feeling like it is all your fault and you deserve what is happening to you. It is a hiding place to go to when the devil is telling you that you have used your last get out of jail free card. It is your safe house.  It is your refuge. It is your hiding place. It is your place of Truth. It is what will get you through the craptastic days.......

And though I admit I cannot wait for this day to end, I find comfort in KNOWING that Jesus is with me and has been all day. I find comfort in KNOWING that He has good plans for me. I find comfort in KNOWING that the Lord is my Shepherd and He supplies all of my needs.

As far as my feelings go......they are just that......they are feelings (whoa....whoa....whoa.....feelings). They change from day to day, hour to hour, sometimes minute by minute.

Thank you Jesus for loving me consistently, constantly, and perfectly, all the days, hours, minutes, and even seconds of my life!!!!!

Psalm 16:8 I know the Lord is with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

Love, Grace, and a Knowing wins over feeling day to you all-

Jen

And The Winner Is......

Jen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:31:50 GMT

Good Morning Girls! On Tuesday my friend and I were asked to be the food judges for the Valentine Party at HomeMakers. "You want us to what?.....You want us to take a bite of every dessert, every pizza, and every meatball that is placed on the buffet table?....Uhmmmm YEAH!...Wait a second.....Have we been raptured?.......Is this heaven??????" It sounded like a Divine assignment.

Seriously! Eating a bite of everything in sight? I do that at home on a monthly basis. However, when I do it at home while my family is sleeping it is called a closet eating, PMS, pantry raiding binge. But this.....this is called "judging". It is a needed position. It comes without guilt or judgement or condemnation. Again I ask......Are we in heaven?

It started out as good as I imagined it would be. Each bite was a flavor exploding treat. Each food was so different. Each flavor so unique. Each presentation beautiful, creative, and well thought out. There was obviously a lot of thought, love, and creativity poured into each entry. And the fact that we got to hover over the table and take a bite of each new thing.....again I asked "Are we in heaven?"

It became very apparent within about 15 minutes that we were NOT in heaven. First of all, I don't think (or at least I hope) your brain doesn't float around in your head, your vision goes blurry, you lose the ability to form a complete sentence, your eyeballs twitch in your head, and when you try to speak you talk as though your voice is on fast forward and you sucked in a helium balloon. I'm no Bible scholar and I do not claim to know or understand the mysteries of heaven. I'm just saying.....I hope there are no heavenly sugar twitches!

But that was the least of my concerns at the time. The bigger concern was the fact that we had to choose winners. I don't know why I thought that would be easy. It wasn't! It wasn't for a variety of reasons......

For one thing, each food was delicious! They were so good. So beautiful. So different. Some of the most simple ones had the most flavor. Some of the most decorated ones tasted good, but it was the presentation that was so amazingly creative...how do you pick between simple taste and the effort you know was placed into something much more intricate?

It was clear that some people simply brought their favorite treats regardless of their simplicity and others went all out trying to find the award winning presentation. Who should be rewarded? The fancy one because it looks so good? The simple one that is delicious? You think I am being facetious here, but I am not. It was really hard to choose the winner. Really hard to pick a favorite.

I love treats. I love most food. They all pleased my palate. They were ALL my favorites. By the simple fact that they were there for me to enjoy made them each my favorite.

I woke up before my alarm went off this morning. That usually means I am supposed to write. I lay there a minute coveting sleep but also excited as I love it when the Lord gives me an assignment. With my eyes closed I asked "What should I write about this morning?" In my heart I heard "It's hard to pick a favorite isn't it?" I immediately thought of the taste testing Tuesday morning. "Yes it is." I thought as my stomach starting churning at the thought of all of that rich food. "That's why I don't. It simply pleases me when you come to the table for me to enjoy."

God is so good! Only He could teach me such an amazing Truth in such a seemingly random thing! I have heard many times the verse "God has no favorites" but to be honest with you I have always secretly wondered how that could be true. I mean.....it seems like it would be easy to favor the perfectly presented, show stealing, most talked about "entry" over the simple peanut butter cups that have only 2 main ingredients. But you know what? Those 2 ingredients made my mouth happier than just about anything else.....though my eyes were drawn to the intricate cakes and cannelloni.

God is our Master Chef! He created each and every one of us. Some have more "ingredients" than others. Some have more intricate details. Some have a couple seemingly basic gifts and talents but when they are put together and used....WOW! does it make a heart happy!

Girls, don't waste time comparing yourself to the other "treats" on the table. Please understand that each and every one of us is a special treat in the eyes of the Lord! He simply wants us to some to the table so He can enjoy us. Unlike my stomach, He has room in His heart for each and every one of us! And He loves us all equally.......We are ALL His favorites!

And the winner is..........

YOU!!!!!

1 Peter 1:17 NLT And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites!!!

Love, Grace, and a God's "Favorite" day to you all-

Jen

Valentine's Day Do Over.......

Jen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:37:56 GMT

Good Morning Girls! Happy Belated Valentine's Day! I pray you all felt loved yesterday. If you didn't, I've got some Good News for you........

Every day is Valentines Day when you are a daughter of the Most High God! You are beloved! When the Lord looks upon you He smiles and says "That's my Girl. Isn't she the most beautiful, precious and perfect Girl I ever created?" And all the angels in heaven respond a glorious yes in angelic song.........

They do you know........

But sometimes we just don't feel it. Sometimes we feel as though everyone else in the world is loved by someone except for us. Sometimes we feel like we are on the outside of the love bubble looking in at everyone else smiling, laughing, and glowing in love. Sometimes we just want to pop that bubble and bring a dose of reality to those happy fools.

The happier they look the more we begin to dislike them. Envy them. And the bitterness within us grows. It is an awful feeling. We don't want to feel that way but we do. And once we start traveling down that road, it's hard to turn it around.

Yesterday for me was one of the most awesome Valentine's Days ever. I felt so very loved by so many people that it overwhelmed me. I felt as though I spent a day with the Lord all day. He kept whispering love notes in my ears by using different people in my life. I was thankful, grateful, and very aware of God's grace, mercy, and favor.  I would like to do it all over again today!

But that has not always been the case for me. I have had many Valentine's Days where I felt just like the Girl described in the previous paragraphs. I have felt unloved, misunderstood, forgotten, and bitter on more than one Valentine's Day. I have watched the love train leave the station with seemingly everyone on it while I stood there alone on the platform waving sadly as they left.......and they didn't even notice. It was the loneliest feeling ever.

I know there were some of you feeling as though you were on that platform yesterday. I know it because I saw faces that looked the way I have felt. I know it because I know there are Girls who were not with their husbands yesterday. They are either gone for work, home with the Lord, or perhaps they were right along side you all day (which is the worst feeling ever).

I believe the enemy has extra fun with us Girls on Valentine's Day. He is the anti-cupid. He shoots us with arrows of lies that hit us in just the right place at just the right time. He points out our weaknesses in our marriage, our friendships, ourselves. He points out someone else's "perfect" life.  He reminds of of all the reasons we are unlovable and why we deserve to be miserable on that day and every other day.

For those of you who can identify with this I want you to know that you are entitled to a Valentine's Day Do Over. Forget about yesterday. Yesterday is gone. Today though. Today, right now at this very moment YOU ARE LOVED!!   You are loved by friends. You are loved by family. You are loved by people you don't even know. Most importantly YOU ARE LOVED BY THE LORD!

Not because He has to. Not because He put a ring on your finger and promised to. Not because He is obligated to in any way.

He loves you because He wants to! He loves you because it brings Him great pleasure to do so! He loves you because He created you for that very purpose.....to love you! How amazingly crazy awesome is that?

Girls, whether you had an amazing Valentine's Day or a craptastic Valentine's Day, know that you CAN have a Valentine's Day Do Over! I declare it for myself and all of you this morning! Do you receive it?  I declare that we will walk in the Truth of His amazing love for us! I declare that as we walk in this revelation we will also see all of the people the Lord has put in our lives here to show His love for us! I pray that we will feel as though cupid is following us around shooting us with arrows of Truth.....reminding us of who we are in the eyes of Jesus. We are beloved. We are beloved. Oh thank you Jesus.....we are beloved........

If anyone needs a love note please e-mail me. I will be able to tell you why I personally love you!

Psalm 36:10 Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you (as we declare a Valentine's Day Do Over!!!)

Love, Grace, and more and more and more Love to you all today-

Jen

Love Is.......

Jen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:45:19 GMT

Good Morning Girls! With this being the week end many people will be celebrating Valentine's Day I thought it fitting to read the "love chapter" found in 1 Corinthians 13:1-10. I mean what better way to get in the mood for love and show my love than to review what the Word says love is?

With an open and receptive heart I started reading. I wanted to take a look......an honest look, at my love walk. I was doing okay until I reached verses 4-7........

Love is patient (when are things going to change?)....Love is not jealous (how come she gets to go to Israel and I don't) or boastful (I admit I am good at this one-lol) or proud (not enough time in the day to give you all these examples) or rude (excuse me......). It does not demand its own way (stop laughing closest friends of mine). It is not irritable (except when I don't get my own way), and it keeps no record of being wronged (other than the laundry list in my mind....does that count?).

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices when truth wins out (whew....I've got one covered!) Love never gives up (well at least I get back up again). never loses faith (for very long), is always hopeful (except for when I am not), and endures through every circumstance (though I often grumble and complain).

Now I could have found this all to be discouraging. I could have looked at this list and felt like I was a huge disappointment to God. I could have thrown up my hands and said "what's the point? I will never get it right!". And I would have......if I had kept the focus on myself rather than on Jesus.

It says in 1 John 4:8 that God is love. He is the One who perfects us. He is the One who loves us. He is the one who teaches us how to love. He is the One who loves us where we are at....whether we are boastful and proud, or impatient and jealous. HE LOVES US!

Now he does not want us to remain jealous, rude, and impatient. He created us in His image and it is our goal to live a life of love. However, we will never be able to do that if we fail to see that while we are learning- God loves us and is with us every step of the way.

Since God is love. I went back to the love verses and but Him where the word love is. It warmed my heart and soothed my soul. I pray it does the same for you!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT and JEN Translation God is patient and kind. God is not jealous (except for us) or boastful (except about us) or proud (except of us) or rude. God does not demand His own way. God is not irritable and He keeps no record of being wronged. God does not rejoice about injustice (when we are faced with trials) but rejoices whenever the truth wins out (and it always will!). God never gives up (on us), never loses faith (in us), is always hopeful (for us), and endures through every circumstance (forever)!!!

Love, Grace, and a God is Love day to you all-

Jen

The Loveless Road to Nowhere......

Jen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:47:31 GMT

Good Morning Girls! Remember a couple of weeks ago when we were taking a closer look at the verse that talks about the road that goes Nowhere compared to the road that goes Somewhere? No? Well here it is again:

Psalm 119:27-28 Message Translation Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere.........

In my devotion time the other day I found another road that leads to Nowhere. I think it ties in well to yesterdays message about how easy it is to feel insignificant in our ordinary, everyday lives. My prayer is that you realize that your everyday "ordinary" life is a testimony, and in the monotony of it all God is using you.

Realizing that our lives are significant at every stage is a revelation that keeps us on the road to Somewhere. It keeps our eyes and heart open and expectant. It keeps us looking for a undercover covert Holy Ghost assignment in which we can bless someone....anyone....whether it be in the waiting room for our childs check-up or in line at the bank. It makes the ordinary and mundane suddenly exciting; and in that excitement is where you are able to see your life as significant rather than small.

You are on the road to Somewhere. Even if you have no idea where that road is going.

It is easy however to feel as though we are on the road to Nowhere. "Where in the name of Jesus could the piles of dirty clothes, dirty dishes, and dirty kids lead to? There is no way this is a road. It's not even a path. It's a dirty, thankless, never ending, exhausting, and boring dirt trail. One that leaves me feeling like an overworked, under valued, unappreciated, slave to my husband, kids, and even the dog (I don't see him picking up my pooh)."

"Ahhh......but this is what a HomeMaker does. And the Bible says to act as though you were doing your work "as unto the Lord" not man. So that is what I will do. Ha-rumph. I will honor my husband and care for my children.....but I will find subtle ways to let them know just how hard that is to do."

When you find yourself feeling this way you are now on the road to Nowhere. It is an uphill road that winds with curves of frustration, heart ache, drudgery, and eventually bitterness.....towards the very ones you once loved. You feel insignificant and small because you are looking at yourself and what you have to do rather than looking to the Lord and what He will do with you.......if you let Him.

Oh I know how easy it is to find yourself on this road. It is so easy to feel like the only "real" way of serving God is to do something "big". To be on stage, to be well known, to be "out there" rather than in the four walls of your own home. I have been there. I understand. I also believe it is one of the most effective devices of the enemy- to make us wives and moms feel insignificant. Once we feel that way we start looking to other "things" to make us feel important. If they are not the "things" God has planned for us they will only take us further down the road to Nowhere.......

So how do we stay off the road to Nowhere? We remember that in each task we are serving the Lord. Two of the things we learn Jesus values most: serving others AND loving others. When you are not only serving, but loving those you serve, you will be on the road to Somewhere......and you will not be disappointed in the end!

1 Corinthians 13:2 Message Translation If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten Nowhere........

Love, Grace, and a love filled road going Somewhere to you all-

Jen