The Blessing of Giving

"The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." (Proverbs 11:25)
It helps me when I can help you. It blesses me when I can bless you. And I will let you in on a little discovery I have made: I am probably more blessed giving than those who are receiving. If you apply that principle yourself, then you will learn a wonderful secret: the joy of giving in every area of your life. Have you discovered that secret yet? We don't know how long we will live. But I believe that if we live each day as unto the Lord, then we won't have to worry about the length of our lives. So make every day count. Don't waste your life. Give out of what God has given you. Live your life well.

I Leave You With A Few Things

Well, it's that time!  :)  This is my last official post as the Midday Host here at 88.7FM, The Cross.  WOW!!  It's hard to believe!  So, I'd like to leave you with a few things . . .

If you are reading this, then you have SOME level of awareness of  The Cross.  I encourage you to INCREASE it . . . take a greater level of ownership in God's ministry here!!   First, if you haven't yet given financially, you can do it right here online!!  EASY!!  If you don't feel you can commit to a monthly payment,  don't miss out on investing at least a one-time gift back into a ministry that has already basically "paid it foreward!"  Secondly, at all points, the greatest commitment "NONE OF US can afford NOT to make" is to intentionally pray for all aspects of the ministry here, from the leadership, to the finances,  to the listeners - WORLDWIDE - and all areas in between!!  So, I challenge you today to get TAKE OWNERSHIP in the Source that has provided encouragement, strength, and hope through the Truth available here!!

I was a listener for 3 1/2 years before I came onboard as the Midday Host here, and The Cross served as a "lifeline" for my family and I through some critical times - - as many of YOU have expressed over and over!!   The opportunity for me to give, not only of my finances, but my heart, my time, my energy and effort has been INVALUABLE to ME!!  I have GAINED so much more than I could ever GIVE, because, that's just the way God works!!   We step out in obedience, surrender what we have to offer and He multiplies it, accomplishing His purpose, and pouring out a blessing we cannot EVEN contain!!

Regardless of whether I have an obvious presence here on The Cross, please know I will continue shoulder-to-shoulder wth you in our crusade to keep Christian radio moving out over the airwaves in our area and over the internet, touching hearts and changing lives, .  . . MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR ETERNITY!! 

I will still be around!!  :))  So, I will look forward to seeing many of you in August at the "It's A Mom Thing" event!!  Until we meet again, "The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make His face to shine upon you;  the Lord be gracious to you, and give you peace" (Num 6:24-26), in Jesus name, AMEN!!  

Much love and continual prayers,
Jenny  :)

 

My First Valentine

Having Valentine's Day on Sunday felt almost religious for me.  I mean, here we are on the day that we are to celebrate love and it falls on the day that we are to celebrate the Sabbath.  I woke up this morning, intentionally mesmerized by my First Valentine. 

You see, there was a time in my life when the thought of having a family, finding a spouse - feeling that kind of love - probably would never happen.  I was messed up and unworthy of such a blessing.  But, today surrounded by a family that loves me without shame, I am reminded of the One that loves me most.

He didn't send me roses or buy my chocolates, but He took my sins on His shoulders and drove them into the grave!  He didn't buy me dinner, but His body was broken for me.  He didn't toast me with champagne, but he poured out His blood so that my sins would be covered.  He didn't take me out to dinner, but He has always been by my side, loving me, spending time with me, sharing with me.  He didn't buy me a gift, but He paid the price so that I could live forever in His love and in His peace!

Jesus Christ is my First Valentine, and at the end of time He will be my only Valentine...a lifelong Valentine that will never leave me or forsake me.  After all, His name is Love - He always hopes, always trusts, always perseveres; He never fails!

Frogs, Flies, and Locusts

In our Sunday school class we've been looking back at the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians.  As we read about the frogs, flies, and locusts I can't help but feel the heebie-jeebies!  Gross!  Can you even imagine?  The thought of being swarmed, surrounded, and overwhelmed with those crispy, slimy, buzzy creatures makes me squirm.  And you wonder, why in the world did Pharoah hold out so long!?

It reminds me of times in my life when I heard the Spirit say, "Well, Les, we can do this the easy way or the hard way!"  And, like a rebellious Tween I said, "I'll take the hard way."  Well, I don't think I ever SAID that, but I implied it with my disobedience.  And I wonder, why would God give me the option?  Well, maybe the answer can be found in Exodus.

Moses went to Pharoah, asking him to let the Israelites go!  But even when God turned the Nile to blood, when He decimated the livestock, when He rained hail down from heaven, when He inflicted them with boils, Pharoah would not be moved.  Why?  Well, God tells us in the 9th chapter, "I have spared you for a purpose, to spread my fame throughout the earth."  I don't think the story of liberation would be quite as powerful and world reknown if Moses would have simply gone into Egypt, told Pharoah to let the people go, and Pharoah immediately complied, bowing out gracefully!  No, instead, you see a bull-headed man, convinced that He will stand firm against God until the very end...now, the frogs, flies, and locusts make for a whole new incredible story!

It's the same way in my life...If I would have easily given in and been obedient, maybe I wouldn't have quite the testimony I have today.  If I hadn't eaten crow, and bit my tongue, and suffered pain, my story wouldn't be quite as powerful.  But, God in His grace allowed me some distance, a chance to choose, to try to walk on my own, so that I would see that I have to depend on Him to keep from falling.  And because of that, I can do as Jesus instructed Paul, "...go back and strengthen [my] brothers."  Because, thankfully, what I have learned can be transferred to others to inspire, encourage, and strengthen!  Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Free to be me!

Getting ready for church this morning the melodic voice of my oldest daughter rang throughout the house.  She is our singer.  She loves music- to listen to it, to play it (piano), and to sing it!  Every night she even sings herself to sleep. This morning her song of choice was "Free to be me" by Francesca Battastelli. 


I like that song, but what I like most about that song is that in this age of feel good about who you are, find the ability to do and be anything within yourself, this song shares a message that says basically that I don't have to be perfect, because in Christ I am free to be me!  The power is not found simply within MYSELF, but the power is given by an amazing loving Saviour!


I smiled as I watch her heartfelt worship bursting forth in song...that is exactly the message I want to sink deep into the bone and the marrow, to saturate her heart in truth and acceptance...Christ makes her free...free to be exactly who HE created her to be!  And the invitation is offered to each of us without limit and without abandon!  Live free... :)

AN EPHESIANS 3:20 NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year!!  . . . and I hope this finds you Healthy, Happy and full of Hope for all that God has ahead for us this year!!    With the dawn of 2010, I certainly feel the reality of the threshhold of an open door - - I sense a certain measure of change ahead in this new year, as with every year, actually. 

If we are to TRULY take God at His Word,  we must ALL walk in EXPECTATION, anticipating what is AHEAD!!   In Jeremiah 29:11, we read,  "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, to prosper you and not to harm you;  plans for a future and a hope."   So how are we walking that out today?   Are we looking for God's plans in our lives?   Or are WE making our plans, and looking for God to sign off on them?   HELLO?!?!

Well, personally, I am EXPECTING an Ephesians 3:20 New Year!!  :))   I am believing God for a year that is  "EXCEEDINGLY . . . ABUNDANTLY . . . ABOVE ALL . . . that we can ASK or even IMAGINE . . . according to HIS POWER that is AT WORK within us!!"   AMEN?!?!  

So, let's GO FOR IT!!!   Look for the signs, and ignore the cost; pursuing God with our whole hearts . . . and TRUSTING HIM WITH THE OUTCOME!!  :)   What do you say?!?    Blessings!!  :))   Jenny

I resolve to...

It's a new year, and as always, there is a list of things that each and everyone of us resolve to do.  I am not an exception.  But, as I was thinking about the last year, and looking forward to this new year, I began to think about all the other things I had "resolved" to do, and well...they didn't exactly happen.  For instance, I am not 15 pounds lighter than I was this time last year, I have not taken up piano lessons, I didn't master the art of knitting, and I did not take the time each and every night to write a journal to my daughters!  Then I thought, "Maybe if I would take it slower, resolve to do the possible, commit to attaining the necessary, maybe this time next year, I won't look back in shame."


So, this year I am resolving to be easier on myself.  To start off, the things that I am committing to do are not only possible, probable and attainable, but they are necessary!  Here are the three things that I am focusing on this year:
1. I resolve to wake each and every day to a conversation with God.
2. I resolve to take each day as it comes, not rushing forward or looking back; one day at a time.
3. I resolve to show God's love to someone each and every day.


As I look at the list, I think, that's not so hard, but when I really contemplate what each one of those things means, the time that it will take, the energy it will require...maybe it isn't so attainable!  Oh, but it is necessary!  So, with jaw clenched and head held high I march into the year...not rushing forward or looking back, one day at a time...afterall, it is what I have resolved to do and do it, I will.  You'll see!