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!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Jesus Christ is Alive and Well!

Hope this finds all of you blessed and encouraged today, even in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the season!!   First, let me extend a heartfelt, sincere "Merry Christmas!"  to each and every one of you . . . and follow that up with the thrilling proclamation that "Jesus Christ IS alive and well today!!"   Hallelujah!   Again, we can join with the heavenly host saying, "Glory to God in the highest!  And on earth, peace, good will to all men!"  HE IS HERE!!!

May we allow the glory of God to shine forth through us (and our homes) to the world around us - - in desparate need of the Reason for the Hope that is within us!!   The Lord Jesus Christ bless you with the gift of His precious presence this Christmas . . . that each one of us would come to know Him in a new and different way, drawing us closer to His heart and His will for our each one of our lives.   I am so thankful to be a small part of your world through His ministry here at 88.7 FM, The Cross!!  Stay blessed!   Jenny

Give Christmas Away This Year

Today, I am so impressed with all the possibilities of what our world, in our immediate areas and abroad, could look like if we would collectively purpose to move SELF out of the way, and reach out to actually "Give Christmas Away" this year!!   To give away OUR  "rights"  :   the things we might believe we "deserve" or that someone  "owes"  us.  Then, redirect our passions to lift up those around us as God has SO CLEARLY directed us to do : 

 

Romans 12:10  "Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring one another."   TAKE DELIGHT ... in HONORING one another!!  WOW!! 


Then, check out Phillipians 2:3  "Don't be selfish;  don't try to impress others.   Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves."    In The Message, it reads :  "Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.   Don't push your way to the front, don't sweet-talk your way to the top.   Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.   Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage.   Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."   That sums it all up . . . clearly !!


Is there anything else to say ... to more effectively articulate the heart of God for each one of us as we relate to those around us?!  And there's no time like NOW to make the necessary adjustments in our lives . . . to come into line with God's heart . . .  as we celebrate His effort of putting Himself aside. . .  and sending His Son, to be our Savior!!!   HALLELUJAH!!!    HE IS WORTHY!!  Let us prefer one another!!   :)  Jenny

...and a Happy New Year!

Christmas time is here, and for many it marks a time of true reflection.  And for me, this year, marks a monumental moment in my life.

A year ago, I would have never believed it.  A year ago, I was facing surgery and grieving its necessity.  A year ago, I thought I was losing so much.  A year ago, I was sad and burdened and scared.  Not a fun place to be. You see, God often takes us to places that knock the breath out of us, humble us to the point that we can't look up, and we are left wondering if we really have a purpose.  But, oh! how lovingly He has a way of making it all work out!

This year, I am overwhelmed, and so excited about what the next holds!  This next year begins with something new; a dream come true!  I am now something that I have dreamed my whole life of being!  I am officially a published author!  The road hasn't been easy, and I have been highly disillusioned in the process, but it has taught me to put God first, to wait for Him, to acknowledge Him every step of the way, and most of all, never to doubt His calling in my life!

You know, I don't know what He has in store for me, or for my ministry, or for this book.  And, maybe it will all fizzle out and dry up...but even if that happens, I know one thing: I am seeking His will.  I love Proverbs 19:21.  It says this: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the Lord's will prevails!"  He is a good God!  And His plans are precious for His children.  So on this night I am reminded of the angels herald, "Glory to God in the highest, peace to all good men on whom His favor rests!"

Merry Christmas, and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!