MORE GOD!!

Well, here we are after another FULL week of living LIFE!! :) And, AGAIN, I have to quickly add . . . we ARE so very BLESSED!!!

Between the excitement of full schedules at work, school, sports, and other activities, we can sometimes allow a spirit of overwhelm to slip in. When, in reality, what we need to do is PRESS IN HARDER!! MORE GOD!! We WILL be able to hear FROM Him, if we are looking TO Him!!

When we are involved in things that are not "of God," even if they're 'godly,' we find ourselves drained and overwhelmed!! But, as we set our eyes on Him and tune our ears to Him, our hearts will be sensitive to His direction!! Remember : "What God ordains, HE SUSTAINS!!" So, when we find ourselves lacking, in any way, we must look for MORE GOD!! He IS FAITHFUL!! As we LOOK to Him, . . . He WILL show up!! He will direct us, if we will give Him the opportunity, and give us the chance to make the necessary adjustments!!

In EVERY situation . . . our answer IS STILL . . . MORE GOD!!!! Be encouraged today, and STAY BLESSED!! :)) Jenny

One of THOSE days?

Ugh. Ever have one of those days? I think I'm having one today. It's sad how down we can get when we continue trying to do things our way, instead of focusing on God and how HE wants us to do them. When we look to Him for our strength and quit depending on our own, when we really lean on him and depend on him, that is when he can do something extraordinary with our lives. I'm learning to lean on him today, and that's a good thing.

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24

HOW HE LOVES US!

OK! So I'm not so happy right now because I had just finished my blog and sat down to do a break live on the air and the battery on my laptop ran out . . . SO! Oh, well, here we go again! :)

Does anything like that ever happen to you? UGHHH!!! The "unexpected disruption" to our plans, leaving you saying, "Now what?" Well, the good news IS, no matter what takes US by surprise, NOTHING EVER takes God by surprise! HALLELUJAH!! And, He's ALWAYS ready . . . with a provision . . . to help us through, whether the simple, precious grace to start over on our blog :), or a healing touch for an ailing body, His perfect peace to settle a restless spirit, the mercy of His forgiveness, or the comfort of His Holy Spirit to a broken or heavy heart !!

If we will let Him, He wants to be our EVERYTHING . . . and He is ABLE to BE and DO all that He has promised!! Check out the David Crowder Band's "How He Loves" and let it sink in deep!! In spite of all our 'human -ness' :) we ARE His heart's desire . . . and OH! How He Loves Us!! WOW!! Keep your mind set on Him . . . and STAY BLESSED!! :) Jenny

The Word of God and M&Ms

Another week has passed, . . . and here we are, still hanging out together!! What a blessing!! I hope your world is well - that your hope is strong and your joy is full!! If you find yourself in a place that is lacking, I'VE GOT GREAT NEWS!! - - God IS Who He says He IS . . . and He CAN DO what He says He CAN DO!!! HALLELUJAH!!

The question IS, DO WE know Who He IS? Really? What about 'what He SAYS He can DO?' If not, . . . why not? God's Word is there FOR US!! GOD IS 'FOR US!!!' Did you know that?

Today, let me encourage you to grab a pen , paper, & your 'Sword' for battle (your BIBLE :) ), and DIVE IN to the Truth of God's Word to find out how it applies to YOU specifically!! And don't forget your M & M's :), so you will remember how important it is to Memorize & Meditate on those truths for your life ( while enjoying some chocolate!! :) HA!)

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Bible)
"Now TO HIM Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, IS ABLE to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--

To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)."

AMEN!! :) Stay Blessed!! Jenny

Looking Back With Gratitude

This past weekend I was blessed to be a part of an event celebrating Peggy West's many years of investment and dedication in the Ouachita Christian School Eaglaire Choir. There was a great turnout of students (going back 30 years) touched by her life and her determination to excellence, planting and scattering good "seed" all over the place! What a testimony of a life well lived and the difference ONE can truly make for the Kingdom of God!

It was amazing to see those I've lost touch with - - being reminded of memories faded through the years and vowing to work to stay better connected in the future!! I got to sing again with a group of 3 guys I used to sing with - talk about flashbacks!! Music from The Eagles, John Denver & Anne Murray . . . my kids - unfamiliar with the music - asked if "that music" was Christian. :) Ha! Clearly, we listen to mostly Christian music . . . it's the backdrop of our lives.

When I was growing up, contemporary Christian music was just evolving, with very few Christian radio stations. However, Christian radio is a huge part of my heritage. My grandfather, Dr. C.W. Jones was a radio pioneer missionary to South America, putting up the first tower / transmitter in Quito, Ecuador, (radio station HCJB, The Voice of the Andes- still going, stronger than ever!), which is where my mother grew up. :) In the early years, Christian radio looked a good bit different, with news, teaching / preaching, and music mostly comprised of hymns, as the format.

I don't think I will ever be able to take for granted the gift and incredible blessing, a "life-line" if you will, that Christian radio is to my life!! I have praised God for it over and over . . . and now to be in a position to be a part of it . . . I am privileged, honored . . . and so grateful!! :) Jenny

Too Much

Let's be real here. In our lives, there's always going to be too much to do -- one more event, game, class, meeting or thing that's just-got-to-be-done-now!

So it comes to making choices. The tough ones, though, are choosing between two things that are good, even two things that are God's work. The question we need to answer, though, is "Is this work something that God's calling me to be doing?" When we make God's calling and use of our gifts at the top of the list, that's when we'll be lining up with His plans for us. It's never easy, and I'll be the first to say I'm still working on it -- but I'm listening for His voice in every choice, and trusting Him to guide (or sometimes shove) me in the right direction!

"He is jealous for me"

"I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.." -Exodus 20:5-

"El Kana" is a name for God that we don't visit very often. We are quicker to call on Jehovah Rapha or Jehova Jirah - our healer and our provider, and He certainly is also those things. In fact the names for God are extensive and all conclusive, but it is this name "El Kana" that He himself coined for it means "The Jealous".

We tend to forget that He is a jealous God. He longs to have us completely and totally for Himself. He wants to have us look to Him only for our sense of worth, for our provision, and as our desire. He is vulnerable in that sense. If we don't choose Him, if we look away from Him it offends Him; it hurts Him. We can hurt God - we can break His heart.

He doesn't sit idley by as we fall head long into sin, He doesn't stand aside as we suffer through life and it's consequences. He stands beside us, always reaching, always holding out hope. He wants us to call on Him, he longs for us to embrace Him as the God who desires us! It is this vulnerability, this need, this passion that makes me love Him more. And, when I think about that I don't have time to think through all the things that I have done wrong or should have done better, I only have time to realize that He loves me still.

He loves us...and that alone should give us goosebumps!