Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Scripture for the Week (Weak)

"Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You." Psalm 9:10 (NLT)

Seek Him DAILY. It's just like any other relationship. When you talk with them, you let them talk to you; you get to know them. If you want to know God, know His plan for your life & be in-tune with what to do at any given time - seek Him every day.


"Seek the Lord while you can find him.Call on him now while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"If you seek Him, He will be found by you." 1 Chron 28:9

"Set your heart on seeking the Lord." 2 Chron 19:3

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"Those who seek Me will find Me." Proverbs 8:17

"Blessed are those who seek Him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Sometimes, Janelle cannot be trusted...

And here's the cold, hard & somewhat scary proof:





Put it down slowly, please...let's talk about this.



Janelle, you may want to lay low for a bit till this news blows over and settles a bit...

Check out what other crazy stuff she's up to -
Here

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Whatever

A survey by Marist College found out the most annoying words in American conversation. The article states,

47 percent of Americans surveyed in a Marist College poll released Wednesday [found "Whatever" to be the most annoying word we use].

"Whatever" easily beat out "you know," which especially grated a quarter of respondents. The other annoying contenders were "anyway" (at 7 percent), "it is what it is" (11 percent) and "at the end of the day" (2 percent).

"Whatever" — pronounced "WHAT'-ehv-errr" when exasperated — is an expression with staying power. Immortalized in song by Nirvana ("oh well, whatever, nevermind") in 1991, popularized by the Valley girls in "Clueless" later that decade, it is still commonly used, often by younger people.

It can be an all-purpose argument-ender or a signal of apathy. And it can really be annoying. The poll found "whatever" to be consistently disliked by Americans regardless of their race, gender, age, income or where they live.

Exactly! I've felt that way for years. When someone uses "whatever" on me in a conversation or email, it's a kick to the gut of non-importance. Beyond annoying, it's rude and dismissive. It's also ignorant, especially at the end of what was supposed to be a friendly debate or argument, because it illustrates that the person had no better retort and is now summarily ending the conversation with a parting shot connoting that nothing you just said mattered anyway. "Whatever!"

In a country sorely lacking in civility, manners, and conversation skills... and ripe with apathy and self-importance, "Whatever" is the motto du jour.

Then again... what a powerful word it can be for our walk with Christ.

It's kind of like when you are reading a play, or preparing to act in one. You have the script before you. There are minimal clues for how any word in the text should be read. What inflection, what level of voice, what tone shall I use? What does the context and the setting and the personality of the character tell me in regards to how this word or line is going to sound? Ultimately, you and the Director decide.

And I've decided that "Whatever" can be, if we so choose, the defining word of the Christian life. Because while few other words carry the same potential for dismissive rudeness, no other words hold the same potential for all-out surrender and steadfast faith.

I find you guilty in your sins.
Whatever you say, Lord, I repent and accept the sacrifice of your Son who atoned for them.

This situation you're in is going to hurt.
Whatever. I know my faith will be made strong through trials, and that I can do all things through your strength.

You don't know what the future holds; only I do.
Whatever it is, you deserve glory and honor and praise. Bring it on!

I want you to [go to Africa / give to this homeless person / quit this job / plant this church / preach my Word]
Whatever!

I know you think this is unfair compared to that person's situation, but do not let comparison steal my joy from you.
Whatever, God. Whatever.

***

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (Phil. 4:11). Whatever you say.

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Whatever you say.

Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Gal. 6:7). Whatever you say.

Whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free (Eph. 6:8). Whatever you say.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Phil. 4:8).

Whatever.

Friday, October 9, 2009

The Wonders of IM

This is a typical conversation between me and Janelle over IM:

JK53 says:
sometime we need to talk about things
JK53 says:
no you haven't done anything wrong.
JK53 says:
you done everything right....
Jennifer says:
ok...
Jennifer says:
that's what they all say...
Jennifer says:
...then the hammer comes!
JK53 says:
no hammer from me.
Jennifer says:
alright
JK53 says:
alright
Jennifer says:
copycat
JK53 says:
your mom is a copycat
Jennifer says:
maybe...
JK53 says:
i love your mom by the way
Jennifer says:
good
JK53 says:
i guess you know that too
Jennifer says:
i do now
JK53 says:
so are you ready to have the cmas party at your house??????????
Jennifer says:
haha, sure!
JK53 says:
is that haha sure, "I can't believe she's asking me?" ha-ha OR
Jennifer says:
we need to come up with something to actually DO
JK53 says:
a Of course I want to have it my house!!!!
Jennifer says:
no, I'd love to have it there, for reals
JK53 says:
ok
JK53 says:
a plan is nice
JK53 says:
that's what i like about you
JK53 says:
you are for reals
Jennifer says:
it's true
JK53 says:
hope you think that about me too
Jennifer says:
yep, sure do
JK53 says:
I am funny don't forget that BUT
JK53 says:
i am for reals too
Jennifer says:
I like the fact that you tell me that you are funny.
JK53 says:
it's true
Jennifer says:
haha, yes. most of the time...
JK53 says:
most of the time??
Jennifer says:
...the other times is when you are for reals
JK53 says:
oh right yes
Jennifer says:
and sometimes you are a genious and you mix them together
JK53 says:
lol
JK53 says:
i think i like that
Jennifer says:
good, coin it. But give me some props
JK53 says:
will do

There you have it. Why can't we stay on one topic??

Check out Janelle's blog, here

Thursday, October 8, 2009

You Are Loved

I've been thinking about a friend recently that I've lost touch with. We used to hang out all the time. Led worship together, prayed together, laughed together. We had the same interests. My friend went to college a couple years ago, then we hardly ever spoke. My friend calledearlier this year and was crying, broken from the way their life was. They had fallen away from God, rebelled really. They just wanted to live life, experience all the things that they were kept from growing up. They got in a really bad situation and felt stuck. They were ashamed of how they'd changed. I spoke with them and reassured them that God loved them even now. And so did I. God wanted them to come back, broken and ashamed, because He - and only He - could make them whole.

The next time I heard from them, they said they we moving back, got a house and decided to attend a local college. Wow! Talk about a life change. They had visited a church on Easter and God caught them right where they were. Sadly, since moving back I was only able to hang out and catch up one time with my long lost friend. About a month ago they were brought back to my mind and I thought, I need to call them. When I did, their number was disconnected, as well as the other numbers I had for them. I saw a family member of theirs a few weeks ago and asked about my friend. They said they didn't know either. They had moved out of their house, and moved in with a friend somewhere. I was in shock. How could someone make such a dramatic change, then slip back?

I honestly don't know where my friend is right now, how far, or even if they are in trouble and stuck in sin yet again. I do know that the God of the universe love them and still calls them His child.

God knows where my friend is and He knows their heart condition. He also knows how my heart longs for them to be close to Him again.

So many people get in this spot and they don't have anyone to turn to. Rebecca St. James' song "You Are Loved" was on my heart last night as I prayed for my friend.





As Christians, sometimes we get amnesia when it comes to what God has already done for us. We forget what circumstances He has brought us through and turned around for His glory. Maybe try writing down the things that happen to you, so when you get down or caught in sin, you can see proof of what God has done. This way, you never forget.

P.S. Feel free to join me in praying for my friend.