Joy to the World?

"I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11

Do you ever have days where someone tries to rip the joy right out of your life?

I do.

And it's really hard. It's a battle. The good girl part of my brain says, "Be nice. Honor Jesus with your actions. Your response is your responsibility. Self control, Jenn, self control."

But the mean girl part of my brain says, "How dare they act that way! I'll show them."

One part of me says fold your hands in prayer.

But another part of me says throw your hands in the air and throw a good old fashioned hissy fit.

Issues.

I have them. Maybe most of us girls do. Especially that one special week a month.

But God.

I love how those two words interrupt me. Redirect me. Remind me. Comfort me. Battle the mean girl in me. And cause me to pause.

Pause. Just for a minute, pause. And it's in that pause where we give the Holy Spirit room to interrupt the mean girl response just dying to come out and bloody the situation.

The Holy Spirit says, "Jenn stop and think. It might feel good in the minute to scream, retaliate, pitch a fit and flood the situation with emotions. But it won't feel good in the long run. It will feel awful in the long run. You'll feel the sting of regret. Come on Jenn... be rare. Be a girl who looks ahead and determines to do what's best in the long run."

Yes, it stinks that this other person is determined to steal my joy.

It really does.

But in reality, my joy can only be stolen if I let it be stolen.

In John 15:10-12 Jesus says, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

Several things struck me as I read this verse. In each interaction I have with others, I'm faced with the choice to either remain in God's love or retreat from God's love. I can't control how this other person is acting towards me. But I can control how I act and react. If I chose to remain in God's love and react to this other person kindly, it affects my joy. Jesus interjects His joy right into the heart of a kind person. If I make the choice to be kind, instead of my joy being depleted, it will be completed.

So back off mean girl part of my brain. The Jesus girl in me is taking over. And holding on to every ounce of joy that's rightfully mine. Circumstances can steal stuff from me. But not my joy.

And all Jesus' girls say, "Amen and amen!"

This sounds so good in this moment, doesn't it? But it will not be easy when I have an interaction today or later this week with "that person" ... the one who makes my mean girl want to come out. God is the only one who can help us remember the truths in His word & remind us not to let them steal our joy. Maybe you'll be around someone like this for Christmas...just know, they can't steal your joy! (Also, we have the privilege to give this joy too!)

Something BIG that I'm ok with now

My whole life I've wanted to be a wife & Mom. My whole life. So, all this time I'm waiting, praying, growing until I become that. (And hopefully becoming more prepared in the process!)

I've been known to drive around on random evenings or on the weekends through nice neighborhoods, imagining my life to come...the 2-story house, perfect grass, 2-car garage, kids in the front yard, etc. These have always been happy days for me, just dreaming of the future.

Until recently.

I'd drive by these same houses, think of a guy in my life that I'm praying about, then get really really discouraged. I'd think, man, this guy is awesome, we'd be so happy, he'd be a great leader, he'd love our family; we could really build a life in a house like this...then reality would sink in that his choice of career (or an accident, family illness, or whatever) may never allow us to have something like this; or even remotely close.

I know, you're thinking, "How worldly. It's not about a big house!"

I know, you're right. It's not. It never really has been - it's just subconsciously been a part of "the dream" for so long, it's hard to change it now.

I think it comes down to I want a quality life. A life that matters; where the house is large enough, the kids have enough room; there's just more space and less chance of hard times & heart aches.

So, for a couple weeks now I'd drive by houses thinking, "Nope, that house is too nice, that one too...and yep, even that one."

How pitiful.

I'm seriously not that superficial that I'm looking for a guy who can provide a huge house or living a certain way. Honestly, I could care less. Like I said, it's just the dream I've had playing in my head for so long. Who knows? God could bless me with that someday after all.

But that's not the point. The point is that I actually cried about this whole, dumb, house thing this weekend!

Yeah, I cried.

I finally yelled out in the car, "WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT??"

(Good thing I was alone in the car.)

Maybe you just have to be a girl? Maybe you have to have the same "dream" as me to understand?

I don't know if this makes sense but God changed my heart when it comes to this now. Somehow I was able to let it go, give it to God, and forget about it. The desire is no longer there. Strange, right?

In the end I know that He will provide for me no matter what. No matter what, He needs to be enough.

So, that's what I'm working on. Focusing more & more on Him everyday & realizing He's enough. More than enough, actually.

A few things you need to know about us ladies...

Something that I'm still working on is really believing. Hang with me here for a second. I mean really believing something that someone says. I hear, "You're awesome!", "You're doing a great job!", etc. The thing is...it takes a few times for me to actually take that in and hear it. Maybe it's a mental problem. Maybe it's a hearing problem. Maybe it's just being a girl.

Guys are kind of know for being clueless sometimes and don't pick up on "hints" that we might send their way. We're just as bad! We don't hear or see them loving us everyday! I can't stand stereotypes but this is something I've seen more than once. Why is it that as ladies we don't let it sink in that we are loved by the Creator of the universe?? He made all that we see & is all powerful and yet He loves us, through all of our faults, every day.

Maybe I'm not being clear. You are loved. You get that? Even if you don't feel like it. Even if your day started with stepping in dog poo, cleaning cereal out of little pig-tails, cranking up the radio over the screaming in the backseat, throwing your back out while trying to buy dog food, voicing your opinion when you should have kept your mouth shut and ended in slamming your own thumb in the car door. No matter what you did or are doing - you are loved right now.

I tend to be stand-off-ish of compliments and I'm not sure why. I'm just a little wary and it makes me wonder why someone would choose to say something like that. Do they want something? Are they trying to smooth-talk me? When I write this down, it sounds dumb & really paranoid. But it's true! I think that's why I struggle with this from God. I carry this over that He has no reason to say something nice about me or to me.

Yet, I'm learning each day that He does.

He's madly in love with me. He's madly in love with you.

He can't help it. You're wonderful, you're His child that He cares for more than you'll ever know.

Here's the best part - there's no way you can escape His love! You can't run far enough, mess up enough. On this, that's the difference between God and man. In life, I'll be too paranoid or whatever and not believe it when people say nice things to or about me, and I'll miss out on a great display of love being dropped in my lap. Maybe they'll give up. Decide it's not worth it to build someone up, only for them to shake their head & be suspicious. But God, He's not gonna give up. He'll continually tell you that you are beautiful, unlike any other, precious, and endlessly loved.

Maybe right now, go find a mirror and pick something that God is telling you - "You are beautiful, You are loved, You are forgiven, etc." Say it 5 times & let it sink in.

I hope this helps today. I hope you let it sink in that He loves you, with all your faults & insecurities. That's not going to make Him shy away like people would. He's constantly by your side, wanting to live life with you.


The song "Don't you know You're beautiful" is awesome from Seabird. Also, I heard this song this morning from Tenth Avenue North called "You are More" and it says:

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade

In life, people seem surprised, "Don't you know? Don't you see what a difference you're making?" Sometimes the truth is, "No, I'm not seeing what you see."

The only way to change that is to look at ourselves through Christ. He sees beauty. He sees a hard worker. He sees his daughter, His beloved.

Sorry, there's nothing you can do to change His mind.


**Side note for the guys: Be patient with us. We need you. We need you not to give up on us. We need you to believe in us, and tell us that! We need you to confirm these things that God says about us. We don't have it all together ... I know, shocker. :)

Because I said so!

I just came back from a week long vacation...with 3 girls...3 & under...!

Just in case you didn't know, 3 year olds have A LOT of questions! Sometimes it's a fun, enlightening experience. Other times it's embarrassing and makes me shake my head!

Sometimes when we tell her to do something, she'll say, "But why?"

She wants to understand our plans, motives, and reasons for everything. If she doesn't understand the logic of something she has a hard time accepting it. She loves us and truly wants to please us, but she wants to know why before she obeys.

She's usually obedient, once she's heard our reasons. Nonetheless, in response to her questioning I often want to use that infamous phrase: "Because I said so!"

I wonder if God ever wants to use that phrase with me?

God is infinitely more patient than I am, and He is abounding in grace and love. He can easily handle all my questions without exasperation. But I wonder if He wishes I would just simply trust and obey - just because He is God.

The scriptures say: "Do what your king commands; you gave a sacred oath of obedience. Don't worryingly second-guess your orders or try to back out when the task is unpleasant. You're serving his pleasure, not yours. The king has the last word. Who dares say to him, 'What are you doing?' Carrying out orders won't hurt you a bit; the wise person obeys promptly and accurately" (Ecclesiastes 8:2-5, MSG).

I want to be that wise person.

So my goal today is not to question God but simply to trust and obey...even if I don't understand why, and even if it's hard to do. I will accept the way that I am made and the plans that He has set before me.

Yes, I know I can take all my questions to the Lord and He will lovingly sift through them, but today I want to obey His commands in swift, willing obedience - just because He said so.

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands." 2 John 1:6a

Being Single

A friend texted me last night & said "check out 1 Corinthians 7!!!" I looked it up & I knew it had been too long since the last time I read that chapter. If you haven't read it in a while, or at all, and you are single ... you need to.

I think it sounds a bit like Paul is trying to cover himself when he says it's better to be single ... but it's ok to be married, but it's good to be single, but it's good to be married ... kind of like he's arguing with himself ... but I understand where the guy is coming from.

A few parts that stuck out to me: verse 27, "If you are married, stay married. If you are not married, don't try to get married." Not a lot of gray area in that scripture. In verses 29-31 it basically says the world is coming to an end & it doesn't matter how happy you are here - this is not our home. God's coming back & it won't matter if you're married or not.

In verse 35 it says, "...I want to help you to live right and to love the Lord above all else." That was Paul's heart & entire message.

I needed to read this chapter again ... and probably again and again! It is easier to focus on serving God & following Him completely when you're not distracted by trying to make someone else happy. It makes sense. Still, I'm hoping this is not forever! Right now, I'm following the words of Paul & seeking to please & glorify God ... hopefully along the way I'll catch the attention of someone with the same priorities. Ironically, I had yet another person try to set me up with a guy today ... oh, the timing of all this. Humorous.

Praying

Lately, I've been praying really 'blunt' prayers, so to speak. Not much structure to them, just talking to Him, like a friend, and blurting out whatever I'm dealing with or thinking about. When I say it out loud, it tends to have a bigger impact on me.

Like I'll look around or at the ceiling & say,

"God, I'm really sick of being alone"

or

"God, I feel like I'm the only one still wanting to do right"

or

"God, I don't think I can do this anymore...I just don't know."

Just talking, out loud, to God with what's going on & allowing Him to speak to me & change my thinking. I hear the enemies lies when I speak out loud what I'm feeling, AND THEN I allow God's truth to come back in.

You don't have to put on a face for God. Like you've got everything put together, like you can handle it and you'll just "ration" out what you think God can or would handle concerning you today.

Let it all hang out! Tell God what's going on ... and then let Him handle it.

A car of your choice!

I had a dream a few nights ago ... could've been the pain meds from getting my wisdom teeth removed ... could've been God. I'm betting on at least a bit of both.

A friend and I were at a Dodge/Chrysler lot, just looking around. The manager came over to us and said "See that pile of keys over there? Go pick one, hit the panic button & the car that sounds is yours!" We were shocked. Of course, we ran right over - grabbed a set of keys and went outside to find our new cars. For some reason ours were right next to each other. Mine was a dodge car, not too fancy. Weird creamy color with bad red trim. His had a great red finish but was a funky shape (Don't ask...). My first thought was to look around, see if I could run back inside and pick a different key without the manager noticing. My friend & I decided to take a stroll around the lot to see if there were any others & just plan to talk to the manager if that were the case. We didn't see any we liked better but by the time we got back around to where we started, the ones we had the first pick to were gone! We were in such disbelief. People were taking off everywhere in new, free cars like they couldn't get out of the parking lot fast enough & here we were critiquing the 2 we were given.

Our hearts sank at what we lost & we left empty handed.

I've been thinking about this dream for a few days, really uneasy about it. Am I that ungrateful? Am I that close to situations that I can't step back and see, first of all, I'm being given a blessing? A free car is being given to me & I can't look around quick enough to find one in a better color? It makes me wonder what I've missed. How many things have I passed by, relationships overlooked, or blessings have I given back?

Why should I get the luxury of picking the color of my blessing?

I can't think of a particular thing that I have handled in this way, but maybe that's just it. I can't help but feel a sense of loss ... embarrassment even to think that I would act that way. Maybe that's why a few of my prayers seem to go unanswered? Maybe I just didn't like what God was offering. It makes me sick to think that I've gone around "the lot", even if just once, to see if there was anything better, only to leave empty handed.

What to say?

Struggling to know what to say to that cute girl sitting 2 rows ahead of you with her head in her new pink, sparkly NIV Bible? Look no further! Maybe try one of these:

1. “nice bible.”

2. “is this pew taken?”

3. “for you i would slay two Goliaths”

4. “i would go through more than Job for you”

5. “when Moses struck the rock, water flowed from it like a river. I promise I will never strike you.”

6. “you are so unblemished that i would sacrifice you.”

7. “shall we tithe?”

8. “i didnt believe in predestination until tonight.”

9. “i believe one of my ribs belongs to you.”

10. “i went on a mission trip, but all I ended up doing was mission you.”

11. “can I buy you a non-alcoholic beverage?”

12. “now i know why Solomon had 700 wives… Because he never met you.”

13. “bathsheba had nothing on you”

14. “your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Gilead”

15. “so, can i clothe you in righteousness?”

16. “how would you like to join my Purpose Driven Life?”

17. “so, my parents are home, you wanna come over?”

18. “i’m a proverbs 32 kind of guy and you’re a proverbs 31 kinda woman…”

19. “i consider myself to be fisher of women. this would be referred to as “casting my net”.”

20. “i have familiarised myself with all 5 love languages, in fact, i invented 4 of them.”

21. “i predicted David over Goliath… now I’m betting on you and me.”

22.. “if you were a leper, i would still hold your hand.. even if it wasn't attached.”

Ok, so maybe you shouldn't use these. Sadly, I've gotten some of these! What's the strangest line you've ever heard...or used?

Answers and Peace

I just finished a 7 day fast. It's been a while since I've done that. Every once and a while I'd do it for a day or two just for some clarity and to pause life for a bit. This time I didn't just want to pause - I wanted change. I went into this expecting God to reveal Himself & to give me some answers in a few specific areas. I felt kinda stuck. Like I am so blessed and overwhelmed with good things but I needed to know what to do next. (I'm good with lists & tasks - just tell me what to do!)

That's where God comes in. He's been faithful, so why should this time be any different? The ongoing hard thing that I battle every day is waiting. I know His ways are not my ways & His timing is perfect...but year after year (after year, after year...) goes by; I'm just so ready for God's promises to come true. 20 years is a long time to wait, and it makes me wonder - how much longer?

So, I decided to fast for a week and seek God on this, full throttle. It amazes me every time how much closer to God I get & how much easier it seems to be to talk to & trust Him. I have more time & He gives me the energy I need. On the second night, I cried out to God (literally did this about every day.) to show me what He wanted me to do, to guide me. I prayed about a few specific things, and just stopped talking. (Do ever get tired of hearing your own voice?) I just sat there, eyes closed, waiting on God. Then I said, "I just need peace." Instantly, I felt kind of light headed - not sick, but like a weight had been lifted and my whole body felt like it was floating. I got exactly what I asked for, peace.

He wasn't done either! On the 5th day, there was something stirring in me. I was really restless and just burdened. (Leading worship, I was probably too much.) I was really challenged to change & I wanted others around me to catch this fire too. God is giving me a renewed passion for Him, but that's not all He did.

I went to the movie "To Save a Life" that afternoon and that was the breaking point. Everything just came together and cemented what God was already doing in me. After the show, I just needed to get away and talk to God alone. I went to the park and I sat there for 30 minutes talking to God and letting Him change me. I just didn't want to stay the same. It's really hard to explain, but God just opened my eyes to see them in the way He does. I see how valuable each person is. Not just the people we think are cool, or need help, or we get introduced to, or whatever. Everyone. That's who we're called to tell about Christ. I cried there about the whole time and allowed God to change my heart, deeply. I saw the error of my ways in multiple areas. I had the overwhelming need to ask forgiveness from people.

The really surprising thing that He did in the midst of this week was renew my strength to carry on, to wait. He's amazing like that. Just about every time when I think, "I just can't do it anymore! Am I ever going to get married?" God steps in and somehow removes that completely and gives me peace & helps me rest in Him. It's at those moments that I honestly feel like I could stay there forever. I could just sit in the park for years; no food, no shelter, no guy, no showers (gross), with Him, like that, so intimate. Like my best friend who lets me let it all out, then goes in and fixes everything in me. He focuses on me, like I'm the only one in the room. Let's be honest, that's what we all want - we just normally look for that in other people.

Anyway, I'm still a work in progress - I'm human, I'm flawed, but I'm a beautiful mess! He's so awesome to be willing to keep picking me up and giving me the strength I need to live for Him. This change has been radical for me, that's just what I prayed for. Hopefully you'll have the boldness to simply ask God to change you. Be willing. Be specific. Be all-in. He will if you allow Him to.

I prayed a few specific things (waiting, way of living & about a few people) and then some others things that I was concerned with like not to let me get comfortable, to be radical for Him - no matter who looks on in a disapproving way or pokes fun. My confidence is in Him, not the very lacking compliments I get...which I have a hard time receiving, anyway (weird, I know.).


He, like always, has gone above and beyond what I've asked Him to. He met me right where I was and changed me. He can do it in you too. If you're ready, feel free to pray this daring prayer:

Lord, I'm being faithful. I'm holding on to You. I'm reminding You right now of Your promises and I'm expectant that You will fulfill them in Your time. Help me to wait even more. Give me peace. Help me continue to rest in You every day. Help me continue to go against the ways of this world & strive after you. Swimming against the current gets tiring after a while. Strengthen me, God. I'm keeping my focus on You - it's You I'm chasing after instead of the next gadget, promotion, guy, car, wad of cash, etc...it's just You. At the end of the day, I commit again, that if You never bless me with the things I long for - I will still love You. I will still serve You. I will still tell others of Your goodness. You are faithful, help me to be more like You.

Bible vs Cell Phone

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

• What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
• What if we flipped through it several times a day?
• What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
• What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
• What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
• What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
• What if we used it when we traveled?
• What if we used it in case of emergency?

Think about how much you use your cell phone and your bible. Which one gets the most of your time?

What is that smell??

That's what I said when I walked past my refrigerator the other day. I skeptically looked in to find the culprit of the smell. After carefully rummaging around for a bit I found the last bit of a casserole from so long ago that I can't remember what it was to begin with...yeah, that's bad.

Now imagine a pleasing aroma. What comes to mind? A freshly baked cookies, the scent of the ocean, newly brewed coffee, or a cinnamon candle? A pleasant aroma is so powerful that it can bring a smile to our faces and make us feel more positive and even bring back memories. The same is true of our positive attitudes. In our relationships we can be like a fragrant aroma by adopting attitudes that please and reflect Christ. In fact, Paul teaches that we are a "fragrance of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15). Consider these pleasing attitudes: thankful, humble, generous, gracious, kind, and cheerful.


"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." Philippians 2:5

What do you smell like today?

Shine

Here's the chorus & second verse of Salvador's song "Shine":

Lord let me shine
Shine like the moon
A reflection of you
All that I do
Lord let me be
A light for your truth
Light of the world
I want to be used
To shine for you

As simple as a passing smile
Or listening a little while
To someone that's convinced that
They are in this all alone
Well, here's my chance to share the news
To introduce the good that's you
Here you go again,
You never cease to blow my mind



I've been praying a lot lately that God would use me in a powerful way, however He chooses. I have to warn you to be careful what you pray for, because you just might get it all! There have been so many changes recently, it's insane. God is so good. Just like this song says, He never ceases to blow my mind. I pray that He continues to use me to shine for Him.

Who doesn't need a RED phone?

The Station Engineer, Darcey, recently purchased some phones for different tower locations. He found a great deal to buy 5 for $60.



I don't need 5, but I am a fan of the RED!

What's your story?

Matthew West's newest project is writing about your life - yes yours!! He's in a cabin for the next 2 months reading what you send him and writing new projects. You can tell him your life story at http://matthewwest.com/


Here's what I submitted:

Hey, I'm Jenn - wow...how do you just start off telling the story of 20 years?? I got saved at 4 and prayed with my Mom and brother for the next 8 years or so that my Dad would find life in Christ too. I grew up in Tulsa, OK and lived there until I was 15...just about everything I knew was there. I was homeschooled and Tulsa has amazing stuff for homeschoolers! There was so much going on, we had to cancel activities so we could get our school done! Anyways, I moved to Blackwell, OK(for my Dad's job)which was a huge culture shock! I mean, I could count the number of stoplights on 1 hand...just about. I went through depression and found God again there. He never left me. I just found Him in a new way and He opened doors for me to mentor students in a small church down the street. That grew into being a youth leader, to back-up singer on the worship team to worship leader in youth to guest speaker to fill-in worship leader in Main Church. I really grew there in my leadership skills and learned all over again how to serve God along with other people. In my Senior year I started interning at a local Christian Radio Station(The House FM & Praise 88.7)and God really grew a new passion in me for radio. I've always loved music and the message that we are able to convey in it, but this was a whole new ministry mindset. Over the lat couple years I've been promoted a few times to one of the "Office Ladies" and I'm a DJ too. When I step back and think about it, it doesn't make sense. I started working there while in high school and there's no way I can afford college, yet God is blessing me to do things that I shouldn't be able to do. I'm on the radio speaking to literally thousands of people everyday and working concerts and making Him known daily. I love that I am able to do this. I am SO blessed and I know it's God.

I'm a part of Life Center in Ponca City; part of the LifeChurch.tv network (doing church in a 21st century way). I'm highly ingrained there and I lead worship too.

Another thing I haven't mentioned is an old passion of mine - purity. When I was 12, I got up in front of about 3,000 people in my church and took a "Zero Pledge". I pledged to do zero drugs, alcohol, etc. and to stay pure until I'm married. I know a lot of churches do this and they get a ring and all and it's no big deal a few years later, but I took it to heart. I'm still living that life, though it's not easy. It's hard and it's a conscious decision EVERY DAY. It's easy to feel lonely and lose hope. It's easy for my flesh to tell me that I've lost my mind and I'm going to wake up at 32 years old with no one and all this waiting was for nothing. But, then God steps in at just the right time and reminds me of His promises. His promises are so special to me. That's what I hold to. When I try to explain my lifestyle or why I don't want to go certain places or do certain things, people don't get it. It's hard to explain and at the end of the day when I'm at my lowest and I'm vulnerable to being like the world, it could be easy for me to just give in or even give up. That's when God is my strength. Even when it doesn't make any sense to anyone, even my family, I know that God is trustworthy, faithful and He loves me and wants the best. I believe with all my heart that He does have a plan for me. I have to believe that. Over time I've been able to help other people understand and pointed them to God in the process. Some have prayed and ended up living the same way and others have shunned me, but you know what? It's worth it. Honestly, I haven't seen a physical payoff yet but I have faith that it will. And even if my highest dream of being a wife and Mom never happen - He's still good and He's still in control. It's in His hands and that's where I'm leaving it. So, that's the quick version of the story of my life...but it's not really over - I'm still finding out what the rest of my story is every day.


So, there you go. Tell them your story and you could be featured in one of his songs! We'd lvoe to know what your story is too! Be a part of the "My Story" Project with The House FM - http://www.thehousefm.com/thehouse.asp?ID=MyStory&S=0&b=1

Song of the Week

I love Brooke Fraser. Her songwriting sound is just awesome. We play "Shadowfeet" on The House FM and that's how I discovered her. She has so many good songs and messages and she actually has 2 albums already. This is one of my many favorites:


"The Thief"

Your eyes are full
Full of the future of us
The air changes as you look across
At me in that wondering way

It is as if
I knew you before we spoke
Do our hearts know something we don't?
Conspiring, converging without giving us any say

[CHORUS]
You, sing me to sleep
Talk down my walls
Look through my windows as I wait
You could be the thief
I give the key to

You're ruining me
With secrets and gestures and looks
With sonnets from second-hand books
Playing the chords in me nobody knew how to play

[CHORUS]

[Bridge]
It fits in your hand like water in rain
It unlocks our two different selves
And shows we are the same
Rather than wait `til I put me out for the taking
You're breaking
You're breaking
You're breaking into my heart
And I'm letting you


Beautiful. I hope you check out her stuff - it's amazing. (http://brookefraser.com/)

This could change your whole thinking on dating...you've been warned.

If you lend a guy $10,000, what are you going to want from him?

You'd want him to pay it back, right?

Would you lend it to him if he wouldn't commit to that?
_________________________________________

This is how I feel about dating. So many people date just to date. Sorry, I'm just not into that. If I give you my trust, I want a commitment that your not going to break my heart. Is that too much to ask, really?

My whole life I've been preparing to be a good wife; I want a good husband. So, I'm not going to compromise. I'm going to stand firm and hold to the promise that God gave me long ago. I'm going to do what I know is right.

This is a conscious choice I made a long, long time ago. You won't really want to do this if your parents pressure you into it, or it's like a rule to you. This has to become your own, a passion and you have to come to the realization that God has the very best for you & He will fulfill His promise. (I know this sounds weird, but my parents are on the look-out for me! They know my heart's choice about this and they are behind me on it. So, I have 2 extra sets of eyes looking and praying for me and my future. Actually, because of this I can rest easy. In the last year or so they have come to me with prospective people they see potential in. They're like "How about so-and-so? I thought you guys had a connection. He's a great man of God and so kind." I'm sorry, but that is just awesome. The awkwardness is all on them now!) If you ever want to chat about this, let me know.



If you don't believe your wife is precious, you won't cherish her.

If you don't believe love is best when it's pure and new, you won't wait patiently for it.

What you believe effects the way you behave.

What do you believe?

Running on Empty

I have a disorder. I have the “I want to see how far I can drive AFTER my low fuel light comes on” disorder. Anyone else with me? I’ve gotten to the point now where I keep track of my mileage after the light, trying to beat my own record for mileage driven after the low fuel light illuminates. I have actually prayed out loud before ” God, you turned water into wine, you multiplied fish and bread, you can multiply the gas in my tank so I can get to the gas station.” And then God said, “I’ve multiplied the gas stations you’ve been driving past for the last two days, you’re on your own!”

I have a spiritual disorder: I have been known to see how long I can live when I’m running on empty. When I’m running on empty in my spiritual life I have come to recognize the low fuel light. When I’m running on empty:

-God’s voice is harder to hear

-I feel promptings from the Holy Spirit less

-I am more irritable

-I am more selfish

-I don’t serve people with a heart of gratitude

-I do ministry out of obligation and not out of the overflow of my heart

The danger for many of us is that we don’t recognize when the spiritual “low fuel” light comes on, or we do and we just ignore it. I can get so good at ignoring it that I actually convince people that I have a full tank, when I'm really running on fumes.

I feel like I am running on empty this week. So… I’m not going to ignore it, I’m not going to “try to get through this week, then I can spend some time refueling.” I’m going to take little steps each day to replenish my heart so that I can live out the mission God has given me as a daughter, worker, friend and woman of God.


Do you try to run on empty? What are some signs in your life that you are running on empty?

Love With Grace

Bringing criticism, judgment, and self-righteousness into relationships is all too easy. Saying "Why didn't you..." "You should have..." or "I told you so" requires no effort. But being gracious is what we need, and that's what Christ calls us to be. We're human. We're going to disappoint one another. We're not always going to meet each other's needs.



"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 (NAS)



How has Christ shown you grace, and how can His grace spill over in your relationships?



Ephesians 4:2, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (NIV)




What you can do today to show a gracious attitude toward someone else? Some ideas:

· Let it go.

· Assume the best.

· In your quiet time, think about the different ways God has covered you with grace rather than burdened you with judgment.

· Hang around friends with gracious attitudes. Let their attitudes rub off on you.

· Be careful of keeping company with people who are constantly bashing and bad-mouthing other people. Their bad attitudes are likely to affect yours.

· Don't say, "I told you so."




Now, go! Spread the love - with grace.

Oh.....Valentine's Day.

Are you a woman who doesn't look forward to Valentine's Day? Whether you are single and without a special someone in your life, or married and tired of being disappointed from unmet expectations on the "Day of Romance," you are not alone.

Surveys show that countless women feel frustrated every year and let down on February 14th primarily because of unmet expectations. Women look for expressions of love that will meet their preconceived romantic notions. And many times, even well-intentioned men can't possibly compete.

What if this year you took the man in your life off the hook? What if this year you focused not on your expectations or the disappointment that the "Day of Romance" tends to bring, but on the Author of Romance, Himself, and what He's been trying to show you day in and day out about how cherished you are in His sight? In other words, what if this year you looked to God to meet your expectations first and then let the man in your life (if you have one) do what he can and see it as an added bonus?


For instance, look at the tender words God says, in His Word, to and about His people:

• He calls you unforgettable: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! (Isaiah 49:15).

• He says He has always loved you and always will: "...I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).

• He calls Himself your Husband: "For your Maker is your husband - the Lord Almighty is his name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit…" (Isaiah 54:5-6a).

• He says His love for you is greater than anything you'll ever find on this earth: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). And then Jesus did just that -- He laid down His life for you...one He calls "friend."

• He promises He'll never leave you: "...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5b).

• He assures you in His Word that He has chosen you as His own: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight…" (Ephesians 1:4).

• He assures you in His Word that nothing will be able to separate you from His ever-pursuing love: "... neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

Reading verses like that, over and over, is like re-reading portions of a love letter that resonates with our hearts. And when our emotional tank is filled - by recognizing that we are valuable, loved and pursued in the sight of an all-knowing, all-loving God - we can then receive whatever our husband or boyfriend has to offer as the "cherry on top." Or, if nothing else is offered us, we still know we are loved and we are more able and stable to deal with whatever does - or does not - come our way.



So go boldly into Valentine's Day this year, my friend, and celebrate it because of how loved and cherished you are in the eyes of the Living God. And if you have a husband or boyfriend who makes an attempt that isn't quite to your expectations, thank God for him and bless him anyway. Your "True Husband" will be watching!

lol...lol...lol...ugh.

Ok, what's with people using 'lol' way too much? It's like a complete sentance to them. It makes me wonder if they ever really laugh out loud or it's just something easy to type? Here's how a typical conversation with someone would go:


Me: Hey! How's life?
Them: lol good lol
Me: Haha, ok...
Them: lol
Me: Really? That good huh?
Them: lol
Me: Is that all you can say?
Them: lol
Me: Uh-huh...so are you really laughing out loud right now?
Them: lol
Me: Hmmmm, I'm still not convinced.
Them: lol
Me: Wow, well...you know 'lol' is not a complete sentance right?
Them: lol
Me: I see you get my point.
Them: lol
Me: Riiiiiight
Them: lol
Me: Well, this has been a deep conversation...
Them: lol
Me: Of course.
Them: lol
Me: It's been good talking to you
Them: lol
Me: Bye
Them: lol



Yeah....get my point? If you are laughing out loud that much, I need to be a comedian! Come on people, 'lol' is way overused! Using it a bit here or there I understand but, really use discretion. Personally I say 'Haha' because that's an actual laugh and I'm laughing at the time. So, what do you use? Really, we need something new so we can throw away the 'lol'...

My Ode to Snow

I love snow & cold weather. As of today, most of it is gone. And that makes me sad. So, here's to you, Snow:

My yard is soggy
But I'm no froggy

Snow, why'd you have to go
I love you more than any beau

Why, oh why did you go away
When all I want is for you to stay

Beautiful snow, come back soon
Until then, I'll watch the moon


There you have it, now the healing begins.

A Sweet Smell

Ephesians 5:2 encourages us to "...live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (NIV).

What does that really mean? How can we offer a fragrant offering that is pleasing to God and be a fragrance to those around us?

There is a Hawaiian saying, "Tiny is the flower, yet it scents the grasses around it." What a great illustration of how the smallest things can have impactful results. The fact that the flower is small and seemingly insignificant, does not keep it from spreading the fragrance it was created to share. In fact, often the smallest flower can have the most potent fragrance!

Sometimes we may feel like a tiny flower. We wonder if we are really capable of doing anything big or important for Christ. Insecurities, feelings of unworthiness or life challenges prevent us from seeing how God can use us to bless Him and impact others. It is not the size of the actions that matter, but the aroma that is created by those actions. Each time we do something in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness we offer a fragrant offering to God. And we help others learn how to be a little fragrant flower too, in a big world that can be pretty stinky.





Each one of us can choose what fragrance we exude. It might be a good idea to ask from time to time, What type of fragrance am I leaving behind? How am I affecting the world around me with the gifts God gave me? Am I exuding a spiritual aroma that is a fragrant offering to Christ?

Our lingering fragrance should be one of love and kindness, not anger and harshness. Patience and faithfulness, not intolerance and selfishness. And lifting people's spirits with joy and peace, not leaving them discouraged and broken. Our fragrance should be sowing seeds that point to the goodness of Christ. (Check Galatians 5:22)

When God created flowers, He intentionally created them to give off a sweet aroma. And He created us just the same. So, what fragrance are you wearing today?







"Spritz" on a sweet fragrance today that is pleasing to Christ.

Consider how you can "scent the grasses" in your life with God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

Think about the spiritual fragrance you have been wearing lately, and the impact it has on others.

Do you think God is pleased with your lingering fragrance?






2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (NIV)


Lord, teach me how to smell like You.

Top 10 CD's of all time ...OF ALL TIME!

Hey, it's Andy. Jenn (or J-izzle, as I call her) let me be a writer on her blog a long time ago and I have never posted. As I get ready to take a trip to Minnesota, I find myself (oddly) with some spare time. So as I procrastinate getting my son, Joash, packed and ready, I have been loading up a playlist on my phone for the 12 hour trip up north.

I did something I have never attempted before: Create a top 10 albums of all time (in my opinion, of course). Each has different meaning for me, and I will explain below.

before I get to that, I have to say that I am an "Album" guy. I like listening to a CD in its entirety because I know that is the way the artist intends it. They have placed each song in a particular order for a reason, and I enjoy being along for the ride as the album progresses. Consider it like a movie almost. You would rarely just watch one scene.... you've gotta take it all in.

My wife, however, is the opposite. She loves a hodge-podge of songs from all kinds of artists and just puts her zune on shuffle and has no problem. Me on the other hand, when I try to use "shuffle", I end up skipping past every song because I don't feel in the mood for it. It's a surprise I can handle listening to the radio, you may wonder, but once again radio is like an experience, adeptly programmed (hopefully!) to ebb and flow and you never really know what song may be next.

With that out of the way, Here is my all time top 10:

Wierd Al - Even Worse

This is the first piece of music I ever owned. I still remember getting this for christmas, in tape form! I couldn't wait to put it in my new tape player boombox! I didn't listen to popular radio as a kid (my parents only listened to oldies) - so for the most part I didn't even know what songs Wierd Al was parodying! To this day I usually still know the parody better than the original :)

Satudray night fever soundtrack

I stayed on that wierd al kick for years. Not much changed until Middle School, where I became best friends with a kid named Blake. he had me sign up for one of those music clubs where they would keep sending you CD's whether you liked it or not. He chose all 12 of the "free" cd's I got, most of it was really hard metal which I didn't like. One day we were at Kmart (which was by his house and we always ended up there when we were bored), and we saw a disco cd at the checkout for 6 bucks. Curious, we picked it up, and after listening to it Blake though it was awful. I, on the other hand, was in love. I bought lots of disco music after that, and my parents would even know if I were having girl problems because I would blast "I will survive" from my room to drown out my sorrows. I don't listen to much disco anymore, but I can get my boogie on with the best of them with the saturday night fever sountrack. I have never watched the movie, however.

wallflowers - bringing down the horse

This was one from my Jr. High days. I remember playing Quake (the PC game) with this CD in the computer. For whatever reason you could play a CD in the game and each level it would play a new track. Was it good music to kill aliens by? The jury is still out on that. But the music was so good it deserved to be heard. Maybe I enjoyed it so much because my dad always played dylan when I was a kid and his son was the lead singer of the wallflowers. Same unique voice, but you could actually understand what Jakob was singing (most of the time)

jars of clay - if I left the zoo

This was one of my first forays into christian music. The first christian cd I remember listening to is something from Al Denson, who played at a billy graham revival that came to our town. I don't like to count that because... well it's Al Denson. The second CD I had was Seltzer, which was a compilation cd that I loved falling asleep to (especially tracks 3&4 together were pretty mellow if I remember). I found out that one of the artists on that was Jars of Clay, and got a full CD of theirs. I know J-izzle doesn't understand my love for Jars, but if it wasn't for them... I don't know if I would be into christian music now.

Five iron Frenzy - the end is here

High school was really hit or miss with me music wise. on one hand, I still liked disco, which really hadn't been cool for over 20 years. on the other hand I was really digging bands like mighty mighty bosstones and reel big fish! I even remember that the cool high school kid in his lifted jeep was blasting "Sell out" and peeling out in the parking lot on the last day of school. I really couldn't believe a type of music I liked (Ska in this case) was cool?!? It didn't last long. But my love continued, and I found a christian band, Five Iron Frenzy, that honestly was better than anything else out there. I finally got to even see them on their farewell tour, and so I have to go with their final 2 cd set, which includes a live CD of their best hits. if you listen closely enough you can almost hear the securtiy guard yelling at my friends for dancing too wildly! :)

ATB- Seven years

I had a good friend in high school, and if you would have seen us hang out we didn't seem like we would be friends. It worked though. She made mention one time that she had never had a nickname before and would like one. so I nicknamed her "carrot".
This is why you never ask for a nickname :) . One day when we were hanging out, Carrot showed me some new music she got from i don't know where... We lived in a small town with two radio stations, country and oldies... so I don't remember where she said she discovered this guy. But she popped the CD in and I was instantly in love. It was a somehow even more dancier version of the disco I loved! Electronic with some really cool lady singing softly in the backfground! Carrot even showed me how to use glowsticks to make figure 8's in the dark. ATB was the first techno guy I listened to and started me down another rabbit hole of obscure music that isn't really mainstream. and I can still do figure 8's with glowsticks to this day :)

strokes - is this it

Now on to college. My radio career started here in the basement of the cafeteria where I played the worst music I could possibly find. Usually my friends would just grab CD's off the rack that the band either a) sounded dumb or b) looked dumb. So we ended up playing a LOT of 80's christian rock music. I did get my radio start there but no musical tastes were acquired through that. Somebody showed me The Strokes, and it was such a departure from what I had listened to before, that I really took to it, and it set me on a path of indie-sounding rock for a while which led me to:

Squad Five-0 - late news breaking

Maybe the band I was the biggest fanatic for (John reuben being a close second at the time) - my friends and I traveled 4 hours to see them at a big christian music festival called Lifelight. I had a friend that lived nearby so we stayed at her place as we spent all weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I don't remember any of the other bands, just how awesome Squad Five-O was. I ended up seeing them a few more times whenever they were near minnesota. And they had a song on a CD that almost seemed prophetic. Check out the "bombs over brodway" cd cover (left). And the lyrics from that song:

Midnight, New York City.
Broadway, going up in flames.
Ground zero, big city.
Big Apple swallowed by the flames.
Bombs away, we never saw it coming.
Bombs away, til the bombs started falling.
Down, to seal our fate.
No time to run, now it's too late.
Countdown 5-4-3-2-1.
The end is near baby here it comes.
The neon lights of the city burn.
And the sirens warn: 'Bombs over Broadway!'
Lady Liberty is laid to rest.
'Give me liberty or give me death.'
Her dream died with her last request.
She didn't expect bombs over Broadway.
So long Manhattan Island.
Our pride in you had no end.
New York, New York.
Our pride has done you in.
Lights out, New York City.
You were the first, but you won't be the last.

Freeky Deeky, huh? By the way this CD was released in 2000. Their sound progressed and they jumped off their christian label to go mainstream. It didn't work for them, but their last CD, Late News Breaking was like pure Rock and Roll candy.

Rancid - ...and out come the wolves

I actually can't remember when I found out about this CD. It was probably in High School when my friend Blake got into Punk music, and installed nice speakers in his crappy izusu pup pickup truck to blast it everywhere we went. I liked some punk, but most of it I didn't like the politicalness of it (which honestly is half of what makes punk punk ) and a lot of it seemed really... rough. just not appealing to my ears I guess. Enter Rancid. This is the quintessential Rancid CD. The other CD's of theirs before and after don't really sound like it, maybe this one was too poppy and they were losing their punk cred. But in the songs you will hear their struggles and stories with crazy good hooks that make you want to sing along the whole time! I still listen to this on road trips and pretend to drum on my wife's leg as she tries to sleep!

The Clash - combat rock

I believe it was my College roommate my freshman year that introduced me to "Better" punk rock. His name was Josh, and he was probably one of the biggest music lovers I have ever met. Most of the stuff he liked was still out of my taste range, but he introduced me to The Clash, and I loved it. The reason this cd makes my top list is one of the songs on the CD happened to be my and a girl I dated in College's song. It was called "should I stay or should I go"

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

That girl and I decided to "stay" and we are now married :)

Well that completes our musical Journey into the mind of Andy. Please exit on the right, and remember to pick up your belongings before exiting the platform. Feel free to make fun of my musical tastes in the comments below!

Isn't it About Time You Got Married?

I've got a few unanswered questions about my life. I'd like to know if I'll ever be a homemaker and homeowner. I'd like to know how to sell and buy, as well as manage maintenance on a car as a single woman. I'd like to know if I'll ever walk down the aisle as the main attraction instead of as a member of the supporting cast. I've discovered, though, that I rarely have to ask questions like this. There are plenty of other people in my life asking them for me.

At an event one evening, a mere acquaintance asked one. I heard his voice. "So, isn't it about time you got married?" Glancing left and right with the desperate hope that he was speaking to anyone else, I slowly looked up. Nope, I was the lucky target, and he hit the bull's-eye.

"Isn't it about time you got married?" He voiced one of those questions that lurks in the heart of every single adult who desires to be married. It resides next to half a dozen others we've been asked over the years--questions for which we either don't have the answers or don't like the answers:

•Do you have a boyfriend?

•You're a nice girl; why aren't you dating anyone?

•How's your love life?

•Are you looking for a husband?

•So, you're still single?

•Do you want to get married?

If you are single, you've fielded most of these and countless other remarks for which any answer seems inadequate. You've probably mastered the courtesy laugh and polite smile, and chances are you're an expert at shifting conversations away from your marital status.

While I laugh at both well-meaning friends and rude acquaintances for asking such bold things, they are really only voicing questions I have in my own head. I just don't ask them because I know there aren't answers.

If I'll marry, who I'll marry, when I'll marry, are some of God's question marks in my life, unknown obstacles in my race. That's the way God planned it. After wrestling repeatedly with these and other questions about singleness, I've resigned myself to the fact that God is the only One who knows the answers, and He's not telling. Most days I can live with that. Not everybody in my life has struggled through these issues, though, and so for them, I sometimes just don't fit into a preconceived mold.

To married friends and relatives, they sometimes look at us singles as if we should fit in a certain place. In attempts to make us fit, they often ask bold questions. At times they answer their own questions when our responses fall short of what they hoped to hear:

•God has someone very special for you.

•You just wait--your day is coming.

•You'll make somebody a perfect wife.

•He just doesn't know what he's missing.

•You never know who you'll meet.

•I hope you meet someone special; I really want you to be happy.

Begging the forgiveness of my friends and family, I don't have nearly as many problems with the unanswered questions in my life as I do with their answers! I wholeheartedly recognize their good intentions. They never mean to be invasive or rude; they really want only the best for me. I love them for it, and I've learned to laugh at them for it, too.

Like I said, most days I can live with God's absence of answers. But sometimes, I allow myself to listen to the well-meaning advice of bystanders, and I choose to hear their answers above the silence of God. When I filter their pieces of intended encouragement through my emotional sieve, I want to believe them. I want to take their statements as divine wisdom.

Maybe time will prove their words correct in my life, but I can't afford to live with that expectation. God really does have a better track record, just sayin.

Elf

Wow. Great movie & now it's all I can quote...


"THESE TOILET SEATS ARE GINORMOUS!!"

"Your a cotton-headed ninny-muggin." (A grade schoolers cursing)

"WOW! World's best cup of coffee!! Great job everyone!"

"Singing is just like talking you just move your voice up and down. Here, I'll show you."

"OH, I forgot to give you a hug!"

"Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?"

"Santa? I know him; I know him!"

"We elves try to stick to the 4 main food groups - Candy, candy canes, candy corn & syrup."

"You sit on a throne of lies."

"You smell like beef & cheese, you don't smell like Santa."

"You like sugar, don't you? Is there sugar in syrup? Yes... Then YES!"

"What are you doing? I'm shoppi- Get in here! You can shop on your break! I'm sorry, I didn't know-WELL YOU SHOULD'VE KNOWN!"

"I like your purple dress, it's very purple-y."

"Fransisco...Fransisco...that's a fun name...Fran-sis-co..."

"Why do you wear such a big coat? Do your friends wear big coats?"

"Guess what? I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!"

"Can I whisper too?"



**What's your fav quote?

Dreams...

So, I've been having the same dream every few nights for about a year. Yeah. It's about me saying goodnight to my husband, then the next morning I find him dead. The next scene is him in the ambulance and me sitting next to him with both of our cell phones in my lap, about to call our bosses to tell them we won't be in that day. The next scene is doctors guiding me into the morgue. I haven't seen who the guy is up to this point. They lift the cover from his face & I cry and say that's him. It scared me in the dream, because I know this guy. The next scene is the funeral. I'm in the front row, head bowed. All the pallbearers get the casket ready to go & the next thing I know, I'm looking toward the back of the church and there's the silhouette of me & him walking outside, hand in hand.

After over a year, you'd think something would happen. I'd talk to him about it. He'd have a life or death experience or something, but nothing has happened. I came across this definition today:

Recurring nightmares -
Most people occasionally experience the same dream over and over. This is usually a signal that your subconscious mind is trying to send you a message. When you understand the message, and do something about it, the dream will change or end. Scary dreams are a way of generating excitement so you will be more honest with yourself. They should not be feared, but rather welcomed as helpful hints toward a better life.


A message? Ok, not getting it. If I got the message, then I could try to do something about it...then it would change or end...Be more honest with myself? About what?

Now, I'm more confused than before. Any ideas?

"I Love You"

Here are some simple ideas on things you could say to your spouse to tell them "I Love You". If you're not married, practice some of them on your parents or friends:


You look great tonight.
That was a wonderful meal.
Thank you for not getting mad at me.
You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
You're a great listener.
I really appreciate the way you spend time with my parents.
Thanks for being honest with me.
That's a great idea.
I enjoy spending time with you.
Congratulations! I'm taking you out to dinner to celebrate.
Before I met you, my life was boring.
So what if they didn't like your idea? I thought it was great.
You're the best husband in the whole world.
I hope our boys marry girls just like their mother.
I bought this just for you. I hope you like it.
Thanks for laughing at my corny jokes.
You're a big help around the house.
I'm looking forward to growing old with you.
You deserve a kiss.
I'm so proud of you.
You've got a great sense of humor.
You are the reason I'm excited about the future.
That's a great idea. How did you think of it?
I'm glad you were right about that.
Thank you for working so hard for our family.
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world.
When I think of you, I can't help smiling.
I'm glad I said, "I do."
Somebody ought to make a movie of our marriage. It would make a great romantic comedy.
You're more beautiful today than you were the day we got married.
I'm so glad God brought us together.
Have I told you lately how much I love you?
I still believe in you.


Now, you have no excuse to not spread the love!

So I got a call....

The other day I got a call from an old friend in Tulsa. They said, "Just felt like I should call you and tell you that even though we don't get to talk much, I'm praying for you everyday. You are loved. I'm so proud of you and I'm excited to watch (even if from afar) all that God is doing in your life!"

Hmmmm.

That was out of the blue.

Honestly though, it made my day. My day wasn't horrible before. It was actually pretty good.

It made me think, though, what can I do to change someones day? A phone call is not rocket science. I could do that. It's these simple things that make people's days and puts a smile on their face for the remainder of the day. I think Jesus went out of His way all the time to do little things. I think it was at the front of His mind to be kind and to love. I'm learning to pay attention more and to get creative.


Check out a phrase I heard this week: "You don't love God if you're not hiding God's Word in your heart."

I want my time with God to mean something and to show. I want to love God so much, that I love others in the process. So, watch out - I might be calling you soon! Or maybe kidnapping you would be a better way to convey his love...?



What can you do to impact someone today?

Post-Restorationist Perspectives: Giving away 3 more copies of "Drops Like Stars" by Rob Bell

Win a copy of Rob Bell's new book!

Post-Restorationist Perspectives: Giving away 3 more copies of "Drops Like Stars" by Rob Bell

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

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

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.

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

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.

Give This Christmas Away

I love Christmas. I love the oppurtunity to give. That's one of the reasons I love Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child. We at The House FMPraise 88.7 will be a part of this again this year. Keep checking our website, http://www.thehousefm.com/thehouse.asp, for more info on how you can get involved with a simple shoe box.

This is a video I came across today and I just loved the message:

Refiner & Purifier

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered,'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Are you up for an evaluation or review?

We all get nervous when we know that time is coming, here's some humor to lighten it up a bit...


These are actual quotes taken from federal government employee performance evaluations:


1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."

2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."

3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't-be."

4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."

5. "When he opens his mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."

6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."

7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."

8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."

9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts the better."

10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together."

11. "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."

12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."

13. "I would like to go hunting with him sometime."

14. "He's been working with glue too much."

15. "He would argue with a signpost."

16. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."

17. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."

18. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."

19. "A photographic memory but with the lens cap glued on."

20. "A prime candidate doe natural de-selection."

21. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."

22. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."

23. "He's got two brain cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."

24. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."

25. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change."

26. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."

27. "One neuron short of a synapse."

28. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."

29. "It takes him 2 hours to watch 60-minutes."

30. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead."

To everyone who has ever had an evaluation - just remember, it could have been worse...

Remembering 9/11

Wow, it doesn't seem like it's been 8 years already. I remember I was at home doing school when my Mom was talking loudly on the phone to someone in the Living room. My brother and I walked in there and saw her watching the news and talking to my Dad on the phone. She was saying, "It looks like a horrible movie, surely this isn't really happening..."

I remember going to Walmart that day and everyone's attitude was different. People were more aware of others, nicer even. Everyone was really protective, though. People were walking around just to have something to do. They were really apt to talk too. There was an older lady who stopped us in an isle and talked about her daughter, who was in New York that week, and how she couldn't get a hold of her. We prayed with her right there in the pop isle of Walmart!


Such a tragic day that has marred so many lives. This day always has kind of a grey cloud hanging over it. I don't know about you, but that makes me look to God even more. Only He can heal our pain and be our Ultimate Comforter. Look for that peace that surpasses understanding today.

Prayer for today:
We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people
who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.

We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.
We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.
You have turned our grief into determination.
We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.

Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—
a people endowed with abundant blessings.
Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand
with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.

Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.

The wedding dress that keeps on going, and going and going…

No runaway bride here: A Chinese woman recently broke the record for the longest wedding train. The 1.2-mile-long train took 200 guests a whopping three hours to unroll. And in case the thing wasn’t obvious enough on its own, it was adorned with 9,999 silk red roses.




Wow, if you don't want to be able to move on your wedding day, here ya go...

Scripture for the Week (Weak)

"God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgement Day - our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life - fear of death, fear of judgement - is one not yet fully formed in love." 1 John 4:16-18 (MSG)