"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." Hebrews 10:23-24
Current Mood: great
Current Music: It's the Best Day Ever..........Spongebob
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Yay!!!
I AM a Christmas Sweater! I completely agree!
And while I don't know what my future husband's name is yet, I DO know he's a vision in a tacky Christmas sweater, with the retarded Santa's hat he wears all day on Christmas!
And while I don't know what my future husband's name is yet, I DO know he's a vision in a tacky Christmas sweater, with the retarded Santa's hat he wears all day on Christmas!
STOP You Ascalray Attsflay ooglegay adway
| You Are a Christmas Sweater! |
 Over the top, colorful, and totally flashy. You're not afraid to be a little tacky. |
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thoughts
I love days like this. Laid back. Dinner definitely hit the spot! This is one of those meals that Brian would have LOVED. And we'd be cuddling on the couch right now after stuffing ourselves silly. I really don't feel so sad, though. It is reallly amazing how much healing and resting the Lord can provide if you let Him. There are times when I get really frustrated with waiting, as I am so used to moving forward a hundred miles an hour, but when I look back at how far I've come since May, I can see why I am waiting. It is so I can catch my breath.
I've been meditating a lot on God's plan for me. I love those moments when I ask a question and it immediately gets answered the second I open the Bible. My questions always get answered, but sometimes it is later in the day or a few days later. I love it when you ask and then you open up to the answer. There are times when I want to help the Lord and it all falls apart and then there are times when I am usually not even trying, and He uses me to help someone. I immediately opened to Matthew 6:1. "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in Heaven."
There is so much work to be done in this world and it is frustrating at times to feel held back, chomping at the bit. Lisa has been meditating a lot on Abraham lately and something she said kind of sparked something in me, which was, look how long Abraham had to wait, how many trials he had to endure because of his lack of faith. He failed to wait on the Lord's promise about Isaac and rushed into taking things into his own hands with Hagar. It seemed like every time Abraham took a step forward, he messed things up and had to take a step back. He lied more than once about Sarah being his wife, saying she was his sister because he didn't trust the Lord that he would be kept safe. But even though Abraham screwed things up time and time again, the Lord kept after him. Finally, when Abraham started getting things right, he was able to offer his beloved son as a sacrifce because he finally completely trusted the Lord's promise about multiplying his descendents through Isaac. He knew that wouldn't happen if Isaac were dead, so either the Lord was going to stop the sacrifice before he went through with it or resurrect his son.
Few of us are called to demonstrate faith to that extreme, but how many of us don't even have faith in His little promises? Promises that bills will be paid, or waiting for the right job, the right house or even the right relationship. Relationships especially. How many people are so scared of dying alone or not having kids that they run out and start looking on their own, without letting the Lord do the work, and end up settling or getting themselves in a relationship that should never have happened. I was so guilty of that. There is a lot of pressure, though, if you keep your eyes on the world and not on the Lord. Pressure to have it all. NOW! Pressure to have the kids, doing it yourself if you have to, to have a house by age 35, to have your 401K in order, a college degree, loans paid, IRAs in place...I can't stress enough how nice it is not to have to worry about that stuff now. I am not knocking myself out anymore.
Look at the people that do stress about that stuff and then die of a heart attack even before they retire. What was all of the worry about if they weren't even going to be able to enjoy it? I'm not saying to not plan for the future. I've just found it easier to let God do the planning. I pray with my list, "Okay, Lord, this would be nice, I like this, and that's cool too. Can we do it?" He says, "Umm, hon, do you remember how you thought tucking your socks into your pants was really cool in like the 8th grade? Or how about Bobby? Remember him? Yeah, I bet you're glad I didn't answer THAT prayer!!! Yeah, well, this idea is kind of like that. We'll just wait a little until your tastes improve and mature a bit."
I've been meditating a lot on God's plan for me. I love those moments when I ask a question and it immediately gets answered the second I open the Bible. My questions always get answered, but sometimes it is later in the day or a few days later. I love it when you ask and then you open up to the answer. There are times when I want to help the Lord and it all falls apart and then there are times when I am usually not even trying, and He uses me to help someone. I immediately opened to Matthew 6:1. "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in Heaven."
There is so much work to be done in this world and it is frustrating at times to feel held back, chomping at the bit. Lisa has been meditating a lot on Abraham lately and something she said kind of sparked something in me, which was, look how long Abraham had to wait, how many trials he had to endure because of his lack of faith. He failed to wait on the Lord's promise about Isaac and rushed into taking things into his own hands with Hagar. It seemed like every time Abraham took a step forward, he messed things up and had to take a step back. He lied more than once about Sarah being his wife, saying she was his sister because he didn't trust the Lord that he would be kept safe. But even though Abraham screwed things up time and time again, the Lord kept after him. Finally, when Abraham started getting things right, he was able to offer his beloved son as a sacrifce because he finally completely trusted the Lord's promise about multiplying his descendents through Isaac. He knew that wouldn't happen if Isaac were dead, so either the Lord was going to stop the sacrifice before he went through with it or resurrect his son.
Few of us are called to demonstrate faith to that extreme, but how many of us don't even have faith in His little promises? Promises that bills will be paid, or waiting for the right job, the right house or even the right relationship. Relationships especially. How many people are so scared of dying alone or not having kids that they run out and start looking on their own, without letting the Lord do the work, and end up settling or getting themselves in a relationship that should never have happened. I was so guilty of that. There is a lot of pressure, though, if you keep your eyes on the world and not on the Lord. Pressure to have it all. NOW! Pressure to have the kids, doing it yourself if you have to, to have a house by age 35, to have your 401K in order, a college degree, loans paid, IRAs in place...I can't stress enough how nice it is not to have to worry about that stuff now. I am not knocking myself out anymore.
Look at the people that do stress about that stuff and then die of a heart attack even before they retire. What was all of the worry about if they weren't even going to be able to enjoy it? I'm not saying to not plan for the future. I've just found it easier to let God do the planning. I pray with my list, "Okay, Lord, this would be nice, I like this, and that's cool too. Can we do it?" He says, "Umm, hon, do you remember how you thought tucking your socks into your pants was really cool in like the 8th grade? Or how about Bobby? Remember him? Yeah, I bet you're glad I didn't answer THAT prayer!!! Yeah, well, this idea is kind of like that. We'll just wait a little until your tastes improve and mature a bit."
Afternoon Update
If only you could smell the chicken and dumplings cooking right now!
Today is a nice quiet day. It is even quiet online! Just a few new messages on myspace. One from an 18 year old. Very Christian, too. Too bad he is so young! :) He thinks I am cute! Awwwww! Maybe by the time I am 40, I'll stop being cute! Maybe not. Whenever I see Sally Fields on tv, I can't help but think she is just as cute now as she was on Gidget.
I am watching Step by Step right now. One of my favorite shows.
And what is up with people over the age of 18 using UR, or cuz, or a combination of letters and numbers when IMing? It drives me crazy. Would it be so difficult to type You are? If you have enough time to pimp your myspace, then you have enough time to complete your words. ESPECIALLY if you are over the age of ummm say 18!!! Kind of forgivable if you are under the age of 22. It also drives me crazy when adults call their parents "rents." Maybe if I didn't work with middle schoolers, I wouldn't mind so much.
Today is a nice quiet day. It is even quiet online! Just a few new messages on myspace. One from an 18 year old. Very Christian, too. Too bad he is so young! :) He thinks I am cute! Awwwww! Maybe by the time I am 40, I'll stop being cute! Maybe not. Whenever I see Sally Fields on tv, I can't help but think she is just as cute now as she was on Gidget.
I am watching Step by Step right now. One of my favorite shows.
And what is up with people over the age of 18 using UR, or cuz, or a combination of letters and numbers when IMing? It drives me crazy. Would it be so difficult to type You are? If you have enough time to pimp your myspace, then you have enough time to complete your words. ESPECIALLY if you are over the age of ummm say 18!!! Kind of forgivable if you are under the age of 22. It also drives me crazy when adults call their parents "rents." Maybe if I didn't work with middle schoolers, I wouldn't mind so much.
11/10/2006
I can't believe it is almost 1 PM! I woke up. Relaxed a little. Talked with Debi on the phone. Went to the grocery store and now I am back home. We're cleaning up a little, watching Kindergarten Cop, and I am going to start the chicken and dumplings.
The Wizard of Oz is on tonight. Yay!! I know, I have no life. This is where God wants me right now! :)
Have any of you noticed the cool new toys there are in the world now? Man, I wish I was a kid again! There is an awesome battery operated green Vespa that I would have soooooo wanted. Now, I guess I'll have to settle for the grown up version. I also want Moon Sand and an Aquadoodle.
The Wizard of Oz is on tonight. Yay!! I know, I have no life. This is where God wants me right now! :)
Have any of you noticed the cool new toys there are in the world now? Man, I wish I was a kid again! There is an awesome battery operated green Vespa that I would have soooooo wanted. Now, I guess I'll have to settle for the grown up version. I also want Moon Sand and an Aquadoodle.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Thursday Is My Friday This Week
It was a crazy night at the center tonight! Super busy!!! I am so glad I have tomorrow off. I have to buy dog food and cat food tomorrow. Crazy to run out of both in the same night. What the hey? Eragon is already a MOVIE? The book didn't come out that long ago. Great book, btw.
My prayers tonight are for all of my friends and family of course, but also for Teresa's new job and for Debi to find peace with her existing job or to provide her with some idea of what God has next for her. And Tanya...you've been quiet. I hope you're just busy. Will, I hope you're working on our coffee shop! :) Eric, I know what you're doing...I may have to adopt your rotating closet theory, if you don't mind.
Right now I am waiting for The OC. I can't believe how addicted I am to this show. I just love Seth Cohen. I love goofy guys like that. Guys that are cute, but in a geeky kind of video game/computer/comic book kind of way, with good senses of humor. Maybe because some of my favorite weekends ever are ones spent playing video games with the kids, although they've banned me for life from playing Grand Theft Auto. I totally kick butt at that old Atari game Breakout. Zach is always like, I can't believe I was just beat by my MOM!
My prayers tonight are for all of my friends and family of course, but also for Teresa's new job and for Debi to find peace with her existing job or to provide her with some idea of what God has next for her. And Tanya...you've been quiet. I hope you're just busy. Will, I hope you're working on our coffee shop! :) Eric, I know what you're doing...I may have to adopt your rotating closet theory, if you don't mind.
Right now I am waiting for The OC. I can't believe how addicted I am to this show. I just love Seth Cohen. I love goofy guys like that. Guys that are cute, but in a geeky kind of video game/computer/comic book kind of way, with good senses of humor. Maybe because some of my favorite weekends ever are ones spent playing video games with the kids, although they've banned me for life from playing Grand Theft Auto. I totally kick butt at that old Atari game Breakout. Zach is always like, I can't believe I was just beat by my MOM!
Pastor Bryon
There is a blog I read from time to time. Pastor Bryon at a Calvary Chapel (Jupiter, I think) in Flordia.
At first, I didn't like him because I may have falsely interpretted what may or may not have been a disparaging remark about my pastor, Ken Graves. But, he kind of grew on me and I do enjoy his thought process on his blog. Anyway, I just want to say how nice it is to witness a pastor who is open about his own struggles with faith and what it means to be called to Christ.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
At first, I didn't like him because I may have falsely interpretted what may or may not have been a disparaging remark about my pastor, Ken Graves. But, he kind of grew on me and I do enjoy his thought process on his blog. Anyway, I just want to say how nice it is to witness a pastor who is open about his own struggles with faith and what it means to be called to Christ.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
November 9, 2006
Church was much needed last night. That girl I met last week was there again. We are slowly learning a little more about each other's lives, but the reason why we aren't rushing to tell each other details is because we are being blown away by how God is speaking to each of us, giving us messages for each other. If we knew the details, this experience would lose its credibility. So last night, she relayed to me a message from God. She said that all day Monday, she could not get me off of her mind and felt, after meeting me, that there was still this feeling, this blackness, that I felt like I wasn't good enough. God wanted her to relay to me that that is completely untrue. He sees. He said all of those thoughts are garbage. He does not want me to settle. In fact, He told Lisa to tell me that He is jealous for me in this area in my life. He wants me to wait because what He has planned for me is very amazing. This is the second time (and almost verbatim) that I've heard this. Once was from Pastor Jim and now I was hearing it from Lisa. I love hearing about "my husband". The man who God has created for me. They are very specific about him being a true disciple of God and how my past is going to be used to help other women that are in the situation that I was. God knows my strength and my heart and wants more than anything that I let Him carry the load from now on. He knows I can carry a heavy load, but it is breaking His heart that I feel I have to.
So right now, I am a happy kind of sad. I'm so happy that I feel this close with my Father, but at the same time, sad that I've wasted so much time with those thoughts swirling around my head.
So right now, I am a happy kind of sad. I'm so happy that I feel this close with my Father, but at the same time, sad that I've wasted so much time with those thoughts swirling around my head.
Crazy Eights
Teaching is just my cover...really we run a huge gambling racket. My friends call me "Jenny Blue Eyes."
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Gracie
My niece Gracie. This was taken when I was sick and pale and tired looking. BUT Gracie looks sweet!
Steven Tyler
I'm just sitting here missing summer and I was going through my 4th of July pictures. Remember when I met Steven Tyler and he asked me to marry him?
Okay, so I didn't meet him but I did get close enough to get great pictures! I can't wait until Boston 2007!
Okay, so I didn't meet him but I did get close enough to get great pictures! I can't wait until Boston 2007!
WTF????
How did the google ad "Rascal Flatts" show up on my blog? I go from Jesus camp to Rascal Flatts? Must have been the post about the table saw.
Why You Should Never...
teach your kids to talk.
So at the doctor's yesterday, the doctor was asking Zach questions that were on a checklist for his sports physical. Have you ever had one of the following: Fever, yes. Sore throat, yes. Heart palpitations, no. Dizziness, no. Fainting, no. Seizures, no. So I'm just sort of listening to Zach answer the questions. It is obvious my 12 year old has the situation under control. Next question. Near death experience. (This is where I wait for the no.) He says, Twice. This is where I snap to.
Me: WHAT? NONE!
Zach: YES! Mom, I nearly died twice!
Me: Okay, Zach, when did you nearly die and how could I have missed that?
Zach: You remember that time I was carrying the table saw blade out to Dad and I tripped on the step. It almost cut my face off!
Me: (To Zach) It never touched you! (To the doctor) It never touched him. There was no blood. Honestly, I don't know where he gets this stuff.
Doctor: You said 2 times.
Zach: Well, I did drive the car into a sign once.
Head injurys, the doctor asks? Several, I answer. Memory loss? I like to call it presidential eligibility.
Yeah, it was a LOOOOONG day! Today, I am going to get my latte. Do laundry. I was up until 2 AM last night. And I was rudely awakened by obnoxious children fighting whilst getting ready for school at 6:30 AM. I was contemplating going back to bed, but I'll be dragging butt all day if I do that. I'll just go to bed early tonight. The OC is on tonight AND tomorrow night. I have church tonight, too.
So at the doctor's yesterday, the doctor was asking Zach questions that were on a checklist for his sports physical. Have you ever had one of the following: Fever, yes. Sore throat, yes. Heart palpitations, no. Dizziness, no. Fainting, no. Seizures, no. So I'm just sort of listening to Zach answer the questions. It is obvious my 12 year old has the situation under control. Next question. Near death experience. (This is where I wait for the no.) He says, Twice. This is where I snap to.
Me: WHAT? NONE!
Zach: YES! Mom, I nearly died twice!
Me: Okay, Zach, when did you nearly die and how could I have missed that?
Zach: You remember that time I was carrying the table saw blade out to Dad and I tripped on the step. It almost cut my face off!
Me: (To Zach) It never touched you! (To the doctor) It never touched him. There was no blood. Honestly, I don't know where he gets this stuff.
Doctor: You said 2 times.
Zach: Well, I did drive the car into a sign once.
Head injurys, the doctor asks? Several, I answer. Memory loss? I like to call it presidential eligibility.
Yeah, it was a LOOOOONG day! Today, I am going to get my latte. Do laundry. I was up until 2 AM last night. And I was rudely awakened by obnoxious children fighting whilst getting ready for school at 6:30 AM. I was contemplating going back to bed, but I'll be dragging butt all day if I do that. I'll just go to bed early tonight. The OC is on tonight AND tomorrow night. I have church tonight, too.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
November 7, 2006
I knew I could do it! Post three times on a crazy busy day, that is!
Zach and I were at the doctors for 3 hours. He just made it to practice. I was about a 1/2 hour late to work.
The whole day was kind of draining and went by very quickly.
I can't sleep!!! It is 11:30. Good thing I can sleep in tomorrow. Would Britney's real hair PLEASE stand up? In the last 3 days, I've seen it black and short, blond and short, and blond and long.......more Britney news...she has filed for divorce. Man, I am shocked! Didn't see that coming!
I hope we all rocked the vote today.
I should probably call it a night and at least get some reading done. I've been emailing tonight with my cousin Jeremiah and catching up with some other friends.
I'm stressing a little tonight about work...more importantly about what I am going to do in August when my contract runs out. The Lord has been kind of quiet. I know I shouldn't be stressing, but where do I go? When you can go anywhere in the world, where do you go? Somehow I just don't see myself giving child to Sambo in Ghana, but hey, now that Britney's free, maybe things will get interesting for poor Sambo.
Maybe I'll just become a recluse blogger and spend my days watching infomercials. This just in...the new Incredible Hulk movie will be released in 2008. Maybe NOW I can sleep! Who really cares about 2008? I'll be old. My cat will have multiplied to about 300 by then. So will have Britney. Tomkat? Brangelina? Why does the press do that to names? I broke up with Todd when our names started sounding like a drink! I'll have a Jenn and Todd please...on the rocks.
New things I've learned about myspace...there are a lot of sick school teacher fanastys out there! My friends DID have the song "Hot for Teacher" dedicated to me during my graduation party, so there is a bitter irony to it all. A recent compliment I received was, "It's nice to meet someone who isn't a walking STD."
Zach and I were at the doctors for 3 hours. He just made it to practice. I was about a 1/2 hour late to work.
The whole day was kind of draining and went by very quickly.
I can't sleep!!! It is 11:30. Good thing I can sleep in tomorrow. Would Britney's real hair PLEASE stand up? In the last 3 days, I've seen it black and short, blond and short, and blond and long.......more Britney news...she has filed for divorce. Man, I am shocked! Didn't see that coming!
I hope we all rocked the vote today.
I should probably call it a night and at least get some reading done. I've been emailing tonight with my cousin Jeremiah and catching up with some other friends.
I'm stressing a little tonight about work...more importantly about what I am going to do in August when my contract runs out. The Lord has been kind of quiet. I know I shouldn't be stressing, but where do I go? When you can go anywhere in the world, where do you go? Somehow I just don't see myself giving child to Sambo in Ghana, but hey, now that Britney's free, maybe things will get interesting for poor Sambo.
Maybe I'll just become a recluse blogger and spend my days watching infomercials. This just in...the new Incredible Hulk movie will be released in 2008. Maybe NOW I can sleep! Who really cares about 2008? I'll be old. My cat will have multiplied to about 300 by then. So will have Britney. Tomkat? Brangelina? Why does the press do that to names? I broke up with Todd when our names started sounding like a drink! I'll have a Jenn and Todd please...on the rocks.
New things I've learned about myspace...there are a lot of sick school teacher fanastys out there! My friends DID have the song "Hot for Teacher" dedicated to me during my graduation party, so there is a bitter irony to it all. A recent compliment I received was, "It's nice to meet someone who isn't a walking STD."
Maybe...
...just maybe...I might be able to squeeze three in today after all!
"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."
Jeremiah 32:17
This keeps being brought to my attention lately. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. Look at the amazing changes that have happened with my life in just a short time. It is okay to let go. To let go of your hopes and dreams you may still be clinging to. Even though you may want God's will in your life, you may be clinging to some of the past because you're worried if you take your attention away from that, it will be a sign to God that you really weren't that sincere about it. However, it is okay to let those dreams die because they will either be replaced with newer and even better dreams that you've never thought possible, or God will resurrect your old hopes and dreams because He has the power of resurrection. First, you need to give them all over to Him and then just trust Him. Wait on Him. For me, life is much easier when I am waiting on Him than when He is waiting on me. He's had to do that an awful lot.
When an almost complete stranger (we just knew names) comes up to me and says, "Jenn, the Lord is hearing your prayers. You might not feel like He is listening right now, but He wants you to know He hasn't left. Just wait. He knows you let it go and He wants me to remind you that He has the power to resurrect it again. Just watch." it is pretty thrilling. It is unfortunate that all of my friends whom are into the paranormal and the supernatural are missing out on the greatest experiences ever. They're hanging out in haunted spaces, watching for ghosts and evidence of the paranormal, searching to fill a void in their lives or for proof that there is something bigger than them, when this is right in front of them. This can be theirs. All they have to do is accept it. Try it. It amazes me the things they'll drink, eat or smoke for an experience like I am having right now, completely drug-free, but I'm the crazy one...Riiiiiight. This can't kill me. In fact, it is just the opposite.
"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."
Jeremiah 32:17
This keeps being brought to my attention lately. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. Look at the amazing changes that have happened with my life in just a short time. It is okay to let go. To let go of your hopes and dreams you may still be clinging to. Even though you may want God's will in your life, you may be clinging to some of the past because you're worried if you take your attention away from that, it will be a sign to God that you really weren't that sincere about it. However, it is okay to let those dreams die because they will either be replaced with newer and even better dreams that you've never thought possible, or God will resurrect your old hopes and dreams because He has the power of resurrection. First, you need to give them all over to Him and then just trust Him. Wait on Him. For me, life is much easier when I am waiting on Him than when He is waiting on me. He's had to do that an awful lot.
When an almost complete stranger (we just knew names) comes up to me and says, "Jenn, the Lord is hearing your prayers. You might not feel like He is listening right now, but He wants you to know He hasn't left. Just wait. He knows you let it go and He wants me to remind you that He has the power to resurrect it again. Just watch." it is pretty thrilling. It is unfortunate that all of my friends whom are into the paranormal and the supernatural are missing out on the greatest experiences ever. They're hanging out in haunted spaces, watching for ghosts and evidence of the paranormal, searching to fill a void in their lives or for proof that there is something bigger than them, when this is right in front of them. This can be theirs. All they have to do is accept it. Try it. It amazes me the things they'll drink, eat or smoke for an experience like I am having right now, completely drug-free, but I'm the crazy one...Riiiiiight. This can't kill me. In fact, it is just the opposite.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)