Happy Wednesday!! I hope you are all doing well! Lately, I have been thinking about worship. When we were in YWAM, Dean Harbry would say "There are only two times to worship, when you feel like and when you don't." (Thank you, Dean!)
Worship can help us get out of a funk, stop our "belly-button" perspective ~ where our focus is only about us and our stuff ~ and gives us an awesome opportunity to tell God about our love, thankfulness and to praise Him for who He is and all He does for us. Worship also brings focus and clarity.
I think that worship is a tool we can use to enter the presence of God and allow us to bless Him, honor Him and humble ourselves at His feet. It is a place where God can touch places in our heart and bring peace, hope, joy and a knowledge of how big our God is!
Worship has less to do with the music and more to do with the heart. I may not "like" a song, but if my heart is in a place of worship I can can connect with the Living, Loving God. Worship, for me, has been a game-changer in my attitude, actions, thoughts and perspective.
Here are a few verses:
"Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name." Psalm 141:7
"Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is He who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies."
2 Kings 17:39
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care." Psalm 95:1-7
"I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise." Psalm 101:1
The way we live is also worship.
" Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in the view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God ~ this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" James 3:9-11
Worship is not about just sitting around singing songs and being ineffective in our day-to-day lives. Worship, like God, is multi-faceted...singing songs of worship can change our hearts so we can live a life of worship!
Put on your favorite worship CD, crank it up and praise your Mighty God!!!
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
You may have known that I have been sick with a head cold/cough thing and I was able to rest the last two days and I am starting to feel better. Woohoo! I had yesterday off from work for an appointment with my neurologist.
It has been about a year since I was in the middle of two scary medical mysteries and tons of tests. I was officially diagnosed with MS in May. Of course, I was shaken to my core and am still trying to find my balance. The good news is that it has answered a lot of questions I had through the years. It looks like I had it for about 13/14 years and didn't know.
Another good thing is I saw how God had been leading me in some decisions in terms of diet and exercise that I think, long term, have kept me healthier. I have had to learn some triggers and be proactive with choices and decisions.
I have gotten overwhelmed with what the future could look like and had to dig deep into what I know about my Living, Loving God, my family and my friends!
Each time I go to the MS doctor or limp or can't find the word I want to say I am faced with the reality of my life. There are times I still am caught off guard with it and surprised that I can get so emotional. Even yesterday at the doctors, I hate that!
There are things in our lives that we didn't "sign-up" for. Things we wish we didn't have to walk through. When I get angry or resentful of a situation I am reminded about how we are co-heirs with Christ in both His sufferings and ressurection. We were told that we would be tested. We were told the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us.
So, my question is what are we allowing ourselves to stay focused on? The suffering or the ressurection? It is common for us to focus on the bad. It's a very human thing to do, we all do it. How about Job's wife telling him to curse God and die. Elijah hiding under the tree and wanting to die.
It may have not been our choosing to be walking through what we are, but we do have the choice in how we handle it. We can walk in the grace and power that God gives us or we can wallow in despair of our own strength and hopelessness.
My desire is to walk with grace through the different seasons of my life and see that power not only transform me, but the people who may be watching.
Romans 6:4
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
May that power that is in you ~ strengthen you for whatever it is that you are walking through!!!
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
It has been about a year since I was in the middle of two scary medical mysteries and tons of tests. I was officially diagnosed with MS in May. Of course, I was shaken to my core and am still trying to find my balance. The good news is that it has answered a lot of questions I had through the years. It looks like I had it for about 13/14 years and didn't know.
Another good thing is I saw how God had been leading me in some decisions in terms of diet and exercise that I think, long term, have kept me healthier. I have had to learn some triggers and be proactive with choices and decisions.
I have gotten overwhelmed with what the future could look like and had to dig deep into what I know about my Living, Loving God, my family and my friends!
Each time I go to the MS doctor or limp or can't find the word I want to say I am faced with the reality of my life. There are times I still am caught off guard with it and surprised that I can get so emotional. Even yesterday at the doctors, I hate that!
There are things in our lives that we didn't "sign-up" for. Things we wish we didn't have to walk through. When I get angry or resentful of a situation I am reminded about how we are co-heirs with Christ in both His sufferings and ressurection. We were told that we would be tested. We were told the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us.
So, my question is what are we allowing ourselves to stay focused on? The suffering or the ressurection? It is common for us to focus on the bad. It's a very human thing to do, we all do it. How about Job's wife telling him to curse God and die. Elijah hiding under the tree and wanting to die.
It may have not been our choosing to be walking through what we are, but we do have the choice in how we handle it. We can walk in the grace and power that God gives us or we can wallow in despair of our own strength and hopelessness.
My desire is to walk with grace through the different seasons of my life and see that power not only transform me, but the people who may be watching.
Romans 6:4
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
May that power that is in you ~ strengthen you for whatever it is that you are walking through!!!
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
Monday, March 19, 2012
stepping forward...
What's up, Buttercup?!? No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...I hope you guys are well. The new job is kicking my butt and I'm trying to figure out this new schedule.
Yesterday, Sunday, the kids were watching "Happy Feet 2" and I was in and out getting ready for a wedding. At the end of the movie they were all stomping and dancing and this big seal guy started going backwards and his friend sorta yelled at him, not understanding what he was doing. He replied"
"Sometimes you have to go backward to move forward."
I have felt like that, although I don't think it was always a conscience choice on my part. I think I have felt it was more forced on me, at times, by other people's choices, situations or unhealthy behavior patterns that forced those times in my life.
Through the years I have thought of Abraham, where God calls him to collect all his stuff and family and take off to this great place of promise that God has for him. Or Moses leading the Israelites through the desert. There was a direct route they could have taken that would have brought them to their promised land in a much shorter time, instead God brought them on this trek that lasted years.
In both of these lives there were set-backs, personal and corporate losses, victories, failures and in the end seeing God's hand on all of it.
I think for me right now, I am stepping back only to get ready to move forward!!
I am clinging to: "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6
I need to know that all of this is for a purpose and God is really in control...NOT sickness, people's stupid choices, situations or even my bad decisions/choices. That God is sovereign and has my back and my front and my sides, and that He is not at all ruffled by what is freaking me out!
Looking back over the things we have already walked through, I can see God's hand when at the time I wasn't too sure He was there. I am holding onto that knowledge and comfort during this time.
So, no matter where you are in your life at this moment...packing for an adventure, lost in the desert, facing a failure, rejoicing in a victory or stepping back and getting ready to move forward. Know in your heart of hearts that God is with you, He is sovereign and in control. He will finish His work in you.
The hard part is not knowing what that "finished work" looks like until we are out of the process, look back and see God's Hand directing, protecting, molding and sometimes correcting us.
Each day, each step may be made in confidence of Who God is! The trick, I'm finding, is not focusing on the difficulty of the step or that you really don't want to take the step, but focusing on Who has the plan. I like the line in the new "Karate Kid" where Jackie Chan tells him: "You're focus needs more focus."
I pray that you know the confidence and comfort that God is with you today, whatever that looks like for you! Let's have our focus get more focus.
Have a fab day!!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
Yesterday, Sunday, the kids were watching "Happy Feet 2" and I was in and out getting ready for a wedding. At the end of the movie they were all stomping and dancing and this big seal guy started going backwards and his friend sorta yelled at him, not understanding what he was doing. He replied"
"Sometimes you have to go backward to move forward."
I have felt like that, although I don't think it was always a conscience choice on my part. I think I have felt it was more forced on me, at times, by other people's choices, situations or unhealthy behavior patterns that forced those times in my life.
Through the years I have thought of Abraham, where God calls him to collect all his stuff and family and take off to this great place of promise that God has for him. Or Moses leading the Israelites through the desert. There was a direct route they could have taken that would have brought them to their promised land in a much shorter time, instead God brought them on this trek that lasted years.
In both of these lives there were set-backs, personal and corporate losses, victories, failures and in the end seeing God's hand on all of it.
I think for me right now, I am stepping back only to get ready to move forward!!
I am clinging to: "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6
I need to know that all of this is for a purpose and God is really in control...NOT sickness, people's stupid choices, situations or even my bad decisions/choices. That God is sovereign and has my back and my front and my sides, and that He is not at all ruffled by what is freaking me out!
Looking back over the things we have already walked through, I can see God's hand when at the time I wasn't too sure He was there. I am holding onto that knowledge and comfort during this time.
So, no matter where you are in your life at this moment...packing for an adventure, lost in the desert, facing a failure, rejoicing in a victory or stepping back and getting ready to move forward. Know in your heart of hearts that God is with you, He is sovereign and in control. He will finish His work in you.
The hard part is not knowing what that "finished work" looks like until we are out of the process, look back and see God's Hand directing, protecting, molding and sometimes correcting us.
Each day, each step may be made in confidence of Who God is! The trick, I'm finding, is not focusing on the difficulty of the step or that you really don't want to take the step, but focusing on Who has the plan. I like the line in the new "Karate Kid" where Jackie Chan tells him: "You're focus needs more focus."
I pray that you know the confidence and comfort that God is with you today, whatever that looks like for you! Let's have our focus get more focus.
Have a fab day!!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Pottery
"But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." Jeremiah 18:4
When I was a freshman in High School I dropped out of typing for pottery. Through the years I wish I had stayed in, but I really enjoyed the pottery class and made some cute stuff. ;)
It was great to see what I was making take form and become what I was thinking or to be able to start over because it wasn't anything like what I was going for.
The word marred in the Hebrew means: spoiled, corrupt, injured, ruined or rotted. According to Dictionary.com it means: damage, spoil, render less perfect or useful, disfigure, deface or scar; something has been distorted or internally so severly as to change it's normal qualities, or else that some fault has interfered with its proper development.
I know that I can think of situations in my life that left a scar, left me feeling useless and not perfect. Then there are other things that I know changed me from the inside. It effected how I reacted, acted, trusted, received love or gave love...the list can go on.
God says that He can take this marred, mess of a life and make something new with it. We are not stuck staying the way we were. Sometimes I have fought against the changes in my life, I was familiar with the scars. I knew what to expect from the walls I put up.
If our goal is be whole and like Jesus then we need to allow God to take things away that we may be comfortable with. Change is not easy, but we can trust in our Potter to mold us and make into what He sees us to be.
I pray that whatever changes God brings into your life as He is "unmarring" you, that you stay moldable in His Hands.
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
When I was a freshman in High School I dropped out of typing for pottery. Through the years I wish I had stayed in, but I really enjoyed the pottery class and made some cute stuff. ;)
It was great to see what I was making take form and become what I was thinking or to be able to start over because it wasn't anything like what I was going for.
The word marred in the Hebrew means: spoiled, corrupt, injured, ruined or rotted. According to Dictionary.com it means: damage, spoil, render less perfect or useful, disfigure, deface or scar; something has been distorted or internally so severly as to change it's normal qualities, or else that some fault has interfered with its proper development.
I know that I can think of situations in my life that left a scar, left me feeling useless and not perfect. Then there are other things that I know changed me from the inside. It effected how I reacted, acted, trusted, received love or gave love...the list can go on.
God says that He can take this marred, mess of a life and make something new with it. We are not stuck staying the way we were. Sometimes I have fought against the changes in my life, I was familiar with the scars. I knew what to expect from the walls I put up.
If our goal is be whole and like Jesus then we need to allow God to take things away that we may be comfortable with. Change is not easy, but we can trust in our Potter to mold us and make into what He sees us to be.
I pray that whatever changes God brings into your life as He is "unmarring" you, that you stay moldable in His Hands.
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
Monday, March 12, 2012
Hand in Hand
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
As I read this today, I found myself taking a deep breath and relaxing into this promise. I love how He says He is "THE" Lord, there isn't anyone else higher or more powerful. Yet, He also says "YOUR" God, which is personal and intimate.
When you are speaking to someone of importance you refrain from being familiar. You are more formal and reverent. You don't have inside jokes, secrets or looks that makes you instantly know what their thinking. You have those things with someone who is in your life on a regular basis. Someone who walks beside you...holding your hand. That implies a level of trust.
You don't get that trust simply by walking side-by-side down the street. Let's picture New York for a second: there are tons of people hurrying along and as they start walking next to eachother, just reach out and hold hands till they parted ways. Too weird!
Now, picture the relationships of people who hold hands: parents and children, couples or someone helping another person who is unable to reach the destination on their own. In all of these there is care and trust.
Then God, our King and Friend, tells us not to be afraid ~ that He will help. Maybe sometimes He leans in and whispers those words to you, other times He may have to shout over the roar of the storm. Both bring comfort and strength. Deep breath in...deep breath out. We stand a little straighter and walk with more confidence. We are not alone!
So, take the hand of Someone who loves you and will help you. He is trustworthy and will not let go.
Walk in confidence, not fear.
By the way, it is significant that God mentions the right hand because it symbolically represents power, authority, favor (being preferred) and trust.
Keep walking, favored one, with power and authority! We can do this!
Have a fab day!
All my love,
Jodi xoxox
As I read this today, I found myself taking a deep breath and relaxing into this promise. I love how He says He is "THE" Lord, there isn't anyone else higher or more powerful. Yet, He also says "YOUR" God, which is personal and intimate.
When you are speaking to someone of importance you refrain from being familiar. You are more formal and reverent. You don't have inside jokes, secrets or looks that makes you instantly know what their thinking. You have those things with someone who is in your life on a regular basis. Someone who walks beside you...holding your hand. That implies a level of trust.
You don't get that trust simply by walking side-by-side down the street. Let's picture New York for a second: there are tons of people hurrying along and as they start walking next to eachother, just reach out and hold hands till they parted ways. Too weird!
Now, picture the relationships of people who hold hands: parents and children, couples or someone helping another person who is unable to reach the destination on their own. In all of these there is care and trust.
Then God, our King and Friend, tells us not to be afraid ~ that He will help. Maybe sometimes He leans in and whispers those words to you, other times He may have to shout over the roar of the storm. Both bring comfort and strength. Deep breath in...deep breath out. We stand a little straighter and walk with more confidence. We are not alone!
So, take the hand of Someone who loves you and will help you. He is trustworthy and will not let go.
Walk in confidence, not fear.
By the way, it is significant that God mentions the right hand because it symbolically represents power, authority, favor (being preferred) and trust.
Keep walking, favored one, with power and authority! We can do this!
Have a fab day!
All my love,
Jodi xoxox
Thursday, March 8, 2012
A New Year
Just to catch you guys up on things around the Cross household, I started working this week and we are all adjusting to that change. (especially Ziva :{ ) I have settled into where I am right now and what needs to be done. My uncle had a double by-pass (we thought he needed a triple) and is doing fine! Woohoo!
So, please forgive me if I don't get the blog out every day. I also know that I am to be writing the blog and sharing my heart. When I finally stepped out and did it, I felt such freedom and excitement. I don't know everything that God has, but I know this is part of it and being obedient feels good!
My heart for each of us to be whole, confident and walking in the freedom and authority we have in Jesus.
I am reading 3 books right now and one of them is "Lioness Arising", by Lisa Bevere, and I have enjoyed reading her through the years. When I re-joined Facebook, I "liked" her and I get her posts. I wrote down a couple of quotes that I want to share with you.
"Allow the critique of others to refine you ~ not define you."
"If you are not careful ~ listening to what other people say about you may cause you to forget who you actually are."
"You can allow what others say about you to influence your life or allow God's Word to transform your life."
There is a theme here that I think we need to remind ourselves of periodically.
WE ARE NOT OUR PAST!
OUR PAST DOES NOT DEFINE US!
Jesus came to change our past with forgiveness and redemption and give us a future with grace and mercy.
The only one that can control the amount of power a person or situation has over us ~ is us. I have been thinking that if I could go back and re-do somethings knowing what I know now, I would: forgive quicker, love some people harder and let go of some people quicker. :-)
"See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." Psalm 42:9
The things in our past have happened and we need to deal with them, but we are not to live there. God has something new for us! What has He put in your heart? What has He annouced to you? Maybe in a whisper or maybe in a shout. If you haven't heard anything new, have you done the last thing He said?
Be awesome today!
Love and Hugs ~
jodi xoxo
So, please forgive me if I don't get the blog out every day. I also know that I am to be writing the blog and sharing my heart. When I finally stepped out and did it, I felt such freedom and excitement. I don't know everything that God has, but I know this is part of it and being obedient feels good!
My heart for each of us to be whole, confident and walking in the freedom and authority we have in Jesus.
I am reading 3 books right now and one of them is "Lioness Arising", by Lisa Bevere, and I have enjoyed reading her through the years. When I re-joined Facebook, I "liked" her and I get her posts. I wrote down a couple of quotes that I want to share with you.
"Allow the critique of others to refine you ~ not define you."
"If you are not careful ~ listening to what other people say about you may cause you to forget who you actually are."
"You can allow what others say about you to influence your life or allow God's Word to transform your life."
There is a theme here that I think we need to remind ourselves of periodically.
WE ARE NOT OUR PAST!
OUR PAST DOES NOT DEFINE US!
Jesus came to change our past with forgiveness and redemption and give us a future with grace and mercy.
The only one that can control the amount of power a person or situation has over us ~ is us. I have been thinking that if I could go back and re-do somethings knowing what I know now, I would: forgive quicker, love some people harder and let go of some people quicker. :-)
"See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." Psalm 42:9
The things in our past have happened and we need to deal with them, but we are not to live there. God has something new for us! What has He put in your heart? What has He annouced to you? Maybe in a whisper or maybe in a shout. If you haven't heard anything new, have you done the last thing He said?
Be awesome today!
Love and Hugs ~
jodi xoxo
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Esther Part 2
"He sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." Esther 4:13-14
I haven't been able to get Esther out of my mind all day. I think it is so cool that as the Jewish people are celebrating Purim, the salvation of their nation and the hanging of Haman, Esther is still rescuing people today. As annoyed as I was Monday, I am thankful for God's faithfulness. I know that this morning (Tuesday), I was starting to feel sad, but I didn't allow myself to go there. I got over it and had a good day at work. Our self talk is so important, what we say to ourselves and allow our minds to dwell on. (Romans 12: 1&2; Philippians 4:8)
I have been thinking about the part that is in bold. I don't think that it is enough that we just be in our royal position, we actually have to step out and say something, do something, stand for something. People aren't by osmosis going to on fall on their knees in repentance or whatever they need, simply because we are standing next them. (wouldn't that be a sight!?)
God has placed the people, around us, in our lives for a reason and we are (vocationally, geographically, etc.) where we are for a reason. That means we need to stand up and bring "relief and deliverance" to those around us or God will send someone else to reach them.
My biggest desire is to be that tool that God can depend on, that when He reaches for me ~ I am ready.
That means that I need to keep my heart pure, my ears open and be looking for where God is moving.
A good server in any restaurant anticipates what the customers need and has it ready for them. Always looking ahead and being conscience of what is going on at the table, will determine your readiness and the care you can give.
If we are not obedient to what God is saying and stepping out, God will find someone else. I don't want to get to heaven and see all the opportunities that I missed because of fear, ignoring or not hearing God, or being too busy to be useful in the Hands of God.
We need to be willing to pay the cost to answer His call. Esther did. Jesus did. Every single person we read about in the Bible paid something. We are not special in that way, we are not exempt or get a free pass.
There is still a battle going on to destroy God's people, saved or not. Who will be the ones to stand up and bring relief and deliverance? I want to! Who am I to pick where and how that looks? A tool is a tool. There's a reason God put that scripture in the Bible that talks about not thinking too highly of yourself. We have a habit of doing that.
I pray that whatever we do, wherever we go, we will be the ones to stand up and be "Esther" to what is happening around us.
Be blessed and strengthened today!
Have a fab day!
All my love,
Jodi xoxo
I haven't been able to get Esther out of my mind all day. I think it is so cool that as the Jewish people are celebrating Purim, the salvation of their nation and the hanging of Haman, Esther is still rescuing people today. As annoyed as I was Monday, I am thankful for God's faithfulness. I know that this morning (Tuesday), I was starting to feel sad, but I didn't allow myself to go there. I got over it and had a good day at work. Our self talk is so important, what we say to ourselves and allow our minds to dwell on. (Romans 12: 1&2; Philippians 4:8)
I have been thinking about the part that is in bold. I don't think that it is enough that we just be in our royal position, we actually have to step out and say something, do something, stand for something. People aren't by osmosis going to on fall on their knees in repentance or whatever they need, simply because we are standing next them. (wouldn't that be a sight!?)
God has placed the people, around us, in our lives for a reason and we are (vocationally, geographically, etc.) where we are for a reason. That means we need to stand up and bring "relief and deliverance" to those around us or God will send someone else to reach them.
My biggest desire is to be that tool that God can depend on, that when He reaches for me ~ I am ready.
That means that I need to keep my heart pure, my ears open and be looking for where God is moving.
A good server in any restaurant anticipates what the customers need and has it ready for them. Always looking ahead and being conscience of what is going on at the table, will determine your readiness and the care you can give.
If we are not obedient to what God is saying and stepping out, God will find someone else. I don't want to get to heaven and see all the opportunities that I missed because of fear, ignoring or not hearing God, or being too busy to be useful in the Hands of God.
We need to be willing to pay the cost to answer His call. Esther did. Jesus did. Every single person we read about in the Bible paid something. We are not special in that way, we are not exempt or get a free pass.
There is still a battle going on to destroy God's people, saved or not. Who will be the ones to stand up and bring relief and deliverance? I want to! Who am I to pick where and how that looks? A tool is a tool. There's a reason God put that scripture in the Bible that talks about not thinking too highly of yourself. We have a habit of doing that.
I pray that whatever we do, wherever we go, we will be the ones to stand up and be "Esther" to what is happening around us.
Be blessed and strengthened today!
Have a fab day!
All my love,
Jodi xoxo
Monday, March 5, 2012
Trusting God When You're Mad
"He sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this?" Ester 4:13-14
I read that in my quiet time this morning and I will be honest with you, it annoyed the heck out of me. I know that God had placed Esther in the palace to save the Jews and she had to get on board with His plan and take that step of faith. In my life I have known moments of being part of God's answer and rescuing His people.
Surprisingly, not all of it was working in church, going on mission trips or meeting with my prison ladies, although there have been pretty amazing moments. Some of it was in the back of a Friendly's Restaurant doing side work, when my co-worker falls in my arms, broken and crying. All I did was care enough to ask questions, really listen and be there.
It is easy to feel like you are in a "Royal Position" during official ministry times. When I led a Mother's Group, or preached from the pulpit, or taught Children's Church, or the Prison or working at LifeHouse. People hear those things and say "ooohhhh." But you tell them you work at Friendly's or a bank or Big Horn's BBQ and they say "oh."
It is hard to feel royal about that. How can God use me in this job? All I do is answer phones or stare at a computer...
I have really been struggling with my new job. Hear my heart here, I am grateful to have one, we need the finances and I know I will be the best cashier they have. I know the right answers and the God stuff, but it's not what I want to do.
Have you felt like that? I wonder if Esther felt like that?! She didn't ask to be taken from her home, and given to a man she didn't know. There are times in our lives when we are placed in situations we didn't ask for or would not be our first choice. BUT...can we be like Esther and rise up and do it anyway?
That's why I was so annoyed this morning, I really want to scream NO!! There's dreams You put in my heart, when are they going to come true? I'm tired of filling needs. Feel free to insert your stuff here....
Then God reminds me about Joseph in jail, really?!? I hate that! Why can't God just let me be mad and feel sorry for myself? We all know the answer....I hope you weren't going to say it builds character! (those answers don't help, by the way). God is committed to me and transforming me into His image.
He is always more concerned for our hearts than what we do.
So, I am working on my attitude, praying that I will know His peace while waiting for my dreams.
I know He is faithful and has not forgotten me, even if it feels like it. You know Esther felt it, and Joseph, and Jonah and even Jesus.
I don't know if you are living out your dreams or filling a need or a little of both, but I pray that you will rise up to meet your royal position and be the answer to the people around you. They are God's people and they need rescuing!
May God richly bless you!
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
I read that in my quiet time this morning and I will be honest with you, it annoyed the heck out of me. I know that God had placed Esther in the palace to save the Jews and she had to get on board with His plan and take that step of faith. In my life I have known moments of being part of God's answer and rescuing His people.
Surprisingly, not all of it was working in church, going on mission trips or meeting with my prison ladies, although there have been pretty amazing moments. Some of it was in the back of a Friendly's Restaurant doing side work, when my co-worker falls in my arms, broken and crying. All I did was care enough to ask questions, really listen and be there.
It is easy to feel like you are in a "Royal Position" during official ministry times. When I led a Mother's Group, or preached from the pulpit, or taught Children's Church, or the Prison or working at LifeHouse. People hear those things and say "ooohhhh." But you tell them you work at Friendly's or a bank or Big Horn's BBQ and they say "oh."
It is hard to feel royal about that. How can God use me in this job? All I do is answer phones or stare at a computer...
I have really been struggling with my new job. Hear my heart here, I am grateful to have one, we need the finances and I know I will be the best cashier they have. I know the right answers and the God stuff, but it's not what I want to do.
Have you felt like that? I wonder if Esther felt like that?! She didn't ask to be taken from her home, and given to a man she didn't know. There are times in our lives when we are placed in situations we didn't ask for or would not be our first choice. BUT...can we be like Esther and rise up and do it anyway?
That's why I was so annoyed this morning, I really want to scream NO!! There's dreams You put in my heart, when are they going to come true? I'm tired of filling needs. Feel free to insert your stuff here....
Then God reminds me about Joseph in jail, really?!? I hate that! Why can't God just let me be mad and feel sorry for myself? We all know the answer....I hope you weren't going to say it builds character! (those answers don't help, by the way). God is committed to me and transforming me into His image.
He is always more concerned for our hearts than what we do.
So, I am working on my attitude, praying that I will know His peace while waiting for my dreams.
I know He is faithful and has not forgotten me, even if it feels like it. You know Esther felt it, and Joseph, and Jonah and even Jesus.
I don't know if you are living out your dreams or filling a need or a little of both, but I pray that you will rise up to meet your royal position and be the answer to the people around you. They are God's people and they need rescuing!
May God richly bless you!
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thoughts
You know how when so much happens and you just don't have to think or process? Some times we can have too much time to think. We can think ourselves into a depression, a raging lunatic or calm ourselves with the truth of God's word.
I've been thinking about community. You can find it in different places. I know that growing up my first experience with community was my family. When we would go to NY and cousins, aunts and uncles would come together. There was tons of food, fighting and laughter. I loved it! I would sit at the table and soak it all in. I remember the first time I was able to finally decipher Pig Latin! I shouted "Yeah, we're going to the fair!" I wasn't allowed to hang out at the table anymore. :{
As kids in our neighborhood, we would run around all day playing in woods, at each others houses ~ the moms were interchangeable, you listened to them all! We had forts, played games, went sledding and put on plays. I punched a boy in the nose when he said girls can't play baseball. He went running home with a bloody nose and I played baseball. (It's still kinda funny) My friend, Colleen taught me to ride my bike and swim under water. I remember the moms just being there for us and each other, popping in and out of every one's homes. I have great memories from that neighborhood. Some not so great, but that's when your community surrounds you and strengthens you.
I have found community in places where you are there to accomplish a goal. In YWAM (Biz and I holding each other up over a tiny sink on a rocking boat in the middle of the ocean, while taking turns throwing up). Or at LifeHouse ( being a part of a birth). Or at church or work, where you are working on a project, it gets crazy and a friendship develops out of frustration and laughter.
You may not have ever met that person before, but together in that situation, where you need to depend on each other and you find out that you have more things in common, than not. That forms a bond and a friendship, though the time together may end, that doesn't. The stories we could share with eachother!! I would love to get a Chi, sit and laugh and cry as we shared our stories...
I am sad that my children have never experienced the childhood I had with my crazy, NY family. That's why for me keeping us together and giving them that strong sense of belonging is so important. We are built to belong to something! Life is so scattered today, I think we are all long for a community, a place to belong, be accepted, fought for and loved! I know how lost I feel when I don't connect with people.
God told Abe to take his family with him on his journey into the unknown, Jesus had the disciples, Paul had Timothy, Moses had Aaron, Joshua and a ton of people following him, Jonah ~ well, he had a whale, you can't win them all. Let's see, I'm going off the top of my head. Esther had Mordecai, Ruth had her mother-in-law (mmm), David had Jonathan and his mighty men, some of the prophets had side kicks. Well, you get the idea. You can add to the list.
We are not meant to walk through life alone.
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head...For there the Lord bestows his blessings, even life forevermore." Ps. 133 1, 2a, 3b
Celebrate your community today, whatever it looks like. May you be strengthened, encouraged, loved and your stomach ache from laughing hard and often.
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
I've been thinking about community. You can find it in different places. I know that growing up my first experience with community was my family. When we would go to NY and cousins, aunts and uncles would come together. There was tons of food, fighting and laughter. I loved it! I would sit at the table and soak it all in. I remember the first time I was able to finally decipher Pig Latin! I shouted "Yeah, we're going to the fair!" I wasn't allowed to hang out at the table anymore. :{
As kids in our neighborhood, we would run around all day playing in woods, at each others houses ~ the moms were interchangeable, you listened to them all! We had forts, played games, went sledding and put on plays. I punched a boy in the nose when he said girls can't play baseball. He went running home with a bloody nose and I played baseball. (It's still kinda funny) My friend, Colleen taught me to ride my bike and swim under water. I remember the moms just being there for us and each other, popping in and out of every one's homes. I have great memories from that neighborhood. Some not so great, but that's when your community surrounds you and strengthens you.
I have found community in places where you are there to accomplish a goal. In YWAM (Biz and I holding each other up over a tiny sink on a rocking boat in the middle of the ocean, while taking turns throwing up). Or at LifeHouse ( being a part of a birth). Or at church or work, where you are working on a project, it gets crazy and a friendship develops out of frustration and laughter.
You may not have ever met that person before, but together in that situation, where you need to depend on each other and you find out that you have more things in common, than not. That forms a bond and a friendship, though the time together may end, that doesn't. The stories we could share with eachother!! I would love to get a Chi, sit and laugh and cry as we shared our stories...
I am sad that my children have never experienced the childhood I had with my crazy, NY family. That's why for me keeping us together and giving them that strong sense of belonging is so important. We are built to belong to something! Life is so scattered today, I think we are all long for a community, a place to belong, be accepted, fought for and loved! I know how lost I feel when I don't connect with people.
God told Abe to take his family with him on his journey into the unknown, Jesus had the disciples, Paul had Timothy, Moses had Aaron, Joshua and a ton of people following him, Jonah ~ well, he had a whale, you can't win them all. Let's see, I'm going off the top of my head. Esther had Mordecai, Ruth had her mother-in-law (mmm), David had Jonathan and his mighty men, some of the prophets had side kicks. Well, you get the idea. You can add to the list.
We are not meant to walk through life alone.
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head...For there the Lord bestows his blessings, even life forevermore." Ps. 133 1, 2a, 3b
Celebrate your community today, whatever it looks like. May you be strengthened, encouraged, loved and your stomach ache from laughing hard and often.
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Who Am I?
"You cannot love another person from a false self. You cannot love another while still hiding" (author unknown)
God is all about relationships. That's why He created us. Why He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. Why the Holy Spirit is our teacher and comforter. Why He strengthens our weaknesses. He has a lot to say about how we treat one another as well as our relationship with Him.
God made us all different, we are not supposed be carbon copies of anyone else. Just like no two snowflakes are alike, you are meant to be the only you. With some people we know, we shout Hallelujah! While others it wouldn't be that bad if there were more of them. :)
I have a notebook that I jot ideas in and I have a couple of designs that would make a great t-shirts. One day! I was looking through that notebook and found that I had written out an acronym for the word authentic.
When we are authentic we are:
Awesome Psalm 139:14: "I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works
are wonderful, I know that full well." If God works are wonderful and He
made you...you are wonderfully awesome! Do you really know that?!?
United Colossians 2:2: "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so
that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that
they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ." Unity brings
accountablity and protection.
True 1 Peter 1:7 "These have come so that faith ~ of greater worth than gold, which perishes
even though refined with fire ~ may be proven genuine and may result in
praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Our faith is proven
true and genuine as we walk through our trials, knowing they are temporary
and heaven is waiting for us.
Hospitable Romans 12:13: "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice Hospitality."
2 Timothy 1:16: "May the Lord show mercy to the household Onesiphorus, because he
often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains." Enough said!
Eternal Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
our Lord." We deserve death, but have life through Jesus!
Noble Romans 8:17: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs ~ heirs of God and co-heirs with
Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share
in his glory."
Galatians 3:26: "You are all sons of God through faith in God." You are a child of the King
of Kings!!
Teachable Proverbs 4:13: "Hold onto instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."
Proverbs. 8:33: "Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it." We don't have all
the answers and we need God's wisdom for this crazy life!
Intergrity Psalm 41:12: "In my intergrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever."
1 Chron. 29:17: "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with intergity. All
these things I have given willingly and with honest intent." We need to
keep our word and honor God with all we do and say.
Compassion 1 Peter 3:8: "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love
as brothers, be compassionate and humble."
Colossians 3:12: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Doesn't sound like it's an option...
You are the only you and God has something very special for you. I am not called to your walk and you are not called to mine. Let's be authentic to who we are and love from a place of wholeness.
May God bless you today as you seek to lead an authentic life.
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
God is all about relationships. That's why He created us. Why He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. Why the Holy Spirit is our teacher and comforter. Why He strengthens our weaknesses. He has a lot to say about how we treat one another as well as our relationship with Him.
God made us all different, we are not supposed be carbon copies of anyone else. Just like no two snowflakes are alike, you are meant to be the only you. With some people we know, we shout Hallelujah! While others it wouldn't be that bad if there were more of them. :)
I have a notebook that I jot ideas in and I have a couple of designs that would make a great t-shirts. One day! I was looking through that notebook and found that I had written out an acronym for the word authentic.
When we are authentic we are:
Awesome Psalm 139:14: "I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works
are wonderful, I know that full well." If God works are wonderful and He
made you...you are wonderfully awesome! Do you really know that?!?
United Colossians 2:2: "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so
that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that
they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ." Unity brings
accountablity and protection.
True 1 Peter 1:7 "These have come so that faith ~ of greater worth than gold, which perishes
even though refined with fire ~ may be proven genuine and may result in
praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Our faith is proven
true and genuine as we walk through our trials, knowing they are temporary
and heaven is waiting for us.
Hospitable Romans 12:13: "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice Hospitality."
2 Timothy 1:16: "May the Lord show mercy to the household Onesiphorus, because he
often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains." Enough said!
Eternal Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
our Lord." We deserve death, but have life through Jesus!
Noble Romans 8:17: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs ~ heirs of God and co-heirs with
Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share
in his glory."
Galatians 3:26: "You are all sons of God through faith in God." You are a child of the King
of Kings!!
Teachable Proverbs 4:13: "Hold onto instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."
Proverbs. 8:33: "Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it." We don't have all
the answers and we need God's wisdom for this crazy life!
Intergrity Psalm 41:12: "In my intergrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever."
1 Chron. 29:17: "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with intergity. All
these things I have given willingly and with honest intent." We need to
keep our word and honor God with all we do and say.
Compassion 1 Peter 3:8: "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love
as brothers, be compassionate and humble."
Colossians 3:12: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Doesn't sound like it's an option...
You are the only you and God has something very special for you. I am not called to your walk and you are not called to mine. Let's be authentic to who we are and love from a place of wholeness.
May God bless you today as you seek to lead an authentic life.
Have a fab day!
All my love ~
Jodi xoxo
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