I had high hopes for some snow this week! I would love to see about 3 inches of snow. Nothing (to me) is any prettier than the ground covered with snow. It always makes me think of that song about us being washed as white as snow.
At the same time, as I was hoping for snow, in the back of my head I was thinking about how it seems like if we have a weather event it is a weather EVENT! While 3 inches would be great, I could just see it turning into 30 inches and no power!
Yesterday just made me ready for spring! It was beautiful!
I hope you all are having a good weekend, with hopes of snow or without!
Jenny
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
What a night we had last night!
Last night was wonderful! It was so fun and inspiring to be with such a diverse group. They talked a little about how what we were doing was like a little slice of heaven. Which it was, but at the same time I happened to see Roy and Michelle out of the corner of my eye, and it stuck me that all the people they are reaching will be there too. Then in front of me, I could see Scott and Holly, and thought of all of those people too. I can imagine it just a little bit better now but the reality is going to be awesome!
A couple of things that just stuck out to me personally were:
When one of the preachers said while we may be in a recession God never recedes! In my mind, I turned that phrase round and round, just running through different Scriptures, and he is right! God always goes forward with His plan even when the "human" plan at the time seems to be going in a different direction. Application wise I took that as which am I doing? Receding or proceeding?
The other was when one of them said we have seen denominationalism (is that the right word??) fall. I can home and told Chad, I can remember when it was so important what kind of church you went to. That defined you to a large extent. It also gave hypocrisy a huge leap, as we acted like we were on board but lived another way. Now, the church at large is more in tune with what really matters, Jesus, and showing more grace on the preferences. Amazing that we are the generation to experience it!
So how about you? What struck you heart?
A couple of things that just stuck out to me personally were:
When one of the preachers said while we may be in a recession God never recedes! In my mind, I turned that phrase round and round, just running through different Scriptures, and he is right! God always goes forward with His plan even when the "human" plan at the time seems to be going in a different direction. Application wise I took that as which am I doing? Receding or proceeding?
The other was when one of them said we have seen denominationalism (is that the right word??) fall. I can home and told Chad, I can remember when it was so important what kind of church you went to. That defined you to a large extent. It also gave hypocrisy a huge leap, as we acted like we were on board but lived another way. Now, the church at large is more in tune with what really matters, Jesus, and showing more grace on the preferences. Amazing that we are the generation to experience it!
So how about you? What struck you heart?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wisdom for the coming year...
One of my favorite verses has always been James 1:5:
If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously and without finding fault and it will be given to him.
I love it because so many times I have needed wisdom because I had gotten myself in a mess of my own doing. As a parent it is hard to give advice to the girls when they made the mess without telling them, "what were you thinking?"
In this verse though, we can see that God is willing to give us wisdom without the fault pointing. Just yesterday though, I was studying James and this verse jumped out at me, James 3:17:
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
I don't quite have a handle of that part of wisdom, but as it is rolling around in my mind. I have been thinking about what areas do I need wisdom for 2009. Several immediately pop up,
- finances
- helping people
- raising the girls to follow God
- work
Just to name a couple in my life, as I am asking God for wisdom, it brings me comfort that it will be all of those things He listed. Then I'm struck by how if that is what the wisdom will look like, then that is how my actions need to be.
Pure
Peace-Loving
Considerate
Submissive
Full of mercy
Good Fruit
Impartial
Sincere
That is a list worthy to be my New Year's Resolution! I hope in the coming year, you that see me in day to day life, we see more of these in me!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Failure to communicate
Is that a song or something? It's ringing in my head in a weird voice but for the life of me I can't place where it is from?? Anybody know??
I could submit you a list of reasons I have not done so hot in writing on this blog, but you and I both know it would just be an excuse! So, what do you say we just start anew?
You know that is what I wanted to blog about today, the ability we have to start anew. I like that word, anew. Something about it just gives me hope. Today is Dec. 1st and we can start anew.
We have the chance to do Christmas different this year than before. For us personally, one thing we are doing is paying cash for Christmas instead of a mixture of cash/credit. It has already been painful and I am not overly happy about it!
Somehow the month of December turns into a huge blur and I find myself saying to God, at the first of the year I'll get back to meeting with you daily, but for now I must get x and y done because it is Christmas you know.
How goofy is that? This December I want to make it on cash and keep my daily time steady. I don't know which one is the biggest challenge, on the cash, we have NEVER just paid cash for Christmas. The upside I guess could be we never have tried before?? Is that an upside??
On the staying steady with God, I have at times done better, but I want this year to be one I look back on and say, that was a good Christmas season! I sought God, He answered and we celebrated. That's really what Christmas is all about, celebrating the fact that God, choose to come to earth so that we could have a relationship with Him.
How about you, what do you want to do anew?
Jen
I could submit you a list of reasons I have not done so hot in writing on this blog, but you and I both know it would just be an excuse! So, what do you say we just start anew?
You know that is what I wanted to blog about today, the ability we have to start anew. I like that word, anew. Something about it just gives me hope. Today is Dec. 1st and we can start anew.
We have the chance to do Christmas different this year than before. For us personally, one thing we are doing is paying cash for Christmas instead of a mixture of cash/credit. It has already been painful and I am not overly happy about it!
Somehow the month of December turns into a huge blur and I find myself saying to God, at the first of the year I'll get back to meeting with you daily, but for now I must get x and y done because it is Christmas you know.
How goofy is that? This December I want to make it on cash and keep my daily time steady. I don't know which one is the biggest challenge, on the cash, we have NEVER just paid cash for Christmas. The upside I guess could be we never have tried before?? Is that an upside??
On the staying steady with God, I have at times done better, but I want this year to be one I look back on and say, that was a good Christmas season! I sought God, He answered and we celebrated. That's really what Christmas is all about, celebrating the fact that God, choose to come to earth so that we could have a relationship with Him.
How about you, what do you want to do anew?
Jen
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Bible Study Notes From Week One ~ That is a BORING title!
I know a couple of you are doing the study on your own. And I also know with kids, jobs and all that goes into life, sometimes you just can't make it. So, I thought I would post what I thought was most important in each class.
But here is the deal, you have to post what you heard in the class (if you came) or what you are thinking as you do you homework.
For me, the biggest thing in the first class, was the word "show"! God wants to "show" in our life. I loved that in the original Greek that word "show" in Ephesians 2:6-7 is Endeiknumi, and it means: Demonstrate, prove, display, manifest.
When I see that word demonstrate, I think of being at Costco when they have the demonstration of how easy the food juicer works. I don't know why, but that is just what I picture. When I think of how Jesus wants to "show" in my life, I think would someone looking at me right now, be able to see that Jesus works?
Your turn what did you ponder on from last week?
(I was about to hit publish when I realized that title is boring with a capital B! Can anyone think of a better title?)
Jenny Do you know that spells Jenny with the font "webdings" . What is that anyway? Kinda cool though, a beach and a present!
But here is the deal, you have to post what you heard in the class (if you came) or what you are thinking as you do you homework.
For me, the biggest thing in the first class, was the word "show"! God wants to "show" in our life. I loved that in the original Greek that word "show" in Ephesians 2:6-7 is Endeiknumi, and it means: Demonstrate, prove, display, manifest.
When I see that word demonstrate, I think of being at Costco when they have the demonstration of how easy the food juicer works. I don't know why, but that is just what I picture. When I think of how Jesus wants to "show" in my life, I think would someone looking at me right now, be able to see that Jesus works?
Your turn what did you ponder on from last week?
(I was about to hit publish when I realized that title is boring with a capital B! Can anyone think of a better title?)
Jenny Do you know that spells Jenny with the font "webdings" . What is that anyway? Kinda cool though, a beach and a present!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Alrighty now, it's time for some inter-action!
Right now our blog seems to mostly be me typing and you all reading. Not exactly much fun for either of us. So today if you read with us, leave a comment! With or without your name.
After the first night of study together we said that our main point was,
God will fight for us because we are His.
That just about sums it up, in case you didn't make it to class here is a short story that illustrates this point. Katie's picture is included just so you'll have a face to put with her name.
Hopefully, you are working on your homework and I would love to hear what you are thinking about it.
I can tell you that it has been running around in my mind because just this weekend we had a new thing rear its ugly head. My first response was anger, but I stopped and asked myself what is at work here?
In this case it was a clear case of evil trying to sneak in the door.
So I changed my tatic and made sure I was fighting "for" and not just "with" the offending party. It always amazes me how as soon as I make that switch in my head, my next response is to pray. But when I am stuck in that fighting "with" pattern, prayer is low on the priority list!
What have you seen so far this week?
Jenny
P.S. Just in case you didn't come the first week, or just flat can't make it, you can find the homework here. Just click the title and you can print it out. Feel free to share with anyone you think might like it. Each week around Thursday, Laura (the best!) will put it on the website for you.
After the first night of study together we said that our main point was,
God will fight for us because we are His.
That just about sums it up, in case you didn't make it to class here is a short story that illustrates this point. Katie's picture is included just so you'll have a face to put with her name.
Hopefully, you are working on your homework and I would love to hear what you are thinking about it.
I can tell you that it has been running around in my mind because just this weekend we had a new thing rear its ugly head. My first response was anger, but I stopped and asked myself what is at work here?
In this case it was a clear case of evil trying to sneak in the door.
So I changed my tatic and made sure I was fighting "for" and not just "with" the offending party. It always amazes me how as soon as I make that switch in my head, my next response is to pray. But when I am stuck in that fighting "with" pattern, prayer is low on the priority list!
What have you seen so far this week?
Jenny
P.S. Just in case you didn't come the first week, or just flat can't make it, you can find the homework here. Just click the title and you can print it out. Feel free to share with anyone you think might like it. Each week around Thursday, Laura (the best!) will put it on the website for you.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
What a great group!
I have to tell you that I had so much fun last night. I love when we can get together, laugh, learn and love on one another! I don't know all of you personally, but I know I will by the end of the class.
This morning I woke up, and I looked at the sign-up sheets with your name on it, and I told God He was so good. And I thanked him for the chance to be a part of what He is going to do in your life!
We have some exciting stuff coming up and I can't wait! And if you are in the Sunday night group, I can't wait to be with you all!
(Are you noticing that I am fond of "!"?)
In case you didn't get to come last night you can come on Sunday Nights at 6:30 at NorthPointe. Or if you know you can't come to either but you are interested in the study if you go to the church's website here, you can print it out and do it online with us! We haven't copyrighted(so you are free to make copies) this study. So, if you have a friend at work or wherever, do it together.
Please interact with us! Good or Bad. Happy or sad. I want to hear what you are thinking and what God is saying to you. What you share may be just the encouragement one of us needs!
Lastly, a couple of our ladies have taken up blogging too. You can find their blogs on the side bar. If you have a blog(and are part of our church/study) and let me know I will link you to us.
Have a great day!
Jenny
This morning I woke up, and I looked at the sign-up sheets with your name on it, and I told God He was so good. And I thanked him for the chance to be a part of what He is going to do in your life!
We have some exciting stuff coming up and I can't wait! And if you are in the Sunday night group, I can't wait to be with you all!
(Are you noticing that I am fond of "!"?)
In case you didn't get to come last night you can come on Sunday Nights at 6:30 at NorthPointe. Or if you know you can't come to either but you are interested in the study if you go to the church's website here, you can print it out and do it online with us! We haven't copyrighted(so you are free to make copies) this study. So, if you have a friend at work or wherever, do it together.
Please interact with us! Good or Bad. Happy or sad. I want to hear what you are thinking and what God is saying to you. What you share may be just the encouragement one of us needs!
Lastly, a couple of our ladies have taken up blogging too. You can find their blogs on the side bar. If you have a blog(and are part of our church/study) and let me know I will link you to us.
Have a great day!
Jenny
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