Well, tonight a precious sister was amazed at my age (i think she was being nice) but she thought I was a lot younger. Then, last week Morgan and I were at TJ Maxx and the cashier asked me if Morgan was my sister. YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! That really made me crack up!
I really am a super old lady trapped in a somewhat younger body. Here goes the TMI (too much information) I have always had problems with....drumroll...constipation. I have tried every fiber (I will not take a laxative...I would be in the bathroom suffering severe cramps for days) under the sun and I was even put on some medicine more recently (called Amitiza) it worked for oh about 2 days. Now I am down to drinking up the mineral oil. So while people may think I look young I am in fact an old lady. I just got finished eating 2 bean burritos in hopes that they might work miracles. My man goes to the bathroom when he looks at food. Must be nice! I can seriously go for a couple of weeks and nothing. Aren't you so glad that I just shared this...no shame people no shame! I did have a thought today that maybe I should start making this a matter of prayer...
While people think I am popping pills...don't worry it is just bulk fiber! LOL!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Old Lady Status
Posted by jennyhope at 10:27 PM 3 comments
Dr. David Jeremiah devotional (Turning Point)
Tuesday, July 31
Spiritual Tuning
We have turned, every one, to his own way.Isaiah 53:6
Recommended Reading1 Corinthians 1:10-17"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship." These are the words of A. W. Tozer, who clearly understood the importance of fellowshipping with believers in order to keep our minds and hearts turned toward the Lord.
On our own, it is easy to become out of tune and start living a life that is in disagreement with God's standard. But when we surround ourselves with the body of in-tune believers, our ears are suddenly opened, and we hear our need for a spiritual tuning.
Keep yourself in tune with the Lord by staying in consistent fellowship with other believers.
There are many things which a person can do alone, but being a Christian is not one of them. As the Christian life is, above all things, a state of union with Christ and of union of His followers with one another, love of the brethren is inseparable from love of God.William T. Ham
Read-Thru-the-BibleJeremiah 1:1 - 3:25
Posted by jennyhope at 11:22 AM 5 comments
Yummy!
It is 12:46am and I guess I am pulling the night watch! I was downstairs cleaning and I came up to check on Morgan. She had a tub of Desitin diaper rash cream and she was eating it. I guess I left the thing in her bed on accident when I was changing her. What in the world gets in the mind of a child...like mmmmm yummy I think I will eat some of this diaper rash cream. So I got her out of her crib and we went to "brush teeth" that is what we call it. She thought it was so funny! Then I get lectured by dad, I mean Rod, about not leaving the diaper cream in her crib. Like I meant to!
I have been told that I decided to eat a glass christmas ball when I was her age. I had to drink lots of milk to help the glass go down...yum yum! Red is still my favorite color. I guess I am going to go finish some of my online courses while I wait for Poison Control to call and check on Morgan. :)
Posted by jennyhope at 12:45 AM 8 comments
Monday, July 30, 2007
Rocker Chick!
Here I am with the sweetie and my iPod! People it makes housework all the more fun! She should be asleep here but she is trying to get in on some CeCe Winans. That would be her listening to the other earbud!
below: my rockin out praise-Pod!
She soooo has my personality! She crawled in the entertainment (whatever you call it...I can't stand it. It is still left over from Rods bachelor days) box.
Her expression cracks me up!
Posted by jennyhope at 11:33 PM 3 comments
Da-eee
I just got back from the new Target (Lori if you have not been...this is for you) it IS NOT A SUPER TARGET (and pinkmommy I won't be spending all my sweet moo-la there). Bummer! I guess I will still keep some loyalties to WalMart. I spoke to soon on my neck. I guess I am going to go to the doctor. I think it is a nerve thang! I have a question for moms: Morgan is two and ALL she talks about is her dad. I mean she is obsessed with him. She had a crying fit for him in the car and she starts yelling for him the second she gets up. Don't get me wrong she loves her momma...but that whole da-eee thing (that is what she calls him) is starting to wear me out. He tunes out a lot so I wonder if she is getting enough attention and etc...if that is why she is so all about da! So, if you have any advice...let me know!!
Posted by jennyhope at 5:36 PM 5 comments
Accountable
Hey hold me accountable to get out a certain word God is working in me regarding temptation. The Lord has been showing me a lot to help me stay free and I am going to share as soon as I get back from the new Target that just opened!!
Posted by jennyhope at 2:11 PM 2 comments
Give Him Some Praise
Thank you so much for your messages and for praying for me. My neck stayed straight and I pretty much slept it off! I guess He was making me lie down!! I love you all!!!
Posted by jennyhope at 10:43 AM 5 comments
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Prayer
This may seem like a minor request in comparison to so many other things...but I am really having a hard time with my neck. I have shared before...but I have severe neck spasms if my neck pops out of place. This is different from seizures...people normally get that in their head. Anyway, I have taken the medicine that I have for this but I just need some extra prayer. This always starts to happen (since it is muscular) when I go through intense stress. When this happens it is the absolute worst pain I have ever been in. The doctors say that it is worse than herniated disc (I have no idea about that). So, I am going to lay off of the computer a little and rest my neck. So just pray that it doesn't go out. Thanks so much siestas!!
Posted by jennyhope at 8:34 PM 8 comments
I am a nerd and I know it
Growing up several kids called me "super school girl." That is because I would take home most of my books to study. I loved books then and I love them now. Anyway, my favorite subject was history. I have always been fascinated by it. I can remember being in the 4th grade and reading several books on the Holocaust. My mom was very worried about me. I think she thought I liked Hitler or something. Anyway, I could not understand how inhumane and horrific the images and stories I read were. I could not understand the thousands and thousands of dead bodies piled on top of each other. I could not wrap my mind around the evil that took place in the crematories and gas chambers (I still can't). I was shocked and horrified. During history class (in my 11th grade year) people would want me to get our teacher off of the subject. We would debate while the rest of the class slept. He was not a Christian and I would go after the limited church history that I knew with him if that shows you my level of nerdiness. Anyway, my mind is constantly probing. I am about to start reading a new commentary on the book of Jeremiah (which is one of my favorites)...and before I start I have been thinking a lot about the Exodus and I have been researching historical evidence of the Exodus. I found this article and thought I would share it. I do post so much stuff on here so I can later reference it. Gotta go get ready for church!
Posted by jennyhope at 8:04 AM 0 comments
experiencing God devo july 29th
July 29
Scripture:I have known only youout of all the clans of the earth;therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities. (Amos 3:2, Holman CSB)
Thought:God pursues an intimate relationship, choosing to do His work through certain people He loves. But what happens when those people refuse to return God's love, or join in His work, or pile up a storehouse of sins in their lives? God has only one choice left. He comes to punish. Amos had a hard time convincing Israel of this. Does God have a hard time convincing you that He is coming to judge and punish?
Prayer:Judge of all the earth, You judge because we refuse to love and obey You. I have chosen self-centered ways and not God-centered ways. Forgive me. I am repenting of my sin. I am listening to Your voice. I am going to obey You and experience You in love, not punishment. Amen.
Posted by jennyhope at 7:48 AM 0 comments
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Alabaster Box - Cece Winans
my favorite!!! This is my story.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:36 PM 5 comments
Question: "If I do not forgive others, does that mean my sins are not forgiven? What does Matthew 6:14-15 mean?"
Answer: Matthew 6 does not teach that our eternal destiny is based on us forgiving other people; however, it does teach that our relationship with God will be damaged if we refuse to pardon those who have offended us. The Bible is clear that God pardons sin by His grace based on Christ’s work on the cross alone, not on man’s actions. Our right standing before Him is established on one thing only: the finished work of Christ (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10). The penalty for sin that is rightly ours is paid by Christ, and we obtain it by grace through faith, not by any righteous deeds of our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). No one will be able to stand before God demanding that their sins be forgotten simply because they have forgiven others. Only when we are born again, given a new life through God’s Spirit, by faith in Jesus Christ are our sins forgiven. Therefore, Jesus is not referring to God’s initial act of forgiveness (reconciliation) that we experienced when we first believed the Gospel.
What He is referring to is the day-to-day cleansing we obtain when we confess our sins in order to restore fellowship with our heavenly Father—the fellowship which is interrupted by the daily tarnishing of sin that affects us all. This is not the wholesale cleansing from sin that comes with salvation by grace through faith, but is more like the foot-washing Jesus describes in John 13:10. The “whole body is clean,” He told the disciples, but their feet were dirty from their walking in the world. Forgiveness in this sense is what God threatens to withhold from Christians who refuse to forgive others.
In Matthew 6 Jesus is teaching disciples how to pray and in doing so outlines how we are restored into intimacy with God whenever we have displeased Him. In fact, Jesus instructs us to build into our prayers a request that God forgives us in the same way that we have forgiven others who have harmed us (Matthew 6:12). If there are those we have not forgiven when we ourselves pray for forgiveness, then practically speaking we are asking God not to restore a right relationship with us after we sin. To emphasize the importance of restoring broken relationships with our brothers and sisters, He states that by asking for God’s forgiveness for one’s own sins, all the while withholding forgiveness from someone else, is not only bizarre but hypocritical. We cannot possibly walk with God in true fellowship if we refuse to forgive others.
To be sure, an unforgiving spirit is a serious sin and should be confessed to God. If we have unforgiveness in our hearts against someone else, then we are acting in a way that is not pleasing to God, making our prayers and a proper living relationship with Him difficult. God will not hear our prayers unless we also show ourselves ready to grant forgiveness. If we are harder than iron in this regard, Christ’s exhortation ought to soften us.
Recommended Resource: The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness by John MacArthur.
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Posted by jennyhope at 11:31 PM 1 comments
Birthday Party and the Park Pictures
Here is Morgan with the birthday boy Jackson! They are five weeks apart. My child is the ring leader here trying to shake the tree down.
Here she is bugging Jax with his toys. He kept trying to tell her ...mine, mine!
Here she is ready to P-A-R-T-Y!!!
Her trying to grab the baby ducks or whatever they are.
Jax!
Mommy please let me go swim. She was so excited that she put her bathing suit on before the party. She didn't get to swim because her mom was not going to break out her swimsuit!
chasing the birds into the woods
chasing the birds up a VERY steep hill...which she soon decided to slide down. There was a police SUV at the top...as soon as she figures out police I will begin to use that as a tool to get her to obey! LOL!!
Posted by jennyhope at 8:46 PM 4 comments
flat screen
Okay go register (from 5 minutes for mom) for this give a way and link to Best Buy on your blog-o-la!
Posted by jennyhope at 6:35 PM 1 comments
Psalm 73 devo
SO GOOD!!!!
I can't tell you how many times I have been the brute beast before the Lord.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:48 AM 0 comments
Friday, July 27, 2007
Today has been one of those days! My Iliopsoas muscle (your what muscle??) has been killing me all day. What is up with that? If I hear star wars on my tv one more time (the force be with you...Luke...I am your father!) I am going to lose it! I was like dude how many times are you going to watch this show with horrible animation? He says he has been watching all of the star wars...shows what I know. Off to sleep (hopefully). oh and for those of you who have been following for some time...
I got some card in the mail today telling me that my rip off glamour shots were going to be available for pick up soon and that I would be charged an additional $3.99. I am mad thinking about it...so moral of the story: DON'T GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN IN THE BAKERY AISLE OF THE STORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Posted by jennyhope at 11:29 PM 5 comments
Here's the info!
WISING UP by Beth Moore
Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. 9/04/07 - 11/20/07
A teaching DVD series by Beth Moore from the book of Proverbs. A 60-minute DVD with a listening guide. No workbook/homework involved in this study.
LEADER: Jenny Williams williams4676@bellsouth.net
Get in touch with me if you are interested! I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jennyhope at 5:43 PM 2 comments
No she didn't!
Zech 2:8
8 For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you-- for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye--
Yesterday, I went early to pick up Morgan from Mothers Day Out. I could not decide if I was going to enroll her or not again in this particular program. Well, yesterday solidified my decision not to. I walked in about an hour early and I saw the teacher rip my child by the arm back into the room (when I say rip...I mean JERK her by the arm). Then I heard her speak in a very ugly voice saying, "Chill out Morgan!" Morgan wanted her bag and it was 12:15 and they had not fed her yet. When I saw what I saw...I was stunned. I knew that I did not have peace about her being there for a reason. I was having a dialogue moment with the Lord during the next few minutes...asking Him in my Spirit if I really just saw what I saw?!?!? Oh yes. I was completely furious. If you mess with my child (my sweet two year old child) you mess with the apple of my eye. I had to get out of that place as fast as I could. I told Morgan (even though she has no clue what I was talking about) how she would not set foot back in that place...over my dead body...and that her mother was furious!!!
This was a time where I wished she could talk. If I had stayed longer, my flesh would have taken over and I would have punched her (the teacher) out. ;)
I have to believe that the Lord feels the same way about us...if you mess with His kids you are messing with Him!
It is so funny even how nature is wired. We went to the park two days ago and Morgan began to try to pick up the baby ducks. The momma duck hissed at me and her. I was getting pretty scared of the hissing ducks as I am not an animal person...we soon left. I had a rooster that attacked me for years in my own yard...spurring me in the back. I was mortified for years over Sugar. That thing was possessed. I still haven't gotten over that nasty rooster.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:39 AM 7 comments
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Testify Thursday
O.K. everyone has their Tuesday or Wednesday theme going on in blogland. So I am going to take a minute to explain to you my Thursday plan!!! TESTIFY THURSDAY! This will be where you leave a comment on my blog about something the Lord has done for you, in your life, or you have witnessed in the life of another. This is just a way to give Him some praise on Thursday's! We don't want any rocks having to cry out! So, if you read my blog PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT telling how the Lord is working! It will bless you to be reminded! This better not be my shortest comment post either! LOL!
I just shared my comment in the last post!!
love-jenny
Posted by jennyhope at 7:22 AM 13 comments
Who am I????
I thought I was going to get me some sweet sleep last night! Oh wait I forgot...Rod is the only one who sleeps in this house. Morgan decided that it was another night to par-ty! As I crawled into bed around 10 I began to feel heaviness and anxiety come over me. There are a lot of people I know having surgeries in the next couple of days and there are some other concerns that I have for some friends and just some trials on the side that I am going through. Then, I have told you before that I keep cards with scripture handy around the house...Morgan was getting in trouble last night for trying to touch the stove and she, being the child after her mothers own heart, quickly brought me some scripture cards. I am like "Lord, really...how do I get her in trouble with this king of cuteness?" On the card was this VERY VERY familiar verse (Isa 43:1). My antennas came up with this one. Then as I am laying in my bed I pull out some cards out of the drawer and there it is!!! The same verse. I begin to start worrying 90 to nothing..."Lord, why are you giving me these verses...what is going to happen?" I hate being a girl because I think our propensity to sin in the area of worrying is a little higher than a mans (I could be wrong...but I am sort of basing this on Rod...dude really doesn't worry about much in my estimation). Over the years these verses have meant a lot to me to remind me that "when" not "if", when I pass through the waters, He will be with me. When I pass through the rivers of life...they will not sweep over me. When I walk through the fire, I will not be burned (think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3). We can just count on the fact that we will face trials of MANY kinds and that when we go through them we should not be surprised as if something strange were happening to us (1 Peter 4:12).
NIV Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Then again I got up and went to go sleep in Morgans room (she is in love with having her momma very close by if I must say so myself) and I picked up a devotional that had the verse from Philippians 4:6-7:
"6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Beth spoke on these verses during our Tuesday night dvd. She was saying that we literally are to pray about everything and that worrying is sin.
Why? Why is it sin? Well, it shows that we are not putting our trust in the Ancient of Days. The ONE who is not limited by time or space. He is already there in our tomorrows and He knows and we can trust Him. We can trust that His power is made perfect in our weakness. Beth spoke about 3 things we can do in a crisis situation like Daniel faced before the lions den. We can:
1. Panic
2. Paralyze and do nothing
3. We can pray
She said that prayer is always the right thing...always the power thing and that heaven will hear.
I have blown it in several situations if I must say. When Rod broke his back and I had learned of the accident...I completely panicked! I have since then had several crisis do-overs! When I learned of losing Shelby, I immediately went into prayer mode...I shut my ears literally to everyone else and I began to pray, extolling the Lord at all times. When I went into the hospital and they told me that Morgan was going to come at 28 weeks I began immediately to pray. As soon as I got in my hospital room (I WAS VERY ANGRY) I broke out my journal and began to go to town in prayer. Begging the Lord to let me keep this child...begging Him to not take her as well. The Neonatalogist came in the room and told me the odds and that she would be there within the next 24 hours. WRONG! She stayed in her mother's womb for SEVEN more weeks. God kept her and brought her safely here seven weeks later...against all odds!
My point is that last night I began to worry and I said NO! I am going to put Philippians 4:6-7 into practice. I broke Tetris out (because it helps me to do something mindless) and I began to pray out loud thanking God for all that He has done and telling Him how worried that I am. I began to remind myself through prayer just how He has been here for me. Even if things have not turned out how I have planned HIS GRACE HAS BEEN SUFFICIENT for my need. When we are worried how long should we pray? Well, I prayed until I fell asleep. My prayers of worrying turned into prayers of: "dear Jesus...PLEASE, PLEASE, I am begging You let my child go to sleep."
Then, this morning Rod brought me a piece of mail that he had gotten out of the mailbox on Sunday...it was a gift card from the sweetest man that I know. There is a precious man at our church (Jim Henderson...who will give you candy if you ever run into him...a man after my own heart...candy is very important to me) that is so loved by all and he sent me a sweet surprise. The Lord is so good...and it is just part of His grace. This man is truly such a blessing to everyone (Gen 12:2). I am like Lord please let me be like he is. I get a new i-Pod, my hair thermally straightened for free, and now dinner at my favorite restaurant J. Alexanders (I may just take Rod with me, I am not sure.)!!! Why me Lord? Just extra icing on the cake.
Psalm 126:3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
So why do we need to practice thanksgiving? Well, because it reminds us of how He has been faithful in the past and that He will be faithful today. He doesn't need the reminder...we do! He is able and He is worthy of our trust and our praise. I love you Lord!!
Posted by jennyhope at 6:37 AM 5 comments
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Freak out!
I am so about to freak out! I only got like 2.5 to 3 hours of sleep last night and I was so looking forward to going to bed early tonught. I was downstairs picking up toys (oh did I mention it is 12:27am??) and out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving across the floor. A roach! It makes me sick sick sick! So of course I get my stradegy going as to how I will kill it. I beat it with a pampers wipe box and then I moved the couch and proceeded to get the vacuum out! I sucked it up and ran the vacuum for 15 more minutes to make sure I got it. I AM NOT KIDDING! I then began to clean like crazy and I scrubbed my entire kitchen floor on my knees! I AM SICK TO MY STOMACH! I cant stand bugs!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jennyhope at 12:26 AM 9 comments
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
If you have time
This is a devotional that is so good. I just read it after my other post and I know the Lord is trying to get the same message across to me!
Posted by jennyhope at 7:31 AM 5 comments
video!
Watch the Nichole Nordeman you tube I posted. This song describes my feelings about trials, choices, and mistakes that I have been through. So good!
Posted by jennyhope at 7:20 AM 4 comments
Competing with the Horses
Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, {5 Or If you put your trust in a land of safety} how will you manage in the thickets by {5 Or the flooding of} the Jordan?"
This is the Lord's reply to the "weeping prophet" Jeremiah after he complains for the first several verses to God about the wicked prospering. Isn't it like us to focus on other things (or what we feel God is letting others get away with) and get our focus off of the Lord and get in a slump? We go through trials and we don't understand why others may have it easy when we are going through such horrendous times. We aren't usually looking through a clear perspective when we think we are the only ones in the heat. Plus we should remember that the Lords patience (2 Peter 3:11) means salvation. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance. We are all going to face trials of MANY kinds while we are on this planet. It just comes with the territory. We should however embrace those trials as opportunities for the Lord to refine us and for us to see clearly that He is the only one that matters and the He is God and will be HIGH and lifted up.
Does your husband neglect you? Draw near to the Lord. Has someone rejected you? Draw near to the Lord. Are you going through a crisis? Draw near to the Lord. Do you feel like you have just out sinned the Lord's ability to forgive? Draw near to the Lord. Are you going through a time of impeccable loss? Draw near to the Lord. Do you think God has forgotten you? You guessed it...draw near to the Lord. I can't tell you how many times I have been like Jeremiah...complaining over things that God has allowed that can be used as a catalyst to thrust me deeper in my relationship with Him. Often times when I have chosen to complain and wallow, all of the energy has been sucked out of me and I become worn out and miserable. If you are reading this you are reading from someone who has been through a lot in her life. I have at sometimes had so many trials coming that I didn't think it would ever let up. I have faced loss, betrayal, rejection, pain over my own sin, MANY health problems and shared in the sufferings of so many others., as well as having the enemy constantly at my heels. You are not talking to someone who doesn't know what it is like to face the heat. Also, from being in ministry there is hardly a day that goes by that I don't get some sort of prayer request for others who are facing so much. My heart breaks at all of the pain and suffering in this fallen world. One thing I have learned and will continue to learn is to ask God to show me when I have an opportunity to come to Him instead of trying to handle things on my own, by pleading my case and etc. When I am wronged...to come to Him and He can handle the hurt. He has proven Himself over and over in this area. What is our natural tendency when the going gets tough? It is to bolt! God is using all of your trials and all of mine to produce staying power in us and the ability to bear up under a load. That is literally what endurance means in the greek. We are to keep going on with God and we are to continually cast our burdens at His feet. In coming to Him, our trial may not change but He will make us able to endure if we go on with Him. I can't stand when people tell me that God will never give you more than you can bear. That is one of the most taken out of context verses I have ever heard! God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Cor 10:13) BIG DIFFERENCE! I remember well intended people telling me that when Shelby died and I wanted to say WELL THANK YOU for telling me that...it just takes every bit of pain that I feel away. We will all go through things that do not seem in our ability to bear and that is why we have a Saviour who is familiar with our weakness and one who took up our infirmities, A God who rushes in to bind up the broken hearted and give us beauty instead of ashes...a garment of praise instead of a Spirit of despair. So don't be surprised at the fiery trial as if something strange were happening to you. Run to Jesus. I think God has mighty things for His children in our present day and if we are getting worn out by the little things like traffic, or our order not being right, or having to wait to long in the line at the grocery store...how in the world are we going to move on with God and compete with horses if we are getting worn out on foot?
NIV James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Posted by jennyhope at 6:27 AM 1 comments
Deanna Whittsett
I was online tonight researching the local missions and I ran across this article about one of my friends who was in my last bible study. My heart is so tender toward this woman and I am so thankful for her witness. She takes her kids (all four of them) down to the Jimmie Hale Mission to serve the homeless (here is the article page 6). One thing Beth Moore talked about in week four of Daniel is the importance of staying humble. She said that when we lose touch with the poor we will inevitably set ourselves up for a fall. I have loved the times where I have been able to go to the homeless shelter and serve...in going I received the blessing. Apart from God's grace on my life...where would I be? I don't even want to know.
King Neb was told to renounce his sins and show kindness to the poor and he did not do it...and then you know what happens...he was humbled. This challenges me that I need to get more involved with those who are poverty stricken.
Posted by jennyhope at 1:05 AM 1 comments
Monday, July 23, 2007
Pics of the DO~
Here is a side view of the new do! Teri I did just wash it and it was straight! FABULOUS! This pic is after a windy car ride.
The other side
Me posing on my stairs...right after morgan and I just pigged out at the mexican rest!
close-up of both sides~I took this one myself!
This is me and Morgan before our glamour shots at the grocery store. If you check my hair out in the Elvis mirror you will notice all the wave...that is after some serious straightening before my new do!!
Posted by jennyhope at 8:34 PM 4 comments
On The 8th day the Lord created a hair straightner! LOL!!
I received an anonymous comment earlier about my don't hate me post and I realized it was indeed my little sister. It said that I was a goofball. Don't you love how family will tell you the truth!
Seriously, I know I should boast on my hair but I just washed it and it is ROCKING!! My hair has never been this straight in my life! THANK YOU JESUS!
Posted by jennyhope at 3:23 PM 3 comments
Make it a point!
Joshua 1:7-9
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
It has been so many years now that I began to pray that God would give me a hunger and thirst for His word. He is so faithful to honor that prayer. No matter the season or the sin He has drawn me in through His word and He continues to teach me every day. I have often thought about what makes a person turn away from the Word. I don't have all the answers but I think we sometimes think we have out sinned God's ability to forgive us so we hang our head in shame and settle for lesser things. If we really knew the God of the Bible we would see that He is loving, just, merciful, ABLE, and righteous. He deals with sin but He does not pay us as our sins deserve (Psalm 130, Isa 55). It is the enemy, the liar and deceiver, that wants us to believe that God can't forgive us. We may experience consequences to our sin, but if we come seeking forgiveness and repentance God will forgive...He longs for us to be right with Him and He longs to show us compassion. I purchased a copy of Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem about three years ago and I read through a lot of it a few years ago. God has since had me come back to this book and I have been staying up WAY TO LATE to read it. Last night I was reading about His know ability and the fact that we will never stop learning about God for all eternity. We are not God and we can know Him but we will never cease to learn and be satisfied when we are in a state of no longer sinning (in heaven...but we should be continually growing and learning here as well. That will make the difference between someone who is a disciple of Jesus and someone who merely goes to church yet professes Christ). There aren't many books that I have read thus far that have truly wowed me (besides the bible) and challenged me to focus on His greatness like this one. I just wanted to give a shout out and urge you to get a copy and read through it. Or even get a group to go through it as a reading group. Let me say I don't agree with everything but it is one of the best books on systematic theology that I have read.
Another thing that I have urged other believers to do is to STAY IN THE WORD. No matter the circumstance...stay in the Word. There are so many great Bible studies out there that can help you along the way but keep sowing in the word. I literally asked the Lord to keep me in His word day and night and He has been so faithful to that prayer for years now. When we aren't lining ourselves up with truth we face the temptation to lessen God and walk away due to adversity or circumstances. Our hearts are truly deceitful and we constantly need to come back to truth. I had a situation the other night that I was so sick of. I began to think things out in my head and how I was going to cut this person off in my heart and life. Since I have made it a point (and I say that in all humility...I need the word constantly because I am extremely prone to get off track) to be in the word in the morning and night I did what I always do before I went to bed and spent time with God. People, as soon as I got in the word I realized that the premeditating that was going on in my head was not in line with Gods word of will. I told Him I was sorry and wrong and I made things right with that person the next day. When we constantly come to Him to drink we see where we have erred and we can get our hearts back in line with God's word.
Psalm 1
BOOK I : Psalms 1-41 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Posted by jennyhope at 10:39 AM 4 comments
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Walking in the Word
The Lord will use anything to get my attention. Sometimes if I am having a bad day Morgan will bring me my bible (not kidding) and it reminds me to get in the word, pray and seek His face. One thing she has been doing lately is putting scripture cards in my shoes. I will go to put my shoes on and a lot of times pull verses out. I think the Lord is using her some to do His bidding! Seriously, it makes me smile but it gets this girls attention.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:23 PM 6 comments
Perfect Peace
I am going to try to be quick because I have to get back to some tasks at hand. I could not get this passage off of my mind this morning:
Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Lets just do a real quick Hebrew word study of this passage if you will hang with me!
The word for keep here is Nasar meaning "to guard, protect, keep; to obey; observe, behold, watch, inspect. Used to denote guarding a vineyard (Isa 27:3), a fig tree (Pr 27:18), and a fortress (Na 2:1). Those who performed this function were called "watchmen," the Qal active participle form of nasar (2 Ki 17:9, 18:8; Jer 31:6). In an ethical sense, one can guard his mouth (Ps 141:3; Pr 13:3), his path in life (pr 16:17), his heart (Pr 4:23)...and his tongue (Ps 34:13). The idea of faithfully keeping a covenant is prominent (Ex 34:7; Dt 33:9; Ps 25:10; 1192ff.). The Israelites were urged to observe the commands of parents (Pr 6:20) and the discipline of wisdom (Pr 3:21; 4:13; 5:2). Israel was likened to a vineyard and the Lord served as he keeper (Job 7:20)."
The word for perfect peace is Salom meaning: "to be safe, be complete. Health, security, tranquility (Job 21:9) welfare...success, comfort, peace...the opposite of war.
(Let me just add about the health part being part of perfect peace. I believe that is mainly speaking about health down in your bones if you know what I mean. Like rest from sin's consequences. For example when you are wigging out in sin and you have the Holy Spirit you should not have peace about the state you are in if you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I know first hand that when I am living in habitual sin I have complete unrest in my Spirit. See Psalm 51 and Psalm 32 ).
...him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
The word for trusts here is batah meaning:
"to attach oneself, trust, confide in, feel safe, be confident, secure. The basic idea signifies firmness or solidity. Denotes a confident expectation. The folly of relying upon any other type of security is strongly contrasted with depending on God alone (1 Ch 5:20; Ps 22:4; 31:14; 33:21; Isa 26:3; 30:12; Jer 17:7). The Septuagint uses elpizo...to hope, to translate this word."
Please just stop to picture this. He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in the Lord. I love the definition used above meaning to trust. We will never feel like trusting so we are going to have to be firm and solidify our decision to take God at His word. I am horrified at the times I have doubted God and gone my own way and lived completely based on feelings. I have experienced grave consequences as a result of my own foolishness. We will never obey out of feelings or without a firm resolve to stick to the truth. It is my constant prayer that the Lord would give me more of the Spirit and that I would live and walk in truth. Going outside of God's word to meet my selfish needs has always meant devestating results ultimately. To trust in Him I will confide in Him (prayer), attach myself to Him...I love the way that word is pictured in attaching ourselves to Him. I can picture a little girl living in the shadow of her daddy and not leaving His side. When I lose focus and allow sin to take permanence in my life I begin to doubt and all manner of insecurities begin to manifest themselves in me. I lose my footing so to speak. But when I am focused on Him through prayer and the Word and living in step with the Spirit I am secure and I see evidence of the One that I continually put my trust in. When we rely on other security besides God it will ultimately result in us turning from God to something else...which is an idol.
So are you lacking peace? Look at your life. Is there sin that needs to be renounced? Has Gods word lost first place in your heart? Return to Him, beg for Him to make you right and beg Him for the help to live and abide in Him...that is His will for us. He will not resist your cry. Your circumstances may not change...but by focusing your energy on Him...He will change you. He will make you okay as you seek to know Him. I know that first hand!
(The quotes here are taken from the OT Lexical aids of my Key Word Study bible, Spiros Zodhiates)
Posted by jennyhope at 10:32 PM 1 comments
Saturday, July 21, 2007
experiencing God devo
July 21
Scripture:"If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king." (Dan. 3:17, Holman CSB)
Thought:Daniel's friends had done everything they thought possible to be faithful to God. Suddenly, the king said, "Sin or die." The young men said, "If that is the way it must be, so be it. Death is a better option than sin." Have you been disappointed in the way things have worked out for you and decided God's will is leading nowhere? Think again. God is in the business of delivering from dead end streets.
Prayer:Deliverer, I am at wit's end. Still, I want to be true to You. Show me again the glory of experience with You even when life seems to close all doors. Amen.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:55 PM 1 comments
Tag
Bee at Willblog tagged me! WHOOO HOOO!!!! So here goes nothing!!
5 Things Meme here’s the list:
5 things I want to do before I die:
1. See my daughter profess Christ as her Savior!
2. Go to the Grande Canyon
3. Own my own pink automatic Harley
4. Mission trip to South Africa
5. Finish my online courses and get my house perrfectly organized :)
5 things I can do:
1. Make a bed (the talent)
2. Clean
3. Quote most of Napolean Dynamite
4. Beat Mario 1 in one man
5. Share all my learning!! Can I get a witness?
5 things I cannot do:
1. Eat seafood
2. Watch snakes on tv
3. I can't do much of anything good in my own strength...seriously!
4. I can't take everything too seriously!
5. Own a pet
5 things that make a man attractive to me:
1. Jesus
2. praying together
3. tall, dark, and handsome...i mean what is this?
4. A man who watches football all day and ignores you
5. One who doesn't ever listen to a word you say (I am being funny)
5 celebrities I crush on:
Honestly I don't think I could name 5 guy celebrities (very out of touch with all of that)...
5 bloggers I’d like to see do this also:
Shelly
Mandy
Kim
Lori
Pinkmommy
Posted by jennyhope at 11:30 PM 3 comments
Martha Bell
2 Timothy 4:6-8
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
My heart aches tonight as I received the news of a precious sister who went to be with Jesus. Martha Bell is (I say is because her spirit lives on) a precious woman that I had the honor to study the word with a year or so ago. She came to my Daniel bible study last summer and I am forever blessed because of her life. I was so sad to hear the news tonight. I had written a friend that goes to my church asking about her and she gave me the news. I am glad that I got her a card before she went to be with Jesus and I shared with her how much she meant to me. She had lung cancer. Martha was the biggest encourager. She would call my house and leave me the sweetest messages. I was so touched by her witness. She was a single woman in her 50's and she was so sick yet she still made time to come to bible study and her ladies Sunday school class. She loved Jesus and loved His word. It makes me sad to think of the times I complain and don't feel like making it to church and then someone like Martha is doing whatever she can to make it to be with fellow believers in the midst of a terrible illness. She was so funny and she was also so ready to go and be at home with the Lord. She kept the faith and kept seeking Him until her last breath. She was so eager to serve in some way. She would get to our study early just to make nametags...she was a teacher so she had the best handwriting. I hope that I am like her when it comes my time to go and be with my King. Our life truly is a vapor and a mist here one day and gone the next. I will see you in heaven Martha!!
Posted by jennyhope at 9:29 PM 1 comments
Don't hate me
Don't hate me because I am beautiful! LOL!!! Seriously, I got my hair chemically straightened today!! PRAISE HIM! Pictures to come!! :)
Posted by jennyhope at 9:04 PM 3 comments
Friday, July 20, 2007
Make fun of me if you want to!
Rod makes fun of me so bad about this but I can not stand cuss words. I don't want to hear them or anything so when we got married we had a HUGE problem. The TV! Tons of cussing! Anyway, we purchased a TV Guardian a few years ago and it takes all of the cussing out of movies. Well, we just switched to Direct TV and now it takes cussing out of any tv program! You can now buy them at Lifeway but we originally had to get it from Family Christian. I paid $100 for mine...but it is totally worth it! I am watching Top Gun right now. I used to be in love with Tom Cruise when I was little...what was I thinking? EDITED TO ADD- Top Gun is a real cheesy movie and I am now going to change the channel!
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Posted by jennyhope at 10:02 PM 3 comments
What a rip off!
Seriously, I am about to knock on myself for being so gullible. We show up at the grocery store to get Morgans pics made and it was a total rip off! I am sure you got the idea when I said: GROCERY STORE! The guy who sold me weeks before lied! Then they charged me more money and tried to take a billion pictures. Dude who sold me on the $10 said they were going to set up a studio when I came back. Well, little did I know that meant aisle one in the bakery section of the store. How embarrassing! I get mad and tell the lady that I don't need any pictures and I just felt sorry for the old guy who asked me. Then, get this...she makes me get in the pic with Morgan. That would be fine if it weren't for all of the spectators in the bakery section. I knew I didn't feel good about this for a reason. I told the lady that I didn't like any of the props and I was not interested in any more dealios! I tried desperately to stay in the Spirit and not call them a bunch of liars or give any roundhouse kicks to the face. I am getting a really good laugh right now. I even told home girl (all the way from Missouri) that I did not want ANY glamour shots. My kid is to young for that...I was horrified and wanted to get out of there after I had all of the men in there 50's stop to flirt with us. The lady that was taking my pictures asked if I knew these people that were stopping bye. I was like NO...I guess they came to buy some bread or cookies or something!!!! I don't ever even come into this grocery store...the one time I came dude sold me on some rip off pictures!!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jennyhope at 1:41 PM 8 comments
The little things...
It really is the little things that cause problems in marriage. It is so easy to have little habits that annoy one another. Well, I could name some of Rod's for ya but I will save that. I am not writing to complain but to share a funny story. I put the D in drama....but Rod can be a drama king (little "k"). Before I could put the cap on the toothpaste he was trying to get on to me about leaving it off. He then tried to scare me into putting the cap on by saying that bugs will crawl into my toothpaste. Little hidden bugs he says. I told him that it was a good thing that I don't swallow toothpaste! It is so funny because he knows that is what it would probably take for me to put the cap on since I am the germ phobe! I did research to see if he was right and he was making that load of junk up!
Posted by jennyhope at 8:30 AM 2 comments
Again
I read the following this morning in Breaking Free by Beth Moore. SO GOOD! I have shared before that this is my 6th or so time to Break Free! Maybe I will get it this time!! LOL!
"You are not defined by anything that happened to you or anything that you have done. You are defined by who you are in Christ. You are God's beloved child. He has seen any wrong done to you, and He will uphold your cause."
(Insert your name)
My child, _________, I loved you before you were born. I knit you together in your mothers womb and knew what your first and last words would be. I knew every difficulty you, _____________, would face. I suffered each one with you. Even the ones you didn't suffer with me. I had a plan for your life before you were born. The plan has not changed, ____________, no matter what has happened or what you have done. You see, I already knew all things concerning you before I formed you. I would never allow any hurt to come into your life that I could not use for eternity, ______________. Will you let Me? Your truth is incomplete unless you view it against the backdrop of my Truth. Your story, ____________, will forever remain incomplete...until you let Me do what only I can do with your heart. Let Me perfect that which concerns you.
I remain,
Your Faithful Father
Okay read Psalm 107:20 and Psalm 119:92 and Psalm 55:1-11
"I pray that you and I will always be able to boast about Christ through our afflictions. I don't like tribulation one bit more than you do; but not coincidentally, the road signs marking a positive change in my personal journey all appear in places of difficulty. "
This was just what I needed to read this morning! It is from page 106-107 of Breaking Free.
Posted by jennyhope at 8:07 AM 1 comments
ps
I am taking Morgan to get some glamour shots (by Deb) this morning. If you have not seen Napolean Dynamite: FORGET ABOUT IT! I walked right into some $10 deal on pics. I hope it wasn't a scam :). I felt sorry for the old man that was asking me to make an appointment...he took my check up front. I was ok since it was only $10. I will let you know if I show up to no portrait studio! Oh well, at least we will be looking cute even if its a scam-o-la!
Posted by jennyhope at 6:44 AM 3 comments
Joy in His Presence!
I woke up this morning (after like 2 hours of sleep) with a heavy and burdened heart. I am CHOOSING joy today regardless!! This is kind of funny but last night I went to bed at like 1am and I couldn't shut my mind down (this is something Rod never has to worry about...we could have WW3 at our house and he could go right to sleep) so I got my iPod out and began to listen to my mix. Bad idea! My heart just started pounding. Then I had more energy from feeding the Spirit...you get the idea. I was up after that! I had to stretch out my hands and give Him some praise!
Psalm 16:11
11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 77
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm. 1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah
4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
Psalm 85:6
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Posted by jennyhope at 6:31 AM 1 comments
Thursday, July 19, 2007
my favorite song for now
Okay click on this link and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on pray to listen to my current favorite song! It is by CeCe...I have been completely stuck on this for a few weeks. GLORY!
Posted by jennyhope at 11:30 PM 1 comments
iPod
Today has been a crazy day. My neck and back have been bothering me so much. I have a lot of muscular problems because my spine is shaped wrong at the top of my neck. I was a HUGE tomboy (still am) when I was little and all of my climbing did me in. I fell and broke my collar bone and had some falls in cross country running trails. Anyway, if you know me you will know what a problemo my neck is...I am a stiff necked chick! Literally! So I managed to take 2 naps today (one while Morgan was sleeping and the other when Rod got home). So these pics of me are kind of yuck! I had not had a shower (or makeup....SIN) from the gym yet...but I just love these of Morgan. She is obsessed with my music and I can't even listen to my iPod without her having to get in on it. We were in the middle of a really good song in the pic below. I have been addressing invitations all night (that is why i have not responded to most of my mail yet or messages ;0) for my little sisters shower she gets married in almost one month.
Morgan had just gotten a bath in the sink from pouring her dinner all over herself so that would explain her lack of clothes.
Now who is this girl? She came to work with Morgan on her speech since she is 2 and not saying much. I think it is a bit premature since all Morgan did was go through her stuff and break her crayons...the Doctor ordered it though.
Posted by jennyhope at 10:38 PM 2 comments
The Rocks Won't Cry Out
Rod gets on to me all the time for what is calls "speaking in code"...bible code that is. He says that not everyone understands my code language. Well, let me decode real quick! The Rocks aren't going to have to cry out in praise to the Lord today because me and Morgan are bringing it! I have been getting my praise on all morning...not because life is good or circumstances are...but because He is! He has been breaking through some tough places in me and I praise Him for that. He is continually freeing me and I hate it that I have not cooperated with Him when what He does is for my good. I am so thankful that He doesn't let me rest until I am moving on with Him.
Luke 19:40
40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
I love this Psalm 103 this is such a testimony to what He has done in me! I hope you will go get a little undignified and give Him some praise. It will do you good!
2 Samuel 6:21-22 (New International Version)
21 David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."
Posted by jennyhope at 1:58 PM 5 comments
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The Enduring Word
The verse of the day is Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
It just sends chills up and down my spine as I think about how God used this verse to prepare me for one of my toughest hours. I began to have this verse burn on my heart weeks before I would lose my first born daughter, Shelby Hope. She would have been three years old on August the 20th. I can't believe it has almost been three years since she was born. Her life was 30 minutes long and I had to watch her die and there was NOTHING I could do. I felt like part of me had been ripped away...because it had. I have been through so much (SO MUCH) in my life...but nothing could have prepared me for that. God was and is faithful...He did not let a second go before He began to flood my heart with His words that I had stored up in my heart. Satan had no heart for me and wanted to kick me while I was down but the Lord did not let him triumph over me.
I have shared this so many times and I will share it again...
The doctor came in and sat on my hospital bed. He told me she would die and there was nothing that they could do. Her lungs were not developed. I immediately asked him to pray with me and we did. I then did not want to hear any more...I just needed to get through the toughest part...delivering and then letting her go be with Jesus. The Lord spoke LOUD and clear to me in the following moments. John Chapter 11 records the death of Lazarus (Mary and Martha's brother and the friend of Jesus). You know the story...Lazarus dies and the Lord lets him die and raises him back from the dead to bring the Father glory. Here is Rod's memory verse: "Jesus wept." Martha and Mary knew Jesus and they knew that He could have saved their brother from death. Martha cries out to the Lord:
John 11:21-26
21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Glory was at stake here. I always thought that Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus and in that moment in the hospital it was as if God said "Jenny, I am weeping (He experienced every external expression of grief...He WEPT)...it was not just one little tear rolling down the cheek of my Christ) for Mary and Martha and for you Jenny. You don't understand child...but Glory is at stake."
With sin...came death. BUT JESUS...made a way for us to be made right with Him through His blood shed on a cross. He destroyed death and the power of the grave.
I have had people tell me that babies don't go to heaven...I would like to slap them (lovingly).
Here are the words from 2 Samuel 12:21-23 in speaking of the child that David had with Bathsheba (the baby died).
21 His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!"
22 He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.'
23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
Try to tell a mother who has just lost her child that a Holy God would send a precious innocent child to hell. BIG FAT WHATEVER...so don't even go there with me.
1 Corinthians 15:26-28
26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
27 For he "has put everything under his feet." {27 Psalm 8:6} Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." {54 Isaiah 25:8}
55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" {55 Hosea 13:14}
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I can't even imagine what my life would be like without sweet little Morgan...if I had not lost Shelby I would not have Morgan...and oh how I praise Him for Morgan!!
I leave you with these words that bring me much comfort as I think about the brief time I have here in comparison to eternity...our life is a vapor and a mist...here one day and gone the next. Teach us to number our days Lord...that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
NIV Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:49 PM 8 comments
New Pics!!!
more of my pics from the car!
Rod digesting his food from the Golden Corral
Me and Morgan playing...she makes me laugh so much. We also have more than one room in our home but this is the one that she plays in. Take notice of Rods tv's in the background. There are two. Betsie the Big Screen bit the dust in spite of my attempts to bring her back...he still wont get her out of the den. He is getting another temporary big screen this weekend from his parents. The deer made it in the pic to!
I need you to know that my child got out of her crib tonight and went downstairs opened my candy drawer and dumped the skittles and ogre sized m&m's on the floor. I wish I could tell you that I didn't salvage the red and purple skittles but I did. I couldn't bring myself to throw them away. If I am sick tomorrow you will know why. Fortunately, I vacuum and sweep and etc almost daily. I spot clean the carpet to so I hope it made the difference as I picked those fruity flavors off the floor and ate them. I wish I could have gotten on to Morgan and meant it but I laughed. This kind of parenting has to stop!!
morgan from the night we went to the Olive Garden with Amy
My friend Donna pointed out to me how important food is to me in an email tonight...this one is for you Donna! This is my fettuccine alfredo from the other night.
Here is Amy
Me and the love of my life!!
I took this on the way to bible study Tuesday night...the guy behind me in the car was not pleased at my moment with God. This was not wasted on me!!!!
Some new stuff that Katies mom gave Morgan
Those cheeks.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:26 PM 3 comments
Don't Be Jealous
Ladies don't be jealous but i am getting a thermal straightener on my hair this Saturday! It cost so much at the salon but I have connections. My sister-in-law used to do hair and she is going to do it for me for free! God is good! I am still checking into the Chi.
Posted by jennyhope at 11:52 AM 7 comments
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Bible study was so good tonight! I am so thankful for this group of girls! I was so blessed tonight by Cheryl who is in our group. I knew that she must have some kind of story for the love she has for the word. Anyway, I needed my talk with her...we all really need each other so much and it is easy to forget that and try to be an island! I started getting a pounding headache tonight and my neck is killing me and I am PRAYING hard that this is not spinal meningitis again rearing its ugly head. On the way home I realized that I had only had some chips today so at 10pm I headed to Arby's for some cheese sticks. I forgot that I wanted a cinnamon roll they are delicious...so after leaving the Arby's on 31 I headed for the one off of 119. Get a grip!
The point of this post is to say that if you weren't there tonight you were missed and I always notice if you aren't there (I won't start naming names: Val, Suzanne, Brynn, Julie, Mashone, Michelle, Virginia, Tarra, ...just to name a few if you are reading). The thing I hate about a large group is that I don't want you to ever feel lost in the shuffle or that you aren't noticed...you are!
Also, for my birmingham girls I wanted to tell you about one of my favorite places to eat. I am going to venture out there this week. It is called Seafood and Chicken Box. They have THE BEST chicken fingers, fries, and hush puppies! I asked Rod to go there with me ASAP...but I will be heading out to Roebuck Pkwy with or without him. It is about a 45 minute drive but it is totally worth it!! ps i hate seafood so i couldnt tell you about that!
Posted by jennyhope at 11:31 PM 4 comments
Experiencing God (these are so good!!!!!)
June 13th
Scripture:
"It is not for your sake that I will act" -- the declaration of the Lord God -- "let this be known to you. Be ashamed and humiliated because of your ways, house of Israel!" (Ezek. 36:32, Holman CSB)
Thought:
God reveals to you where you have disobeyed Him. He brings a sense of self-loathing, a sense of total failure. This is only one temporary step. God does not want you to keep on hating yourself. He wants you to let His Spirit control your life. This is the basic adjustment you have to make: from self-control to Spirit control.
Prayer:
Holy One, you alone can reveal my sin to me. Open my heart. Bring that godly self-hatred that leads to repentance and renewal. Send Your Spirit into my life that I can make the life adjustments You lead me to make. Amen.
July 12
Scripture:
I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances. (Ezek. 36:27, Holman CSB)
Thought:
The Spirit makes obedience possible. Living in you, the Spirit prompts you to answer God's invitation. Listening to the Spirit always leads to the right decision when you face a crisis of belief.
Prayer:
Spirit of God, live in me. Take away the self-centeredness that makes me ignore You, O Holy Spirit. Bring to pass what You have purposed for me. I love You. Amen.
July 11
Scripture:
will know that I am the Lord, My people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. (Ezek. 37:13, Holman CSB)
Thought:
A spiritual marker identifies a time of transition, decision, or direction when you clearly know that God has guided you. Ezekiel provides a spiritual marker in Scripture, marking Israel's transition from a hopeless people in exile to a renewed people starting over in the restored Promised Land. How has God revealed to you that He is the Resurrection and the Life?
Prayer:
Life itself, when I do not obey and experience You, I walk in the valley of death and miss the excitement of life. Draw me back to You in obedience so that I may know life and know it more abundantly. Thank You for the assurance of resurrection. Amen.
Posted by jennyhope at 3:45 PM 0 comments
No Small Scene
Genesis 20:18
..."God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."
Psalm 126:2-3
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Morgan and I did our usual a few minutes ago. I picked her up from Mothers Day Out and I told her what I do each Tuesday that we were going to go and get her chips and cheese dip. We stopped at Cozumel and she went in with her usual excitement. We made our "to go" order and she began to climb in and out of the booths as usual. She talked with one of the waiters and Mrs. Rosie who work there. They all love her. She hunted for candy in the machines and then heard a song she liked and decided that she was going to dance a little (in the middle of the restaurant). Then, I thought things were going well...no fits or anything about getting it "to go" (she likes to stay there to eat). Finally, we get to the car and she decides that she IS NOT getting in her seat. This was cute for a minute but if you have kept up with some of my previous posts when she starts getting out of hand I begin to laugh and it sucks the life out of me. Instead of me getting mad...I laugh. I know you are thinking: "Jenny, get a grip. She is two just take control she weighs 30 lbs and you weigh 118lbs who is the adult here? Put her in her seat, there is no way she could win." Well, then you have never had a two year old who has her mind made up. I am not kidding...she would arch her back, kick, and giggle. I would start laughing and try to make a serious face threatening to spank her if she didn't get in her seat. Then I would go to the back of the car and get her, she would in turn climb as fast as she could to the front and turn up Jennifer Knapp. She would start dancing and turn the wheel a little. I laughed so hard that my strength to fight her was depleted. People began to gather outside of the shopping center and watch the spectacle. I then called Rod and turned it on speaker phone and asked him to get on to her. He told her to get in her seat in his stern voice...to no avail. More people are coming out of the stores...they are watching the routine of me pulling her up, her kicking, arching the back and climbing to the front. I begin to break a sweat, yet I can't seem to stop laughing. Then, I cry out Lord please help me get her in her seat. The sweetest man who saw my struggle earlier came out of the store and asked me if I wanted him to help me get her in her seat. The Lord heard my cry!!! There are about 15 people outside on benches and etc staring at this point. What was I going to do haul off and beat my kid into submission during the comedy routine?!?!? The man goes and puts his work in his truck and Morgan heads to the front seat again. This time she turns the wipers on us (with the spray) and we laugh. The man begins to work with her to get her in her seat...he had a hard time to. After about five minutes of him trying she got in the seat. Then, there was no small downpour of rain...GRACE because the second he got her in it poured and I thanked that sweet Good Samaritan!
Posted by jennyhope at 2:12 PM 3 comments