Tag: it’s ok

Motivational Monday

Hey friends!  Wasn’t yesterday just beautiful?  And I mean beautiful for so many reasons!  I know Easter is once a year but it is so important to remember ALL YEAR what He did for us and our salvation.  Which is an awesome segway into our motivation this week…

Have you ever gone through something and felt alone?  Of course, you have family and friends all around you but you feel…isolated.  You feel as though no one understands what you are going through.  You are stuck in your head.  OR, you have been isolated from friends and/or family and it’s devastating.  And you asked, “Why me?  Why now?”  Well, let’s talk about it.

As you all know, I am a talker.  An overall extrovert.  But when something is wrong in my life, I retreat.  And when I say retreat, I am a turtle that you just came up on from behind.  I ain’t coming out of that shell until I am safe.  To be fair, my “safe” is usually working things out in my head.  This can last a day to months.  Which is why I am involved in church as much as I am.  Church doesn’t allow me to be in my shell long because I have people who call and text to say, “Where have you been?  We’ve missed you.”  I have a sense of accountability to those people and I don’t want to let them down.

But in the seasons where I have retreated and I was isolated, they were not good times in my life.  Something was wrong.  So, it was hard on me mentally.  I guess because I did isolate myself, I talked to God a lot.  I can remember times trying to make deals with Him.  I know that’s not how it works (and I knew it then), I just wanted Him to intervene and make things better.  I wanted to know why this was happening.  Why is God isolating me?

Well, first, He wants your focus on Him.  Listen.  I know I say this every week on Mondays and Pastor Scott says it every week in church and in his midweek messages but God loves you.  He really does.  You are here on this Earth, because He put you here.  He wants you to choose Him like He chose you.  Maybe this season of isolation is to get your attention.  We all have a to-do list and we are all crazy busy.  Sometimes we push Him to the back because we know He will be there always.  Well, maybe this is His way of saying, “Um ma’am.  Hi.  I need you to focus on me and not that list.”

During these times, God is protecting you.  We all come to God at different places in our life and because of this, we all have unique testimonies.  However, God may ask us to let go of certain people, environments, vices, ungodly habits, etc.  You can’t hold onto those things because God has bigger plans for you.  And there are LOTS of times, you don’t understand why.  And that’s ok.  It’s your job to know the whys behind everything.  It’s your job to trust and obey Him.  Jeremiah 29:11 and Hebrews 11:6 are great verses to back this up.  🙂

From personal experience, these isolations have a lasting impact on me.  I can honestly say, I am a better person because of them.  God uses this time to grow His people…to develop our character that helps shape us to carry out His divine assignments for us.  Maybe you are going through this because you are meant to help one person on this Earth.  Or maybe 10.  100.  1000s.  You just don’t know who and how many you are meant to impact with your testimony and fulfilling God’s purpose.  John 16:33

Lastly, He is trying to realign your heart.  I am so guilty fighting with God because I want to do something and it ain’t happening.  Because I want it and God says, “No ma’am.  Not today.”  He uses these times of isolation to realign our hearts to be in line with His desires and not our own.  Sometimes, we have to be taken all the way down so we depend on Him.  And this should be somewhat familiar because this is how my parents disciplined me as a child.  They took away things I liked so I would see the error of my ways.  My parents did this because they love me.  God is no different here.  He disciplines those He loves.  Hebrews 12:6

I say this all the time.  I am not someone who is the most studious christian.  I make mistakes every.single.day.  I even make mistakes when I write these.  I sin every day!  And these sins are things I know not to do!  But I like to think I am called to write these motivations week after week because God believes in me.  Sometimes, I think these are more for me and y’all are just my cheerleaders (who doesn’t love an entourage?!).  But every week, I pray that He speaks through me to help one of you.  And because I sin daily, these are just a way to stay close to Him.  1 Corinthians 1:27

Seasons come and go for a reason and every season is beautiful.  Sometimes it’s hard to see when you’re in the middle of it.  If you are in a season of isolation, just know this is an opportunity for you.  This is the BEST time for you to grow.  Lean into Him.  He is there waiting to hug you.  And for those who are not in that season, look around at those who are.  Check on them.  Stop right now, and send them a quick text.  Let them know you love them and you are there if and when they need you.

Love you all,

Jennifer



Motivational Monday

Hey friends!  Well today is the last of our miniseries on Easter.  Today, I want to talk about something that affects all christian holidays but how do we celebrate Easter as a 21st christian?  So, let’s talk about it.

Like most holidays, Easter has become HIGHly commercialized.  Everywhere where you turn it’s chicks, bunnies, eggs, candy, baskets, clothes, etc.  And listen, don’t get me wrong here.  I love all the things.  I love that a lot of Easter activities bring families together (like dying eggs!).  This is fun and wholesome.  But as you are partaking in these activities, this is a GREAT opportunity to discuss the meaning behind Easter.

Easter Sunday is the day Jesus rose from the dead.  This is the heart of our Christian faith.  His resurrection is more than a miracle.  It is the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring salvation to the world.  “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”  Luke 24:6-7  Jesus willingly gave his life to pay the penalty of our sins so that our relationship with God the Father is restored.

This story is the absolute cornerstone of God’s redemptive story.  From the beginning of the Bible to the very end, Scripture points to a Savior who defeats sin and restores the broken.  Romans 6:9 says, “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” This has the clearest and purest expression of God’s love and power.  It brings you and I lasting hope because we put our trust in him.  “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,’” John 11:25.  Because we remember the resurrection, we are reminded that nothing is impossible without God.  “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10

So, I say all of that to say…Easter is more than traditions.  We need to turn our hearts and minds towards what truly matters this season.  Let the children in your life hear you talk about the meaning of Easter and why we celebrate it.  I understand the story of Jesus being crucified is not the happiest.  But it is.  It’s a reminder of God’s faithfulness and grace.  When you are talking to these sweet children, remember God gave his only son to us.

This week, you have opportunities.  When you’re buying candy at the store, talk to the cashier about their plans for Easter.  Use that opportunity to discuss the meaning behind the holiday (and yes, you can do this without it being uncomfortable!).  When you are driving the kids to the Easter Egg Hunt at our church this Saturday beginning at 10am (did you see what I did there?), talk about His love for us. As you are sitting at the table with the family eating dinner or lunch, start a new Easter tradition and ask the question for all to answer, “How does the resurrection give you hope and change the way you live?”  I think you will be surprised by the answers.

Love you all,

Jennifer

P.S. If you haven’t seen or heard of Empty Tomb Rolls you are missing out!  They look delicious AND they are a great way to explain and show kids the story of Easter.  I love this idea for Easter breakfast or even as a snack the night before.

 

 

Motivational Monday

Hey friends!!  Well, today was a big day for our country as we have a new president. I know some of you reading this might be happy and some might be apprehensive. And for the record, no matter how you feel, it’s ok. I love that I live in a country where I can disagree with someone’s politics (and religion!) and not worry about persecution. We are VERY blessed to live in the United States no matter how your cookie crumbles.  

In the past, we have talked about presidents and world leaders. Growing up, I was always taught to respect those in leadership positions. Remember, respect and agreeing with them on all topics are two very different things. So today, I wanted to talk about leadership roles. From the President to a CEO to your church.  What does God say about it?  Let’s talk about it.

Years ago, I was an Executive Assistant to the President of a large company. It was my job to KNOW this man….and I did. I knew what foods he liked, when his wife’s birthday was, his kids names, and even how he liked his coffee. One day, I was sitting in his office discussing work items when he asked me if I liked my job. I was stunned. By him asking me this question, I felt like he thought I wasn’t good at my job. I frantically started telling him all the things I knew about him.  He stopped me.  “Jennifer, do you feel like this job is a waste of your talents? Do you like your job?” I had never thought I was smart enough to do anything else until he asked me this question.

All throughout the Bible, we see a series of leaders who submit to God’s authority and those who don’t.  People prospered under leaders who honored God and sought after Him, but were oppressed by leaders who did not. The first two commandments God gave His people were to have no other gods before Him and we should not make any image that we worship before Him (Exodus 20:3-4). As we have talked about in previous Mondays, the idols we worship today are more likely to be people than statues. We value and honor those in leadership roles sometimes more than we value and honor the Lord. With leadership often comes recognition. And with recognition comes the temptation to put ourselves or our positions before God. If we’re not careful, we can worship the position instead of the One who promoted us to that position. 

True leaders roll up their sleeves and get in the trenches when times call for it. In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus tells His disciples that leaders should not exercise authority over people. Instead, whoever wants to become great must lower himself to be a servant. Leaders realize that serving others is the only way to lead with a pure heart, free of pride and arrogance.  

Leaders know you.  They come up and ask you about the wife and kids. That’s the kind of leader Peter, one of Jesus’ followers, describes in 1 Peter 5:1-5. Peter reminds us that leaders should be like shepherds, caring for and watching over the group of people they’ve been entrusted with. You see, back in the day, shepherds KNEW their sheep. They named them, cared for them, and trained them to respond to their voice. If the sheep wandered away, the shepherd went and found it and brought it back to the flock. This is the type of leader God calls us to be.

Lastly, a leader is someone you want to follow. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”  Like today, there are many people who are excited and ready to see what is in store for the US. Others are reluctant.  No matter what side of the fence you are on, you understand these emotions. We’ve all had a new boss we weren’t sure about!

Whether you are excited or reluctant, our country needs your prayers.  In 1 Timothy 2, Paul tells us to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Paul wrote these words under one of the harshest rulers in history, Nero, who was much worse than any leader the United States has ever had in power. 

This week, pray for our leaders to have wisdom, to be able to discern what is best for the people they are leading, and for unity. Don’t use your words to tear down or degrade your leader, but lift them up to the only One who can help the situation. Pray for a leader who asks you questions to help you become a better person and see your talents. I am thankful there have been a few on earth who have helped shape me but there is only ONE who made me who I am today.

Love you and see you soon,

Jennifer


Motivational Monday

Hey Friends!  IT’S FINALLY HERE!!!  December!  Christmas!  THE CANTATA!!!  WOOHOO!  Seriously, the Cantata is THIS SUNDAY.  Listen, we might be a small church but the Cantata sure is mighty.  Amy, the choir, those playing instruments, and guys in the sound booth do such a great job every.single.year.  Please go if you have never been.  Please go if you have been!

When I first mentioned December and Christmas, what was your response?  Were you happy, sad, or stressed?  I want to go down the stressed road today.  Why are you stressed?  I am going to go out on a limb and say it’s finances.  Am I right?  Let’s talk about it.

When Jon and I got married, we were broke.  And when I say broke, we were broke.  And then BAM!  I got pregnant with Logan.  God planned him perfectly but Jon and I were not prepared.  So after a year of daycare, diapers, formula and all of our other bills that we couldn’t afford, we were bankrupt.  Literally.  The house was in foreclosure.  The cars were getting repo’d.  It was bad.  We had no choice but to declare bankruptcy.  

We wanted to keep everything we had (because we couldn’t afford NOT to).  So we filed a chapter 13 which means we had to pay it all back within 5 years.  And guess what?  We paid it back in 3 years!  But there were a million tears shed.  Lots of hours worked.  And we became a connoisseur of hotdogs.  😏  

When Christmas rolled around during those years, my stomach would hurt because of stress.  I wasn’t worried about Jon and I.  I mean we knew our situation and we just dealt with it.  But Logan.  We loved that little boy more than ANYTHING and we wanted to give him the world (still do).  We never wanted him to know we were struggling.  So it was a facade.  I was so thankful for our families picking up any pieces we fell short on when it came to gift giving.  We got through it.  Logan was not impacted negatively.  And we are better financial stewards because of this time.  So I wouldn’t change it.

So why do we give gifts at Christmas?  I mean hello!  It’s not our birthday, it’s Jesus’s birthday.  And the last I checked, I don’t get gifts on my husband’s birthday.  

I think what is important to remember when giving gifts is the meaning behind it.  2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”  he wasn’t talking about that Bath and Body Works set you were eyeing.  He’s talking about His son.  The very essence of Christmas is about generosity, kindness, grace and giving.  God gives God for the enjoyment of his people, whom he saves by giving his Son to suffer. That’s beautiful. It is the heart of Christmas.

Second, we give to Christ.  Now, I want to be clear here.  God does not want you to buy anything.  I mean, he has zero use for a Lowes gift card.  He’s not interested in you trading anything with Him.  Seriously, He gave you His son.  You can’t compete with that (and He doesn’t want you to!).  But what He does want…your time.  Commitment from you.  Yes, I know it’s hard and there are a million reasons why “you can’t today”.  But stop and think about what gift would be equal to what He did for you.  I’ll wait.  Spoiler alert!  There’s not one.  You can make time for Him.

Lastly, we need to give in the right mindset.  2 Corinthians 8:2, “for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”  One more…Hebrews 13:16, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”  When giving gifts, you need to do it in the mindset of giving back to Christ.  That is the gift of trust, hope, admiration, joy and affection.  

So, if you are worried about gift giving at Christmas, please hear me when I say, STOP.  I promise God did not give you His son for you to worry about gifts.  Christmas is truly not about financial hardship.  Your children will love you if you can’t afford that XBox.  And if you can’t afford it, that doesn’t make you less of a parent.  And it sure doesn’t mean you love them less.  

So, if you are someone feeling this stress, please pray.  I would pray specifically for peace, love and joy in your life and for your family.  If you are someone who is more fortunate, remember you are blessed.  Your generosity can positively impact someone’s life forever.  Can you remember a time someone was generous to you?  You have never forgotten it or how it made you feel.  That feeling needs to be shared because it gushes love, joy, trust, and hope…like God.  Like what Christmas should be.

Love you all, 

Jennifer



Motivational Monday

Hey friends!  I am so glad you are here!  Y’all.  I love Thanksgiving.  I used to be the person that felt like it was a “eh” holiday but as I have gotten older, I really appreciate it.  I am super excited about it this year and I hope you are too!

This week I want to talk about the Bible.  I know, I know!  I talk about it every week.  But THIS week, I want to talk about what’s NOT in the Bible.  Am I crazy?  Of course I am!  Let’s talk about it!

I believe most people in this world are good, well meaning people.  Look, I know there is evil in this world.  I am not naive.  However I believe, as Christians, we say (and believe!) things we have heard that’s in the Bible and we repeat them.  We repeat them out of love and support because these things sound really nice.  But these things are…unbiblical.  So I want to talk about some unbiblical statements that we hear the most often.

“God wants me to be happy.”  I appreciate that you relate God to happiness.  But God wants you to be obedient.  He wants you to trust Him.  He wants us to believe that everything He does for us is for our own good.  And sometimes, what is good for us will not make us happy.  And we need to realize that is ok!  It’s ok to be unhappy.  I know that’s a VERY unpopular opinion. But listen, you can’t justify sinful behavior with, “God wants me to be happy.”  It just doesn’t work that way.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

“We are all God’s children.”  Hopefully the person who said it originally meant God created everyone.  And that is true.  But unfortunately, we are NOT all God’s children.  Only those who have repented of sin, placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and possess the Holy Spirit of God inside of them can claim Him as their Father: “But you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:15–16).

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”  Such a good southern saying!  I know as a child when I came in sweaty and stinky my parents wanted to just bathe.  And, as a parent,  I can appreciate that!  I mean, we have all been around some stinky people.  It happens.  But nowhere in the Bible does that statement occur.  Can you imagine the smell of the lepers?  Or heck!  What about people in general at that time?  There was no deodorant!    You didn’t see Jesus saying, “You stink.  I can’t help you because you are dirty.”  It was quite the opposite.

“God won’t give you more than you can handle.”  My personal favorite.  This is always said when you are overwhelmed with life.  And, I know the person telling you this is well meaning.  But friends..this statement is just not true.  Life is more than we handle because we live in a fallen world.  It is more than WE can handle which is why God wants us to surrender to Him!  God has a way of getting you on your knees…so give it to Him.

“Bad things happen to good people.”  I know you’re thinking, “well I don’t see how that statement is inaccurate.”  But in order to believe this statement, you would have to believe we are all inherently good.  And as Romans 3:10 states, “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one’”.  We, human Christians, are the ones judging what is good and bad.  This is human nature but inaccurate.  When we say this (or believe this), I think our heart hurts for someone else because we see them hurting.  We need something to help us make sense of what’s happened and that statement is sort of a bandaid.  When we just need God.  

I can name more but these are just a few.  And I do want to say, I truly believe when people use these sayings they want what is best for you.  And I believe they believe it’s in the Bible.  I don’t believe Christians purposely spread false information.  I believe their heart is in the right place.  One thing I’ve had to learn (and I’m still learning) is your words can’t fix their problem and vice versa.  So I think it is best to listen to state facts.  Even if all you can say is, “I am so sorry you are going through that!  What can I do to help you?  I will pray for you.” 

This week, I would like to assign you a little bit of homework.  Reflect on a statement you have said or one you have heard.  Then, I would like you to look up scripture in the Bible to see if it’s there OR supports what you have heard.  I think you will be surprised at what you learn.  

See you next Sunday,

Jennifer



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