Username:
Password:
   

  2008-03-19   

Ah, SPRING!  
Spring flowers, spring weather, and spring cleaning!  
I think at this time of year, I get so antsy to get outdoors, get things straightened, and change things up a bit...not only with my house but also with myself.  During the winter months, I admit, my attitude can get..well, a little dirty.  I think it is important to take a look at this season and maybe SPRING CLEAN OUR ATTITUDES.  
This season, I want to peel off the old crabby layer, to reveal a brand new positive attitude.  I want to show the world that being a Christian is WONDERFUL!  
All around me, there are miracles that sometimes I lose sight of when it is cold and dry outside.  Spring helps me to remember the wonderful things that God has put in my life.
Please remember as Easter approaches, the wonderful, selfless thing that Christ did for us by dying on the cross - he gave us the opportunity to spring clean our hearts and to self evaluate our attitudes.  He gave us the wonderful season - give thanks!

Much love,
Jess

  2008-03-07   

WE HAVE A MEETING STARTING TONIGHT!!!!

Today, I really got to thinking about all of the blessings God has given us, and specifically to the church I attend.  The last couple of months have been busy for me, not only in my home life, but also it has been busy in church as well.  We have had the chance to start singing as a congregation more, and I feel we are really using our talents to not only possibly bring people to Christ - but to help them get that spark back as well...you know, make them HOT for the Lord --- none of this "Lukewarm" business.
We have movie nights, and spend time together, church dinners (nothin' like our cookin, folks!) ---- WE ARE BLESSED!  
 
Not only that, but we have this meeting that is this weekend which I am OOBER excited about!  

I am so glad that we are busy :) God has given us something to do with our time and talents, and I am so glad that I have a congregation that uses those talents.  It is a wonderful feeling when you feel that God is really working in you.  I hope to see you all at the meeting this weekend!!!

  2007-12-20   

Yes I know...it's been too long.  And it is my fault.  

Things have been very busy, but I am so very blessed for all of it.  Today is my 4th Wedding Anniversary - hurray for us!  :)  
Also, CHRISTmas is coming up soon and today I found some information that I find to be very interesting.  

I had the TV on at home while I was getting ready for work and heard that on Fox news, they had a man who was claiming that he had proof that the Star of Bethleham was a fact, not a myth.  Now, I have never doubted this story - but I am always welcome to hear about what the world would call "scientific" evidence of these events that I KNOW to be the truth.  I guess I just picture God sitting up there on a cloud going "Ha....told you so!" And that amuses me.

It is too much for me to go into detail - but here is one link that I found in searching for the topic :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3k3tw_texas-professor-claims-proof-of-sta_news

I encourage all to watch it - as it is always a great thing to be able to point someone to scientific evidence of something to help in building their faith.  

The bible has been the most trusted resource to historians and has yet to be disproved by the facts that are in it.  This is AMAZING!  And it is wonderful to know that just one more piece of evidence is here to confirm this.

I promise to try and write more for those who do enjoy my ramblings -

In Christian Love,
Jess

  2007-10-14   

Karma.  Does it really exist?  I think so, but maybe not in a way that others may believe.  On our Wednesday night services, Karma was brought up in a way.  
Some people believe that what you do today has a direct effect on what happens to you tomorrow.  While 'cause and effect' is undeniable - Karma is a tad bit different because it is on a here and now basis.  Say you give a homeless man a dollar, Karma would come in to play because eventually that good deed you did would come back to you - meaning - something good will happen to you.  On the other hand, if you do something bad (steal, cheat, lie....etc...) you will be paid back with a good ol' kick in the rear with bad luck.  
I believe that if you do good, it will come back to you.  And if you do bad....that will to...it just may not be on the "today" basis that the United States seem to be living by.  
It is too bad that some people fly by the seat of their pants and never take into account that THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THAN THIS!  I find it to be a comforting thing that this is not the end, and that one day I will get to meet my Lord and Savior face to face --- but I also find that it makes me a little anxious.  Not for my sake, but for those who live their lives by the "No Day But Today" approach.  
So, I will be going out and trying to fill my Karma meter with good things, because in the end, God is Karma.  He is the one who is going to be blessing me, or providing me with more trials - and with God on my side, I would gladly take either.

In Christian Love,
Jess

  2007-09-17   

***For the few who read this - I'm sorry that I have no updated - boy has it been busy busy busy. ***
- So I discovered this past week that I am a completed idiot.  I enrolled in a telecourse and I thought (like all my other telecourse classes I have taken in the past) that it would be online for any assignments and quizzes.  So I am checking the online system with WSU and finally figured out that for the last 3 weeks - there has been Saturday classes that I have been missing.  They say it is pretty much impossible for a 24 year old to suffer a heart attack - but I am pretty sure that I blasted that idea out of the water.  
That little class I missed was actually a HUGE class called Chemistry.  Now, Chemistry likes to advertise the idea of evolution.  The 'fact' that carbon dating is accurate and that these elements in the precious periodic table have been around for billions of years.  Maybe the fact that I am paying the University hundreds of dollars to get lies put in my head is the reason why I dislike this class so much.  (and I am sure that the fact that it bores me to tears has a little something to do with it as well.)  
Why is it that I wonder so hard "Why?" and "How?" can we be letting the educaton system getaway with telling us such lies.  But then, really standing up is very difficult too.  Talk about facing a giant!  How does one compete with text books, professors, media courses, online material?  How do we change this idea that it is ok to just accept what the teacher tells us when he says that carbon dating is getting more and more accurate?  
I guess I am just looking for an answer on how we can stop these kind of myths from being published in our text books that we are forced to drop hundreds of dollars on.  I might as well write a text book!!!  While I am at it I will say that Bugs Bunny organized the periodic table, and Elmer Fudd had the idea of scientific notation.  
 

  2007-09-06   

We are not alone.  
But boy, sometimes I feel like it.  Thinking about certain aspects of my life just about sends me into a panic attack.  But yesterday, while listening to Rick speak about some of his struggles I realized...we are really not alone.  Not only is the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE on MY SIDE - but also I have an entire church family right beside me in whatever I face.  
It's funny really.  I always knew they were there - one thing about my church I LOVE is the fact that it isn't just a church, but a family, a group of friends who all want to share in the love of Christ.  But talk about some frightening sitaution for who ever is on the other end, right?  I mean, really....Who would want to mess with us?  :)  
So to my little problems, and to my concerns:  Mess with me, you mess with the whole gang...I have God, my family, and their prayers going for me.  So what is there to fear?

  2007-08-31   

Lord I lift my friend to you.  I've done all I know to do - I lift my friend to you.  Complicated circumstances have clouded his view ~ Lord I life my friend up to you.  I fear that I won't have the words that needs to hear.  I pray for your wisdom oh God and a heart that's sincere.  Lord I lift my friend up to you.  
Lord I lift my friend to you.  My best friend in the world, I know he means so much more to you.  I want so much to help him but this is something he has to do.  Lord I lift my friend up to you.  Becuase there is a way that seems to right to him, but you know where that leads.  he's becoming a puppet of the world, too blind to see the strings.  Lord, I lift my friend up to you.  
Lord I lift my friend to you, I've done all that I know to do.  Lord I lift my friend to You.  

These are the lyrics to a song off of the new Casting Crowns CD.  I want you to really read the lyrics and think about them hard because I know that I have spoken those words...I know that many of us, including myself, feel like we are playing tug of war.  On one side is us, christians, who are no better than any one - but we know the truth.  And then, on the other side is Satan, with a tempting view of the World that seems to catch so many people's attention.  And in the middle, some of the people who we are the closest to...friends, mothers, fathers, daughters, husbands, wives...the list continues.  I have listened to this song over and over today because evangalism is a struggle, and it can be painful and trying on a person's heart.  But I really believe that God knows are hearts and our struggles and how much pain it causes to play tug of war with the devil.  I also know, it is not easy being in the middle as well.  Believe me, I have had my time there - but if it was not for the people who prayed and fought the devil for me, I really don't want to think about where I would be or where I would end up.  
There are times I get discouraged...and the only thing left to do (not that we are to neglect going to him First and Foremost) is offer everyting up to God.  
Another song comes to mind that we sing at church and was brought up at our Wednesday service.  "God will make a way...when there seems to be no way."

I will be leaving to go to the lake  this weekend to see my granparents.  Pray that we have a safe trip :)  
In christian love,
Jess  

  2007-08-29   

Music Review Time :)
We pre-ordered the new Casting Crown CD "The Altar and the Door."  
I listened to the entire thing last night and I must say it is wonderful.  Two of the songs contain children singing - which in a way, freaks me out...but GREAT none the less.  
The songs have a powerful message.  Especially the song "What The World Needs" and "Slow Fade."  A powerful message, mixed with a rock sound and praising God at all times...what more could you need???  
The CD also contains great harmonies and beats so you can really listen to it when you are ready to rock out, or when you are winding down.  
I suggest you go pick it up.

Big thanks to Todd and Alicia for making me a complete Casting Crowns fan :)