One of the difficult things about having more than one child is trying to spend quality time with each one of them. I was blessed to have all four of my children and two grandsons with me a couple of weeks ago but I was struggling with trying to give each one individual attention. The most challenging is my third child Nathanael. Not that it’s difficult to be with him it’s just that he’s a teenager so he likes to stay up late and sleep most of the day. I on the other hand fall asleep early and wake up early. We decided to go to the movies for our mommy son time (don‘t tell him I said mommy.)This too is a task as he likes action packed movies and I’m a wimp. We settled on one we both could watch and off we went. Our first clue that we were in trouble was when we entered the theater and there were only eight people in it. The movie was so bad/weird that 2 of those people left during it. It was one of those times when you couldn't leave because you thought any minute the movie was going to get better. We kept looking at each other wondering how in the world they would even end this movie. When it was finally over the remaining people including me and Nathanael just sat there, no one spoke or moved for a moment. I think we were all asking ourselves the same thing. What the heck just happened here? I saw a woman in the bathroom after wards and asked her what she thought of the movie and she said “I’m not sure” that about summed it up. My son apologized because he had the final answer on which movie we saw. The other choice was Avatar which I’m sure was awesome. I told him not to worry but we were to speak of this to no one :) We had a good laugh and great conversation all the way home.
The next day while driving to work I was talking to Jesus about it, I felt bad that we didn't see Avatar so my son could have had more fun. Do you know what the Holy Spirit said to me? Glad you asked.
He said “the other movie no doubt would have been the more entertaining one but in the end your son would have looked back on the night and remembered the great movie, now he will look back and remember the great night he had with his mom.” How beautiful is that. And it’s so true, Nathanael would have shared with his friends all about the awesome movie and later may not even remember he saw it with me. God is so good.
I started thinking about other examples, like the time I was helping friends get ready for a fund raising event. We were all working in the auditorium of the church setting up and in the end it all looked great. The event was wonderful but when I think back on that time I realize the day before, getting ready with all the volunteers was the best part. Relationships were made and we had lots of laughs. The funny thing is I only have pictures of the day we were working and none of the actual night.
I think in our lives we tend to get so focused on the “where” we are going that we lose the joy of the getting there. Here is a quote I think sums up what I’m trying to say.
“After a time, you may find that "having" is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often
true.” Spock, “Amok Time", stardate 3372.7
There is so much that happens during the wanting time. You imagine how it will be when you get there. You make decisions and sacrifices that will get you closer to the destination. God puts people in your path to help you along the way. Most times you find yourself coming up short and you know it can only happen if God steps in. Your faith is made stronger, the Lord says in your weakness I am your strength. I truly believe God loves to show off and He loves for us to give him the opportunity to shine in our lives. Don’t be so anxious for the journey to be over that you miss all the attractions on the way.
When Nathanael and Jess were younger and I had very little money we would walk down town after the shops were closed and play a game called I see. We would look in the windows of the shops and take turns giving clues to what we were looking at and the other 2 had to guess what it was. The cool thing is even though we were outside looking in, the stores were empty so we saw so many things. One night Nathanael was so anxious to go to the next shop he was rushing us and I remember telling him “take your time, the next store will be there and we don’t want to miss something great in this one.”
I could look back on these nights and think, it really sucked we had no money to go buy stuff but I remember long walks with my children using our imaginations and seeing all kinds of cool stuff.
When Anthony and Amanda were young we lived in Virginia and we were really broke. It was so cold there and I couldn't afford to heat the house so we slept in the family room near the wood burning stove. I finally had someone lend me a kerosene heater and Anthony ended up falling on it and getting second and third degree burns on his arm. We had little food and most nights we ate popcorn for dinner.
I decided to make the best of it because I didn't want my kids to feel bad so I told them we were Indians and the popcorn was trail food. I had them help me gather wood from the “Indian fields” to keep the fire lit over night. We told stories snuggled up on the family room floor and were never far apart.
I could remember this time as a depressing one and rightfully so. I had no food to feed my kids and I worried they would be to cold but I remember us huddled in sleeping bags next to a wood fire eating Indian food and they were so excited to be playing this fun game with their mommy. If you were to ask them if we were poor during that time they would have no idea what you were talking about. Today I have such a strong bond with my oldest children because of what we went through on that part of our journey. We saw God provide for us in amazing ways.
When Paul was getting ready to leave this world he said.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
I can only imagine what transpired during that race and the memories he took with him.
The Lord has a plan for each one of us and sometimes we are on a part of the journey that we don’t like much. Sometimes we are single longer than we want to be or sick longer or financially struggling longer than we want to be. I believe it’s during these times that we learn the most things, not only about God, but more importantly about our relationship with Him.
When John had the most profound vision which today we know as the book of Revelation he was a prisoner living on a remote island and He was 90 something years old! I’m sure when he told his family about that time he wasn't mentioning the lack of food or the unfairness of being a prisoner, John was talking about what God did.
God is never late and His timing is perfect. He has everything worked out for you.
So Gems I would encourage you to not put all your focus on the end result but each day look for the blessing God has for you. Or better yet the blessing you are made to be for someone else. Seek Him out daily and at the end of the day thank Him for it and for knowing you are one day closer to your next destination. The truth is until you get to Heaven it will be one destination after another but Oh what a final destination it will be!
Gena’s Jewels
Gena's Jewels Keeper of The Testimony available on Amazon
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Jesus Born In 2009
I started out my day stopping by to see some friends. They wanted to show me a website they found and liked reading. Of course since we are so close to Christmas there were a few articles on the subject. Thus began my thoughts of what might have happened if Jesus were coming today for the first time, ya know as a baby.
My first thought was about the shepherds. We read about them like it’s a happy little story with angels and shepherds, my kids have even been cute little shepherds in Christmas plays. Although my grandsons have portrayed camels, not sure if it’s a step up or not. What was the social status of a shepherd? You may or may not be surprised to find out they were considered the lowest most despised of the social groups.
There’s a story of another Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers and is taken to Egypt and is later reunited with his family, who were all shepherds. Joseph tells his family not to tell anyone what they do for a living. He tells them to say they are in the live stock business. Kinda like today if you are a prostitute you might say you’re in the entertainment business, ya with me. Ok, so it’s the shepherds that the angels tell about Jesus birth.
Luke 2:8 - 11 and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you He is Christ, the Lord.”
Have you thought about this, if the shepherds spend all their time outside hanging out with smelly sheep, they were probably smelly too?
If we made the story today it could very well be men who clean sewers or garbage men that the angles appeared to. Aren’t these groups considered the lower social groups by the fine upstanding citizens of our communities?
And where was Jesus born? We all know, in a stable. I don’t know if you have ever been in a stable but let me tell you about an experience I had with a barn. I have to first tell you I am not a big pet person. I was at a very dear friend’s house and they built a new barn. Needless to say they had animals, dogs, chickens, horses, cows you get the picture. Any way my friend wants me and my youngest daughter to come out and see the barn and the horses. I walk out stepping carefully, if you get my meaning…. We were about 10 feet or so from the barn and I can smell the barn. I stopped in my tracks and was like, no way am I going any closer, it stinks!!! I did what any good friend and mother would do, I sacrificed my daughter and sent her into the barn and I went back into the house.
So Jesus was not only born in a stable/barn, it was no doubt a smelly barn. So let’s recap, Jesus is born in a smelly place and the angles tell the dregs of society about his birth. They, the dregs of society, hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger (smelly barn). When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what the angel told them and everyone who heard it was amazed. But it doesn’t say everyone ran to the scene to witness it for themselves. They were just amazed at what the low lives told them. Were they amazed that the Messiah was born or were they amazed that the angels spoke to shepherds about something so important?
How often do we know someone and their smelly past and they meet Jesus and their life changes. They start sharing about how great God is and what He’s done in their life and we think, I know this person, did God really speak to them and did they really change?
The next thing that was brought to my attention was what most of these animals the shepherds hung out with were used for. Before Jesus died for us the sacrifices had to be made by man. It was a very sacred ritual done by the high priest in the temples, very holy and very respected. They would kill an animal for this sacrifice to receive forgiveness for their sins. Where did they get the animal? They bought them from the smelly, low life shepherds! The same people, who weren’t even allowed to hang out in the city streets with the rest of the Israelites because they weren’t good enough, were the very people they got the sacred sacrifice from. Isn’t it just like God to do something like that?
Where am I going with this? How do we apply it to today? I believe the story of Christmas would be written the same way today as it was all those years ago. Jesus would still be born amongst people like me with smelly lives. People who want to believe in a future in spite of their lot in life. People that are desperate for hope. Angels would talk to us just like those shepherds. Jesus would be born among common people so he could grow with them and understand all their struggles, and that’s just what He did. Nothing against clean decent people but sometimes it’s the ones who are the stinkiest that appreciate a good bubble bath.
So this Christmas as people get caught up in all the, what I call smelly aspects of Christmas, I pray you will take time to take a long hot bath in the love of Jesus and know He chose to come here and bring hope to all of us. If you haven’t asked Him to be your shepherd I pray you will do that today and then tell everyone you know That Jesus Christ was born!!
My first thought was about the shepherds. We read about them like it’s a happy little story with angels and shepherds, my kids have even been cute little shepherds in Christmas plays. Although my grandsons have portrayed camels, not sure if it’s a step up or not. What was the social status of a shepherd? You may or may not be surprised to find out they were considered the lowest most despised of the social groups.
There’s a story of another Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers and is taken to Egypt and is later reunited with his family, who were all shepherds. Joseph tells his family not to tell anyone what they do for a living. He tells them to say they are in the live stock business. Kinda like today if you are a prostitute you might say you’re in the entertainment business, ya with me. Ok, so it’s the shepherds that the angels tell about Jesus birth.
Luke 2:8 - 11 and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you He is Christ, the Lord.”
Have you thought about this, if the shepherds spend all their time outside hanging out with smelly sheep, they were probably smelly too?
If we made the story today it could very well be men who clean sewers or garbage men that the angles appeared to. Aren’t these groups considered the lower social groups by the fine upstanding citizens of our communities?
And where was Jesus born? We all know, in a stable. I don’t know if you have ever been in a stable but let me tell you about an experience I had with a barn. I have to first tell you I am not a big pet person. I was at a very dear friend’s house and they built a new barn. Needless to say they had animals, dogs, chickens, horses, cows you get the picture. Any way my friend wants me and my youngest daughter to come out and see the barn and the horses. I walk out stepping carefully, if you get my meaning…. We were about 10 feet or so from the barn and I can smell the barn. I stopped in my tracks and was like, no way am I going any closer, it stinks!!! I did what any good friend and mother would do, I sacrificed my daughter and sent her into the barn and I went back into the house.
So Jesus was not only born in a stable/barn, it was no doubt a smelly barn. So let’s recap, Jesus is born in a smelly place and the angles tell the dregs of society about his birth. They, the dregs of society, hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger (smelly barn). When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what the angel told them and everyone who heard it was amazed. But it doesn’t say everyone ran to the scene to witness it for themselves. They were just amazed at what the low lives told them. Were they amazed that the Messiah was born or were they amazed that the angels spoke to shepherds about something so important?
How often do we know someone and their smelly past and they meet Jesus and their life changes. They start sharing about how great God is and what He’s done in their life and we think, I know this person, did God really speak to them and did they really change?
The next thing that was brought to my attention was what most of these animals the shepherds hung out with were used for. Before Jesus died for us the sacrifices had to be made by man. It was a very sacred ritual done by the high priest in the temples, very holy and very respected. They would kill an animal for this sacrifice to receive forgiveness for their sins. Where did they get the animal? They bought them from the smelly, low life shepherds! The same people, who weren’t even allowed to hang out in the city streets with the rest of the Israelites because they weren’t good enough, were the very people they got the sacred sacrifice from. Isn’t it just like God to do something like that?
Where am I going with this? How do we apply it to today? I believe the story of Christmas would be written the same way today as it was all those years ago. Jesus would still be born amongst people like me with smelly lives. People who want to believe in a future in spite of their lot in life. People that are desperate for hope. Angels would talk to us just like those shepherds. Jesus would be born among common people so he could grow with them and understand all their struggles, and that’s just what He did. Nothing against clean decent people but sometimes it’s the ones who are the stinkiest that appreciate a good bubble bath.
So this Christmas as people get caught up in all the, what I call smelly aspects of Christmas, I pray you will take time to take a long hot bath in the love of Jesus and know He chose to come here and bring hope to all of us. If you haven’t asked Him to be your shepherd I pray you will do that today and then tell everyone you know That Jesus Christ was born!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Jesus Hold'em
In 2004 we were one of the lucky ones that got hit with 3 hurricanes in a row. We were without power for a few days and had a “grace period” between showers if you know what I mean. It was hot and sticky and our house was also one of the new homes that had poor construction and the rain just came right through the walls so we had to use all our towels to soak up the water. The house smelled musty and it was really dark at night. In spite of all of this my youngest daughter will tell you it was one of the happiest times in her life. We were introduced to Texas Hold’em during this time by a neighbor so when we weren’t playing board games we were playing this card game. I’m not much of a game person but I must say I had fun with it. Jessica loved that her family was together playing games and having fun. My youngest son totally got into this game and after we were back to normal life, as normal as ours is, he was still playing Texas Hold’em when ever he got the chance. Jessica was 10 at the time and call it beginners luck but she was really good. She had no fear of calling “all in” which meant she was betting all she had that she would win the hand. This of course drove my son, her big brother, crazy because he wanted the betting to go on for more than one round.
Jessica didn’t remember all the bad stuff. She just remembers getting to play Texas Hold’em with her family.
I got to thinking about our lives and how it would be if we stopped holding out for a better hand and just went all in with Jesus. I mean just totally relied on Him for everything and lived a life where He had to show up because we had no plan B. It sounds risky but the truth is it’s the safest hand.
When I was out of work and we had zero income I had to trust the Lord for everything because I had nothing to bring to the table. The thing about God is He will provide for you it just may not be the way you thought it would be or even want it to be. For instance, for months I got left over food from a restaurant and divided it up between my family and a couple of others and even brought some to the Women’s Shelter where I volunteered. God is a God of more than enough. When my house foreclosed and I finally had to move out I asked the Lord where I was going to go and He said the next house will be provided for you and you won’t need anything.
It’s funny the first time the Lord asked me what I had to have I had a list of things I wanted to bring when I moved. Over time He asked me again and my list was a lot smaller. Later He asked again and I said “I don’t have to have anything but I would like my tiffany lamp and the cedar hope chest that belonged to my mother and the lamp comes apart and can fit in the hope chest. Was I bargaining with God?
Right before I moved out of the house I told the Lord I didn’t have to have anything as long as I was where He wanted me.
I remembered His word that the next house would be provided for me and I trusted Him on it. I thought He was going to give me another house fully furnished. The Realtor in me had all sorts of ideas of the location, amount of bedrooms, bathrooms, you know the drill. Well we ended up moving into a friend’s house. A beautiful house I might add and we didn’t need anything. We had our own bedrooms and bathroom. God did what He said, everything we needed was provided. Did I see that coming? No, did God do it the way I thought He would? NO, but he did exactly what He said He would do.
So now time has passed and I have an apartment that I really love. God is so good because I love trees and there are lots of trees here. We got a lake view without asking for it or paying the higher price. I have a job and things are going well. So why was I not feeling it? Why did I have this restless feeling inside?
I realized I wasn’t waking up every morning wondering what the day was going to bring. Where was I going to be that day, who was I going to minister to and most of all how was God going to provide?
I wasn’t remembering the days of fear when I wasn’t resting in God’s promises or the anxiety of what was going to happen next I just remembered being taken care of miraculously by my sweet Jesus.
I have a job now with a paycheck that covers my expenses. Don’t get me wrong I’m totally grateful for that and I know a lot of people are still looking for work but I don’t “feel” the daily dependency on God and I missed it.
I don’t want to go back to status quo or become complacent. I don’t want to live safe, I want to go all in so I prayed about it and decided to make a change. I told my boss I can only work for him 4 days a week. I want to give God another day to do what He wants with it. I wasn’t sure how my boss would react and I had to prepare myself for him to tell me it was full time or nothing but I was willing to take that chance, I was going all in.
The conversation went well and although I know he doesn’t totally understand he has agreed. I can’t wait to see what God will do next.
I want to live a life where I have an unexpected hand everyday, where I have to take a gamble between worldly things and spirit things.
I want to take those words from Isaiah 6:8 seriously.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me”
I don’t know where you are in your relationship with the Lord. Maybe you’re not ready to say I’m all in, we are all at different places in our walk. I just want you to remember that the best hand is God’s hands. That’s why I’m playing Jesus Hold’em.!
Jessica didn’t remember all the bad stuff. She just remembers getting to play Texas Hold’em with her family.
I got to thinking about our lives and how it would be if we stopped holding out for a better hand and just went all in with Jesus. I mean just totally relied on Him for everything and lived a life where He had to show up because we had no plan B. It sounds risky but the truth is it’s the safest hand.
When I was out of work and we had zero income I had to trust the Lord for everything because I had nothing to bring to the table. The thing about God is He will provide for you it just may not be the way you thought it would be or even want it to be. For instance, for months I got left over food from a restaurant and divided it up between my family and a couple of others and even brought some to the Women’s Shelter where I volunteered. God is a God of more than enough. When my house foreclosed and I finally had to move out I asked the Lord where I was going to go and He said the next house will be provided for you and you won’t need anything.
It’s funny the first time the Lord asked me what I had to have I had a list of things I wanted to bring when I moved. Over time He asked me again and my list was a lot smaller. Later He asked again and I said “I don’t have to have anything but I would like my tiffany lamp and the cedar hope chest that belonged to my mother and the lamp comes apart and can fit in the hope chest. Was I bargaining with God?
Right before I moved out of the house I told the Lord I didn’t have to have anything as long as I was where He wanted me.
I remembered His word that the next house would be provided for me and I trusted Him on it. I thought He was going to give me another house fully furnished. The Realtor in me had all sorts of ideas of the location, amount of bedrooms, bathrooms, you know the drill. Well we ended up moving into a friend’s house. A beautiful house I might add and we didn’t need anything. We had our own bedrooms and bathroom. God did what He said, everything we needed was provided. Did I see that coming? No, did God do it the way I thought He would? NO, but he did exactly what He said He would do.
So now time has passed and I have an apartment that I really love. God is so good because I love trees and there are lots of trees here. We got a lake view without asking for it or paying the higher price. I have a job and things are going well. So why was I not feeling it? Why did I have this restless feeling inside?
I realized I wasn’t waking up every morning wondering what the day was going to bring. Where was I going to be that day, who was I going to minister to and most of all how was God going to provide?
I wasn’t remembering the days of fear when I wasn’t resting in God’s promises or the anxiety of what was going to happen next I just remembered being taken care of miraculously by my sweet Jesus.
I have a job now with a paycheck that covers my expenses. Don’t get me wrong I’m totally grateful for that and I know a lot of people are still looking for work but I don’t “feel” the daily dependency on God and I missed it.
I don’t want to go back to status quo or become complacent. I don’t want to live safe, I want to go all in so I prayed about it and decided to make a change. I told my boss I can only work for him 4 days a week. I want to give God another day to do what He wants with it. I wasn’t sure how my boss would react and I had to prepare myself for him to tell me it was full time or nothing but I was willing to take that chance, I was going all in.
The conversation went well and although I know he doesn’t totally understand he has agreed. I can’t wait to see what God will do next.
I want to live a life where I have an unexpected hand everyday, where I have to take a gamble between worldly things and spirit things.
I want to take those words from Isaiah 6:8 seriously.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me”
I don’t know where you are in your relationship with the Lord. Maybe you’re not ready to say I’m all in, we are all at different places in our walk. I just want you to remember that the best hand is God’s hands. That’s why I’m playing Jesus Hold’em.!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
HURRY UP AND WAIT
My daughter Jessica and I were hanging out on our porch the other night and when we came in a moth flew in with us. I was trying to shoo it back outside but it kept flying into the closed part of the sliding glass door, bouncing off it and flying back into it. I guess because he could see the outside he figured he should be able to get through not realizing it was glass. I was trying to get it to come to the other side, when Jess and I weren’t screaming because it was flying near us. I finally took the rod off the blinds to try and get the moth to land on it or coax it to the opened end of the door. I started talking to the silly moth saying “if you would just listen to me I can get you out.” I figured each time it hit the window so hard it had to be doing some kind of injury to it’s small body. I was getting frustrated that it kept flying around like a crazy moth and not allow me to lead him to the other side where he could fly right out.
I wondered how many times the Lord felt this way about me. Trying to get me somewhere but I wasn’t listening. Instead I was trying to figure it out on my own and bumping into closed doors. I would imagine every hit we make does some damage to us as well, our spirit, our mind and our confidence. Maybe some of these injuries could be avoided if we waited until we knew we heard God’s instructions. Many times things appear to be right but we can’t seem to get to our destination.
I remember when the Lord told me to leave the work place for a season. During this time I met a man that owned a Christian Café. There were no prices on the menu; it was all donations so if you had no money you could still eat. There was a box on the middle of the table you could put your donation in.
Since this was in my budget at the time I would stop in when I was in the area and usually prayed with or for someone that I met there. The owner asked if I wanted to waitress a few days a week and I could pray with people that came in. I figured it was a good idea since it was a Christian place and I could pray for people and make a few dollars. I was sure God would want me to do it so I said yes.
The first day I worked I saw quite a few people I knew and I had an opportunity to pray with them for healing, family issues, whatever they had a need for. When they left they told me they put my money in the box. I didn’t take any of the money and figured I would get paid the end of the week. The next day the same thing happened and again I went home with no money. The third day I walked in already to start playing the “praying waitress” but the owner met me at the door and said “the Health Department came by early this morning and shut us down.” He didn’t understand why as they had been there a few days earlier and everything was OK. As soon as He said it the Holy Spirit said “I never told you to work here.” He reminded me that the last thing the Lord told me was to not take a job.
I thought that since it was a Christian place and I was praying it had to be OK with God but the truth is I never asked God if I was supposed to take the job.
Needless to say I told the owner I would not be able to come back and needless to say he reopened the next day and I never did get paid.
We have to be careful not to help God along with His plan even if it looks like it’s a good idea.
Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
I don’t always understand but I have learned without a shadow of a doubt God does not need my help, even if I think His idea is taking too long.
Most people are familiar with Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
We like that verse but we have to remember sometimes we have to wait on those plans. It’s easy to trust God when you have clear direction or it appears you have control the test is when we have no control, no plan, no idea what to do next. This is when the rubber meets the road, following God even if it doesn’t seem to make sense to you. It’s in the waiting that character is built and your relationship is strengthened. I think of these times now as boot camp for my next God assignment.
If you find yourself frantically flying into what looks like open doors and people are giving you directions you can’t seem to take you may need to stop trying to help God. His plan will come in His timing.
Habakkuk 2:3 The vision is for a future time. It describes the end and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
These are times we need to hurry up and wait on God. Like the Bible says,
Be still and know I am God. Psalm 46:10
I wondered how many times the Lord felt this way about me. Trying to get me somewhere but I wasn’t listening. Instead I was trying to figure it out on my own and bumping into closed doors. I would imagine every hit we make does some damage to us as well, our spirit, our mind and our confidence. Maybe some of these injuries could be avoided if we waited until we knew we heard God’s instructions. Many times things appear to be right but we can’t seem to get to our destination.
I remember when the Lord told me to leave the work place for a season. During this time I met a man that owned a Christian Café. There were no prices on the menu; it was all donations so if you had no money you could still eat. There was a box on the middle of the table you could put your donation in.
Since this was in my budget at the time I would stop in when I was in the area and usually prayed with or for someone that I met there. The owner asked if I wanted to waitress a few days a week and I could pray with people that came in. I figured it was a good idea since it was a Christian place and I could pray for people and make a few dollars. I was sure God would want me to do it so I said yes.
The first day I worked I saw quite a few people I knew and I had an opportunity to pray with them for healing, family issues, whatever they had a need for. When they left they told me they put my money in the box. I didn’t take any of the money and figured I would get paid the end of the week. The next day the same thing happened and again I went home with no money. The third day I walked in already to start playing the “praying waitress” but the owner met me at the door and said “the Health Department came by early this morning and shut us down.” He didn’t understand why as they had been there a few days earlier and everything was OK. As soon as He said it the Holy Spirit said “I never told you to work here.” He reminded me that the last thing the Lord told me was to not take a job.
I thought that since it was a Christian place and I was praying it had to be OK with God but the truth is I never asked God if I was supposed to take the job.
Needless to say I told the owner I would not be able to come back and needless to say he reopened the next day and I never did get paid.
We have to be careful not to help God along with His plan even if it looks like it’s a good idea.
Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
I don’t always understand but I have learned without a shadow of a doubt God does not need my help, even if I think His idea is taking too long.
Most people are familiar with Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
We like that verse but we have to remember sometimes we have to wait on those plans. It’s easy to trust God when you have clear direction or it appears you have control the test is when we have no control, no plan, no idea what to do next. This is when the rubber meets the road, following God even if it doesn’t seem to make sense to you. It’s in the waiting that character is built and your relationship is strengthened. I think of these times now as boot camp for my next God assignment.
If you find yourself frantically flying into what looks like open doors and people are giving you directions you can’t seem to take you may need to stop trying to help God. His plan will come in His timing.
Habakkuk 2:3 The vision is for a future time. It describes the end and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
These are times we need to hurry up and wait on God. Like the Bible says,
Be still and know I am God. Psalm 46:10
Thursday, December 3, 2009
FAST FOOD
I don’t know if everyone is familiar with fasting so I‘ll give you the Gena definition. It means to make a commitment to go without food or drink or both for a designated amount of time. During this time you pray for a specific thing you are seeking the Lord for. For me it’s usually a decision that needs to be made.
When the Lord told me to home school my youngest daughter I thought I heard him wrong because I thought home schooling was for “weird” people. Being the queen of weird I should have known better. Anyway, my daughter and I decided to pray about it while she was on a youth group trip and because this was a big decision I decided to fast too. I knew for sure at the end of the fast that I was supposed to home school and when my daughter got home from camp she told me she felt the same way. I don’t think I would have had the guts to make that decision if I didn’t believe it was what God was telling me to do. It was an amazing year and the Lord taught us both many lessons.
In the Bible the people would fast when they were seeking the Lord for something serious. Esther had all the Jews fast when there was a plan to have the people killed. Daniel fasted probably right before he was thrown in the lions den.
Daniel 9:3
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
In Joel the Lord tells the people to return to Him with all their heart with fasting.
Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights, no food or water in the wilderness with satan tempting Him the whole time.
There are many scriptures in the New Testament telling about the times the disciples fasted.
Jesus even gave the do’s and don’ts on fasting.
Matthew 6:16-18
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full but when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is fasting was and is important to God.
A friend of mine asked me and a few other ladies to fast and pray for a situation she’s dealing with so we did. I was really praying about it before hand and I asked the Lord to show me what He wanted me to know about fasting from the Bible.
I want to tell you something about God, if you ask Him a sincere question He will answer you. Saturday night He put on my heart to read Isaiah. I thought to myself there are 66 chapters in Isaiah can you narrow it down. The next morning I woke up and turned on the TV. I don’t usually watch TV especially in the morning; guess what was written on the TV screen? Isaiah 58! I turned off the TV and got out my Bible. Guess what the heading for that Chapter is? Observances of Fasts!! I can’t make this stuff up. I’ll give you the gist of it but I would encourage you to read the whole chapter.
Message Bible Isaiah 58:6-8
This is the kind of fast day I am after to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the work place, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will be turned around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You will call out for help and I’ll say, “Here I am.”
Wow, that blew me away!
Obviously God isn’t just interested in what we eat or don’t eat or how long we go without food or water, what He’s really interested in is how we treat each other.
If you have never fasted I would encourage you to try it, there is something special about sharing this time with the Lord. It’s a personal time between the two of you. If you are a regular faster (is that a word?) I would encourage you to check your heart and make sure you are following the guidelines God gives us in Isaiah.
Next time you fast food have it God’s way!
When the Lord told me to home school my youngest daughter I thought I heard him wrong because I thought home schooling was for “weird” people. Being the queen of weird I should have known better. Anyway, my daughter and I decided to pray about it while she was on a youth group trip and because this was a big decision I decided to fast too. I knew for sure at the end of the fast that I was supposed to home school and when my daughter got home from camp she told me she felt the same way. I don’t think I would have had the guts to make that decision if I didn’t believe it was what God was telling me to do. It was an amazing year and the Lord taught us both many lessons.
In the Bible the people would fast when they were seeking the Lord for something serious. Esther had all the Jews fast when there was a plan to have the people killed. Daniel fasted probably right before he was thrown in the lions den.
Daniel 9:3
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
In Joel the Lord tells the people to return to Him with all their heart with fasting.
Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights, no food or water in the wilderness with satan tempting Him the whole time.
There are many scriptures in the New Testament telling about the times the disciples fasted.
Jesus even gave the do’s and don’ts on fasting.
Matthew 6:16-18
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full but when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is fasting was and is important to God.
A friend of mine asked me and a few other ladies to fast and pray for a situation she’s dealing with so we did. I was really praying about it before hand and I asked the Lord to show me what He wanted me to know about fasting from the Bible.
I want to tell you something about God, if you ask Him a sincere question He will answer you. Saturday night He put on my heart to read Isaiah. I thought to myself there are 66 chapters in Isaiah can you narrow it down. The next morning I woke up and turned on the TV. I don’t usually watch TV especially in the morning; guess what was written on the TV screen? Isaiah 58! I turned off the TV and got out my Bible. Guess what the heading for that Chapter is? Observances of Fasts!! I can’t make this stuff up. I’ll give you the gist of it but I would encourage you to read the whole chapter.
Message Bible Isaiah 58:6-8
This is the kind of fast day I am after to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the work place, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will be turned around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You will call out for help and I’ll say, “Here I am.”
Wow, that blew me away!
Obviously God isn’t just interested in what we eat or don’t eat or how long we go without food or water, what He’s really interested in is how we treat each other.
If you have never fasted I would encourage you to try it, there is something special about sharing this time with the Lord. It’s a personal time between the two of you. If you are a regular faster (is that a word?) I would encourage you to check your heart and make sure you are following the guidelines God gives us in Isaiah.
Next time you fast food have it God’s way!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Happy Gratitude Day
I know you were expecting Thanksgiving and you will probably get that, thanks I mean. On Thanksgiving you will either be cooking or eating someone else’s cooking and you will be thankful for your meal. I know I will because I will be doing the eating part and not the cooking part (thank you Linda.).
True story when I first got married I decided to do the whole traditional Thanksgiving meal, so I bought the turkey, got completely nauseous having to take the bag of gook out of the turkey and then read the directions to wash the turkey. I literally washed the turkey with soap. You see now why I let my friend Linda cook.
Some people will go around the table and share what their thankful for or some other family traditions. I like to have baked ziti no matter what holiday it is. Some people will be feeding the less fortunate and helping them to have a good day. Some of you will park in front of the TV with your jeans undone watching all the football games and be thankful that it’s a day you won’t have to explain why you’re watching TV all day. Hopefully we will give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us and most of all to Jesus for what He did on the cross. There are a lot of things that will happen on Thanksgiving, good things, treasured things, expected things. At the end of the day you will be thankful for it and most likely thank the person or people you shared it with then you’ll go back to your world and Thanksgiving will be just a memory until next year.
I decided to start this Holiday by looking into what the Bible has to say about thanks. I also decided to find the original Greek meaning of the word so I looked it up. Thanks Greek root word yaw-daw’ - especially to revere or worship (with extended hands) intensely to bemoan (by wringing hands)
That has a much more intense meaning than just your common thanks.
For example:
I really don’t like turning left, I don’t know what it is, if I have to pick between going right or left I will always pick right. I know God was messing with me about this the other day, He does that you know. I was going to a store and I had to use my GPS because I’m still learning the roads here and it said turn right at the light. I was actually glad that I was going right and didn’t have to turn left. So I turn right and immediately the GPS says “make a U-Turn” it was going to make me go left anyway. I was like what the heck. The only thing worse than making a left at a light is making a left on a busy road and you are at the mercy of the other crazy drivers to let you out. When a nice person finally does I’m grateful, wave the official “thank you wave” and move on. I’m thankful they let me out but I don’t spend the rest of my day being grateful. Ya know what I mean? I don’t get to work and through out the day stop and think, I am so thankful that guy let me turn left today. I don’t think about it at all.
When I say thank you to someone I know I am not feeling all the emotion the Greek word implies. Wringing hands? You know when someone is so overcome with emotion and they are wringing their hands, that’s the magnitude of this word thanks in the Bible.
Now let’s look at Thanksgiving, Greek root word to-daw’ - adoration specifically a choir of worshipers, confession, sacrifice of praise, thanks.
A choir of worshipers.
So basically if we had a biblical Thanksgiving Day it would be children of God so filled with emotion, gratitude and thanks that we would literally be wringing our hands or lifting them up to the Heavens praising our Lord like a choir of worshipers. WOW!!!
I pray this Thanksgiving with all our traditions we will make a commitment to have gratitude for all God does for us 365 days a year and that we will be truly grateful for the sacrifice God made in order for us to have Jesus Christ. I pray that we will be so grateful that we will follow Christ command to love others, that we will offer a sacrifice of praise by scarifying our time and agenda to bless someone else.
1 Corinthians 8:3 But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]. Amplified Bible
I want to be owned by God!!! Happy Gratitude Day gems, and Thanksgiving too :)
Gena’s Jewels
True story when I first got married I decided to do the whole traditional Thanksgiving meal, so I bought the turkey, got completely nauseous having to take the bag of gook out of the turkey and then read the directions to wash the turkey. I literally washed the turkey with soap. You see now why I let my friend Linda cook.
Some people will go around the table and share what their thankful for or some other family traditions. I like to have baked ziti no matter what holiday it is. Some people will be feeding the less fortunate and helping them to have a good day. Some of you will park in front of the TV with your jeans undone watching all the football games and be thankful that it’s a day you won’t have to explain why you’re watching TV all day. Hopefully we will give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us and most of all to Jesus for what He did on the cross. There are a lot of things that will happen on Thanksgiving, good things, treasured things, expected things. At the end of the day you will be thankful for it and most likely thank the person or people you shared it with then you’ll go back to your world and Thanksgiving will be just a memory until next year.
I decided to start this Holiday by looking into what the Bible has to say about thanks. I also decided to find the original Greek meaning of the word so I looked it up. Thanks Greek root word yaw-daw’ - especially to revere or worship (with extended hands) intensely to bemoan (by wringing hands)
That has a much more intense meaning than just your common thanks.
For example:
I really don’t like turning left, I don’t know what it is, if I have to pick between going right or left I will always pick right. I know God was messing with me about this the other day, He does that you know. I was going to a store and I had to use my GPS because I’m still learning the roads here and it said turn right at the light. I was actually glad that I was going right and didn’t have to turn left. So I turn right and immediately the GPS says “make a U-Turn” it was going to make me go left anyway. I was like what the heck. The only thing worse than making a left at a light is making a left on a busy road and you are at the mercy of the other crazy drivers to let you out. When a nice person finally does I’m grateful, wave the official “thank you wave” and move on. I’m thankful they let me out but I don’t spend the rest of my day being grateful. Ya know what I mean? I don’t get to work and through out the day stop and think, I am so thankful that guy let me turn left today. I don’t think about it at all.
When I say thank you to someone I know I am not feeling all the emotion the Greek word implies. Wringing hands? You know when someone is so overcome with emotion and they are wringing their hands, that’s the magnitude of this word thanks in the Bible.
Now let’s look at Thanksgiving, Greek root word to-daw’ - adoration specifically a choir of worshipers, confession, sacrifice of praise, thanks.
A choir of worshipers.
So basically if we had a biblical Thanksgiving Day it would be children of God so filled with emotion, gratitude and thanks that we would literally be wringing our hands or lifting them up to the Heavens praising our Lord like a choir of worshipers. WOW!!!
I pray this Thanksgiving with all our traditions we will make a commitment to have gratitude for all God does for us 365 days a year and that we will be truly grateful for the sacrifice God made in order for us to have Jesus Christ. I pray that we will be so grateful that we will follow Christ command to love others, that we will offer a sacrifice of praise by scarifying our time and agenda to bless someone else.
1 Corinthians 8:3 But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]. Amplified Bible
I want to be owned by God!!! Happy Gratitude Day gems, and Thanksgiving too :)
Gena’s Jewels
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Let's Talk Poop
I talked to my 4 year old grandson on the phone today and he asked if I knew what Holy Ghost wind was and I said no. He said it’s when the Holy Ghost farts, he then laughed hysterically. I had never thought about the Holy Ghost farting…
What is it about kids and bodily functions? They love talking about them, especially poop. Walk up to any group of preschoolers and just say poop and they will all start giggling.
One day I was playing outside with Lucas (he was 3 at the time) and when we were done I told him I was going home to go to the bathroom. It was a really nice day so most neighbors were outside doing their thing and Lucas waits till I get a couple of houses down from his and he yells really loud “NANA WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” mind you I told him where I was going. I yell back, not quite as loud, “home” he responds “WHY?” I respond “cause I have to go to the bathroom” Lucas says “ARE YOU GONNA POOP?” all my neighbors seem to look at me, and I yell back “NO!” but the truth is I was gonna poop. I got embarrassed and lied right there in public, like none of my neighbors poop.
You may be asking yourself where is she going with this. Good question.
Let’s talk poop. Right now the poop is hitting the fan in some people’s lives. They are going through some really tough times, some self induced some not. The thing is we don’t want to talk about it. Like no one else has bad times. Why is that?
One reason is you mention your poop to the wrong person and they’ll start yelling about it to everyone and you get embarrassed or ashamed because you don’t want everyone knowing your poop. So now not only do you stink but everyone knows it.
We don’t have to worry if we’re Christians because you know if you got poop we’re here to help you clean it up right?
Oh how I wish that were true but as you know it’s not.
We have worked hard at becoming who people think we are and we don’t want to ruin that. So we either lie to ourselves or the people around us until one day the poop hits the fan and you have no choice but to deal with it.
Proverbs 12:9 better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
I think people who pretend to be a somebody are people who think their poop doesn’t stink. We all mess up, the more the poop the bigger the clean up. But it’s at the moment that the poop hit’s the fan that our true colors show. Is our talk about love, mercy, forgiveness and grace true or are we full of poop?
I think the only thing the devil loves more than when we screw up is when our so called church family treats us like poop.
Proverbs 12:18 reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
I pray we will be there for each other in times of need. It’s when we stink the most that we need each other the most. We need healing so we can get through a dark time in our life and if we confess and repent than no one but God is allowed to bring up the poop.
Isaiah 43:25 “I even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake and remembers your sins no more.”
Gems, if we’re not part of the healing we’re part of the poop.
Don’t talk poop.
Gena’s Jewels
What is it about kids and bodily functions? They love talking about them, especially poop. Walk up to any group of preschoolers and just say poop and they will all start giggling.
One day I was playing outside with Lucas (he was 3 at the time) and when we were done I told him I was going home to go to the bathroom. It was a really nice day so most neighbors were outside doing their thing and Lucas waits till I get a couple of houses down from his and he yells really loud “NANA WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” mind you I told him where I was going. I yell back, not quite as loud, “home” he responds “WHY?” I respond “cause I have to go to the bathroom” Lucas says “ARE YOU GONNA POOP?” all my neighbors seem to look at me, and I yell back “NO!” but the truth is I was gonna poop. I got embarrassed and lied right there in public, like none of my neighbors poop.
You may be asking yourself where is she going with this. Good question.
Let’s talk poop. Right now the poop is hitting the fan in some people’s lives. They are going through some really tough times, some self induced some not. The thing is we don’t want to talk about it. Like no one else has bad times. Why is that?
One reason is you mention your poop to the wrong person and they’ll start yelling about it to everyone and you get embarrassed or ashamed because you don’t want everyone knowing your poop. So now not only do you stink but everyone knows it.
We don’t have to worry if we’re Christians because you know if you got poop we’re here to help you clean it up right?
Oh how I wish that were true but as you know it’s not.
We have worked hard at becoming who people think we are and we don’t want to ruin that. So we either lie to ourselves or the people around us until one day the poop hits the fan and you have no choice but to deal with it.
Proverbs 12:9 better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
I think people who pretend to be a somebody are people who think their poop doesn’t stink. We all mess up, the more the poop the bigger the clean up. But it’s at the moment that the poop hit’s the fan that our true colors show. Is our talk about love, mercy, forgiveness and grace true or are we full of poop?
I think the only thing the devil loves more than when we screw up is when our so called church family treats us like poop.
Proverbs 12:18 reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
I pray we will be there for each other in times of need. It’s when we stink the most that we need each other the most. We need healing so we can get through a dark time in our life and if we confess and repent than no one but God is allowed to bring up the poop.
Isaiah 43:25 “I even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake and remembers your sins no more.”
Gems, if we’re not part of the healing we’re part of the poop.
Don’t talk poop.
Gena’s Jewels
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Bird Assignment
I started working at a printing company a few weeks ago and things did not begin very well for me. Just the whole getting into the work groove was a bit of an adjustment and the people I was with were not the nicest to put it nicely. I was not used to working in such a hostile environment and I’ll be honest at first I cried out to the Lord ’NOOOOOO! Let’s go back home to you and me again.”
The first few weeks were tough and I really didn’t want to work there. I’m a people person and organization is not my strong suit, ask anyone I have worked for. I like to blab and don’t like being in one spot all day and here I am working in an office as an administrative assistant. It was like putting a square peg in a round hole. I said to the Lord "I appreciate having a job but how can I reach people for you when they don’t seem to like me and I’m stuck at a desk all day?" I know it’s hard to believe that someone might not like me. :)
I was complaining to the Lord one morning on my drive to work and as I was passing an open field I noticed a bunch of white birds eating. As I got closer I realized there were black birds mixed in I just didn’t notice them from a distance because the white ones were so bright. The Lord told me this is how we, His children, are supposed to be. Even if we are working in a hostile environment or among non believers the light should always outshine the darkness. He reminded me that a pitch black room doesn’t stay that way if you light even the smallest candle. Petty much He was telling me to suck it up and go shine.
I apologized to the Lord for being such a wimp and not being more grateful.
I was still feeling bad that I had to, what I felt, waste 8 hours a day doing silly paperwork when there was Kingdom work that needed to be done. God showed me my problem wasn’t the job it was my mindset. He told me I needed to stop thinking of it as a job and start thinking of it as an assignment. Kind of like that old TV show Touched by An Angel, the Angels showed up at an assignment did their work then moved on. This was what God was going to do with me. I know this is not a place I will stay forever but while I’m here I need to help change some peoples forever’s. This was so comforting to me and it really did change my whole attitude. I liked being on an assignment much better than being on a job.
I figured I would start with the kill them with kindness approach and that did start the ball rolling but it was still slow getting opportunities to talk about my sweet Jesus. But God is faithful and eventually opportunities opened here and there and I was beginning to give some testimony. I was happy with this small result and then once again God blew my mind.
Before I tell you how He did that I want to tell you how I got this job. As you know I moved to the Tampa area and when I first got here my youngest daughter and I joined a soup kitchen ministry feeding the homeless once a week. We were living with very dear friends Cathy and Fritz and I mentioned to them that the Lord wanted me to publish Gena’s Jewels and I asked if they knew anyone in the printing industry. Fritz said there was a man at our church who owned a printing company. So for the next few weeks I was trying to figure out who this man was. Finally I asked Fritz to point him out and he said “what are you talking about, you see him every week at the homeless ministry.” I had been driving to the homeless site for weeks with the very man that owned the printing company and had no idea. God just cracks me up. So I ask Bill, the owner of the company, about printing the book. He tells me to call his office for an appt and he would take a look at it. So the next week I head to his office and as I’m driving I ask the Lord how I’m going to pay for the book. I can’t expect this man to work for free and I have been out of work for over a year and had no money to pay for it. I starting praying and asking God to show me what to do, I thought maybe I could clean Bill’s office or something, you know do a barter type thing. The Lord told me not to worry about His job. I met Bill and after we got things settled and I was ready to leave the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for him so I did. As soon as I finished praying Bill looked at me and said “are you looking for a job by any chance?” He said he hadn’t hired anyone in a long time and business was slow but he felt like he should ask me. I just smiled and said “as a matter of fact I am.” Doesn’t God just blow your mind? When He has a plan all you have to do is go where He tells you and He will do the rest. OK, now back to our story.
So I’m walking to the back of the factory praying and thanking God for the opportunities He has given me to share, even if they were small, and I get to where they put the books together and there’s my book being worked on. I was so excited I about screamed. Once I got myself together I stopped by the ladies who were working on it and they started asking me questions about the book and before you know it I’m doing my favorite thing in the whole world, telling God stories. I gave them my testimony of how God brought me to Tampa and how I got the job and how good God is, it was awesome. The next day I’m in the break room and one of the guys from the back walks in and tells me he’s reading my book and the two other guys in the room start asking what it’s about!
I had once again underestimated my sweet Jesus. He didn’t just send me to this place to have the book printed He sent me there so the people I was working with could read Gena’s Jewels. They would have pages of testimony of our great God and could ask me questions right on the spot. Is God good or what!!!!
Here again was another reason the Lord sent me to Tampa. He moved me here to the very place He wanted His book published and to the very people He wants saved.
Every place God puts us is an opportunity to further the kingdom. You are never somewhere by accident.
So remember wherever you are working or whoever you’re around right now be the white bird. Stand out and know you’re on an assignment.
Gena’s Jewels
The first few weeks were tough and I really didn’t want to work there. I’m a people person and organization is not my strong suit, ask anyone I have worked for. I like to blab and don’t like being in one spot all day and here I am working in an office as an administrative assistant. It was like putting a square peg in a round hole. I said to the Lord "I appreciate having a job but how can I reach people for you when they don’t seem to like me and I’m stuck at a desk all day?" I know it’s hard to believe that someone might not like me. :)
I was complaining to the Lord one morning on my drive to work and as I was passing an open field I noticed a bunch of white birds eating. As I got closer I realized there were black birds mixed in I just didn’t notice them from a distance because the white ones were so bright. The Lord told me this is how we, His children, are supposed to be. Even if we are working in a hostile environment or among non believers the light should always outshine the darkness. He reminded me that a pitch black room doesn’t stay that way if you light even the smallest candle. Petty much He was telling me to suck it up and go shine.
I apologized to the Lord for being such a wimp and not being more grateful.
I was still feeling bad that I had to, what I felt, waste 8 hours a day doing silly paperwork when there was Kingdom work that needed to be done. God showed me my problem wasn’t the job it was my mindset. He told me I needed to stop thinking of it as a job and start thinking of it as an assignment. Kind of like that old TV show Touched by An Angel, the Angels showed up at an assignment did their work then moved on. This was what God was going to do with me. I know this is not a place I will stay forever but while I’m here I need to help change some peoples forever’s. This was so comforting to me and it really did change my whole attitude. I liked being on an assignment much better than being on a job.
I figured I would start with the kill them with kindness approach and that did start the ball rolling but it was still slow getting opportunities to talk about my sweet Jesus. But God is faithful and eventually opportunities opened here and there and I was beginning to give some testimony. I was happy with this small result and then once again God blew my mind.
Before I tell you how He did that I want to tell you how I got this job. As you know I moved to the Tampa area and when I first got here my youngest daughter and I joined a soup kitchen ministry feeding the homeless once a week. We were living with very dear friends Cathy and Fritz and I mentioned to them that the Lord wanted me to publish Gena’s Jewels and I asked if they knew anyone in the printing industry. Fritz said there was a man at our church who owned a printing company. So for the next few weeks I was trying to figure out who this man was. Finally I asked Fritz to point him out and he said “what are you talking about, you see him every week at the homeless ministry.” I had been driving to the homeless site for weeks with the very man that owned the printing company and had no idea. God just cracks me up. So I ask Bill, the owner of the company, about printing the book. He tells me to call his office for an appt and he would take a look at it. So the next week I head to his office and as I’m driving I ask the Lord how I’m going to pay for the book. I can’t expect this man to work for free and I have been out of work for over a year and had no money to pay for it. I starting praying and asking God to show me what to do, I thought maybe I could clean Bill’s office or something, you know do a barter type thing. The Lord told me not to worry about His job. I met Bill and after we got things settled and I was ready to leave the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for him so I did. As soon as I finished praying Bill looked at me and said “are you looking for a job by any chance?” He said he hadn’t hired anyone in a long time and business was slow but he felt like he should ask me. I just smiled and said “as a matter of fact I am.” Doesn’t God just blow your mind? When He has a plan all you have to do is go where He tells you and He will do the rest. OK, now back to our story.
So I’m walking to the back of the factory praying and thanking God for the opportunities He has given me to share, even if they were small, and I get to where they put the books together and there’s my book being worked on. I was so excited I about screamed. Once I got myself together I stopped by the ladies who were working on it and they started asking me questions about the book and before you know it I’m doing my favorite thing in the whole world, telling God stories. I gave them my testimony of how God brought me to Tampa and how I got the job and how good God is, it was awesome. The next day I’m in the break room and one of the guys from the back walks in and tells me he’s reading my book and the two other guys in the room start asking what it’s about!
I had once again underestimated my sweet Jesus. He didn’t just send me to this place to have the book printed He sent me there so the people I was working with could read Gena’s Jewels. They would have pages of testimony of our great God and could ask me questions right on the spot. Is God good or what!!!!
Here again was another reason the Lord sent me to Tampa. He moved me here to the very place He wanted His book published and to the very people He wants saved.
Every place God puts us is an opportunity to further the kingdom. You are never somewhere by accident.
So remember wherever you are working or whoever you’re around right now be the white bird. Stand out and know you’re on an assignment.
Gena’s Jewels
Monday, October 19, 2009
Let's Get Naked
Mark 14:51 a young man wearing nothing but a linen garment was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked leaving his garment behind.
This is one of those verses that you read and think, when did they put that in the Bible? I don’t remember reading this before and why is it in Mark but not Matthew, Luke or John. It doesn’t seem to go with the rest of the story. Why did God put that verse in the Bible? I thought about it for a few days and this is what I came up with. I’m not saying its right but hear me out.
The only way to leave after an encounter with Jesus is naked. What do I mean? Glad you asked.
When I was on the founding board of Life’s Choices a Crisis Pregnancy Center with four other amazing women we met weekly and prayed together for a whole year before the doors opened. One night while we were praying the Lord told me we had to get naked before Him. We had to be totally open and honest with one another so there would be unity. We could have no hidden agenda or “personal opinion.” The only way God was going to lead us was if we were in agreement as one. Getting five independent strong willed women to be in agreement was not always easy, but if we weren’t we did not move ahead, we waited.
I recently watched a video on a friend’s Face Book page and the gist of it was the man was going to let God chisel away the things in his life that didn’t glorify God but first he had to admit what those things were. He had to get naked.
In order for us to allow God to heal us or grow us for that matter we have to reveal everything in our heart to Him and sometimes to others. I think that’s one of Satan’s greatest tools, telling people they can’t possibly go to God because “their” sin is unforgivable.
Adam and Eve got to experience this first hand. Genesis 2:25 The man and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame.
They started out great, they were naked in front of each other, no lies no deceit no hidden agendas they were completely honest to each other and to God. But they ate the forbidden fruit, they were disobedient to God and watch what happens.
Genesis 3:8-13 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
What were the effects of their sin? First off they feel naked.
Genesis 3:7b they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
They knew they messed up and they were having a feeling they never experienced before, guilt. What a powerful emotion, so strong it made them hide from God. God the one they walked with in the garden every day. They KNEW Him personally and knew of His provision first hand. They got to experience God’s love daily. Can you even imagine what that must have been like?
The door was opened for Satan and he didn’t waste any time. The next thing that happens is the blame game. Adam blames God for “this woman you gave me” and Eve blames satan.
If we don’t take ownership of our faults we can’t fix them and one of satan’s most powerful tools is guilt.
They could no longer stand naked before God so they hid behind satan.
Not much has changed, we still don’t want to get naked before God and we still play the blame game. The problem is if we’re not giving our sin to Jesus to help us we’re letting satan use it to harm us.
We all think ours is the worst scenario but God has no sin gauge, if it’s keeping you hiding and wearing fig leaves to cover it up then it’s got to go. I know in my life my fig leaf is humor. If you’re getting too close to something I’m not allowing God to work on I will start making jokes to draw attention away from the subject. Some people get mean; some people exercise or make themselves vomit. Some people become workaholics or they cut themselves or do drugs. These are all things Satan uses to keep us hidden. As if our fig leaf was really hiding our sin from God.
I found this verse so odd at first and obviously I’m using the Gena translation but here’s this guy wearing a linen garment, he’s following Jesus, the enemy shows up and tries to seize him and he takes off running NAKED. Chances are he ran into someone, he may have been the first recorded streaker.
My point is he was a follower of Jesus and rather than get caught by the enemy he was willing to run away naked and he didn’t care who saw him.
I have to give you a warning now. Sometimes if satan suspects you’re getting ready to repent before God and he’s going lose his guilt hold he may use well meaning Christians to help you feel guilty. Remember the woman in the bible who was caught in adultery? Those holy people dragged her to Jesus because they knew according to the law she should be stoned. Can’t you just see them standing around her in a circle with their self righteous attitude glaring at her and saying “that’s right HO we caught you and now Jesus is going to take you out” The story tells us that Jesus bent down, they must have thought he was bending down to pick up a good size rock. But as always Jesus did something unexpected. He started writing in the sand with his finger. I wonder what he was writing. Maybe He started listing all the “Holy people’s” sins.
The Bible just says, then he stood up and said whoever is without sin throw the first stone. One by one they walked away. Maybe there are some Holy people in your life that need to start walking away.
Jesus sees all of us good and bad but you can’t experience God’s forgiveness if you don’t get naked before your God and King and let him clothe you in His righteousness. Don’t let the enemy convince you that your sin is unforgivable. There are 10 commandments and I have broken them all. I don’t say that with pride I say it with a grateful heart. If the enemy is coming after you, take off running to Jesus and don’t be surprised if when you get there He says “let’s get naked.”
If you are carrying around a sin take this time to confess it before God and ask His forgiveness.
Romans 8:6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Gena’s Jewels
This is one of those verses that you read and think, when did they put that in the Bible? I don’t remember reading this before and why is it in Mark but not Matthew, Luke or John. It doesn’t seem to go with the rest of the story. Why did God put that verse in the Bible? I thought about it for a few days and this is what I came up with. I’m not saying its right but hear me out.
The only way to leave after an encounter with Jesus is naked. What do I mean? Glad you asked.
When I was on the founding board of Life’s Choices a Crisis Pregnancy Center with four other amazing women we met weekly and prayed together for a whole year before the doors opened. One night while we were praying the Lord told me we had to get naked before Him. We had to be totally open and honest with one another so there would be unity. We could have no hidden agenda or “personal opinion.” The only way God was going to lead us was if we were in agreement as one. Getting five independent strong willed women to be in agreement was not always easy, but if we weren’t we did not move ahead, we waited.
I recently watched a video on a friend’s Face Book page and the gist of it was the man was going to let God chisel away the things in his life that didn’t glorify God but first he had to admit what those things were. He had to get naked.
In order for us to allow God to heal us or grow us for that matter we have to reveal everything in our heart to Him and sometimes to others. I think that’s one of Satan’s greatest tools, telling people they can’t possibly go to God because “their” sin is unforgivable.
Adam and Eve got to experience this first hand. Genesis 2:25 The man and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame.
They started out great, they were naked in front of each other, no lies no deceit no hidden agendas they were completely honest to each other and to God. But they ate the forbidden fruit, they were disobedient to God and watch what happens.
Genesis 3:8-13 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
What were the effects of their sin? First off they feel naked.
Genesis 3:7b they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
They knew they messed up and they were having a feeling they never experienced before, guilt. What a powerful emotion, so strong it made them hide from God. God the one they walked with in the garden every day. They KNEW Him personally and knew of His provision first hand. They got to experience God’s love daily. Can you even imagine what that must have been like?
The door was opened for Satan and he didn’t waste any time. The next thing that happens is the blame game. Adam blames God for “this woman you gave me” and Eve blames satan.
If we don’t take ownership of our faults we can’t fix them and one of satan’s most powerful tools is guilt.
They could no longer stand naked before God so they hid behind satan.
Not much has changed, we still don’t want to get naked before God and we still play the blame game. The problem is if we’re not giving our sin to Jesus to help us we’re letting satan use it to harm us.
We all think ours is the worst scenario but God has no sin gauge, if it’s keeping you hiding and wearing fig leaves to cover it up then it’s got to go. I know in my life my fig leaf is humor. If you’re getting too close to something I’m not allowing God to work on I will start making jokes to draw attention away from the subject. Some people get mean; some people exercise or make themselves vomit. Some people become workaholics or they cut themselves or do drugs. These are all things Satan uses to keep us hidden. As if our fig leaf was really hiding our sin from God.
I found this verse so odd at first and obviously I’m using the Gena translation but here’s this guy wearing a linen garment, he’s following Jesus, the enemy shows up and tries to seize him and he takes off running NAKED. Chances are he ran into someone, he may have been the first recorded streaker.
My point is he was a follower of Jesus and rather than get caught by the enemy he was willing to run away naked and he didn’t care who saw him.
I have to give you a warning now. Sometimes if satan suspects you’re getting ready to repent before God and he’s going lose his guilt hold he may use well meaning Christians to help you feel guilty. Remember the woman in the bible who was caught in adultery? Those holy people dragged her to Jesus because they knew according to the law she should be stoned. Can’t you just see them standing around her in a circle with their self righteous attitude glaring at her and saying “that’s right HO we caught you and now Jesus is going to take you out” The story tells us that Jesus bent down, they must have thought he was bending down to pick up a good size rock. But as always Jesus did something unexpected. He started writing in the sand with his finger. I wonder what he was writing. Maybe He started listing all the “Holy people’s” sins.
The Bible just says, then he stood up and said whoever is without sin throw the first stone. One by one they walked away. Maybe there are some Holy people in your life that need to start walking away.
Jesus sees all of us good and bad but you can’t experience God’s forgiveness if you don’t get naked before your God and King and let him clothe you in His righteousness. Don’t let the enemy convince you that your sin is unforgivable. There are 10 commandments and I have broken them all. I don’t say that with pride I say it with a grateful heart. If the enemy is coming after you, take off running to Jesus and don’t be surprised if when you get there He says “let’s get naked.”
If you are carrying around a sin take this time to confess it before God and ask His forgiveness.
Romans 8:6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Gena’s Jewels
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Winner Takes All
Gems, there is so much I want to share with you and my mind is racing so I pray you will be able to follow me. I would like you to take a journey back in time with me so some of these events you will remember from past jewels. It began about a year ago when the Lord told me to honor my father and mother. As you know from that jewel that was tough for me but if there’s one thing I know about God, obedience is key. His word says obedience is the sacrifice and I want to take every opportunity I can to make a sacrifice for God. Over the next year and a half the Lord took me out of the work place, through obedience I learned how faithful God is to provide for His children. Again obedience was key to this situation as well. I need to remind you jewels, just because I said I did it does not mean it was easy.
OK fast forward to about 6 months ago when the Lord told me to move to Tampa. As you know at first I did not understand this request and I’ll remind you some of the reasons why. I would have to leave my 17 year old son behind his senior year in high school. He is with his father but I don’t get to see him very often which leaves a void in my heart not to mention at times mommy guilt. I would be moving 2 hours away from my daughter, son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. We use to live 2 houses apart so this was a HUGE adjustment. I would have to be away from my youngest daughter for longer periods of time and deal with an ex-husband that doesn’t handle compromise very well. I was also moving in with a couple I hardly knew to a town where I had no friends. Now that you are up to date I need to remind you it was all about obedience.
I have already seen many reasons why I’m here and met some of the people the Lord has asked me to minister to but tonight a huge part of the Lord’s plan was revealed to me.
My father has been in and out of the hospital the past few months and most of the burden/responsibility has been on me. My parent’s home is about an hour and a half away from mine but my father was recently transferred to the VA Hospital. Where is that you ask…. Tampa. To be honest at first I felt it was yet another thing on my plate that I would have to deal with because he was now about a 20 min. ride from where I live. I went to the hospital the first few times to the usual scene of my father’s hateful yelling and all the drama with my mother. Trips back and forth to Davenport trying to get power of attorney papers and banking needs in order are just a few of the things I have been dealing with. Of course my father has still not agreed to sign these papers making my life that much more difficult. I’m going to get really honest here with you gems, as far as I was concerned my father was a huge pain in the ass and I was really done with him. The ONLY reason I was going to continue was because of Jesus’ words to me to honor my father and mother.
A couple of days ago my friend Cathy told me she felt in her Spirit like she should ask me if my dad had a relationship with the Lord and about my relationship with him. I told her I had come to terms with my non relationship with my father years ago. I also remembered a long time ago my mother telling me a Pastor came by their house and my father prayed to receive Christ. No sooner had I said those words I heard the Lord say “And you shall know my children by their fruit.” I had NEVER seen any fruit in my father’s life but pushed the thought out of my mind.
I knew I should go to the hospital after work today because there is a chance my father will be transferred back to a hospital in Haines City for rehab and there was no excuse for me not to. I had a long day at work and was already tired so I planned on doing my obligation and heading home quick. Of course the Lord had other plans. I walked in the room and there was a noticeable difference in the atmosphere. My father was lying there asleep and he looked so helpless. We were there alone for the first time without my mother or any other visitors. For the first time in months I was seeing my father, the man and not the responsibility. I don’t know if that makes sense. I suddenly realized how frail he was, he was so thin and small. Who was this man? A flood of emotion came over me as I walked over and touched his hair. I ran my hand over his head like a mother does with a sick child. I had never touched my dad like that before. My heart is pounding just seeing it again in my mind. He woke up slowly then asked if my mother was with me, when I said no he seemed surprised that I was there. As I stood there I realized I was the one the Lord chose to care for my father. Me of all the children, the one he seemed to dislike the most. It was awkward at first and then he said he was hungry. I pointed to the food tray that must have come in while he was sleeping. I walked over and cut up his food and he asked me to make his tea for him. My dad is a huge tea drinker one of the things he has passed onto me. I knew exactly how he wanted it after years of watching him make it. I got a chair and sat down near the bed but before long I was sitting on the bed next to him. The Lord was moving and I was just in the flow of it having no idea where we were going. All of a sudden in a loud voice, because my father is close to deaf, I heard these words came out of my mouth, “dad, have you given your life to Jesus?”
I was just as surprised as he was and I immediately felt weird wondering how many people heard me yelling about Jesus. It all happened so fast and I certainly wasn’t ready for what happened next. I saw a tear slowly slide down my father‘s cheek and the eyes that once looked at me with such contempt were now filled with pain and fear. It was like the whole world and all its craziness stopped for a moment. He said it was too hard to talk about and I told him it was too important not to talk about. At that point I didn’t care who heard me. I would scream from the rooftop if I had to. I asked him if he wanted me to pray with him and he said no, he would have to meditate on it for a while. He told me he was worried about “us kids” as he put it. My dad was worried about us? The conversation went on from there. It was one of the most precious times in my life, a time I never thought would happen. I waited a while then asked him again and this time he said yes. I sat on that hospital bed and led my father to the Lord.
I looked over at the night table and there was a deck of cards there, I asked my dad if he wanted to play. We sat there for over an hour playing cards. Me and my dad playing cards!! We played till he was tired then he laid his head down on his pillow. I asked him if he wanted me to leave and he yelled “I don’t care” I smiled and said “yes you do” and for the first time I knew he did care. I shut off the light as my father curled up to a fetal position. I sat with him for a while then kissed him on the head and left.
As I was driving home thanking God for what He did He gave me the name for the jewel. You see God dealt the cards, He asked me to play the hand He gave me knowing down the road I would be in Tampa right where He needed me when my father arrived ready to give his life to Jesus. He allowed me to be the one to do it and I cannot put into words the emotions I’m having tonight.
So my gems whatever you have been through or are going thru whether it makes sense or not be obedient to what God asks you to do because in this game the winner takes all.
Gena’s jewels
OK fast forward to about 6 months ago when the Lord told me to move to Tampa. As you know at first I did not understand this request and I’ll remind you some of the reasons why. I would have to leave my 17 year old son behind his senior year in high school. He is with his father but I don’t get to see him very often which leaves a void in my heart not to mention at times mommy guilt. I would be moving 2 hours away from my daughter, son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. We use to live 2 houses apart so this was a HUGE adjustment. I would have to be away from my youngest daughter for longer periods of time and deal with an ex-husband that doesn’t handle compromise very well. I was also moving in with a couple I hardly knew to a town where I had no friends. Now that you are up to date I need to remind you it was all about obedience.
I have already seen many reasons why I’m here and met some of the people the Lord has asked me to minister to but tonight a huge part of the Lord’s plan was revealed to me.
My father has been in and out of the hospital the past few months and most of the burden/responsibility has been on me. My parent’s home is about an hour and a half away from mine but my father was recently transferred to the VA Hospital. Where is that you ask…. Tampa. To be honest at first I felt it was yet another thing on my plate that I would have to deal with because he was now about a 20 min. ride from where I live. I went to the hospital the first few times to the usual scene of my father’s hateful yelling and all the drama with my mother. Trips back and forth to Davenport trying to get power of attorney papers and banking needs in order are just a few of the things I have been dealing with. Of course my father has still not agreed to sign these papers making my life that much more difficult. I’m going to get really honest here with you gems, as far as I was concerned my father was a huge pain in the ass and I was really done with him. The ONLY reason I was going to continue was because of Jesus’ words to me to honor my father and mother.
A couple of days ago my friend Cathy told me she felt in her Spirit like she should ask me if my dad had a relationship with the Lord and about my relationship with him. I told her I had come to terms with my non relationship with my father years ago. I also remembered a long time ago my mother telling me a Pastor came by their house and my father prayed to receive Christ. No sooner had I said those words I heard the Lord say “And you shall know my children by their fruit.” I had NEVER seen any fruit in my father’s life but pushed the thought out of my mind.
I knew I should go to the hospital after work today because there is a chance my father will be transferred back to a hospital in Haines City for rehab and there was no excuse for me not to. I had a long day at work and was already tired so I planned on doing my obligation and heading home quick. Of course the Lord had other plans. I walked in the room and there was a noticeable difference in the atmosphere. My father was lying there asleep and he looked so helpless. We were there alone for the first time without my mother or any other visitors. For the first time in months I was seeing my father, the man and not the responsibility. I don’t know if that makes sense. I suddenly realized how frail he was, he was so thin and small. Who was this man? A flood of emotion came over me as I walked over and touched his hair. I ran my hand over his head like a mother does with a sick child. I had never touched my dad like that before. My heart is pounding just seeing it again in my mind. He woke up slowly then asked if my mother was with me, when I said no he seemed surprised that I was there. As I stood there I realized I was the one the Lord chose to care for my father. Me of all the children, the one he seemed to dislike the most. It was awkward at first and then he said he was hungry. I pointed to the food tray that must have come in while he was sleeping. I walked over and cut up his food and he asked me to make his tea for him. My dad is a huge tea drinker one of the things he has passed onto me. I knew exactly how he wanted it after years of watching him make it. I got a chair and sat down near the bed but before long I was sitting on the bed next to him. The Lord was moving and I was just in the flow of it having no idea where we were going. All of a sudden in a loud voice, because my father is close to deaf, I heard these words came out of my mouth, “dad, have you given your life to Jesus?”
I was just as surprised as he was and I immediately felt weird wondering how many people heard me yelling about Jesus. It all happened so fast and I certainly wasn’t ready for what happened next. I saw a tear slowly slide down my father‘s cheek and the eyes that once looked at me with such contempt were now filled with pain and fear. It was like the whole world and all its craziness stopped for a moment. He said it was too hard to talk about and I told him it was too important not to talk about. At that point I didn’t care who heard me. I would scream from the rooftop if I had to. I asked him if he wanted me to pray with him and he said no, he would have to meditate on it for a while. He told me he was worried about “us kids” as he put it. My dad was worried about us? The conversation went on from there. It was one of the most precious times in my life, a time I never thought would happen. I waited a while then asked him again and this time he said yes. I sat on that hospital bed and led my father to the Lord.
I looked over at the night table and there was a deck of cards there, I asked my dad if he wanted to play. We sat there for over an hour playing cards. Me and my dad playing cards!! We played till he was tired then he laid his head down on his pillow. I asked him if he wanted me to leave and he yelled “I don’t care” I smiled and said “yes you do” and for the first time I knew he did care. I shut off the light as my father curled up to a fetal position. I sat with him for a while then kissed him on the head and left.
As I was driving home thanking God for what He did He gave me the name for the jewel. You see God dealt the cards, He asked me to play the hand He gave me knowing down the road I would be in Tampa right where He needed me when my father arrived ready to give his life to Jesus. He allowed me to be the one to do it and I cannot put into words the emotions I’m having tonight.
So my gems whatever you have been through or are going thru whether it makes sense or not be obedient to what God asks you to do because in this game the winner takes all.
Gena’s jewels
Friday, October 9, 2009
For Crying Out Loud
I have a some friends that cry almost every time you talk to them. They tell me it’s so frustrating they even asked the Lord to help them not to do it. A friend told me the other day she doesn’t like to speak in front of people about personal things because she’s afraid she will cry and it makes her feel stupid. A woman I met recently confessed that she comes from a family of criers and none of them can get through a story without tears flowing.
I was never much of a crier but the older I get the more I seem to do it. Some of these women get embarrassed by crying and feel stupid getting upset in front of other people.
I don’t think crying is stupid, other things maybe, but not crying.
To prove my point I decided to share a story with you about something I did the other day that was the ultimate in stupid.
I went to the Metro PCS store to change my cell phone from Sprint to their company. I was talking to the salesman and going over the paperwork of what I would need to do. As we were filling out the papers he asked me for my Sprint account number. I told him I didn’t have it and he said I would need to get it in order to continue. I was bummed out because I didn‘t know it and really didn‘t want to have to come back. I said I would go home and get it and come back the following day. He looked at me kind of weird which is not unusual; people often look at me that way. I thanked him for his help and told him I would see him tomorrow and left. OK are you ready for this? I drove home, walked in the house, took out my CELL PHONE from my purse and called Sprint for my account number. As the phone was ringing I realized I could have done that AT THE STORE!!! What a ninny head. The guy probably thought I stole the phone or was up to something and that’s why I didn’t call from the store. I was so embarrassed. Luckily when I went back the next day he didn’t recognize me and of course I acted like I had never been there before.
I confessed this because that was stupid; crying in front of people is not. I read this to my daughter and she said” that’s not the stupidest thing you’ve done.” That’s encouraging. As always the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the crying situation.
Have you ever heard people say you should go in the ocean if you have a cut or infection on your body, how the salt water will do you good? Or when you have a sore throat doctors tell you to gargle with salt water.
According to my Google search, in some cases gargling with salt water has a cleansing action. The Lord told me the same rule applies with crying, tears are your own salt water. There is a cleansing that happens when you cry; it gets stuff out of you. He told me that not only does it help the person that’s crying but those tears help heal the people near by that have the same kind of “wounds.” They feel better just knowing someone else understands how they feel and they truly cry with you because they understand what you’re feeling. Tears tear down walls. People stop and listen when they see your vulnerable. It takes a brave person to allow their emotions to flow in front of people.
God says He catches every one of our tears; they are all recorded in His book. He obviously doesn’t think crying is stupid or He wouldn‘t have created it. He tells us in 2Kings 20:5 I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.
So my gems I want to encourage you, if you’re a crier, don’t hold back. Let your tears flow and allow the cleansing to take place. Be the brave one to show emotion so others around you feel safe to do the same. Allow the Lord to heal you with the solution He himself designed, tears. And remember the best news is Revelation 21:3 I heard a loud shout from the throne saying,” Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”Who better to wipe away your tears then God Almighty, so go on, keep crying out loud!!!
Gena’s Jewels
I was never much of a crier but the older I get the more I seem to do it. Some of these women get embarrassed by crying and feel stupid getting upset in front of other people.
I don’t think crying is stupid, other things maybe, but not crying.
To prove my point I decided to share a story with you about something I did the other day that was the ultimate in stupid.
I went to the Metro PCS store to change my cell phone from Sprint to their company. I was talking to the salesman and going over the paperwork of what I would need to do. As we were filling out the papers he asked me for my Sprint account number. I told him I didn’t have it and he said I would need to get it in order to continue. I was bummed out because I didn‘t know it and really didn‘t want to have to come back. I said I would go home and get it and come back the following day. He looked at me kind of weird which is not unusual; people often look at me that way. I thanked him for his help and told him I would see him tomorrow and left. OK are you ready for this? I drove home, walked in the house, took out my CELL PHONE from my purse and called Sprint for my account number. As the phone was ringing I realized I could have done that AT THE STORE!!! What a ninny head. The guy probably thought I stole the phone or was up to something and that’s why I didn’t call from the store. I was so embarrassed. Luckily when I went back the next day he didn’t recognize me and of course I acted like I had never been there before.
I confessed this because that was stupid; crying in front of people is not. I read this to my daughter and she said” that’s not the stupidest thing you’ve done.” That’s encouraging. As always the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the crying situation.
Have you ever heard people say you should go in the ocean if you have a cut or infection on your body, how the salt water will do you good? Or when you have a sore throat doctors tell you to gargle with salt water.
According to my Google search, in some cases gargling with salt water has a cleansing action. The Lord told me the same rule applies with crying, tears are your own salt water. There is a cleansing that happens when you cry; it gets stuff out of you. He told me that not only does it help the person that’s crying but those tears help heal the people near by that have the same kind of “wounds.” They feel better just knowing someone else understands how they feel and they truly cry with you because they understand what you’re feeling. Tears tear down walls. People stop and listen when they see your vulnerable. It takes a brave person to allow their emotions to flow in front of people.
God says He catches every one of our tears; they are all recorded in His book. He obviously doesn’t think crying is stupid or He wouldn‘t have created it. He tells us in 2Kings 20:5 I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.
So my gems I want to encourage you, if you’re a crier, don’t hold back. Let your tears flow and allow the cleansing to take place. Be the brave one to show emotion so others around you feel safe to do the same. Allow the Lord to heal you with the solution He himself designed, tears. And remember the best news is Revelation 21:3 I heard a loud shout from the throne saying,” Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”Who better to wipe away your tears then God Almighty, so go on, keep crying out loud!!!
Gena’s Jewels
Sunday, September 27, 2009
What Instrument Do You Play?
I was watching an amazing praise DVD from Australia the other night. The music was so powerful that the worship team seem to take you to a place where you could become more in tune with your Spirit being than your physical one.
My attention eventually went to the drummer, as I love the sound of the drums. He was so into the worship that when the song ended he literally fell forward and laid his head on the drum. He had given all he had; you could tell he played from his very soul.
I was so filled with the Spirit as I watched this huge crowd praising the Lord with their voices as their hands were reaching toward the sky as if they expected the very hand of God to reach down and touch them. I had goose bumps. I knew how it made me feel just watching it on a DVD I could only imagine how it must have felt being there live.
I got to thinking about how much it must have pleased God to have so many children praising Him, how He must have looked forward to that night knowing He would be seeing His kids in worship.
Did He get goose bumps too? Was He focusing in on them one person at a time taking in each expression and emotion? Was He being touched as much by their praise as they were by His presence?
Have you ever really looked forward to seeing someone you had special feelings for? You know the whole nervous butterfly in the stomach feeling. I remember in High School my first love, his name was Jimmy, and I would run to my English class early because I knew he had to walk by my class to get to his. I would stand outside the door when the bell rang searching for him down the crowded hall of people and as soon as I saw him I would look away pretending I didn’t see him. Great plan hu? Could explain why I’m still single.
There was a method to my madness. I knew if he thought I didn’t see him he would touch my arm or better yet my face as he went by and say hello. Just that little touch sent my heart fluttering. It was the only reason I went to English.
I wondered if God felt like that when He knew we were getting ready to worship Him. Does he search for us anticipating the moment?
My mind went to that drummer and I envied him, that he could put his whole soul into playing for the King. I thought to myself, I wish I sang or played an instrument so I could praise God like that.
As always the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said,” you do play an instrument it’s just not a musical one.” He reminded me that I write and Gena’s Jewels is my instrument to give praise to the Lord. I never thought about it that way. I started thinking about other people and the instruments they play like making drapes or jewelry. Selling homes or feeding the homeless. Speaking encouraging words or teaching small children. Anything that we do for God is our instrument, it’s just a matter of do we “play” it to honor Him. Do we give Him the praise for the talent we were given.
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. It doesn’t specify how you praise just that you do it.
I was in Wal-Mart today with my friend Cathy, the woman in front of us didn’t speak English, the cashier didn’t speak Spanish, and there was some confusion with the customer’s gift card. The problem was they could not communicate and you could feel the frustration level rising. Out of nowhere my friend translated for them as she speaks both languages. I heard the Lord say, “She’s playing her instrument.”
Are you playing yours?
I was so filled with the Spirit as I watched this huge crowd praising the Lord with their voices as their hands were reaching toward the sky as if they expected the very hand of God to reach down and touch them. I had goose bumps. I knew how it made me feel just watching it on a DVD I could only imagine how it must have felt being there live.
I got to thinking about how much it must have pleased God to have so many children praising Him, how He must have looked forward to that night knowing He would be seeing His kids in worship.
Did He get goose bumps too? Was He focusing in on them one person at a time taking in each expression and emotion? Was He being touched as much by their praise as they were by His presence?
Have you ever really looked forward to seeing someone you had special feelings for? You know the whole nervous butterfly in the stomach feeling. I remember in High School my first love, his name was Jimmy, and I would run to my English class early because I knew he had to walk by my class to get to his. I would stand outside the door when the bell rang searching for him down the crowded hall of people and as soon as I saw him I would look away pretending I didn’t see him. Great plan hu? Could explain why I’m still single.
There was a method to my madness. I knew if he thought I didn’t see him he would touch my arm or better yet my face as he went by and say hello. Just that little touch sent my heart fluttering. It was the only reason I went to English.
I wondered if God felt like that when He knew we were getting ready to worship Him. Does he search for us anticipating the moment?
My mind went to that drummer and I envied him, that he could put his whole soul into playing for the King. I thought to myself, I wish I sang or played an instrument so I could praise God like that.
As always the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said,” you do play an instrument it’s just not a musical one.” He reminded me that I write and Gena’s Jewels is my instrument to give praise to the Lord. I never thought about it that way. I started thinking about other people and the instruments they play like making drapes or jewelry. Selling homes or feeding the homeless. Speaking encouraging words or teaching small children. Anything that we do for God is our instrument, it’s just a matter of do we “play” it to honor Him. Do we give Him the praise for the talent we were given.
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. It doesn’t specify how you praise just that you do it.
I was in Wal-Mart today with my friend Cathy, the woman in front of us didn’t speak English, the cashier didn’t speak Spanish, and there was some confusion with the customer’s gift card. The problem was they could not communicate and you could feel the frustration level rising. Out of nowhere my friend translated for them as she speaks both languages. I heard the Lord say, “She’s playing her instrument.”
Are you playing yours?
What instrument do you play
Do you honor God with it everyday
Do you look for places you two will meet
Do you give him thanks, do you keep his beat
Does your heart sing out
Do you make it a goal
To share with another
The song in your soul
Allow God to shine through all that you do
Search for the Lord He’s crazy bout you
So strike up the band
Let’s start the show
Tune up your instrument
And let your music flow!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
How Big Is Your But?
When you start to dream about what you want in your life how big do you go? A few years ago my oldest son walked in my house and I knew by his body language he was not happy. I was standing in the kitchen and he slammed his hands down on the counter in front of me and said, and I quote “I am really pissed off at you mom!” I was caught off guard that I was the object of his anger. I didn’t remember us having any kind of argument recently so I had no idea what he was talking about. I replied “why?” He told me that I didn’t dream big enough. He felt I could be so much further in my life had I dreamed bigger. I was speechless for a moment, hard to believe I know but true. As a mom I have always encouraged my kids to dream big and not limit God but I realized I didn’t always follow my own advice. I can give you all the reasons/excuses why like, I could have gone farther but I married young, I should have had better jobs but I didn’t go to college. I had all my “buts” ready to throw at him but the truth is I just plain didn’t dream big. I let my “BUT” get bigger than my God.
If it comforts you any there were people in the bible with big buts too. Abraham and Sara wanted a baby but they were too old. God made Abraham the father of many nations. Moses wanted to be a leader but he stuttered. God sent Aaron to work along side him and they led the whole Israel nation out of Egypt. Joseph wanted to be a great ruler but he was in prison for over ten years for a crime he didn’t commit and God made him the second most powerful man in the Kingdom. The Jews were praying for a Messiah but they got a baby in a manger. We all know how that story ended :)
If it weren’t for that conversation with my son chances are I would have continued to limit God and my dreams. Once I changed my thinking to “I” can’t do this but God can, not only did I open myself up to more things in my life it opened God up to use me more.
I know my children are going to accomplish way more in this life than I did at a much younger age and I think it’s supposed to be that way. I try to download all the things the Lord has taught me so they can be where I am at half the age. I think it’s important for you to journal your experiences or at least share them with your family. Don’t assume they know what God is doing with you just because you happen to live in the same house. Our loved ones need to be constantly reminded about how big our God is.
How big is your but and is it bigger than God? What are you believing God for? What secret dreams do you have in your heart? You may think it’s impossible for you and you may be right but Jesus said “with man this is impossible but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 Don’t let your but get in the way, dream big!
Gena’s Jewels
If it comforts you any there were people in the bible with big buts too. Abraham and Sara wanted a baby but they were too old. God made Abraham the father of many nations. Moses wanted to be a leader but he stuttered. God sent Aaron to work along side him and they led the whole Israel nation out of Egypt. Joseph wanted to be a great ruler but he was in prison for over ten years for a crime he didn’t commit and God made him the second most powerful man in the Kingdom. The Jews were praying for a Messiah but they got a baby in a manger. We all know how that story ended :)
If it weren’t for that conversation with my son chances are I would have continued to limit God and my dreams. Once I changed my thinking to “I” can’t do this but God can, not only did I open myself up to more things in my life it opened God up to use me more.
I know my children are going to accomplish way more in this life than I did at a much younger age and I think it’s supposed to be that way. I try to download all the things the Lord has taught me so they can be where I am at half the age. I think it’s important for you to journal your experiences or at least share them with your family. Don’t assume they know what God is doing with you just because you happen to live in the same house. Our loved ones need to be constantly reminded about how big our God is.
How big is your but and is it bigger than God? What are you believing God for? What secret dreams do you have in your heart? You may think it’s impossible for you and you may be right but Jesus said “with man this is impossible but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 Don’t let your but get in the way, dream big!
Gena’s Jewels
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Work Out
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I want you to notice this verse says “all things” not just the good things but all things. We wonder sometimes how that’s possible. When I’m in the middle of something awful it’s hard for me to see how it can be working out for my good, I’ll give you an example. You may or may not know that I was out of work for quite a while. As you can imagine things got tough and long story short I ended up losing my investment property, my home and most of my personal belongings. At 48, I found myself a homeless single parent. Not quite what I expected for myself. I looked for an apartment two times during the foreclosure process and each time the Lord closed the door. He told me all would be provided where I was going next. I knew the Lord promised me this but after my home officially foreclosed I once again looked for a place to live and the Lord said quite clearly “Gena, you can pick the place or I can, it’s up to you.” I decided to let Him pick. I also felt like I was supposed to get Gena’s Jewels published and had no idea how that was going to happen. As you can imagine this was a very difficult time for me. I knew I was where I was supposed to be with the Lord and I kept thinking any minute everything was going to go back to normal but it didn‘t. I seemed to be getting separated from my church family and the friends I had grown to love over the past ten years and no one seemed to notice.
A couple of months ago the Lord sent me to Tampa to visit some new found friends. While I was visiting the Lord told me I was going to move there and since my new friends really were new friends I asked the Lord to tell them too, thinking I got it wrong and this would all go away. Moving was not part of my plan, as a matter of fact I can distinctly remember saying one time I would never live in Tampa. Well guess what? My new friends told me they felt like I was supposed to move in with them! Lucky for me all of my clothes just happened to be in the back of my car :) So here I was homeless, jobless and staying with people I hardly knew. One particular day I had a very devastating thing happen to me. It was at Good Will. Now listen I can handle losing my job, my house, my personal belongings even buying clothes at Good Will what I couldn’t handle was the lady behind the counter of Good Will asking if I qualified for a senior discount! If I was suicidal that could have been it for me. Wasn’t it bad enough no one from my church was calling to see where I was and my closest friends seemed to be yanked right out of my hands? I would be 2 hours away from three of my children AND my grandsons. I asked my older children if they thought I should move thinking they would say no but they thought it was a good idea. What was wrong with all this? I wanted my children to beg me not to go. I wanted people devastated that I was leaving. I wanted wailing and mourning and got none of it. As you can imagine I did not see how all these things were working out for my good.
One of the first things I did when I arrived in Tampa, besides look for a job, was find a church and a ministry to be involved in. I decided to start with the soup kitchen and feeding the homeless as they were now officially my people. Each week my daughter and I drove in the church van with a group of wonderful people to serve the Lord through this ministry.
I mentioned to my new roommates Fritz and Cathy that I was interested in getting Gena’s Jewels published and they told me there was a guy at the church who owned a publishing company. I tried for weeks to figure out who it was then one day I asked Fritz to point him out to me and he said, “you see him every Tuesday night at the soup kitchen, he drives the van.” I had no idea he was right in front of me the whole time. I made an appointment with him for the following week to meet at his office. As I was driving there I started to pray and asked the Lord how I was going to pay him for printing the books. I prayed that maybe I could do some kind of bartering like cleaning his office in return for the publishing. After we discussed printing the book I asked him if I could pray for him and he said yes. As soon as I was finished praying he looked me right in the eye and said “you wouldn’t happen to be looking for a job would you?”
Later the Lord showed me that He had a plan for me in Tampa and if my children didn’t want me to move and my church family and friends were calling it would have been very difficult for me to leave. What appeared to be really hurtful at the time was the very thing I needed in order to make the move and the Lord knew that. The Lord knew a job was waiting for me that would also get the book published with a Godly man He had already assigned the job to.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 God said a place would be provided and it was. We are staying in a beautiful home with 2 of the most precious Christians I have ever met. I told Him I need friends and He provides more and more each day. He asked me to write the book and He sent me a publisher AND a job!
I don’t know what your going through right now and you may be saying just like I did, how can this situation possibly work out for my good when everything seems to be falling apart. You may be going through the loss of a loved one or a failed relationship or health issues. You may feel scared or lonely or just plain ticked off. You may think there is no way this situation can be good for anyone but this my gem is where faith comes in. You have to remember what Romans 8:28 says because now you’re living it. This is where the rubber meets the road. I don’t have the answer for your situation but I can tell you from personal experience God is in control. He may not do things they way you and I would have planned but it ALWAYS works out for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.
Gena’s jewels
I want you to notice this verse says “all things” not just the good things but all things. We wonder sometimes how that’s possible. When I’m in the middle of something awful it’s hard for me to see how it can be working out for my good, I’ll give you an example. You may or may not know that I was out of work for quite a while. As you can imagine things got tough and long story short I ended up losing my investment property, my home and most of my personal belongings. At 48, I found myself a homeless single parent. Not quite what I expected for myself. I looked for an apartment two times during the foreclosure process and each time the Lord closed the door. He told me all would be provided where I was going next. I knew the Lord promised me this but after my home officially foreclosed I once again looked for a place to live and the Lord said quite clearly “Gena, you can pick the place or I can, it’s up to you.” I decided to let Him pick. I also felt like I was supposed to get Gena’s Jewels published and had no idea how that was going to happen. As you can imagine this was a very difficult time for me. I knew I was where I was supposed to be with the Lord and I kept thinking any minute everything was going to go back to normal but it didn‘t. I seemed to be getting separated from my church family and the friends I had grown to love over the past ten years and no one seemed to notice.
A couple of months ago the Lord sent me to Tampa to visit some new found friends. While I was visiting the Lord told me I was going to move there and since my new friends really were new friends I asked the Lord to tell them too, thinking I got it wrong and this would all go away. Moving was not part of my plan, as a matter of fact I can distinctly remember saying one time I would never live in Tampa. Well guess what? My new friends told me they felt like I was supposed to move in with them! Lucky for me all of my clothes just happened to be in the back of my car :) So here I was homeless, jobless and staying with people I hardly knew. One particular day I had a very devastating thing happen to me. It was at Good Will. Now listen I can handle losing my job, my house, my personal belongings even buying clothes at Good Will what I couldn’t handle was the lady behind the counter of Good Will asking if I qualified for a senior discount! If I was suicidal that could have been it for me. Wasn’t it bad enough no one from my church was calling to see where I was and my closest friends seemed to be yanked right out of my hands? I would be 2 hours away from three of my children AND my grandsons. I asked my older children if they thought I should move thinking they would say no but they thought it was a good idea. What was wrong with all this? I wanted my children to beg me not to go. I wanted people devastated that I was leaving. I wanted wailing and mourning and got none of it. As you can imagine I did not see how all these things were working out for my good.
One of the first things I did when I arrived in Tampa, besides look for a job, was find a church and a ministry to be involved in. I decided to start with the soup kitchen and feeding the homeless as they were now officially my people. Each week my daughter and I drove in the church van with a group of wonderful people to serve the Lord through this ministry.
I mentioned to my new roommates Fritz and Cathy that I was interested in getting Gena’s Jewels published and they told me there was a guy at the church who owned a publishing company. I tried for weeks to figure out who it was then one day I asked Fritz to point him out to me and he said, “you see him every Tuesday night at the soup kitchen, he drives the van.” I had no idea he was right in front of me the whole time. I made an appointment with him for the following week to meet at his office. As I was driving there I started to pray and asked the Lord how I was going to pay him for printing the books. I prayed that maybe I could do some kind of bartering like cleaning his office in return for the publishing. After we discussed printing the book I asked him if I could pray for him and he said yes. As soon as I was finished praying he looked me right in the eye and said “you wouldn’t happen to be looking for a job would you?”
Later the Lord showed me that He had a plan for me in Tampa and if my children didn’t want me to move and my church family and friends were calling it would have been very difficult for me to leave. What appeared to be really hurtful at the time was the very thing I needed in order to make the move and the Lord knew that. The Lord knew a job was waiting for me that would also get the book published with a Godly man He had already assigned the job to.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 God said a place would be provided and it was. We are staying in a beautiful home with 2 of the most precious Christians I have ever met. I told Him I need friends and He provides more and more each day. He asked me to write the book and He sent me a publisher AND a job!
I don’t know what your going through right now and you may be saying just like I did, how can this situation possibly work out for my good when everything seems to be falling apart. You may be going through the loss of a loved one or a failed relationship or health issues. You may feel scared or lonely or just plain ticked off. You may think there is no way this situation can be good for anyone but this my gem is where faith comes in. You have to remember what Romans 8:28 says because now you’re living it. This is where the rubber meets the road. I don’t have the answer for your situation but I can tell you from personal experience God is in control. He may not do things they way you and I would have planned but it ALWAYS works out for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.
Gena’s jewels
Monday, August 24, 2009
Self Centered Christian
This jewel might step on some toes so if I offend you, you must have needed it :) A few weeks ago I was having a really hard time with my emotions. I will confess to you that I’m guilty of not letting people know when I need someone. It makes me feel weak and maybe a bit embarrassed so apparently it’s a pride issue. It also goes against the very advice I give others that they need to reach out when they need a person to talk to. So here I was feeling pretty down and needing a friend. I finally decided I would put my pride aside and call someone. I made the first call and got voice mail. I decided to leave a message and even though I felt pathetic I said “I really need a friend, emphasis on need, and again need you to call me back so we can get together.” I took a deep breath, waited a little while and then decided to call another friend. Same thing, voice mail. I left yet another cry for help message that I needed a call back. I’m sorry to say that neither one of these friends called me back that day. It was actually days later before I got a return call. Too little too late.
I was so upset with the Lord because I blamed Him that no one called me back. I had a hissy fit and let him know that I understand He wants me to carry all my burdens to Him but sometimes I NEED a person with skin on to talk to and maybe even give me a hug. I had my tantrum and then before I went to sleep I told the Lord I was sorry and prayed that He would send me someone to talk to. The next morning the phone rang and God in deed answered my prayer. You never know how He’s going to do things. It was no one I would have expected actually it was a woman I had only met one time before and she told me the Holy Spirit told her to call me. We had a mutual friend and that’s how she got my number. She came to the house and we ministered to each other and I was so thankful to my sweet Jesus for taking care of me.
Weeks later I was getting ready to go somewhere and the Holy Spirit said to me “do you remember the night you were so upset with me because you couldn’t find a friend?” I said “yes.” He then went on to tell me that we have become a very self centered people. That we are so wrapped up in our own lives we don’t take time for the hurting people around us. He told me that we have become so selfish that we don’t take the opportunities God gives us to be Jesus for someone. That He sometimes drops an opportunity right into our lap to serve Him and we still don’t do it. He told me that’s what happened that night; He dropped me right into two people’s lives and gave them an opportunity to minister for Him. They didn’t even have to look for someone He provided the situation all they had to do was respond. The Holy Spirit said He was just as grieved as I was that neither one returned my call and He didn’t appreciate me blaming God for it.
Well I just stood there for a moment speechless. When I finally got the nerve to speak I asked the Lord to forgive me for not assuming the best of Him and for blaming Him.
I wondered how many times the Lord dropped someone in my lap and I missed it. How many times did I walk right by someone that was crying out for help and I didn’t hear them because I was too self absorbed.
We call ourselves Christians but do we really know what that means. Dictionary.com Christian definition: exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike.
There was an email that went around a long time ago. It asked if it were a crime to be a Christian and you were taken to court would there be enough evidence to convict you? I pray that if I have to stand before a judge and jury there will be more than circumstantial evidence to convict me of being a Christian.
The Christian walk is all about serving and loving. Jesus said it was the second most important commandment, that we love one another. It is impossible to love someone else if you’re completely absorbed in yourself.
1 Corinthians 10:24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:24 Amplified Bible Let no one then seek his own good and advantage and profit, but (rather) each one of the other let him seek the welfare of his neighbor.
Philippians 2:4, 21 each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. For everyone looks out for his own interest, not those of Jesus Christ.
There’s a story in Mark 2 about a paralytic man, his four friends cared so much for him and wanted him healed that they carried him on his mat to the house where Jesus was. When they got there it was so crowded they couldn’t get to Jesus so they cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down, can you believe that! Jesus saw their faith and healed him. The story doesn’t say how far a walk it was or how hard it must have been to carry the friend on the mat onto the roof without dropping him. It doesn’t say how long it took to dig the hole in the roof or how tired their arms were but it goes without saying that these were not selfish men.
Self centered and Christian should never be in the same sentence. Let’s all make an effort to exhibit a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ and bring back the true definition of a Christian.
Gena’s Jewels
I was so upset with the Lord because I blamed Him that no one called me back. I had a hissy fit and let him know that I understand He wants me to carry all my burdens to Him but sometimes I NEED a person with skin on to talk to and maybe even give me a hug. I had my tantrum and then before I went to sleep I told the Lord I was sorry and prayed that He would send me someone to talk to. The next morning the phone rang and God in deed answered my prayer. You never know how He’s going to do things. It was no one I would have expected actually it was a woman I had only met one time before and she told me the Holy Spirit told her to call me. We had a mutual friend and that’s how she got my number. She came to the house and we ministered to each other and I was so thankful to my sweet Jesus for taking care of me.
Weeks later I was getting ready to go somewhere and the Holy Spirit said to me “do you remember the night you were so upset with me because you couldn’t find a friend?” I said “yes.” He then went on to tell me that we have become a very self centered people. That we are so wrapped up in our own lives we don’t take time for the hurting people around us. He told me that we have become so selfish that we don’t take the opportunities God gives us to be Jesus for someone. That He sometimes drops an opportunity right into our lap to serve Him and we still don’t do it. He told me that’s what happened that night; He dropped me right into two people’s lives and gave them an opportunity to minister for Him. They didn’t even have to look for someone He provided the situation all they had to do was respond. The Holy Spirit said He was just as grieved as I was that neither one returned my call and He didn’t appreciate me blaming God for it.
Well I just stood there for a moment speechless. When I finally got the nerve to speak I asked the Lord to forgive me for not assuming the best of Him and for blaming Him.
I wondered how many times the Lord dropped someone in my lap and I missed it. How many times did I walk right by someone that was crying out for help and I didn’t hear them because I was too self absorbed.
We call ourselves Christians but do we really know what that means. Dictionary.com Christian definition: exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike.
There was an email that went around a long time ago. It asked if it were a crime to be a Christian and you were taken to court would there be enough evidence to convict you? I pray that if I have to stand before a judge and jury there will be more than circumstantial evidence to convict me of being a Christian.
The Christian walk is all about serving and loving. Jesus said it was the second most important commandment, that we love one another. It is impossible to love someone else if you’re completely absorbed in yourself.
1 Corinthians 10:24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:24 Amplified Bible Let no one then seek his own good and advantage and profit, but (rather) each one of the other let him seek the welfare of his neighbor.
Philippians 2:4, 21 each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. For everyone looks out for his own interest, not those of Jesus Christ.
There’s a story in Mark 2 about a paralytic man, his four friends cared so much for him and wanted him healed that they carried him on his mat to the house where Jesus was. When they got there it was so crowded they couldn’t get to Jesus so they cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down, can you believe that! Jesus saw their faith and healed him. The story doesn’t say how far a walk it was or how hard it must have been to carry the friend on the mat onto the roof without dropping him. It doesn’t say how long it took to dig the hole in the roof or how tired their arms were but it goes without saying that these were not selfish men.
Self centered and Christian should never be in the same sentence. Let’s all make an effort to exhibit a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ and bring back the true definition of a Christian.
Gena’s Jewels
Friday, August 21, 2009
Four Wheelin
I had a dream the other night I want to share with you. I was driving a truck down a scenic road with woods on both sides. There were beautiful green trees and wild flowers growing effortlessly. I saw a dirt road to the right and was going to drive down it but the girl in the truck with me (I was alone in the truck) said “you can’t go down that road alone” and what once looked like a really cool road now looked scary to me. Then I was driving down the other side of the road and saw another cut out in the trees but this time I chose to take the detour. At first I was driving on hard dirt in the woods but gradually the ground became lose sand and eventually I went into a ditch. The wheels of the truck started to spin. I could see the whole scene as if I were looking at it from above. I was afraid that if I sunk too far in the sand I would be totally stuck. I got out of the truck grabbed the grill in front and pulled it out with my own hands. Again I’m watching from above and taking in the whole scene. Then I woke up.
The Holy Spirit told me the dream was an example of our life. We are all on a journey and for the most part we are on smooth pavement, on a road that someone else carved out so it’s pretty safe to just drive on auto pilot. You may hit an occasional pot hole here or there but for the most part no real danger exist. You don’t really need God on these roads so you feel secure in your own abilities. When you do come upon a side road/journey the people around you might tell you things like “you can’t go down that road alone it’s not safe.” The girl’s voice in my dream could have represented people or she could have been the voice in my own head that says I won’t make it. I think it was also interesting that it was a girl’s voice. What I mean is it was not the sound of a mature woman. At some point we need to stop having an adolescent relationship with the Lord, driving the safe roads others have traveled and grow up, pave out your own trail.
When we have everything in control we don’t need God, we don’t give Him an opportunity to show how majestic He is. I’m not saying you shouldn’t use good judgment or disregard wise counsel but I gotta tell you unless someone has done the giant leap of faith at some point in their life where is their reference point coming from? Are they using a 12 step program or have they experienced the true miracles of our living God.
Even if you take a road that ends up being a dead end and you have to turn around remember there is no detour or end of the road that will keep God’s plan from happening in your life.
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
There are dirt roads waiting to be explored by you and the Lord and chances are you might get stuck but the beauty is If the Lord delights in a man’s way He makes his steps firm, though he stumble he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24
In the dream I got out of the truck and pulled it out of the sand with my own hands. Of course it wasn’t my strength that pulled out the truck it was God’s working through me. I had to give Him an opportunity to show me His strength.
To sum up the dream the Holy Spirit said to me “You don’t know if you can get out of something till you get in.” What a great quote, feel free to use it I’m sure He won’t mind.
So gems I’m hear to once again challenge you to go down one of those unpaved roads the Lord shows you.
Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength.
If you want to get stronger sometimes you have to take the road less travelled.
My advice, Jesus take the wheel, let’s go four wheelin!
Gena’s Jewels
The Holy Spirit told me the dream was an example of our life. We are all on a journey and for the most part we are on smooth pavement, on a road that someone else carved out so it’s pretty safe to just drive on auto pilot. You may hit an occasional pot hole here or there but for the most part no real danger exist. You don’t really need God on these roads so you feel secure in your own abilities. When you do come upon a side road/journey the people around you might tell you things like “you can’t go down that road alone it’s not safe.” The girl’s voice in my dream could have represented people or she could have been the voice in my own head that says I won’t make it. I think it was also interesting that it was a girl’s voice. What I mean is it was not the sound of a mature woman. At some point we need to stop having an adolescent relationship with the Lord, driving the safe roads others have traveled and grow up, pave out your own trail.
When we have everything in control we don’t need God, we don’t give Him an opportunity to show how majestic He is. I’m not saying you shouldn’t use good judgment or disregard wise counsel but I gotta tell you unless someone has done the giant leap of faith at some point in their life where is their reference point coming from? Are they using a 12 step program or have they experienced the true miracles of our living God.
Even if you take a road that ends up being a dead end and you have to turn around remember there is no detour or end of the road that will keep God’s plan from happening in your life.
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
There are dirt roads waiting to be explored by you and the Lord and chances are you might get stuck but the beauty is If the Lord delights in a man’s way He makes his steps firm, though he stumble he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24
In the dream I got out of the truck and pulled it out of the sand with my own hands. Of course it wasn’t my strength that pulled out the truck it was God’s working through me. I had to give Him an opportunity to show me His strength.
To sum up the dream the Holy Spirit said to me “You don’t know if you can get out of something till you get in.” What a great quote, feel free to use it I’m sure He won’t mind.
So gems I’m hear to once again challenge you to go down one of those unpaved roads the Lord shows you.
Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength.
If you want to get stronger sometimes you have to take the road less travelled.
My advice, Jesus take the wheel, let’s go four wheelin!
Gena’s Jewels
Monday, August 17, 2009
Talking To My Dad
When I pray with a group people often comment that I’m a good prayer. That use to bother me. Sometimes I would try not to pray too long if I was with people who are not comfortable praying out loud because I didn’t want them to feel more uncomfortable. I would get embarrassed when someone commented on my praying because I never wanted anyone to compare me to themselves as prayer is not a competition. The thing is, I love to pray. Now when a comment is made I say “I’m just talking to my dad.”
I want to tell you that is a miracle in itself. I use to say I’m talking to my father because saying my dad would remind me of my earthly father and even saying those words didn’t seem natural.
I never quite understood when someone referred to God as their dad. I could see them saying Father, it’s in the Bible, but dad… A “Father” kept him at a safe distance for me.
The Catholics call their priest Father and in most cases the congregation does not have a personal relationship with him. The Bible says Father when referring to God which to me made him sound Holy and not really touchable.
Daddy on the other hand is a term of endearment. It’s what we say to our new babies before they speak hoping they will make the sound of dad. It’s what a toddler yells when their dad comes home from work “daddy’s home!” It’s a word that gives you a good feeling inside, the feeling of love. I did not have that feeling.
For me “dad” did not conjor up such fond memories. I did not have a bad relationship with my dad I didn’t’ have any. One of the things that bothered me the most in our relationship was never hearing my father say my name. Whenever he did speak to me he called me stupid, now one of my pet peeves.
We had a phone mounted on the kitchen wall, remember those days, and if one of my friends called and my father answered the phone he would just hang it up, never say a word just hang up. That’s how I knew the call was for me. He didn’t speak to me and at times I wanted him to talk to me so bad it hurt. When he did finally speak I would have to find a place to heal my wounds from his words. I don’t know what hurt more the silence or the words. I’m not trying to bash my father here or make you feel sorry for me I just want to explain why it was hard for me to think of God as my dad.
Over time the Lord has shown me how He has always been my dad and He has healed the wounds of my earthly father. Now when I pray I truly am just talking to my dad.
It’s exciting to tell Him everything that’s going on in my life. I know this sounds corny but sometimes I imagine I’m sitting on his lap and He has His arms around me. We are in a rocking chair of course because I love rocking chairs. Some times we are in the car or at a park or just hanging out in my room and I’m telling Him everything.
There are times the Lord wakes me up really early in the morning and my mind is full of thoughts. I know then the Holy Spirit is calling so He can talk to me. The best part is I’m the one who answers the Spirit phone and I never hang up. I will get a piece of paper and pen and write down what I’m thinking so I won’t forget what He says. That’s how this jewel happened. God woke me up about 5 a.m. and my head was filled with things to write about.
If you’re a parent you know there’s nothing sweeter than hearing your child say mommy or daddy. If you have never had a child you know how sweet it is to hear the one you love call your name with a smile in their voice. If you’re on your own for a long time it’s great to hear some one speak to you and say your name in the conversation. There is something magical that happens when we hear our name. I guess that’s why God had the Third Commandment be, do not to use the name of the Lord in vain. Our name is precious.
So I encourage you the next time your in a group or with just one person and you feel weird about praying out loud, remember your just talking to your dad and He loves the sound of your voice. If you’re praying with someone say their name out loud for them to hear.
There were times in the Bible when Jesus said He was talking out loud, not for His Father to hear but for the people around Him. We all need to know and hear someone praying for us.
Even on the cross Jesus prayed out loud for us Luke 23:34 Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. One of the last things Jesus said on the cross was Luke 23:46”Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
I would like to think in His heart He was saying Daddy I’m coming home! Don’t let praying out loud intimidate you, just say to yourself “I’m talking to my dad.”
Gena’s Jewels
I want to tell you that is a miracle in itself. I use to say I’m talking to my father because saying my dad would remind me of my earthly father and even saying those words didn’t seem natural.
I never quite understood when someone referred to God as their dad. I could see them saying Father, it’s in the Bible, but dad… A “Father” kept him at a safe distance for me.
The Catholics call their priest Father and in most cases the congregation does not have a personal relationship with him. The Bible says Father when referring to God which to me made him sound Holy and not really touchable.
Daddy on the other hand is a term of endearment. It’s what we say to our new babies before they speak hoping they will make the sound of dad. It’s what a toddler yells when their dad comes home from work “daddy’s home!” It’s a word that gives you a good feeling inside, the feeling of love. I did not have that feeling.
For me “dad” did not conjor up such fond memories. I did not have a bad relationship with my dad I didn’t’ have any. One of the things that bothered me the most in our relationship was never hearing my father say my name. Whenever he did speak to me he called me stupid, now one of my pet peeves.
We had a phone mounted on the kitchen wall, remember those days, and if one of my friends called and my father answered the phone he would just hang it up, never say a word just hang up. That’s how I knew the call was for me. He didn’t speak to me and at times I wanted him to talk to me so bad it hurt. When he did finally speak I would have to find a place to heal my wounds from his words. I don’t know what hurt more the silence or the words. I’m not trying to bash my father here or make you feel sorry for me I just want to explain why it was hard for me to think of God as my dad.
Over time the Lord has shown me how He has always been my dad and He has healed the wounds of my earthly father. Now when I pray I truly am just talking to my dad.
It’s exciting to tell Him everything that’s going on in my life. I know this sounds corny but sometimes I imagine I’m sitting on his lap and He has His arms around me. We are in a rocking chair of course because I love rocking chairs. Some times we are in the car or at a park or just hanging out in my room and I’m telling Him everything.
There are times the Lord wakes me up really early in the morning and my mind is full of thoughts. I know then the Holy Spirit is calling so He can talk to me. The best part is I’m the one who answers the Spirit phone and I never hang up. I will get a piece of paper and pen and write down what I’m thinking so I won’t forget what He says. That’s how this jewel happened. God woke me up about 5 a.m. and my head was filled with things to write about.
If you’re a parent you know there’s nothing sweeter than hearing your child say mommy or daddy. If you have never had a child you know how sweet it is to hear the one you love call your name with a smile in their voice. If you’re on your own for a long time it’s great to hear some one speak to you and say your name in the conversation. There is something magical that happens when we hear our name. I guess that’s why God had the Third Commandment be, do not to use the name of the Lord in vain. Our name is precious.
So I encourage you the next time your in a group or with just one person and you feel weird about praying out loud, remember your just talking to your dad and He loves the sound of your voice. If you’re praying with someone say their name out loud for them to hear.
There were times in the Bible when Jesus said He was talking out loud, not for His Father to hear but for the people around Him. We all need to know and hear someone praying for us.
Even on the cross Jesus prayed out loud for us Luke 23:34 Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. One of the last things Jesus said on the cross was Luke 23:46”Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
I would like to think in His heart He was saying Daddy I’m coming home! Don’t let praying out loud intimidate you, just say to yourself “I’m talking to my dad.”
Gena’s Jewels
Monday, August 10, 2009
Wind Beneath My Wings
I was reading Matthew 14 from the New International Version Bible. It’s a familiar story for most of you but for those who are not familiar here’s the Gena version. Jesus had just finished feeding thousands of people with 5 fish and 2 loaves of bread. You think that would be enough of a miracle but He tops that. They are all getting ready to leave and go to the other side of the lake. Jesus sends His disciples ahead of Him in their boat; the Bible doesn’t mention anyone asking how He will catch up to them. The disciples are quite a ways out and a storm flares up. If you have ever been on a boat you know storms can come up out of no where and if you’re not a regular boat person like myself it can be quite scary. The disciples are freaking out so it must have been a pretty big storm and all of a sudden they see Jesus walking on the water towards them. The Bible says they saw Jesus and were terrified, they thought it was a ghost. Jesus assures them it’s Him and Peter says “if it really is you, tell me to come to you and I will.” Jesus tells him “come on” and Peter gets out of the boat and is walking on the water too. The story goes on to say that Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started to sink. Peter yells out “Lord save me” which of course Jesus did immediately and then He says to Peter “you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Now most times when you hear about this story there are two major points brought up. The first one is, there were 12 guys on the boat why did Jesus give Peter grief about his faith? At least Peter got out of the boat the rest of the disciples didn’t even do that.
The other point that is often talked about is the fact that Peter didn’t start to sink until he took his eyes off Jesus. These are both really good points but the thing that really hit me was in verse 30 “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me!”
This particular translation says he SAW the wind. Why do you think it says, saw? We can feel the wind or see things blowing around from the wind but we don’t see the wind.
A while ago I went with some friends to see a ship that was docked out in the water. I am not a boat person so in my mind I thought I would just be walking down a dock and onto the ship. Not the case… All four of us had to get in a blow up raft and motor out to the ship. The water was choppy and the wind was blowing and I gotta tell you it was God Himself that got me in that boat. When I tell people about this experience I never say “I saw the wind.”
This of course got me thinking and I came to the conclusion it wasn’t an accident it was written this way. When you decide to take a step in faith the following things may happen. First you know what God is asking you to do. He may have asked others too, but like the other disciples in the boat they may not be ready for the challenge, so you may have to go alone. Next you know you see Jesus in it and you are secure with the fact that He will catch you should you begin to sink. But what is it that actually makes you take your eyes off Jesus and start to sink? What do you see in the wind? What caused the doubt or fear?
Could it be people not understanding your walk and suggesting you may need a therapist :)? Is it your fear of the unknown? Are you afraid to fail? Could it be you start putting faith in your abilities and not God’s?
Like many of you I am seeking employment. Every company wants a copy of your resume so they can decide if you’re qualified for the job. If not you get one of those thanks but no thanks letters. The beauty of a Jesus job is the only qualification you need is to get out of the boat. God will always equip you with the rest.
I don’t know what you see when you look at the wind but I want to encourage you today, you’re not the only one who sees it. Seeing the “wind” is not the problem, it’s seeing only the wind that will cause you to stay put.
What did I see in the wind that day? My fear of deep water, fear of sharks, fear of not being a good swimmer, If I would have let fear control me I would have missed an awesome experience on the ship that day.
Don’t be afraid to see the wind, let it blow you on whatever course the Lord has for you. Even if you get off track the Lord will put you back on course. I don’t want to hear the Lord say to me “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” and I know you don’t either. Jesus truly is “The wind beneath your wings!” and He will immediately reach out His hand and catch you when you need Him.
Gena’s Jewels
Now most times when you hear about this story there are two major points brought up. The first one is, there were 12 guys on the boat why did Jesus give Peter grief about his faith? At least Peter got out of the boat the rest of the disciples didn’t even do that.
The other point that is often talked about is the fact that Peter didn’t start to sink until he took his eyes off Jesus. These are both really good points but the thing that really hit me was in verse 30 “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me!”
This particular translation says he SAW the wind. Why do you think it says, saw? We can feel the wind or see things blowing around from the wind but we don’t see the wind.
A while ago I went with some friends to see a ship that was docked out in the water. I am not a boat person so in my mind I thought I would just be walking down a dock and onto the ship. Not the case… All four of us had to get in a blow up raft and motor out to the ship. The water was choppy and the wind was blowing and I gotta tell you it was God Himself that got me in that boat. When I tell people about this experience I never say “I saw the wind.”
This of course got me thinking and I came to the conclusion it wasn’t an accident it was written this way. When you decide to take a step in faith the following things may happen. First you know what God is asking you to do. He may have asked others too, but like the other disciples in the boat they may not be ready for the challenge, so you may have to go alone. Next you know you see Jesus in it and you are secure with the fact that He will catch you should you begin to sink. But what is it that actually makes you take your eyes off Jesus and start to sink? What do you see in the wind? What caused the doubt or fear?
Could it be people not understanding your walk and suggesting you may need a therapist :)? Is it your fear of the unknown? Are you afraid to fail? Could it be you start putting faith in your abilities and not God’s?
Like many of you I am seeking employment. Every company wants a copy of your resume so they can decide if you’re qualified for the job. If not you get one of those thanks but no thanks letters. The beauty of a Jesus job is the only qualification you need is to get out of the boat. God will always equip you with the rest.
I don’t know what you see when you look at the wind but I want to encourage you today, you’re not the only one who sees it. Seeing the “wind” is not the problem, it’s seeing only the wind that will cause you to stay put.
What did I see in the wind that day? My fear of deep water, fear of sharks, fear of not being a good swimmer, If I would have let fear control me I would have missed an awesome experience on the ship that day.
Don’t be afraid to see the wind, let it blow you on whatever course the Lord has for you. Even if you get off track the Lord will put you back on course. I don’t want to hear the Lord say to me “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” and I know you don’t either. Jesus truly is “The wind beneath your wings!” and He will immediately reach out His hand and catch you when you need Him.
Gena’s Jewels
Monday, August 3, 2009
Walk INS Welcome
I had an embarrassing thing happen to me (again) it was a long time ago so apparently I’m consistent in this area. I had an appointment with a woman who was coming to my home in hopes of selling me something I didn’t need. Being in sales all my life I am a sucker for a fellow salesperson and on this particular day did not have the heart to just say no. The day of our appointment was a terrible day for me and the last thing I wanted to do was listen to this woman and her sales pitch for a product I didn’t need or want. The problem was it was too late to cancel so I was going with plan B. I left work early and headed for home. I was living in a duplex at the time so when I got home I yelled into the neighbors screen door, as we often did, and said “a woman is coming over to sell me something and I’m not going to answer the door so please don’t let her know I’m home.” An unfamiliar voice yelled back “too late, I was early and your neighbor said I could sit in here and wait for you.” Talk about embarrassing, the possibility of her showing up early had not crossed my devious mind. I thought I had outsmarted her by coming home early myself and working out my plan of deception. You know what they say “he who laughs last laughs best” or something like that.
I tell you this story because in life there are many appointments we can reschedule that you might be inconvenienced but no one will be seriously injured. However, there is one appointment that if we miss can cost us everything not just a moment of embarrassment or humiliation.
Jesus talks about an unknown appointment date He wants us to be ready for.
Matthew 24:27, 36-44 For as lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angles of Heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
The Lord is reminding us that in the days of Noah people were busy with life just like we are. Noah was was telling them that a flood was on its way and if they weren’t on the boat they would die. Even if they didn’t hear directly about the flood I’m sure they heard about the crazy man building an ark no where near water. That alone should have made people stop and ask “why?” Noah could not tell them what time or day the flood was coming only that God said it was going to happen. The people were unconcerned with Noah’s message and were swept away unexpectedly right in the middle of their work day. Maybe they were sleeping, vacationing, getting a manicure, paying a bill; they were in the middle of their busy life and missed an appointment that caused them their life.
Jesus is using this example so history won’t repeat itself. We don’t have any idea when Jesus is coming back for His children. Not even the angels know the day or time but just like the flood He is coming!
Listen my gems, we have no idea when the Lord is coming and we have this mindset that there’s always tomorrow. What if there is no tomorrow for you? It may not be that Jesus returns tomorrow but that your life unexpectedly ends. We don’t know the day or time of that event either do we? I’m sharing God’s words with you because the Bible says the God doesn’t want anyone to perish. You don’t need to schedule an appointment with the Father. He is always available.
If you have not asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life I implore you to do it today. Just say “Jesus I need you, I know you died for me and there is nothing I need to do but accept you and your forgiveness.” Don’t be left behind, get on the Heavenly ark, Walk INS are welcome.
Gena’s Jewels
I tell you this story because in life there are many appointments we can reschedule that you might be inconvenienced but no one will be seriously injured. However, there is one appointment that if we miss can cost us everything not just a moment of embarrassment or humiliation.
Jesus talks about an unknown appointment date He wants us to be ready for.
Matthew 24:27, 36-44 For as lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angles of Heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
The Lord is reminding us that in the days of Noah people were busy with life just like we are. Noah was was telling them that a flood was on its way and if they weren’t on the boat they would die. Even if they didn’t hear directly about the flood I’m sure they heard about the crazy man building an ark no where near water. That alone should have made people stop and ask “why?” Noah could not tell them what time or day the flood was coming only that God said it was going to happen. The people were unconcerned with Noah’s message and were swept away unexpectedly right in the middle of their work day. Maybe they were sleeping, vacationing, getting a manicure, paying a bill; they were in the middle of their busy life and missed an appointment that caused them their life.
Jesus is using this example so history won’t repeat itself. We don’t have any idea when Jesus is coming back for His children. Not even the angels know the day or time but just like the flood He is coming!
Listen my gems, we have no idea when the Lord is coming and we have this mindset that there’s always tomorrow. What if there is no tomorrow for you? It may not be that Jesus returns tomorrow but that your life unexpectedly ends. We don’t know the day or time of that event either do we? I’m sharing God’s words with you because the Bible says the God doesn’t want anyone to perish. You don’t need to schedule an appointment with the Father. He is always available.
If you have not asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life I implore you to do it today. Just say “Jesus I need you, I know you died for me and there is nothing I need to do but accept you and your forgiveness.” Don’t be left behind, get on the Heavenly ark, Walk INS are welcome.
Gena’s Jewels
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