Out On A Limb

Hey Gems,

It's been a while since I've had time to write. Although I haven't personally met most of you I truly do miss you.

So let me fill you in on my world.

I am currently staying with my friend Beverly.  Why am I staying with a friend you ask????

Well I am waiting on my next assignment. I was given clearance to move on from my last job and as soon as I know where I will be working next I will find a place to live in that area.

Currently all my belongings are in a 10x10 storage unit.

Technically my load is light but emotionally there have been tough moments as I am in the waiting and listening mode.

One of the most difficult places for me on my life's journey is when I'm in a season that most people don't understand. I'll call it the limb season.

At times it can feel like I'm under a spiritual microscope. People want an explanation of my world and I don't have one to satisfy them. I don't have one because it hasn't been totally explained to me yet. I just know what is right, what's wrong, and where I made a mistake. Yes, I make mistakes and those mistakes have consequences.

I didn't listen to the Holy Spirit's revelation on something that had to do with my home and the circumstances went from me continuing to rent month to month, which would have been perfect since I knew GOD was moving me, to, you have to be out in 3 weeks and I don't know where I'm going yet. 

Hence staying with Beverly.

Of course God's mercy always kicks in when we repent, ask forgiveness and keep moving.

Making a mistake doesn't mean you don't hear from God it means you don't always follow directions completely. Whether it's on purpose or unintentional you still deal with the consequences of your decisions.

Do you remember in Matthew when Peter said he would never deny Jesus?

Matthew 26:75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

I'm sure when Peter said he would never deny Jesus he meant it, but when he was actually in a position where fear out weighed faith he failed. When the limb he was on got scary he made a wrong choice.

 The part of that story that is so encouraging to me is when he denied Jesus, the Lord looked right at him.

Luke 22:61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.

The word says that Peter wept bitterly but I don't think it was because the Lord looked at him with a look of disgust but rather a look that said, even though I knew you would deny me I still love you. 

That my friend would make you weep bitterly.

So here's the thing, sometimes when we are out on that limb, we don't totally understand BUT we know we are right where God wants us we tend to avoid people. We don't want to be judged or worse see the look of disappointment in the eyes of those we love or respect. We don't want them to think we are acting squirrelly.

We are afraid we will not see the eyes of Jesus reflecting back at us,

especially if we have missed a step of the Holy Spirit or if the Holy Spirit is doing things His way and not the worlds.

I have a ask myself when I'm hiding “my limb experience” am I disowning the Lord?

Matthew 10:33

But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

When I make excuses or avoid conversations because I don't want to have to explain myself am I disowning Jesus? Do I not want to look stupid when I don't have all the answers? Or do I not want Jesus to look stupid because of me? Am I worried about what my limb looks like to man more than following where I ASKED Jesus to take me? Have you ever had these squirrelly conversations?

In my humble opinion it seems to me that people get uncomfortable when they are around me and they can't understand my decisions. This isn't a good or bad thing, just an observation. I wonder if they think my condition is contagious? If God can appear so unpredictable in my life is there a chance He might take them out on a faith limb?

My friend Beverly is one of the kindest most generous people I know and if you know her you would agree that she puts the energizer bunny to shame. This woman NEVER rest! She runs circles around most teenage girls in a buy one get one free shopping frenzy.

 She is a talented painter, organizer, decorator you name it she's awesome.

The thing is when your with her, especially staying with her, you feel the need to keep up or at least help in some way.

Staying with someone is a humbling experience. If your like me you want to do all you can to show your gratitude. At first I felt guilty that I couldn't keep up with my friend but the Holy Spirit showed me I would be trying to keep up with the way He created Beverly not the way He created me. Truth be told I don't decorate and will avoid painting at all cost. We can get uncomfortable when we don't reflect those closely around us.

The Lord showed me just because I'm around Beverly doesn't mean I'm supposed to duplicate her. I'm supposed to support her in any way I can. He said we can learn from each other as He teaches us both to look more like Jesus and less like the world or each ohter.

It's the same way when we are on our limb. God isn't calling people to necessarily join us but He is asking us to help each other persevere when our confidence may be lacking.

Hebrews 10:35-36 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Gems I want what God has promised even if I have to go out on a limb, look like a squirrel and let people think I'm nuts!!! 

What I felt the Holy Spirit was teaching me in my current experience is: 

1. Listen closely to what the Holy Spirit is telling you to do.

2. Know God will take care of you EVEN if you mess up. Don't get ahead of the         plan.

3. Stay on track despite circumstances.

4. Make sure you have prayer covering.

5. Don't compare yourself to anyone and don't try and take on traits of anyone           other than Jesus. 

6. Not being offended is ALWAYS a choice.

7. Look at others in the same way you want to be looked at.

Bottom line, I'm excited to be on this adventure and I know my life will be changed again for the better. I can't wait to see where God leads me and all the amazing people I will meet along the way! 

Isaiah 48:6,17 "From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. I  am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Is Timothy Telling Tales?

So I was challenged at my Bible study this week to read the book of 1 Timothy and share next week what spoke to me. I love a good challenge and if you're a regular reader of Gena's Jewels you know if I get challenged so do you :) I will only being doing the 1^st chapter with you for this jewel. I'll give you the Gena translation but as always I encourage you to read the book for yourself.

Paul told Timothy to hang out in Ephesus to handle men who were teaching false doctrines and myths. He reminds Timothy that false teaching causes division instead of unity in the body of Christ. The motive of Paul's command comes from a pure heart of love with a clear conscience and a sincere faith.

The problem was some men wanted to be teachers of the law, teaching and instruction of God, but they didn't know what they were talking about. They are running their mouths without truth and doing it confidently. Nothing worse then a person confidently talking trash. Paul breaks down that the law is good, that it conforms to the gospel of God which was entrusted to him to share.

Paul makes it clear that he gets his strength from God and he knows he is the least qualified to share the gospel because of his past. He recognizes God's mercy as he considers himself the worst of sinners.

Paul reminds Timothy what was prophesied over him to encourage him to fight the good fight HOWEVER some of the people he is now leading have rejected the true teaching. Paul doesn't just give a general “some people” are messing up message, he calls them out by name! 

He doesn't just call them out by name he hands them over to satan to be taught not to blaspheme. What that means is he kicks them out of the church til they repent.

I can just hear some of you saying “that's not true, or God would never do that.” Hence my title “Is Timothy telling tales?"

So if you dare Gems let's go on.....

The first thing that hit me was how Paul started his letter to Timothy

V1: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Timothy and Paul had a very close relationship, verse 2 shows us that right away when he refers to Timothy as a son. So I'm thinking Timothy knew what Paul's title was, why such a formal start.

It would be like me writing to one of my children and saying

Gena, a Pastor and Prophet of Christ Jesus appointed by God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope. P.S. Also your mother, please clean your room. (I am seriously thinking of trying this, I'll let you know how it works)

I think it's safe to say he's getting ready to give a word that has to show the authority of whom that word is from when Timothy,his son in the faith, shares it with others. 

Would you agree it must be a hard word for such a formal greeting?

For example have you ever told your child, or coworker if you don't have a child, to tell someone else something they aren't going to want to hear and at the end you say “mom said so!” 

Or “the boss said so!” We are making it clear that we are not speaking on our own authority so you better listen or heads will roll.

That's whats happening in this letter from Paul to Timothy.

You may or may not know that Paul was Jewish and had Roman citizenship. (Acts 22:27-28) His name was Saul but God was sending him to reach Gentiles (non jews) so he changed his name to his Roman name Paul. Sometimes it's better if we have things in common with the people we are trying to reach.

Paul asks God to give Timothy grace, mercy and peace.

V2 To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Normally Paul asks for grace and peace but this time he adds mercy.

Greek meaning mercy:properly, "mercy" as it is defined by loyalty to God's covenant.
Paul doesn't ask God to take this task away from Timothy he asks for God's mercy for him. That the difficult message ahead would not trump his trust in God.
That Timothy will be strong in correcting the ones with false teaching.


Verses 8-11 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.



The law, teaching and instruction of God, is just as important today as it was when God gave it. It shows people how to live and where we go wrong so we can repent. 

The law was condensed into 2 commands. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love others.
If you look at the list Paul gives of the first 3 wrong doings, you see they go against the first 4 commands of Moses. The rest of the verses sin against one another
Jesus speaking in Luke10 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
The correct teaching of the law together with the Bible is the gospel!
The law shows people they are sinners because they learn what sin is. The gospel shows us the power and goodness of God to forgive our sins when we repent.
Because of the blood of Jesus we can be cleansed from those sins. 
If you don't know what God considers a sin how can you turn from it?
Just ask all the women like me who didn't understand what abortion really is. It's murder. If I was taught the law/teaching and instruction of God I would have learned that very valuable lesson.
The church can be so busy with grace we have forgotten to teach sin and repentance. What a wonderful time to learn about sin when God has provided a way to be set free! 

If your going to a church whose motto is “if you attend we won't offend” than find another church brothers and sisters!
Paul calls out the men who are being false teachers by name. Can you imagine sitting in church and the head deacon reads a letter from the pastor that says “Gena you are messing up and you wont stop so we are turning you over to satan.”
Go back and read verse 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Either this happened or Timothy is a tale teller and the Bible lied.

Gems this may sound harsh but either you believe in the word of God or you don't. Stop telling people the law is irrelevant or you are a false teacher too!
Teach the truth, the whole truth.
Paul shares the best verses of all 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!

I pray this has challenged you to read God's word and apply it to your life and know that you know there is no sin big enough to keep you from God's love. He will show you mercy and grace BUT you have to repent and ask for the free gift of salvation.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Idle Words

I was having dinner with friends the other night and found myself listening in on an interesting conversation. It started off about Facebook and the good and evil that comes with it. One of the dinner guest said he quit using Facebook because everything you say is stored on a mass server somewhere. Another guest agreed that was a concern for her, that everything you say is recorded for anyone to see.

This of course got me thinking…. Scary I know
We worry about who sees what we write or hears what we say because of how man will react to it. I have been in this place so I get it.

I do my best now to think about what I say imagining the person I’m talking about can over hear me. I try to think about what I write in case the person I’m writing about finds my note. I don’t always do a great job which ends up with me writing a confession jewel that you dear readers endure. Our words can either heal or hurt us.

My point here is that we seem to be more concerned with what people will think about what we say than what Jesus will think.

There is a quote I really like.

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Abraham Lincoln

Proverbs 17:28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Did you know that every word that comes out of your mouth is recorded in and by the greatest “server” of all and seen by the holiest one of all?

Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV)

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. ³⁷ For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

“idle” comes from the root Greek word ARGOS. Meaning "not busy, idle, inactive, doing nothing."

This means that when we talk or write to each other without words of grace to honor the Lord, we have wasted those words. 

"account" comes from the Greek word APODIOMI meaning to "give an answer."

Jesus is letting us know that we will have to explain even our casual comments to God. Yikes!

Matthew 12:36-37 (MSG)

^34-37 “You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your
words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”

Christians will not be judged. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  Romans 8:1

However, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

True story:

Years ago when I first started texting on my phone I was also interviewing for a new job. My new employer sent me a text regarding training and when I finished my reply to him I added, I love you, and off it went to that great server in the sky. There was no taking it back.

Oh my gosh! I just told this complete married stranger that would be my boss in a few days that I loved him!!! I was mortified!


I have sent text to my children that made no sense at all. They wrote back asking if I had started drinking?
I know some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.

 There was a movie a while back, I didn't see it, but it had something to do with only being able to speak so many words. Can you imagine if you were only allotted so many words per day to speak? I know for women we would start counting the minute we woke up. I could just see us trying to borrow some of the non-used words from the men we know. What if there was a fine for using too many words?

The point is we would be way more careful with them. I think it’s safe to say there would be less idle words spoken. If we thought about giving account to God before we speak I’m pretty sure we would choose our words wisely.

But that’s exactly what theses verses are saying!

So I have decided to challenge myself. and now you if you’re reading this. For the next 24 hours I challenge you to apply Matthew 12:36-37 to your words and your writings. If you’re like me you will NEED the Holy Spirit to help. I’m pretty sure it’s a job He’s happy to do.

Let’s try not to speak or write idol words without thinking. Let's make our words count!

Turn Upside Down & Shake

My sweet Jessica graduated from high school and I made a cork board of pictures for her graduation party. At the top I had some stick on letters spelling out her pet name from me which is Noony J It is a term of endearment my grandmother used to use.

When I was taking it back home from the party I noticed two of the letters fell off. I only walked from my car to the house so I figured they wouldn't be hard to find. I was wrong. I searched everywhere for those stupid letters. I emptied the back of the car out, which is no easy task as I collect stuff all the time. I walked up and down the driveway and retraced my steps from the car to the house. I was getting so frustrated I couldn't imagine where those letters went. I asked the Lord a few times “what the heck, where are they?”  It became an obsession for me to find them. My better judgment said forget about it, just get more letters. It’s not even her real name but I was determined to find them. I was about to lose it so I just left the board on her bed and shut the door.

The next day I went into Jessica’s room for something and there it was the object of my frustration. I picked it up and asked the Lords again, “where are those letters?”  I heard him say "turn it upside down and shake it.” So I did and sure enough they fell off of pictures they had stuck on. The thing is Gems I looked at all those pictures thinking they may have been stuck on there but I didn't see them.

As always the Holy Spirit wanted to teach me something. He said “Gena sometimes you can look at a person and it appears everything is in order BUT, if you turn things upside down and give them a good shake things can be set free that were sticking on them.” Or in my case in them.
Matthew 15:18 But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

I will now give you a human application to the above verse……

I have been dealing with my own list of oppression's.


Oppressed: the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.

The past month or so has been one circumstance after another and it's been a huge pain in the butt! To be honest I was feeling warn down.

Of course the enemy knows exactly when to attack us; kick a man when he’s down. However, the result of the attack is on me. I will respond with what is in my heart at that moment.  My heart will speak and what comes out may not be who I am but what I’m feeling about who I am at that moment.

In this particular circumstance I was feeling rejected and hurt so when the attack hit I spoke words that reflected how I felt and I can tell ya Gems they weren't nice words. The problem wasn't the other person, or even the situation, it was how I was feeling.

It was the stuff stuck to my heart. The Lord used the situation to turn me upside down and shake me up.He wanted me to see what fell out. The Holy Spirit used it for me to see I had things in my heart that needed to be removed. Honestly Gems I was surprised at how I was reacting. I truly thought I was further along in my emotional trunk.

I thought I had conquered those emotions but I guess they can slip back in without our noticing.

It’s OK to mess up; it was good for me to see I had some shaking up to do. I needed to remind myself how much God thinks of me and that I matter to Him despite how people or situations make me feel at the moment.
I needed to remind myself that the only love language that matters is dying to self. Everything we feel is about what's in us.

So Gems if you find yourself feeling upside down and shaken, take a deep breath and ask the Holy Spirit what He's trying to shake out of you and let it go cause God loves you enough to get rid of the nonsense.



Crown Of Mercy

Some times I'm leery about giving a prayer request when the request has to do with my heart hurting. I hesitate because I don't want to hear how you think I should feel I just want to be heard.

Have you ever experienced a time when your walking through something in your life and it just really hurts? You share it with the people you love and they tell you how you should feel or say you should be grateful for the test. They give you scriptures in the Bible you should read and pretty much tell you to suck it up and give it to God.

Gems these are not bad things but seriously sometimes all I want is a hug and a hand to walk with me through my experience. I want a shoulder to cry on and a tissue for my tears. I don't want your advice, your Christian sayings or your pious opinion of my situation. I want you to love me with mercy and grace. We can get to the other stuff later.

The truth is there are seasons in all our lives. They aren't good or bad there just part of the cycle of life. Just because we mourn a part of life we're not ready to let go of doesn't mean we don't celebrate the part of life that is to come. It just means we will miss the part we are letting go of. 

That can't be wrong there's a verse in the Bible that expresses my very thought.

Proverbs 20:25 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

We have to be careful with our words they can help or hurt. Proverbs gives great advice about kind words.

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

We as Christians, and I include myself in this, like to talk about the crown of authority we have through Jesus and it's true we do have authority. We reign over sin and death but we serve with love and kindness.

Proverbs 103:4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.

As you know all these jewels are stories from my own life and I'm guilty in all of them. It's the things I'm experiencing at the time that make me search my own heart. I recently asked the Holy Spirit to reveal something new about God to me. As the day went on I didn't feel like He showed me anything about God personally. I asked Him “Holy Spirit your not showing me anything, why?”

Oh Gena, how many times have I warned you about asking the Holy Spirit questions....

This is what He said to me “Gena, every time I teach you something about yourself that doesn't look like Jesus I'm showing you something new about what God looks like.”

UGH....

What I learned Gems is we have to learn about God's sovereignty and holiness in balance with learning about His love and grace.

Robert Morris said something that rocked my world. “God is so merciful that even His throne is called the Mercy Seat.”

Gems let's work together to be compassionate to each other. Listen when your brother or sister is hurting and instead of giving your personal opinion on the situation give a hug and a kind word.

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Let's remember Christ made us Kings to reign over sin and Priest to connect with each other. Forgive those who haven't handled your pain in the best way. Teach them what you learned about God in a loving way because I can guarantee you they will experience this themselves one day.  God help me to take hold of their hand and walk with them in mercy so together we can wear your crown of Mercy.

Scaredy Cat

I recently returned from my second trip to Haiti. Honestly I had not planned on going this year BUT God had other plans. All of my resources have been going to my daughter Amanda’s mission in Uganda so I hadn't saved any money for other mission trips. As the big day came closer my dear friend, Pastor Fritz, kept asking if I was going on the trip. I kept telling him “no” and kind of wondered why he was still asking. I should know by now when the Holy Spirit is making it clear “no” is not the answer He’s looking for.

About 10 days before the trip departure Pastor Fritz asked again “are you coming to Haiti?”  This was that 2x4 slap in the head moment that got my attention.  I explained again I had not saved for the trip and had no funds to go but if God was still asking I would put all my reasons back into His hands.

I agreed to pray for the next 24 hours and knew it would have to be God Himself handing me the money if it was supposed to happen.  I told Pastor Fritz I would talk to my boss the next day about time off but I didn't do it because I really didn't think it was going to happen. To be honest there was a part of me that was OK with it not happening. Haiti was a huge leap out of my comfort zone last year and this year I would go without my kids for security. I hate flying and get very anxious on planes. I don’t like any weird food and it’s hot as hates’ in Haiti. What if I get sick, what if I lose my passport, what if...  I know I’m a wimp.

I usually ask my prayer warriors to pray for me but I only asked one woman, I hardly know, to pray about it. I wasn't going to use my big guns for this obviously “NO” decision. No money, no guilt, no worries.

I did pray about it… “God if you want me to go send money, amen. P.S. Don't feel like you have to answer right away”

Pastor Fritz called about 6:30 the next evening and asked if I spoke to my boss for time off. I said no and he said “you may want to; your ticket is paid for. You just have to get money for food and the hotel.”

What!!!! I’m now getting a bit nervous.

 I called my boss and explained the situation. I told him I was totally OK if he said no as I hadn't asked for the time off in advance and it was such short notice. He paused for a moment and said “I think you are supposed to go.”  Not only did he give me time off he and his wife donated the rest of the funds needed for me to go! I had my answer loud and clear. God if you want me to go send money…

The thing is Gems I was kinda scared to go back to Haiti. I’m getting older and as much as I like to think I have an adventurous spirit  the truth is I’m a lot more cautions than I used to be.  I struggle with not letting fear keep me from doing things God wants me to do. It’s easier to say I don’t have the money than to admit I’m scared. People will let me off the hook if I’m broke but if I mention fear they might question my faith. I don’t want to limit God and in order to not do that I have to take limits off myself. Have you ever felt this way? Like it’s just not in you? Your just plain scared and don't want to do it?

I needed to know that I knew God was sending me on this trip. It was more than just the Lord providing financially.  I needed Him emotionally to walk me through it. I needed to feel Him holding my hand saying come on girl I gotcha.

I needed to hear and see Jesus in this situation so I could put all my fears aside and go to Haiti or wherever else He might be calling me to. I didn't want to miss any experience He had or has for me.

It’s like when the children of Israel were following the cloud by day and the fire by night.

Exodus 13: The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

They knew it was God moving. However Moses said, if you don’t move we ain’t moving.

Exodus 33:15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.

If God was moving me then I could go, knowing I was in His will and He would take care of everything. This knowledge could overcome any fear I may be feeling.

Gems I have to tell you after all that happened and God was so clear, I was so excited about going to Haiti. God not only provided for me financially He provided emotionally as well.  I wasn't nervous at all on the plane. The group I traveled with was just as amazing as the one the year before and my roommate was a MacGyver type.

 Anything you needed she had, what a blessing thank you Angela. Yes her name was Angela my own personal angel. 

Gems as always I just want to encourage you that if you are truly seeking the Lord the Holy Spirit will speak to you exactly as you need to hear Him. Don’t let fear or insecurity keep you from experiencing God’s faithfulness or keep you from using the gifts He gave you to bless others. It’s OK to be scared just don’t live in fear.

I had so many amazing God moments and was blessed to teach young people about the Lord.

I was blessed to speak into young men’s lives that are hungry for God and make new and lasting friendships.

 I was also blessed to help baptize boys and girls in the most beautiful waters I have ever seen.

 It's OK to go afraid just go with God.
Thank you Jesus for loving scaredy cats like me in spite of our fears and turning us into lions!