TN Update

WEEK ONE:

I asked the Lord to show me my first angels as soon as I arrived in TN. I needed this prayer answered as moving here alone was truly a test of my faith. God is faithful and really does know our limits and Leigh and Olin were and are those angles.

This is the sweet couple, Beverly's cousins, that let me park my U-Haul in their driveway on my arrival to Franklin. If you ever come to the Franklin area make sure you visit their farm. www.stoneycreekfarmtennessee.com

Leigh's suggestion to stop at the local State Farm that turned into an interview my first 30 minutes in Franklin has turned into a job. Thank you Jesus. I am waiting for my start date.

They were also kind enough to allow me to stay with them in their warm inviting home. I think I have eaten more in the last two weeks than I have in the last two months.

In my first two weeks I have had 4 job interviews, visited 3 churches, attended 1 networking event and crashed four fun, food packed parties. One was at a Master Gardner event. I had to laugh as all my plants are made of plastic.
That's what I call an arrival!

I went with Leigh to her painting class (to observe only, just ask Betty Cardel other than the miracle of the trunk I can't paint. But that's another jewel.)

At the painting class I met Patsy Clairmont!!! 

If you don't know her she is one of the Women of Faith that tour our land. She is a great speaker, writer, woman of God and just plain crazy girl. I was so excited and tried to contain myself as staring at someone who is trying too paint can appear creepy.

At one point she walked behind my chair, stopped to chat AND gave me a quick neck massage. Are you kidding me!!! I gave her one of my Gena's Jewels books when I left so she will know for sure that I have issues and will not hold the “staring” against me.

I am so thankful to my son Anthony for getting me a new phone before I left so I can Face Time my children and grandchildren often. Talking to Anthony and Lucas often is very important to me so we can keep our connection.

So now I Skype Amanda and Claver and Face Time the rest. Who knew I would be so techie although I still had to have someone hook up my TV and internet.

I went to Good Will and Salvation Army and got lots of warm clothes and 2 really nice wool coats one for $8.00 and one for $4.00 God is so good to me.

After week one I was a bit overwhelmed. I cried when I passed a baby consignment shop because I thought of Ezra and the new baby. I cried when I passed McDonald's because Jess and I used to get Frappes together. I cried when I saw an inter-racial couple because I missed Amanda and Claver. The list went on and on. It was so weird to me to feel such peace about being in this new place I called home. Feeling God's presence with every decision and circumstance yet experiencing the emotions of leaving friends, family, sense of security and belonging.

Again the Lord knew what I needed so off to my Cynthia's house I went. Cynthia and I were friends in Florida and she has a sweet daughter named Mercedes who reminds me very much of my Jessica.

They have the same sweet spirit and honestly could pass as sisters. Cynthia moved to TN about 6 moths ago and lives about 45 min from me. She was out of town but offered her home and daughter to me. I took it. She left the door open as Mercedes would still be a school. When I walked into the house I burst into tears, I was a bit of an emotional wreck.

It was so good to embrace the feeling of home. Cynthia and John's home is so filled with the love of God I just wished she was there to hug me. I text her to let her know I arrived and my need for a hug. She responded with “crawl into my bed, I sleep on the right side.” Now that Gems is a good friend, that will tell you to climb into her fluffy comforter bed. And that's just what I did. That night Mercedes and I talked, watched movies and ate popcorn. Don't tell Cynthia I don't know if we were allowed to eat in their bed.
God even let me find a butterfly Christmas tree the next day when Mercedes and I went to Opry Land Hotel.

WEEK TWO:

I found an apartment and moved in! It's really cute and God has blessed me so much. All kinds of special touches that He knows I like and need. For example, if you know me you know I'm a bit directionally challenged. When I rented the unit I had no idea where I would be living so when I ventured out from the apartment I put the U-Haul address in my GPS and it was literally 1.2 miles away. Gems for me that is a huge blessing.
Now it was time to empty the storage unit, ugh. After a few trips I realized I had taken my full size mattress with my queen size box spring, double ugh. As God would have it there was an older couple that had just arrived. You could tell by their appearance they were struggling. There is a place at the storage unit you can leave donated items. They were there to look for some of those items. When they saw me dragging this huge box spring the woman said "oh I could really use one of those." I asked if she had a queen size mattress and she said yes. I gave her the box spring, sheets and a message that God loved her. I then went to the U-Haul office to close out my account and guess how much I paid? Go ahead guess, I'll wait....... 0, ZERO, NOTTA, NOTHING! Like I tell ya Gems, I am God's favorite.
Everything fits great in my little place and although my things were all acquired in different places they go together nicely. God has a way of giving me places to live with addresses that coincide with where I'm at in my walk with Him. My new street name is Wyndchase. I had to laugh as the Holy Spirit is often referred to as "the wind" and I am definitely always chasing Him.

My next challenge of faith is the first months rent. I was told I would start work today, Monday 12/15 before I signed my lease. I moved in 12/10 and paid for the rest of December. I knew this would give me a few paychecks before January's rent was due BUT I didn't actually start and not sure of when I will. I have learned not to panic when these things come up. Even if I didn't know there would be a change in the start date of employment God did. This may sound arrogant to you Gems but I don't worry because it's not my responsibility to come up with the plan it's God's. I do my part and go where He sends and His word says He will take care of all my needs.

Honestly if God can't come up with my rent we have much bigger problems. I have to wonder if He had another reason for the delay. I will wait expectantly to see and will tell you when I know.

Gems I want to thank you for all your messages and notes they mean so much to me. You are a great cloud of witnesses cheering me on and I need and appreciate that encouragement. Have a Merry Christmas

She'll Be Comin Round That Mountain

The words from my Father were, “it's time to leave, your long awaited move to Tennessee is here.”

God had been preparing me for this journey for about 9 years. At times I thought it was a distant dream but here it was, go day. My response to my Father was “do you realize it's almost December in TN? Normal people don't move North in the winter!” His response to me“Who dares to call you normal?”

I was excited and terrified at the same time. I spent hours alone with the Lord and asked Him to speak to me as a loving husband to his nervous wife. I would need His words to be extremely clear as to where to go when I got to TN and He gave me Isaiah 30:21 

To say leaving Florida without my family was a difficult thing would be a huge understatement. Saying goodbye to my children and grandsons about ripped my heart out. The only thing I love more than my family is my sweet Jesus. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit was there strength to drive away. Knowing I am following the Lord's leading is where the peace comes from, needing Jesus more than safety is the challenge.

I can tell you Gems there truly is a peace that passes understanding.

Originally I was going to leave with just my clothes but after wise counsel and consideration it was decided I should bring all my stuff (thank you Dawn & Tony.) 
No turning back....

This meant renting a truck and needing a driver :) In comes my wonderful son Anthony. Of all my children Anthony truly makes me laugh the most so he was a much needed distraction to the emotions that would follow.

Anthony drove the U Haul and I drove my car behind him. Alone with Jesus and my array of thoughts and memories my journey began. At times I was singing praise songs thanking God for my new adventure and other times I was sobbing like a baby. Honestly I think I cried through most of Georgia.

At one gas station stop I would be all smiles telling Anthony how excited and happy I was, next stop I was crying and saying things like “what have I done!!! Am I crazy? What was I thinking???”Anthony never knew which Gena would be jumping out of the car but he always seemed ready for me.

God is gracious, He really does know who much we can handle. I think if I were driving alone there is a chance I would have chickened out and turned around. My son disagrees, he says I would have came to my senses and kept going. I quickly reminded him my senses are what gets me in trouble in the first place.

We started driving at 8 PM and by 4:30 AM I hit a wall. Anthony and I pulled into a gas station and I had a major melt down. He climbed into the passenger seat of my car to try and console me. My face was pushed into my hands and tears of doubt and fear were flowing down my cheeks. I confessed I just couldn't do it. I have no job, no place to live, no family and apparently no brain.

His logical response was “your just tired” he then handed me a pillow from the back of my car and said just sleep a while.” I DON'T WANT TO SLEEP IN MY CAR!!! I WANT A BED AND A ROOM AND A ROOF!!”

He just kept rubbing my leg and saying it's going to be OK to which I replied HOW???

Anthony isn't the best at consoling, that's my youngest daughter Jessica's job. I was with the risk taker, the task get er done guy. His sympathy consist of a moment of rubbing your leg, a quick hug and what exactly do I need to do to fix this now? He went on to tell me that in spite of my momentary collapse I was the strongest woman he knew so don't worry about it. HUH?

We ended up going to a hotel and spending a ridiculous amount of money for a few hours sleep but it was worth every penny. It had big beds with cushy white comforters and it was clean! It's truly amazing what a few hours of sleep can do for a person. I woke up all energetic asking Anthony if he wanted breakfast to which he responded, “good your back.” We finished our long drive and arrived safely in Tennessee.

When we passed the sign for Franklin I yelled out my window as loud as I could “I'm here Lord, which way? Left or right?”

I decided to call my friend Beverly's cousins that live in Franklin and ask if I could leave the U Haul in their yard so Anthony and I could drive around the town and see where the Lord might lead. They said yes, as we drove down the long driveway to their home my heart was beating in my chest like a drum solo. Oh My Gosh I'm actually here! 
We met Leigh who greeted us with a warm smile and drank warm apple cider before spying out the promise land.

With red weary eyes from hours of driving and the last bit of energy I decided to stop at a local insurance office and drop off a resume. I got to talking to the receptionist and before I knew it I was in the Office Manager's office having an interview. Thirty minutes in Franklin and I'm in an interview. Only God....

The next morning I put my stuff in storage then drove my oldest son to the airport. Another tearful goodbye and another realization that I'm here alone. As I drove away watching my son walk into the airport I was comforted with these words from my sweet Jesus.

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

A few people have called me brave, it is not because I'm brave it's because I trust that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. Even on my own in Tennessee.

To Be Continued.....

How's My Driving?

I know you have seen these bumper stickers before. 
Jess and I were behind an armored car the other day and the vehicle had one on the back of it with bold numbers we saw as it was making a U turn, driving in reverse in 2 lanes of traffic and almost hitting our car!
I really thought about calling and letting his boss or company know what a terrible job he was doing and how he almost hit our car. I decided not to and we just made fun of him instead. Not sure that was the right thing to do.
Check out this one

Seriously if you're driving near this car and reading all the information to tell on this bad driver you will probably have an accident yourself!

This of course got me thinking.... What if we walked around with a bumper sticker on us that had a direct line to God asking fellow believers “how's my spiritual driving?”  Call 1-800-goodjob and ask for Jesus.

What kind of reports would God get on me? Would they be good or bad driving evaluations?

I was leading a Bible study on Joshua 3 this week, I'll give you the Gena's Jewels version but as always I encourage you to read the event for yourselves.
Joshua is getting ready to go to battle in Jericho and he has to cross the Jordan River with his entire army. Crossing a river would be hard enough but it was harvest time so the river was in flood stage. The officers are giving the troops instructions because they had never been in this place before and they are letting them know they will need to follow the guide. Joshua tells the people to purify themselves because the next day they were going to witness a great miracle. Joshua let's the men know that the priest carrying the ark of the covenant would go first and when the souls of the priest feet hit the water, the water would part and they could cross over on dry ground.

OK so if I'm one of the people in this army it would have taken a great deal of faith for me to actually do it. Step into crazy flood waters

 and expect the waters to part so I can walk through..
The story gets even crazier when they actually get to Jericho and hear God's plan for how to attack the city. The verse that really hit me was when God said "do exactly what I say."
If I were "driving" behind this army I would be calling the spiritual hot line and letting God know these people had lost their minds and were getting ready to drown.

I was supposed to attend a 5K fund raiser, Capes for Corrie, with my dear friend Beverly this morning. It was for her almost 2 year old grand daughter to raise money for her liver transplant.
So my spiritual bumper sticker would be good right?
“friend helping friend at major event” If you agree call Jesus at 1-800-good job

I was looking forward to it for weeks before I realized it was the same day as a meeting I had to attend. I was so bummed when I realized I wouldn't be able to go.


Now how's My driving?
"Friend bailing on friend who has done so much for her and she won't even be at an event for precious grandchild who needs her support." 

After you read this spiritual bumper sticker you would probably call and give a lousy report on my “driving.” You may think as I did, what a jerk!
Even though I made a commitment to the meeting long before the 5K event. Your/my emotions could make the decision a bit muddy and make us ask ourselves did God really want me to miss this fund raiser?

After looking at the schedule of the meeting I realized if I worked it out right I could do both!
Excitement back up, bumper sticker redeemed, I'm not such a jerk after all.

I went to bed early so I could be on site at 5 AM with the volunteers to help set up. I could take part in the walk then hit the road to be at my meeting right when I'm needed. I was thanking Jesus for working things out for me and went to bed happy.
To my dismay I woke up about 12:20 A.M. with severe stomach pains.
I'm sure it had nothing to do with my healthy dinner of peanuts, a smore hot off the fire pit, 2 Reese's pieces candies and pizza.
I was in so much pain and laid in every position I could think of to get relief. Feet up, head up, on my side, folded in half you name it. This was the closest to a contortionist as I had ever been.

I withered and winced for hours asking the Lord what the problem was. Was there something wrong with my current driving I was unaware of?
With each glance of the clock I would think, if I just go to sleep right now I can still get a little rest before 4:30.”
I felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me He knew the meeting was the same day as the 5k and I wasn't supposed to attend the 5K, BUT "I" found a way to make it happen. He was letting me know if He was really driving I would just listen to exactly what He said to do, just like He taught me that morning in the Bible study that I led.... and not go.
You see in the natural God's commands can seem very strange. Like stepping into flood waters and expecting the waters to part.

Why wouldn't I go to an event to support my dear friend and her sweet family. A friend that has been so generous to me for years!
In the natural it would look like poor driving and to be honest I didn't want to look ungrateful and more than that I wanted to wear my cape! 

I was putting how I would feel before what God flat out said to do, or not do in this case.

How did that work for me? I ended up not going to either event as I felt awful most of the day :(

I think if I would have just left things alone, knowing God knew both events would be the same day and trusted Him that I was right where I was supposed to be my night of pain would have ended different.

I believe with all my heart God was protecting me from something this morning. Something that would have harmed me and would have taken away from Corries big day.

I was in a place I had never been before. I needed to listen to the instructions of my guide, the Holy Spirit, and do exactly what He said. I could have then gone to my scheduled meeting and handled my responsibility with power and strength. Heck I could have even wore my cape!

Gena's Jewels lesson for the day 

Before you call the Jesus hotline on your fellow drivers ask yourself, does he know his way around or is this his first time in this place?
Or
Is it possible he's following his guide, the Holy Spirit, and going in the exact direction God told him?

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!