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
Gena's Jewels Keeper of The Testimony available on Amazon
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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
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