Pitch Black

Have you ever been in a cave? My two younger children and I visited one in North Carolina and there were lights strung through out the cave, at one time during the tour the guide shut the lights off. I finally understood what pitch black meant. I could not see the hand in front of my face. It was a bit scary as I was grasping for Nathanael and Jessica who one second I could see and the next they were gone. I was relieved when the lights came back on.

Exodus 10:21-23 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

The above verses come from the story of Moses and Pharaoh, one of the plagues God put on Egypt. Take time to read it. So for 3 days the Egyptians could not see the hand in front of their face. They saw nothing, notta no one. Can you imagine what that was like? Go there for just a minute in your mind so you can appreciate the severity of it. Pitch black, light less, somber. The Bible says they could feel the darkness. Can you remember a time in  your life when you could feel the darkness?

Do you realize that people today without Jesus in their lives live in that same kind of darkness. A darkness called hopelessness (without hope; despairing ) that is an emotion many live with daily.

Too often when we are around Christians more than non believers we forget about this darkness because believers will encourage each other with words like, God is in control, Jesus will never leave you, I'll pray for you.

All good responses but what if the person your talking to doesn't believe in Jesus. Then, as the Bible says, our words are foolishness.

As you know I am new to TN and in my search for companionship I found this website called Meet Up. I decided to join one and drove to a park where I met up with about 15 people to go hiking.

It was a beautiful day and I had a fun 3 hour hike. Each time we stopped you would end up walking next to a new person, and if you know me I love to talk to new people. After one stop I was talking to a man that told me he used to live in Franklin which is where I live.

He went on to tell me how much he missed it and how he wished he could live there again. I asked him why he moved and he said after he retired he didn't think he could afford his house so he sold it. He then started asking me questions like what brought me to TN and where do I work. I told him I felt the Lord brought me here and that I wasn't working yet. He of course gave me the usual look, whether you're a believer or not, the "oh you're one of those crazy people" looks. I was obviously talking foolishness to him.

I told him the Lord would help me find a job and Gems the look on his face spoke a thousand words as he sighed and said “good luck with that.” I then told him that the journey was part of the adventure to which he gave another despairing response. I could feel his darkness.

It was at that moment I was reminded what it looks like to be in the dark without Jesus, to have no hope for anything other than what you can do.

I'm used to being around people who don't know Jesus that are struggling with things like homelessness or addictions but this was a well adjusted, intelligent, self sufficient man. I'm not trying to sound stereo typical here don't get caught up in that, I have met plenty of people struggling with those issues who love the Lord. 
I'm saying I saw a man who had NO idea what I was talking about when I said God would take care of me. Someone who appeared to know light but didn't.

Here we were hiking in the beauty of God's creation and this man shared how he was involved in other hiking groups and kayaking groups so he enjoys nature but He has no relationship with the one who made it. 

The Bible tells us that the Egyptians couldn't leave their place because they could see nothing. People who don't know the hope of Jesus can't leave the place where they are stuck either because they can't see their way around.

v23 BUT the Israelites had light in the places where they lived. 

Listen Gems I don't think God continued to make Pharaoh's heart hard and hit the Egyptians with all these plagues just to get the Isrealites out of Egypt. He could have done that with out any plagues. He did it so not just Israel but all nations would know that He is God!

Exodus 9:16 “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth.”

When people have no hope, living in darkness, it can be paralyzing and they usually live in misery and tend to use people instead of loving them. We have all heard the saying “hurt people hurt people.”

At the beginning of the story, Exodus 5:2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”

At the end of the story Pharaoh calls to Moses and request:

Exodus 12: “And also Bless me”

Gems we have to be a people today who don't focus on all the negative and gloom. I'm not saying we should live in a denial bubble hoping it won't pop, but to remember it was the mercy of God and the power of the Holy Spirit that He brought each one of us out of our darkness and despair. We have the power and obligation to share our hope with a lost world.

Too many of us share such a small amount of that light because we are still so wrapped up in our own worlds.

The Bible said that although the Egyptians were in total darkness the Israelite's still had light where they lived. Even the places that are hard for us, we still have light. Like Pharaoh who after experiencing the power of God wanted to be blessed by Him, people should want to receive God's blessing after they meet us. God still wants to show His power through you and me.

Let's help people get out of pitch darkness and into His marvelous light!

There's An App For That

Keep Your Eyes On The Road

And Your Head Out Of Your Apps

This is an overhead sign you pass on the highways in TN. I love it. It's a reminder to pay attention to your driving and hopefully prevent accidents from texting drivers.

I want to share with you from Psalm 78 (please take the time to read it when you can.) It starts off with the Psalmist telling the Israelite's to share what God has done in the past with their children from one generation to the next so they would know God's commands, His power and miraculous provision.

Psalm 78:6-7 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God

Verses 12-16 go on to tell the things God did but the people continued to sin and rebel against the Most High God. The Bible says they willfully put God to the test demanding food they craved.

V 19-21 They spoke against God, saying, “Can you spread a table in the desert? When he struck the rock, water gushed out and streams flowed abundantly. BUT can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for the people?” When the Lord heard them he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

The truth is God had given them the bread of angles! He sent them all the food they could eat. It just wasn't the food they wanted..... hmmm

Sounds like the people had their heads in their apps and weren't keeping their eyes on God. 

At this point in my reading I had to stop because as always these words applied to me. Yea God you did this but can you do THIS?  Seriously I don't know why He even talks to me.  If your a regular Gena's Jewels reader you know when I go down I feel I should take someone with me :)

I felt the Holy Spirit beg the question to me “Gena, why is that even though you know all the ways I have taken care of you and your family, why do you not trust in my deliverance?”

The thing is Gems the problems not that God isn't taking care of things, it's that I don't like the way He's doing it. I don't like His app.

I have my own list of apps I feel can be downloaded and they are way easier. God, just fix it. Don't let it hurt and don't take too long and give me what I want not what I need.

Isaiah 7:9 says if you don't stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all.

We have to go through these situations in life so our faith can grow. Jesus appears to those who need to see Him the most. I don't want people to see me as a person who constantly needs to be delivered from storms but as a person who is always delivered from storms. I want my children to say remember when God ...

The world and some times well meaning Christians will give you all kinds of apps they have used to help their situation or advice on how you should move forward. You can get so many downloads you won't know which way to turn but the truth is we have to continue to believe in God and trust in His deliverance.

Gems I don't know what your facing today but I do know there's an app for every circumstance you may be dealing with today

 it's called the BIBLE.

Remember to share it with your children so the next generation will know, even the children yet to be born and they will tell their children to put their trust in God. Keep your head in His app.

Moved By The Spirit

Luke 2:27 Moved by the Spirit, he went …...

Genesis 45:7 But God sent me ahead of you

These words are just part of the above verses, I didn't write out the whole verse because these words were enough to stop me in my tracks.

I always try and make God's word personal to me.

Gena, moved by the Spirit, she went. Moved by the spirit she went, those words are much easier on paper.

God sent Gena ahead of you. This verse seems to be fitting for me and my family. I seem to go ahead of them and after they have seen God's faithfulness it allows them to move more freely to their own “moved by the spirit he/she went” life.

Before I “went” to Tennessee, Amanda went to Africa, Jessica went to Lakeland, Nathanael, Alex & Ezra went to Tavares and Anthony will make his own move hopefully soon.

I guess the Lord was going to make sure I went to my own spot as all my children were now spread out. My prayer of course is that they all will meet me here at some point :) A mom can hope right?

So let's pick up where I left off. How to pay the rent....

As I shared in my last jewel I was waiting for my start date to my new job.

I had mailed my application for my license to be transferred and called almost daily to see how the paper work was going. I was on a first name basis with the woman who handled these request and I'm sure she was just as anxious for me to have my license as I was to get it.

One night I was reading my Bible and re-read one of my favorite verses.

Matthew 10:27 What I whisper in your ears, proclaim from the housetops! 

I love the thought of the Holy Spirit whispering things to me. You know if your whispering it's a secret. That just excites me to no end, to hear a secret from Heaven. So I prayed Dear Jesus please whisper to me how you plan on paying the rent and I will definitely shout it from the roof top!

The next morning my sister and I were talking and she offered to send me my rent money but I said no. I explained to her it wasn't about the money it was about God's faithfulness, He said He would send it, not for me to borrow it. About 5 minutes after our conversation my phone rang with a number I didn't recognize. I answered it and it was a woman calling from an organization I send money to. I heard her mention year end and assumed she was calling for a final 2014 donation. 

I was waiting for her to pause so I could explain I had no money right now but would donate again in the future, but that's not why she called. 

She went on to thank me for my support and was calling to see if I had a prayer request. 

You bet I have a prayer request! I gave her a brief summary of my current situation, the “moved by the Spirit she went” and how I was believing God for my rent. I told her I checked the mailbox daily expecting the money. The only problem was no one actually knew my address yet.

She laughed and began to pray for me in Hebrew. It sounded beautiful. She then began praying in English then suddenly paused. She said she felt the Holy Spirit was whispering something to her. WHAT? Did she just say WHISPERING???

Dear Jesus please don't let my phone quit on me now. I listened intently waiting to hear the secret. She continued “ I feel the Holy Spirit saying He will send some one directly to your apartment to give you money toward your rent.” She said it would be the start of a new relationship.

This woman was a complete stranger to me yet she took the time to not only pray but listen to what the Holy Spirit had to say specifically to me. I can't tell you how much I NEEDED that word.

Of course for the next few days anyone who walked by my apartment was a possible suspect. I greeted each one with “Hi I'm Gena do you have my money?” No one was safe from my anticipation. When the man came to pick up the trash outside my door I met him with a huge smile on my face and hand extended.

I don't think he had ever seen anyone so happy to have their trash picked up. 

I heard another whisper, "It not him....."

Before the rent money came I got a call from the State Licensing department and it appeared my license that I thought would be here any day was not transferable after all. I would have to go back to school and take the Tennessee state test. Bottom line I would not be starting my new job after all.

Gems, not gonna lie I was freaked out!  It was now December 26^th and rent was due in 6 days. I was beside myself, I couldn't understand what was wrong. I began to cry and ask God what I missed. I called my oldest son Anthony and just wept in despair. The thoughts that ran through my head. Oh my gosh I just got this apartment set up and now I have to pack it all up and move. Move where?

Anthony prayed a powerful prayer for me and later I did the only thing I knew to do.

I laid on the floor in fetal position, listened to praise music and cried in desperation.

The verse that came to me was “I will never leave or forsake you.”

The Lord reminded me He had shown me the mountain and just because the fog may roll in and the clouds were low didn't mean the mountain had moved.

The same promise was there. If I would move where He sent me, He would provide.

God why did you let me think I had a job and sign a lease on an apartment?

He said He let me think I had that job so I would sign the lease. He was ready for me to have my home so I could get settled and even rest a bit before the next assignment. If I didn't think I had a job I wouldn't have moved forward. He went ahead of me but I would not have had enough faith to follow, He allowed me to have my sense of false security in a job so I would move. He was right!

I finally settled down and once again had that overwhelming sense of peace that cannot be understood. I was reading a book at the time called Hinds Feet In High Places (if you haven't read it I would suggest it) and this was the page I opened at that moment.

Laying down my own will still continues to be a daily exercise. Doing it with joy and acceptance at times seems impossible. Only God.

Gems I don't know what the Spirit is whispering to you. I don't know where He has moved you by His Spirit or what secret thing He has for you to do, but I know He has gone ahead of you. I know in spite of the circumstances He will never leave or forsake you. I will remind you as Jesus reminded me, just because you don't see the promise doesn't mean the promise isn't still there.

I know the only way to increase your faith is to move beyond your comfort zone.

Yours not mine. Even if it leaves you lying on the floor in a desperate heap for a while it's OK. It's sharing these moments honestly with others, the power of the testimony, going before others so they will have the courage to move too.

Of course the Lord has a way of making everything really personal the next thing he gave me from the book was:

Like I said I made it personal, just changed Hannah to Gena.

Oh by the way, a couple days later I had an unexpected guest show up at my apartment. She stayed the night with me and early the next morning we shared our hearts and our relationship grew to a deeper place. She said “the Lord told me to give you some money toward your rent.”  There it was just like He said a new relationship would be formed and money to my apartment. 
On the 26^th Jessica my youngest daughter called to tell me someone gave an anonymous donation toward my rent. I was still about $250.00 short. On December 31^st I got a text from a friend saying the Lord told her and her husband to ask me what I needed. There it was the final money.

And of course our God, the more than enough God, had friends send me Christmas cards containing financial blessings which allowed me to pay all the other bills that needed paying like heat, car payment, insurance, phone bill, did I mention HEAT!

So Gems rent is paid and  there is more to the story but you will have to read my next jewel to hear what happened next.

When the Spirit moved she went........ I pray you will go too.

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!!!!!!!!!!!