Welcome Blog Readers!
As you can see, I've made some changes. Over Christmas day, I got a lot of thinking done. God was working in me! Changing me; growing me. These past two years, my walk with God has grown drasticly and for that I am thankful to Him. I had been waiting on Him for a little while now, but now He's waiting on me! He said, "It's time," so I had to realize some things in my head that have always been in my heart. If you've ever heard of Lauren Alaina, listen to her song "Eighteen Inches". It's beautiful and makes so much sense to me these past few days.
I've also decided to make changes on this blog. I liked how it was before just fine, but even though God is out to "Change The World," and so am I, He is really just transforming our hearts to become more like His! So, I have a new name, a new picture, a new design, and I'm at a different point in my walk with Christ.
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas holiday, and I wish you all a joyous New Year! God Bless you all!!!
Your sister in Christ,
Jessica
Our walk with God is not one spent sitting on the sidelines, it is one where we are constantly moving and changing.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Reflecting On A Season
Do you have a period of your life that you look back over and think 'Oh! That seems so long ago and things are so different now!'? I believe we tend to think of these times according to when they happened and what time of the year it is now. (Like a summer spent with friends at the beach would probably be remembered in a more recent summer where you didn't spend your time the same or didn't have the same people around.) Last year, from Halloween to Christmas Day, my whole world was turned upside down.
I had been talking with a dear friend from church about how I had just turned another year older and I still wanted someone to share my life with. I thought I was ready to let someone special into my life and maybe not get married or have children just yet, but just have someone to share with. So on Halloween, I gave a particular person some Blow Pops that Sunday morning. Then he started picking on me that night at church. EVERYONE thought we were dating right then! Truth was, we had not had a full conversation. Confiding in some sweet sisters later that night, we discovered I was TERRIFIED of the thought of having a "boyfriend". I'd (truly) never had one before. I was in the library a few days later looking for a book when he came in. God had his hands all over this because about 2 minutes after we started talking, I found the book. It was called LEAP OF FAITH! Oh, you know, those things that God sometimes calls us to do when His way is best?
We started becoming friends after that, and although I was still terrified, I did give him a chance. On December 11th, myself, this guy, and a friend of mine were going to the next town over to hang out. (Our little one-stoplight town doesn't have much, but a drive to walmart always does the trick.) They had both been bugging me to just give "dating" a chance, and after a little over a month of fighting it, I jumped in with both feet.
I had the thought earlier tonight that I want to be so far in Jesus, that any guy would have to go through Him to get to me. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? When two people get married, they become one with God. How can you become one with God if one of you don't believe in Him? I am a 20-something in the learning stage of life. I want to become the best light for God that I can and know that He has the perfect person for me already picked out. So, I'm going to do my best to take a "leap of faith" into God each day of my life, and I hope you will too. It's may hurt, and you will cry, but Jesus is worth it. He is worth it all.
Jumping In,
Jessica
p.s. I really have no idea why I HAD to write this at 2 a.m., but nonetheless I hope you receive encouragement from it! Be blessed :)
I had been talking with a dear friend from church about how I had just turned another year older and I still wanted someone to share my life with. I thought I was ready to let someone special into my life and maybe not get married or have children just yet, but just have someone to share with. So on Halloween, I gave a particular person some Blow Pops that Sunday morning. Then he started picking on me that night at church. EVERYONE thought we were dating right then! Truth was, we had not had a full conversation. Confiding in some sweet sisters later that night, we discovered I was TERRIFIED of the thought of having a "boyfriend". I'd (truly) never had one before. I was in the library a few days later looking for a book when he came in. God had his hands all over this because about 2 minutes after we started talking, I found the book. It was called LEAP OF FAITH! Oh, you know, those things that God sometimes calls us to do when His way is best?
We started becoming friends after that, and although I was still terrified, I did give him a chance. On December 11th, myself, this guy, and a friend of mine were going to the next town over to hang out. (Our little one-stoplight town doesn't have much, but a drive to walmart always does the trick.) They had both been bugging me to just give "dating" a chance, and after a little over a month of fighting it, I jumped in with both feet.
I had the thought earlier tonight that I want to be so far in Jesus, that any guy would have to go through Him to get to me. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? When two people get married, they become one with God. How can you become one with God if one of you don't believe in Him? I am a 20-something in the learning stage of life. I want to become the best light for God that I can and know that He has the perfect person for me already picked out. So, I'm going to do my best to take a "leap of faith" into God each day of my life, and I hope you will too. It's may hurt, and you will cry, but Jesus is worth it. He is worth it all.
Jumping In,
Jessica
p.s. I really have no idea why I HAD to write this at 2 a.m., but nonetheless I hope you receive encouragement from it! Be blessed :)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Back Into A Valley
So, you noticed I haven't blogged in a while, huh? I've come to realize that I blog more when I'm in God's word and doing what I should rather than when I let satan take over, and that's just what happened in the month of November. I am apart of an iStudy with some of my sisters in Christ and we email/text/blog almost every day, but a few weeks ago I felt myself slipping away. It was definately a Slow Fade! I started not really reading what they were writing to almost avoiding these emails and blogs. (I am honestly ashamed to admit that. They deserve better.) But I didn't just stop reading their encouragement, I stopped spending time with and trusting God. Things were happening in my life that I couldn't believe were happening again. It felt like things were going back to the way they were before I'd moved away. It felt like I was being swallowed by emotions. Have you seen the commercials on TV for an antidepressant helper called Abilify? How the woman has a cloak (house coat) of depression around her? That's what it felt like I was wearing. Mine was big, black, had a hood on it, and covered my inside, not just my outward appearance.
I wish I could write on here that I'm cured and I'm happier now and my spiritual life is better, but that would be a lie. I talked with my best friend about a week or so ago and she reminded me that I am not alone. I may not be with my "friendily" but they are always there for me. I can't stress the importance of finding a church family. They are the most amazing pieces of my life. There is no excuse for not going when you are convicted that you should. When I moved away, I was determined to go to church every chance I got. I went 3 times a week and hardly missed it. Now I have to be just as determined.
Crawling Again,
Jessica
I wish I could write on here that I'm cured and I'm happier now and my spiritual life is better, but that would be a lie. I talked with my best friend about a week or so ago and she reminded me that I am not alone. I may not be with my "friendily" but they are always there for me. I can't stress the importance of finding a church family. They are the most amazing pieces of my life. There is no excuse for not going when you are convicted that you should. When I moved away, I was determined to go to church every chance I got. I went 3 times a week and hardly missed it. Now I have to be just as determined.
Crawling Again,
Jessica
Friday, October 7, 2011
Fleshly or Godly Armor?
Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Ephesians 6:13
I recently read a blog that reminded me of an awesome piece of scripture. In Ephesians chapter 6, we learn about the armor of God. This armor will help us in our daily lives, especially when the devil attacks. In this blog though, the writer gives another "suit" we wear, it's more of something our flesh feels more comfortable in. The "coat of shame," the "shirt of insecurity," the "pants of fear," and the "jewels of perfection." However, God's armor calls for the belt of truth, the body armor of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Which would you rather have?
Most of us would scurry to the "God's armor" side, but what are we really wearing? We can't mix-and-match them. It's just not possible. Why? Because if we have on the belt of truth and the "jewels of perfection", we are not being truthful. No one but God is perfect. This weekend, I will be getting a new (to me) car. I'm not sure why I didn't just get it when I moved here, but I feel God has a lesson in all of this for me. And looking at the checkbook slaps on my "pants of fear" faster than I can respond. My head hurts from remembering when I've worried before, so I'll take them off as I remember why I don't need them. I don't see how this is going to add up or work out, but God knows EVERYTHING! He knows how many kids we'll have and what we will name them and how they will be. He knows how many times we chose our Fleshly Armor over God's Armor. Which are you choosing today?
Choosing Faith,
Jessica
Faith In Between (http://www.faithinbetween.com/1/post/2011/10/wise-women-wednesday-with-brandee-wilson-loftis-stacy-and-clinton-cleaning.html)
I recently read a blog that reminded me of an awesome piece of scripture. In Ephesians chapter 6, we learn about the armor of God. This armor will help us in our daily lives, especially when the devil attacks. In this blog though, the writer gives another "suit" we wear, it's more of something our flesh feels more comfortable in. The "coat of shame," the "shirt of insecurity," the "pants of fear," and the "jewels of perfection." However, God's armor calls for the belt of truth, the body armor of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Which would you rather have?
Most of us would scurry to the "God's armor" side, but what are we really wearing? We can't mix-and-match them. It's just not possible. Why? Because if we have on the belt of truth and the "jewels of perfection", we are not being truthful. No one but God is perfect. This weekend, I will be getting a new (to me) car. I'm not sure why I didn't just get it when I moved here, but I feel God has a lesson in all of this for me. And looking at the checkbook slaps on my "pants of fear" faster than I can respond. My head hurts from remembering when I've worried before, so I'll take them off as I remember why I don't need them. I don't see how this is going to add up or work out, but God knows EVERYTHING! He knows how many kids we'll have and what we will name them and how they will be. He knows how many times we chose our Fleshly Armor over God's Armor. Which are you choosing today?
Choosing Faith,
Jessica
Faith In Between (http://www.faithinbetween.com/1/post/2011/10/wise-women-wednesday-with-brandee-wilson-loftis-stacy-and-clinton-cleaning.html)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Life Changing, Mind Blowing Stuff
I am SO excited to share this!! I have received SheSeeks devotionals for about a year now*. One of the writers is Nicki Koziarz, and recently I was browsing the internet and found her blog. Like any good Bible girl looking for a new way to receive my daily time with God, I signed up for her notifications via email. The first one, sent literally hours after I signed up, was about opening your heart to God (link at bottom of post). So if you check that out, this description may make a little more sense.
I was thinking about a heart, just pretend it's a plastic one that usually comes out about Feb 14th! Now, picture that heart broken by circumstances of life. What does it look like to you? To me it has a couple cracks, maybe a bandaid or two, or maybe it's shattered on the ground. This is the hard part to explain... Imagine a burning candle, and imagine that person, instead of letting God heal the wounds, pouring the melted wax into the cracks, under the bandaid, or as glue to put the pieces back together. I'm sure we all know what candle wax does when it cools, it drys and gets harder. If enough candle wax is put down it takes a lot of force to break it back down without any heat.
The She Seeks site can be found at http://www.sheseeks.org/. Nicki's site is at http://www.nickikoziarz.com/ and the post is titled What Does That Really Mean?. She is also on facebook.
Nicki also mentions a Hillsong United song, which I had never heard before. So, for those of you who haven't either, I found it!
Much Love & God Bless,
Jessica
I was thinking about a heart, just pretend it's a plastic one that usually comes out about Feb 14th! Now, picture that heart broken by circumstances of life. What does it look like to you? To me it has a couple cracks, maybe a bandaid or two, or maybe it's shattered on the ground. This is the hard part to explain... Imagine a burning candle, and imagine that person, instead of letting God heal the wounds, pouring the melted wax into the cracks, under the bandaid, or as glue to put the pieces back together. I'm sure we all know what candle wax does when it cools, it drys and gets harder. If enough candle wax is put down it takes a lot of force to break it back down without any heat.
The She Seeks site can be found at http://www.sheseeks.org/. Nicki's site is at http://www.nickikoziarz.com/ and the post is titled What Does That Really Mean?. She is also on facebook.
Nicki also mentions a Hillsong United song, which I had never heard before. So, for those of you who haven't either, I found it!
Much Love & God Bless,
Jessica
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Remembering 9/11/2001
Unlike so many others, I don't remember a whole lot about 9/11/2001 except that something bad had happened and I was going to my grandma's to get a hair cut. It wasn't until recently, I didn't realize just how much God was all over this situation!
What I do remember is a trip my 5th grade class took to New York City and Boston in June of 2001. For a small town girl like myself, New York was HUGE! You can't even begin to imagine, and the cabs... Well, that's another story, just be careful walking across the street when you have the signal to go... We spent 2 days in NYC. We saw Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty (we didn't know we should have gone to the top :( ), 5th ave (if you're looking for a bathroom, just go straight to Trump Towers! lol), and of course we saw the Twin Towers. Not only do I have a picture with them, we saw them from the Empire State Building too. It was awesome, but I could never live there (It's 3x the size of Atlanta!).
What hit me recently, though, was not the fact that I saw a sight my sister would never see in person, it was that our flight back to Panama City, was from the same airport two of the planes left from as well. Would it had been 3 months prior, I would not be the same person, I might not even be here, but God kept me around. I also thought about today, my 22nd birthday, that I would have missed my last 10 birthdays.
All of this together humbles me. God is so much bigger than any of us will ever be, but he loves us and he keeps us around for a reason. There is a Casting Crown lyric "how refreshing to know you don't need me, how amazing to find that you want me". God is just so great and he has so much love for us. I still can't wrap my head around all of this yet.
So, this Sunday, say a special prayer for our country. Pray for the people that put their lives on the line everyday to fight for people they don't even know (doesn't this sound like a missionary fighting for a God they've never met?). Pray for the families effected to this day by this tragedy. Pray for the air traffic controllers and the passengers flying. But most importantly, THANK God for the life he has given you to live.
Praising Him,
Jessica
What I do remember is a trip my 5th grade class took to New York City and Boston in June of 2001. For a small town girl like myself, New York was HUGE! You can't even begin to imagine, and the cabs... Well, that's another story, just be careful walking across the street when you have the signal to go... We spent 2 days in NYC. We saw Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty (we didn't know we should have gone to the top :( ), 5th ave (if you're looking for a bathroom, just go straight to Trump Towers! lol), and of course we saw the Twin Towers. Not only do I have a picture with them, we saw them from the Empire State Building too. It was awesome, but I could never live there (It's 3x the size of Atlanta!).
What hit me recently, though, was not the fact that I saw a sight my sister would never see in person, it was that our flight back to Panama City, was from the same airport two of the planes left from as well. Would it had been 3 months prior, I would not be the same person, I might not even be here, but God kept me around. I also thought about today, my 22nd birthday, that I would have missed my last 10 birthdays.
All of this together humbles me. God is so much bigger than any of us will ever be, but he loves us and he keeps us around for a reason. There is a Casting Crown lyric "how refreshing to know you don't need me, how amazing to find that you want me". God is just so great and he has so much love for us. I still can't wrap my head around all of this yet.
So, this Sunday, say a special prayer for our country. Pray for the people that put their lives on the line everyday to fight for people they don't even know (doesn't this sound like a missionary fighting for a God they've never met?). Pray for the families effected to this day by this tragedy. Pray for the air traffic controllers and the passengers flying. But most importantly, THANK God for the life he has given you to live.
Praising Him,
Jessica
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Jesus, Take The Wheel
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
I open my eyes and see the landscape I last saw had changed. The silver Jeep was facing my car, my loud, smoking, wrecked car. A woman had unintentionally pulled out in front of me because she could not see my car coming. In a second, so much I had not forseen changed, but God knows everything!
Just the Sunday before, it was decided that I would be moving back to Florida with my mom. That in itself was a challenge. God was finally allowing me the chance to go back. However, it entails much responsibility. First, I (and my God-sisters and family) had to get over the selfish desire to stay and be closer mile wise. I am going to miss my sisters SO much!! I have been so blessed to have them. When I get to Florida, I also have the task of finding a new church and being a light for Christ in an area where I don't know many people. This small little Georgia town only holds about 4,000 people, much less than the Spring Break Capital. I know that, in my heart, this is the way that God is leading me and I am going to do my best to do His work.
I am chosing to look at this past Friday as a blessing. It would take me a while to list all of the issues I was having with my first car. Although, I am going to miss it dearly, a woman pulled out in front of me and it is totaled. Ironically, before it happened I had acctually thought about calling my local radion station and requesting "Jesus, Take The Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. I cannot tell you now how much this song means to me. I was humming it before I realized what was happening. No one was seriously injured. Just some bumps and bruises. Thank God for that!
It has been amazing seeing just how God is working through this situation. It is sad saying goodbye to my family and friends, but I know that we will always have each other. I guess my whole reason for writing this post is to say that no matter what's going on in your life, God always has a plan for you and He always has a reason for what he does. Look to Him for everything and in everything you do.
With Love,
Jessica
I open my eyes and see the landscape I last saw had changed. The silver Jeep was facing my car, my loud, smoking, wrecked car. A woman had unintentionally pulled out in front of me because she could not see my car coming. In a second, so much I had not forseen changed, but God knows everything!
Just the Sunday before, it was decided that I would be moving back to Florida with my mom. That in itself was a challenge. God was finally allowing me the chance to go back. However, it entails much responsibility. First, I (and my God-sisters and family) had to get over the selfish desire to stay and be closer mile wise. I am going to miss my sisters SO much!! I have been so blessed to have them. When I get to Florida, I also have the task of finding a new church and being a light for Christ in an area where I don't know many people. This small little Georgia town only holds about 4,000 people, much less than the Spring Break Capital. I know that, in my heart, this is the way that God is leading me and I am going to do my best to do His work.
I am chosing to look at this past Friday as a blessing. It would take me a while to list all of the issues I was having with my first car. Although, I am going to miss it dearly, a woman pulled out in front of me and it is totaled. Ironically, before it happened I had acctually thought about calling my local radion station and requesting "Jesus, Take The Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. I cannot tell you now how much this song means to me. I was humming it before I realized what was happening. No one was seriously injured. Just some bumps and bruises. Thank God for that!
It has been amazing seeing just how God is working through this situation. It is sad saying goodbye to my family and friends, but I know that we will always have each other. I guess my whole reason for writing this post is to say that no matter what's going on in your life, God always has a plan for you and He always has a reason for what he does. Look to Him for everything and in everything you do.
With Love,
Jessica
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Revelation
Earlier tonight as my pastor discussed over Mark 11:20-26, I had a HUGE revelation. Athough I am naturally an emotional being, lately it seems to just be worse. After a family spat in April, I was reveling in seeing God move through my life and relationships. Let me tell you...when you pray for something or when your friends pray for you about certain things, GOD WILL HEAR YOU AND HE WILL ACT. He will act whether it be now or in the furture. For me, this was aproximately two weeks later when he answered me and my sisters in Christ. God knew exactly what I needed and when I needed it.
Tonight he gave me another piece of information and this is what I prayed after: "Father, since I cannot forgive the ones who have hurt me, I cannot ask you to forgive me of my sins. Father, I am bitter towards those around me because it is what my flesh knows."
Visiting my mother last weekend, I also realized just how powerful God is. Years ago, I knew I was supposed to move back to the town I live now. I did not know, as my sister is graduating, how hard the emotional toll would be to leave my "nonnie", as I used to call her, at her new apartment, with family and friends celebrating and having a great time. God knew about that. God knew the turmoil I would be in right now, in this very day, and he is there with open arms.
Don't harden your hearts and keep it all in, embrace your Father and let it all out. (There is no real purpose for this blog, but I hope it speaks to you.)
Jessica :)
Tonight he gave me another piece of information and this is what I prayed after: "Father, since I cannot forgive the ones who have hurt me, I cannot ask you to forgive me of my sins. Father, I am bitter towards those around me because it is what my flesh knows."
Visiting my mother last weekend, I also realized just how powerful God is. Years ago, I knew I was supposed to move back to the town I live now. I did not know, as my sister is graduating, how hard the emotional toll would be to leave my "nonnie", as I used to call her, at her new apartment, with family and friends celebrating and having a great time. God knew about that. God knew the turmoil I would be in right now, in this very day, and he is there with open arms.
Don't harden your hearts and keep it all in, embrace your Father and let it all out. (There is no real purpose for this blog, but I hope it speaks to you.)
Jessica :)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
PURPOSE
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. -Romans 8:28
This past week, God has been screaming to get my attention. Amidst trying to continue my walk with Him, and trying to deal with just "life", I couldn't hear what he was trying to tell me. I was so caught up in day-to-day drama that I'd lost his voice. Some of my church family came to visit this past week, Micah and Will Rayburn. I remember Micah from my years of visiting the church and her teaching one of my cousins piano. (They now have their own ministry you can check out at www.willrayburn.org.) Sunday and Wednesday, we got to enjoy services with them and it was just amazing! Sunday, they sang some songs and then they let the preacher speak, but the songs they were singing were just at taste of Wednesday night.
Wednesday night, before we started, I asked God to open my heart to receive whatever he wanted to tell me that night. The first thing, Will said was "Each of us has a purpose, and there is a reason you all are here tonight. There is someone that needs to let Jesus in." I have been struggling with the fact that I felt I couldn't hear God and that I didn't have a purpose, but it was like He was speaking directly to me! Later on Will said "God's love light will shatter any darkness you have inside of you," and I was done for. If anyone has heard Taylor Swift's song "Back To December", I'll let you know that this has become my December 2010. Although, I'm not the one asking for forgiveness (or singing the song), I've been on the receiving end. After the relationship ended, I put up a wall around my heart and ended up shutting some of God out too. But He knew my heart, inside and out, and He shattered that wall. Through Will's words, he shattered that wall between me and him. I told Micah later on that I needed a copy of that service on CD so I could refer back to it. They don't tape them, so I'm coping this now.
God has a purpose for each of us. God has a purpose for us to work for his good and we are going to effect others around us. What you do today, will effect everyone around you. Like my teacher in Sunday School said the other day, if she chose to (for instance,) start drinking alcohol, it would effect our class, her 6 (beautiful) children and everyone in their lives, her husband and everyone in his life, and everyone else in her life. Now, that's a lot of people! Start asking God to reveal his purpose for you, today. Start praying for your children, your spouse, your children's spouses, your family, and your friends, today! We are not promised tomorrow, so start living for God today!
Much Love & God Bless,
Jessica
This past week, God has been screaming to get my attention. Amidst trying to continue my walk with Him, and trying to deal with just "life", I couldn't hear what he was trying to tell me. I was so caught up in day-to-day drama that I'd lost his voice. Some of my church family came to visit this past week, Micah and Will Rayburn. I remember Micah from my years of visiting the church and her teaching one of my cousins piano. (They now have their own ministry you can check out at www.willrayburn.org.) Sunday and Wednesday, we got to enjoy services with them and it was just amazing! Sunday, they sang some songs and then they let the preacher speak, but the songs they were singing were just at taste of Wednesday night.
Wednesday night, before we started, I asked God to open my heart to receive whatever he wanted to tell me that night. The first thing, Will said was "Each of us has a purpose, and there is a reason you all are here tonight. There is someone that needs to let Jesus in." I have been struggling with the fact that I felt I couldn't hear God and that I didn't have a purpose, but it was like He was speaking directly to me! Later on Will said "God's love light will shatter any darkness you have inside of you," and I was done for. If anyone has heard Taylor Swift's song "Back To December", I'll let you know that this has become my December 2010. Although, I'm not the one asking for forgiveness (or singing the song), I've been on the receiving end. After the relationship ended, I put up a wall around my heart and ended up shutting some of God out too. But He knew my heart, inside and out, and He shattered that wall. Through Will's words, he shattered that wall between me and him. I told Micah later on that I needed a copy of that service on CD so I could refer back to it. They don't tape them, so I'm coping this now.
God has a purpose for each of us. God has a purpose for us to work for his good and we are going to effect others around us. What you do today, will effect everyone around you. Like my teacher in Sunday School said the other day, if she chose to (for instance,) start drinking alcohol, it would effect our class, her 6 (beautiful) children and everyone in their lives, her husband and everyone in his life, and everyone else in her life. Now, that's a lot of people! Start asking God to reveal his purpose for you, today. Start praying for your children, your spouse, your children's spouses, your family, and your friends, today! We are not promised tomorrow, so start living for God today!
Much Love & God Bless,
Jessica
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