I love Sundays!!

Whew! I am always so excited to get up on Sundays, which believe me, is NOT something I usually do (notice I write this blog later at night). Anyway, I love Sundays because I get to see my Church Family and I get to learn about Christ and his word. :) This week there was a lot I wanted to talk about because Christ is showing me so much! So, I'll get on with the story...

In my first post, I talked about how I miss my granddaddy and my cousin very much, and at times it was to the point of depression, but I've realized that I can miss them. I can miss them every day, every hour, every minute, even, every second, and that's okay because I am going to see them again someday!! Being a person with depression, I was always looking at how they are not here RIGHT NOW!, instead of looking at it as I get to spend more than 20,000 years praising God with them! In my study bible, there are "Dear Jordan" letters and one of them had to do with a young girl (most likely a teen) losing a close member of her family. Victoria writes, "My friends father died last week. I gave her a big hug and said how depressed she must be. She told me she was very sad and grieving but not depressed. She said she felt joyful her father was with Jesus and no longer suffering. I'm confused. How can someone be sad and grieving but not depressed?" Jordan replied "Dear Victoria, Grief and sadness are feelings people have when they have lost someone or something close to their heart. Depression is sadness that doesn't go away for a long time... It's normal to feel sad when someone we love has died. We will always remember that person and sometimes we may cry when we think of him or her... John 16:20-22 tells us: 'You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy...and no one will take away your joy.' The joy of the Lord is a feeling of deep well-being that comes from God...no one else can take it away." After reading this and seeing Brother Bryan (my pastor) so joyful after his father passed, I realized that I should be anticipating the day I will see them (again)!! (Toby Keith's song "Crying For Me" also goes along with this)

On to the next topic... My friend Sara Jean Culler has a song called "Brave" on her EP release. You can listen to a clip at www.sarajeanculler.com or I have a copy of the album. I love this song, but I thought it was just about being brave in general. My other friend Chelsea from high school posted some of the lyrics on her facebook page the other day and since I knew she hadn't heard of Sara, I asked her who sang it. It's a song by Nichole Nordeman and it's talking about God and how when he needs us to go out of our comfort zones a little bit we can be brave/bold about it. And the singer is willing to trade it all for Him! While I'm on the topic of music, the Youth Choir sang "Temporary Home" at church tonight!! I was kinda upset that I didn't get to go up there with them, but how could I be upset. They did an awesome job! When you sing, sing proud! God is listening to the songs the angels can't sing. :)

Today in Sunday School, Mrs. Jennifer was teaching us about how pride, pedistools, and spriitual immaturity can divide a church. Well, as luck would have it God showed me how someone's pride can get in the way not 15 minutes later! I won't get into it, but when you are at church, you are SUPPOSED TO BE AND NEED TO BE there for God, and if you aren't then you need to get your stuff straight!! We should grow with Christ more and more each week and even each day as we seek Him and read His word. Now, my problem is putting people up on pedistools and worring SO much about what people think, and I am going to work on that and get back to you. I trust that since He is showing me my problems lately, that He will work in me to help me grow as long as I trust and seek Him.

Please continue to pray for Mackenzie LeClair Jackson and Mallory Hernandez. Mackenzie's transplant is THIS Thursday. Mallory fell off of a horse and needs your prayers.

Much Love & God Bless,
Jessica