Jen here...

I have had a tendency to question WHY there are so many denominations and so many interpretations of God and His word. At one point in my life I truly worried about this. If everyone believes something different, that means one person has to be right and one person has to be wrong.

I didn't want to be wrong.

God finally got it through my thick skull (the flesh is weak but I am hard headed) that this behavior was QUIBBLING. KNIT PICKING. Even LEGALISM. And focusing on EVERYTHING else but GOD. It was up to Him to sort it out for only He can see the heart of a man. If we seek HIS truth, He will reveal it to us as is His will and in His time. But it isn't a matter of who is right or wrong. It is a matter of working out OUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling.

A long time ago I heard a story about a church that split due to the question "Did Adam have a belly button?" The group that left became the 'Church of the Navelites'. This is so laughable that it has to be just that, a story. But the example made me think about denominations and bodies of believers. We talk about core principles and our doctrine, but regardless, God is GOD. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and will be the same when we reach Glory. Our principles and doctrine have evolved from our desire to know Him better, and from our study of the Word. But the word is meant to invite, to include, to bring together Christ's Church. It is not exclusionary unless The Word is called false and Jesus is denied.

In Genesis Jacob and Laban form a covenant.

"And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another." Genesis 31:49

I pray that God does this for the Church, that when we are separated by denomination and doctrine, that He would watch between His people that we would not strive against each other in the name of the Lord. I choose to believe that though we may believe differently, God is unchanging.

Father God, I pray that you watch between me and my brothers and sisters sitting in different churches around my community. I pray that even though our ways of worship may make us seem absent from one another, I pray that you unite us as your Bride.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

THANKFUL THURSDAYS WITH JC

On your feet now - applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: "THANK YOU!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever. Psalm 100, MSG

Father, God, THANK YOU. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name. Amen

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

Jesus Loves Me

I have been thinking about the song, "Jesus Loves Me". Probably everyone reading this blog learned this song as a child in Sunday School. The first verse goes as follows:

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little one to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong.

"Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong". There are times when, spiritually speaking, I feel weak and without strength. And I am learning that that is right where He wants me. I will always be a "little one" to Him and, in my strength, I will always be weak, but Praise be to God, He is strong!!! He IS my strength and has been from the moment I trusted Him as my Lord and Savior. The good news of the Gospel is that "His strength is made perfect in my weakness". (II Cor 12:9)

The weaker I am, the stronger He is. The Gospel of Grace is that I do not have to be strong because I do not live the Christian life in my own strength!!!! "The Lord is my strength and my song" (Isaiah 12:2) I don't need to pray for more strength. I already have all the strength I need in Jesus Christ. Friends, I have typed myself into the Glory Zone again!!!!!

"Father, I praise you as my strength as well as my redeemer. I thank you that I do not have to struggle to live this Christian life. It is a joy to allow you to live through me. You love, laugh, teach and encourage through me. I ask you to bless everyone reading this blog today with Yourself. In Jesus strong and powerful name, I pray." Amen

A Blessed Weekend

Things that bring me joy...

~ My in laws safely arriving to my home Friday.
~ My Daddy in law playing a joke IMMEDIATELY on my son
~ My husband cooking for his parents.
~ My DIL (Daddy in law) enjoying the meal.
~ My MIL (Mom in law) sitting in the floor playing monopoly with the kids.
~ My MIL taking a genuine interest in my daughter's friend.
~ My family letting me sleep LAAAAAAAAATE on Saturday.
~ My son spending time with his Grandaddy in the name of BASEBALL!
~ My family enjoying each other's company.

Each of the joys listed start with MY.... naturally, because they are mine. I praise God, the giver of blessings and joy, for providing me with these particular joys. He has added richness to my life through the people that He has put in it. I am blessed and having a joy filled weekend!!

Father God,
Thank you for seeing fit to bless me with such wonderful people to love, and who love me back. Thank you for the relationships that have been formed between my in laws and my children. And though I do not look forward to our time together coming to an end, I pray, earnestly pray, for their safety as they return home. Thank you for showing me your love through the people that you have placed in my life.

In Jesus name, Amen.

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

I'm guilty. It's true, I'm guilty of not spending time in God's word. A lot of time I read but I don't understand what is being said. I can't relate the passage to me and my life, my circumstances. Can you relate? Recently I discovered BibleGateway.com . On this site you can read the same passage of scripture in a dozen or more different versions and languages. Now I am mesmerized by how the same verses I've read or memorized read in different versions. Take this one from the Message Bible written by Eugene H. Peterson.

Psalm 1 (MSG)
How well God must like you - you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, You don't go to Smart-Mouth College. Instead you thrill at God's Word, You chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust - without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.


Father, I love you. I so thankful that you consider me with all my faults and all my silliness. You love me. Father, I don't really know what to make of all the different versions of your word. Part of me thinks that so many versions are misleading. Another part of me thrills to read and study on your word in different ways. Father I ask you to lead, guide and direct me as I study/dwell on your word. Father give me wisdom to understand the true meaning of your word and how it applies to my here and now. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

What is on the inside?

A few days ago Gene and I decided to "clean out" the corn crib.

This corn crib has been in my family all my life. It has been moved and now stands on the property where we live. It is now a catch all and has been for years. The rats really enjoy their stay in there and evidence of their taking up residence was very obvious. They had chewed on a lot of things and left their pills and debris behind - need I say more!!!!! My, what a mess.

When I went back to work following this cleaning episode my boss made the mistake of asking me what I had done on my off day. While I was explaining, in detail, our day's work, a look of horror came over his face - a look that said "is this the type place she lives in"? I quickly explained that the outside looked really good with a coat of barnyard red paint and trimmed in white lattice work and it was just the inside that was such a mess. He quickly said, "that sounds like a good Sunday School lesson for "The Princess Hangout". I was thinking about a blog so this blog post was born.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" Psalm 51:10

What about those "respectable sins" that hide behind the pretty clothes, the flawless makeup and the plastered church smile? Murmuring, complaining, self pity, and an "it's all about me" attitude, to name a few. Friends, since God loves us unconditionally, He will continue to love us but I am sure he wants to see this junk and mess leave us as much as I wanted to see the junk and rat pills leave the corn crib!!!!!!

"Father, I thank you for your unconditional love. I thank you that the work of Christ on the Cross provided a way for you to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Touch the heart of each person reading this blog today. In Jesus forgiving name I pray, Amen"

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

The word seed is used many places in scripture. Its meaning varies depending on the context of the scripture. There are too many references to list them here.

In the Gospel of Matthew we read the parable of the farmer sowing seed. Some fell on hard ground, some among thorns and some on good soil yielding a large harvest. It is in chapter 13 if you want to look it up.

In I Corinthians 3:6 Paul talks about planting the seed, another (Apollos) watering the seed but God made the seed grow. Then in II Corinthians 9:10 we read "Now he who supplies seed to the sower & bread for food will also supply & increase your store of seed & will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."

My pastor made a point this Sunday using the illustration of seed or rather the fact that we are always looking for the harvest when we haven't sown any seed. The farmer must sow seed first then water, weed and pray before he sees the harvest.

He said we spend way to much time dwelling on ourselves and our needs when we could be using the seed we have to sow into the lives of others and let God provide for us. What is seed? Obvious answer is money and that would not be incorrect but I think we have so much seed that we don't even realize. What about a smile or a word of encouragement. A helping hand. I'm thinking about a young woman who thanked me for sitting with her at church a month or so back. I was just there, I didn't give her any words of wisdom, just a hug and the words, "I'm so happy to worship with you today." Those words made her know she was welcome and wanted in our church.

My pastor's challenge to us is to 1) ask God for supernatural seed to sow, 2) recognize the seed and 3) sow it. Let God take care of providing the seed and let God bring the harvest. You be the the farmer sowing what you have. From now until Easter pray for seed to sow instead of a harvest and see what happens. You may just find all your needs met while you are thinking of others.

My question to you. Are you up for this challenge?

Father, God, holy is your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done in the earth just as it is in Heaven. Father give each person reading this post, who is up for the challenge, supernatural seed to sow. Father show us where to sow the seed you give us and Father give us eyes to see and hearts to understand the harvest that will come from you as we walk in obedience to sow seed. In Jesus' holy, precious and powerful name I pray. Amen

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

Just speak His Name

In the absence of our pastor a couple of weeks ago, my son preached the morning message (the joy of a mother's heart but we will not go there today). He spoke on the "Names of God" in the Old Testament. He further stated that all these Old Testament Names of God are fulfilled in Jesus Christ!!!! Let's look at a few of them.

Jehovah-Jireh - Our Provider
Jehovah-Rapha - Our Healer
Jehovah-Nissi - Our Banner
Jehovah-Shalom - Our Peace
El-Shaddai - God Almighty
Jehovah-Ra-ah - Our Shepherd

Friends, when I speak the Name of Jesus, I speak all that God is into my life. Glory!!!
When the economy is sour, when I need healing, when I need Peace, when I need a Shepherd, I just speak the Name of Jesus. When I wake up in the middle of the night and anxiety tries to attach itself to me, I just speak the Name of Jesus and Peace arrives. You see, there are times when we just do not know what we need but we know we are hurting and have lost our sense of peace and joy. We may not know how to pray but we can speak His Name.

All the Names of God are wrapped up in the person of Jesus Christ. Thanks, Roger, for the reminder.

"Father, I praise your Holy name today. Thanks for revealing yourself to me and for being real to me. I pray that everyone reading this blog today will experience you in all your fullness. I pray that each of us will experience the joy, peace, and comfort of speaking Your Name. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen"

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

I posted this writing by Marianne Williamson on my blog a week or so back and decided to share it here. A friend brought it to my women's study group a couple of years ago and several ladies present really experienced a light bulb moment, myself included. As I was looking for tax stuff, I found it again. It was my second or third or forth reminder about letting my light shine.

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberated others.

Romans 8:31 "...If God is for us, who can be against us?"
This passage of scripture goes on to say who shall separate us from the love of God (vs 35) suffering, affliction, tribulation, calamity, distress, persecution, hunger, destitution, peril, sword. Then in verse 37 it says, "Yet amid all these things WE ARE MORE THE CONQUERORS and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.

Just a Tiz has written about letting our light shine let us not be fearful of letting our light shine brightly. Let us light the way to the Son for others. Because as Paul says, if God is for us no one is against us because we are more the conquerors through Jesus Christ (paraphrased just a tad).

Father God, holy is Your name, You and You alone are worthy of my praise, worship and adoration. If I don't get the message the first time I hear it, You are so gracious to send me a few more reminders. How awesome You are that You don't lose patience with me. Father forgive me for shrinking back and hiding my light. Forgive me of letting fear of man keep me from being the witness for You that You want me to be. Father thank You for Your forgiveness. Father be so gracious as to grant me wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Thank You for granting my request. Father bless each reader of this post. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name I pray. Amen.

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

Loving God and Loving Others

There are two ways I will know that the Light of Life is shining in my life in 2009.

1. Loving God - Matthew 22:37 "thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, and will all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

2. Loving Others - Matthew 22:39 "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

If I love God then I will love you. Will it be easy? No, in fact it will be impossible, unless the love of Jesus is flowing through me. In John 15:12 God commands me to "love one another as I have loved you". I will love you whether or not you deserve it. If you fail, I will refuse to believe failure is the final answer. I will even believe God can work in your life if you are found guilty of wrong doing.

If you offend me, I will choose to forgive you. I will not hold you in bondage by holding the offense over your head. I will gladly release you into the loving hand of God. I will feel your hurt and your pain. I will be there to support and protect you.

You see, friends, this is the way God loves me. I will have no problem loving you in this manner unless I have hidden my Light under a bushel. I will choose to abide in Him and in His Word so His Light will not be hidden.

"Father, I thank you that you never ask me to be or do anything without empowering me to do it. I thank you for my pastor who shared this message with his congregation this morning. I pray for every person reading this blog today. I pray they will be filled with You, and through them, You will love those they come in contact with today. In Jesus Loving Name I pray, Amen."

Scribbles in my Bible...

I have MANY random markings in my Bible. Not just earnest lines under precious scriptures. Not just stars by verses that touched my heart. Scribbles.... made by little hands.




When the scribbles were first made, I was not exactly pleased. I had conversations with little people with innocent eyes about the word of God... and how we don't scribble scrabble in our Bible. Maybe my lines and stars and notations looked the same as the loops and circles and slashing lines across the page made by those little hands. But still, correction was a part of growing up.



Now I look forward to seeing markings in my children's Bibles... lines under verses that are precious to their hearts. A star by a verse of scripture that spoke to them in a personal way would be such a blessing.

And the marks they left so many years ago? Precious - now I would not take a thing for scribbles in my Bible.



Isaiah 59:21 "And as for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the Lord: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the Lord, "from now and forever."



Father God, I thank You for Your Word. I thank you for the guidance that You have provided me through Your Word... guidance for me, my children, and my children's children, now and forever. In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen.

No power of Hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand.