Pure Joy Awaits

All around me there is pain.
Friends reaching out for prayer because there is pain.
There is physical pain. Emotional pain. Real pain.
We suffer loss, we suffer trials, we suffer pain.
And yet, there is joy.

Verse after verse.
Truth after truth.
Promise after promise.
There is joy.

The sun rising painted the sky purple and pink today as I read:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

 

I recall the first time I let that verse soak in at a women's event hosted by my church. Wendy Blight with Proverbs 31 Ministries spoke and tears ran down my face. I remember wondering did I come here to feel pain? No. I wanted JOY. I looked at my friend next to me who also had tears. I leaned near. "There has to be joy, right?" There was. But I had to tread through the pain, right smack through it to get the JOY. I needed to deal with the real pain to consume the pure JOY of Jesus.

 

There are trials that overwhelm us, trials that create pain but the Joy of Jesus is greater. Greater. Stronger. Pure.

 

Today alone a call for prayer that a tumor will be removed from a sister who desires children in the future. Whisper a prayer.

Today a call for prayer for a father who is in pain from debilitating cancer. A daughter hurting for her father asks for comfort. Whisper a prayer.

Today an email for a father who just laid to rest his bride and now is hospitalized and being tested for cancer. Whisper a prayer.

Pain. Real Pain.

 

The sun rises pink and purple and I say, good morning God. I say prayers to the One "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20) and I trust that He who endured the pain of the cross for me has pure joy awaiting me today.

 

He has joy for you also. He endured the pain because of His love for us that we may have everlasting life. Now that is pure joy.

Rejoice with me ~ Jodie

Doubt No Mor

We all have those times in our lives when we doubt. Times when we think that we could not be possibly be doing it all right. Times when we feel farther away from God than closer to Him. Why? Because we are human. We love to follow our “feelings”. What can we do when we doubt? Keep believing the Gospel. The fact that Jesus has done all that needed to be done on the cross. We need to find rest in Jesus.

God gave us the Bible for such a time as this. When you are having the very best of days, rest in the Gospel. When you are having the very worst of days, rest in the Gospel. In order to progress, we must “always begin again” (Martin Luther). Does that mean that we were never saved in the first place? Well, the good news is that in the unlikely chance that your lack of spiritual progress (or doubt) was really the result of not being born again, the moment you rest in the Gospel, you will be!

In his book, J.D. Greer shared a story that his father shared with him in high school that goes a little something like this “Imagine that there were three men walking along the top of a narrow city wall. The first in line is named “Fact”; the second “Faith”; and the third “Feeling”. Because the wall is narrow they all have to pay careful attention to where they step. As long as “Feeling's” eyes are on “Faith” and “Faith's” eyes are on “Fact”, they will be fine. But the moment that that “Faith” takes its eyes off “Fact” and turns around to check on “Feelings” both “Faith” and “Feeling” will fall! Then J.D. says “Don't feel your way into your beliefs; believe your way into your feelings.” When we rest in Christ's finished work on the cross, we are known by Jesus, we have assurance that we are saved. Doubt no more!

I leave you with this:

"Knowing that you know that you know Jesus, and that Jesus knows you, will lead to more peace and joy than you dreamed possible."

Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep the posture of faith. Rest your hand on His head. Know that Jesus took your place. Know that He is faithful. And know that He meant what He said when He said:

"IT IS FINISHED"

~ Donna

Home

Homecoming.
The word means several different things.
This weekend it was our local high school Homecoming. Festivities, reunions, game-preparations...a whole lot of hoopla! There was excitement everywhere. Special decorations. Special clothes. A parade. Gatherings of past graduates.

Websters first definition of homecoming is "the act of returning to your home or to a place that is like your home". I wonder when they added the "OR". You see I understand the "or" but my husband does not. Let me try to elaborate. From the time I was eight years old my home took the shape of well...I am not sure it took shape. My parents split. My home became disjointed. I rested my head on many a different pillow at night. My clothes were always in the wrong place. My heart had trouble resting. And if home is where the heart is...mine was torn. My husband on the other hand knows exactly where "home" is and still returns to visit his parents in the same home that he celebrated birthdays and Christmas for his entire single life.

Home. It should bring a warm feeling to say the word. But as I talked with others this weekend about the painful mistakes that take place in some homes, with some families, I was reminded that the word homecoming may not be very special to everyone. The saying "Home Sweet Home" may make some people cringe. The truth is that there are homes that are worn, torn, broken. Abusive situations exist that take the heart right out of home.

Where can home be when this is the state our domain?
When wrecking balls are tearing through the heart of home?
Where do we rest?
Where do we celebrate?
Where do we have peace?
Love?

This earthly life we have been given is a temporary home. But it is home until the time we join with our Father in heaven. When Jesus departed from his disciples he promised a gift.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

 

The peace that Jesus left as a gift is there for each of us. It is that peace that makes me feel at home. Home is where my heart is and my heart is with Jesus. Jesus fills my longing for a place to call home. I am looking forward to a beautiful homecoming someday. Until then I do my best to fill my home with the love of Christ so that others who enter will feel home.

 

There are some children in this town who get excited when they drive by my house. They want to go to "Ms Jodie's House". I keep an open door for friends and friends of friends. My hope is that they feel loved in this place that I call home and that they see Jesus. So that one day they will get excited and say, "I want to go to Jesus' house!"

 

 

Homecoming....what does it mean to you? If you long for a place to call home that is filled with love turn to the love of Jesus. His love alone can fill the most broken places and create home right where you are today.

Let your heart be filled with the love of Jesus ~ Jodie

Prepared for glory!

Planning for an adventure!

The plan: Take a trip to the mountains.

The participants: Ever changing.

The goal: Varied.

 

Several months ago a few of us began plotting to take a trip. We wanted to see friends, explore a new area, prepare for new things. I'm not a pick up and go without a plan gal, so we arranged a date, lodging, transportation, activities, devotions. But even with the best laid plans there were several things that changed. The people planning to go had things interfere. The car we would drive was acting up. Little things here and there, but I really wanted to take this trip. I saw an adventure and I like adventure.

 

The day arrive to leave. I pack. I drive around picking up the few remaining travelers.

My excitement builds.

Just a few hours before it was time to leave I was given a sense of direction from God.

I had many prayers about this trip. But just before leaving I knew what God desired in my heart.

See my sudden glory. See it and know that it is me.

 

So with bags packed, a heart prepared we were off! We left low land for the hills.

I had expectations.

And the closer we got to the destination I wondered if I would see what I planned to see.

The jeep was full of laughter up the mountain. My heart was fill of expectation.

Wound there be sudden glory? And would I know that it was God?

I prayed.

 

The first morning we headed out to enjoy the festivities of the area I watched closely. The area that was hidden in the darkness of night as we arrived was revealed by the morning light. A small hill with a cross was just outside the door. I listened intently and heard water moving. There must be a stream. The air was crisp, the company was delightful. I was fully prepared (you know I planned!).

God show me your glory.

 

A hearty breakfast. Camera in hand. Friends by my side. One lucky girl!

We had a great time watching worms race....just picture a fuzzy worm, given a name, placed on a string and then cheered to a finish line. Despite how silly it may sound it was exciting and there were thousands lined up to get in, to watch, to race. It was a delightful time.

 

A picnic lunch. Camera in hand. Friends by my side. One lucky girl! Hungry, but lucky.

We set out for the scenery. Traffic was lining the roads. It appeared we may be stalled. But God made a way, a quick way through to where it would happen. I would see. I would know. There would be his sudden glory.

We rounded a turn.

I was driving.

There was a bridge that hung in the air.

The sun, the mountains, the leaves, the sky.

My tears.

His splendor.

My awe.

His masterpiece.

My belief.

His glory.

 

In a moment I knew that my prayer to see his glory and know that it was him speaking to me was answered. God is good. Always good. Today he is good. Yesterday he was good and tomorrow he will be good.

Are you planning? Planning to see his glory?

Jodie

 



Back to the Basics

The basics.
In school they are reading, writing and arithmetic.
Most reading this may not be in school,  but there are "basics" for just about anything.
There are basics for eating healthy, exercise, cleaning house, maintaining a car, balancing a checkbook, having good friendships. You name something...there are basics.

Today I wondered why is it so hard to stick to the basics?
Some days I just want to skip right over them and move on.
Some days I don't want to take time with the basics.
I think God knew we would be like that and thus why we breathe without thought!
Some of us wouldn't want to take the time to breathe if we had the option...we would want to skip right past that step and get on with whatever is next; whatever is better; whatever fulfills us more.

The basics. Are there basics that draw us nearer to God?
I think so.
 Last night as I drove home from Faithfully Fit I talked with God about "the basics".
My prayer life, my bible study time.
They are two simple things. Two basic things. But when placed together and given the importance they deserve they are anything but basic.
They are life altering, life changing.
They are like the heart beating and the lungs breathing.

In college our Sunday School teacher would ask a question and one answer we always knew would work was simply put, "prayer". It became a running joke but it was very true. Prayer is a basic. Prayer is life altering. Prayer is life sustaining.  Think of it as the heartbeat of your life with Christ.
Today as I read my bible I saw verses underlined, but as I read them they were fresh and new. They were water to my thirst. They were food for my hunger. The words I read tasted good and the Lord was satisfying my needs. Think of time in the bible as your nourishment.

The basics.
Skipping over them lends itself to great disorder.
If prayer is the heartbeat and bible study is our nourishment can we afford to forget them?
     "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."   He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ' "
                                                                                                                                 Luke 11:1-4
Give us our daily bread.
Today I encourage us to dwell long in the basics.
Start each day with the basics.
Draw nearer to Jesus with the basics.
Prayer the heartbeat. Bible the nourishment.

Writer's Block!

Writers Block!
No one who loves to write wants it, but most who write have experienced it.
For two days I have stared at a blank screen and nothing.
Even now the words don't flow as freely as normal. But from experience I know that to get through the block I must press past the "white space" on the page.

I've always liked to write.
As a little girl I played school for fun.
As a school girl I wrote..."I will not talk in class".
As a teenager I wrote countless notes to friends.
As a mother I wrote to my unborn child.
As a wife I wrote to my husband in the military.
As a daughter and granddaughter I wrote home.
Now, I write to tell others about Christ and His love for each of His beloved.

Paul wrote letter after to letter to those he wanted to tell about Christ. As he traveled, when he was imprisoned, he wrote. He reached out. He loved. He encouraged. All through written word.
John wrote to encourage, instruct and share. John wrote truth wrapped in Love.
The Bible is the inspired word of God.

The Bible is worth reading over and over. Daily it will speak truth and love into your heart.

This miserable writer's block has now persisted over two weeks. Yesterday I searched for inspiration.
I just knew today would be the day.
The day the block would be removed.
But it is still there.
It's ok...in the meantime...I will read the letters of Paul, John and others all within the Bible. Those writings are far more profitable than those I pen.
~Jodie

Finish the Race

The start of a race begins with the finish in mind.

 

 

This weekend we set out to finish!

We set out on a course with the finish in mind.

The finish line. It is the one place that everyone wants to cross. We may not always set out knowing, or even believing that we can finish; but we want to finish.

 

Running doesn't come natural to me. I almost walk as fast as I run. It is against my better judgement to run. It is against my nature to run. But running is good for me. Running strengthens and stretches me. And training to run has taught me that not all things worth finishing come without pain.

 

No pain, No gain.

I don't know who said it, and truthfully I am not very found of the saying.

But it has some merit.

When we train to run, we sweat, we breathe heavy, we have pain. But in the end there is gain.

We gain healthy bodies, we gain perseverance, we gain the victory and satisfaction of crossing the finish line.

This weekend the ladies of Faithfully Fit set out to complete The Color Run. Whether we were running, walking or a combination of the two, we all had a goal....TO FINISH. Within hours of the run I saw the shout outs on facebook..."today I did my first 5K!", "today I survived my first 5K!", "today I finished!".
There were smiles, there was laughter, there was excitement.

Friday night before the race some of the ladies gathered for prayer and devotion.
Run the race, keep the pace, keep your eyes on Jesus.

Jesus set the ultimate example of reaching the finish line.
He went to the finish for you and for me.
When I consider the pain of the cross my heart tears and opens for His love to pour into me. Do you see the importance of His finish?
The finished work of the cross was for our sin. Today's sin. Yesterday's sin. Tomorrow's sin.
The finished work of the cross means we are cleansed when we believe and trust in Jesus.

This weekend we set out to run a race. I didn't even know the route I would be traveling. But I knew I wanted to reach the finish. Everyday God asks us to run a race. A race that He lays out the course and the finish; no matter where the beginning and middle lead, it always ends at HIM.
It doesn't always come natural to run this race. It does come with pain, but the gain is well worth any struggle.

This weekend a sweet Faithfully Fit sister leaned over and said, "Thank you, I couldn't have done this without you". Everyday, every week, that is what Faithfully Fit is all about. Sitting in the floor, telling others to run the race, to keep their eyes on Jesus, so they know the one who finished the work of the cross.
Every week we sweat together so that we may pray together.
We laugh together so that we may cry together.
We love together so that all know that they are loved.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3