WE Weekend

This past weekend I attended Prestonwood Baptist Women's Retreat called WE Weekend. My brain is still processing everything I learned. I was really excited about this weekend, because I just needed to be refueled. I knew a few slaps in the face would be coming my way.

Can I just tell you I am in SUCH AWE of how the Lord works and speaks in mighty ways. The worship team did a dynamic job leading us, which put a few new favorite songs in my head that I keep singing.

Yesterday as we were wrapping up the retreat, all women of all ages were encouraged to come down forward and fill out a card of things they were going to commit to do, whether it be in the WORD for 20 minutes a day or make a change in their life. As I stood passing out cards to Women, I was in awe of how many older women came down and took cards. Then God spoke to me, saying Jenn, even when these older women are retired, or have grand babies they still have their own issues. This is why it is so Important that whatever phase of life you are in, that we Encourage our other Sisters in Christ!! No they may not be able to emphasize on my single life, but they can truly love on me and vice versa.

Through Debbie's message on Friday night I learned that there are things in my life that interfere with my relationship with the Lord. I have journaled those things to the Lord. But she encouraged everyone in the room to spend 20 minutes a day in the Word for the rest of our Lives... Let me tell you if you are not doing this, I Challenge you to Jump on board, it really will rock your WORLD.

Next, Arnita Taylor spoke on the Intecessory of Prayer, and my sweet friends, it made me just want to PRAY more...I want to not only Pray but to be Still more and Listen to the Lord speak to me.

On Saturday morning, I took to heart Julie Choate's message on Complaining. My prayer is to change the complaints and see the good in the problem by replacing it with thanksgiving and gratitude. Also to run to by Abba Father and give him the things bothering me.

Marian Jordan spoke and she just blessed my heart, with her teaching on the Lies we believe verses the TRUTH.. Now let me just tell you her testimony is Amazing, but the JOY and Love she has for the Lord is truly Catching. It was such an encouragement to me to hear the Word that the Lord gave her to speak. I needed it so much!

I'm in total AWE of the Lord and the message that Chrissie gave to us on Being in Awe of our Lord. Everyday God puts things in our lives to be in AWE of, its just slowing down and looking for them.

I am so thankful for the Leadership of Prestonwoods Women's ministry. We are so fortunate to be led by women who Encourage and share God's word. I have so much more on my heart, but I have to get some sleep.... They gym is calling my name very early in the morning...

God is Good and I'm thankful for all of the ways he is molding me into being more like HIM!
Jenn

Be Encouraged......

This morning as I was studying God's word. I read this verse:

Numbers 15:41 (ASVB)

"I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God, I am the Lord Your God."

Today no matter what you are going through the good or bad, take time to see what the Lord has brought you out of, and get excited about what he has planned for you. He is our God. Let him have full reigns and control over your life!

Blessings and Love,
Jenn

That's My Girl

As I was sitting in my room just thinking about things these words popped into my Head. "That's my Girl."These are the Words I want the Lord to say about me, as I go through the day. I want the Lord to be so proud of me even when I'm having a rough day. Yes, I want to hear him say Well Done, my good and Faithful servant when I get to Heaven but the here and now... I want him to Say That's my Girl and even though she might be sad right now, she handled that situation with Grace and Love. So this Week my Goal is to Think things through before I do them, Does it really Honor and Glorify the Lord to make him say, That's My Girl...

Will you join me this Week??
God Bless
Jenn

My Testimony

A Few weeks ago we were challenged to share our story through a video on facebook, and that it should be 2 minutes. Well that was kind of hard for me, and I really want to share with you how much the Lord has done in my life. My world was wrecked when I was 5 years old, when my parents split, and the divorce was final when I was 6 years old. Here is what I learned very early in life, that my real dad would not keep his promises, and he would not show up to get me on his designated weekends. My mom was an amazing Single mom, who truly provided for my every need, and never once said an ugly word about my dad.

On the week of my 7th birthday we were having a church revival at Denman Avenue. It was through the next couple of days that I started asking alot of questions to my mom. The day after my birthday is always very special because it is my Spiritual Birthday, the day were I asked Christ to be my Lord and Saviour, and to forgive me for my sins.

I continued to grow up in the church and have several amazing people in my life that taught me what it meant to love the Lord. When I was nine my life was changed my adding my Pop to our family. He showed me what true Godly love was all about, and he followed through with his promises.

As life continued on, I had some hard hits very on that were very devastating, but through the Lord carrying me, and other people to encourage me, I continued on this Joyful Journey of life. As I started my Sophomore year of college, my Dad had a heart attack and died. This was one of the most devastating times in my life. I was so upset and an emotional wreck, seriously I ate everything in sight. Dealing with my dad's death sent me into a depression, I gained over 40 pounds in a short period of time. When I was so angry that my dad was gone, God again had already gone ahead of me and put amazing men in my life, that had lost parents. My pop, Bro. Kevin, and Bro. Keith, and they continued to give me love, support, and encouragement through this rocky time in my life.

One of the songs, that came out a few months after my dad died, was I can only imagine by Mercy Me, this was the first time I could see Heaven in a different way. There are still some days when I hear this song that my eyes tear up.

The verse that God has given me lately is James 4:8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you! Here is the deal no matter where you are in life only God can help you when the days are dark, or the days are full of Joy, he wants to be your BIGGEST FAN. If you have not asked Christ into your heart, my prayer is that you will get it settled today. If you have questions about this I would love to talk with you.
Have you shared your testimony with someone? If not I challenge you to tell one person this week, how you came to know the Lord as your Personal Lord and Saviour.
God Bless and Love,
Jenn

You Are
By Jason Castro

If you know me I really love music, all types, but this song has meant so much to me. This song is on the radio but I play it on my ipod while I'm working out! It has such a catchy beat but it also has such an Important Message! Thank you God for being who you are, no matter what we are going through in life.

You Are our Constant and I hope we will remember that to not get ahead of YOU! But to put Our relationship with you First and foremost.

Thankful for who You Are,
Jenn

Who has Impacted Your Life??

Wow! Isn't this a loaded question? There are so many people I could write to you and tell you about. Lately I have been thinking of my most amazing Babysitter- Lisa Stevens. Lisa was 10 years older than me, and we made so many memories together. She even came to my birthday parties and was just like the big sister I had always wanted. Lisa was always letting me tag along with her and her brother Billy. They took me to my First movie without my mom and we got lots of Candy.

Lisa had such a twinkle in her eye, as we always talked, she was very real with me. She taught me many life lessons, but she always talked about the Lord. Lisa was killed in a car accident, and it really rocked my world, because I not only lost a babysitter, but an amazing Big Sister. She has been gone for a long time now, but she has given me so many memories. Lisa taught me how to be the best babysitter and how to love kids.

Who has impacted your life??

Wanting to live a life of Impacting People,
Jenn

The Fairy Tale of Relationships

After Monday nights episode of the Bachelor, I have had lots of conversations with friends about it. Yes, I have not watched the Bachelor in a couple of seasons, but because a friend of mine was on this season I had to watch it. Yes, I was a huge fan for Team Emily.
I am glad they said they were having problems, because relationships are a lot of work and they are not always glamorous.. Growing up, I remember thinking of relationships like a Princess, they end happily ever after, but did I think they were a lot of work, NOOO....I thought it was just easy.

As I have spent time thinking about relationships in my life, I know the right one is out there but its Waiting on the Lord for me to meet him! Here is what the Lord has taught me in order to be ready for that Relationship:

• How is your time alone with the Lord? - If you are having trouble spending time with him now, how will you when you are in a relationship.
• Are you listening to God's voice? Is he calling you to do something while you are in this waiting period?
• How are you spending your time? Is God calling you to serve while you wait. I have had more fun serving in different areas while I grow closer to the Lord.
• Is God wanting you to go on a mission trip?
  
• Are you pouting because you are not in a relationship? Are you spreading JOY while you are waiting on God's best.
• When that relationship comes into your life- Will you be READY?

My Favorite Verse comes into play with writing this- Psalms 37:4 "Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your HEART."
For so long I have shared with friends that Contentment is Huge while you are Single, but seeing God at work during this time in my life has been the Biggest Blessing. My life truly has been an Adventure- and I am looking forward to the next adventure, whatever Christ has instore for me...

What has been your biggest VICTORY while waiting on God's Best?
Waiting Patiently,
Jenn

Let's Celebrate
A Tribute to Mama Smith

Yes, today is a Wonderful day to Celebrate my birthday, but it is also a bittersweet day for me to. Five Years ago today my Mama Smith(my dad's mom) went to be with the Lord. As I woke up this morning the verse was stuck in my head:
Phillipians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!!

This morning I rejoice that my ma-ma has been in Heaven for five years, spending time with the Lord. But I want to tell you this morning how much she invested in my life. She prayed for and loved me unconditionally. I learned a lot about hosting and serving through her.
Today I miss not being able to tell her all of the things I have accomplished, she would be so proud! I am extremely grateful that she showed me what a Godly woman looked like, by continually praying, reading the bible around me, and most importantly asking me tough questions. So Today I rejoice that the Lord is GOOD, and his plans are Perfect!

Let's Rejoice,
Jenn

Faith, Faith, and Faith

This morning as I was reading about one of the miracles Jesus performed in Mark 9:17-29, I was hit on the head when I got to the verse, 23

And Jesus said to him, "If you Can! All things are possible to him who believes."

I get so worked up sometimes about things that I am laying at the Lord's feet because he might not be answering the prayer as quick as I want him to or I have a lack of Faith that the thing I am asking the Lord for will not happen. So this morning, I am truly believing that With this Amazing Journey with the Lord, he truly has my best at heart, and HE DESIRES most for my FAITH to be increased... How can your Faith be increased today???

Having Faith in the Lord, For he is Good!
Jenn

Donut Holes

On Sunday morning, I decided to treat my junior girls, with a box full of donut holes. As they kept eating them, they would make comments, like just one more, or ughh its making me sick, but I'll just have another one. (Yes, I was a good and ate an apple while they ate their donut holes.)

As the girls were talking the Lord reminded me of Just how we want one more donut hole or something sweet, we keep going back for more, when we are trying to stop. It's just like the sin that we get entangled with we continue to go back to it, when we need to Stop. Take a deep breath, and give it to the Lord. We need to lay this sin at his feet, and stop trying to do it again.

God wants to carry our burdens and the sin that gets in the way of knowing God more intimately. Is there a sin in your life that you are having trouble giving it all to the Lord? If so, I pray today that you would remember 1Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxieties on the Lord, and he will Care for YOU! You are not alone, God wants to be in total control of your life, and wants to help you with the sin, that you might struggle with.

So, the next time you eat a Donut hole, think of me, as I miss that sweet treat!
God Bless
Jenn

Scripture for the Week

Last week, Jenny shared this verse with me that she had been memorizing, and of course its exactly one of those Verses I need to memorize and spend time on. Thanks Jenny for sharing this verse with me.

Here we go
Isaiah 30:18
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to me, therefore he will rise up to show you Compassion. For the Lord is a GOD of justice. Blessed are ALL who WAIT for HIM.

First, I went and looked up the definition of Gracious, and it means pleasantly kind, and courteous. Second, I have really just spent time saying this scripture over and over again. As you know, alot of the scriptures I've been posting lately have been about being still and Waiting for the Lord. So here I am again, Wanting to Wait on the Lord like never before. I'm learning that sometimes it gets frustrating while waiting on the Lord, but then when I read this verse God wants to be kind to me, and not to frustrate me... I just have to keep Trusting Him and Spending more time in the Word and with the Lord.

I hope that Today, you will be blessed by this verse, and let it minister to you if your heart is heavy, that you will be Reminded God will show you Compassion and Love.

God Bless,
Jenn

Get Charged Up....

This morning as I was working out I was making a list in my head of everything I needed to get done today. When I got home I needed to charge my mini ipod...Which made me think about how we are Half way through the week, and we need to keep ourselves Charged up!

Here is the verse the Lord showed me this morning:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV

We are half way through this week, so how can you stay Charged Up:

• Spending time alone with the Lord
• Pray-in fact try increase your prayer time
• Memorize scripture- so you are constantly going over it in your brain
• Accountability- who are you talking with and sharing what God is teaching you or things you are trying to work on.
• Journal- Take time to write to God what is on your Heart...
  
• Turn on Christian music in the car or listen to a sermon while you are in your car.

Trying to Stay Charged Up,
Jenn

Learning to Be....
Completely Dependent on the Lord

This morning while I was working out with Jenny C, we were chatting and all of a sudden this phrase came out of my mouth. I'm learning to be Completely Dependent on the Lord. This is what I am learning in my life right now, about Surrendering and laying down everything that is going on in my life. I am learning more and more each day about the Power of Prayer and how the Lord just longs and wants me to spend uninterrupted time with him. So this week I am trying to spend more time Praising God for who he is and all the wonderful things he is doing in my life and even through the growing pains of things he is trying to teach me.

I don't know about you, but I just do not want to miss out opportunities that the Lord has for me because I'm caught up on things that do not matter. This morning I keep going back to these scriptures in Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

No matter what trial, or joy you are going through right now Christ so wants Us to seek him with everything that we have and run into his arms, and lay it all at his feet. When is the last time you have given things to the Lord that you are struggling with? I'm learning when we truly let it Go, and Give it to God. His plan is so much better, and I am drawing closer to the Lord.

I have so enjoyed chatting with people about the blogs Ive written whether it be through Facebook, email, text or a phone call. I truly would love to know what is Lord teaching you right now? Let me know how I can be praying for you!

God Bless and Love,
Jenn