I saw the coolest status question on Facebook today... " if your life flashes before your eyes when you die... will it be worth watching?" One person's comment to this was "not really - though I wish that we could pick someone else's to watch..."
Now I don't know about u, but if my life flashed before my eyes when I die I would want it to be a life that's worth looking at!
I would want to have had a life that brought Praise and Glory and Honor to the Lord first and foremost... I would want my life to reflect the God I love and serve. No doubt there would be many difficult times that would flash by as well as times of happiness and joy... But ultimately what matters most is knowing that my sins are forgiven and that I am ready for heaven.
We often live our lives like this is it but, this world is not our final home... And so its important to live each day in the presence of the Lord, mindful that if He were to return would He be pleased with what He sees...
My Pop Carter has been remembered as a man of great faith. A man who served the Lord, who proclaimed the gospel and who influenced others for the Kingdom of God. That's my aim as well.... That I will be a woman of great faith who serves her Lord and makes a difference in the lives of others for the Kingdom of God.
God bless!!
Jennifer
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
God's Plans...
Over the past days I have been giving much thought to God's Will, Purpose and Plan for my life.
This is not a new topic, it is something I have often thought about and struggled with ever since my days in University.
Every child has dreams and plans of what that want to be when they grow up... usually as children the answers include a teacher, nurse, fire fighter, policeman/woman, lawyer, doctor and the list goes on... As a child I had two dream jobs one was to be a Lawyer and the other was to own my own NHL team :D. Unfortunately neither of those came to be!!
As I have been dealing with my panic attacks over the past months I once again have been giving a lot of thought to my career goals, dreams, and future... With those thoughts come many questions such as; Am I doing what the Lord wants me to do with my life? Is my chosen field of work what God sees for me? Am I fulfilled in Ministry? Am I truly content or am I so content that I have stopped listening to God's leading?? These are questions which only the Lord and I can answer.
As I was doing my daily Devotions I came across this interesting question:
Are you holding on tightly to some best-laid plans that God is nudging you to let go of? Trust him, lean back and enjoy the ride.
That's the question I am asking myself tonite and maybe its a question you need to ask yourself as well? I don't know the answer to that only you and God can know the answer. I pray that you too will be open to His leading in your life.
This is not a new topic, it is something I have often thought about and struggled with ever since my days in University.
Every child has dreams and plans of what that want to be when they grow up... usually as children the answers include a teacher, nurse, fire fighter, policeman/woman, lawyer, doctor and the list goes on... As a child I had two dream jobs one was to be a Lawyer and the other was to own my own NHL team :D. Unfortunately neither of those came to be!!
As I have been dealing with my panic attacks over the past months I once again have been giving a lot of thought to my career goals, dreams, and future... With those thoughts come many questions such as; Am I doing what the Lord wants me to do with my life? Is my chosen field of work what God sees for me? Am I fulfilled in Ministry? Am I truly content or am I so content that I have stopped listening to God's leading?? These are questions which only the Lord and I can answer.
As I was doing my daily Devotions I came across this interesting question:
Are you holding on tightly to some best-laid plans that God is nudging you to let go of? Trust him, lean back and enjoy the ride.
That's the question I am asking myself tonite and maybe its a question you need to ask yourself as well? I don't know the answer to that only you and God can know the answer. I pray that you too will be open to His leading in your life.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
That I Might Live....
I am one of those people who finds inspiration at what may seem to be the strangest times! Today is a great example of this... I was watching a lunch time TV program that mom and I enjoy and in the show a man had died while rescuing a teenage boy who had fallen through the ice. The 'haha lightbulb moment' for me was when the mom was explaning to her son that the man had died and she said 'He died so that you could have life. He was willing to risk his live to save yours.' Immediately in my mind I thought you know that is what Jesus did for me. He died so that I could have LIFE. He didnt freeze to death in a lake. He died on a cruel rugged cross for my sins so that I could have LIFE - Eternal Life. When he bowed His head and died on that Good Friday He died so that I could live... not live in the physical body but live spiritually. Today I am so thankful that Jesus was willing to die for me... that he was willing to lay down his life so that my sins could be forgiven. He died so that one day I can live with Him forever in heaven! Now that's what I call being rescued!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Heart Check
Tonight I had the opportunity via the internet to watch the morning service from Springdale Corps. As I listened to Major Doreen's message about having a Heart Check, I found myself examining my own heart. Of course the heart she was talking about was the 'spiritual' heart. One of the verses she made reference to which really caught my attention was 2 Cor. 10:5 'Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.' As I reflected on this verse I thought to myself 'how many of my thoughts are Christ-like? How many of my thoughts are truly 'under the spirit's control'? It is SO EASY when in a case like mine faced with panic attacks and days filled with often more questions than answers to feel overwhelmed, to feel a sense of 'no one understands', a sense of how much more can I take??
As I reflected on all this I realized some important truths...
No matter the panic attacks, no matter how rough the day may be I am NEVER ALONE. The Lord is with me.
Some things in this life I can not control. I can not control how others treat me... and sometimes their treatment will be cruel and harsh and cause me a lot of pain. But I will not be overcome by this... I will not be overcome by evil but will overcome evil with good.
I can not change these nasty people that treat me wrong but I can choose to rise above this by placing my every thought and feeling before the Lord and allowing Him to heal me. Allow Him to restore me and to be able to face each day not in my strength but in His strength.
Tonight the Joy of the Lord is my strength. He is my rock, my fortress... He is my salvation!
Tonite I have examined my heart... I pray that during this month of February that is often known as 'Heart Month' that you will examine your heart as well.
Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
One of my favorite choruses says:
Jesus I long to be like you
loving in every way
Jesus I need to be like you
Please hear me as I pray.
You are my pattern for living
Your way of life is my goal
Patient and kind and forgiving
Under the Spirit's control
Transform my life from within Lord
Come and my heart refine
You are my pattern for living
Give me a heart like thine.
As I reflected on all this I realized some important truths...
No matter the panic attacks, no matter how rough the day may be I am NEVER ALONE. The Lord is with me.
Some things in this life I can not control. I can not control how others treat me... and sometimes their treatment will be cruel and harsh and cause me a lot of pain. But I will not be overcome by this... I will not be overcome by evil but will overcome evil with good.
I can not change these nasty people that treat me wrong but I can choose to rise above this by placing my every thought and feeling before the Lord and allowing Him to heal me. Allow Him to restore me and to be able to face each day not in my strength but in His strength.
Tonight the Joy of the Lord is my strength. He is my rock, my fortress... He is my salvation!
Tonite I have examined my heart... I pray that during this month of February that is often known as 'Heart Month' that you will examine your heart as well.
Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
One of my favorite choruses says:
Jesus I long to be like you
loving in every way
Jesus I need to be like you
Please hear me as I pray.
You are my pattern for living
Your way of life is my goal
Patient and kind and forgiving
Under the Spirit's control
Transform my life from within Lord
Come and my heart refine
You are my pattern for living
Give me a heart like thine.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Cardboard Testimonies
While looking at my Facebook friends profiles today I came across a very interesting link cakked 'Cardboard Testimonies'. I will include the link at the end of the blog so that you can see it as well. Simply put each person on the video on one side of a piece of cardborad had written something about their life 'before becoming a born again Christian' and then on the other side of the cardboard something about their life since becoming a born again Christian... The words on each piece of cardboard were powerful testimonies to the saving and life-changing difference that Jesus has made in each of their lives.
As I looked at each of the cardboard testimonies I couldn't help but think, "What is my cardboard testimony? and What is the cardboard testimony of my family members and friends?" Each of us who are born again believers in Jesus have a 'cardboard testimony'.
As you look at like video think about what your cardboard testimony is and if you want leave a comment on my blog and share your cardboard testimony with me.
Here is the link for the video...
http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies/
As I looked at each of the cardboard testimonies I couldn't help but think, "What is my cardboard testimony? and What is the cardboard testimony of my family members and friends?" Each of us who are born again believers in Jesus have a 'cardboard testimony'.
As you look at like video think about what your cardboard testimony is and if you want leave a comment on my blog and share your cardboard testimony with me.
Here is the link for the video...
http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies/
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
An Historic Day
Today has been refered to many times as an historic day. As a Canadian I sat with my eyes transfixed on the TV screen watching as the first African American - Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America. In his first address to the people as President he spoke much about change and how change can not just come from him and the White House but that change must come from the people of America. I watched as literally millions of people gathered in Washington today and hung on his every word. Watching history unfold before my eyes... Something to be able to tell future generations - I remember where I was on January 20, 2009. Yes today was an historic day. A day of hope, a day of change, a day of excitement.
As we look ahead on this great day to the days, weeks, months and years to come may we each remember the importance of this day... And may God Bless President Barack Obama!
As we look ahead on this great day to the days, weeks, months and years to come may we each remember the importance of this day... And may God Bless President Barack Obama!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Storms
The past few days here in Wesleyville we have been experiencing some very cold temps and high winds. Now some people may think its kinda corny but whenever I am out trying to walk in high winds I can't help but think about the many inward storms I face. I know what its like to be 'tossed about' by this world. I have seen first hand how satan can use Christians to destroy (or at the very least attempt to destroy) other people's faith and their walk with God. I have seen how satan attacks the workplace and uses people there to destroy another's mental well-being. Those are just 2 of many example I could name.
Very few people want to admit or believe that satan is a force in this world. People have become so busy with their lives of hobbies, leisure and work that spiritual matters have taken a 'back seat'.
But whether we choose to believe it or not satan is very much at work in our homes, schools, workplaces and yes, even our churches. Why are so few people attending church? Why are Christians discouraged? Is this not the work of satan himself?
We all face 'storms' in our lives. Everyone of us has problems that we face whether its panic attacks, financial, family, health, school, death of a loved one, and the list goes on... I am learning as I I have been dealing with my own 'storms' over the past few years that the key to staying strong even in the storms is to keep my eyes on Jesus. Yes, just like a windy day blows me about physically, the storms of life have blown me about and continue to blow me about mentally and emotionally. But spiritually no matter the storm, I know that I know the Master of the Wind - Jesus. And I know that no matter the storm no matter how severe it may be He holds my life in His hands.
So as you face the winds of doubt, dispear, loneliness, pain, etc in your life I pray that you too will remember that Jesus is the Master of the Wind. He doesn't always make the storm go away but I know from experience in my own life that He helps and provides the strength to get through the storm.
Very few people want to admit or believe that satan is a force in this world. People have become so busy with their lives of hobbies, leisure and work that spiritual matters have taken a 'back seat'.
But whether we choose to believe it or not satan is very much at work in our homes, schools, workplaces and yes, even our churches. Why are so few people attending church? Why are Christians discouraged? Is this not the work of satan himself?
We all face 'storms' in our lives. Everyone of us has problems that we face whether its panic attacks, financial, family, health, school, death of a loved one, and the list goes on... I am learning as I I have been dealing with my own 'storms' over the past few years that the key to staying strong even in the storms is to keep my eyes on Jesus. Yes, just like a windy day blows me about physically, the storms of life have blown me about and continue to blow me about mentally and emotionally. But spiritually no matter the storm, I know that I know the Master of the Wind - Jesus. And I know that no matter the storm no matter how severe it may be He holds my life in His hands.
So as you face the winds of doubt, dispear, loneliness, pain, etc in your life I pray that you too will remember that Jesus is the Master of the Wind. He doesn't always make the storm go away but I know from experience in my own life that He helps and provides the strength to get through the storm.
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