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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
4:25:50 AM CDT
My Prayer for Today!
I could not seem to sleep this morning, tried and tried to lie there and go back to sleep. When this happens I know Jesus is trying to tell me something. I pray today for the safety of everyone, even people I do not know. Seems the internet and local newspapers are full of more and more people getting hurt in one way or another. God I ask your blessings and hand of safety on all my family members, scattered around this country, and my friends where ever they may travel today. Lord Jesus you know my heart and the burdens I keep giving to you, please take them from me, and keep them, I trust you to handle all of them today, and always. You clearly spoke to me the other morning, and ask me Do you not trust me? Lord, I do trust you, I know you will take care of the problems in our life. I also know I ask the best be done for all involved. I lift each one up to you, you know all our needs, and you say in your word you will always meet those needs, and Lord Jesus, I know from your love for me you will. Lord, I ask for the strength to help others in the way you want me to. I ask for the patience to allow you to do the work in our life. I most of all want to thank you for my life, and the life of others in my family. Thank you for saving me, and giving me life in Heaven someday for eternity. Lord I ask if anyone who reads this does not know you as their Lord and personel Savior to speak to them, that they may seek you, and get to someone who can help them. Guide me Lord through this day, let me do your will for my life. I ask these things in your Holy Name. Amen
Written by jelynnd
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Monday, August 11, 2008
10:50:23 AM CDT
Feeling Thankful
When We Disobey God
All of us, or if not all, most have heard the story of Jonah and the whale. Jonah was given a clear command by God what to do, but he chose to run from God. Did he really think he could? Did I really think I could? Times when I have known I am doing something that God is not pleased with me, I have chosen to ignore him, but he always gets my attention in one way or another. Thank goodness not in the way he did Jonah, because I think I would be more than a little scared to be in the belly of a whale for 3 days. You know Jonah knew what he had done, just as I have when I chose to ignore what God has told me to do at times. He was a man of great faith in God, and cryed out to God from the belly of the whale. God heard him, just as he always hears us when we talk to him, whether it is in the time of a crisis or just on a daily basis. The Bible tells us in the story of Jonah that God provided a way out for Jonah, when Jonah adknowleded he had disobeyed God, ask for forgiveness, and was willing to follow God no matter where he was lead, God allowed the whale to spit Jonah out on dry land. I am so thankful to know Jesus as my Lord, and Saviour, to know he is always there for me, and will never leave me. Jesus doesn't leave us, we turn out back on him when we choose sin over the right thing to do. God provided, that little phrase means much to me, because He told us in his word, he would provide out needs always, He would never leave me nor forsake me, He is closer than a friend at all times. What peace I have knowing my Jesus is looking out for me, there waiting for me to talk to him, to rely on him for every need I have. I want to listen to God, follow his directions for my life, and not be like Jonah. I want to run towards my Jesus, not away from him. Whatever or where ever he leads me, I want to be willing to follow, and do what he ask of me. Thank you God for your lessens in your word, the Bible, Lord help me to put you first in everything. Amen
Written by jelynnd
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Monday, August 4, 2008
9:25:57 PM CDT
Feeling Confused
Emotions
I sometimes wonder if people think they can always go by their emotions? I hope they don't base the love for someone on the way you are feeling on a particular day. Things that can change someone's life in an instant, should not be based on feelings or emotions all the time. We have to stop and look at the big picture, what the consequences will be if you change everything because of one feeling. We have to be in control of our emotions, let them happen, but try to find the good from the emotion, even anger. There can be bad and good consequences from every emotion we feel, even fear. It is what you let that fear do to you. The same with anger, and desires. The desires we have can destroy us as a person, if we give into them, or you can let the desires show how strong you can be through Jesus Christ. When someone has wronged you, your anger can build and it can destroy you, and lead to violence, but if we let that anger come out as only a learning experience, then it can be for the good also. I know some anger inside me has lead me to pray more not only for me to deal with the anger, but for the person who has made me angry. I guess what I am saying is this, please look at all parties involved, the situation, and what will happen if you let your emotions rule you. Let Jesus guide you through everything. He can take all the emotions he gave us, and make them good for all of us!
Written by jelynnd
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
7:43:27 PM CDT
The Wrong Funeral (copied)
THE WRONG FUNERAL
God doesn't make mistakes. He puts us where we are to be.
They say there are no mistakes, for everything there is a purpose. Makes you think. Enjoy! We'll never know where our paths will take us!
This is really beautiful...God is not sleeping.
Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend-my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for memy entire life.
When mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her.
I counted it an honor. "What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand.
My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone.
My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone. I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Qui ck footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor.
&nsp; An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle. "I'm late," he explained, though no explanation was necessary.
After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, "Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of 'Margaret?'" "Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary. No one called her 'Mary,'" I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn't have sat
on the other side of the church He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?
"No, that isn't correct," he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, "Her name is Mary, Mary Peters." "That isn't who this is." "Isn't this the Lutheran church?"
"No, the Lutheran church is across the street." "Oh " "I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir."
The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs.
The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious.
I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing.
At the final "Amen," we darted out a door and into the parking lot. "I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.
That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong fune ral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was he assistant pastor.
This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.
In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them , "Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in heaven."
Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father. "Not ashamed? Pass this on. Only if you mean it. Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I would be nothing. Without him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me.(Phil. 4:13)
Written by jelynnd
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5:54:47 PM CDT
Feeling Determined
People
People have a way of coming and going in our lifes. Sometimes that is good, other times it is not so good. I have had my heart broken several times by people who choose to not be part of my life anymore, as I know others have had their's broken when I have chosen to not be part of their life anymore. I wonder what is the best thing for all? I know that I never stop caring for people who leave my life regardless of the reasons why. Should i continue a friendship with someone that I know is not good for me or them? Should I try to bring people back into my life that have chosen to leave for some reason? I know that can be very hard if they don't respond. I have been there, had someone for no apparent reason decide to never want to talk to me again, even though we had been friends for many years. As people come and go in our lives there is one thing we can be sure of, Jesus will never leave us. He is the best friend a person can have, and is always there to listen to us, and his plans for us will always be good. I wish I could fix every problem people have, but I can tell them only one thing, trust Jesus he can fix everything!
Written by jelynnd
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
7:19:36 PM CDT
Just Some of my Thoughts
I started my writing and lost it again. I hope this time I can save it before I get booted again. Just was thinking about how as Christians when we sin against God, it breaks our fellowship with him. Only when we honestly go to him, really ask for forgiveness can that relationship be restored. Jesus is perfect and he cannot be in the presence of sin. He took all our sins on himself on the cross, as his father had to turn his back on him, and let him pay the price for our sins, so we could be forgiven and go to Heaven to live forever someday. Jesus defeated the grave for us, the people who he loves so much he would die for us. I know when I sin, it effects me emotionally, physically, and most of all spiritually. I thank God for his ever forgiving presence in my life. What conflict or sin are you strugging with today? If you know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour he is waiting for you to be honest with yourself, confess that sin or struggle to him, and he will forgive you, and help you not struggle with that anymore. If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour, I pray you will find him today. Living here in a small town in Mississippi, I have heard the story of Jesus many times, I feel very happy to be here where my parents have taken me to church, taught me about Gods grace. I know there are people right here in the United States that have never heard the story of Jesus, and that saddens me. I pray for all to come to him, have this wonderful life he gives, and have eternal life in Heaven someday. We cannot make someone get saved, but we do have to go about telling others about him. It is our duty as Christians to tell others about him. I pray that whatever is keeping you from coming to him today, you will put aside and come to Jesus!
Written by jelynnd
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Monday, June 30, 2008
10:47:25 PM CDT
Feeling Grateful
Independence Day (Small Town Mississippi)
Last night here in small town Mississippi, the senior citizens of our church gave a concert of patriotic music. I listened and watched with tears in my eyes. A very old gentleman, in his Army suit came down the isle carrying the American flag. After he placed it in the stand, he stood there in silence for a moment then saluted the flag. You could see the proudnest in his face, it had been an honor for him to carry that flag. You can see so much love in the older veterans faces for their country. They proudly served this nation to fight for our freedom. The music was wonderful, the smiles on the senior citizens faces as they stood proud singing the Grand Old Flag. I am so afraid we take this freedom to even worship our God for granted. Our nation which is considered to the greatest nation in the world needs but one thing, and that is to turn to God. The Bible tells us, that if we turn from our wicked ways, and pray, God will bless the nation again. Everyone of us should take time each day to pray for our country. Pray for the men and women who are still fighting for our freedom. Pray for the leaders and the election of a new President this year. Ask God to guide you when you vote. Take time to thank a veteran for his or her part in giving us this freedom which we enjoy today. As the choir continued to sing, pride in being part of small town Mississippi swelled up inside of me. The pride I feel in being part of this country, I a so thankful to have been born an American. Let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice so many men and women have given for our freedom to just get up in the mornings and not be afraid to face our day. America, was founded on Biblical principals, trusting God to guide them. I beg each person who takes the time to read this, to thank God they are here in America. I am so burdend for people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. I do not want any person to spend eternity in hell, that is why God sent Jesus to die for us, to take all out sins on his back, so that we could be forgiven and live a victorius life with Jesus here and forever in Heaven. I am proud to say I am a born again Christian, who has a personal relationship with my Lord and Saviour Jesus. I am proud to say I love this country that I live in, and will always be proud to be an American. As the 4th of July comes this week, and people are spending time together, cooking out, swimming or doing whatever you choose, take time to pray together, thanking God for the blessings he has given this country, and ask him to guide us an a nation, to be under God as our forefathers intended us to always be. God is the answer to any problem any one person has, or even an entire nation. Let each person take a step to bring God back to the leadership of our country, starting in our homes. I just want to say again God Bless America, home of the the bravest, and free people in the world.
Written by jelynnd
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
10:44:26 PM CDT
Feeling Chillin'
Fathers, Homes, and Life!
As tomorrow is Fathers day I wanted to remember to thank God for the daddy I had. He taught us about God, took us to church, was the spiritually leader in our home. I was thinking about what he told my brother about being a father. My brother could watch my father and learn the right way to be a Dad. It was an honor to have a Dad like ours. A good God fearing, Jesus loving man. We were lucky to have Godly parents, as I know some others are. I know and it saddens me that there are people out there who have not had the honor I have. What they can do is learn from their fathers mistakes, and choose to live the life God wants them too. All of us make mistakes, and from those mistakes we must learn, and allow God to direct us in the right way from now on. Living a life of purity has never been easy, and in this society with all the temptation its tougher than ever. In so many cases all it has taken is a click of a mouse or the swipe of a credit card to destroy a family. Sin always takes what is precious and leaves a family or person with destruction, hurt and regret. When a person chooses to abuse alcohol it brings about the same thing, It can be harmless in the beginning but lead to so many problems in peoples lives. The same thing can happen with being envious of others and what they have, or the attention they get. I have been guilty of all, and had to ask God to forgive me. I want to encourage all to have not just a house, but a home, with Fathers being the leaders in them. I love this example using the story of the three little pigs. The first two houses were built poorly which lead to their demise. The third house was built wisely, and with stood the evil that waited outside for them. The threat to our homes may not be in the form of the big bad wolf, but it is very real, and there are steps all can take to protect their homes from that evil of this world. First read and study Gods word, and apply it your lives, also spend time in prayer as a family. Remember we must always remain teachable, none of us will ever learn everything we need to know, we can learn from the experiences of others. I think families must regulate the influence of the media in out homes especially where sex and alcohol is concerned. We must also remember to obey all the Ten Commandments and remember the tenth one, which tells us to be content with what we have. We may not have everything we think we need, but I do know from my experience, God will provide for his children what they need. Keep your eyes on him, I know this world is tough, and so many people are suffering and we wonder why. Just put your faith in God, and remember to keep your eyes on him. Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers!
Written by jelynnd
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
9:48:43 AM CDT
Feeling Quiet
What Holds Us Together!! ( copied)
 The man that wrote the below email is a doctor and a substitute Sunday school teacher at Green Achers. Matt & I have heard him speak. He always brings out amazing facts about the human body and God. I think the amazing thing about his teaching is that he is always sharing something new he learned (after 40 years of medical practice) and giving GOD the glory. I hope you are blessed by his recent "discovery moment".
THE GLUE THAT HOLDS US TOGETHER PHYSICALLY
A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio...and I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned....but I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want.
He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is...how He spoke the universe into being...how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire...etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder.
At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) .....and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork. I remember so many times thinking....'How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???'
Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!!!
It was because he started talking about laminin.
I knew about laminin. Here is how wikipedia describes them :'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.'
You see....laminins are what hold us together....LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn't know is what laminin LOOKED LIKE.
But now I do.
And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)....Here is
what the structure of laminin lookslike...AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it....if you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see...
Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing!
The 'glue' that holds us together....ALL of us....is in the shape of the cross.
Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind.
"He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn
over all creation. For by him all
things were created;
things in heaven and on earth , visible
and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities;
all things were created by him and for him.
He is
before all things,
and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER."
Colossians 1:15-17
Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin,
Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL
standpoint, we are held together...one cell to another....by the cross.
You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything
other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin 'glue'
would look like long before Adam even breathed his first breath!!
We praise YOU,
Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing!
Written by jelynnd
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Sunday, May 4, 2008
10:24:11 PM CDT
Feeling Quiet
Just Some Thoughts!
I am sitting here thinking about my small town in Mississippi. The smiles you see on most everyone's face, regardless of their circumstances. When you live in a small town, you get to know everyone. Even though I actually live out in the woods, I see the town people at church, and ballgames, and other places. At one time my small town was thrieving with an industry here that had been here since my great-grandfather worked there. It was a cotton mill! In fact most of the houses in the small town were built by the cotton mill company at one time. In fact years ago the people who worked at the cotton mill were paid in company currency, which meant you could only spend it at the company store. In fact at one time, they say our small town was completely owned by the cotton mill company, and there were gates. Back in the 60's I think, they began to sell the houses to the people who lived in them and worked in the mill. Most of the houses were bought and generations of the same families have lived in them. It is a quaint litte town, with a sidewalk from one end of it to the other. The cotton mill kept the majority of the small town, and surronding towns employed up until a few years back when the company went bankrupt, and the mill closed. That was a scarey time for the people here, plus a very sad time. The people have survivied, most have jobs in other places, even though some just took their retirement. It is a much quieter place without the coming and going of three shifts of workers everyday of the week. The other sad thing is a businessman bought the old mill, and he has been tearing it down a little at a time, selling the old brick, and some of the wooden flooring. The parking lots have grown over, and it looks very sad to see just parts of the old mill standing, where I know my great-grandfather worked. They are remodeling the small downtown, and it is exciting to see that. But the most important thing about this small town in Mississippi, is the people, the friendly, caring and loving neighbors everyone can say they have there. A lady in my church was just attacked and beaten by three young men in a near-by town where she was doing her morning walk. Everyone around has come to support her, pray for her, even cook meals for her family as she is recovering. That is what small town Mississippi is about. The people, who really care about each other, and show that they do. I do not know what it is like to live in a big city where you don't even know your neighbors, but I have heard people talk about it. I just know the love and concern of the people in my small town. When our house burned many years ago, the entire town turned out to help us clean and try to save anything we could. While so many people were digging through the burnt house to check for things we could salvage, a group of caring ladies were at our Church cooking a meal for everyone there. I will never forget the way everyone pitched in to help us get back on our feet after this happened. I could write all night about different things that have happened in our small town, and how everyone has loved and cared for them. I thank God for this small town in Mississippi, and thank him for the wonderful people who have been part of my life. If you are lucky enough to live in a small town somewhere, look around and be thankful for it. If you don't, try to be a neighbor, which to me is someone who cares about other people. Try to be the one who makes a difference in your community, no matter where it might be.God bless all who read, and have a happy, safe week!
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