Author Archives: Jen

Genesis 1:1-16:16

After a rough start, I can officially check day one off the list. I should know by now that making a commitment like this gets satan all out of whack, so that he then takes it out on me. Well try as he might, he did not win.

I listened to the reading on my phone by using You Version, and after dinner I sat down with a pen and journal to do the reading. I wanted to share a few of the things I jotted down.

-God CHOSE to create heaven and earth because He loves us and wants to fellowship with us.
-By placing the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden, God gave Adam a choice to obey God or not. Without the choice or free will, the obedience is hollow. We have to choose God. The simple disobedience of eating the fruit brought sin into the world, and their family when Cain killed Abel.Shortly thereafter, Lamech also kills a  man.
-Noah was a man that fully loved and obeyed God when the rest of humanity didn’t. “Everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.” Gen 6:5 NLT
-“So Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him.” That is stated twice, in verse 6:22 and again in 7:5. Can I say the same?
-Abram moved in faith when God called him to. God promised to bless him if he obeyed, and through the line of Abram, Jesus was born to save us.
-12:14 Abram lied to Pharaoh about Sarai because he lost faith in God to protect him, and he brought hardship upon them.
-King Melchizedek only ever appears in chapter 14, verses 17-20, yet it is obvious he loved God and he blessed Abram.
-Sarai showed her lack of faith when she gave Hagar to Abram. She had the opportunity to be patient and wait for God to move and give her a child but she took things in her own hands. Once Hagar was pregnant, she changed and Sarai took her frustrations out on her, so much so that Hagar ran away. I chuckled when Sarai looked to Abram for help in the situation and he told her, “look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” The angel of the Lord told Hagar to return to Sarai and submit to her authority and he would bless her. I just thought of how I try to control situations sometimes and God still works in the mess that I make.

I would love to share these insights every day, but I’m not going to make a promise.  The next two nights will be filled with Basketball games and practices. I enjoyed digging deeper into the reading today.

Read the BIble in 90 Days

I’m going to be reading through the Bible  in 90 days again. The last time I did this, I read the NIV. Recently though, I have been reaching for the NLT, so that is what I will be using. Specifically, it is the Tyndale Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation.

I have heard people say they read through the Bible in 90 days just to say they have read it, and if that’s you, that is fine. I am going to use this time to dig deep and really use the study guide. I have a journal where I plan to jot down verses that jump out at me, thoughts that I have, and prayers. It will probably take me an hour each day, but I can’t think of any better way to spend it! I’m part of a Facebook group for accountability and support, and really looking forward to it. I’d love it if you would join me too! There is a link to the Reading guide at the top of this page where you will find two versions of reading plans. The second one gives you two “grace” days which may be helpful around the holidays. That is the plan that I will be following this time, so I can be on schedule with everyone else.

Please let me know in the comment section if you want to join us tomorrow, or if you have done this in the past.

An interview with Mitch Albom

I had the pleasure of talking to Mitch Albom today about his latest book turned movie, Have a Little Faith. It is a true story of Mitch’s journey to know his old rabbi better. Five words started this journey. His 82 year old rabbi asked, “will you do my eulogy?”

Mitch had grown up with the rabbi since he was six months old, but had fallen away from the church. He calls it apathy. Everything was going ok in his life without God, so he really didn’t feel the need to find a church. So when he ran into the rabbi at a speaking engagement, and he asked him to deliver his eulogy, Mitch thought he should know the rabbi as a man. They began to meet.

At this same time, Mitch met with a Detroit pastor who was a reformed drug dealer and convict. They were two very different men, in two very different situations, but they had a similarity that bound them together. It was their faith. Believing in something bigger than yourself. What transpired in those meetings sparked a change in Mitch.

You can watch this Hallmark movie, Have a Little Faith, this Sunday November 27th on ABC at 9/8C.

Here is what we talked about today.

Me: You call yourself a cynic. What changed you?

Mitch Albom:  I think when you see people living a life of faith up close, away from the pulpit and robes, you see it’s a very admirable and special thing. I saw how faith guided their lives, and how it completely turned Henry’s life around.

Me: This is your fourth movie. Did you have a lot of control in the process of making it?

Mitch: I think I had the most important say so. When Hallmark approached me, my request was that it be done in Detroit, where it all took place. They came to Detroit and we sat in pews for the business meeting. This movie was made where it happened, with real congregants and real homeless people.

Me: What do you hope people learn from this movie?

Mitch: That faith pull us together, it doesn’t divide us. You can be black, white, Christian, or Jew. You can be very different but still find common ground in faith.

Me: I saw you had a charity premier at the Emagine Theater in Detroit. Tell me how that went.

Mitch: All the stars were there from the movie, and they didn’t have to be! Before the premier they came down to the church and got to hang out with some of the people. There were 1600 people in a donated multiplex theater, with the movie showing on ten screens. Over $60,000 was made in one night to help fix up the church.

Me: What is one thing you want my readers to know?

Mitch: It’s never too late to wander back to God. It’s not a one way street. You’re not a hypocrite. You learn everyday about new things, and new lessons. You learn and admit that you were wrong to walk away. Come back. You won’t be punished. You can always go back to God if you want.

Thank you Mitch! It was an honor to talk to you today, and my family is looking forward to watching Have a Little Faith this Sunday night on ABC at 9/8C.

You need to watch it too!  Have a Little Faith

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

UPDATE: The movie was on ABC last Sunday. If you missed it, check out the Hallmark Channel as it should be on very soon.

I am so excited to bring you this sneak peak of Mitch Albom’s new movie. For some reason I can’t embed the video, so please click on the link.

Have a Little Faith

The movie premieres Sunday, November 27th at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central on ABC. A big thanks to Hallmark for making such wonderful family friendly movies!

I know where I’m going to be Sunday night after Thanksgiving, what about you?

Be sure to meet me back here the following Monday because I will be interviewing Mitch and sharing the details with all of you!

Victory with Jesus

It was pointed out to me by a dear Godly friend that I have the tendency to try and control things. This is not a trait I am proud of, and it’s not something that I fight all the time. I notice it when life is getting away from me, we’re a little to busy, satan is whispering in my ear, and I feel like I can’t see the shore.

It’s so great to have friends who lovingly call you out and gently advise you. I left our coffee meeting with a lighter heart and direction. Not a newfound direction, because she told me to pray, and I know I need to pray. Need to pray!

Do you ever get so busy that you forget to pray?

Me too.

I have no excuse.

Forgive me Jesus. Please forgive me for taking you out of my day, and trying to take control of things all on my own. I am sorry, and I know I can’t do anything without you. You have already won the battle. You know the details of my battles, and with You I will be victorious too.

I want to share some scripture that really speaks to this. I found this during my quiet time, and I know that God gave it to me to share with you.

Romans 8:31-37
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one-for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one-for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 

Ahhh, overwhelming victory! Yes please!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween 2011

So Halloween brings up all sorts of differing opinions, most of which I just toss up to opinion. We’ve always gone trick or treating and it’s just something fun to do. Get dressed up and visit family for candy. Some years we would visit the trunk or treat at church, and neighborhoods of friends. My two oldest are really too old to participate at 15 and 13, but the 13 year old held out this year and went with a couple of his buddies.

It seems to get tricky with Matthew because he is easily frightened by scary masks and crazy people that jump out at you from under a pile of leaves. Wonder where he gets that from? Ummm ME! Come on people, there are little children walking around trying to get loads of candy and you make it your goal in life to scare the bejeezus out of them! Not to mention moms who could possibly have a heart attack because of the sudden fright.

This year he really surprised me though. I think it’s a sign of him growing up, which makes daddy smile and mommy cry a little. He walked right up to those doors and rang the doorbell, said Trick or Treat, and even said Thank you! I am so proud of him! He even braved walking by the Scream statue, very slowly albeit, but all by himself. No siblings there to ease the fears, and daddy and I stood on the sidewalk. 

We went to a start up neighborhood just across the street from us and learned that they weren’t expecting many trick or treaters and they gave HANDFULS of candy. So we spent half the time and got twice the candy. Bonus!

Grandma and Grandpa were our last stop and he was not disappointed there. He quickly dumped the cauldron of goods into his bag and proceeded to raid all the candy jars too. Shortly after that he was bounding from couch to couch and I was saying, ” No more CANDY!”

Matthew knows the history behind Halloween, but he told me to him it’s all about fun and candy. I don’t think there’s a better way to look at it. I’m sure to some there is a dark connotation associated with the holiday, but to us its for fun. And we’re stickin’ to it. Literally!

Dogs and Kids

I have three kids, ages 15, 13, and a fresh 8 year old. We have 4 chihuahuas, 3 female and 1 male, and a chocolate lab female that will be a year old in December. She will be the death of me. Her or the teenagers. Mark my words.

Recently a friend was talking about a store that I have never been in. They said I should go, it’s a home interiors/decorative kind of place, and they have gotten some nice things in there.

I don’t decorate my house. I have dogs and kids.

Dogs and kids tear nice things up.

Why waste the money on new furniture when the kids will spill something on it, or stand on the cushions and rip the pillows off the back of the seat, or the dog will eat it?

Dare I ask?

I have kids that leave their empty water bottle, or nearly empty, and the dogs think it is the greatest chew toy. Even though there may be 50 assorted rawhides and chew toys laying around.

I’ll have nice things when the kids move out, and the dogs move on. Until then, I’ll come to your house. Or we’ll meet at Starbucks if you have dogs and kids.

In this world

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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I’m struggling with a few things right now, and I asked for prayer earlier. After that I went into the bathroom and prayed. I know I need to trust and seek, so I thought I would post a few pictures of how God shows me his love every single day.

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Only He could create something so beautiful!

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I snapped this next one as I was sitting outside praying while I waited on the dogs. I see a heart. What about you?

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I am reminded that His mercies are new every morning when I see the sunrise. Every morning!

Thank you for the prayers! I felt them, and I know what I need to do to lift myself from this funk. In the end, God is victorious. I know that. The stuff of this world that is bringing me down doesn’t matter. It’s just satan rearing his head. What he doesn’t understand is this, he has no power over me unless I let him. I’m on the winning team.

What do you do to get out of a funk?

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My Weekend

I’ve been looking on Polyvore for something that will represent what we did this weekend, and I can’t find anything. I did a whole lot of nothing exciting. We didn’t even go out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaraunt!

We are battling teenage drama and tiredness.

I am tired.

I could cry right now.

No polyvore this week.

Pray for me please? I’m in a funk with a bad attitude/outlook.

Thank you!

Ten Years Ago

While I can sit here and not remember what I was doing last week at this time, I can certainly tell you what I was doing ten years ago when the world as I knew it changed. My baby girl was in kindergarten and it was the day of her very first field trip. We were going to an apple orchard for lots of fun, and our morning was so filled with anticipation that I hadn’t bothered to turn on the television.

It was on the way to school that I heard about the first plane hitting, and remember thinking what a fluke accident. It never crossed my mind that it was anything but an accident.

We arrived at school and loaded up on a bus, only to hear a few of the other moms and the teacher whispering that the second plane had hit, and terrorism was suspected. We were advised to shut off our phones and not discuss anything in front of the children. We were completely cut off from the activity for over 2 hours, pasting smiles on our faces as we watched our kids laugh and play, wondering what else was happening.

Once we returned to school and were dismissed I found out the terrible news.  It was bad, and the fear of what was to come was almost overpowering.

My husband had been trying to reach me but my phone had been turned off. He was near frantic when I called him back. Brooke and I rushed over to my mother in law to get Zach and we were glued to the TV until we couldn’t stand it any longer. We took the kids outside and let them play. All the time wondering if we were safe. What next?

Ten years has passed for us, but we still remember. Brooke and I were just talking about it yesterday. Zach was only three so he has no memory of it at all. I’m thankful for that.

My prayers go out to everyone that lost someone on that day, and everyone who was affected by the tragedy in some way. May they find peace that only God can provide.

We will always remember 9/11/01