CREATE JOY

a community of compassion...... We all like to be a part of a community.  What that looks like today is a lot different than what it looked like yesterday.  For example, in times past people gathered together less often but for long periods, maybe one long service on Sunday, different........... The Church as described in God's Word is a community of Jesus believers........ The cool thing about Church is it is a place to lay aside any division and and recognize we are ALL imperfect reckless sinners........NO sides, all sinners!  This year, hopefully we can stop dividing and start coming together as Christians, as brothers and sisters..... Petty personal preferences put aside .....  13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the p

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him....... Christmas,  the  most wonderful time of year to celebrate the birth of the King of all Kings!  The King who brings salvation and life to a discouraged world.                                   A time of year to express our praise and exalt the name of Jesus out loud and freely without hesitation. This year if you're struggling with the circumstances of  life, remember your KING!  Let your thoughts fill with all of the wonders of a King who would come into a world as a commoner, live a perfect life to buy us back from the evil one,  and Wisk us away to a better kingdom to be with HIM................ Oh come let us adore HIM, Christ the LORD! Revelation 19:16 "And he hath on is vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS!"

Some like to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas separate.  For me, they are so enter twined it is one big Celebration. Thanksgiving is all about the blessings we have been  given from God........freedom, family, shelter, health. But, why not include the birth of Jesus Christ in our thanks.  He is the love of God sent to give the ultimate gift, His life.

No question about it, WORDS can  hurt...... Once something is said it is very hard to let it go.......to not let it sink deep into who we are. By the time we are grown, most of us have endured many hurtful words.  Some much more than others.  For example, I have many very good friends who are black who have experienced racism.  Ignorant people have commented about something the have no right to say and do not understand.  The wound pierces deep and is hard to get over, to let go of........Now racism goes far beyond words, but lets start there. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from  it flow the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 This verse says it all. out of the heart flow "all" of the issues of life What is in your heart, will come out your mouth! Could it be that the answer to all of our life's issues is simply for mankind to come to God with our heart conditions, and let the cleansing refreshing Word of God clean our hearts and give us a new outlook on life

Compassion-   feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. When you see someone who is struggling, stricken with misfortune  do you; cringe and avoid them......... wonder what they did to deserve this trial........ preach to them about how to fix their problems...... do you; show compassion.... listen...... pray with them.... . put your arms around them (even if they aren't clean) I love this scripture When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and  was troubled, 34  And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35  Jesus wept. I have heard sermons preached about how Jesus was saddened that they doubted Him and His ability to "fix the problem".  Jesus groaned in the spirit (small s, that means his human spirit).  I believe He groa

                                           Holy and blameless in love.....

blessings............ It is easy to forget all God does for us.  We are so earth minded, we start looking around us and see the life we don't have and always thought we would,  all of our plans that never happened,.......it is in our nature.  We can make the decision to be thankful and then put effort into that action. "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, do not be discouraged thinking all is lost. Count you many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." -Johnathan Oatman-   Ephesians 1:3-6 – “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Always on my mind For me Church is work......does that sound bad?  It's actually quite a blessing and a high honor... ..... ....Church is for the broken and hurting and where God can reach out to people through people.  We are His chosen method of helping.  It is both exhausting and so rewarding, and worth every second.  Rest comes...........sweet and precious when we are alone with Him, refreshing and reviving us as we spend time together. Working for Jesus full time is a heart "hart" condition.  It is not something you can  maintain long term if you are not "fully" in love with Him.  Single minded. It is a joy and an obsession. Psalm 42 King James Version (KJV) 42  As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3  My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

ok ok ok This story I  am going to share comes with hesitation.  Even Christians seem to think it's fine to watch and enjoy the fright they get from scary movies.  To me it's no joke and more real than I can even describe...... One Wednesday night after teaching my class, a young Mom of three approached me and asked if I would talk to her.  Of course I was eager to spend some time with her and share Jesus.  Not far into the conversation she began laughing at me.  I wasn't sure what I had done that was so funny, but I continued to tell her of her need for Jesus to save her.."Amy" told me she couldn't because it would mean she and her children would be surrendering to a life of poverty......ok...... For some reason, I asked her if she was wearing charms or potions, she laughed some more, and asked me why in the world I would ask her that.  I told her I wasn't sure why, but that the Holy Spirit at urged me to ask.  "Amy" began pulling p

Walking hand in hand with Jesus requires (yes requires) you to let go of Satan's hand.  To many think you can hold both....... Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Grace always reaches for us and grace will wait for us.  Grace goes above and beyond forgiveness and is merciful, but grace does not demand that we continue in it.   Loving Jesus and being thankful for His grace and mercy are where walking with Him begins. Yes, I am a Jesus FREAK! Not ashamed!

There is a time and season for everything!  Well, it's 2:00am a time to be sleeping or at least that's what I thought.  Uhg...... I guess things don't always work out like we think they should.  That is pretty much the way it goes........  Not as planned! I have day to day goals,  expectations.....with a husband and three boys two part time jobs, trying to keep things on point moving along at a steady pace toward "my goal" without much thought of joy or thankfulness. Does this sound at all like you? Do you find joy in your day to day "jobs" that were given to you? In Ecclesiastes 3:10-13 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. (these are the daily chores we have and how they exercise us) He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in the

Galatians 5:1,13 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. These verses played over and over again in my mind today...... Reinforcement in my heart and mind to let Christ worry about the issues of life.  Free from the bondage that easily constricts me.........( Prices rising on everything from milk to insurance, people coming and going saying nice things or things that hurt, if my kids are going to be ok, if my husbands cancer will come back...... bondage ),  when Christ is controlling me I have liberty.....liberty to not worry, liberty to  love no matter what...... The liberty that Jesus Christ gives us is to live a carefree life "care full for nothing", NOT worrying. We  can trust Him with the biggest issues and the small ones that peck away at our sanity. T

    There is an unwritten rule in our family that say's "we will be there for each other....no matter what". Though time or space or difference of opinion may separate us, the love picks up right where we left off when we are together. That's how we as Christians should be with each other.  You know sometimes, we won't see eye to eye, sometimes one or both of us will be grumpy.........but we are bound in love as the family of the Most High God.......(if you don't feel this way......why not?) We might try to walk away from the "family" but truth is we are still family!!!!!! The Holy Spirit of God lives in all our hearts as Jesus Christ believers.....Christians. Nothing will ever separate us from the love of our Father, and nothing should be big enough to separate us as believers either.  It just shouldn't be......we all have some pretty big things God has had to forgive us  and we've all had some pretty big things done to us th

  Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Beauty beyond compare. Time and energy are what it takes to create the beautiful life intended for us, a continual molding, shaping and softening.  Time and energy spent at the feet of our Master Artist Jesus Christ. Our position at His feet in this process of becoming beautiful is essential.  Dear one, do not become frustrated by the day to day tugging and pulling that is required to conform us into this person. In time it will be worth it all. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ~love jackie

At the Boise house, we learned nursery rhymes that were unique to our family.... Unique to Neta, our Mother..... There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, she had so many children she didn't know what to do. She went upstairs to ring the bell, let a big fart and down she fell..... When Jay and I had kids it was only natural for me to want to pass them down to our three sons.   One day I was reciting a colorful nursery rhyme to our youngest son, when Nate our oldest son told me  he had been  asked to quote a nursery rhyme in kindergarten.  He quoted a Neta rhyme thinking that's how they were suppose to be. His teacher had a surprise, and so did he when he learned the correct poem. I guess if we are going to have traditions we should take the time to explain why they are tradition lol:-))

Who doesn't love dogs? If you ever need a smile or a warm fuzzy feeling, just watch a dog.  We have a dog, his name is boomer.  Boomer is by nature a hunting dog,  God put something inside him that loves to smell. He loves stinky stuff most of all.  When he is hot on the trail of something that has left a scent, his tail wags at warp speed as he zig zags all across the back yard..........I love dogs:-))

        speak why you love......not why you hate........seek peace.......not contention.........listen with your whole heart..........not in a hurry.........

"If we magnify every little difficulty, start objections and fancy hardships, we shall never go on much less go through with our work.  Winds and clouds of tribulation are in God's hands designed to try us.  God's work shall agree with his word, whether we see it or not." - Matthew Henry For some reason it is  popular to think that our grief, our pain is like no one else'.  Seriously? Why do some feel the need to elevate themselves to the status of martyrdom? And, for what great purpose?  For conversation? Desire to be in misery? John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they(YOU) might have life, and that they(YOU) might have it more abundantly................. If it's true that we are a child of God, why do we fret?  Instead, let's remember who we call Father (instead of thoughts of pain or doom). Instead of magnifying OUR selves let's magnify Him.....Instead of  "tripping" at e

New Mercies each day.... Anger was at the center of some of my relationships.  I spewed angry words at those I felt hurt by, never letting a chance to cut pass by. Sad but true.   I guess the thing I didn't realize was the anger permeated more than I wanted. I had tried to isolate it.  One day my husband asked me, what are you so angry about?  I could go into great detail and try to justify my anger, but what I really want to share with you is how I came to recognize it and let God work on me in these areas. Everything in my life had gotten root bound by bitterness that kept me from having peace and joy, I needed a new start and that meant forgiving the unforgivable even when it had not been asked for, (just like Jesus does)....... It was a job.  Something that has to be done with a fresh try and fresh mercy everyday, speaking words of forgiveness out loud and to myself.  After some time, I noticed a more lightheartedness and peace.  God said..... Hebrews 12:15 Looking

"Let me rise and open the gate, to breathe the wild air of the field, and to let in Love, and to let out Hate, and anger at living and scorn of Fate, to let in Life, and to let out Death." Violet Fane So many have bitterness and hate.  Even Christians.  It's so sad!  Let me tell you this, if you have bitterness or envy or anger or strife in your life, it is because you have chosen it.  Yep.  In Christ we have the power to live above any of these emotions and it IS a choice.  In Christ we are FREE to be joyful and have peace and love.  2 Corinthians 4:6-10   For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not f

As I sit here this morning going over all of the blessings God has showered me with, He leaves me speechless and thankful. I started reading a book this summer called "The diary of a young girl Anne Frank".     It is a story of a little girl with a normal life, a good life.  A loving Mother and Father, birthday gifts from close friends, normal stuff.  She was  a Jewish girl born at a time of great unrest, she and her family went into hiding to escape capture and death from the Nazi's.  At the age of 14 she began to keep a diary.(great book) We are not a people (as of yet) living in such dire circumstance.  Still, many times many of us act as if we are!  I do not believe God is pleased with such desperation.   Romans 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:............. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  In Christ I can be confident in hope!  Hope is not hope if you can see it!!!! We CAN have confidence that He, God, will fulfill H

Do you ever wonder if you're normal,  if you're like everyone else? You are unique in Jesus Christ.   One of a kind.  Yet, many of the issues we have in life are alike.  We want happiness, we desire peace in our lives, we need to be loved and feel love, and too love....... We need food and protection and a place to live.   I guess that's about where "normal" ends  for the child of God!  Listen, you are a child of THE King! God's Word says............. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Did you get that......we are a chosen generation! A royal priesthood!   He has called us "out" of darkness!  And into His marvelous light! What and honor.....to be called a child of the Most High.   As a child of THE King,  everything about us should speak royalty. Not to

Tender sprouts, A time ..... growing up in farm country, there are a few things I know about spring.  One of these is that there is a right time to plant.  We watched as year after year some would put their crops in the ground to soon, and sure enough, there would be another freeze or flooding waters that ruined precious seed.   Carefully watching weather patterns, when the time was right, all seasoned farmers disappeared into the fields not to be seen again until planting was done.  They recognized  their short window of opportunity to make the most of their seed.  Then as one would nurture a newborn baby, they toil over their fields tilling, fertilizing, and keeping close eye on that which they have planted. As I experience life, I wonder how many of us are able to seize our moments of opportunity to plant good seed at correct times and then take care our plantings.    These, with out doubt, are jobs God has left us with. Many today have no idea how much work and sweat g

                                                                                                                                                               Mothers Day Mothers day, just the mention of it makes us reflect on and reassess our lives.   So what does a real life, good Mother look like. I believe God's vision for Mothers is to love....  Agape Love.  Life giving love that is born from a heart that gives.  She puts her children and others at a high priority.  It doesn't mean she's perfect.  If that were the criteria there would be no examples.  Some people were given  Mothers who had or have this kind of love.  A Mother who waits until everyone else has a full plate before she eats, a Mother who does everything she knows to do to bring us a good life.  As I reflect,  my Mother was far from perfect.....as a matter of fact, I didn't really feel love from her until after my Father died and our first son was born.  But listen, I also realize she gav

Don't you just wish life wasn't so hard? When I was growing up, somehow I got this idea that life would get easy and the struggles would all end. Marriage would be all hugs and kisses, children would always be happy and obedient, I would always feel amazing and be all knowing and wise, and full of energy. Oh my word, what happened? What I didn't know, was how much HARD work staying plugged in to the whole "life" thing would be.       Jesus wants us to be victorious, and it is within reach! We Can Do This! Ephesians 1:17-22 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his

How are you feeling about yourself these days? Does it even matter what we think about ourselves? Well, it does! We were created in the image of our God. Ge 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. If we are in an image crisis, can we truly be bold for Jesus? It is so hard, (with all of the selfies being posted on Facebook Twitter and Instagram, and the apparent freedom people feel to give their opinion on our image and judgmental attitudes about every little thing) to not become self conscious. Can't help but love this scripture, Exodus 34:29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. Could it be, that by spending time alone with God and with His Word in our hand, confidence would truly build in our spirit

Dear Sister, I love you so much.  I wanted to let you know.  Not all of us are blood, but you are my sister.   Through many trials and self examination, and letting God speak to me, I have a burden to share what God has shared with me.   Listen, God has an awesome plan for you and you don't need to live angry and in fear any more. When was the last time you listened to what God was telling you to do and then you did it? It is true, Jesus does love you In James, He says we are blessed when we "do it".  Sure it's easier just to keep being who we've been, but there is no peace in living that way, no lasting joy, no love.   My beloved, it is time to go God with an honest heart and let Him take over.  Start over.  It can be done, I know, I have lived it. James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall p

trying out my new blog spot!