Java with Jennifer Journal

November 2009 Taste This!

What I Am In To Lately

 

This month has been full of friends and family and food!  I got to be with my friends Katharyn and Lori as we took a road trip from Athens, Georgia to the mountains of North Carolina.  We had such a great time together.  We stopped at a quaint eatery in Weaverville called Well-Bred Bakery and Café and had the tastiest fare!  I got a carrot cupcake that was much bigger than my appetite and almost as sweet as our friendship.  We talked and laughed and felt understood by each other.  As author Katherine Mansfield put it, "I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing."   Mansfield must have had friends like Katharyn and Lori.
 
Mid-month, my parents came for a visit and, wow, what a great time we had!  Their visit began with our Springfield Fresh Grounded Faith Event.  There were 2000 women in attendance and according to the official count, there were 246 rolls of toilet paper used! (Yes, there are people who count such things.)  Truly, the event was a venti size blessing!  Stormie Omartian was so effective--especially when she "spilled the beans" with me and shared such practical and honest lessons from her life.  Her funniest line came as she described her morning routine.  She said it takes her a while to get ready because she has to "find her features!"  Of course, Michael O'Brien dazzled all of us.  God moved; we're grateful.
 
After the conference, my folks helped us set up the Christmas tree. Yes, it's up and my blood pressure and stress level are consequently down!  Since the tree is sparkling in our living room, I turned on the Christmas music.  Sara Groves O Holy Night CD is the one most captivating me this season.  She artfully alters the melodies of several standard carols; I think they are the strength of the collection.  I especially love Angels We Have Heard on High.  She also has a few original tunes that are true to her poetic, contemplative bent.  The whole CD is thoughtful and helps me direct my musings toward the truth of Christmas.  It's like listening to poetry!
 
Instead of listening to a new book this month, I caught up on my Mars Hill Audio Journals.  Mars Hill Audio Journal was started in 1993 by Ken Myers, formerly of NPR.  It's an effort in journalistic cultural apologetics.  It is an "audio magazine" featuring 90 minutes of interesting and thought-provoking conversation with a variety of guests on a broad spectrum of topics including literature, music, politics and community.  It explores the nuances of modern culture and thought that makes the Gospel of Christ seem implausible to non-believers, and it exposes the cultural norms that confuse or weaken the faith of believers.  What I love about Meyers and his guests' approach is that it is less about making arguments for the truth, and more about developing a historical understanding of why even the best arguments for truth are seemingly fruitless in current culture.   I admit, sometimes it is exceptionally "heady," but somehow it always impacts my heart.  We all need the challenge to our heads and hearts, don't we?
 
Clayton came home for Thanksgiving and our beloved friends from Oklahoma, the O'Gwynns, joined us for the annual tradition.  Listen girls, I've got it good.  Deborah O'Gwynn cooks everything and it's all delicious!  All I do is turkey and rolls!  This year though, we did "feast on the Word."  I got the Scripture dishes I've been hoping for just in time for the holiday.  They are so lovely and so meaningful.  I am just grateful the plates didn't bear verses about self control or gluttony because man, did we eat!  I'm full-need to stop typing and get on the elliptical!
   
So, give these things a taste test:
 
1.  Well-Bred Bakery and Café in western North Carolina
2.  Sara Groves O Holy Night Christmas CD
3.  Mars Hill Audio Journal
4.  Scripture dishes

November 2009 Fresh Grounded Thoughts

What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately

Present Where I Am
 
I've worked hard this year at being fully present where I am.  By this, I mean I strive to be  fully engaged in each moment-not worrying about the future, pondering my past or texting someone miles away while ignoring the person right beside me!  (Do I hear an "ouch?")  It is important to be attentive to people, place and purpose right here, while we are right here. 
 
But lately, I've been thinking God actually expects me to deal with a little distraction.  I think He designed me to feel a little holy tension--have my mind wander to other places while I am right here in Missouri.  In fact, the reason I think He expects me to be distracted and not fully "present where I am" is because He made my spirit to feel the weight of exile. 
 
This earthly life includes a holy discontent, a longing for our true home, a lingering awareness that we will never feel fully settled here. As with the psalmist, we inwardly yearn, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest." (Psalm 55:6)  We intuitively recognize that we just can't be fully present where we are---at least not while we're here on earth!
 
The Apostle Paul exposes why we feel this inner-longing...this ache for home.   He reminds us of our true citizenship by observing that when "God raised us up with Christ," He also "seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6)  Father God has invited us to be present with Him in eternity, and He welcomes us in and gives us a seat. He does so at the same moment that He "raises us up with Christ" while we are right here on earth!  While your feet are still here on earth, you are seated in heavenly places!
 
So if you feel this inner tension in your spirit, too, know you are not alone.  While we are in pilgrimage here, there is biblical precedence for our distraction.  Living on earth is our time and place to:
 
·     Look for our heavenly country  (Hebrews 11:16)
·     Turn our faces toward Zion (Jeremiah 50:5)
·     Keep our eyes on our promised dwelling  (Hebrews 11:13)
·     Remember we are not at home in this world  (Hebrews 11:9)
·     Gather our treasure in heaven  (Matthew 6:19; Luke 12:33; Colossians 3:1-2)
 
As sojourners, we steward the journey, though we long for our pilgrimage to come to a close.  Though I want to be fully "present where I am," I will always feel a drawing away.  I want to walk wisely yet tread lightly on this sod.  I want to walk with the awareness that this place isn't my true home, yet steward the opportunity to be here.  I want to have my hands busy here on earth and my heart longing for heaven.  Oh, that you and I could live in this world, feel its pain, cry its tears, meet its needs and breathe its air!  And in doing so, be fully present here, living out our heavenly citizenship.  Every moment here on earth should ignite within us a sojourner's longing.  As C. S. Lewis said, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in."

Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately!

November 2009 Spill the Beans

You Ask It, I'll Answer It   Question: Jennifer, I am an artist and poet and want to use both to communicate God's goodness.  I was wondering, how does your relationship with God influence your art and your creativity? Tammy G. Lakeland, FL   Answer: Interesting question, Tammy....  My relationship with God influences everything I think and do!     My first expression of art as a teen was drawing and painting--inspired by the human face and the colors of creation.  As vision failed and visual arts weren't an option, music became my way of expressing God's beauty and the human experience of knowing Him.  Over the years, I discovered art for me wasn't drawing, singing, or playing -those were simply expressions of art.  For me, the real art is "communicating."  The art of communicating is now articulated through the spoken and written word.    In communicating, I seek to express God's beauty, experience God's beauty and make it visible to others.  Without His influence, I would not be even able to perceive true beauty, and without the inspiration of His Spirit and example of His Son, I would struggle with creativity.  God's presence and truth animates everything I do.   And, now the "artsy beans" are officially spilled!

November 2009 Prayer Requests from Jennifer

I need your prayers - if you have time, will you please consider praying for me? Here is my prayer list for this month:
  

 I've got nothing but gratefulness!  No specific requests this month.  I just want to give you a huge "thanks a latte" for being so generous in your prayers for me and our ministry.  I pray peace and blessing over you during this season of reflection, and pray you sense Immanuel each moment.
 
May we all be faithful followers and loyal lovers of God.
 

October 2009 Taste This!

What I Am In To Lately

 

 "What I really want from music--that it be cheerful and profound like an afternoon in October. "(Friedrich Nietzsche)
 
The CD I've enjoyed this month is both cheerful and profound.  It's by Carl Hergessel.   He's a gifted piano player who has accompanied Kenny Loggins for many years.  I first met him at an event with Kathy Troccoli, for he is also her amazing piano player.  His CD is called At the Piano. It's a calming collection of solo piano pieces-all relaxing, tender and peaceful.    If October had a soundtrack, this would be it.  I start my day with coffee and Carl, then I keep him playing all day and drift off to sleep to his mellow tones!  You must give this CD a taste test.  I think you will get the same impression I have...peace.  You may not turn it off either!
 
Carl's CD has been a nice soundtrack to accompany a great book this month.  It's by my friend Lysa TerKeurst called Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl.  I love her realism, honesty and straightforwardness. The book is a narrative of her life as she dismisses plastic Christian answers and shares her most personal experiences in wrestling with faith.  Here's a taste of what I mean (from page 139): "I don't know how to say this, so I'll just shoot straight. Sometimes God hurts my feelings.... I don't mean this in an irreverent way...but tiptoeing around my gut reactions and pretending to be just fine-fine-fine with everything that comes my way doesn't pave an authentic connection between my heart and God's."  In the book, what she really asks is, "Does Jesus really work?"  She answers that question with a resounding "Yes!"  Reading the book makes you feel like you're having coffee with a friend.
 
Speaking of friends...My friend Kathryn went to Chicago this month and brought back some interesting chocolate.  It came from Vosges Haut-Chocolat.  I tried several, like Red Fire Spicy Chocolate Caramel Toffee (infused with chilies and cinnamon, drenched in dark chocolate).  And I also tried a bite of Mo's Bacon Bar.  It was a piece of applewood smoked bacon covered in 62% dark chocolate.  Both were interesting, but just a little too confusing and challenging for my taste buds!  My very favorite, though, is the Creole Exotic Candy Bar. It's espresso, cocoa nibs with chicory and 70% dark chocolate. I still have half the bar in my purse for those moments I need just a little zing and zest!
 
The highlight of October for our family was traveling down to Waco, Texas to visit Clayton at Baylor University for their 100th Homecoming.  We enjoyed the parade which featured his fraternity's winning float (I'm not proud or anything!), and we loved watching the "Pigskin Classic," where selected sororities and fraternities presented the most entertaining, professional Broadway-like musical numbers.  Clayton even danced and sang!  That's my boy!  And he didn't even need a "Creole bar" to rev him up!
 
So, give these things a taste test:
 
1. Carl Hergessel's CD, At the Piano
2. Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
3. Vosges Haut-Chocolat Creole Exotic Candy Bar
4. Check out Baylor University...Go Bears!!

October 2009 Fresh Grounded Thoughts

Wondering About Wonder
 
Geoffrey Fisher once said, "Until you know that life is interesting--and find it so--you haven't found your soul. "  So, here's my question to you...have you "found your soul?" 
Do you know life is interesting?  This is a fresh grounded thought that must be considered, for how sad it would be to find ourselves near our final days and realize we have missed out on the wonder of life.
 
Curiosity is a satisfying hunger that when fed, will continue to grow. Because the nuances of life are familiar, we risk missing the fantastic hidden daily before us.  Only if we are curious and want to see life as interesting, do we actually discover wonder. 
 
Wonder has been described as the feeling of surprise, admiration and awe aroused by something; a state in which you want to learn more about something; to think or speculate curiously or to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe.  
 
I wonder when the last time I really wondered was?  Children are given to wonder naturally, for they are learning and curious.  But our curiosity and wonder doesn't need to reduce as we mature and gain knowledge; rather, it should increase as we are exposed to the mysteries of life, people, nature and God.  C.S. Lewis once mused, "Some day you will be old enough for fairy tales again."
 
Life is one big story, and we have the privilege of entering into it and observing it all at once.  How sad to not see the wonder of each moment when they're obscured by laundry and carpools, accented by autumn leaves, smudged by finger-paint or veiled by a frown.  Life is interesting.  Your life is interesting even in its most mundane moments.  Approach it with curiosity--looking for the wonder--not just assuming the surface of things is the story. 
 
When was the last time you studied someone's countenance?  When was the last time you watched sunlight drape itself across your lawn leaving a golden trail?  When was the last time you listened to the rain and heard a symphony?  When was the last time you read words from the pen of a master and wanted to cry for the sheer beauty of each syllable fitly placed?  When was the last time you wept during Mozart, sighed at a Rembrandt, or looked into the face of a child and wondered "what would DaVinci do with her eyes?" 
 
My friend, we are finally old enough for fairy tales!  I want to enjoy wonder today and I want you to do the same.  Life was given to us by Christ to be "abundant" (John 10:10), not dull and uninteresting.  May we find curiosity satisfying, life interesting and be amazed as we get reacquainted with our own souls.


Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately!

October 2009 Spill the Beans

You Ask It, I'll Answer It

 

Question:
A friend, who has a physical defect from birth, recently asked me, "How can I say I am fearfully and wonderfully made?"  She said that she knows that God is perfect but doesn't understand why He made her imperfectly, and according to her understanding of this verse in Psalm 139:14, by design.  She went on to say that it has caused her a life of heartache and trouble with people being especially cruel.  She needs new perspective.  My heart goes out to her as I have watched this trouble going along with her wherever she goes. Can you offer some new insight or direction?  She knows I'm writing to you, by the way.
 
Yours in Christ,
Sue
 
Answer:
Sue, thanks for asking this very real and raw question on behalf of your friend.  It's relatively easy for one who enjoys a well put together body to embrace the verse in Psalm 139 which celebrates that she is "fearfully and wonderfully made."  But, if one deals with the heartbreak and difficulty of a deformity or handicap, that verse becomes quite a challenge, and I would never want to simplify or diminish its application.  So, if the Bible is true (and it is), that verse is true for the one who was born without handicap or deformity, and it is equally true for the one who is born with handicap or deformity.  Yet, how do we rectify that fact with the hard feelings and confusion the verse brings to the heart and mind of one with a "defect?"
 
I'll just be honest.   I have found consolation in Exodus 4:11 when it comes to being blind, because I believe it just as much as I believe Psalm 139:13-15.  "Then the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" (Ex. 4:11)
 
God does what God does and I do not understand His ways. I don't know why He chooses to express His creativity in allowing one to be born supposedly "perfectly formed" and one be born supposedly "deformed."  I don't know how to reconcile those infinite facts with my finite mind.  But, even if I could explain theological mysteries, the explanation wouldn't bring comfort.  Only God brings true comfort. 
 
Perhaps, I can offer something more meaningful than explanation.  For years with blindness, I've been able to maintain decent eye contact just by having good muscle control in my eyes and being able to listen well and track sound. But, in the past year, my left eye has begun to betray me.  It can't maintain focus because my muscle control has waned.  Since I do a lot of video, this is becoming very uncomfortable.  But what really bothers me is that I am so self-aware that I look odd.  I don't want to feel that self conscious--I want to rest in God and in the fact that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, just as I am.  
 
Does God's handiwork show up in a wandering left eye that looks awkward and makes others feel awkward because they don't know where to focus when they're looking at me?  I feel the sting of embarrassment, awkwardness, and being different.  The truth of Psalm 139 is easier to reconcile on a spiritual plane between me and God than it is on an emotional and relational plane.  So, I guess I am saying, in a very small way, I may know how your friend feels.  It's hard to be different.  Even if you can come to terms that your deformity or handicap is part of God's "fearful and wonderful" workmanship, you still have to reconcile that truth with the feelings that are stirred by your bathroom mirror and the stares of others. That's the really hard part. 
 
I wish I could wave a wand and a new perspective would appear!  I long to say just the right words to give your friend an "aha!" that would comfort her.  I want to give truths, facts, quotes, scriptures and anecdotes to make your friend feel better when life hurts.  But, sometimes the best gift I can give is not answers, but instead, empathy.  So, the only worthy beans I can spill on this are, "I do believe she is fearfully and wonderfully made; I know in a very small way how she feels and...my blind eyes think she's beautiful!"

And now the beans are officially spilled!

October 2009 Prayer Requests from Jennifer

I need your prayers - if you have time, will you please consider praying for me? Here is my prayer list for this month:
 

1. There are two more Fresh Grounded Faith events this year: Springfield, MO and Clearwater, FL.  Please pray for God's peace, truth and grace to be communicated through all of us involved.  There are women who desperately need hope and we need Christ in us to bring them hope.
 
2. We are in the midst of finalizing the Fresh Grounded Faith calendar for next year and getting friends to join me on the platforms.  Please pray we follow God's leading in asking just the right guests for just the right cities so just the right women hear just the right messages at just the right time!  We really don't want to do anything God is not leading us to do.
 
Thanks from the bottom of my heart for praying for us.  We are grateful for your partnership in prayer.