Java with Jennifer Journal

December 2010 Just a Taste of Java

Hello my Java Friend!   

I know this week between Christmas and New Year's Day is busy so I'm just going to give you a quick sip of Java for December in review. 

 

We had a lovely Christmas with family, friends and our church.  I hope you did too.   Our tree isn't down yet and if yours is, don't tell me (I will be jealous!)  I am moving a little slower this season!  My goal is to have it down by Valentine's Day!  Ha! 

 

I'm trying to carve out a little time this week to just sit and consider what God has taught me this year and I encourage you to do the same.  This past year, God has taught me the importance of being connected with others, disciplining myself to receive His rest, and enjoying the freedom of living in His acceptance. 

 

What about you?  I would love to know what God has taught you this past year.  Jot down what you've learned on my blog. 

Okay, one last girl thing...let me tell you what I got for Christmas...a Keurig!  Oh girl, it's a smack daddy of a coffee maker and I love it!  (Can you tell I've already had way too many cups today?!)  Anyway, if you have one, please tell me what your favorite blend is.  I am trying all the flavors and I have consumed way too much caffeine in the process!  If you've never tried coffee from a Keurig, give it a taste test! 

 

I've been reading Decision Points by George W. Bush and I love it.  And, then Clayton gave me Laura Bush's book, Spoken from the Heart, for Christmas so I am feeling like part of the Bush family these days!

 

I hope you can take a few hours this week and just sip some Java and visit with God about this past year and the upcoming one.  Don't get all uptight about a ton of goal setting yet, just sit with Him and let Him lead you into path He wants you to walk.  Rest in Him.

 

Thanks for hanging with me this past year.  I pray God's wisdom and grace upon you in 2011.  May you rest in His love.

 

Blessings,

 

 

P.S. The picture above is our latest family picture. Clayton (21), Connor (12), me and my Dr. Phil. Happy New Year.

November 2010 Taste This!

What I Am In To Lately

November was a great month--personally and in ministry.  Fresh Grounded Faith went to Evansville, Indiana and Springfield, Missouri.  At both events, it was so amazing to see how God moved.  I felt like a spectator!  Stormie Omartian, Kathy Troccoli, Abby Rike, Michael O'Brien and Tim Hawkins made the events extra special.  Have you seen Tim Hawkins?  The man is hilarious!  He actually threw Depends into the audience of women for his finale!  Try following that with anything substantial!

All I can say is I am one grateful woman to have had a great year of Fresh Grounded Faith Events with such quality friends partnering with me.  They each bless me as much as they bless the audiences. 

By the way, we now have two speaking sets available from FGF's this year.  One is called Working Out Your Faith and the other is titled Getting to the Other Side.  If you haven't been able to come to an FGF event, these might give you a great taste. 

We also went to West Palm Beach for Phil's 25^th college reunion.  Yes, I know--he's old!  (He's only a month older than I am but, he is still older!)   West Palm was dreamy.  The weather was perfect. But the best part was reconnecting with old friends from Palm Beach Atlantic University.  The campus has changed over the years (become far more beautiful), but the spirit of the students is still the same.  What a great place to call our alma mater.  We also got to hear Tenth Avenue North perform in an outdoor concert.  I am so impressed by them.  The lead singer happens to be a PBA alumnus, too. Just saying!

As if that's not enough, Thanksgiving was over the top.   It lightly snowed and ice hung from the trees.  It was beautiful and crisp. Clayton was home. Our friends, the Ogwyns, came from Oklahoma and we ate all the food Deborah prepared.  Yes, girls, I've got it good.  All I do is buy a turkey and rolls and clean the house.  She cooks everything and it is all delicious! I'm thankful for friends that are like family. 

I decided to reread a favorite book this month, and it will take me a few months to finish it because it's written by Henry James...Portrait of a Lady.  If you've never read him, trust me, he takes a little longer to digest.  But oh, is it worth it!  I have such fond memories of this book and am enjoying reading it again. Just like poetry is enjoyed more when read over and over, just as a song becomes a favorite as it is listened to many times, so also, is a favorite book sweeter the second time it's experienced.  Besides, I am so hoping that Isabel makes a different choice at the end of the book.  I still can't get over how it ended the first time I read it!  So, here's hoping!  Seriously, if you've never read it, you really should give it a taste test.  The characters are portrayed with amazing consistency, the story subtle and fascinating, the writing captivating and the experience of reading is like enjoying your favorite coffee with the best dark chocolate.   And, yes...he's a dead author!

Well, as you're decking the halls this month, here are a few things you can add to make your holidays even more special. 

So, give these things a taste test:

1.  Tim Hawkins videos
2.  Tenth Avenue North CD's
3.  Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

Merry Christmas, my Java friend!

November 2010 Fresh Grounded Thoughts

What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately 

Singing Big

Well, by now, you must know that I am a pretty honest girl.  I tend to tell first and think later!   But I really thought about this before I chose to share it.  This month, I thought I would share something very personal with you from my journal.  The reason I am letting you sneak a peek is because I learned a lot from the experience.  I think it may encourage you. 

You see, blindness and menopause created the perfect formula for depression.  For me, it was a long year and a half of dealing with it, and finally I am in a good place.  But, all along the way, I tried to sing big.  This entry is from last summer when I was looking up from the bottom of the pit.   As you read, you'll see what I mean by "singing big!"

July 11, 2010

I can hear the birds outside my window.  They're chirping without care.  I don't think they realize how small they are compared to the rest of us.  They sing big like they are the ones in charge of things today.  I love how they make melody without heed to anything else that goes on around them.  I wish I was like those birds.  I have reason to sing big.  I have been drawn close to God and He has loved and carried me.  Isn't that enough of a reason to sing big?

But lately, I cower in my own sorrow.  I am small and quite aware of it.  I willed myself to get up and pour coffee this morning.  I will go to church and sit and chat and sing and listen and I, in my own frail way, will worship.  I need to do this.  I must get out and do what I can to walk through this sorrow with faith.  Even my little steps of faith by getting out of the house and going to church and smiling and paying attention to others is my way to sing big.  Blah, blah, blah...la, la, la!  Help me, Lord, to sing big the song you put in me. 

In the thick of my depression, with what seemed like tiny steps, tiny shaky notes were my way of singing big.  Pouring coffee, going to church, worshipping, paying attention to others...these were all ways for me to sing big.  They seem small to me now, but then they were mammoth steps of faith.  We all have opportunities to sing big.  For each of us, singing big may sound different.  For some, the smallest act of faith is the way they sing big.  For others, big attempts and risks are the way they sing big.  

It's not the volume of the song, the length of the song or the complexity of the melody that denotes we're singing big.  It's the size of our faith that determines when we're singing big.  And, God knows what singing big is for you.  He loves to hear your melody of trust. 

Do you sing big?  What would singing big look like for you?  Once you identify it, do it.  Let God put His song in your heart and sing, sing, sing...BIG! 

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD."  (Psalm 40:2, 3)

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

November 2010 Spill the Beans

You Ask It, I'll Answer It

Question:

I'm afraid that I'm going to miss the call that God has placed on my life. How can I get over this fear?

 

Signed,
JC

 

Answer:

Oh girl, relax in God's love for you and don't worry!  Daily obedience is your calling.  Trusting God more than your feelings is your calling.  Loving Him and loving people is your calling.  If you are walking out your everyday calling, your long term calling will fall into place.  Don't fear, sister.  It is God who works in you both to will and work for His good purpose.  Relax in His grace, follow Him and watch Him lead you into your calling.  Faith is your calling, not fear, so elevate your faith higher than your fear and watch your calling blossom. 

 

Peace to you,

Jennifer


And, now the beans are officially spilled!