What Would I Do Without You?

The bible is a love story of God's wrestle with mankind to bring him to a place where he realizes his need of a Saviour/Jesus - Father - Counselor/Holy Spirit.

Man asked for Judges and He gave them Judges so that they would see they cannot do it without Him.

Man asked for Kings and He gave them Kings so that they would see they cannot do it without Him.

Man has tried many forms of government, monarchies - communism - dictatorships - capitalism - and God has allowed us to explore every avenue in the hopes that we will realize that we cannot do it without Him. Our world is a mess and oh how God's heart must ache as He watches us making gods out of animals, greenie-ism, global warming and finding oneself, all our 'New Age' garbage. As if we could fix it. He predicted all this error would come in His word.

The One who made all our universe He can fix it. He can fix us and is waiting for us to realize, we cannot do it without Him. He created it all, it is no accident - accidents cause chaos - if we will only look with our eyes we will see far too much design in it all to even begin to imagine any of it is an accident.

He said the evidence of Him is all around us. What would I do without You?

You Made Our Footprints .... Love Jen

Where are you?

After many years of ministry I have a deep longing for this particular scripture to be fulfilled.

In Malachi 4:6 it talks about the hearts of the fathers being turned to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. And I think this is specifically relevant for fathers and sons.

There are so many men with a vacancy in their life, a large hole waiting for Daddy to fill it. They even spend time looking for a hero in their day to day life only to be disappointed when they find they have 'feet of clay' and cannot replace their own father.

Fathers, in general terms, seem to have a challenge relating with their own sons whilst it seems easier for them to relate to their daughters or other peoples sons.

In Genesis when Adam is caught out by God after he eats the forbidden fruit. It seems he missed out on the opportunity to 'Walk with God in the cool of the evening' God said to Adam “Where are you?” Then after Adam is sent from the Garden imagine the disappointment in him when he can no longer relate to his Father face to face. This is catastrophic Father we need You!

Before our Lord Jesus goes to the cross in Matthew 23:37 nkjv He says “How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”

This longing that is in us is also in Him. Father we need You.
We are told in Matthew 18:3 “unless you are converted and become as little children”. Does this mean God wants a bunch of immature Christians running around? No – He wants us to relate to Him as our loving Father.

Father God said of Jesus “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” He wants to say the same of us.

This longing that is in me and you is in Him. This God shaped hole in our lives cannot be filled by anything or anyone but Him. He told us in Psalm 139 that He wove us in our mothers womb. He is waiting for us to respond.


So let's be His Footprint. Love Jen

"Six It Pwease Daddy?"

You know the sort of faith your child has when they are little when they bring something to Dad and say "Six it pwease Daddy" they think you can miraculously mend a broken toy because after all that's what parents do make everything right, isn't it?

Lord as I look around Your church worldwide today I see many, not all, have people leaving in discouragement or bitterness.

Some where Pastors have fallen in various ways are left unable to trust after experiencing molestations, adulteries, theft, mental abuse or abandonment.

So many clergy who started out with a heart to serve God knocked out by the enemy or the enemies in their own soul.

The prayer that Jesus prayed in John 17 seems far from our grasp "that they may be one, as We are" John 17:11 nkjv Lord there are fragments everywhere. Hurting, wounded, disappointed people. (Sounds like David's army) I think we could do something with them.

I long to see a Renaissance/Revival/Restoration of Your church.

Holy Spirit HELP!

You said in Joel You would pour out Your Spirit on all flesh

Lord move everywhere we are all your children?

I don't want to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or go to Toronto, Pensacola, Guatemala, or Bogota etc, to see Your hand move. I want to see a flood of Your presence here

You are God HERE "Six it pwease Daddy?


The World Needs Your Footprint Father in Jesus Name Amen Love Jen

Should I Say Something?

Today I would like to look at Esther and see what you think about my musings.

You could say what happened to Esther was 'not fair'. Her parents have died, raised by her cousin Mordecai. Taken from him to the Kings Harem ( Whoopdey doo! the dream of every young woman's heart to be in some old drunks harem).

She may have had dream of her own. Fancied one of the young men from among her own people.It certainly was not their custom to intermarry with other nations - her own people would have looked down on her. She would have felt lost and lonely, even victimized.

This position of unfair persecution faces us all at some time. Why am I being treated like this? It's just not right!

Esther receives favour though, among her captors, just like Joseph did. The Eunuch gives her preferential treatment. Then there was the 12 months preparation treatment 6 months of Myrrh and 6 months of perfume etc. That is some preparation.

After becoming Queen, She is not even allowed to see the King unless he calls for her, she is asked to risk her life to save her people, the words in Esther 4:14 ....

"IF YOU REMAIN SILENT"

&

"WHO KNOWS IF YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS"

The idea of one person laying down any thought of a life of their own to save their people from death is the message of Salvation and will continue to be.

She could have remained a VICTIM
But she became a VICTOR.

I know I am called to serve my people. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to reach them with this beautiful life changing message of love that Jesus died on that cross to bring us life.

Do you feel like that too?

And you know the rest.. The World Needs Our Footprints - Love Jen - Bible ref's nkjv

Don't Climb It. Remove it!

I read a quote from Reinhard Bonnke this week
"To do Business in this world you need Money"
"To do Business with God you need Faith"

Sometimes I get off into moaning prayers with God "If You love me do something". Many of us do this and wait for His answer. When Faith is God's currency. Should I have a look in my purse?

HAVE FAITH IN GOD it says in Mark 11:22

MOUNTAIN BE REMOVED - What is your MOUNTAIN?
At some point we will all face something bigger than us.

BELIEF - In this verse we are told if we "BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART" and ask in faith our mountain will be removed. Speak to the mountain in faith in His authority. He has passed me the baton and is waiting for me to run the race.

TRUST - We all remember one of our favourite scriptures "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Lean not on your own understanding" in Proverbs 3:5. This leaning not on your own understanding seems to be our downfall. Don't you think?

HOPE - from Romans 4:18 regarding Abraham "Who contrary to Hope, In Hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations."
from :17 "And calls those things that do not exist as though they were"

PROMISE - Hebrews 11:13 "These all died in faith not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them.......

Hebrews 11 also says Faith is.....

SUBSTANCE of things hoped for

EVIDENCE of things not seen

"Were not made of things which are visible"

:6 1) Must believe that He is 2) He is a rewarder of those who seek Him

This FAITH that they had and I am believing I have means ....

:16 "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them"

I do not want God to be ashamed of me, I do drop the bottom lip a bit from time to time.

Lord help me to stand in faith to receive Your promises for my life.



The World Needs Our Footprints - Love Jen (all bible quotes nkjv)

Please! Don't Leave Me

I have been looking at the chapters 13-17 in the book of John and thinking about how Jesus laid a foundation. He prepared His disciples for His departure as a physical presence in their lives.

What a beautiful process in these chapters ...

13 Love each other, wash each others feet
14 Don't be troubled,Love Me, you have My peace
15 Abide in Me, I Love you, Love each other, hear the Holy Spirit
16 Don't be sad, work with the Holy Spirit He'll lead, guide and convict,
ask in My name.
17 I have given you the words, sent you into the world, that the world may believe,
be one, that the world may know, that they may see My glory, I love you.

How they protested and told Him they did not want Him to go. I can really relate to that as I am a physical presence person. I like talking to people face to face. This faith walk is difficult I just want to sit on my Daddy's lap and talk to Him.

He told them He would send them another Helper, the Holy Spirit and that they would do "much greater work" (meaning much more than He had done in His time here as it is multiplied through us empowered by the Holy Spirit)I don't think we could do greater that raise the dead do you?

In the gospel of Luke 24:25-32 it says that He explained/interpreted scripture to them regarding Himself - then their eyes were opened and they KNEW Him.

Further to that in Mark 16:20 just after Jesus had left them "the Lord working with them, confirming the word through accompanying signs" nkjv With all this available to us He is telling us we are or can be equipped because...


The World Needs Our Footprints .. Love Jen

Do You Love Me?

I believe we have all been disappointed by a friends lack of support at some time in our lives.

What if we look at Peters' three denials of Christ (John 18) and think of our own. At some time or other we have all denied Him and felt the worse for it. Not promoted Him when we should.

Then if we uncover Jesus' reaction to this failure in Peter, to stand with Him when it counted. It was the most satisfying discovery as it helped me to see His incredible mercy to a friend who had sorely let Him down.

In (John 21) Simon Peter do you love Me? – do you love Me? – do you love Me? three times

He didn't say “why did you deny Me?” - “how could you treat a friend like that in His hour of need?” He just absolved him, washed him in acceptance, “go be My disciple” or to be exact “feed my lambs/sheep”.

At the time of his denials – what could have been going through Peters' mind? How could You, being who You are, allow those creeps to treat you like that? I saw You Transfigured! I've seen the power You possess!

Or was it just fear of the incredible cruelty of the Romans? What do you think? Although fear didn't seem to be high on Peters' list. He did jump out of the boat. Some people think the fact that he sank shows fear but how many of us would have got out of the boat in the first place I wonder?

I suggest that we are no better than Peter as we all have our own opinions. Sometimes they lead us to the most undesirable reactions of spite or self righteousness.

So if we …..

Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)
   
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

We will have a better chance of getting it right when it comes to this forgiveness battle. God please help us to relate with each other like You? ....as ....


The World Needs Our Footprints ... Love Jen

Are You Feeling Ripped Off?

Have you tried to get it right, do the correct thing, endeavoured to work hard and still find all is not going the way you dreamed?

After running up and into a number of blind alleys/brick walls I can relate to that. You can become a little bit discouraged.

However, if we picture the scenario for people in the time of 'John 14' - living in your homeland under the rule of a cruel enemy where you might walk outside and see Uncle Harry nailed to a cross on the side of the road or Auntie Enid fed to the lions. Surrounded by this atmosphere Jesus spoke the words in 'John 14:1,& :27 "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" you might say;

ARE YOU FOR REAL!? His answer to us is...

"My peace I leave with you"

I know we are facing our own giants of financial ruin; unsure futures etc. Yet in 'Matthew 6' He tells us again "Do not worry" about that because you are in My hands. What you wear - eat - where you go in the future is under My jurisdiction. If you want it to be?

Sadly though He shares in -

Matthew 24:12 (NKJV)

"12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."

Further to that He said in Luke 18:8 "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

Our lot in life may or may not improve in these troubled times - BUT - Please don't give up? Remember Sir Winston Churchill "We shall never surrender" - We are in a battle for our very existence.



The World Needs Our Footprints - Love Jen

Where Did You Come From?

This passage of scripture written by King David is a humble recognition of his origin. A great reminder of ours. It informs us that if we seek God for His intention for our life He is more than willing to be the author of our biography.


Psalm 139 (NKJV)

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

or another translation puts the same message this way .....

Psalm 139:13-17 (New Living Translation)

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!

More evidence of God's desire to have a hand in our future is in the following passage where God calls a young man called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nation.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NKJV)

4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
5 “ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

It seems clear then, our Lord has a purpose for our lives that is set out even before we are born.

What has He prepared for you to do?


I know the World Needs Your Footprints - Love Jen

Do You Want Something?

It says in the word 'ask and you will receive' but it's not just like a kid in a candy shop is it?

Looking at the Lord's Prayer from another light I would like to start in Luke 18.
I know it's not there is it? However a good key to it is, right in verse 1 -"men ought to pray and not lose heart".

The chapter proceeds with the woman who nagged the Judge. Then the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, where in verse 11 it says "The Pharisee stood and prayed like this with HIMSELF 'God I thank you that I am not like other men'"
It would seem our attitude has something to do with the ratio of answers to petitions don't you think?

Who are we asking to answer us?

Matthew 6:8b-15 (New King James Version)

8b For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven, POSITION
Hallowed be Your name. PRAISE
10 Your kingdom come. PRESENCE
Your will be done PRIORITY
On earth as it is in heaven. PLAN
11 Give us this day our daily bread. PROVISION
12 And forgive us our debts, PARDON
As we forgive our debtors. PEACE
13 And do not lead us into temptation, PREVENTION
But deliver us from the evil one. PROTECTION
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.POSSESSION

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

So like it says in one of those Indiana Jones movies "The PENITENT man will pass"

Oh! I know this is all much easier said than done - it is a daily battle for us all, would you agree?


Nevertheless The World Needs our Footprints - Love Jen

What are you doing with that?

The parable of the Talents (Mat 25:14-29) that Jesus taught, referred to money but it just so happens that the word in English refers to something else which is helpful for us and enables us to look at this parable in a double light.

As the principle holds true in both aspects – if you have it and don't use it – you waste it.

So it sends us a challenge to pause and think about, Are we using the talent He has given us?

God also says in His word that “Every perfect gift is from above” so when I see something beautiful like a Ballerina or a clever Physicist I think of that verse implying the talents He has offered.

It is said in a marriage ceremony “the 2 shall become 1 flesh” and I have preached to leadership couples in churches in many places where men have their wives and children sitting three rows behind them, that looking at this statement through the parable of the Talents, if a man does not give credence to his wife in his ministry he is hiding half of his talent in the ground as she is his other half, meaning half of him is buried, unused, how can God bless that? The same applies to his children as they are the fruit of the marriage. Does that seem reasonable to you? Surely much more can be achieved through partnership?

As I believe the desire of all Christians everywhere is to hear those words written in this parable, “well done good and faithful servant”, when we meet Him face to face. It doesn't hurt to consider what we are doing with the gifts He has supplied us.

What beautiful talents are emerging in our lives? God bless them?

The World Needs our Footprints – Love Jen

What Sort of Greeting is That?

Today I would like to consider Mary and her willingness, obedience to her call.

Like wow! She is being told by an Angel that she will carry God's Son in the flesh in her body. It's an amazing call but it comes with a huge cost and danger to her well being. In that day, to be pregnant and not married was huge. When the Angel entered he said such a strange thing, imagine if he had said that to you? ...

Luke 1: (New King James Version)
28 And having come in, the angel said to her,
“Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

Mary's reaction to his strange request of her in Luke 1:30-33 is ….

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.


Elizabeth her cousin is also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist what an awesome time in history this is. Don't forget though they are under Roman occupation and living through incredible hardships.

Elizabeth just knows that Mary is carrying “The LORD”...

42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

I love reading the first 2 chapters of Luke and seeing the heart of these two women and to remember what was said to to Zachariah, about his coming son John the Baptist, when he met the Angel ….

17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

That is our call also to make ready a people prepared for the Lord, Jesus told us that in Matthew

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.


Notice Jesus says 'make disciples' not 'make christians'?

So you see – the World Really Does Need Your Footprints – Love Jen

WHY ME??

This blog will contain a few different accounts of the people's reaction to being 'called' by God to be His instrument. I just love God's sense of humour in whom He chooses to GO.

Have you ever felt like the job in front of you is too much for you. Well you are in good company.

Lets start with MOSES from the book of Exodus
"I am slow of speech .. slow of tongue ..I am not eloquent .. why is it You have sent me?
"I am a poor speaker how will Pharaoh listen to me??"

God says... "I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say" "I am the Lord"

Moses is very insecure, when he is asked to face Pharaoh he gets Aaron to speak for him which also turns out to be a huge mistake, hence the Golden Calf episode.

Like us Moses wanted God to fulfill His promise instantly - but - it was a process - and we all "hate" the "process"


now GIDEON ... from the book of Judges chapter 6
"My clan is the weakest in Manasseh" + "I am the least in my father's house"

The Lord ......
"The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour"
"Go in this might of yours .. have I not sent you"


then JEREMIAH .. from the book of Jeremiah chapter 1
"Look, I cannot speak I am a youth"

The Lord ....
"I formed you, I knew you, I sanctified you, I ordained you, I have put My words in your mouth, I am ready to perform My word. I am with you, to deliver you"

Every task that was required of these men was enormous. Moses was being asked to face the ruler of Egypt and tell him to 'Let My people go' whilst Gideon, to form a very small army and defeat a very large one. Jeremiah, to face his own people and tell them what a gigantic mess they were making of their lives. Each one was making an effort to save his own people.

God has always called people to perform His words and we are not always willing. He has even used people who do not know Him to bring about amazing outcomes.

So when you are feeling the Why Me's remember you are not alone. You could be about to change a nation, if that is what He has called you to do.


The World Needs Our Footprints .. Love Jen

Just Be Real

Blog 3 in the series on my favourites stories in the bible is the Woman at the Well from the Gospel of John chapter 4.

I love the way Jesus meets this woman and transforms her whole life in a few sentences.

The fact that Jesus spoke to her, in the first place, was the first interesting fact because:-

1) She was a woman

2) She was a Samaritan woman

3) She was an outcast

4) She was an immoral woman

Which in those times made her totally UNACCEPTABLE in those times and by Jewish custom, He was totally not supposed to talk to her.

So He ...

1) Met her where she was at,

2) Accepted her by allowing her to draw water for Him,

3) Loved her offering her eternal life,

4) Amazed her telling all she had ever done,

5) Restored her by going to her village and verifying her testimony therefore giving
her back value with her own people.

Jesus our High Priest came dressed in normal clothes and met this outcast woman, with no pomp or circumstance, changing her whole life. This account is a true picture of everything he wants us to be in this world in our dealings with people.

Lord we want this Living Water in us.


The World Needs Your Footprints, Love Jen

How Would You Forgive This?

Now it's time for Jonah - you might say "Jonah has been done to death" and I would agree with you but if you'll bear with me - I don't intend to draw a little picture of Jonah in a whale's belly sitting at a table reading the paper with a lamp on.

If you would like to brush up on Jonah he has his own book in your bible and only 4 small chapters so you should be able to woof that down real quick.

I want to write this blog because I think poor old Jonah has been badly maligned by preachers and teachers everywhere as a disobedient naughty boy who got his comeuppance first in the whale and then in the desert with the dying plant. No one mentions that in the book of Nahum 100 years after Jonah, Nahum pronounces the complete annihilation of Nineveh as they were right back at their old tricks again.

Further to that I would like to say that the Ninevites were a very cruel race. They not only killed but they decimated people and spread their body parts in all sorts of places, flaying them and even making pillars of their heads. And I won't say what they did to the women.

So you see it's kind of like asking the Jewish people to go to Germany and preach forgiveness - no one is going to blame them for having some reservations.

In Jonah 4:1-3 he makes it real clear how he feels about it - I knew you would forgive them - and you wanted me to be the one to tell them, I'm disgusted, I saw families slaughtered - God what do you think You are doing?? And I have to go back and face my people as the bearer of the news of their salvation - I'm disgusted!! I would rather die!! ........ Like be honest who is with Jonah here?

Now I know we have to suck up and get over it - but all I am saying is, it is not that easy and when we read the bible we should not do it from a pious point of view casting judgement on them as if they were wooses. We need to place ourselves in their shoes and really get the gravity of what is being asked of us.


The World Needs our Footprints Lov Jen

Are You Willing?

I have decided to do a series of Blogs on my favourite passages of scripture.

My first account will be on the story from Judges chapters 4 & 5 on the life of Deborah who was a Judge in Israel. Please let me know what you think and add any of your insights. You may need to read through chapters 4 and 5 of the book of Judges to refresh your memory of her.

It would seem that the men had kind of dropped the bundle at this time in Israel's history as it was not their normal custom to be led by a woman. Deborah was also a prophetess which would be handy when working as a Judge as long as you stayed in tune with God.

Deborah goes to battle with the 'Leaders'
Judges 4:9
So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Into the hands of a woman........

Judges 4:21
Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

So note not only do we have Deborah as Judge/Prophetess of Israel we have Jael, Heber's wife killing the leader of the enemy - How would you feel about having to do that?

It appears then that when men and women get together with a heart to serve the Lord in whatever combination of hierarchy God will bless them, if that is what He has asked them to do.

Deborah goes on to say, in chapter 5, who is and is not with them in the battle. The list of distractions include - Cults, Dead Religion, Philosophy, Fear, Materialism and Worldly Pleasure. Things have not changed that much eh?

On the positive side the list is interesting also - Rulers, Recruiters, Leaders, Heroes, Front Line People go into the battle with Deborah.

The two passages of scripture I love out of this account are...

Judges 5:2
“When leaders lead in Israel,
When the people willingly offer themselves,
Bless the LORD!

Judges 5:9
My heart is with the rulers of Israel
Who offered themselves willingly with the people.
Bless the LORD!

God help us to be those people who willingly offer ourselves.....

The World Needs Your Footprints

Love Jen

Don't You Remember Who You Are?

Over the past little time I have been suffering from a real anger about the elections and the way things went. I was feeling so disappointed in the people of this nation and the way they voted for a party that I believe has and will ruin this nation. I was so upset on Election Night that I was ready to pack up and leave the country. My husband said "and exactly where would you go?" ... but of course I love this country.

When I was having a little complain to God about it, okay so I was having a big whinge to God about it, as I had asked Him not to give us the government we deserve but to have mercy on us ... He said to me "Where is your citizenship?"

So this morning in my time with God I decided to look up Citizenship in my bible and find that verse about my citizenship being in heaven. I also found the whole Chapter of Philippians 3 is a great read that put my mind back in right order.

Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Understanding this helps me to put things in context and realize like Joseph did that I may be stuck in Egypt but only God can put me in a position to make the most of it.

So hopefully now I will alter my attitude and remember .. The World Needs My Footprints ... How beautiful are the feet of those....... Romans 10:15

Am I the only one having these struggles?

Love Jen .... the World Needs Your Footprints

What is the most important Job in the World?

If there is one thing I wish I knew a lot earlier in my life, it's the answer to this question.
I believe the role of Mother has been greatly downgraded in our society. I am not writing this article to knock mothers who have a career but to validate those who may not.

I believe that the role of Mother is the most important job in the world. If you can raise a child to reach the fullness of their potential - secure in who they are - no matter what economy is available to you, you have achieved more than anyone. Hats off to those mothers who decide not to be otherwise employed and sometimes feel like a lesser being when having to tick 'housewife' on a form. Whichever you choose to be a mom with a career or a mom without know that your most important role is that of Mother, as this influence is generational.

When I look at our two sons I am certainly not sorry that we have raised men who are confident and contributing to our world with Godly character.

To the Moms out there who sometimes feel overstretched, unappreciated, unimportant or bored let me tell you it is all worth it in the end when you kiss and hug the responsible adult that you have nurtured.

the World Needs Your Footprints Love Jen

Surprise, Surprise

Bill and I were just thinking we could not afford a holiday in Nelson's Bay this year. So we would stay home and take some day trips to our favourite spots - Blue Mountains - Gerringong - Berry - Sydney Harbour. Have some sleep ins and go for walks together.

Then lo and behold my brother Robert phones and tells us he had a call offering 3 nights at a hotel in Nelson's Bay on a very special deal and he took it. He wants us to go up with him and share the Penthouse. All this for a very reasonable amount of money. I love God's sense of humour. Just when we think the door is shut in our face He opens it. Thank you Lord <3

What are some of the doors that He has opened for you when you least expected it? I would love to hear about them. And all my friends I believe it's time for you to blog and post it on your facebook for all of us to read, what do you think

Lov Jen x

Have We Lost the Art of Eating?

For quite a while now I have had a hankering for Mediterranean outdoor eating. The whole family and friends eating outdoors on a long table. All helping with preparation and talking and laughing and doing life together.

I love movies like Julie and Julia - books like Peter Mayle 'A year in Provence'. I would love to garden more and grow more food. Must go out and buy more herbs.

What a great way to share you thoughts and feelings together. I believe Jesus liked it too, sitting with his friends and sharing food and allowing them to glean all the best of His character as they relaxed together over a meal.

I have just obtained my first mortar and pestle isn't that exciting? I'm getting a little more daring in my food preparation instead of sticking to the known recipes I am trying new ones.

I love it when we are overseas in South America and we go to the street Markets and see all their local fresh products. Watching as they sit together chattering while they prepare the food.

When we were in India, up in Gangtok the market there with the smell of all those fresh spices. What beautiful memories of times with our Pastor friends eating together and sharing ministry.

I believe there is a danger of us losing that connection as so many of us put food on a tray in front of the television and forget the art of eating together and lose the art of conversation.
Do you think that may be why so many of us need counselors? What do you think??

Love Jen 'the World needs your footprints'

Generations?

Friends I have been thinking about our Generations a lot lately. There seems to be an increasing interest in our ancestors and there are at least a couple of programs on Television about celebrities searching out their predecessors. As a result they are either made happy by their achievements or depressed by their misdemeanors.

All this leads me to consider the enormity of our influence on our children and our children's children. The decisions we make, when we are raising our children, can have amazing effect that will roll down through the generations.

Living for the now and self gratification - insisting on the big house, the trendy car, the designer clothes, "our freedom" when we could be sowing an incredible future for our children through their education, the places we take them and the priorities we display for them.

What sort of character will we sow into our children - who are we raising the next Prime Minister, a Researcher who will find a cure for Aids or Cancer or maybe another Billy Graham? Who knows what God has placed inside them if we take the time to know them and nurture them?

The World needs your footprints ... Love Jen

Have you got Rocks in your head?

I was watching a Documentary on The Great Wall of China a couple of weeks ago and thought I must blog on that. I used to look on it as a useless exercise. I thought that building a wall in the middle of nowhere and soooo long, what a waste of time, money and effort.

However this man had a dream in his heart. After experiencing many years of battle he was sick of seeing his men suffer if they ran out of shelter, resources and basic supplies like food and weaponry, when they were far from home. He wanted a place where you could face the enemy on the 'Right Foot' armed, relatively safe and not hungry.

Like Nehemiah he was a man of great determination, and like Nehemiah he had his enemies to overcome. It led me to thinking how important it is for us to stick together in this battle for the Lord. I know the Great Wall of China was not built for the Lord but the imagery is very helpful and could cause us to have a 'selah' moment. In this time when so many ministries and churches are failing perhaps it is time to shake ourselves like a wet dog and consider.

1 Peter 2:4-6 (NKJV)

The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People


4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,


“ Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

We are like Nehemiah's wall meant to protect the Possession of the Lord by remaining together, like stones in a wall to support one another in protection and provision. What beautiful imagery.

The World needs your footprints,

Love Jen

What do your expect!

What do you expect to happen in 2010? Will this year be any different to the other years we have experienced? We ask ourselves this question every year with great expectation for many things to be different to the year we just encountered.

Well I believe this year will bring exactly what we focus on, and work for.
What are the plans in our diary? Who will we speak to - encourage - draw from?
As I look through my facebook and twitter I like to draw from the positive input that others have presented and then pass it on.
People say they are bored with facebook because nothing meaningful is happening there.
However - 'We get out of life what we put into it' - will I be a contributor or a spectator?

Am I doing life or is life being done to me?

Are we here for me, me, me or can we really make a difference?

1) So what will 2010 be like?

2) Should we consider the best way to encourage participation?

3) How can we best contribute?

4) What part of our life is worth sharing with others?

We are the talent. Remember Jesus' parable about the talents?, don't want to get caught with ours hiding in the ground.

The world needs your footprints

Lov Jen