Jesus loves me, this I know. This category is about Jesus, the Living Word, my prayers to Him, my worship of Him, His relentless pursuit of my heart and His invitation to me to come to Him in Sabbath, my Savior, my Rest.
Redemption…a Savior…my lover and husband, Dave…the five children I carried to birth – watching them become the people God intended…Giving Thanks…the 5 grandchildren who call me Nonna and run into my arms in front of people making me look really good…parents who raised me for God…my siblings and the people they married, the nieces and nephews they share with me…music…The Word of God…gardening…tomatoes….flowers and green, green grass…cold water…thunder and lightening to go to sleep by…the smell of a cleansing rain…a harvest moon…Grateful…my amazing American Down and Feather pillow…So Blessed…caramel…pumpkin spice lattes…long kisses…foot rubs…something that makes me laugh out loud…really good and loyal friends…the 3rd Thursday women…Thanksgiving Dinner…Charmin triple-ply, extra soft…Ephesians…Gavin’s red hair… Averi’s chunky legs in white tights…Gemma giving the dog orders – and being obeyed!…Guini’s soft hugs and kisses…So Appreciative…Hunter’s m&m toes…hot coffee on cool mornings…for over 300 sunny days a year in Colorado…Dave’s dimples…the comfort of the Lord…the healing of the Lord…being loved by the Lord…having enough to eat…getting to eat with friends and family at the convivial table…the quiet God has provided to write and dream and create…the noisy family dinners…the promises of God…Counting My Blessings…the sidewalk that leads to the world’s nicest neighbors…the strength represented by the mountains…the fact that the mountains help me keep my bearings, direction-wise…the artistic, creative types who color my world…getting to help produce Heaven Fest…getting to invite people in to 24/7 worship in the metro-area…the nearly 100 sunsets I have watched this year-the most in my life-because they have been amazingly beautiful and healing…my summer of love…this year of worship…God is Good…new friends…people that stand by you through thick and thin…re-acquainting with long-time friends…having any friends at all…God is Faithful…a song that ushers in the Presence…a powerful sermon…the ministries I am a part of…new mercies every morning…spiritual daughters and sons…a good church home…provision…rescue…deliverance…mended relationships…Jesus – the center of my joy…joy
Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney sang this in the Movie White Christmas, 1954
When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep,
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all,
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.
This is what I am singing…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Be more purposely thankful and grateful, for the love of Pete. No whining! I am blessed.
OK-just because he is one of the best-loved and most prolific writers in Christendom, and just because The Journey of Desire was my favorite book read in 2004 and just because I spent 6 months reading and writing and loving The Sacred Romance and experiencing an amazing “summer of love” because of it and my friends and I blogged about it all year this year – don’t think that authomatically makes me some kind of big John Eldredge fan. Because I am not an Eldredge groupie. Or maybe I wasn’t.
But I have just finished reading (2 weeks ago) the BEST book (it WILL be my “book of the year”) and it just happens to be by John Eldredge. And I seriously wish some one else, everyone else, would read it, too, and get it and get into conversation with me about it.
Walking with God – Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really. That is the name of the book. I picked it up from the library on a whim, thinking I’d browse through quickly because there was no time to read it. But the day I got started, I was in all the way. I spent a week reading it (was the bronchitis a gift??), took 27 pages of handwritten notes and have now requested it for Christmas, because, I plan to read it again and write in it and underline and highlight and learn some more.
Here is how it is described on the jacket:
“This is a series of stories of what it looks like to walk with God, over the course of about a year.”
“So begins a remarkable narrative of one man’s journey learning to hear the voice of God. In Walking wtih God by John Eldredge, the details are intimate and personal. The invitation is for us all. What if we could hear from God . . . often? What difference would it make?
All day long we are making choices. It adds up to an enormous amount of decisions in a lifetime. How do we know what to do? We have two options. We can trudge through on our own, doing our best to figure it all out.
Or, we can walk with God. As in, learn to hear his voice. Really. We can live life with God. He offers to speak to us and guide us. Every day. It is an incredible offer. To accept that offer is to enter into an adventure filled with joy and risk, transformation and breakthrough. And more clarity than we ever thought possible.”
John Eldredge basically shares his personal journaling with us, the things he faces and considers and learns throughout the course of a year. Thus, no chapters or formulaic divisions. What he learns about intimacy with God or joy and how essential it is, the spiritual warfare in which he engages, the agreements he breaks with the enemy and the growth in prayer and understanding of the power of the completed work of Jesus on the cross and the deliverance available through the blood of Jesus – these are not segregated, sectioned off revelations, but the interweaving of them throughout the course of the year. Here a little, there a little, as God taught Him, interacted with him, talked to him. Really.
This is the kind of book every parent should leave behind for their children: the record of the faithfulness of the hand of God in our lives in the day in and the day out. Here is what I learned, no-am still learning. Here is what God did on this day. Here is the battle I repeatedly face. Here is how I am overcoming. John Eldredge opened the pages of his journal and shared these things in this book. And even told how he is instilling them in his sons, even now.
The book: It’s conversational. It’s powerful. I felt like I was sitting there talking to the author directly. For me, it was timely and insightful on being whole and holy, and the importance of joy. It reminded me to recognize the enemy’s work against me and how I have made subtle agreements with the enemy that have given him a foothold in my life, but also gave me the courage, the prayers and the understanding to break those things, resist the devil and watch him flee! It exposed busyness again, a recurring struggle for me, and awakened me to ways the enemy has kept me in bondage, but how I do not have to stay there. Period.
Really good read. Really can’t wait to tear into my own copy again. Really loving what I learned about prayer and the new power in my personal prayer life. See http://www.walkingwithgod.net/pdf/DailyPrayer.pdf to get you started.
Hearing from Him so much more…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Increase the conversation with the God of the universe who does actually involve Himself in what concerns me.
Times are hard right now for a lot of people. A newer friend of mine just lost her job and is now homeless, living in her car. Another friend’s brother-in-law is having to work across the state, away from his wife and young children to keep food in their mouths. An amazing pastor’s wife has breast cancer and is facing major surgery in a few days. One beautiful family struggles through prolonged accusation and custody hearings, sapping life-strength one agonizing day at a time. A brother is fighting his way back to his family from addictions that have ripped his soul, and crushed his family’s hearts. Everywhere I look, the result of the fall is wreaking havoc.
Yet, in these same circumstances and many more I am watching, grace is flowing like water. The faithful are rejecting the fear and looking to Jesus, and oh, what a beautiful sight as their faces reflect the glory of the One who is holding them steady – walking right beside them through these things.
Think about this, my friends, and don’tloseheart. This is what Jesus did so He could complete HIS work in YOU:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12.2-3
He is your Author, your story-writer and He endured it all so He could make sure it ends with a glorious flourish. He is in all the way to the finish with you!
Dave and Tara blew me away singing the last part of a Michael W. Smith song at church on Sunday. I did a quick search for it this morning and the video actually captures, right toward the end, what I have been “seeing” in the Spirit in the lives of the people I mentioned here – a looking to Jesus, a receiving of His healing and blessing. Check out the video and stay with it, and then sing it, declare it:
Healing rain, I’m not afraid to be washed in heaven’s rain.
Healing rain is falling down. I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid!
Healing rain is falling down.
I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid!
Don’t lose heart. Don’t be afraid. He is not finished yet…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: He. Is. My. Author. My story is His.
Yikeronis! In April, four friends: Heather, Candi, Amy Jo and me, set out to read and write our responses to the now-classic The Sacred Romance-Drawing Closer to the Heart of God by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge. We were going great guns for a time, but life and stuff jumped right in front of our momentum and we have never quite finished…yet. I published my thoughts to Chapter 12 about 2 months ago (see here). There is really just Chapter 12 and the epilogue left (wow! I LOVED the epilogue!), but, by golly, we are GOING to finish! Hopefully before the holidays…
Chapter Twelve: Coming Home
From the infamous, crazy artistic, wildly creative and sensitive Amy Jo:
“Our hearts cannot live without hope… Our courage for the journey so often falters because we’ve lost our hope of heaven-the consummation of our Love Story.” (p. 178)
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” (C.S. Lewis, p. 180)
Ah… temporal ennui… my old “friend,” my frequent companion, my gift, my curse.
I, as Jeanie did, grew up with a heaven-focused crowd. I even had a lapel pin on the corkboard in my childhood bedroom that read “Perhaps Today.” Fittingly, it helped hold up a little poster that read (and yes, I’m typing this from memory):
“This world is not my home, although it seems to be. My home is with my God, in the place He’s made for me. He’s coming back real soon-the signs are very clear. So when the trumpet sounds, I’ll be out of here!”
Cute, huh? I liked it. But there is always the danger of being “so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good.” This is a balance I struggle with because (contrary to popular belief) I do NOT always love life. I wrestle OFTEN with my “calling,” whatever that may be. I wonder ALWAYS what I’m supposed to be doing with my time here on earth. I do know however, that I am to love God and love people, using the gifts and personality God was pleased to give me. Here, let me quote for you the personal “Mission Statement” I wrote for myself in 2007:
“I want my life to be characterized-most of all-by love for God and love for people. Therefore I will seek to do so in as many ways as I can imagine and am able. Never will I allow myself to become embittered by what sorrows and perceived injustices I may experience in my journey through life. I vow to strive always to see, imitate, manufacture, and praise God for beauty. I always want to confidently protect and promote truth and light. I want to be proud of how I conduct myself in any given situation. When others spend time with me, I want them to leave feeling refreshed, invigorated, inspired, loved, and valued. I want to bring out the best in those around me. When God looks at me, I want Him to say, “She is mine. She knows me and loves me. I am pleased by her.”
The authors of The Sacred Romance call us to dream of heaven, imagining wildly about what heaven will offer our heart of hearts-beyond the clouds, fat white cherubs, harps, and boringness that has become so cliché in our culture. “If faith and love hang on hope, if a life without hope is as Paul says ‘to be pitied’ (1 Cor. 15:19), then shouldn’t we devote ourselves to recovering a vision for the end of our story in as vivid colors as our imagination can conceive?” (p.180) The authors urge us to consider these in our imaginings: intimacy, beauty, adventure, and arrival. I will highlight my favorite parts of each section.
On Intimacy: “There we shall receive our new name, known only to our Lover, which He shall give to us on a white stone (Rev. 2.17)… To tell the name is to seal the success-to say, ‘In thee also I am well pleased.” (p.183) How my heart longs to hear these words from my God! (See above Mission Statement.)
On Beauty:“So it goes with all things on earth: The beauty that so captures our heart and is so fleeting draws us toward the eternal reality.” (p.186) (See above Mission Statement.)
On Adventure: “We will worship God in heaven, meaning all of life will finally be worship, not round after round of ‘Amazing Grace’.” (p. 188) YAY! “Part of the adventure will be to explore the wonders of the new heaven and new earth, the most breathtaking of which will be God Himself. We will have all eternity to explore the mysteries of God, and not just explore, but celebrate and share with one another.” (p. 189)
On Arrival: “One day soon we will round a bend in the road and our dreams will come true. We really will live happily ever after. The long years in exile will be swept away in the joyful tears of our arrival home. Every day when we rise, we can tell ourselves, My journey today will bring me closer to home; it may be just around the bend. All we long for we shall have; all we long to be, we will be. All that has hurt us so deeply-the dragons and nits, the Arrows and our false lovers, and Satan himself-they will all be swept away. And then real life begins.” (p.193)
In closing my review of this chapter on heaven, I’d like to just put out a challenge to those of you who love music-try making a “Heaven Playlist” on your ipod or computer… or even just using pen and paper. There are SO many songs out there referencing heaven; so many songs out there produced out of-I am convinced-the calling of the Sacred Romance. Perhaps in creating / listening to your “Heaven Playlist” you will hear the call of our Romancer-and just MAYBE you will begin to break free from our “modern” boring ideas of heaven. Here are a few I’d recommend to get you started:
“What Do I Know?” by Sara Groves, from Conversations
“My Deliverer” and “That Where I Am, There You…” by Rich Mullins, from The Jesus Record
“I Can Hear the Angels Singing” by David Crowder Band, from B Collision
“The Third Heaven” by Carmen, from Addicted to Jesus
“Un Lugar Celestial” (A Heavenly Place) by Jaci Velasquez, from Heavenly Place
Thanks, Amy Jo. LOVE you!…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Learn to be more imaginative about heaven. I CAN only imagine…
pictured: Amy Jo created the prayer and worship interactives for Heaven Fest this past summer.
It’s November 4. It’s election day. Before we go to bed tonight, we will most likely know who our next president will be and we’ll spend the next several days sorting out who all got elected and where and the talking heads will tell us what they think the next 4 years will look like. It would be easy to fall in to fear on a day like this. We become so impassioned about our candidate, so certain he or she is the only way and must certainly be God’s way. I wrote about it before.
Now don’t kill me for saying this, but: the collective vote of the people is NOT always the right one, the best choice for the nation. But it is the choice we have made, collectively. And since we want our democratic society, we have to roll with happens – that is part of getting to participate in the process. This makes Christians who rip leadership apart instead of praying for them humbly, just as guilty and stupid as the celebrities who claim they’ll leave the country if their candidate doesn’t win the election.
What? No democracy?!? Saul and David are good indicators of this. When God alone wanted to rule His people, they wanted a king (to be like other nations). So, God let them have the one they wanted. He was tall and good looking and popular and a warrior. He was the obvious choice. And God used Saul, in spite of himself. But he was never God’s choice (because God knows the heart) and Saul’s actions exposed the deep lack of character inside. Whereas, David wasn’t the obvious choice, but God knew he had the right heart to lead the people.
But in the end? Still – God’s people! His.
I voted. And tomorrow, come what may, the Word still calls me to pray:
“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we made lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godiness and holiness.” 1 Tim. 2.1-2
So, I pray for all of our leaders, both freshly elected and remaining:
I pray for the leaders of my nation to come to the light. Isaiah 60.3
God, let our leaders be just and let them rule in the fear of the Lord. 2 Samuel 23.3
May we, as a nation, praise You, Lord, for Your merciful kindness and truth. Psalm 117
Turn our leader’s hearts to fear You, Lord. Proverbs 21.1
God, I pray that we, as a nation, will make a joyful noise to You and serve You with great gladness! Psalm 110.1-2
Uproot the wicked from our land, Lord. Proverbs 2.22
We pray that our nation will submit to the reign and rule of Christ. Daniel 7.14
May Your governement and peace continually increase in my nation. Isaiah 9.7
I make supplication, petition, prayer, intercession and give thanks for ALL the people of my nation and especially today for all the leaders of this nation. 1 Timothy 2.1-2
Hear us from heaven, we ask, as we humbly pray and call out to You. We repent of our wickedness, God. Forgive our sins. Heal our land.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Daylight Savings Time and the practice of setting clocks back one hour in the fall and forward one hour in the spring (fall back, spring forward!) does not bug me nearly as much as it did at one time.
Soon after we were married we lived in Kokomo, IN where they did not observe Daylight Savings Time, so when the rest of the world changed, we just defiantly stayed put. And primetime programming for us was 8-11 pm, and the ten o’clock news came on at 11. We were out of sync with the rest of the nation for 6 months out of the year, as if we were defending some right to religious freedom? THAT was weird! AND you could always count on your lowest church year attendance with that “lost hour” each spring when we pastored. Very troubling. This is why, you’ll notice, churches are the greatest trumpeters bar none, of the whole clock-setting, time-changing ordeal!
But no, I am not troubled by it now like in the old days. Now I am only aggravated by every single time-related conversation for at least a week after the time change being some thing like:
Me: What time is it?
Other person: It is ____ o’clock…but REALLY it is ____ o’clock!
Yes, people want to tell me what time it would have been if Daylight Savings Time had not just upset our entire universes by one hour. I’m pretty sure I could calculate that on my own, if I ever needed to. But it did change, people, it did! Roll with it.
Now, in the fall, I relish in the wondrous thought of an extra hour. This morning I am up pondering how to be a worshiper who can bring God joy by my praises, my song, my love. I have just been sitting here lazily in the dark loving Him and bouncing ideas off of Him for some upcoming things while drinking my Rocky Mountain Thunder (dark roast by Boyer’s).
We never have enough time, yet – today, we get an extra hour. This is wonderful. This is a miracle. This is a gift: An hour of time to spend any way we want.
Enjoy yours…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: The question is not “what time is it?” but “what is it time for?”
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3.1 NIV
Happy 22nd Birthday, Jovan Marie Rhoades! Happy birthday, o daughter who joined us later than the rest, by a covenant vow to the one son. Happy day, Jovanie, careful and attentive mommy, devoted Rocky-lover. Happy day and life to your gentle heart and creative spirit. Thank-you for that world-lighting smile and for the easy laugh you share. Thank-you for choosing our family. Thank-you for knowing you were born to be a Rhoades and joining the ranks of the chattering as if you’d always been here.
Though from the time we met, it was always obvious you were sweet-spirited and kind, respectful and honoring (and loved Rocky like crazy!), who could have known what an amazing woman you would become? Who could have divined that the same radiant girl who captured my son’s heart by her beauty, both inside and out, would also be such an amazing wife – watching over Rocky, staying close to him, living the adventure that is life with him? And could we possibly have fathomed what a loving, fully-devoted, and thoroughly enchanted-by-her-baby mother you would be? You are doing it right, with Averi, Jovan! You were born for this!
So, I wanted to give you these gifts, not wrapped in glittery paper or festooned with deliriously happy bows (although that imagery does make one think of you), but rather a snapshot of the things I am believing God for in your life, the prayers of my heart for you. These are the gifts I pray you will open and receive on your birthday for the coming year:
I pray that you will go after understanding, wisdom and spiritual insight with all your might. It is easy after, having been the baby of your growing-up family and then being the youngest in ours (your married-in-to family), to sort of let “the big kids” take charge and maybe, at times, walk all over you. And it is true, they are a couple of steps ahead in life and they have some things to share, but God has placed important things in your hands. He has called you to a place of responsibility as a wife and a mommy and there is no one else who can take that place. So get wisdom, sweet daughter! I pray God will pour it out on you as you pursue Him for it!
Fearlessness in the battle. There is an enemy, Jovan. He will fight you for your family. But to be forewarned is to be for-armed. God looked through all eternity and knew He could trust you for this job. You are gentle, yes. You are careful not to run over people’s toes. But I also see the warrior spirit in you – absolutely aware at every turn where the battle lines are drawn. I pray for God to be your to be your shield of protection and your deliverer. I pray He will give you the needed courage at the right times and that you will have no fear – because you are not alone!
The joy of the Lord for the strength you need. I am praying for an outpouring of an abundance of clear, sparkling, life-giving rain to wash over your heart and mind. I pray you will be known as one who laughs right our loud in the face of danger! I pray that you will have everything Jesus promised in the area of joy: complete joy, and a full measure of His joy. I pray you get so much joy – it will splash on everyone else! (Ps 28.7; Ps 4.7; Jn 18.11; Jn 16.24; Jn 17.13)
A double-dose of continued creativity. You are becoming such a “virtuous woman” in the Proverbs 31 sense. I admire that in you. I love that you are sewing things for Averi and constantly looking for ways to create beauty and comfort in your home. I see how energized you are in the creation process and I am praying more of that for you!
The ability to receive the love admiration that surrounds you. You are likeable. You are loveable. You are some one people want to be around. You are accepted. There is nothing wrongwith you. You are the person God created you to be – He did not make a mistake. And? You are alive and you are well because of His hand on your life, His call in your heart. It is OK for you to be thankful about that, to unabashedly enjoy living. So enjoy it! Receive all the love that surrounds you, my sweet girl. Breathe it in! Grab it with both hands, free of guilt or trepidation. Live and love!
Happy Birthday, Jovan. I love you with my whole heart. You are worth so much to me.
We are blessed to call you one of our own…Mom
NOTE TO SELF: Investigate-are there any pictures of Jovan without Rocky and Averi in them? Anywhere???
pictured – ALL with her life loves: Jovan with her cherry cheesecake at the family celebration a few days ago; Jovan and fam in a farm field a few weeks ago; Jovan at a big pasta night a month ago; and Jovan where you will often find her – on the floor playing with Averi.
“…this daughter-in-law, who loves you so much, why she is worth more to you than seven sons!” Ruth 4.15 The Message
Three weeks with no Sabbath rest and today the Lord has graced me with one. I have a horrid sore throat and runny nose. I couldn’t breathe all night and I am achy all over. AND I am missing “grandbaby day.”
Pictured, left to right: Averi, 8 months; Hunter, 4; Guini, 3; Gemma (in Gavin’s grasp), 1; Gavin, 5
O God, thank-You for these, my amazing five! They’re the reason I was born! They are my heritage-the gift You have given me. The eternal things I place in them are the legacy I will leave.
I pray Your Word will always be in their mouths. I pray that Gavin and Guini, Hunter and Gemma and Averi will grow up hiding Your Word in their hearts and will choose, even now, to serve You and You alone. I pray these five, my little amazings, will seek You for wisdom and will receive knowledge and understanding from Your heart for their lives. May their worship rise to You. May their song reach Your ears and bring You joy.
Thank-you for the gift of them, Lord. I will tell my grandbabies of Your faithfulness. I will declare Your great works to this generation. I am watching for the spiritual harvest, Lord. Because I am sowing to the Spirit – I am watching for the harvest…
I am so honored God has brought me this incredibly noisy, full and increasing heritage. He is making all my dreams come true…Gavin, Guinivere, Hunter, Gemma and Averi’s “Nonna”
NOTE TO SELF: I have earned the gray hair and grandma wrinkles-even if I don’t yet wish to avail myself of them.
“Enjoy the good life…everyday of your life. And enjoy your grandchildren…” Psalm 128.6 The Message
I ripped this off from a currently-circulating e-mail forward (20%) and added my own (80%). I am grateful to have my legal citizenship in this great country. I thank God that I live in a place where I enjoy the right and the privilege of voting, but this world is not my home. I am part of the Kingdom of God and am really just an alien passing through. :) Each presidential election seems to increase fear in our hearts, on both sides of the political fence, but I am hanging on for that “peace that passes understanding.”
Top Ten Truths No Matter WHO Wins this Election:
10. God is FOR us. (If God is for me, who can be against me?)
9. Jesus LOVES me, this I know. (This may be the simplest and most amazing truth ever)
8. The Holy Spirit will continue to LEAD, GUIDE, and DIRECT our lives.
7. God is thinking about us and has good plans for our lives (Jer. 29.11).
6. When I call on the Lord, He will hear me and answer me – telling me the things I need to know (Jer. 33.3).
5. The heart of the king (and the president) is in God’s hands and God can turn it whichever way He desires (Prov. 21.1).
4. This generation will declare the mighty works of the Lord to the next and there will be no end to the increase of HIS Kingdom and HIS government (Psalm 71.18, Isaiah 9.7)!
3. I will praise Him. The reason I live is to worship Him. (These are words from my two “life songs.” This is my commitment, my declaration – He IS the theme of my song, wherever I may lodge, whoever is president. Psalm 119)
2. The Word of God will STILL be true.
And the #1 thing that will still be true regardless of how this election turns out?
God will remain faithful. BecauseHe is.
Stay in peace, my friends, for He is with us always…Jeanie
