Blog Post of the Week: 6 Things Every Christian Blogger Should Know

This weeks post made me stop in my tracks. I like to think I'm pretty good at giving God control, and maybe I do, in a sense. But I still have a tendance to grasp onto that need to please people, to find acceptance and validation for what I do. What I write. But it goes farther than that.


I want to be seen as a good parent, because I believe I'm not. I get hurt easily by my kids when they don't seem to appreciate me, or listen to my oh-so-wise words, or follow through on my request. And I look to God while pointing an angry finger at them and say, "Look what they are doing!"


I would like to be a wonderful wife, but when my expectations of my husband fall short, when he lets me down, when not all of MY needs are met, I turn to God and stomp my foot as I cry, "How can I be a help-mate to someone who treats me like that!?!"


In my writing I put out one article and story after another, telling God, "I'm sending this out now. Lord, I need to make a living doing this if you really want me to keep doing this. I have bills to pay, you know."


As I read Six Things Every Christian Blogger Should Know written by Ann Voskamp, I stopped about midway through and wondered,

"Who the heck to I think I am? Seriously?"

And I began to do some quick apologizing and repenting.


Thing is, it's not about what my family does or doesn't do. Nor does my writing depend on how much I make... or don't make. When I'm a kingdom servant, I work unto God, not men. Whatever I do is in service to my Father God who knows all my needs, who is my one and only validation.


I don't need to worry, nor do I need to strive. It doesn't matter what others do, or what they think. I must keep my eyes focused on Him, my ears attuned to His words and my feet walking in the direction He has pointed out.


Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind, (Ecc 4:4) unless I'm putting all I do, into God's hands.


I hope you enjoy the post. It's a powerful message. Just click on the title link above to get over to it.



Blessings,

J.

Blog Post of the Week: Lisa Buffaloe's blog

I usually like to point you to one specific post that touched me this week, but with Lisa, it's too hard to pin just one particular entry. This past week I've talked about worry. I've shared my thoughts. I've shared scripture and what Jesus thought about it. . .


The thing with Lisa is that her very life is a testimony to overcoming worry. This dear friend has faced some neck-bending obstacles, yet has found a way to get over each one. But I know for a fact, she hasn't done it alone. With each step, she learned to lean heavily on her Lord.


This post in particular seemed to put the cap on the worry bottle. When you read it, you'll see that even when we aren't aware of what's going on, God is in control and he makes a way around the bad places. That is His great love for us in action.


Click on the link to read Wonderfully Made.


And while you're there, why not check out the list Lisa came up with of scriptures that tell about how God feels about you. Read, When you need those reminders that God loves you.


You know, while your there, just have a good look around. Lisa is a true blessing.




But before you go... sit back and listen to this beautiful song and think about what I've said this week. Set your worries in His lap. Enjoy your life, friends. He loves us so very much. He's given us such beauty, so many good things. Don't let a couple of bad apples ... well, you know. Right?

Don't forget to turn off the music on the sidebar before you hit play. Be blessed~ J.

Blog Post of the Week: You Are Enough

After writing Monday's post, (which I actually wrote Sunday morning) I was looking at my email. Everyday, I get feed from DaySpring's (in)Courage. What is (in)Courage, you might ask? Well, here's an excerpt from the site.

When we asked ourselves what kind of place we were building, we finally came to see it as a bit like a beach house. You can put your sandy, dirty feet on the coffee table, laugh late into the night with friends, and also hear God’s voice clearer than perhaps anywhere else. Life just feels more vibrant and real, as if you’ve stumbled upon a glimpse of heaven and it’s nothing like you ever imagined but everything you’d always hoped.

In Sunday's email post was a piece by Arianne from To Think is To Create. What I would like to direct you to this week, was her post titled You Are Enough. It was like she heard before hand my post on Monday, my questions about fear, and self-doubts and in poetic form, and reminded me that I Am Enough, just as I am, with all my failures and mess-up and craziness.

It was nice to hear.

Hope it blesses you as well. Check out both sites, they are sure to enrich your day.

God Bless,

J

Blog Post of The Week

I came across a blog post this week that really... well, it spoke to my heart. It spoke something I've been in a tangle about with God. What does it mean to reach out to others? Is it our "job" to teach, lead them on the right paths, cajole or nag...? Or is it our responsibility as Christians, as Children of God to simply be a friend?

The video on this blog I'm linking you to gave a real life example of someone who reached out and did exactly what I think Jesus wants us to do.

Be a friend.

I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.
J

Vonda Skelton - Love or Hate?