Have you lost your marbles?

I heard a story the other day about an older guy giving a younger guy advice.

He told the young guy about how 20 years or so earlier he had decided that he would stop taking his weekends for granted. He felt he had spent years wasting his days on sleeping until the afternoon, watching television the rest of the day and eventually falling asleep in his recliner. He felt there was something wrong with that picture, and decided to do something about it.

So he bought a bunch of marbles.

He grabbed an old glass jar from his garage and poured a ton of marbles in – one marble for each Saturday he had left in his life. He was 55 at the time, and assumed he had about 20 years worth of Saturdays left – about 1040 marbles in total.

Every Saturday from that day on, he’d start his day by going to his garage. He’d grab one of the marbles and carry it with him throughout the day, and at the end of the day he’d throw it away or give it away to someone. He said it reminded him that this particular day in his life would never come again. Having that marble in his pocket would make him think...how am I going to use this marble today to influence someones life?

He was telling this guy this story because on that day, he had picked the last marble out of jar. His eyes welled up a bit as he thought about the 20 years of Saturdays that had come and gone, and how dramatically different they were than the ones that proceeded them. How each one had a sense of urgency, of intention. How each was an opportunity to make his life a little bit better, the lives of his loved ones a little bit better.

He told the young man that he felt so fortunate, not only that he had been able to experience all those Saturdays, but that he’d been given more than he had planned. He said every single Saturday after this one was a gift, and his heart was filled with gratitude.

As he walked away from the young man, he told him to remember to number your days.

That story Pastor Don shared at Mercy Gate Church a few weeks ago and it really stuck with me because for almost 44 years I’ve taken my days for granted. They’ve lacked this kind of gratitude. They’ve never had the urgency that comes with the realization that you’re never going to get that day back.

I have always felt that life was going so fast; especially since adulthood. Months just fly by and now years seem to as well. Time is a precious thing and we need something to assist us sometimes to slow things down a bit and help us be more purposeful. So when my husband handed me his first marble the following Saturday;  I came close to tearing up. He was tellng me that I was very important to him and that he wanted to give me his TIME. Now how are you going to use yours?

Don't just lose your marbles but be intentional and GIVE them away....

I have 1,352 marbles left to reach 70 years old...I am definitely going to use them more wisely than the first 2,283!

Choosing to see the Good

It is funny in life how we can quickly jump to the negative! I think about "people-watching" and I know all of us have done this sometime or another. It is quite fun and very entertaining.......especially if you are bored and at the airport and have hours to burn. We see a person or a couple and come up with a scenario of their lives...we pick out their occupations, what they are talking about etc. just based on their looks and our perception of their behaviors and of course how they are dressed. Never in those scenarios do we rarely make up stories that are good and wholesome about people...it is always some outlandish thing and is usually totally inappropriate! Okay...that is how I do it anyway. ha

Philippians 4:8 (MSG)^8-9

^"Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into a life of peace."

But what if when we looked at people that we instantly gravitated to the positive? What if negative NEVER even crossed your mind? What if you people-watched and thought about scenarios that were wonderful and good and appropriate? Now that just doesn't sound as fun, does it?

We can see the good stuff in people but it takes time and of course it takes making a good choice. We have to choose to push the negativity to the back of our minds and do not "dare" let it come out. Okay...I know this by experience! Years back I had to work on what came out of my mouth that was negative and when I felt that I mastered that I then had to work on keeping the thoughts out of my head! It is a day by day process that takes time but it is well worth it!

When we see the good in others it makes us happy and cheerful. You see, it is so easy and EVERY person has the ability to point out the negative and bad. It is those who choose to see either what is good or the "potential good" in others that is so rare and hard to find.

Make a choice today to be unique and "see" only the things that are the best, the beautiful and the things that we can praise each other about. The scriptures say that if we practice this lifestyle then God who makes everything work together will work us into a life of peace with Him. Now who doesn't want that?

Keep Sparkling for Him

Jonna

Semi Colon Life

Now I will not even pretend to know a whole lot about grammar...because I don't! I am unsure how I slid by unnoticed in English I and 2 in college but somehow I charmed my teacher and managed to make the required grades. And as you can tell I love to fill my blogs with lots of periods and exclamations marks...which I use because I feel like they represent gaps in between thoughts. It just makes sense to me!

But there has always been something so cool about the semi-colon. I use it in the middle of long sentences and thoughts when I feel like I need to take a breath. The semi-colon is a combination of a stop and a continuing on... a period and a comma joined together. Kinda conflicting but yet very interesting.

Living a semi-colon life is all about pausing and re-evaluating where you are at; readjusting and then moving on. I think we all need that in our life! 

Just when you think that things are coming to an end or that you think that you can't go any further....God is there to say, "hey I got this!" and there you go again! Jeremiah 29:11

You Are Graciously Adorned

Jonna

Retrospect Faith

I was driving to work on Good Friday and was thinking, 'God, how can we call this a "good" day when it was so horrifying?'. And as I was visualizing in my mind the gruesome scenes from the movie I had watched, "The Passion of the Christ" a word 'Retrospect' popped into my head.  Retrospect is the act of looking back and reviewing events or situations with new information and with a new perspective.

Of course we as Christians can experience Good Friday and appreciate what Christ did for us on the cross that day BECAUSE we are in the future looking back. We know that 3 days later something AMAZING happened! This is why we can rejoice and be happy and not go around and be mournful and sad. Of course let us not lose the significance of just how traumatic and painful that day was for all involved....because it is THAT experience that truly signifies how great of a savior that we have that He would go through all that for us!"

It makes me think too of the children of Israel and all their complaints and lack of faith through their journey. I want to slap them and say, "didn't you remember the sea being parted, the manna arriving daily, the birds being provided, the fire by night and clouds by day that led you and kept you safe!?" Couldn't they just believe God based on the fact that over and over he had provided for them! But we too tend to be blind to our retrospect blessings and provision.

“And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever”  First, the memorial stones were to be a reminder of their own personal experience. Notice that in verse 6 that this memorial will cause the children to ask; “What do these stones mean to you?” These stones are first of all to be a reminder those who were present of their personal experience, what they saw, heard and felt. To paraphrase, “Tell your story, Keep a clear memory of what God did for you. Keep on telling your stories so that you never lose your own sense of awe and wonder of what God has done in your life.”     Joshua 4:6-9

What memorials have you built? Do you tell others what God has done for you? Do you celebrate and testify of the goodness of God in your life? If you do then you will not easily forget the next time you are in a situation that you think is going to overwhelm you. Just like the Israelites who were obedient in building the memorial we forget to go back and remember and give thanks at the amazing provision that was laid out before us! But the memorial wasn't so much for just them...it was for their descendants. You see Retrospect Faith isn't just about US but about the people who observe and look up to us in how to walk out this Christian life.


In life we experience all kinds of events that aren't pleasant and sometimes we look up at the sky and wonder, "What in the world are you thinking God? What am I  going to do now?" And then hours, days, weeks, months or even years later like a light bulb we understand what was going on and why we had to go through the trial like we did.....we were in a process and God wanted us to have faith in just who He is. We need to remember in those times that He has been more than faithful and look back at the memorials we have built at the times he healed us, saved us, delivered us from our mess and then we will not have a faith crisis and meltdown. Each time you go through a thing with great faith it gets easier and easier...it will become a way of life for you. You will actually start believing that with God all things are possible! With this mentality is when God will show up like we have never seen before! God is in control and just like He has delivered us before....He will do it again and again and again....it's all about Retrospect Faith.



Keep Sparkling for Him
Jonna

Your Growth Chart

As a child I remember a particular area in our garage where my mom and dad would periodically gather all the kids and mark our heights with the date and our names. That moment when a pencil, pen or whatever was available made a mark in the wood trim was so exciting! I couldn't wait to see how much I had grown and then compare it. I remember trying to stand on my tippy toes or tilt my head up so that my mark would be higher...ha...but my mom had her accurate methods and would make sure it was correct! After all of us kids were married my parents sold that house...unfortunately I never thought of taking a picture of our "chart"...........I would give anything to have it now.

Rulers and tape measures are great tools; unless they are used to measure my hips! Measurement defined: "the extent, dimensions, quantity, etc., of something ascertained especially by comparison with a standard." As a child I was compared and measured against my siblings in how I grew and my parents would try to predict how tall each of us might be by what my brother and sisters were at a particular age. I remember when my kids were younger...their pediatrician would graph their height and weight on a "growth chart" and compare them to the national averages. I couldn't believe it when Dr Wong told me that he thought that Corey would be 6'2 and that Trey would be 5'9". I made the unfortunate mistake and told the boys what the doctor had said and Trey wasn't having any of that! Trey would try to stretch and pull on his legs, run around the yard and jump high to try to change his fate with no avail! I even tried to get Trey to eat spinach and green "growth" veggies so that Corey wouldn't grow taller than him...he didn't go for it. Well...the prediction wasn't right. Corey is currently 5'9" and Trey is 5'11". Unless Corey has a massive growth spurt at almost 21....I don't think it is going to happen :)

 

I am so glad that in the Kingdom that we are not compared to each other but we are measured by what God determined for us. He marks each one of us as one of His kids and predicts and proclaims the best for us. Now what we do with the potential growth that each of us has access to is totally up to us. We have the choice and free will to determine our destiny to go higher in God or just be average. I know that I want to do more than just exist but to be victorious and give 100%.  I believe that as we stretch ourselves and learn, overcome obstacles and make time for God in our daily relationship that He keeps a count and celebrates that we are on the designed path for our lives! He wants us healthy, mature and of course above average in everything we do.

Keep Sparkling!

Jonna

What voices are you listening to?

Most of you know that I work at a Level One Trauma Center in downtown Houston, TX. It is one of the busiest Emergency Rooms in the United States and is the only hospital in the Houston area that has a Psychiatric Center that is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. With that being said I see and experience LOTS of VERY interesting things during my work day. Unfortunately one of the growing needs and concerns is in Mental Health whether that is due to addiction, trauma, psychiatric crisis etc. Questions regarding suicidal thoughts and plans are now a basic question that we ask every patient that walks through the door.

Almost every patient that states that they are actively suicidal and having thoughts or plans to hurt themselves also state that they hear voices. Every single incident that I have talked to patients about voices they say, "The voices are telling me I am worthless, stupid, ugly, never going to amount to anything, waste of time, no one loves me.." Never do they ever tell me that the voices are saying anything good or positive about them. Most say there are multiple voices and they argue amongst themselves about how 'bad I am and why that I should die and not live'. The patients sometimes tell me, "the voices are so loud and they never leave and they are driving me crazy so all I want to do is die so that they will finally stop and I can finally rest." This admission of course is mind-boggling and so incredibly sad. I have my own thoughts about what these patients need in regards to deliverance and often times feel such a strong demonic presence that I am rebuking Satan all the while working. These shifts are my most exhausting but I am so blessed that I have a group of people that pray for me daily that covers me and gives me an extra hedge of protection.

The reason why I am sharing this is because sometimes we too hear voices...maybe not on the same level as what I just wrote about...but we listen to lies of the enemy and it can be just as destructive. It is truly amazing how we can decree and declare the promises of God over our lives and feel infallible and that we are going to go out and kill giants with our mighty sword and we are prepared with the armor of the Lord! But someone says something about us and we are suddenly naked in the corner sucking our thumb and are listening to voices telling us that we are rejected, unloved and unfit to do anything for the Kingdom!

The fact is this...when we are weak in our communion with God; those are the times that we fall prey to the enemy. I have experienced this before and found myself in a deep pit of depression and then suddenly my eyes were opened and I thought, "Why did I even think like that? What in the world was I doing?" If you will allow it; the enemy can actually place blinders on you and you don't even realize it! That is why you have got to let people speak into your life...friends, pastors and leaders can hold you accountable and ask the hard questions to help you know if you are going the right way or not. You also need to stay in the Word and in prayer so that you can discern the voice of God.

"When the enemy shall come against you like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him".                                      Isaiah 59:19

In reality the enemy can come against you but the Spirit of the Lord will like a flood swallow up the lies that Satan throws at you and send them and him packing downstream! The Word also states that you need to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ! (2 Corinthians 10:5)  For the Lord has great plans for YOU and they are to prosper you and not to harm you, He has plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) You just need to listen for His voice in your life and discern and ignore all others :))



Keep shining for Him,

Jonna

God...Make Me Like a Duck!

There is nothing like observing a family of ducks swimming in a pond or lake. It is one of the most beautiful things. They swim so majestically and effortlessly like they have not a care in the world. The ducks webbed feet are paddling away underneath the water but look as calm as can be above it. 

I remember one cold day that I brought my two sons to a local park that had a pond and playground. As we sat there enjoying the view of the ducks; my oldest son Trey asked, "Mom, why is it that the ducks don't wear coats and we do?" I remember chuckling at his innocence and answered him, "Because God made them with waterproof coats. The cold and the water cannot touch their skin so they stay warm and dry and safe." Trey being the inquisitive and persistent 6 year old asked another question, "Then why didn't God give us that kind of coat?" I was surprised at that question and scrambled to find a good answer and in my attempt stated, "Because we need to take off our coats and the ducks need to keep theirs on." I wish I could tell you that the questions stopped at that point....but they continued. What sweet memories.

Many times that day I thought about that question. And I asked God, "why is it that we as humans are so prone to hurt, bitterness and unforgiveness?" At that time in my life I was personally struggling with some relationship issues and had found myself feeling the sting of hurt and I was carrying a heavy load. God literally spoke to me that night in prayer and stated, "Jonna, I want to make you like a duck." I remember crying and feeling heaviness being lifted off of my shoulders. It was the beginning of a healing that I didn't even truly realize that I needed. I had been hauling bitterness and resentment and it had been affecting every part of my life. 

You see God created the duck to live on land, fly in the air and swim in the water so that it could be comfortable in several totally opposite situations. Ducks waddle along on dry ground and can quickly and easily glide across the water at a moments notice and then of course seamlessly take off and fly in the air. Feathers perfectly placed by it's creator act as a barrier to allow water to simply roll off of their body. A duck does not even notice the rain water because it is a creature that is able to adapt to all environments. Water is not something that is unexpected but anticipated as the duck encounters it every day. Therefore, it does not stop to get out of the rain or fight to stay dry but simply goes on with its daily routine. 

When we become Children of God by accepting Jesus Christ, like the duck, we have a dual citizenship. I know this seems far fetched in some ways but hear me out! We live on this planet Earth but our hearts inhabit Heaven. These are two very different places with extremely opposite atmospheres and conflicting principles. Yet we are not to conform to this Earth in order to survive but rather live victoriously until we make our transition into heaven. The Bible tells us that there would be various trials in our lives according to Jame 1:8 and that we need to count it all as joy.

You see ducks aren't just waterproof without any work. They are diligent with "preening" their feather's constantly. Ducks nibble at their feathers and this motion distributes oil from a gland that covers the feathers from head to toe as well as remove scales and parasites. The oil makes the top layer of their feathers water-resistant and causes them to be bouyant and the water to literally, 'roll off their backs'. Being waterproof allows the ducks to stay in the water for long periods of time and not be affected by the cold at all. Without being waterpoof the duck's feathers will become saturated, their heart could stop beating and the heavy weight could cause the duck to possibly drown!

Living successfully in differing environments is definitely not without it's challenges! God though has equipped ALL His creations for adaptability and given all of us tools for survival. Just as ducks expect and anticipate the rain we too should prepare ourselves for adversity and recognize it when it is occuring. The Word of God and His oil of annointing will cause us to be bouyant and rise above all the "stuff" that tries to distract us and hurt us. We have to protect our heart from becoming hardened because we are called to live out our life with love. David wrote in Psalms 69 with a heavy heart because of insults from others and he was crying out to be rescued. If you are struggling today to keep your head above the water you need to know that God has already done His part...now you have to do yours.

Remember that the Lord knows exactly what is going on in your life and He is watching intently! You can easily decide to be that graceful duck swimming and content on knowing that all cares rest on the heavenly Father. When offenses creep up and the cold and wet try to get you down remember to look up and say, "God make me like a duck!" and watch the things that "so easily beset us" in this life just roll off your back leaving you happy, content and amazingly unaffected. 

Jonna

Compassion is a Verb

So many people tell me that I am such a compassionate and loving person. I sincerely appreciate the compliment but it is truly a God-given attribute and it is not without any sad and faulty beginnings. Don't get me wrong...I have always loved people. I grew up watching my mom and dad give literally the clothes off their back to people that were in need. I was raised in an environment of giving, loving and investing in people. And despite that I made a horrible mistake one day that I will never easily forget. 

I was in Junior High and there was a new boy at my school that was close to 6 foot tall, had failed several grades and had some unsual facial features which made him stand out BIG time. Everybody made fun of him and no matter where he was or what he was doing there was always someone calling him names and taking jabs at him. I felt sorry for him. He would just put his head down and never say anything back.       
    

One day after school there was a group of kids outside and I approached the crowd and recognized several of my friends. They were berating this boy from the way he looked, how old he was, the clothes that he wore, etc. I listened to the remarks until it was over. I stood in the group; silent but guilty by association. I wanted to take up for him and tell everyone to be quiet and leave him alone but I couldn't find the courage to speak up. After all...what would my friends say? What would the girl that I wanted to be friends with say if I said anything? I remember the last time I saw him; he was walking home with a few kids behind him. I am sure they were harassing him the whole way. 

The next day we got an announcement at school that our classmate had killed himself. He had went home wrote a suicide note, put a bag over his head, tied it around his neck and inhaled gasoline through a hose. In the newspaper it talked about how his father and him was new to the area and that he had recently lost his mother to cancer. I was devastated and my chest literally hurt. Some of my classmates actually laughed. I cried. 

It isn't popular sometimes to take a stand and do right when others around you don't seem to be. Since that fateful day I have replayed this scenario in my head a million times and asked myself what I could have done and how it might have ended differently if only I would have stood up for the guy. I cried out to God asking for forgiveness and to take the guilt away. I also prayed that the nightmares would disappear quickly...but they didn't. But slowly God did a work in my heart and I began to look at people through different eyes and I found myself being drawn to those eating by themselves, intervening when someone was being ridiculed, and just being more aware of people in general. I really feel like God placed in me a compassion for people that are hurting and a love for the unloveable. In many ways I feel He gave me another chance and I will NEVER let Him down again.

Compassion is a word of action. It is not observing from the sidelines; it is the heartfelt care for another with both intent and action. It exemplifies the character of God in who He is and how He responds to His children. In fact it is one of the Ten Commandments in "loving thy neighbor as yourself" and let's not forget..."The Golden Rule"! The compassion of Christ carries the notion of tenderness and affection. It is a feeling with and for others that is a fundamental and distinctive quality of God. He is the God of all comfort and the Father of compassion (Psalm 116:5; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Christ's compassion has no limits. He ignores categories of people that are set within society and touches those who would come to Him — no matter who they are or what they have done. The poor, disenfranchised, suffering, and marginalized in society are precious to God (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; 6:20; 7:22). Jesus cares for the oppressed and downtrodden (Luke 4:18,19). 

If we are going to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus then we need to be willing to stand and take action when it is uncomfortable, inconvenient and unpopular. Never think that what you say or do cannot make a difference in someones life.....it could actually be the difference between life or death.

--Shine your light!

     Jonna 

Who is holding you back?

Inadequacy...it is such a nasty word. That one word fills my head full of thoughts of failures and regrets of things that I want to do but haven't tried or failed and never got back up. What is it in the small trip from the brain to the heart that instills such fear and intrepidation! We think too much!

A great word that is just as powerful is potential. It is essentially energy at rest. So in my estimation the only thing limiting us from being something we are not is our own inactivity whether that be in our mind or body.


The trouble with our feeling of inadequacy is that it robs God of marvelous opportunities to show off His power and ability through our weaknesses. Paul said, "Therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities." Why? Because they gave God such a wonderful chance to show off His perfection (2nd Corinthians 12:9-10). Nothing sabotages our potential more than thinking so little of ourselves that we never really give God a chance. We need to know that we are people of destiny and have a greater calling than what we can do on our own....if you can achieve something without faith than it isn't a big enough dream or vision. You need to think bigger, greater and higher and claim that you are that person even when you don't see it or feel it.

We must never forget who we REALLY are, what we are TO BECOME and how much God LOVES US. We must give God a chance to shine HIS perfection through us.

Adjust that Crown!
Jonna

Prayer of Presidential Proportions

A Prayer of Presidential Proportions:

I ask you, even now, to prepare the heart of the man who will lead this nation over these next four years. I pray that we, as YOUR people, will come together to pray for him and to bless him–whether we voted for him or not. God I pray that He will call out to you. Anoint and equip him to be a UNITER and not a divider. Show him where and how to build bridges and where he must stand on conviction. Help him to be a man of integrity and a man after your own heart. Teach him your ways and lead him in your truth. Protect him–body, soul, and spirit–and draw his heart closer to your own. Be his counselor, be his comforter, and be his strength.
Lord I ask for an unprecedented outpouring of your Spirit in the days ahead. I ask for a release of great healing throughout the nation … and in your church. Some are rejoicing today, and some are weeping–but may we extend great grace to one another even as our hearts respond differently. God forgive us for our small-minded and dogmatic ways. Forgive us for being so lost in our own opinions at times that we fail to see the very valid issues raised by those who think differently than us. Forgive us for turning on each other when we disagree and not showing LOVE. Forgive us for our pettiness and for so often majoring in the minors–help us to make the main thing, the main thing. And Jesus, you forever have been, and forever will be, the only MAIN thing.
Lord, we desire righteousous leaders and a President who will follow you with his whole heart–but even as we express that desire, we acknowledge that our future is not in the hands of a man. Our future is in YOUR hands. You are the Desire of Nations. You are the desire–and hope– of THIS nation. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. Your kingdom WILL come, your will WILL be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And the increase of YOUR government will know no end.
Regardless of who is President–Jesus, you are our King and the only One who will reign forever. For that, we are eternally grateful. Again Lord, thank you for continuing to bless America … may we ever live to bless you.
In your name, Jesus
~Amen

*Lessons from a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

There aren't too many things as a ER Nurse that I categorize as shocking anymore; but every once in a while something happens that I never thought I would ever experience. I vividly remember the day that I found a moldy grilled cheese sandwich in the fat folds of a patient!  Even more amazing was the calm, even tone and demeanor her spouse used recalling the date two weeks prior that he cooked that very meal. 

It was very sad to attempt to help this severely obese woman who  was struggling to balance her spine on the stretcher because she was competing with 200 pounds of fat hanging over EACH side! Thanks to the assistance of a few unwilling co-workers I recruited; we were finally able to literally push and pull flesh on top of this lady to get one side rail up on her bed! It was when we were attempting to put the other side rail up that I made my discovery. My gloved-hand touched something strange and as I tugged on it between the skin folds and out came a precisely-cut triangular sandwich that smelled like something out of a horror movie!!

I am not proud of the fact that I gagged at the sight & smell of it. There are some things the senses were not made to endure or encounter & this is a great example. The skin that had been subjected to the rotten sandwich had broken down & infection had set in that was foul and draining pus. The patient said, "Oh I remember losing one of my sandwiches the other day. I had wondered what happened to it." She never seemed to notice the disgust on the staff faces or the obvious smell that was so very apparent to everyone around her. He husband verified the story by saying to her, "Yes. I made those sandwiches weeks ago."

The sad truth is that we all carry things that shouldn't be a part of us. Things such as lack of forgiveness, jealousy, bitterness, depression, anger, malice, judgment and negativity that can become a part of us & we don't even realize it! These things can cause infection to set in and literally make our mind, body & spirit sick. We will have a stench about us that will turn people away from us causing us to be isolated and alone. A sick or hurt person can and will spread their bacteria around to everyone they touch or see or speak to. It can go from a local infection to a systemic infection very quickly if not identified and treated quickly.

Now I had tons of questions swirling in my head that day such as, "Do you eat naked to get that lodged into your fat folds?" and "When is the last time you bathed?" But I suppressed those thoughts and went to work helping the lady and treating her with the dignity and respect she deserved. How she got in this condition is beyond me and my judgments weren't going to help her. 
The cool thing is that when God sees us he doesn't look at us with disgust; curl his nose up or even gag! He sees His creation that is beautiful. How amazing that he sees POTENTIAL even when we are in the middle of a MESS! I know he has got to shake His head at the situations we get ourselves into. But he doesn't judge us...He loves us. We can be like the prodigal son in Luke 15 laying in the mud with the pigs but HE has the ability to visualize us with a white robe, a ring and a new pair of shoes all the while enjoying a time of reconciliation. 

^20-21"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
 ^22-24"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time." (the message)

You know that the son had to smell like the pigs!! But his father covered him and reconciled him, hugged and ate with him. God wants to do that with each if us. No matter where we have been or what we have done or are currently trying to hide...He wants to make it clean and bring healing into our lives. God is the God of MANY chances. He has a plan orchestrated for each one of us even in our stench and all we have to do is make the effort to want what He so willingly and freely wants to give. 

A Prayer for You:

God help me to open my blind eyes and see the true condition of my life. God if there be any thing within me that is causing an odor that is not pleasing to you; reveal it to me. Help me to see where I really am and where you want me to be. I long to be like you and I can't do it on my own. I need your healing power to wash over me today and make me clean. Take away the stench of yesterday and cover it with the washing of your blood that makes all things new. Thank you for your salvation power and that I can leave everything at your feet and walk away whole. I have faith in you as my savior and I humbly put every need and every care in your hands today. God give me new clothes, a new identity in 
you and bless my ever step I take in your name I pray. Amen.


Adjust that crown! 

Jonna

Keep Calm and Carry On

Posters were produced and printed in 1939 by the United Kingdom at the beginning of the Second World War and was intended to be distributed in order to strengthen morale to the British public in the event of a wartime disaster. There were 3 posters made, "Freedom is in Peril. Defend it With all your Might", "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will bring us Victory", and "Keep Calm and Carry On". 

The posters were to be placed within 24 hours of the outbreak of war and were designed to have be uniform and have a unique and recognizable lettering that would resonate that it was a direct message from King George VI to his people; which explains the icon of a crown that was chosen to head the poster, rather than a photograph. These posters would be spread about town in windows of businesses and neighborhoods so that when the people would see it they would remember what the war was all about. When people would talk bad about what was going on in the war the slogans would hopefully encourage each other to say positive things and speak what was written. What a neat idea for the government to do to encourage their people!

We also have a direct message from our King! His written Word is a personal love letter and reminder to us about what this life is all about. Every story and every teaching is something we need to make our own and then share with others to bring liberty and victory.  And when we are going through rough situations and times we only need to look up to the Heavens and there we can communicate with OUR King! Our gracious God is waiting for us to call out to Him and he is easily accessible and powerful and has ALL the  authority to bring us peace, joy, and all the confidence that we need in what we feel is our darkest times to "Keep Calm and Carry On". 

Keep Calm and Sparkle On

Jonna

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Faith it!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10, NIV)

So many people today are living in “survival” mode. They have a mentality that says, “If I can just make it through…” or “If I can just get by…” Of course, there are some seasons that are more difficult than others and sometimes it’s challenging to get a vision for just the next day. If you find yourself constantly living with a survival mentality then you are missing out on God’s best for you. Scripture doesn’t say, “Jesus came so you could survive.” No, it says that He came to give you a full and abundant life!

Many Christians will squeak by and get into heaven but they will not have the fingerprints of people and the crowns that God wants to bestow on his children. God created us to shine His light and His presence to this world and not to just "camp" here until He comes back for us! I believe that He has a path that we can take in faith that is called His will and it will lead us to the position and authority that each of us were placed on this Earth for. Now this place isn't going to be worry-free or carefree but it will require perseverance and reliance on God and it will be the most victorious and happiest that we will ever be. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us of the future that we have in God and the plans that he has for us...who wouldn't want to know the purposes that God has for them on this Earth? 

If you find yourself idling by and singing "kum by ya" then you need to take a giant leap of faith and begin to declare, “My days of survival are over; my days of thriving have begun!” I believe God will then open an unexpected door and will pour out His favor and blessing on you. He’ll make a way where there seems to be no way! Even if you’re in a tough time right now, remember those dry seasons don’t last, but the Word of God stands forever. Begin to decree what God says about your circumstances because you are created for more than to just get by — you are created to thrive!

A Prayer for Today
Father God, thank You for giving me abundant life through Jesus Christ. I believe that You have a good plan for my future and I am going to look for opportunities and look beyond myself in faithI declare that my days of thriving have begun as I continue to put your words and your promises to action as I learn to trust in You alone.  In Jesus’ name I decree is as so!  Amen.

Don't Give UP!

” …Run in such a way as to get the prize” 
(1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV).

Often when we have a dream or a promise placed in our heart, we chase after it with great expectation and we get so excited about our future! But along the way, we just might encounter a few bumps and unfortunately face some adversity. It is so easy to give up and think that it just wasn't "meant to be". What is important to remember is that it's not how we start that counts; it’s how we finish. Anybody can be fired up at the beginning, but it takes character to continue in the face of opposition. God will give us a plan for our lives and it is up to us to have the faith in who HE is for us to complete it.

Don’t stop at the halfway mark just because times are tough. Don’t quit because you don’t see anything happening. The scripture tells us not to walk by sight, but to walk by faith.

Today, if there’s something you’re believing for—a relationship to turn around, a business opportunity, a loved one that isn't living right or you need to overcome an addiction—keep pursuing it! Run your race to win the prize! Don’t settle until you see the fullness of what God has placed in you. As you stand strong in your faith, I believe God will pour out His favor and blessing upon you, and you will see the mighty blessings He has in store for you! He wants to see his people flourish and he also wants to see the active character of obedience worked out in our lives. When we show ourselves approved in the small things then He will give us something greater to pray and believe for....that my friend is living a victorious life in Christ.

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

Heavenly Father, today I choose to stand strong in You. I set my focus on Your promises and choose to run my race with conviction. I let go of the past by faith today and press forward into the destiny You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I will Rejoice and BE GLAD!

“This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

I remember singing the ever popular song in church called, "This is the Day", way back in the 1980's. In fact my childhood Pastors EJ and Mary Mills would get up in church to preach and if they thought we weren't happy enough or there was a feeling of gloom in the congregation then they would ask the pianist to come up and we would sing that song until we got happy! Sometimes I remember faking my cheerfulness and smiling VERY big so that we wouldn't have to sing it 5 thousand times! ha. Unfortunately, my parent's would take this great idea home and would use it when one of us were in a foul mood. I have very detailed memories of my sister Ketti and I having an arguement and my mother telling us to make up and then instructing us both to sing this song together. I know that we would have angry looks on our faces and rolling our eyes, (not to mention that neither one of us could sing), and we would sing it much slower and of course off key and it didn't sound anything cheerful or happy and if we weren't on the same words or it didn't sound convincing to her then she would make us stop and start over. She would also make sure that we were smiling and I know it was usually through clenched teeth. We would eventually try to sound excited so that this sickening ordeal would just be done with! What I would give for a recording or even a picture of that right now! ha. I never truly understood what my mom was trying to do back then....torture was my first thought!

Now that I am older and I have witnessed petty arguements and bitterness that develops in our lives from things that have no eternal value,  I understand what my sweet Pastor's as well as my Godly parents were trying to teach us. They saw the bigger picture and that life is a Gift and a wonderous thing! We get so bogged down with the little things sometimes that serve as only distractions and quickly forget about why we are here and all the things we should be happy about....if we truly realized it...we would never have a frown on our face and always be in an attitude of gratitude!

Every day that we are given is a precious gift from Almighty God. We should wake up every morning with a grateful attitude, full of faith and expectancy for what the Lord has in store. Sure, you may be facing some challenges in your every day life, or maybe things aren’t going the way you planned, but remember, each new day is a chance to stand strong in the midst of adversity and see the faithfulness of God. Be glad that God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Be glad that God has given you a sound, healthy mind. Rejoice that He is making a way where there seems to be no way! As you focus on the gift of every day and rejoice in what God has done in your life, you will begin to experience His increase and blessings. You’ll rise up higher and set the course to live in victory all the days of your life!

"This is the day. This is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice. I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made." ----song lyrics "This is the Day"

Keep Sparkling
Jonna

Cry Out to God!

And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?”(Luke 18:7, NIV)

Have you been crying out to the Lord for something? Maybe there’s a situation in your life that’s been overwhelming, and you feel like you’ve done everything you know to do and can’t see a way through. Be encouraged today because we serve a God of justice! He is faithful to His Word, and He will always be faithful to you.

Not only is He a God of justice, He is your vindicator. One thing we have to remember is that our battle is not with the person who may have wronged us. Scripture says that the enemy of our souls, the accuser of the brethren is our ultimate enemy. Know today that God already has a plan; He already knows the future, and He will give you peace to do the right things and say the right things. 

Your part is to release the situation into His capable hands. You don’t have to straighten everybody out, or go tell your  "side" of the story to everyone you know in defense mode, that’s God’s job. Trust Him with your future because the God of justice is working things out on your behalf!

That person or situation that you fret about right now may never come to you and say the things you long to hear; including that word of "i am sorry". You may never be able to tell your side of the story but you have to learn to live in peace and pray for your enemies or those who have hurt you.....you will be a better person because of it...that is truly what Jesus would do. 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, today I release every care, every concern, every situation that is beyond my control. I trust that You are working things out for my good, and You are bringing peace to my life. Thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.