Crab Basket

 

I have fond memories as a child spending weekends camped at the beach and we would all go crabbing. My dad would put chicken on a string and we would go to the jetties and "lure" those crabs close and someone would quickly scoop them up and put them in a wire basket. I remember watching those crabs trying to get out and they were a tangled up mess. When we took the lid off to put another crab in there; there was always one trying to escape. The funny thing is that the other crabs would grab him just when he got close and pull him back down into the basket! It was so funny to watch. 

Isn't that like old friends, old temptations and old habits in our life? We try to do what is right and work hard and just when we start to get to a new level or breakthrough; something or someone pulls us back down and drags us back to the bottom! 

If you find yourself today in a basket full of crabs I pray that you find a way of escape. There is nothing more exhausting to put effort into something and it all be in vain. You need a breakthrough so that you don't ever find yourself chasing a chicken neck when there are so many better options out there for your life. God has amazing provisions for you....you just need to position yourself with the right influences and people!

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

Circumstance

Have you ever looked around yourself and wondered how in the world you got in the circumstance that you are in? Your stuck in a dead-end job, having financial issues, living in a house that is in bad need of repair, having marital problems etc. Your thinking, I love God and believe that Christ died for my sins and I have asked him into my life. Now why in the world am I living in the state that I am in? Someone said that getting saved was a great thing but I am just not seeing it!

Circumstance is actually two words; circum- meaning to encircle and stance- meaning to stand. In other words, when you are going through hard times you are encircled by what is happening to you. What you tend to see is the circumstances around you and not past that. It doesn't take long to start having feelings of being overhwelmed and feeling desperate!

 Proverbs 13:12 states that "Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

 Hebrews 11:1 states, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen."

If the enemy can get you to lose hope then he can get you to stop living by faith. Isolation is a dangerous thing and when all you can see is the bad and the negative around you and you no longer see things in faith and through the glasses of hope...well you are on a slippery slope. 

Your circumstances are natural things that are important but are very temporary. In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers explained that not everything that happens to us as Christians makes human sense. "To turn head- faith into a personal possession is a fight always, not sometimes. God brings us into circumstances in order to exercise our faith."

So God wants us to take ourselves outside of the circle of defeat and see the bigger picture. If you are not including God and what the word says in your daily struggles then you are living life on your own terms. God wants to be in your surroundings whether they be good or bad. He wants to use the tough times in your life so that you will learn to call out in faith and trust in Him. 

In every hard time I have been in there has always been that moment where the light bulb came on & I had that "aha" moment. I would say, "ohhhhh that is why that happened!" It is so much easier after you have been through a thing to see that God was guiding you every step of the way. God wants us to follow Him even when we do not feel His presence or see where the next step your supposed to take will be. 

So take that circle that you have around yourself that gives you a limited view and create a bigger space to include the God who loves you and wants you to succeed in everything you do. 

Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Adjust that Crown, 

Jonna

*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

Confessions of a Pastor's Wife: I am not alone

Last night I had the privilege of being in a Kari Jobe concert. There were thousands of ladies screaming around me and I was soaking in the moment. I had brought 18 ministry leaders from my church with me as well and they sat in the 2 rows behind me. I handed out the tickets randomly so it is funny how it turned out. 

 

Kari Jobe started singing a song during her concert that I have heard many times before, "I am not alone." I really like that song and heard it on the radio before, but it was so very different live. There was a strong presence of God in the place and immediately tears started streaming down my face  and I really was surprised by my own reaction. I closed my eyes and put my hands in the "receiving pose" (cupped upwards) as I heard God speak to me, "Jonna, you are not alone. You just feel that way. Those ladies behind you love you and pray for you everyday. They literally have your back. I am wanting to replace your fear of failure in relationships with courage. Take it and put it on. wear it and model it" I truly believe that years of distrust and self-preservation began to peel away. Every tear had a purpose. It was a true God moment. 

Now I have no idea this morning how I am going to model or wear courage but I feel that God gave me the word "valor" to study so I am sure I will have more to share on that later. (yes...God speaks to me in one word sometimes; especially when I pray for people...he will give me just one word.)

As a pastor's wife you are surrounded by many but you can choose to feel like you don't have anyone to really be true friends with. It is a harrowing and sticky mess to mix friendship with ministry. Over the years it has brought much hardship and hurt to my life. It has left me wanting to hide or not ever wanting to endear or expose my heart with another. I tend to wonder what people's motives are when they want to help me or do nice things for me. And that is a crying shame!

In the past when a friend, groups of people or leaders didn't agree with the pastors stance or how he did something; those "friends" and confidants left our lives and ministry and didn't talk with us about the details of their angst; but regrettably we're quite expressive on matters when talking to everyone else. Those conversations once relayed back were disappointing and very hurtful causing layers or distrust and driving me into a man-made cave of safety. I was left feeling rejected but having to wear a fake smile and of course the pageant queen hand wave as a show of strength and resilience. :)

Now understand this...God has given me a heart of forgiveness and somehow and someway I have forgiven people over the years and can truly say that I love them and God puts them on my heart to pray for them. Not that I have "arrived" on this issue but I have been able to clear my life of any bitterness or resentment involving hurts. Unforgiveness is not the issue...God is wanting me to grow MORE from this and like anyone else...He always calls us out to mature, to grow branches so that we can be more fruitful. And like any fruit tree..it always involves pruning!

I have never been one to dwell on the negatives and I am not known to be a good fake. God made me expressive and everything I feel shows on my face even when I try hard not to! It often times gets me in trouble! I have always shown my weaknesses and shared my failures. But I haven't been good at sharing my personal heart issues with others due to fear. Fear of rejection or fear of failure. Pastor Brent Williams spoke about fear during Spiritual Emphasis week and during that service something shifted in me. It is something that God had been dealing with me about but that I kept pushing to the back of my thought life. I will just "deal" with that later I thought. When God wants to get our attention He will for a season and when we ignore His promptings He will let it go. Sometimes we have to learn the "hard" way or through a different route. I am glad that God didn't give up on my stubborness! Arent' you?

It is truly an honor to sit in the seat that God has entrusted me with. It is truly a blessing to work with Don at Mercy Gate Church and with all the wonderful people. People may look at us and think we have it "all together"...well I am here to tell you that NOBODY has it all together on this Earth. God is always stretching us and wanting us to grow and most of the times our character has to show in order for us to realize that we need to change something about ourselves. There are always new challenges we need to conquer and learn from. If not we will never mature in our thinking and in our actions. Pride is the enemy to growth and humility is the vessel for maturity.

Last night I felt like He challenged me to a new level. It is time to trust again and in a different way that I have before. I feel like he has given me a mega-dose of courage. It is past time to open myself and not be afraid of betrayal or rejection. God is with me and He has given me a literal army of amazing ladies that love me for who I am and I actually love them too! Ha ha (no joke!). We will go the next level together and tackle whatever God places in our hearts to do...It is His purpose and plan for our lives. If the leaders do not go there then the people will not and God has given me the word victor to study out and process...more of that to come.

I encourage you to step out and trust; be willing to be transparent with others. Will it put you "out there" to get hurt? Most definitely. But doing what God called you to do and being obedient in that is all He wants. He will be your defender and will fight for you. He created us to be in relationship with Him but also with others. We do this life WITH people as well as in eternity. Trust HIM, abide in HIM keeping your focus on HIM and know that whatever you do and wherever you go...YOU are not and will never be alone. 

32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered,each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:32-33 (NIV)

Click on this link to hear Kari Jobe sing "I am not Alone" for yourself :)
http://youtu.be/bfveawSAHJA



 

Adjust your crown!

Jonna

*ThIs blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com

WHY?

Ever thought you were stuck in a situation that was beyond your control...and you felt like you were going to die....yet you survived? Well nothing takes the cake like the man whose pickup as well as himself got squished between two 18 wheelers in Oregon this week:

Kaleb Whitby, 27, stares out calmly from the mangled wreckage of his Chevy Silverado after the two semi-trucks smashed into each other on the I-84 in Oregon - with him in the middle. Despite his precarious position wedged between the two metal trailers, and with a steering column tight against his leg, Whitby emerged from the deathtrap almost entirely unscathed.
(Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2915575/Pictured-Man-SURVIVED-crushed-two-big-rigs-84.html#ixzz3PJPRv2QK) Kaleb states, "Thank God that I am still alive. Now I have got to go figure our why."

What an incredible story of luck some might say. The odds of something like this happening is one in a million! Now I do not know anything about the actual life story of this man but what I do know is that He will be forever affected by this. I LOVE what he said..."Now I have got to figure out why". Why is it that I am alive and others died?...why was my life spared and what am I here to do?

We all have times in our lives when we find ourselves in a tangled mess that we created and wonder why. It is one of the words that inquiring and curious children ask adults and one of the most uttered words that adults use pertaining to tragedies and situations in our lives. This is a critical skill that helps toddlers and children gain a much more complex understanding of how the world works. When they ask, “why?” they are showing a thirst for knowledge. They want more information!

Now I will not pretend to know the answers to his questions but what I do know that there is a great big God out there that loves us and wants us to succeed. He wants us happy and healthy and living life to the fullest! I pray that you do not have to go through a tragedy to get your attention on things above. I pray that when things are great and you are the happiest you have ever been...that you look up and ask God the questions that he longs for his children to ask...."What do you want me to do God?" Because maturity shifts from the "why's" to the "what's" and God will be faithful to answer you by supplying the "how's".


Jonna


 

Decreeing & Declaring

A Decree is an order or official decision that is given from someone in authority such as a King. Decrees were usually sealed with a signet ring making it legal and binding. The Kings men would then take the decree to all those in authority in the Kingdom and they would declare what had been handed to them. Then everyone in the kingdom would know what the official position was on a matter.

As a child of the King we have the power to bring decrees to life. The Bible is a book filled with powerful decrees and we can take them and know that it already has the seal of the King upon it; and we declare it as so by the power of our words. 

What things are you declaring in your life? Have you resurrected the decrees that God has already given you? There is power and authority in that. 

When we speak His word which is already established in heaven, we enforce it through verbal agreement. Our words are like bridges linking Heaven and Earth. 

Decreeing and Declaring isn't something you do for a moment...it is done until we see Heaven on Earth. Remember that God's Word does not return void and He watches over His Word to perform it. (Isaiah 55:11, Jer 1:12) It is His job to bring it to pass and your job to release it into your life. 

"You will decree a thing and it will be established for you and light will shine on your ways." Job 22:28

Let me encourage you in faith to find out who you are in Christ...the answer is in the Word and can be revealed with the help of the Holy Spirit. We all need to find our place in this Kingdom and rise up and call things that aren't as though they are. Decree it and Declare it as so!

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

You Recognized me!

Last night was Halloween and I so enjoyed giving out candy and greeting all my little visitors. It was cute to see all the varied costumes and I tried my best to guess who or what they were dressed up like and compliment them. It was so enjoyable to see the faces light up when you tell them that you liked their costume...and of course they liked getting the chocolate too! 

One little girl that came upon my doorstep I guessed was a beautiful hairstylist and when I said that she looked at me with wide-eyes and said, "All night no one knew who I was and you knew right away. This is what I want to be when I grow up. Thank You lady!!" She was genuinely excited that I identified her. I was very surprised by the look on her face and the response. She smiled really big and happily skipped away. 

I slowly closed the door and thought about all the times in our life that we feel that no one understands or knows what we are about. But in a moment what we knew we were all along can be validated with one single sentence. 

If you are in a place today and you feel no one understands you...well know this...No one needs to. There are phases in all our lives where we walk in a time of misunderstanding or even loneliness.  God didn't call us ALL to be Queen Elsa or Anna or even a super hero...and trust me...half the town was dressed like one last night!....but to be what HE made us to be.  We are to be our own unique and original creation. God will call you out when the time is right. You were made for such a time as this. Esther 4:14

Adjust That Crown!

Jonna

Re-calculating Route

 Have you ever been on a trip and missed a turn? Well I am "geographically challenged" so even with my Global Positioning System (GPS) talking to me and giving me turn-by-turn instructions I seem to get lost for a moment...or two. The feeling of being lost is just aggravating and God forbid if there are people following you! Thankfully there is this component that automatically kicks in most map guidance systems and is announced as "re-calculating route." Although un-nerving because of the repetitious message in a apethetic voice that goes on and on until you are back on track; this has saved my life more than once!

Re-calculations in life happen all the time and isn't it cool that no matter how much we ignored the messages; God is always willing and able to help us make that U-turn and re-calculate our lives to get to where we need to be. His voice isn't condemning and doesn't get angry when we haven't listened either. He isn't apathetic but loving, kind and encouraging. (Jer 29:11) His goal and purpose is for us to be where He destined us to be.

There are also times in our lives that we come to a fork in the road and we need to know the direction God has for us. We may notice the road filled with obstacles, pot holes, or under construction and we really need to hear that directional voice NOW! Thankfully we have an internal GPS called "God's Positioning System" that can help us.

“I will guide you and teach you the way you should go. I will give you good advice and watch over you.” Psalms 32:8

The Bible is the map and God's Spirit is the voice. Even if we miss the turn; He redirects us because He is guiding based on the ultimate destination that He intends for us to reach.  He also has alternate routes we know nothing about and that is why sometimes we have to walk by Faith. I am not completely sure of why God chooses to guide us this way except that I think that He is just as interested in the journey as in the destination. And as we depend on Him turn by turn, day by day, we worship Him for who He is, not just where He’s taking us.

  

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

Double For The Trouble!

Well here I am with this wild dog named Harley who has caused all manner of evil at my house but at the same time has brought much joy. I almost dismissed the thought of adopting or even fostering another dog because...two crazy dogs in my house? My life is already chaos and mayhem!! But something inside me said.....What do you have to lose?...other than your sanity and your new beige couch??

Well I picked up an airedale terrier this week who was in a rescue situation in Austin. It was a no-commitment foster home agreement and if it worked out then I could adopt her. They told me how out of control and aggressive she was and I was starting to get worried! Well....I bonded with her almost immediately. And when Roxy met Harley they ran around like they had been best friends their whole lives! Within one hour I texted the rescue group and told them I wanted to adopt her as my own. They were very relieved! Ha. 

Now my Harley has a playmate and isn't bored or barking near as much. She has a tetherball partner too...other than just me. And our neighbors no longer want to kill us! 

Harley really needed a friend and we just didn't realize it. She would sit in the backyard while we worked and barked at every fly that went by and seemed sad to be alone. She would make giant holes in the yard and of course dig up Internet cables to get back at us! Now she is really happy and still hyper but has a wag to her tail she hasn't had in a long time. It's what happens when you have a friend. 

It might be double the trouble but the truth be told....that is how I am with my friends. When I am by myself and isolated things irritate me and I don't see the world right from my own limited view. A friend comes in and opens a whole new set of possibilities...some trouble or drama might be involved but it is all well worth it! A friend sticks close like a brother and we know what that means! There may be squabbles but there is a comradere that no one can take away. 

The bible says in Proverbs 17:22 that a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. There is nothing like a friend to make you laugh and feel better! Double the effort your making in finding friendship and it will well be worth your while. It may prove to be double or triple the trouble at times but there is nothing more satisfying than having a friend to run around and share your heart with...it is rewarding when you open your heart and self to a relationship. It is what God wants Himself with us and wants us to have with others.

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

Take off that girdle!

I loathe any garment that squeezes you to death. I know many people who wear girdles or Spanx undergarments everyday of their lives! No wonder they all look "put together"! LOL. I have tried to put this body of mine into one of those form-fitting garments and it just isn't pretty! Oh the noises that I heard coming from the seams of that garment were dreadful...not to mention me panting and out of breath while tugging and pulling ....and then when you finally get it on....you can't even breathe! Not to mention that you can barely sit down, smile or even enjoy yourself.... and God forbid if you need to go to the bathroom!

Have you ever felt squeezed and restrained by the pressures in life? I know I have and many times I had so much anxiety I thought I would die! Sometimes you feel so much pressure to be perfect, to be a certain way or to perform that you just cannot relax and enjoy the moment. The restrictions of life sometimes can be unbearable...but they also can be put on by our own selves.

No one told you to wear a girdle...you just wanted to look skinnier than you are. So you put on the weapon of mass destruction and you go about your day. You put that thing on yourself. Sometimes in life we "put on" things that aren't supposed to be ours to wear. You put on pride, you put on unforgiveness, you choose to wear bitterness. Those things will make you MISERABLE and are just like a girdle...it will suck the life out of you and everyone else around you. You might look great on the outside...but it is what is on the inside that matters.

I tell you to let those things go and be free. Hebrews 12:1 states: "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

I don't know how we are to run this race called life and win it if we are entangled in a mess. Take off those things...you have within you everything needed to be free. You need to undo what is restraining you and let it go. Those things have weighed you down and kept you from being who you are. It has kept you from speaking, going and doing and being what God has called you to. This is not how life is supposed to be spent. Choose to do something about it.

Take a really good look at yourself today and pray that God will help you take off the layers and the things that you chose to put on. God wants you free so that you can be truly happy, victorious and a real testimony of His saving grace.


Adjust that Spanx & Crown

Jonna

 

Just Shine!

 

Lighthouses have always fascinated me. They are so important to ships out at sea to help find their way after dark or in a storm. They aren't loud or over bearing...they just shine brightly and stand tall. They don't announce their presence but are faithful and constant no matter what is going on around them. The peeling pain, worn out brick and rough exterior never take away from the appreciation of a light house...in fact it enhances it. All the stories of stormy nights and ships that made it home are so fascinating and wonderful. It is something that stands in the midst of constant waves and rough terrain. Lighthouses beat the odds. They are a beautiful representation of a life lived through Christ.

A light…not a horn…a great quote from DL Moody. That is how we should be; reflecting God and shining for Jesus! We need to be different than the world. There are enough people shouting and spewing rhetoric and fighting for their "cause"...love overcomes all obstacles! People should be able to count on us to be faithful and constant...that is what will lead them to Jesus in times of trouble. That is our testimony. Our scars, our wounds that shows and proves that we made it through. The stories we share of what we went through and how God showed us the way. This is why we shine so brightly....because of where we have been. We were once lost but now we are found so now we will be that light that will help others find their way.

   Ephesians 5 : 8-10 (NKJV) ~ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

So adjust that crown & shine!

Jonna

I am a great big bundle of Potentiality!

You are not empty-handed with nothing to give! Don't believe that lie. God doesn't want what you "think" you are going to be or what you would even like to be. He wants the YOU that you are today...right now...the work in progress.

I loved the song I used to sing as a child called "I am a promise". In fact, I am unsure why we don't sing it as adults. It goes like this:

"I am a Promise. I am a Possibility. I am a Promise with a capital 'P'. I am a great big bundle of potentiality. And I am learning to hear Gods voice and I am trying to make the right choice. I am a Promise to be, anything God wants me to be. I can go anywhere that He wants me to go. I can be anything that He wants me to be. I can climb the highest mountain, I can cross the wide sea; I am a great big promise you see!"

In actuality we are all growing and learning daily and if God wants us to do something NOW then He equips us to carry it out. The only thing standing in our way is our minds and vivid imaginations.

Consider the acorn. It's a small nut that has the potential of being a great oak tree. No one can dispute that. Although we tend to see the acorn without a thought and only see for what it is now. That does not negate the purpose. Despite the obstacles of being crushed, being carried away by animals; these outside factors only help the potential. It's when the seed is in the right place at the right time that the true growth happens. It has to be in the ground or on soil to sprout so the crushing and the carrying are all experiences that take the acorn to where it was destined to be.

We sometimes blame our negative experiences or the atmosphere we were raised in on the reason we cannot do this or be that. It's in those exact circumstances that you persevered! You are living...and even though a few people crushed your heart and almost killed your spirit...you have legs to get up and get out and not just lie on the ground helpless. You have the mind to rise above the circumstances. So add that to your God-given potential and you have an amazing story of overcoming.

Perhaps you were brought to this place of hard times and in that was the mechanism to propel you to your destiny. So what that you don't think you are good enough, smart enough, have enough money or enough influence...everything you need to be something great is within you. You are a bundle of potentiality...water it, feed it and get out and do something with it. Position yourself to be something great where you are at right now...God created you to be strong, tall and fruitful!


Jer 29:11
Adjust that crown!


Jonna

Know your Worth

Your worth is not based on what occupation you chose, what kind of bank account you have or the beauty or lack thereof you see in the mirror. Your worth isn't even based on asking Jesus into your life...your worth is based soley on your creation. The creator determined your worth. 

Genesis 1:26-27 says we are made in His image, the very image of God. Psalms 139:13-16 says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and all the days of our lives were written in God’s book before we were ever born; confirming God’s prior knowledge and plan for our lives. Ephesians 1:4 says God chose His children before the foundations of the earth were ever formed, and in verses 13-14 we’re told we are God’s own possession chosen for the praise of His glory, and that we have an inheritance in heaven with Him as His children! 

Think on that before you put yourself on the clearance rack!

Adjust that Crown, 

Jonna

Gifts & Surprises!

Everyone loves gifts and suprises! When I was a little girl me and my brother and sisters couldn't wait until daddy got home. We would all watch for his truck and listen for the front door to open! All four kids would try to be the first to greet him. He would finally come through the door tired, hot and sweaty and we were all over him hugging him and asking what he got us. You see dad would almost everyday bring us little things from his day at work. If you were first to get to him you might get to pick what gift you got!! Sometimes it would be one thing for us to share, or a crazy story about his day; but most of the time it was candy or a small toy! And to my mothers dismay my dad also has brought home kittens and puppies! Ha. 

We didn't just love the gifts but we loved our dad. He represented life to us. He wanted the best for us and worked long and hard hours to provide. We never worried about provision or if we would have food, clothes or a roof over our head. We had complete faith in him. He was the source of all things good. We treated him with respect and love even on the days he brought us nothing. We loved him unconditionally. My dad isn't perfect...no one is...but what he was and still to this day; is a perfect picture of what our Heavenly Father is. 

What are you expecting your Heavenly Father to bring to you? Do you wait with great expectation? Do you trust that He will provide for your every need? Matthew 6:26 reminds us of the level of care we are under. It's all encompassing. He is our Jehovah Jireh (provider), Nissi (protection), Rappha (healer)....just to name a few! 

Your Father knows what is best for you and He is out working everything for your good...he wants the very best for you! Romans 8:28

Just when I think that I cannot manage or that I am unsure of my future; God walks in the door and He always surprises me with things that I never ever even expected or prayed for. Live a life of faith when you can't see how it will all work out. He is longing to give you gifts and surprises but you need to be positioned to receive them

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

Is Church Really About Us?

I pose this question, "Do we go to church for activities, events, convenience and comfort?  Is our agenda to have our egos stroked and our desires met? Do we have a consumerism attitude somewhat like shopping where we only will go where things seem the best and have the most exciting offerings? 

Have we even considered that the church might need us? What part should each of us play in the health, growth and ministry of the church?  Is church shopping and church swapping simply a matter of wanting a place that provides us with a sense of being ‘spiritual’ but does not require that we think, respond, receive correction, get provoked with truth and actually make investments in something that does not give us direct and immediate benefit? Have we developed a shopping mentality that says, “If this doesn’t work for me, I’ll just split and give it a shot somewhere else?” Has a church home become “all about me?” 

While I do not think that most people I know or go to church with thinks like this...I so feel the attitude has invaded the Christian church like coupons in the Sunday paper! I pose another thought to you today because all of us need some reminding now and again: 

What if people found a church and joined it with an attitude that says, not every sermon must be for me, not every song must be my style, not every activity has to be one that I would join. Instead we have an attitude that asks, Where can I serve?, Whom can I assist?, Where could my spiritual gifts be best put to use?

What if they approached it like a good marriage and determined to work through dry periods, refuse to walk out when things don’t lean our direction, give others the benefit of the doubt, operate in forgiveness, to be patient, to demonstrate loyalty, love others unconditionally, perseverance and ownership?

The world has enough self-centered critics. No church is perfect, just like no family is perfect. Maybe it’s time we quit asking what’s in it for us and start asking, “What can I do to serve?”  A church shouldn’t be about attire, convenient service schedules, worship styles, certain coffees or personal preferences. A pastor can’t always be a motivator, a professor, financial analyst, architect, counseling guru, leadership expert, bedside comforter, organizer and a musician. We need to have reasonable expectations of our church and its leadership. We need to love our Church where it's at now. 

It should be about being a called-out community of believers who are committed to using their God-given gifts for His glory and our good. When we find a church that is built on truth and a pastor that is committed to teaching, preaching and modeling it — then more times than not, we need to stay put and find a place for service no matter the new shiny thing advertised. 

Adjust that Crown

Jonna

For such a Time

14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

                               -Esther 4:14 NIV

God has put specific things inside of you, not just for yourself, but to bring Him glory. I believe that if we circumvent the destiny that God desires in our life; then He will allow another to rise up to do the job. I don't know about you; but I want the destiny God has intended for me...no leftovers here! No way that I will let another take my inheritance! 

I want to encourage you with the fact that one person can make a difference. I also believe that God has a great purpose for your life, as He did for Esther’s. You may never deliver a nation, but your assignment is just as significant! 

You may be scratching your head and wondering what your platform is supposed to be and I want to tell you...right where you are at! You are called to make a difference now wherever you find yourself doing and being. 

Difference makers don't wait for the right time, right outfit, or certain maturity level...you work with whatever you have. God always honors faithfulness and obedience and God is calling you to--such a time as this!

Become an Esther in your generation!

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

No shirt, No shoes, No service

I was at Fry's Electronics enjoying my day. And all of the sudden my flip flop broke! It just came apart and Was flopping around! So here I was walking around this giant store with one shoe on and holding the other. I was so embarrassed! I went to the bathroom and looked in my purse for anything to fix it. I didn't have super glue or duct tape (who carries that?) so I threw my shoes in the trash. No sense walking around with one shoe on...that looked even dumber than no shoes! 

We were looking for a computer to buy for Trey and trying to decide on different sizes and styles when a salesperson approached me. She said, "Ma'am I am going to have to ask you to leave. You need shoes to be in this store." I proceeded to tell her that my flip flops broke as I walked into the store but she didn't care and didn't listen. She pointed at the exit and my bare feet and told me to leave!

 I was shocked! My sister and my son Trey couldn't believe it either and they both started to laugh because that is how my family shows love. Ha. 

My face felt hot and I told her I would be happy to leave after we were finished looking at the computers. She once again; only this time loudly, told me to leave. And pointed towards the front of the store like a crazy person. So my sister and my boys went ahead of me to the exit. I was so upset and embarrassed that I didn't realize I had walked to the entrance instead of the exit and the door would not open. 

The lovely and best employee EVER yells loudly, "Ma'am, that is the entrance...please proceed to the exit." Now everyone in line is looking at me...I have no shoes and apparently now I cannot read either! I looked and probably was talking like a crazy person at that point. 

Humiliation arose as well as anger. I walked out into the parking lot. To make matters worse...I stepped on chewing gum on the way to the car!!!!! Now I am laughing and crying at the same time. We all were. It was a big thick purple and hot piece of gum and i had to pull on it for an eternity to get it off.

As I scraped the gum off of my feet I wondered what would cause someone to treat another person like that. I was dressed kinda sloppy and my hair was in a pony tail and I didn't have hardly any makeup on. Or was she simply following the "No shirt. No shoes. No service" rule?

I am still unsure to this day. But what I do know is this: everyone you encounter is going through something so we should treat each other with dignity and respect. We never know the circumstances that a person is going through so make sure you do not judge anyone based on their looks or presentation. If the lady would have taken the time to hear what I was saying she might have found it funny as well and we together would have agreed that I needed to go buy a pair of shoes as soon as possible. All I know know is that I will NOT go shop at Fry's Electronics EVER! 

Don't let your words prevent someone from entering the doors of your church or from wanting to ask Jesus into their heart based on bad communication or a negative representation that you make. Likewise, people are not always going to line up with what we think they should look like or talk like either.

 Sometimes in our need to follow the scriptures we get religious...God's first command for us though is to LOVE. Thankfully, if someone among us has no shirt or has no shoes....that is our call to action! We are to serve others. Apparently that Fry's employee forgot that she was there to SERVE the customer.

Isaiah 52:7 says that beautiful are the feet of them that bring Good News. I am grateful that God loves my feet even though Fry's Electronics didn't seem to care for them at all :))

Adjust That Crown!

Jonna

The Master Pianist

A mother took her 8 year old son to a great concert hall, black tie event to hear Paderewski the famous composer-pianist. The boy became restless waiting for the concert to start so as his mother visited with friends he slipped from her side and onto the stage. He was drawn by the Steinway and climbed up on the stool and stared wide-eyed at the keys. He placed his small trembling fingers in the right location and began to play "Chopsticks." The roar of the crowd was hushed as hundreds of frowning faces turned in his direction. Irritated and embarrassed, they began to shout: "Get that boy away from there. "Who'd bring a kid that young in here?" "Where's his mother?" "Somebody stop him!"

Backstage the master overheard the sounds out in front and quickly put together in his mind what was happening. Hurriedly, he grabbed his coat and rushed toward the stage. Without one word of announcement he stooped over behind the boy, reached around both sides, and began to improvise a counter melody to harmonize and enhance "chopsticks". As the two played together, Paderewski kept whispering in the boy's ear: "Keep going, don't quit, son. keep on playing.. don't stop....don't quit."

And so it is with us. We hammer away on our project, which seems about as significant as "Chopsticks" in a concert hall. And about the time we are ready to give up, along comes the master, who leans over and whispers: "Now keep going; don't quit. Keep on...don't stop , don't quit!"      --Author Unknown

We are so blessed that when we find ourselves in the middle of a mess that our savior is right there helping us, encouraging us and sometimes even carrying us. Our Master can turn anything bad around and make it good. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! Phil 4:13

Adjust that Crown

Jonna

Impatiently Waiting

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” 

                                     Colossians 3:12

I was feeling put out; inconvenienced and impatient. You ever feel that way?

Thanks to the criminals who’ve decided to manufacture their own medications, the antihistamines that effectively relieves allergy symptoms is now available ONLY behind the pharmacy counter! So now everyone has to wait in line, show your ID and sign to get the medicine you need! Unfortunately it is a big inconvenience especially when your head has sinus pressure as big as Texas! So I reluctantly got into the dreaded line.

There were two men in line in front of me. The first man, the one taking forever, was probably in his thirties. He turned back to smile apologetically numerous times at the people in line as the clerk took her sweet time trying to get his insurance to go through. I didn't smile back. What in the world was taking so long??

 She seemed to know the man, or at least be familiar with him, and made polite conversation while trying multiple magic formulas with her computer keyboard. Finally, she asked for his wife’s social security number. I couldn't believe that he had to call his wife to get the number and after he got it, he kept talking to her, as though we had all day and night to stand there and bore us with his phone conversation. Her social security number didn’t work of course either; so he told the clerk it was okay and that he’d figure something out. 

I wanted to do fist pumps in excitement but the clerk insisted on continuing her efforts. Boo! This guy obviously did not have valid insurance or something and needed to get out of the line so the people who had all their information together could check out! (I was screaming this in my head)

The man right in front of me who was second in line, starting swaying and shifting his weight from foot to foot like a chained elephant, possibly with the idea that somebody might notice his obvious distress and open another register. It was right there – a register with nobody on it. Open it already!!! This is why I don't go to Wal-Mart! I found myself rolling my eyes and tapping my foot and I think I might have sighed a few times as well. The guy in front of me nodded in agreement. Nobody seemed to notice or care about our body language.

I was asking myself how long I was willing to stand there when a second clerk appeared behind the second register. Oh thank goodness! She greeted the man first in line and asked how he was doing, totally oblivious to the now really, really long line and the empty register where she clearly ought to be signing in on!! I was trying to tell the guy in front of me to go to her register line but she was making NO moves in opening at all. He hesitated and didn't move. Ugh!

To my dismay and really total astonishment...she continued to chat while the other clerk called the insurance company to get approval. The conversation surprised me. More toe tapping and sighing.

 “Hey, where’d your hair go?”

“Well,” he said bashfully, “I didn’t want to have more hair than my wife so I shaved it.”

And right then  it was as though time stood still.....I realized both clerks knew this person and he must be quite a frequent customer and even worse...his wife must really be sick. My toe tapping stopped.

As the talk continued I listened eagerly; they discussed the man’s wife, her improvement and the oncologist’s advice.  And I wished at that point that I was invisible because if anybody happened to look, they would have seen such shame washing over me. And everyone knows I blush BIG TIME. I felt such guilt and embarrassment. I put my head down when the guy in front of me tried to give me eye contact. I am sure he was feeling horrible as well. I wanted to run and get out of there. I truly hoped no one I knew was in line behind me!

I should have been grateful that I had the twenty minutes to spend standing in a line, or that I can even stand at all, that I had enough money to buy medicine and insurance to pay for it. My whole perspective changed and what I saw before as a incompetent person became a hurting and broken person in my own eyes. 

Soon afterward, the lady opened the second register and quickly helped the man in front of me and I found that I was no longer in a big hurry. In fact as it was my turn I smiled at the man still struggling to get approval for drugs costing more than $750 dollars! If I had the money I would of given it to him! 

It took no time for me to get home and get comfortable, fed, and medicated for temporary seasonal allergies; but I could not stop thinking about that man and his wife. I wondered if they have children and what their days are like. I thought about the workers at the pharmacy and how kind they were to take the time to talk to someone obviously going through a hard time in their life. How he must of appreciated those words. They didn't appear to be Christians but just really nice people. 

How much more should I be to the world around me? God help us to be observant and have a heart of love no matter the circumstance! The next time I’m stuck in a line, I think that I will pray for the people ahead of me.... instead of just praying that they’ll hurry up. Think on that. 

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

The Cycle of Failure

Many women feel like a failure; I know that sometimes I do. Deep down I know that I am far from a failure. I know that I fail,  but that I am not a failure. I disappoint, but I am not a disappointment. Yet I find myself in this battle; whether it is weight, beauty or relationships and at times I feel like I am losing. Is there anyone else out there that feels the same way?

We all, no matter how perfect we look on the outside; we all have secret places where we are not living in victory all the time. Unfortunately, these times color our whole way that we view ourselves. It becomes a barrier for us to move on. If left unchecked, can become a wall that will actually separate us from the love of God.

We are terrified to expose our inner truths for fear of being rejected by other people and sadly, that keeps us isolated and feeling alone. Is your struggle food, alcohol, yelling or anger, do you lie or maybe you think yourself unattractive, not smart enought or maybe you have a lack of confidence? Any of these things can cause emotions so deep that we find ourselves depressed and we tend to fall back into the mess that disgusts us about ourselves in the first place! It is a cycle that needs to stop!

God knows every one of our struggles and the mere fact that we long to change ourselves is sign that we are meant to have the promise of victory. Our very dissatisfaction with our weaknesses point to the reality that continuing to live in them is NOT the destiny we are meant to have!

I think that sometimes we don't invite God into our struggle. Don't you know that HE wants us free more than we do? We feel shame and that isn't a bad thing but it isn't going to get us to our freedom. Self-discipline isn't going to make the cut for long either! Trust me....I have been so shamed that I almost ate a giant giant bag of M&M's myself in one sitting and going on a strict diet when you have an eemotional eating issue....well....let's just say that when you fall off the wagon...It is a really BIG FALL!

Spiritual Discipline is the key that I am finding that is going to unlock the many padlocks in my life! There is a HEART issue that has to be fixed first before becoming free and being what God created you to be. It is an inside-out process! I have been for years focusing on the outside-in! There is no miracle pill!

I LOVE lists and when I am starting on a diet plan and I have "finally made up my mind to do it for REALS"....I name it. I have been known to say, "30 days to terrific" or "60 days to sexy". My husband just smiles and doesn't say anything....he is a smart man! ha. These lists set me up for failure....they are usually totally unattainable and predict goals of losing 50 pounds in a month. I wish!! My willingness to prepare sets in motion the cycle of failure once again. :(

I had to come to the realization as well....God isn't going to love me any more than He does right now. Sounds simple, huh? Well I had to conclude that I need to love myself where I am at. I need to try to stop saying, "I will do that when I am fit or when I look good." "I will do what I know God wants me to do when I am confident enough to do it & that will be a size 6"....of course that is when I look good according to my own eyes. 

Do I have all the answers to this dilemma? No, but I am seeking God's help and guidance. I truly want to be the best I can be...not for myself but for God. It's all about the process of becoming. I know that the more I become like Christ then the more I will become what God has created me to be.

Somewhere deep down inside my created destiny is there; she might be badly bruised and covered in junk and isn't very pretty! BUT God can call her out and it is all up to us....the choosing, yielding, desiring and relinquishing, the trying and even in the giving up.... is all about choice!

God's plans for us are a process and his eye is all about eternity. His plans for us aren't for a quick fix....He is slowly,  carefully and intentionally unveilling things in my life and I have to recognize that what I think is a "failure" is just part of the process of becoming. I don't want to be a gerbil on that wheel to nowhere! God help us to be overcomers THROUGH you! Phillipians 4:13 is my all time favorite scripture because the strength for the work to change doesn't come from ourselves at all.....but from GOD. We can do ALL things THROUGH Christ who gives US strength!

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna 

What are YOU Looking for?

A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment.

"What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.

 "They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the
scoundrels."

"Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town."

Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.

Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again.

"They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them." 

"Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town."

What is it that you see in others? At lot of times we perceive things based on unmet expectations and disappointments. When you travel from relationship to relationship and from church to church...you tend to carry baggage that you might not be aware of. When you find yourself complaining and seeing the worst and talking negative abot the people around you...it might be time to examine YOURSELF!! You might be seeing the world throught dirt-colored glasses!

It is so EASY to see the fault in others and not see it in ourselves. I know that for a fact! I was going to tell this lady a thing or two one day about her bad attitude and the looks and snide remarks she always gave. I had it all planned out in my head....what I was going to say and how she was going to give these lame excuses that I could easily cut her into pieces! Yep...I was confident I was going to come out shining and she would be at my feet begging for mercy. 

WELL....unfortunately it didn't turn out as planned. LOL. She spoke with me very candidly and explained what she saw in me and I had to literally shut my mouth using my hand! I was the one in the wrong and all along I was blaming it on someone else!!!

You might be saying....NO WAY....but I am saying YES WAY! I haven't always been poised! LOL. I have learned so much on this journey in life and I STILL stumble and make mistakes.

Unpack your bags and stay and work things out in difficult situations. If we are to become more like Jesus then we have to be teachable and we have to realize that problems and difficulties refine us and make us smoother and more loveable and better able to co-exist with others. Just like rocks in a stream that get smoother and smoother when the water knocks the rocks into each other. Those are some of the prettiest rocks! I want to be a smooth rock and not a rough one that hurts others when they touch me or that is hurt easily by others.

Unity is so important and if you find yourself always at odds with others...well....you might just need a little polishing my friend. Some people I know (from other churches of course! ha) get upset at the smallest of things and blame and point fingers. I don't know about you...but my mom always told me that when you point your fingers at others...there are 3 other ones pointing at yourself. That gives me 3 opportunities to make sure that there isn't anything that I need to correct first before talking to or blaming someone else. See...we always are given a way out...IF we are self-aware! We need to get some rose-colored glasses to see the best in everybody and every situation...because we are called to LOVE!

The Most Important Commandment: 28 One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?” 29-31 Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”  Mark 12:28-31

Learn it from me and not the hard way.....when other's try to help you: take it and go with it because if God has to deal with ya personally about something...it just isnt' as easy and a little bit messier! Remember Jonah? Selah!

Adjust that Crown!
Love you!

Jonna

Hummingbird or Vulture?

Both the hummingbird and the vulture are found in our nations deserts. Vultures see rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly dead animals and look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants.

The vultures live on what was, the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is and seek new life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. Don't we all?

Vulture types look back on their mistakes. They look back on missed opportunities. Vultures live in the “would-a, should-a, could-a” mentality. They hold grudges to others mistakes and do not apply the “forgive and forget” attitude. They swarm over dying prey waiting to pounce and they looks so dark and hideous!

However, the hummingbird is always looking for the bright new flower. They seek the sweet things in life and are so beautiful and carefree! Flitting around bringing smiles wherever they go!

Which are you? Vulture or hummingbird?

Are you seeking life giving relationships or do you enjoy gossip and words that destroy? Evaluate your life and what you naturally gravitate to. A vulture is created to be just that...but YOU were not. You were created to love life and to look for the good and sweet and to spread smiles wherever you go.


Adjust that crown!

Jonna