*Good Gravy

If we think about something and talk about it constantly; we tend to make it way bigger than what it really is. Have you ever done that? Sometimes when I make gravy I will add too much flour and then in an attempt to even out the proportions I will add too much milk which in turn leads to more flour....does anyone know what this is like? I end up with a large pot of gravy instead of a pan! haha. I have been known to use almost a whole gallon of milk making breakfast for 4 people. Even despite my cooking mishaps; my family thinks that I make some really goooood gravy....and that is a great thing because can anyone say...breakfast for days??? One thing that I know really well is if we aren't careful....our troubles or a situation – can get really out of control.

I don't usually get hot and bothered about things...in the past I have ignored stories that circulated about me or my family...can you imagine? I am sure you have been there. You know...the complications of life, church and family. It is the things that you just have to deal with and try your best to not let it get to you. I thought and thought about this one situation for days and the more I thought about it – the more upset I became. My chest even hurt and I felt myself think bad thoughts about these people and even felt myself pick them apart. Who are they to say these things? I was feeling justified. I mean...how in the world do people come up with this stuff? It is quite creative for sure!

The point is...I let it get to me. I tried to think and analyze and try to figure out how I could go around and squelch the situation and make it all better. I could go talk to so and so and find out who she talked to and then maybe go to those people. I mean...I can't have this stuff out there, right? So I went to bed with a heavy heart and even took some Benadryl to make sure I slept because my mind was revving like a race car. I woke up late the next morning and as soon as my eyes opened I realized that it was a new day and God gave me new mercies....and a new revelation.

God is going to fight for me! Yep...we have all heard it and I know ALL about it but I had been focusing on how I was FEELING and not on the bigger picture. I had thought so much on trying to defend my character and my family that I forgot about WHO I am in Christ.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

I woke up hearing the echoes of the scripture in Exodus, "Jonna I will fight for you and your family. You just be still." God will take care of His people!  Now the previous evening I was making plans and schemes and trying to figure out how to defend myself and prevent my "reputation" from getting smeared and stop the slander! Now today I can actually say that I don't even care. Let me tell you what God will do if you will let Him. He can give you this thing called PEACE...that even you cannot understand.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:7

The most important thing we have to do to stay right with God and relevant is to guard your heart. Kind of like making gravy...if you don't stand there and pay careful attention and stir it then you might just suffer from over-boiling which will cause it to get too thick and then you will have to add milk...well...you know the rest. Our hearts have to be watched. We cannot afford to get bitter and be upset about things that aren't eternal. A really good indicator that Don has had in the past when he talks to the boys about issues they bring up is this..."Son, Is this issue a heaven or hell issue? If it isn't then you need to let it go." Those are wise words.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:15-16

So remember today to guard your heart with a watchful eye that it stays sweet, kind and loving...it is the best way that people will know who you belong too....is by the love you have for one another. I want to love people and not speak evil about anyone...I will be a truth teller and that isn't ABOUT people but about God and who He is in my life. Create in me a clean heart oh Lord, and renew a right spirit in me.


You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

*Excuses

There are many mornings when my Fitbit alarm vibrates endlessly and I sleepily turn it off....and do it 3 more times. Yes...I have multiple alarms. I might need to add a 4th actually. Do you ever just "talk" yourself out of doing what you really want to do? It is just like there is another person inside of you that is the rebellious one that continually talks you into making bad decisions! I have for years blamed it on my "Fat Cells". I would say that my fat cells are in cahoots with sabotaging me and they just do NOT want to leave my body! So they wreck my diet and my exercise plans so they can stay on my hips and thighs! Let me tell you...my Fat Cells are strong! haha

In reality and if I am going to be honest...I just really do NOT want to get up early and exercise. It just sounds like a lot of work and it definitely doesn't sound fun. When I have thoughts about exercising it is generally when I am eating something bad and I make a decision to 'start tomorrow'. Can I get a witness from somebody??? I tell myself "tomorrow" or "Monday"...that sounds like a great starting day BUT something always happens and my schedule and life gets in the way. Yes I have great excuses; in fact if I wrote a book on really good excuses...it would be a BEST SELLERS! I have came up with some doozies!

Now what I do know is the truth to all of this and I even know how to get myself in shape. I have a church full of fitness fanatics so knowledge is just a phone call away! Unfortunately the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Heard that one before? This kind of mindset translates over from the physical to your spiritual life. I have noticed that when I make excuses for doing anything that calls me out of my comfort zone in the natural....I most definitely will not do it in the spiritual. I KNOW the truth in all of this but yet like you I am sure....we all have to start applying it.

We are the ONLY ones who have control over setting priorities in our lives. I have had work out partners and exercise buddies but I have found that when they stop...so do I. I have to make the decision to do it and do it for ME and not for anything or anyone else. Just like being fit in our bodies is so very important to our health and wellness...our spiritual man has to be just as fit to stay on course and fulfill the calling that God has placed on our lives!

The key I have found is setting our my exercise clothes, finding my cute and matching socks and my tennis shoes and getting them all ready for the morning. If I do this then I will be successful...I have prepared myself for the task and when I start to think of excuses...well half of them are eliminated because of my preparation! Just like with exercise your devotion time needs to be carved out of your day and be set out in advance for you to be successful. We will NOT reach our goals if we do not prepare ourselves and our hearts for it. And I have noticed that once I have had a few days up and exercising and doing my devotions....you won't believe this...I actually like it! I am starting to process the "pain and agony" as results that I can see and that I can feel inwardly and outwardly. Don't let the enemy sabotage you the happy and healthy life that God wants you to have!


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Phillipians 4:13

You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

*Overwhelmed

I overslept. I somehow didn't hear three alarms and woke up an hour late for an appointment. Then I got up and stumbled around not able to decide what direction to go. I got in the shower and someone just used the last of the shampoo. I was out of dog food. I didn't have any coffee. I had decided that I was too tired to go grocery shopping the previous night and now I regretted it. I forgot to turn on the dryer and the outfit that I was going to wear was still damp. At this point I just sat on the couch in my robe and hair that I just washed with dishwashing liquid...and make the genius decision to just get back in bed....wet hair and all. I know that sounds extreme...and pathetically enough...it is all true! Sometimes things just get bad and yes and when we aren't organized; it can lead to chaos and add to anxiety. 

Let's look at the word overwhelmed according to Dictionary.com: "to turn upside down, to overthrow," from over- + MiddleEnglish whelmen "to turn upside down" (see whelm ). Meaning "to submerge completely" is mid-15c. Perhaps the connecting notion is a boat,etc., washed over, and overset, by a big wave. Figurative sense of "to bring to ruin" is attested from 1520s. Related: Overwhelmed; overwhelming ; overwhelmingly. 

When we are constantly in a state of being overwhelmed we are actually in ruins spiritually! As the definition explains it is like you are washed over by a big wave and turned upside and in ruins. That is  exactly how I feel on the "high stress" days! Now I don't think that a child of God can have a good testimony if they are always in ruins! There is a time when we need to look up and say, "Jesus take the wheel!" and let go of it all. God has given us the power to take control of our emotions and our day...we just need to bring Him into the picture. I have noticed that when I do not start my day with some Jesus time that the busy days gets a little out of control. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful Colossians 3:15. Let us not forget the amazing time when Jesus in Mark chapter 4 spoke to the storm and said "Peace be still." We need to speak into our day, into our calendar, into our homes and our jobs. We will NOT be ruled by the craziness of schedules and expectations and we will not live in stress and worry but we will be people of PEACE. 

"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 16:33

Jesus didn't say that He was "overwhelmed by the world"...He said that He OVERCAME the world. So because He overcame it...you can be an overcomer as well THROUGH the work that He already completed just for you. 

So look up today in the middle of your mess and speak peace...you know...that peace that passes ALL understanding that only comes from your heavenly Father and then do your part!



You are Graciously Adorned

❤ Jonna

He Will Rewrite Your Story

Whatever your story, God can rewrite it. However long you have been in your situation, God can turn things around in your favour. Abraham waited for 25 long years but he finally received the gift of a child. The woman with the issue of blood for years was instantly healed and made whole with a touch of the hem of His garment.

The Lord Jesus himself was in the tomb for three days but he came back to life! All these speak of God’s power over every force that threatens your well being.

Whatever is holding you down, trying to block your destiny, or creating roadblocks in your progress, it WILL let go.

You will be free, you will be restored, and you will be victorious. All you need to do is to completely surrender to His authority. The Lord says, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God” – John 11:40.

All you need is to hand your cares over to Him and in faith let Him re-write your story.


You are Graciously Adorned

❤ Jonna

*The Bad Days

Everyone has a bad day...being a Christian woman and mom isn't about being perfect and always having days full of sunshine and rainbows. It’s about those days where you want to just pull the covers over your head and call in sick. It's those days when you stuck your foot in your mouth or you over-reacted and wished that you could jump in a time machine and turn back time. Like...to back when you were a teenager!

Your battle scars – the bad days, the imperfect moments, the times where you were overwhelmed will become the stories that you will ultimately share to teach others. They will be the words of wisdom that you whisper to that new mom about being brave and it will be the story that you tell to that newlywed who just got married and laugh together about your mis-adventures as a new wife. Our bad days often times become our best memories of lessons learned.

Our bad days are in reality pathways to our good days. How would you ever even know if it was a really, really good day if it wasn't for the bad ones?? And believe me...I have had some really bad ones! If today was one of those bad days for you.... just remember that today was just part of your story....but it isn't your whole story. Tomorrow is full of new and wonderful possibilities to get it right...not perfect...but right. So sleep well tonight and know that His mercies are new every morning and open your eyes tomorrow with a clean slate and an opportunity for a do-over.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘“The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him’” (Lamentations 3:22-24).

You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

*Waiting

God wants us to know that waiting is FAR from a passive activity in which we do nothing. In fact,

Scripture teaches us that God wants us to actively participate in the work He desires to accomplish. Waiting strategically can cultivate good things in our lives such as patience, perseverance, and endurance. Waiting also draws us closer to God and points those who are watching us to the the one who has the answers.

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage....Proverbs 27:14

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

We have a choice, a decision, and a way of life to choose. What are you opening your heart, your mind, and your soul to encounter in the hard and stressful moments of life? I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in my life and hopefully others will see it as well. 


You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

*Cultivate Your Life

Transformation is on-going and messy. You have to get your gloves on and work at it. You have to dig and cultivate change and navigate the worms and the dirt. You can’t just ask God to transform you and magically it is done. He will do His part…but you have to do YOURS!

Don't be someone who believes in Jesus, yet isn't staying close enough to Him to grow. Root yourself in good spiritual soil so you can grow to become the person God intends you to be.

Allow yourself be cultivated and broken. Be willing to dig deep and let God's truth take root in you. By confessing your sins and turning away from them, you invite God to cultivate your soul so faith can grow there. Don't be afraid of the dirt!

Remember God's promises that He will use all situations - even the worst circumstances - to accomplish good purposes in your life if you trust Him. When you encounter suffering, open yourself up to receive God's love in the midst of it, and invite God to use it to the fullest to help you grow.

Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.…Psalms 37:3-4

You are Graciously Adorned

❤ Jonna

*The Baader-Meinhoff Phenomenon

The frequency illusion or the Baader-Meinhoff phenomenon is the phenomenon in which those who  just learn or notice something start seeing and hearing about it every where they go.

This happened to Don when he bought his first truck. It was a beautiful Ford F-150 chestnut brown King Ranch pickup that had beautiful saddle seats. He was so excited that he had this unique vehicle that he had never seen before and was just thrilled with it. On the way home from the dealership we were so surprised to see another King Ranch truck on the road. The next day we saw another. Unfortunately we began to see them EVERYWHERE. Don's very "unique" truck turned into something that everyone else had!

The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon is truly just a normal thing. Selective attention is when your brain reacts to certain ideas, words, and things. After seeing these things, confirmation bias kicks in - where you interpret these sightings and actually look or listen for them so you think you are seeing more of it. 

When we put on our mind daily on Jesus it will surprise you how much you see Him in your daily life when you didn't see it before. Now that every moment is on Him you will experience life in such a new and fresh way. Keep a daily commitment of on-going prayer as you go about the mundane; somewhat like a mix tape playing in the background. You will truly be amazed by all the wonderful "phenomenons" that take place when you keep your mind on HIM. 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  Isaiah 26:3

You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

Show Some Teeth

 “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalms 126:2

How encouraging it is to remember and know that it is God who does great things for us!? We should celebrate in the the fact that God will fill us with laughter and our tongues with joy. He always has our best interests in mind, and He is looking for ways to bless and inspire us in our daily lives. 

It is so much easier to face challenges when we are filled with hope and laughter. Hope and laughter come when we put our trust and our faith in Christ. So just give all your worry and cares to Him and sit back and smile. So remember that life is short so smile while you still have teeth! 

You are Graciously Adorned

❤ Jonna

Believe in YourSELF

It's about time you realized who you are and stop doubting it....a child of the King with all the gifts, talents and abilities already inside of you just waiting to be activated! Why is it that you doubt so much? You doubt the words that are in your heart, you talk down the words that you speak, you criticize who you see in the mirror and you worry if you did the right thing or made the right choices to a fault! Why do you keep forgetting? I know it isn't dementia but it is so much like that! SHAKE it off daughter of the King! It is time that you adjusted your crown and rise up from the mess that you are sitting in. You ARE more than enough! You HAVE everything you need to be EXACTLY what God has called you to be. STOP thinking about YOURSELF all the time...it isn't all about YOU. It is about the GOD that resides IN YOU! WITH HIM there are NO boundaries and there is nothing that you cannot do. Time to wake up from the slumber and wipe that sleep out of your eyes and start walking as the ambassador of Christ that you are. He is waiting for you....patiently..... for you to take your place. 

“The King’s daughter is all glorious within” Psalm 45:13

“Fear not, I have called you by your name. You are Mine,” Isaiah 43:1

 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”      Romans 8:16-17 

As a King’s daughter, everything Jesus has is yours. Everything Jesus is, you are. “As [Jesus] is, so are we in this world” 1 John 4:17 

You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

*Look Up

Have you noticed that everywhere you go...people are looking down. At the mall, in the restaurants, at movies, at ballgames, while watching tv and even at church...people have their eyes glued to their phones! It is amazing to see. Sometimes I will be intentional and put my phone up and sit back while eating dinner with my family and see how long it takes for anyone to notice. 

When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!" Luke 21:28

I believe that as Christians we need to be alert. We need to be the one with our heads up and ready for opportunities that God is going to lead us to. If we are so focused on ourselves and what is going on in our little box then we will miss out on opportunities.

So we need to be unlike the world and look up because you just might be the "help" that someone is needing.

You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

Exercise Peace

Peace: My word for 2017. I have found out though that God isn't just going to "give" me peace but I am
going to have to exercise my "Peace Muscles" so that I become stronger and more intentional in that area. I hate exercise just as much as the next person. I even know how to be healthy and I know what to do to look and to feel better. BUT what I know and what I do are two TOTALLY different things!

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Phillipians 4:6-7

Regular exercise is necessary for physical fitness and good health. It reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases; and most importantly it can improve your appearance and delay the aging process. Okay....i know...who wouldn't want to do that?

Well...it takes commitment and self-sacrifice to do it! Who likes to sweat, who likes pain and who in the world wants to get up early in the morning just to exercise?? Apparently NOT me!

What I have found out in life is that anything great takes hard work and sacrifice...and sweat! Just like having peace in your life. It doesn't come free and it doesn't come easy. It takes being intentional everyday to not let "things" in the news and things in your everyday life steal your joy and in turn destroy your peace.

What is peace?

Peace defined is: Having enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy homeostasis and the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Peace of mind is generally associated with bliss and happiness.

John 14:27 (AMP), Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you: My [own] peace I now give…to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”

Now, there’s a "worldly peace" that we experience when everything is going our way. It is fleeting; but the peace Jesus gives is a totally different quality of peace. It’s a peace that passes ALL understanding; it makes us peaceful when all natural reasoning says we should be upset and freaking out! It causes people to look at you and say, "Are you crazy? You should be up there screaming and yelling and giving them a piece of your mind!" But instead you have this feeling and this contentment that God is going to work it out for you in a way that you never could have ever thought!

I have learned that when I focus on Jesus from the moment my eyes open to the point that I am laying my head on my pillow; my days are so much better! Being intentional and taking the time to consciously make the effort for peace is very rewarding!  You have to lay everything at His feet...all feelings, concerns, doubts, problems and most certainly the things that you have been trying to do on your own! We all want to be a healthy Christians and we all want to live this life happy and carefree...I am not talking about being oblivious but focused on THE Prince of Peace...He is the one that can make you smile when all hell is breaking loose and can also put a dance in your step when in your mind you feel like you cannot take another step!

 Peace He has freely GIVEN to us...so freely TAKE it today! 

Adjust That Crown!

Jonna

*My Life is Crazy And Chaotic

My life is crazy and chaotic. There are days that I have no idea the direction that I am supposed to be going. There are morning meetings, lunch meetings, coffee meetings, dinner meetings, just plain meetings and then there are services and more services. Dinner didn't get cooked and who in the world is going to clean the house and feed the animals? I have no idea! Who has time? Well with a life like this... before you realize it...you don't have a "life"!

We all know that being in ministry it is very hard to separate your personal life from your ministry life....in fact it is IMPOSSIBLE! You cannot be one thing and then turn it off to be another. Ministry is 24/7. I often have people tell me, "You really need to get away and do not think at all about the church and anything going on it it!" Well that is so easy to say and so difficult to do. 

First of all I don't want to forget about what is happening to the people at our church. I want to KNOW! It is ministry! So I think the compromise here is balance. Everyone that knows me knows that I struggle with that! I am a very uncoordinated person in that I cannot dance and I am the one that trips in a social situation that proves to be awkward for everyone. haha. That is just ME. So of course the word balance in regards to my life is foreign!

I can do "nothing" at my very best 100% effort just as much as things that I decide to do. So I am an all or nothing type of person. Is that good? NO. I really need to grow in that area..big time! 

So with all that being said...my life will continue to be chaotic and crazy. Do I want to change that? I don't think so at this time. We all have areas to grow in and I guess this is one of them. What is this blog entry about?  I have no idea! LOL. If you have taken the time to read it...well I am sorry. 

 I love my life and my family and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am blessed and ever so thankful for what God has given me and I will never take it for granted. What about you?


You are Graciously Adorned
❤Jonna

*That Is Life

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate
A poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself layin' flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race
-That's Life by Frank Sinatra

Why am I killing myself over this? Breathe Jonna breath! It hit me as I pulled into the parking space and a wave of calm had washed over me by the time I’d turned off the ignition. Isn’t life made to be lived? Aren’t we supposed to make big calls? Better yet... aren’t some of our decisions supposed to fail and others succeed? Either way, this is what I am supposed to do, right? That is, weigh the evidence, make a decision and trust that it will be OK. Right? What if it’s not–well, it is surely not going to kill me. Well at least I hope not. I know that success requires total commitment and I have never had a problem throwing myself into things. But let’s just say I–or you–make the wrong choice.
What does it matter? If life is not the time for calculated risk and big plans, what time is? It would be impossible to think that you would never screw up.  This is not an excuse for failure but a certain kind of freedom. It’s the basis behind the “Relax, it’s going to be fine,” and the “Just let it ride” cliches. The point is this: The very worst that can happen is that you mess up, have to start over, and ultimately learn from it.

With God by our side we still make mistakes because in this life He gives us the freedom of CHOICE. He also doesn't tell us that because we are a Christian that we will never get sick or never get a divorce. Things happen and it is called life. We get back up and we start over. We take our medicine and we get better. We face the fact that in this life there are no guarantees. All of us will die sometime no matter if God has healed us or not. We will have heartaches and heartbreaks as well.

So what can help us as we live this life? Well...we need to keep God first. Isaiah 40:29-31 says, "[God] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Place your trust and hope in God and make your relationship with him your top priority. As you do you'll discover that no matter what life throws at you.... God is in control!

Adjust That Crown

Jonna

*Out of Control

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were wronged by a business? You call within hours of noticing you got a totally different product than what you purchased and then talk to the salesman and alert them to your situation fully knowing that they will agree quickly and make things right. Right? But instead you get a long pause and then you hear the words, "I am sorry. There is nothing we can do about that." You incredulously pause while you feel your face turn red while trying to formulate your response. "What? Are you being serious?" Then you wait for a laugh or maybe even for them to say they were kidding.....but they don't.

We all are in situations where we could lose control but it is our responsibility to keep ourselves on track. We cannot blame situations and circumstances for what we say or what we do. The "devil" can't make you do anything just like I cannot blame the store manager for infuriating me. We all make the choice on how we control ourselves. The Holy Spirit can and will help you stay in alignment if you just listen His voice. Jesus assures that we are given a Helper that abides in us:

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16–18

The Greek word translated “Comforter” is parakletos, meaning “to call to one’s side”. This Comforter or Counselor, the paraclete, is God the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity who has been called to our side. The Spirit is “another” helper, meaning “of the same kind”; with the same essence and nature of Jesus. The Spirit took over the work that Jesus had been doing with the disciples, and to have the Holy Spirit as our paraclete is to have God Himself within us.

So when you are feeling like you are getting "out of control" and about to let emotions run wild; remember to call someone to your side. In actuality you aren't to be in control at all...you are to be led of the Holy Spirit with every word and every action. We all want to be in control of our self and it is only normal to mindlessly think that we can take care of everything on our own. So we have to remind ourselves daily of who we are and who we represent and bow to His authority.

If you are truly being LED then when you find yourself in predicaments you will have a wealth of wisdom to draw from. Just because we are Christ followers doesn't mean that we are to get ran over by people; but we CHOOSE the words to say and they will bring around good results. With God on our side we can and will find favor that the world only wished that they had. So today.... go and be all "out of control" and let Jesus and the Holy Spirit be your guide.

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna

*God's Will for YOU

So many people fret and worry about God's will for their lives. Some even say that they have lived their lives and never even knew what God was leading them to do and they experience regret. Some think God directed them to do a particular thing and when that thing looks hard they doubt it and retreat. Others think that they aren't good enough to do "the will" of the Father because they don't think much of themselves and never feel like they will "get there". Well let me relieve you of something... 

God’s will for your life is not about whom, or if, you should marry, which job you should accept, or which neighborhood you should live in. It isn't even if you should be in ministry or tell that co-worker about Jesus. The perfect and first thing that God wills for your life is that you become the beautiful person that He made you to be that reflects His image. He wants you to become that person that shines with the character and look of Jesus. 

“What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Micah 6:8)

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2)

If you strive to do that and to be that then nothing can stand in the way of you doing what God calls you to do. If you have your heart and your life right with Him then He can lead you and guide you to do exactly what He has called you to do. When you are in position He will meet you right where you are at and everything will fall in place.

Adjust That Crown

Jonna

*I am Grateful for Everything in my Life

I am grateful for everything in my life. Does that in itself sound lofty? Well it is the month of "thanks" where everyone on social media likes to write out what they are thankful for and people in general seem to be more aware of their general attitude of what they have. While we all love to read those posts and even get tagged in some; there are some people who may just plain not feel like being thankful.

People may be struggling, they may be weary or even feel like God has let them down. I am sure we all have been there at some point. God may seem distant, like He's far away or doesn't really care about what's troubling them. Painful life blows and losses might have recently sent them spiraling.

Those thoughts and feelings should not be diminished or trivialized at all because they are real feelings. What I want to remind everyone about is that we have a choice every day, to give Him thanks. We have a choice to remind ourselves who we REALLY are in Christ. Situations and feeling can cause ourselves to see things in a way that isn't exactly the truth. We have to look at what we are going through and say:

 "God, I know there is something good that is going to come out of this! I know that when I get through this I am going to be a better person. I am CHOOSING to trust you; that you are working this out for me and although my ways are not yours and I cannot see how all of this is going to work out in the 'bigger picture' of my life; I know that you do. So I in faith proclaim thanks and I CHOOSE to have a grateful heart despite what I see or feel. God I will take the weight of my issues and problems off of my shoulders and I give it to you because you are God and only you can transform it from a mess to something beautiful."

So with a heart of thanksgiving we can realize that no matter what we face; we have a God that doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does so much more. He CHANGES our hearts. His power working through hearts of gratitude and focused minds on Him; releases the grip that our struggles have over us. We actually can be strengthened by His peace and refueled by His joy.

When we live life with a spirit of gratefulness and show it by expressing our thankfulness despite our circumstances; we are opening a door for God to do something wonderful IN us a well as THROUGH us! So look at the good and the not-so-good situations that you are going through and speak in faith and declare the goodness of God and the promises of God over it. It is in this way of living that pure joy can be found as well as victory over anything and everything and can and will be your GREATEST testimony of the saving and loving power of Jesus Christ!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalms 103:1-5

Adjust that Crown!Jonna

#IAMGrateful #GratefulDespite #Thanksgiving #GiveThanks#BlessTheLord #DeclareTheGoodness 

*Be a Key Turner

Don and I had just left our last place of ministry as youth pastors. It was tough and we had found ourselves
in a fight. The people in that church did not like the Pastor and his wife and we were in the middle. In the middle of being supportive of our Pastors and having to deal with the fall out from their hurt and as well as our hurt in the process. We had moved back to Texas and Don had found a job that wasn't in the ministry and I was secretly happy. I was glad because I had seen the toll that it had on him and I surely knew the toll it had taken on my heart as well.

How can people be so mean when they do not get their way? Church was supposed to be the best place to work...right? Well a lot of those myths got debunked in that last 3 years! I wanted to hide out and NOT get involved in any church. I really didn't want to go to church for a while. I mean...I had attended so many services, seminars, meeting and events that last 3 years that I had met my quota for a life time! So can you imagine my dismay when Don said, "Hey Jonna I was thinking...let's go to this church over in this next town this coming Sunday." I tried  not to be negative but I knew my response wasn't one of excitement and joy. Don noted my frustration and reminded me that we didn't know anyone at that church and then he added those glorious words, "We will sit in the back." Now.... that made it more tolerable for me. haha.

Well Sunday arrived and we went inside and guess who greeted us at the doors? Of course it was two people that Don knew in high school and of course they instantly recognized each other and of course they insisted that we sit with them. Oh the rotten luck! I know that I gave Don a not-so-nice glance when they led us up to the 3rd row in the center aisle of the church! And I thought all these years that Don only knew heathens from his years at Sweeny high school!

As the Associate Pastor got up to speak that morning he stopped and paused and hesitated a few times and then in a series of most unfortunate but yet fortunate events he pointed at Don and I. Of course I turned and looked behind me to not only hear, "Can you two please stand?" but to realize that he was talking to Don and I! I was more than horrified...I was mortified. That thoughts of "I am definitely NEVER to coming to this church again. Is this how they address guests?" ran through my mind. Then I hear the minister state that God pointed us out to him and he had to be obedient. The words that he spoke to us that morning was like a healing balm to the hurt in our lives. He read our mail for sure! I was a bubbling mess of snot and tears and Don fell to the ground crying. Yes here we were the CENTER of attention in the church that "no one would know us at." God does have a sense of humor!  I will say that after that first sentence the caring of what anyone thought went right out the door....God was speaking to us and I basked in the moment. Don spent most of the service practically under the pew so I had to throw out any thought of dignity anyway!  Of course God knew right where we were at and we weren't going to hide from anyone...especially NOT HIM or HIS calling on our life.

God sends people into our lives to be key turners. To those who were at that service that day it might not have seemed like a big thing at all. God used a willing person and with a simple act of affirmation, an obedient word of wisdom it was the one single thing that we can contribute to our path to healing. It was a key that opened our hearts and opened the door to a new level and style of ministry. That person was a life saver for us and if he hadn't been there to speak it...and if we hadn't been there to receive it....well only God knows.

All through the Bible we have accounts of God sending men and women out into the world with a message. Whether it is a message of repentance, deliverance, or hope, God made sure the messengers were placed in strategic moments in time to make an impact on those around them. We are those message carriers, we are the key turners of our today. We are the ambassadors of Christ's Kingdom and I ask you this: Will you be a key turner for someone? Will you be the one to turn someone's life around? God is waiting for a person...that isn't perfect...but is willing and obedient to go and speak His words of life to those around them. You just never know what destiny someone has in them and you might be the one to release it!

I do not have a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind-1Timothy 1:7

I am determined and confident! I am not afraid or discouraged, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go. -Joshua 1:9 (GNT)

I trust (lean on, rely on, and am confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall I dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly I shall be fed. —PSALM 37:3

 

Adjust That Crown

Jonna
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*Beyond Your Nose

I know I know...most of the times my blog seems like a glorified diary! Well it is actually and if you are reading this...which I have NO idea who does or does not...then you know that I have issues. I assume we all do on differing levels. I have found myself in a funk of sorts for the last week. Not only did I find myself victim of the elusive sinus infection but I also was just in the blahs. You know...a season of being in the doldrums and you aren't really sure why or how to get out of it.

I was sitting at my kitchen table looking out the blinds as my cat was running all over the place trying to catch a fly. I was only half watching and half paying attention. I did note that he jumped on the table and then dove into the blinds. All that associated noise and chaos hardly got me out of my trance which was just marinating in all the things I should do today but really did not want to do. I really haven't been feeling joy and I don't think God was even hearing me or for some reason I wasn't really hearing Him. Anyway, the cat was flipping and pouncing and meowing and finally something ran up my leg!

Yes you are reading that right! A nice-sized lizard went running up my leg and then under my shirt and as I jumped up and started running...I have no idea why...my cat was running with me. The lizard then went up my back and when I finally came to my senses I stopped...and the lizard stopped. The reptile was now on the back of my head and before I even realized it my cat Fennick jumped at almost my full height with all claws out and landed on my shoulder. He grabbed the lizard and ran away. Of course scratching me and clawing me in the process!

I am standing in the living room breathless, speechless and really weirded out. I feel like I have a million little lizards crawling all over my body! Fennick is now in the kitchen devouring the poor lizard. I walk over to the table and see my spilled coffee, my chair is knocked over and I then start laughing. It just started and didn't stop until I started crying. It was just so funny and I could hardly even believe that it happened.

As I cleaned up my mess I started realizing that Fennick was trying to get my attention and he was trying to do what he was supposed to do...kill all the bugs and creatures that aren't supposed to be in the house! I just wasn't paying attention. I was so absorbed in how I felt and I just wanted to wallow around in my feelings and do nothing but eat cheetos...yes I was having a one person pity party.

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad God gave me a nose.  It isn't the prettiest thing and it has a nice bump on the bridge of it that reminds me of a ski jump. LOL. My nose helps me to smell, it helps me to breathe, it helps hold up those Brighton sunglasses that I love....without it I don't think I would function as I should. God didn't intend for my nose to be the extent of my thoughts. God intended for me to look beyond myself, beyond my circumstances, and beyond my feelings.

He wants us to be aware of what is happening around us.. We may not THINK God is listening and we may not FEEL like He is with us, and we may not SEE His hand...BUT of course we know that is so far from the actual truth. He is always there waving and trying to get our attention to get us back on track; to get us to see the bigger picture...to get us up and going so we can be all that He knows we can be!

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.    Matthew 6:34 (The Message)

He might have just sent that lizard to get my attention....ummmm....please excuse me while I get myself ready for the day...I have things to do and positive things to impart to someone in my path and...of course first I have mangled lizard parts dispersed around the kitchen to dispose of!


You are Graciously Adorned!

Jonna 

*Tenacity

Tenacity means to cling to a belief or thing without doubting.  It is a set kind of faith, a determination that doesn't waver. Words that can be used interchangeably with tenacity are persistence, determination, perseverance, doggedness, strength of purpose, tirelessness, indefatigability, resolution, resoluteness, resolve, firmness, patience, purposefulness, staunchness, steadfastness, staying power, endurance, and stamina.

Some confuse stubborn and tenacity to mean the same thing. Stubborn means we won’t back down from our position—even if we’ve been shown plenty of evidence how our position is wrong. A stubborn person doesn’t listen to reason. Tenacity means we are being reasonable: We’re doing the right thing, regardless of the difficulty level, and regardless of consequences. People may try to get us to back down, and say, “Be reasonable.” But they won’t argue our position is wrong. What they mean by “reasonable” is they don’t believe the consequences are reasonable. 

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.
Proverbs 3:5-12 The Message

What kind of tenacity do you carry? Are you representing Jesus and going after Him with all the determination, resoluteness and endurance as you would if you were working out 5 days a week at 5am at your favorite gym class or at a professional football game that cost a fortune and you are sweating buckets but going to stick it out because your a fan? Does a little sweat and a little heartache get you off course of your Christian walk? Oh we can choose what things we can tolerate and all too often when things get a little tough people just fall off the "spiritual" wagon. Before they know it they are saying "God, who?" like they have lost their ever loving minds! Yet they put everything they have into material things that reap only earthly rewards. No wonder they are miserable. All of these are points to ponder. Like any great thing in this life....if you work hard at it and with all of your heart then you will have the benefits of a tenacious life. Nothing wonderful and lasting comes easy and nothing that comes easy lasts.

God created us for GREATNESS and in order to do that you have to have some tenacious faith to get up everyday and trust Him no matter what consequences or obstacles are in your way. So grab a hold of His promises and never let go.

Adjust That Crown

Jonna

  

*Moving On Up

Don and I traveled to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to attend a Convoy of Hope conference to help raise money for their upcoming projects. I was so excited and I really needed this week to get away and make a dent in this book that I have been playing around with. I have found myself doodling instead of writing and couldn't wait to enjoy the scenery and looked forward to a great view of this renowned Coeur d'Alene lake to give me inspiration. You know where this is going, right?

Well we checked in and it was the smallest room I have EVER stayed in. My bathroom and closet at home is bigger than the whole room! I was disappointed but did not speak it to Don. I am sure he was wondering as well. haha.  I didn't want to be ungrateful. So I anxiously went to the window and looked out the beautiful wooden blinds and what did I see? You will NEVER believe it! Our room is one of six rooms out of the 350 in the resort that has windows to the INSIDE POOL! yes you heard me...INSIDE POOL!  I was at that point unable to contain my excitement. I looked at Don in horror and he said, "Well lets hope it closes early?" It didn't. The lovely inside pool...which I will admit is quite exquisite opened at the blessed hour of 6am and closes at 11pm.

Have you ever wanted to yell out about an injustice and just complain? You have every right too...anyone else would, right?  I wondered why I was the chosen one of the 6 unfortunate people to get this type of room at a hotel that I might add... is sold out? We turned on the TV very loud to mask the hall noise as well as the pool noise and tried to make the best of it. We laughed about it all. The distance from our door to the window is only about 20 feet and we sat on the bed as the bell boy barely could fit all of our luggage in our room. It was incredible!

I bit my tongue many times because what I wanted to do was just spew out things about the room that I didn't like. Now lets NOT forget that we are in one of the most beautiful places in the country for a week! Outside has smells I have never smelled before...that is called FRESH air! The scent of the trees and the beautiful surroundings is enough to make you swoon! Plus we are here to help the unfortunate starving and under-privileged people of the world with Convoy of Hope....and I am thinking of calling the front office to complain. I should be ASHAMED!!!
 

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.     

                                                                                Galatians 5:22-23 The Message

 

I truly believe that God cares about even the little things in life and He is looking for every opportunity to bless us and sometimes we mess that up with our mouth or actions. This morning we noticed that the glass shower door does not close and when you use the shower water gets all over the floor. I told Don that I would call about it. I called the front desk at 6:20am because I just couldn't sleep anymore and Don went to play golf already. A very nice man named Jacob answered and I told him about the shower door and that it needed repaired and it looked like water damage already to the wall in the bathroom. I was friendly and nice and really wanted to continue the conversation about all the things that I didn't like but He surprised me when He asked me a question:" Mrs Gibson. How is your room overall?" I stammered. I had a zillion things at the tip of my tongue I could say; including the sight of the lovely elderly gentlemen that was sitting in the hot tub this morning eating a banana in a speedo and talking VERY loudly on his cell phone at 6:10am! But before I could say anything Jacob said,  "The reason why I ask is that we had a lot of complaints from that area on the 2nd floor with noise from the pool and the hall...we had a few people call last night." I agreed with him and told him that the sound of screaming from the pool was a little bit hair-raising. He said to me, "Well we had a cancellation early this morning and I am going to move you up to the 17th floor Park Tower. You are so lucky to have called because it just happened. Would that be okay with you? It has a fabulous view of the lake and even a living room and a gas fireplace." I felt faint and managed to choke out, "Okay." We will call you in a few hours to let you know when it is ready. Is there anything else we can do for you today Mrs Gibson?" Ummmm no I think you did just fine. Thank you so much! I hung up the phone and was amazed and somewhat speechless. I wasn't lucky at all...I was blessed.

 

I am not saying that I live perfectly and that I deserve favor all the time....I do not. But God continually speaks to us in the little things and this morning I truly believe that He was telling me that having a heart of love and grace and extending mercy is His heart. We can find the negative in anything but what is hard is to realize is that if we put our focus on the wrong we will never see the fabulous positive things that are right in front of us. If we live God's way He will bring gifts into this life that is so sweet and meaningful...that you would have never believed it or even have thought to ask for it.

 

Excuse me now while I pack my things up with a smile on my face as I hum "I am moving on up to the eastside to the deluxe apartment in the sky. I finally got a piece of the piiiiiiiie". (The Jefferson's theme song) haha

 

 

 

Adjust That Crown

 

Jonna

 

 

                  

 

Blessed AND Highly Favored

We toss the term "I am blessed and highly favored" around these days kinda like "What would Jesus do?" years back. It's catchy and people tend to say it when they are being blessed and want to give the credit to God. Sometimes I use it when things are going not so well and I just declare it into my circumstances. This term is definitely truth and is a promise that God has given us as His children. We ARE blessed and highly favored!

The proclamation "blessed and highly favored" was made in Luke 1 when the angel of the Lord came
to Mary and told her that she was to have a son. I don't know about you but if I was an unmarried pregnant girl back in the Bible days I don't think I would be considered blessed. I don't think this got her favor of a close parking place at the local mall either! People would definitely be judging and possibly be disowned by family and friends. This was scandal and drama of epic proportions! When Mary was looked at by others it had to have been hard to explain her favor or her blessing and not just when she was young....but possibly for the rest of her life.

" the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”     Luke 1:28-33

What Mary knew was that she was carrying the presence of God; the savior of the world. So she could hold her head high even amidst the whispers because she had the knowledge of that promise.
Nothing in her outside circumstances had changed...this "gift" didn't make her richer or give her any kudos or material favor of any kind. What Mary rejoices about is not what God has GIVEN her but what God has BECOME in her....blessed and highly favored.

 

When God promises to bless you, he is saying, ‘I’m going to make you into everything I’ve
ever meant for you to be". It means that God is taking every day and every single thing that
happens in it—good or bad—to make you stronger, to mend whatever is broken inside, to
change you into the person you were always meant to be. The blessing is what God is making
you into and the knowledge of Jesus He is bringing to others through you.

Now if you happen to get a front row parking space at the mall you better declare the favor of God; especially if it is on a Saturday! haha. What I am getting at here is that being blessed and highly favored isn't totally reflective of what is happening in the material aspect of our lives...it is really what we are carrying on the INSIDE. We are the living, breathing ambassadors and carriers of the presence of God! We can rejoice like Mary because God has chosen us to carry the hope of the world; now we just need to get to work at delivering it.

Adjust That Crown

Jonna