Sunday, November 22, 2009

New i68 Destination

I spent a couple of days this week down near the border of Texas and Mexico. We, my traveling companions and myself, were on a vision trip for our church mission ministry, which we call i68. Even though we were still in the great state of Texas it is a totally different culture than up here in North Texas. We went to neighborhood after neighborhood and our guide told us what possible projects or activities we could do then said these words: and there's no (evangelical) church for this neighborhood. I was astounded. And saddened. There was no doubt among all of us that were there that it is most definitely a place where we want to be involved. I'm excited to see what the future holds in that regard.

So, to all my FBCM peeps reading these words: make your plans to go to Laredo. Details about future trips will be available soon!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Monday, November 16, 2009

50 Days of Fusion

I'm typing the homework for day 50 of our study of Matthew. Wow, Johnny and I have written 50 days of homework. It seems amazing to me. Since 50 is a monumental achievement -- you know, 50 years of marriage is the golden anniversary, etc -- the lesson starts by asking the participant to write what God is teaching him/her at this specific season of life. Hopefully, it will be something He is teaching each person through their personal time of study of His Word. Not some commentary that Johnny or I have typed, not something that we've taught or our people have heard another preacher/teacher say, but something that God is teaching individually, specifically. I hope I get to hear what some of my girls write down.

As I pondered that and wondered what God is teachimg me individually, specifically through the absolute privilege of working through the book of Matthew with my man I wondered if I would be brave enough to share with my girls the answer. Do I even really know for sure or am I too focused on the task to be focused on Him? (ouch!)

That statement has probably been true on some days. Did you see that I wrote that we have written 50 days of homework from the book of Matthew? And, we're only on chapter 13, for goodness sakes! It has been a time-consuming venture.

And, yet, I think the one thing that has been completely true and a growing truth in my life is that I love the Word of God. I love how it speaks life to my soul and answers every question and fills every void. I do believe that with every fiber of my being.

What I don't know is available to be known. What I need is there to be given. What I long for is satisfied. I don't love His Word more than I love Him. His Word just shows me more and more about Him so the depth of relationship grows. The more I know about Him, the more I know Him.

So, my desire for the 50 days of Fusion and all the days that have yet to be typed is that it will bring honor and glory to God's great name. To Him alone belongs all the praise.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Waiting Patiently

I am sitting here with my fb up in another window (or whatever it's called) waiting patiently for the next installment of holiday cheer by the Hip Hop Holiday Crew. I'm expecting it to be posted to fb any minute now. I'm anticipating some festive creativeness, that's for sure.

I was at a friend's house on Friday evening when I realized that Christmas was 6 weeks from that night. (oh.my.goodness...Paula Deen is on Huckabee tonight!!! wow!) I can hardly believe it's that close. I really don't have much shopping to do this year because Johnny and I are giving each other a trip and Josh is getting a ski trip with some college friends. Johnny chuckles when I say that is all Josh is getting for Christmas but I MEAN IT. (Paula is talking about fried turkey for Thanksgiving. We always have fried turkey for Thanksgiving. I love it!) Well, I may have to get him a little something else otherwise I'll have to wrap a note that says "ski" then another one that says "trip" then another that says ... well, you get the picture. (Huckabee just asked Paula what's her favorite dessert to serve for Thanksgiving. She said something pumpkin...that's what I'm talking about! She said some other things as well.)

Well, the Thanksgiving video is now up on fb. I'm feeling in the mood for turkey already. Maybe it'll be on youtube later and I'll post a link. Until then, goodnight and have a super, fabulous week!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

New Magazine

My Spanish tutor brought a new magazine to my attention. The magazine is called Life Beautiful and the link to the publication is www.lifebeautifulmagazine.com. It's a really nice magazine with cooking (my favorite) and decorating and Bible verses integrated into all of it. Ok, I totally copied this off the magazine's website and it says it better than I can:

Life:Beautiful is a national, inter-denominational, Christian lifestyle magazine that celebrates an active, integrated faith. Built on a foundation of biblical teaching and encouragement for spiritual growth, Life:Beautiful offers relevant information and community for Christian women.

The pages of Life:Beautiful showcase everyday experiences and activities, such as parenting, cooking, decorating, teaching, working, volunteering, resting, traveling and offering hospitality—all of which can be used to share the joy of the Lord.

Hope you'll check it out! My friend found it at Barnes & Noble.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Complete & Total Silliness

I think this is going to be a long night. My youngest just came home with 3 other teenagers. They are quite hysterical tonight. I mean, one of the guys has already had to apologize to me. I didn't make him. I think it was my eyes popping out of my head that made him. It wasn't cussing or anything that I haven't heard before from a fella but I think I was just shocked because I had only met this kid 5 seconds before. He said it with his back turned to me and I don't know if he thought I wasn't there, wouldn't hear or what. They are upstairs now after inhaling the pizza Johnny bought for them. I'm breathing a sigh of relief.

We are used to having lots of kids around here. In fact, we love it and welcome them always. Tonight is no exception and the bonus is that they will all get up in the morning and go to church with us. One of the guys is there every Sunday anyway but I don't think the other 2 are.

Alright, all is quite (for a minute anyway) so my man and I are gonna watch a movie. We'll see how long that lasts...

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Sick Day

For the second time this week I've got a kid home from school sick. Jacob and I are watching "Man vs. Food." It's a TV about food challenges. I like to watch just about any show about food -- any cooking show on the food network (except the cake shows), the cooking contest shows, even the ones where the guys travel all over the world eating things Americans would think are a little strange. Mainly I like to cook and try new things so I find it all entertaining. If the members of my family were a little more adventurous we would try many more things than we do.

And, on the subject of food, Jess brought home a sheet with a nutrition plan from her basketball coach. A nutrition plan for high school basketball! Oatmeal was on her sheet so, like a good mom, I made her a bowl of nutritious oatmeal for breakfast. Only, it was plain oatmeal. She likes the packets of the flavored ones. So, she got out the syrup and put it in the oatmeal. Now, that is nutritious (I wrote sarcastically). Either way, she wouldn't eat it. So I treated her like I did when she was little, "Just eat 4 more bites." She's a junior in high school, for goodness sake!

And, on the subject of force feeding, Jacob just about threw a fit when made to take cough medicine today. I know it tastes awful and I, personally, refuse to take it but I made him. It provided me with a good laugh to start the day as he took the medicine and then immediately stuffed his mouth full of Pringles. mmmm, Pringles at 8:30 am.

Enough of this meaninglessness! "Man vs. Food" is over so I think I'll go do something productive...

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Monday, November 2, 2009

Check out this video!

You gotta see this video for a little holiday cheer. It's J-deezy (my daughter) and Creezy (her friend, Chris) and their own rendition of "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer." It's quite original. To see it go here

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Live at Peace

The lesson for my life group today was from Acts 5 and the subject was persecuation. I hardly feel we really know what persecution is in our country although I know we face it. Unfortunately, it seems that Christians in America are facing persecutions of some types more and more -- maybe injustice is a better word. It does not compare to the stories I heard while in India, however. I've yet to be threatened to be thrown in jail or, well, other horrible things that I just feel like I won't mention for now.

Anyway, I did a word search on searchgodsword.org this morning for every time the word persecute is used in the NT. In the NASB, it's only 10 times. I don't know why, but I was surprised by that. First mention is in Matthew 5:11but 2nd is Matthew 5:44 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." But, I really got stuck on Romans 12. Yeah, the whole chapter. It does contain the word persecute but what a great, great chapter. I think I'm going to spend some time camped out there over the next few days, maybe weeks. It's that good.

Verse 18 is getting to me today, though. "If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone." (HCSB, emphasis mine) Something happened today that absolutely unhinged me. Drove me to my knees, quite frankly. I had to literally lay it on the alter this morning. Because, my part is to live at peace. So, if I don't get the last word in or make my feelings known or other things that are completely not fitting for the follower of Jesus then that's ok. My part is to live at peace. God's part is to take care of the rest. (and, besides, verse 19 lets me know that I gotta leave room for God's wrath. If He sees fit to send down some wrath, then that will be ok, too. ok, just kidding...sort of)

If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Live your part!

Serving the King,

Jeanette