Steve and I were flying home from Phoenix, Arizona, the morning that Daylight Saving Time 2013 began. Our friends and family cautiously reminded us the evening before to set our clocks forward so we did not miss our plane. So, we DID and we were so thankful for their reminder UNTIL we arrived at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport four hours early for our flight, due to the fact that Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time...Oh, you live and learn!!!
During this time of “Springing Forward”, which none of us are extremely crazy about, I am reminded of Philippians 3:13
“Dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing:
Forgetting the past and looking forward or (springing forward) to what lies ahead.”
I have never been one to harbor unforgiveness and I have learned through the years that forgiveness is an ACT, but healing is a PROCESS that takes much time. I am quick to forgive. However, because God blessed me with a healthy mind and a great memory, I can still recall every detail of the offenses that really caused me a lot of pain.
Before leaving for the conference in Phoenix, where one of the topics I was to speak on was titled the Trap of Offense, the Lord tenderly spoke to me saying:
“Real love, MY love, keeps no record of the offenses committed against us.” 1 Corinthians 13:5
It was a moment to go deeper! A moment to even relinquish offenses to my Lord. I had relinquished my offenders but in some way I had held on to their offenses somewhere deep inside my mind. I physically found myself placing those things at the feet of Jesus and asking Him to take them from me. It was so freeing, my friends. So powerful.
It Is Time To Spring Forward and Do Some Spring Cleaning!
Time to open the windows and allow the SON to shine through! Isn’t the SON so refreshing as His rays beam through our hearts, cleansing us and making all things new.
I encourage you to forget those things which are behind you today...Offenses, guilt, heartache, bitterness, self-pity, disappoinments, etc. Physically give them to Jesus and Spring Forward to what lies ahead. You will never regret it and you will find yourself free and living in the blessed place. I love you...
My father sustained irreversible injuries from a terrible motorcycle accident when I was eleven years old, which left him as a quadriplegic. A once very free, extremely active, nature-loving, jack-of-all-trades kind of guy who was full of life was suddenly reduced to a life of physical bondage for more than twenty years. I often wondered as I watched him what it would feel like to be forever dependent upon another to feed, clothe, scratch my itch or blow my nose! What an incredible man he was, but despite his brain operating at maximum potential, the lack of movement and inability to feel touch below his neck reduced him to living life only in part. He passed away in 2001. I love and miss you, Daddy.
Today, the Lord related my father’s condition to a spiritual epidemic occurring in the church! Just like him, so many Christians have one component of their lives operating at maximum potential, while the other portion exists in a paralyzed, lifeless state.
Man is comprised of three parts: spirit, soul, and body. These work together to perfect WHOLENESS. Complete fulfillment and satisfaction is only found in the BALANCE of all three. We are called to action and service by walking in our own unique life’s purpose (our calling or career) and actively representing our Lord in the earth, BUT God’s Word also cautions us against neglecting to care for our spirit and soul.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to “Guard your heart (spirit), for everything you do flows from it.” We are commanded to be the gatekeepers of our own spirits. Only YOU can control the entrance to your heart. What are you giving access to? To function as a WHOLE person, you must consistently build yourself up on spiritual truths. Every decision you make flows from the abundance of your heart. In order to make wise decisions, you must place important emphasis on nourishing your spirit.
Few understand the connection between success and the prosperity of one’s soul. Our soul is comprised of our mind, will, and emotions. 3 John 1:2 says, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and prosperity, “even as” your soul prospers.” “EVEN AS” means “ACCORDING TO”. Your health and the growth of ALL areas in your life, whether it be financially, emotionally, spiritually or socially is dependent upon the condition of your mind, will and emotions.
Have bitterness and negativity left you paralyzed? Or perhaps doubt and worry? Are you bent on getting your way, controlling, and selfish? Do you subject your mind to debilitating messages through TV, radio, Internet, or books? Until you grasp the importance of a healthy soul, you will limit the prosperous life you were created to occupy!
Our spirit (heart), soul (mind, will and emotions), and body were created by God to work together in congruence to deliver optimum fulfillment in this life. When one of these areas is lacking, it creates a lifeless, paralyzing condition. My father’s motorcycle accident was irreversible, but you have been given today! A day to establish turn-around. May God enlighten you to any areas of paralysis in your own life and may YOU choose to make strides in 2013 to experience WHOLENESS and joy beyond compare.
They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer!” Genesis 37:19
What can I say? I am one of those - A DREAMER! I always have been, even as a little girl. No matter what situation I find myself in, there is always a greater dream within my heart. Dreaming for me has never been a product of discontent! I simply thrive on the confidence of knowing I am a Child of the Most High, therefore “all things are mine and nothing is impossible.” In 2006, this dreaming of mine went to a whole new level as I began to witness my dreams coming to pass. With burning passion, I found myself even designating certain days just for dreaming! Often, I would get into my car and set out to dream of greater territory, greater prosperity, and greater influence! It was not long before my dreaming rubbed off on personal friends and family members. Together, we would stop what we were often doing and say, “Let’s go dreaming today!”
Now, I know what some are probably thinking right now - “Who has time to dream? I’m way too busy for that! Why waste time wishing for things you cannot have? I can sure think of better ways to spend my time!” Yes, I DO receive quite a bit of persecution for dreaming, but it never bothers me. I simply dream a bigger dream!
Over the past three years, my dreaming has diminished a bit! I have been in a different season of life, a season of isolation and regeneration! However, on several different occasions recently, God has sent a man of God my way to remind me to start DREAMING AGAIN. Yesterday, after spending time with God in prayer, a message posted to my FaceBook stating that it is time to DREAM AGAIN! After my prayer time today, I picked up a book I have been slowly, steadily reading the past two months, but have not picked up in two weeks and the opening pages where I had left off were entitled - DREAMING. Call this a coincidence? I think NOT! It is once again a season where dreams shall come to pass before my very eyes!
I have never fully comprehended just why the Holy Spirit seems to guide me this way. In comparison, I certainly appear to be an odd “cookie”. However, TODAY, God graciously chose to give me understanding...
“Our dreams matter. I believe God engineered each of us to dream - to envision the fulfillment of our hopes and desires. In fact, dreaming is so vital for us that without it, none of us will reach our full potential in life. A dream is like a buoy that lifts us above mediocrity and monotony. Yet even more fundamentally, dreaming keeps us ALIVE, because it connects us to vision. The New American Standard Bible translates Proverbs 29:18 this way - Where there is no vision, the people “let go”, “neglect”, or “give up”. The final result is that we perish and it all happens through lack of vision.”
- Money and the Prosperous Soul by Stephen K. De Silva (Bethel Church)
Do you have dreams stored away in your heart? Perhaps, you have never even allowed yourself to dream? Maybe you are too afraid to dream? Is the possibility of your dreams never being fulfilled much too weighty to EVER allow yourself to go there? God is speaking to you today - It is time to dream again!
My desire for YOU this holiday season is that you will prioritize and set aside the much needed time to curl up with pen, paper, and the dream-giver Himself. As you ponder all these things in your heart, compile a list of the desires that lie dormant within your soul. Did you know that God Himself placed those desires within you? Allow yourself to begin to dream. Do not be afraid to "Call those things that be NOT as though they ARE." - Romans 4:17 God desires to fill you with awe and give flight to your dreams. Will you believe?
Did I ever tell you how much I LOVE traditions? For our family, there is no time to practice them like the holidays! Traditions usher in a sense of familiarity and excitement within this crew. We look forward each year to knowing just what the menu and schedule of events for Thanksgiving and Christmas will be.
Our menu for Thanksgiving Day has evolved over the years as each member of the family developed a love of their favorite dish. We bake both turkey and smoked ham, followed by a smorgasbord of seventeen other complementary dishes and desserts. It’s enough to feast on for days...and we do! A special bowl is selected each year, entitled “The Blessing Bowl”. Throughout the day of fun and fellowship, each member of the family finds their own intimate moment to steal away and add personal and unique tokens of gratitude to the bowl. After the Thanksgiving meal, our children with pen and paper in hand, excitedly compile their long, awaited Christmas lists.
When our children were small, Steve and I were part of the mentally unstable group who rolls out of bed sometime around 4:00 am to fight the crowds of BLACK FRIDAY. We loved that time together and took great pride in checking off the lists the kids had made the previous day and creatively deciding upon a new hiding place for this year’s gifts. That evening, our entire extended family meets for supper in town, foregoing the traditional turkey for at least one meal.
Every Saturday after Thanksgiving is reserved for ushering in the spirit of Christmas! We attend the matinee Christmas movie of the season and as the children have gotten older we have added the Christmas symphony to our list of fun. All to be followed by the lighting and decorating of our family tree and NO trimming of the tree would be complete without Christmas music and the smell of spiced cider brewing in the background.
As a favorite song suggests, “IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!”
There is absolutely no greater earthly treasure lavished upon us by the Father above like the gift of Family! The cords of love run so very deep! This week, I am thankful for every moment I’ve been given with each member of my family...living or deceased. The part each of you plays/played in my life has shaped my heart of gratitude. Everyone of you are/were special and unique, fashioned by our Great God unto good works and notable legacy. YOU ARE VALUABLE INDEED! This is the first year we will NOT be together, following our most-loved traditions, but as I travel know that YOU are in my heart, bringing memorable smiles to my face. May the satisfying and fulfilling love of God permeate your hearts with thanksgivings!
I LOVE YOU ALL, MY BLESSED FAMILY!
Blessings,
Jeneen, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Sister-in-law, and friend
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are MY disciples.”
Recently, the Lord impressed upon my spirit that HE desired to lavish His love upon me in fresh and new ways. He encouraged me to be watchful of all the new ways He chooses to showcase His love in my life personally. So, I have begun to watch!
One night shortly after, I was in prayer just communicating with my Lord and I said, “Father, as a mother, one of the most precious ways YOU can lavish Your love upon me would be to pour out Your love upon my children." To which, He very quickly responded, "Yes, I fully understand because the most precious way YOU can lavish your love upon ME is to love my other children as well.”
Suddenly, I wept! The love of a mother for her children runs so very deep! In fact, it is at the very core of who we are. Whenever another blesses my two beautiful children, it is as if they have blessed me personally. What the Lord spoke to me that night was such a revelation! I already knew that, as His disciples, we have been commanded to love our brothers and sisters, but what I did not realize was that the most extensive way to express our love to our Father is to lavish our love upon His “other children.” When we do so, it is as if we are lavishing our love upon Him personally!
"I tell you the truth, whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you have done it unto ME!" - Matthew 25:40
We live in a fast-paced, busy society where taking the time to love outside of our own selves, marriage and family must be performed with purpose. As humans, selfishness reigns. However, in Christ, we have been commanded to love and honor others above even our own selves. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate toward each other with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another...
ACTIVATION:
1. When was the last time I put another brother or sister’s needs above my
own?
2. As I go about my daily routine, am I a reflection of my loving God to
others in countenance, as well as in actions? Do I smile at others? Do I take the time to grant a
compliment?
3. How long has it been since I have blessed another brother or sister just
because?
4. Am I loving the unloveable?
PRAYER:
Father, I realize today that it is not even possible to count the ways of your love! I want to thank YOU for personally loving ME! I desire to become part of YOUR solution to those in my personal sphere of influence. Holy Spirit, make me mindful of Your "other children" and reveal fresh and new ways that I can lavish Your love upon them. May Your Name always be honored and glorified in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“If you want to know what God wants you to do - ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But, when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They cannot make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything that they do.” - James 1:5-8
At eighteen months of age, our beautiful daughter, Alyse, was diagnosed with epilepsy. By doctors orders, she was placed on an extremely high dosage of daily medication and as baby Christians, Steve and I were placed on God’s training wheel of FAITH. It was our first experience with the feeling of helplessness - hopelessness too! I remember thinking to myself, “how will our lives ever be the same?” Worry became the new mindset of our home as we consistently observed our precious child endure one to three seizures every day. There was nothing we could do except hold her safely in our arms until each storm passed, leaving behind a very exhausted and weak child each time.
One day while attending my very first ladies’ retreat, the Lord spoke to me through a word of prophecy saying, “I want to heal your daughter.” Call it immaturity or even stupidity (as her doctor did), but I took God at His word, returned home from the retreat and immediately took Alyse off of her medication. A few weeks passed free from seizures and the scheduled appointment for Alyse’s quarterly check-up drew nigh. To this day, I have never forgotten the look on her doctor’s face when I announced the news that Alyse had been healed and no longer needed to take her medicine! Afterall, epilepsy WAS the diagnosis! It was declared to be a struggle of hers for the rest of her life! How dare I play doctor!!!!
Within minutes, Alyse was hooked to an EEG monitor. This test had periodically been performed since her diagnosis to measure and record the spontaneous electrical activity of her brain and had shown very clear abnormalities each time...UNTIL THIS TIME! Upon the acceptance of God’s Word, Alyse was healed and the test had proven it on record! We left the doctor’s office that day on a high we neither one had ever experienced!
Sharing the testimony of God’s miraculous healing of our daughter was both wildly refreshing and new. If there ever was a way to launch one’s faith to a new level, a miracle certainly did it for us, but as quickly as it came, it was also tested.
Being our only child at the time, Alyse loved to sleep on a pallet beside our bed on special occasions. On this particular night, she did just that. In the wee hours of the morning, I was awakened by that dreadful noise...the undeniable sound of violent convulsion. My heart sank as I replayed every testimony I had given about her healing over and over in my head! Our faith was jolted. Devastated, I called my pastor’s wife for advice. She lovingly assured me to stand on the declaration of faith I had confessed and to never look back. “This is only a test, Jeneen," she declared.
In the days to come, I continued to stand upon God’s promise to me. I refused to accept that Alyse was not healed. I refused to put her back on the medicine and the Holy Spirit taught me a valuable lesson - that "symptoms", although they appear as facts, ARE NOT REALITY. REALITY is whatever GOD says! Since that night, Alyse has never endured another seizure. She will be 24 years old in March!
What have you been declaring and professing in this season of life? Are symptoms and signs announcing defeat? This is only a test! Stand firm and waver not! You have been called to walk by faith and not by sight. Contrary to popular belief, seeing is NOT always believing and perception is NOT always reality. Let faith arise! GOD is waiting to show Himself STRONG on your behalf!
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him.” - 2 Chronicles:16:9
I hear everyone declaring their love for it! The summer flowers have recently been replaced with hardy mums and the colors of orange, yellow and brown adorn the entrances to houses and businesses all around town. The change of weather allows folks to enjoy cooler evening events and wear those beloved jeans and long-sleeve shirts we’ve had safely tucked away for months.
It’s THIS time of year that I begin to get all GIDDY with tradition and expectation for the holidays! The time-change and the early onset of evening is refreshing to me. I love to light candles around the house - fragrances of leaves, harvest, and spice to welcome my family home from their long days. It’s this time of year where you can feel justified to simply sit with a warm cup of coffee, cider, or hot-chocolate and curl up with a good book or watch that favorite TV show, complete with new and exciting episodes.
To me, Fall ushers in a more relaxing season of life! The non-stop days of summer are exchanged for family gatherings in the living room, the essential time for a cool evening walk, football with friends, and a chance to merely sigh a sigh of relief. Simply put, Fall is HARVEST TIME - a season for gathering crops, but also a season for gathering your thoughts! A season for the laborer to gather and then sit quietly in solitude before God, ceasing from activity and enjoying His fresh fragrance. This can be an uncomfortable position for you go-getters out there who feel pressured to always be “doing”. However, this is THE necessary place!
The Holy Spirit reminded me this morning of the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13. This story clearly exemplifies the difference between spiritual wisdom and spiritual foolishness. Each virgin was given the exact same opportunity to light their lanterns, which is a direct representation of lighting the fire of their souls...that moment when the Holy Spirit draws you to the open door of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, filling all who receive Him with light! However, in the parable, five virgins were wise and five were foolish. The difference? The five wise virgins continued to return to their initial Source and refuel their flames. The constant renewal supplied them with new revelation, empowerment, attitude adjustments and for that moment when the Bridegroom called out! The five unwise virgins simply went about, living off of the one-time experience they had when their flame was initially lit, but never stopping to refuel. Eventually, their fire was extinguished.
As a gentle friendly reminder today...where are YOU in this season of life? Are you like the wise virgins who understood that continual refueling from their Source was of the essence? Or, do you find yourself today following pursuit of the unwise? Your Source is God! Your Light is the presence of Jesus’ Spirit radiating from within! Only time spent alone in His presence will refuel your fire, causing you to shine everywhere you go with the glory of our beautiful God! How brightly are you shining?
In this shift of seasons, I hear Jesus ushering us, “Come unto Me(the WORD, Jesus is the Word), all ye who labor and are heavy laden(wore out, need refueling), and I will give you rest! Take my yoke upon you and let ME teach you, because I am humble and gentle and YOU will find REST for your souls.” Matthew 11:28 NLT
Today marks 24 years of marriage to my high school sweetheart,Steve. "Happy Anniversary, My Love". As I pondered the past 24 years together, I felt led to record a few of the strengths the Holy Spirit has taught me which have afforded us a long, joyous, heartfelt, intimate relationship.
First of all, I must admit...our wedding was not a joyous, fairytale occasion that every girl dreams of. Our wedding was the direct result of me getting pregnant at the tender age of 17. My mother was a complete unhappy basket case at our wedding, realizing that all the hopes and dreams she had for her little girl had swiftly been swept away without a warning! Most people gathered for the “celebration” (and I use that word loosely) making bets on just how long our marriage would last. Few experience true love and commitment at the age of 17, so the odds were certainly stacked against us.
Steve had just finished his senior year of high school and turned 18 twenty-six days before we said “I Do”. I, on the other hand, was still in school just beginning my senior year. We had nothing to our name. My parents purchased a new home complete with an apartment where we were welcomed to reside. Steve worked at Sign Craft during the day, making $5.00/hour and pulled a second job in the evenings at the Donelson YMCA. Mainly, his duties consisted of playing basketball all evening with the other members. Neither of us ever went to college...
The first year we were married we made a commitment to serve Jesus Christ with all our beings. From that day forward, we have been on a beautiful journey “together” of the good and bad, the difficult and the easy, the painful and the glorious, the joyous and the sad, and the highs and the lows. We have weathered many storms. We have overcome the odds and when asked by others about our life and relationship we like to say:
JESUS IS OUR SUCCESS!
We owe everything that we are and everything that we have to our Father above, to our Savior Jesus Christ, and to our precious teacher, the Holy Spirit!
Ladies, I hope you recognize today that YOU are your husband’s helper. As wives, this is our main duty. Aside from God, Steve is first in my life. I arise every morning with him in mind. I drop everything to fulfill a task or an errand he needs performed. His phone call gets answered above all others. His needs come before my very own. So many wives have this backwards! Usually, the unbalance comes with the children. Many wives place their children before their husbands. Marriage does not consist of YOU, YOUR HUSBAND, and THE CHILDREN! Marriage is a covenant and a commitment of promise between a man and a woman. The children are an added gift to be enjoyed together. Placing precedence on Steve has undoubtedly contributed to the happiness of our home. Now, being empty-nesters, we still have a beautiful, fulfilling relationship that was not centered around our children, but around our commitment to the Lord and to each other! It is lasting and true.
I have created a home for Steve that he likes to refer to as his Refuge! After a long hard day of work and the chaos of the world, he can relax and retreat to a clean, comfortable happy place called home! He doesn't return to an atmosphere of bickering and controversy. He is welcomed every day from work with a kiss. Whatever our evenings hold, we are together. I can testify that in 24 years of marriage, there has never been one day that my husband has gotten off from work and desired to go any place else but home!
Respect and honor have been key in our relationship. Every day prayers are prayed specifically for my husband. I am his greatest fan...His number one supporter! He looks to me for edification as well as approval. I remind him of who he is in Christ. I compel him to dream and reach for the impossible. We laugh. We take time to Love. We share. We trust. We communicate! We enjoy the fruits of our labor together. We are true partners. When I succeed He succeeds. When He succeeds then I succeed!
Proverbs 31:11-12 declares -
“The heart of her husband safely trusts in her and she GREATLY enriches his life! She will do her husband good and not evil all the days of her life!”
Friends and fellow wives, this is the beautiful role we have been given by the Lord. YOU have the power to change the atmosphere of YOUR home and marriage! I pray that each and every one of you will renew your commitment to your husband this very day and vow to be his helpmate. Allow the order and blessing of the Lord to fill your relationship. Enjoy every single day you have been given together. Do not settle for the mundane and routine. Relight the fire and passion. Cherish growing old together and may God richly bless your marriage!
God has chosen a place of SOLITUDE for me during this season. Let’s face it... being alone for short periods of time has proven to be therapeutic. It’s when God calls you to THIS place that you begin to question your importance to society.
Solitude seems to have a way of drawing us into a place of unhealthy comparison with others. Our culture has placed high importance on individuals who seem to be BUSY all the time. Unfortunately, as a result, we have learned to measure our value according to how many appointments we have in our planner...how many people need us...how many invitations we receive to the parties, etc.
Recently, I have been challenged to see the beauty and necessity of this place called Solitude. God has revealed to me the great value of this place. Every great leader in the Bible was placed in a season of Solitude and from THIS PLACE came their greatest victories!
The apostle Paul was forced from the missionary work that he loved so well and thrust into prison. With a joyous and overcoming mindset, he penned the books of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians. Moses was taken from his great place of stature and influence to the back side of the desert for 40 years. It was there that he gained the knowledge and obedience to perform the greatest task of his life - delivering the children of Israel. John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos - far away from everyone he knew. Abandoned and alone, he received the greatest vision of his entire life. A vision of great hope read by millions of people even to this day!
I want to challenge YOU today...if God has chosen a place of Solitude for you during this season, STOP! Change your view of this previously dreaded place and unwrap it’s beauty. Take the time to discover God in a new and fresh way. Heed and ponder the refreshing mentality and new found direction the Holy Spirit desires to unleash upon you. Solitude is necessary and one of the most important places you will ever visit. For if you allow it, it prepares you for the greatest seasons of victory in life.
“In the morning, rising up a great while before day, He(Jesus) went out and departed into a solitary place, and there He prayed.”
God has been urging me all the more to VALUE people! ALL PEOPLE!
Let’s face it, we each possess compassions, but then there are those areas within each of us where our judgements seem to get in the way. Sometimes, we view others as too far gone to warrant our help, or too far away to capture our attention. Then, there are those that we place in the “they don’t deserve it” column.
Recently, God has been allowing me to actually see others as HE sees them, feeling their hurts, insecurities, and longings. Everywhere I go, my focus is drawn to those around me.
Repairing the Breach Ministries, Inc.(RTBM) is proud to partner with South African Evangelistic Missions(SAEM) for over two years now. My trusted friend and head moderator for SAEM, Tyrone Paul, has graciously brought my attention to a need in Umbambulu. Pastor Lucky Langa and his wife are currently fulfilling the mandate of God to house, love, and care for 27 deformed and unwanted children. Pastor Langa traveled to Prince Mashen Hospital to claim the children, who are made up of true orphans(children with deceased parents) and children simply UNWANTED by their natural birth parents due to their deformities. This loving pastor and his wife have surrounded their own personal bed with every child to ensure a sense of love, acceptance and protection to each.
The budget to care for these beautiful children each month is around $1300.00 US dollars. RTBM, Inc. WILL answer the call to support this endeavor. However, we can do exceedingly more together than I could ever do alone. I am also extending this blessed opportunity to YOU.
To those interested, you can send a tax-deductible, charitable donation to:
RTBM, INC.
P.O. Box 775
Mansfield, Texas 76063
Every cent designated for this project will go directly to support this cause.
I thank you and bless you in advance for your willingness and compassion to stop and value others. Listed below are pictures of a few of the children.
