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Yearly Archives: 2016
A 10 Year Old’s Inspiration
When I was 10 I fell in love with an English actor I thought was about 9 or 10 years older than me. My logic was when I’m 20, he’ll be 29. #perfect
Like I said, I was 10.
I had been watching his show for about 2 weeks, when my Nana sat down with me to watch this “weird new show” I was telling her about. Then she ruined my day.
The conversation went something like this…
Nana: “Oh my goodness! I haven’t seen this show since your mom was your age!!”
Jill: “Isn’t it fun? Wait! What???”
Nana: “These are reruns Missy. This show is from the 60’s.”
Jill sits in silence as she tries to process.
Nana: “One of my nieces actually kissed the lips off of one of his posters.” (Points at the love of my life).
Jill shakes her head in disbelief as she realizes the love of her life for these two long weeks is not 19 nor is he 20. He is… (gulp)…in fact…41.
#NOOOOOOOO
#TotallyDevastated
#DreamCrushed
The show was The Monkees and the dreamy guy was Davy Jones.
I may not have ever met him, but this dreamy maraca and tambourine playing Brit inspired my love for England, musicians, British accents, and my dream of going to England. And while in England I discovered that I love tea, Jane Austin’s Mr. Knightly (played by Jeremy Northam in 1996’s Emma), and riding in the front on the 2nd level of double decker busses. So thanks for the inspiration, Davy! 😉
Point to ponder while you wander…My dream of going to England was inspired by a dreamy kid on a 1960’s TV show that I watched 20 years after it originally aired. That dream came true 11 years later, when I studied at the University of Derby.
Inspiration is everywhere, my blog reading friends. So keep your eyes open and Dream Big!
A Hot Mess
“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant…Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand.” Ps 73:21-23 NLT
We may be a hot mess at times, but He still wants all of us, always.
Loving God
The best way to show God you love Him is to love others well.
“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.” I John 4:11-12 NLT
David Had to Wait Too
David was a just a 15 year old kid just being who he was in the middle of nowhere.
Then SUDDENLY he is anointed king over Israel.
Sweet! Overnight success! Well…not exactly…David had to wait 15 years until he was actually made king.
Seven of those years he served the palace of the current king, who was insane, hated him, and tried repeatedly to kill him.The next eight weren’t any better, fighting battles and sleeping in caves.
But how David handled the waiting is what makes me respect him. He vented his emotions and sought God to deliver him from the harrowing and desperate situations he repeatedly found himself in. But he didn’t blame God or threaten to quit or beg to be returned to the safety of his former life. (I say this because I am guilty of blaming God and asking Him to just give me an easier life.)
David always ended his rants with, but I know You are a merciful and gracious God. I know that You are wiser than me, so I hope in You. I trust in You. So I will endure. I will wait on you.
And He did wait. 15 long and trying years. But after those long years of preparation and learning, David became king. And among his descendants was the One who would save the world.
So waiting sucks…believe me I know it does…but God keeps His Word. He honors His promises. He will do what He said He would do. And that promise isn’t just for you bet for those who come after you.
So hang on. Keep believing. Keep trusting Him.
Point to ponder while you wander…God’s timing isn’t always fast. But He always keeps His Word. So on that journey it is okay to vent and rant TO God about the circumstances along the way. But don’t forget to end your rant with the truth: He is faithful and wise. He is good and kind. He loves you.
Constant Love
“Yes, Lord, let Your constant love surround us, for our hopes are in you alone.” Psalm 33:22
God’s love never wavers nor shrinks. His love doesnt grow with time. He has loved you from the foundation of the world and He’s going to keep on loving you exactly that much forever. That my friends is the definition of constant love.
Unconditional
“Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading in its hope; it can outlast anything. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:7-8
This is the definition of unconditional love, that His love never fails.
And I’m grateful because I haven’t been His easiest child to train up. I fight against Him when He’s trying to teach and heal me. I have refused to receive His love. I have begrudgingly obeyed when I didn’t want to do things He’s asked me to do.
Yep. Hard headed all the way.
That’s why the Old Testament gives me hope. The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert because they couldn’t shake the slave mentality off and believe their God.
I am 40. And I relate to the nomadic desert experience more than I care to admit. But I want to be different.
So here’s to shaking off the shackles of the past and walking into a new day of not only believing in God but believing that He is for me and not against me! Here’s to trusting His timing and not rushing and crashing around like a bull in a China shop! Here’s to believing that I am loved completely and accepted fully!
Point to ponder while you wander… “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Hope is not Frail
I painted this about a year ago. It now hangs at the end of my bed. But it used to hang in the kitchen of my old house. The house I lost due to long stretches of unemployment.
After a two year suckfest, my life was rebooted last fall. I moved into a new place, got a new and better job, a newer car, and started going to a new church.
I’ve had my life uprooted and rebooted before, but this time is different. This time I cannot seem to find the rhythm of the new normal. It just doesn’t look like I expected…so I’ve been in a funk.
But it has dawned on me this week that I’m trying to be the old me in the new place, and I’m not the same person I was before the last two years of lean life.
Two years of alternating unemployment and part time work. Two years of leaning completely on God to provide. Two years of learning that God really doesn’t leave nor forsake you. Two years of my reality being one of my worst cast scenarios, and finding that God really is enough. I could go on, but basically it was two years of living Romans 5:3-5.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT
Jill translation: When everything falls apart…and continues to fall apart…no matter what you do. And you keep asking what did I do wrong and how do I fix it? But you can’t fix it, and you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just life. And sometimes life is hard. You just gotta put one foot in front of the other. Every. Single. Day. Until you get to the other side. And in that suckfest you begin to find joy in the little things again. Things you forgot about. And you understand there really is strength in joy. What is important becomes clearer. Who is important becomes obvious. You realize God is with you in it and He’s loving you. He’s loving you the same as when your tithe was more in a month than you’re now making a month. And He teaches you that He is and always was your provision. And He proves to you that you can face fear because fear is merely a liar and a bully. You weren’t given a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. So fear doesn’t actually belong to you like it said it did. So you stop calling it “my fear.” And you begin to realize you really are more than a conqueror, you just didn’t have to conquer anything like this before. And you now know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
I am different now, and stronger, but the best part about this whole deal, or ordeal if you prefer, is that I have a real understanding of hope.
“And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!” Romans 5:5 TPT
Hope isn’t a weak or wimpy wish. Hope is not a frail whisper. Hope is a battle cry because your hope means that you trust in and rely on and wait for the Lord. For real. You don’t just say it because you think you should. And it’s awesome. And worth it.
God didn’t send me the two year suckfest. But He used it to draw me closer and He turned it around for my good. And the good is still being revealed a little bit every day.
Bonus point to ponder while you wander…God takes delight in those who hope in and wait on Him.
“No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11 NLT
So I say…
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.” Psalm 64:5-6 NLT
Feelings
“When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. Then Jesus wept.” John 11:33 & 35 NLT
Jesus felt all His feelings here. But THEN He directed His anger at death. He used His authority to call Lazarus from the grave.
Point to ponder while you wander…It’s okay to feel your feelings, but don’t take your feelings out on people. Don’t let them paralyze you. Let them fuel you! You are powerful, child of God! Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world.
Encouragement from Passion Translator
I had the great privilege of hearing Brian Simmons and his wife Candace speak last year. Wonderful people who live to encourage people through the Word of God. They are translators for the Passion Translation.
Anyway they posted this on their Facebook page recently. It really encouraged me so I’m passing it on. I copied this directly and did not add or subtract any verbiage.
I Hear His Whisper…”Help is on the way!”
I give you new strength this day to arise and follow Me. So many times you have said, “But I am weak.” Though it is true, I call you to set your eyes on Me and watch Me work in your life. Help is on the way!
When I stand before you, strength and glory surrounds you. Fix your gaze on Me and I will build you up and strengthen you. Strength beyond your clever abilities comes as you settle your heart in My presence. Forget what others have said about you, for they don’t know what I know about you. I know that you love Me and continue to pursue Me even in your difficult situation. I have seen you get back up, and with tears seek My face anew. You feel weak, but you will soon feel a new strength coming into your being. The strength of My love will carry you.
I am coming in a new way, a fresh and living way, to make your strong for what lies ahead. Help is on the way! My plan for your life requires that you stand strong in the midst of difficulties. Days of moaning and mourning over your past are over. But now the days of My mighty power that makes you stand strong and pure for Me have come! As you arise and come with Me, a new strength will enter you that will cause others to say, “Look at what God has done in your life!”
My most beloved child, listen to Me. Help is on the way! Be strong and forsake your fear, for I am with you to make you stand. What has troubled you will trouble you no more. What has defeated you will be defeated by My strength in you. This is a new day of My power, for the days of heaven on earth are coming. Your eyes will see what many have longed for–the outbreak of power and transformation! Help is on the way! You will be changed by My power, for I am your loving Father.
Psalm 54:4,6-7 The Passion Translation
“The Lord God has become my divine Helper! He leans into my heart and lays his hands upon me!
Lord, I will offer myself freely,
and everything I am I give to you.
I will worship and praise your name, O Lord, for it is precious to me. Through you I’m saved—rescued from every trouble. I’ve seen with my eyes the defeat of my enemies. I’ve triumphed over them all!“
Poetry in Motion
You are God’s poetry in motion!
“We have become His poetry, a recreated people that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!” Ephesians 2:10 TPT
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