It is that time again, the time when many of us bloggers feel the need to look over the year, to figure out just what we did with our 365 days. I am no different. It has been an interesting year in my life.
I began the year as a newlywed with less than a month of marriage under my belt, and I end the year anxiously awaiting the birth of our first child! That in itself is a lot, but the pregnancy is not the only event because we do not live in a vacuum.
I've also had to say good-bye to 2 men that I loved and admired. 2 men that were giants in the faith, even though they didn't show up on the national radar. Their impact will be seen by how many souls they helped lead to Heaven, and how many more they mentored and helped grow.
As if that is not enough I've also fought my own battles. Battles with sin and feeling like an inadequate daughter of the King of Kings that I love so dearly. I hate to sin and to fail Him, to know that what I'm doing is wrong, yet not being quite able to overcome the temptation. I hate being weak.
Yet, 2011 has taught me one big lesson to share- I'm not weak. I fail, I give in when I shouldn't, but I'm not weak. I'm strong because of what I've been through in the last 10 years, and because I've finally learned the secret to strength. I've learned the secret is that I can't rely on myself, I have to let the Holy Spirit work through me and within me. I have to use God's strength.
You too can be strong in the Lord. You too can overcome the obstacles, temptations, fears, pain, and loss that you are feeling, but you have to give it all to the Lord and ask for His help. May your 2011 end better than it started and may you start 2012 focused on healing and growing in Christ, for that is how we will live Joyfully After ___________.
-J-
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Beauty of Rain
Anyone that knows me knows that I love snow. I turn into a child when it snows. I can sit and watch it snow for hours, and then go outside and play in it till I'm forced to come in. Snow is magical to me. It is fun, tastes good as snowcream, and is very symbolic.
Think about a snowflake. A snowflake is like an individual. It is created by God and is unique. No two snowflakes are exactly the same, just like us. It is fragile, just like we are. We all have our breaking points. Snow is made to be in community. I've been around snow my whole life and I've yet to ever see it snow just 1 flake. Snow comes in bunches, and it is through that community of flakes that snow becomes strong, that it is the blanket that covers the ground and hides things. And yes, just like you and I hide things from others (not everyone needs to see/know everything about us.) snow hides the barrenness of winter.
As much as I love snow, and I can't tell you just how wonderful I find snowy days, I am also learning to love rainy days too. For many people rain means gloomy skies, headaches getting around and just plain frustration. Yet, rain is beautiful.
Rain is refreshing. Rain is necessary for renewal. The rainwater helps keeps the grass green, the trees and plants growing. Rain washes away the dirt, it purifies. Rain is also created and given to us by our Creator. It is just as much a gift as snow is.
While you can't make forts or people out of rain, you can dance in it! What appears gloomy to some can be something you take joy in. Life is about attitude. It is about taking our circumstances and choosing to see the good. That isn't always easy, it takes work sometimes. But, isn't it better to go through life with a good attitude than a bitter one? Bitterness drives away people, joy is infectious and draws people in, and we could all use more friends, more life.
So, what are you going to do? Are you going to go out and dance and see the beauty that can come from today's circumstances, or are you going to let them trap you? When push comes to shoves it comes down to your choice. We can't choose our circumstances (I can't MAKE it snow), but we can choose how we will react.
-JLP-
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Temper Tantrums Can Help
On facebook earlier a friend posted a picture of the promise ring his daughter wears. A promise ring is worn on a girl's wedding finger and is a sign that she has promised herself, her family, the Lord and her future husband that she will remain a virgin till her wedding night.
When I was 16 I made the promise and was given a really pretty Black Hills' gold promise ring. It was that year that I vowed to the Lord to remain pure for my husband. Then, when I was 18 I was raped. I was no longer a virgin, no longer pure. It was not my choice, but it happened.
The next year I chose to start sleeping with my boyfriend. I still wore the ring, because it was pretty. Then, one night a few nights after he (he was my ex at this point) attacked myself and my best friend I looked down at my finger and I took my ring and I threw it across my dorm room.
After that I had a bit of a temper tantrum. I screamed into my pillow, I kicked things, I threw one heck of a fit. I was angry. I was angry that God had let me get raped. I was angry at my ex for attacking us. I was angry at myself for not remaining pure, even after my rape. I was just plain ANGRY.
And you know what, while I might have chosen a better outlet than having a tantrum in my room, I needed to let go. I needed to let my feelings out. I needed to be honest. After, I felt ashamed (a bit, and glad I was alone) but better, because I was beginning to finally admit to myself all my pent up emotions.
Whatever you are going through you need to allow yourself to be honest about your feelings. If you've been abused it is OK to be angry. In fact that is good. Abuse (of any form) is wrong. It shouldn't have happened. It isn't fair, it isn't right. It sucks and it is healthy to be angry that it happened.
Now, it is important not to hurt yourself when you are angry (or others), and throwing things that can break (or hurt someone) is not the best idea, but let yourself go for a bit. I recommend healthy exercise. I find punching bags are quite handy! They are designed to take a beating. And the exercise releases different chemicals that help you feel better (remember we almost all feel better after a good exercise routine).
Don't be afraid of your feelings, they are natural. Own them. Talk to someone. Find a way to release, even if it is to scream into a pillow. The important thing in healing really is honesty and admiting what is going on. It may sound cliche, but it is true. That is the good that came from my tantrum (and yes, I found the ring and I have in a special place to hopefully pass onto my daughter one day).
Take care and know that you are in my prayers.
When I was 16 I made the promise and was given a really pretty Black Hills' gold promise ring. It was that year that I vowed to the Lord to remain pure for my husband. Then, when I was 18 I was raped. I was no longer a virgin, no longer pure. It was not my choice, but it happened.
The next year I chose to start sleeping with my boyfriend. I still wore the ring, because it was pretty. Then, one night a few nights after he (he was my ex at this point) attacked myself and my best friend I looked down at my finger and I took my ring and I threw it across my dorm room.
After that I had a bit of a temper tantrum. I screamed into my pillow, I kicked things, I threw one heck of a fit. I was angry. I was angry that God had let me get raped. I was angry at my ex for attacking us. I was angry at myself for not remaining pure, even after my rape. I was just plain ANGRY.
And you know what, while I might have chosen a better outlet than having a tantrum in my room, I needed to let go. I needed to let my feelings out. I needed to be honest. After, I felt ashamed (a bit, and glad I was alone) but better, because I was beginning to finally admit to myself all my pent up emotions.
Whatever you are going through you need to allow yourself to be honest about your feelings. If you've been abused it is OK to be angry. In fact that is good. Abuse (of any form) is wrong. It shouldn't have happened. It isn't fair, it isn't right. It sucks and it is healthy to be angry that it happened.
Now, it is important not to hurt yourself when you are angry (or others), and throwing things that can break (or hurt someone) is not the best idea, but let yourself go for a bit. I recommend healthy exercise. I find punching bags are quite handy! They are designed to take a beating. And the exercise releases different chemicals that help you feel better (remember we almost all feel better after a good exercise routine).
Don't be afraid of your feelings, they are natural. Own them. Talk to someone. Find a way to release, even if it is to scream into a pillow. The important thing in healing really is honesty and admiting what is going on. It may sound cliche, but it is true. That is the good that came from my tantrum (and yes, I found the ring and I have in a special place to hopefully pass onto my daughter one day).
Take care and know that you are in my prayers.
Friday, November 11, 2011
When the Load is Heavy
We have all witnessed it. We have personally been there, and we know people that have been there as well. The destination? I'm talking about the end of your rope. We have all been to the place where we call out to God "Hey Lord, you said you won't give me more than I can bear. I'm cracking. The weight of life is crushing me. I can't handle this!"
If you are willing to look beyond the weight of the circumstances you will see a special joy in being at the end of your rope. It is there that we learn just how strong God is. When our grip is slipping, when our arms are tired and weak from struggling to just hold on, God is right there.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who [aa]wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will [ab]mount up with [ac]wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. Is. 40:29-31
When we are at our weakest, God is right there giving us His strength. When we get to that level, that is when we are most willing to rest in God's arms. This is a good thing. The better thing is to ALREADY be in God's arms.
Yet, no matter how close we are to God, how intimate the relationship, there will be times when our rope is just too short and we really need Him. God is near to the broken hearted.
I know. Last night a dear friend, a man who was like a 2nd father to me was called to Heaven. Then today I find out a dear Aunt is really struggling with cancer and in the hospital, my uncle has many health struggles, my Grandma won't be out here for my daughter's birth, financially things in our family are a struggle and I hurt for so many reasons.
Yet, this is life. We all face it. My struggles are not really different from any other person. What makes the difference is how I view them. Do I see them as weights to crush me, to drag me to the end of my rope, or do I see them as opportunities to rely on God, to grow closer to Him? Right now I'm doing my best to see them as golden opportunities to exhibit and experience God's joy and peace, His comfort.
When your load is heavy, when your rope is too short, I encourage you to turn to Christ. No matter what the situation, no matter how big the struggle, no matter how dark your personal storm clouds are, God is there with you, He is bigger, stronger and more powerful than the pain. He is just waiting for you to seek Him and ask for His help.
4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought." James 1:2-8a
-JLP-
If you are willing to look beyond the weight of the circumstances you will see a special joy in being at the end of your rope. It is there that we learn just how strong God is. When our grip is slipping, when our arms are tired and weak from struggling to just hold on, God is right there.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who [aa]wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will [ab]mount up with [ac]wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. Is. 40:29-31
When we are at our weakest, God is right there giving us His strength. When we get to that level, that is when we are most willing to rest in God's arms. This is a good thing. The better thing is to ALREADY be in God's arms.
Yet, no matter how close we are to God, how intimate the relationship, there will be times when our rope is just too short and we really need Him. God is near to the broken hearted.
I know. Last night a dear friend, a man who was like a 2nd father to me was called to Heaven. Then today I find out a dear Aunt is really struggling with cancer and in the hospital, my uncle has many health struggles, my Grandma won't be out here for my daughter's birth, financially things in our family are a struggle and I hurt for so many reasons.
Yet, this is life. We all face it. My struggles are not really different from any other person. What makes the difference is how I view them. Do I see them as weights to crush me, to drag me to the end of my rope, or do I see them as opportunities to rely on God, to grow closer to Him? Right now I'm doing my best to see them as golden opportunities to exhibit and experience God's joy and peace, His comfort.
When your load is heavy, when your rope is too short, I encourage you to turn to Christ. No matter what the situation, no matter how big the struggle, no matter how dark your personal storm clouds are, God is there with you, He is bigger, stronger and more powerful than the pain. He is just waiting for you to seek Him and ask for His help.
4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought." James 1:2-8a
-JLP-
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Through God's Eyes
God gets lots of questions, and He is very good at answering them. One of the reasons that He gave us the Bible, was to answer a plethora of our questions. The Bible is our go to source for answers. If we want to know God and what He is about, we go to the Bible. If we want to know how the world began, and how it will end, we go to the Bible.
One of the questions that God gets asked often is "why do bad things happen to good people?" And yes, the answer to this is in the Bible. The answer is not as simple as it may seem. To answer this FAQ we have to look at history. We go back to the beginning.
In the beginning God created humans as perfect, immortal beings. We were designed in HIS image, to serve, love and commune with Him. But, sin entered and we broke off the perfect union. We all screw up. When measured against the perfectness of God, we are not good, we fall very short.
Yet, God still loves us. We are still His beloved creation. We may not be good anymore, but we are still loved. So loved in fact that God still longs for an eternal relationship with us. That is why Jesus had to come, had to sacrifice Himself on the cross, and then rise from the grave, as the victorious Savior.
Still, many people reject Him and His offer of peace, hope, joy, salvation and right living. People still long to live in sin. Thus, bad things happen. When given the choice, people sin. Sin is enticing, it seems fun. It seems easy, exciting, daring. Sin is life on the edge.
Like any drug, you need to do more to get the same thrill, so the sins get worse. And a lot of sins involve two people- the sinner and the person being hurt by the sin. Thus bad things happen to good people. The victim is hurt to provide the thrill for the perp.
Bad things happen because God created us with the ability to make choices, to choose right from wrong. God offers us wisdom and knowledge to make the right decisions, but we so often reject it. God also offers us forgiveness. No matter how often we screw up, He is there to forgive us. No matter how big our sin, He is there to forgive us.
If we look at it through God's eyes, it all comes down to choice. Bad things happen because humans so often make bad decisions. Yet, there is hope because God offers us the Holy Spirit as our guide, as our comfort. God offers us Himself, so that we don't have to make the bad decisions, and when someone else makes a bad choice that hurts us, we have God himself offering to comfort us!
-JLP-
One of the questions that God gets asked often is "why do bad things happen to good people?" And yes, the answer to this is in the Bible. The answer is not as simple as it may seem. To answer this FAQ we have to look at history. We go back to the beginning.
In the beginning God created humans as perfect, immortal beings. We were designed in HIS image, to serve, love and commune with Him. But, sin entered and we broke off the perfect union. We all screw up. When measured against the perfectness of God, we are not good, we fall very short.
Yet, God still loves us. We are still His beloved creation. We may not be good anymore, but we are still loved. So loved in fact that God still longs for an eternal relationship with us. That is why Jesus had to come, had to sacrifice Himself on the cross, and then rise from the grave, as the victorious Savior.
Still, many people reject Him and His offer of peace, hope, joy, salvation and right living. People still long to live in sin. Thus, bad things happen. When given the choice, people sin. Sin is enticing, it seems fun. It seems easy, exciting, daring. Sin is life on the edge.
Like any drug, you need to do more to get the same thrill, so the sins get worse. And a lot of sins involve two people- the sinner and the person being hurt by the sin. Thus bad things happen to good people. The victim is hurt to provide the thrill for the perp.
Bad things happen because God created us with the ability to make choices, to choose right from wrong. God offers us wisdom and knowledge to make the right decisions, but we so often reject it. God also offers us forgiveness. No matter how often we screw up, He is there to forgive us. No matter how big our sin, He is there to forgive us.
If we look at it through God's eyes, it all comes down to choice. Bad things happen because humans so often make bad decisions. Yet, there is hope because God offers us the Holy Spirit as our guide, as our comfort. God offers us Himself, so that we don't have to make the bad decisions, and when someone else makes a bad choice that hurts us, we have God himself offering to comfort us!
-JLP-
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