People to Avoid

2 Timothy 3:1-5 New International Version

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Is this you? Or, is this someone you know or have known? Avoid being one and know this is God’s Word through the friendship and gospel spreading between Paul and Timothy. It really made me think this morning, this passage gave me pause on who I need to avoid. It also gave me a moment in re-reading it, that perhaps I’m “that person” at times. Wow…that’s a come to Jesus moment!

Dear Lord, You ask us to be wary of the terrible times that may be in our last days or in the world’s last days. Help us to examine our hearts and actions as well as those of others. Do the adjectives that desribe a person (or me) fall to the good side of Jesus or the bad side of the Enemy? Forgive us. Save us. Be with us. Guard our hearts and direct what we do this day and during this life. Thank you for the lives of living angels that have walked and still walk among us. Help us to strive to be heaven seekers as we Believe in You. AMEN.

Thankful today for… 301. Calves that hurt a bit in the muscles…evidence of longer walks and runs this past weekend. … 302. A green highlighter, pen, study guide, and Bible to lead me into a right heart and mind for this morning. God willing, it will carryover to today, tomorrow, etc. … 303. Time today for grocery shopping. … 304. Time today to be with my mom as she gets a hearing test. … 305. Time with my mom and dad as we seek to get to the bottom of a hefty charge on their wireless bill. This stuff is confusing to them, to the workers, and me! God willing, the fees will be waived or the proper phones returned?! Hoping a local store may help more than corporate calling we’ve already don.

Peace and love to you friend, may this week be a good one for you and for those you love! Jenn

P.S. the flower above is from my favorite spring blooming tree in Florida…the Tabebuia!

Don’t be Timid, Be Powerful in the Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Leaning into these words as of late. I’m trying to be less timid and go forth into the world with more power *HIS* and more love. This requires self-discipline for me to take care of myself, my family, and then others. It is a fine balance and ALL areas here are important. Who do you take care of?

For me, I struggle with anxiety, depression, and Bipolar Disorder. These three diagnoses do not define me, but they do impact me and how I take care of myself and others. Medications have to be just right, my sleep schedule has to be nearly perfect, eating and drinking right, along with exercise require God’s power, self-love and the love of my immediate family, doctors, and counselors.

Next, it takes self-discipline and honesty to make all of the above tasks possible. I can do it; I have done it, and at times I have failed to do it. There are mountain, valleys, and plateaus. Are you going through a valley, stable on a plateau, or climbing to a mountain-top or a cliff?

Dear God,

Keep us balanced in all aspects of our daily life. Give us the confidence from having Your power inside of us through the Holy Spirit. Make us strong, not timid. Make us worthy of sharing the gospel through how we live life and how we love others through thought, word, and deed. Thank you for being out source of love and for sending Your Son to walk this earth, teach, and die so that we may have new life!

AMEN

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1 John 3:18New International Version

¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Today is going to be a day of highs and lows. Why? I’ll fill you in. It’s 6:30 a.m. EST. I woke at about 5:15 a.m. It is not really that early considering I went to bed at 8:45 p.m. last night. My meds are being adjusted to help balance my mood and sleep. I’m on my second adjustment this month. God willing things will normalize and balance back out.

I had time to jot some words back into my new book, read emails, read late night texts from yesterday, and now lay nestled into a blanket on our couch with water/lime and my laptop. Where are you right now? Are you awake enough and cozy enough?

At 8 a.m. I’m meeting a friend to walk. We walk from our houses and aim to meet in the middle by 8ish. She is a long time acquaintance through PTA at our kids’ elementary school. However, now that my two are in middle and high school, I hadn’t seen her much. Now, we’re in the same Bible study. We sat side by side one day, and I texted her that we needed to take a walk sometime. We did, and we still do walk. It’s a newly kindled deeper friendship. Surprise! It was unexpected for us both I think, but God knew.

At 11:30 a.m. we leave for a mid-day mass. Our friend in the neighborhood, H, died of COVID related complications/organ failure. He was 55. He was hospitalized from Dec 23, 2020 and died late Janurary 2021. It was hearbreaking for us as a neighborhood. Shocking. Disbelief. It was real. It brought COVID closer to home quite literally. Now his wife, N, is a widow at the age of 41. She has nearly the same birthday as me. Summer of 79 babies. Now, we are moms and wives. She lost her love. She lost her financial planner. She lost her children’s father. She is heartbroken, anxious, and not sleeping well. Likely, she is angry and depressed as well. Tough. Rough.

As we reflect on death and life today, I am reminded to continue looking up. Looking up to God, looking around me for the amazing natural and supernatural wonders that are occurring in the world, and looking fondly upon my loved ones. You never know when your time of death will come or theirs.

In happier news, my husband and I will attend his Celebration of Life at a friends house after the funeral service. H would have liked the church and party angle! However, due to COVID we will be masked up and socially distance. I promised N that I would give her a wave or a hug if possible. After the reception, Daniel and I plan to get a Starbucks drink/treat. It’s on our way home, and we have stars to use or loose before the end of February. We have no evening plans which will be nice to relax with our sons.

Tomorrow we have plans to go to Sea World Orlando. It is our last day of annual passes. Gotta go one more time! What will be your highs and lows of the weekend? Leave me a comment! I’ll join with you in praise or prayer.

Happy Saturday! Have a good weekend! Cheers,

Jennifer

Glimmers of Grace

296. A solid night’s sleep

297. Grocery shopping with my husband last night…a rare treat to have company

298. Eating a cannoli last night…um yum! And, buying a two pack so that our 14 year old could sample the goodness too. It was his first one. He labled it “rich.”

299. Stretching out morning legs on a couch

300. Laptops

Enable us to Stand Strong

2 Corinthians 13:9-11Easy-to-Read Version

⁹ We are happy to be weak if you are strong. And this is what we pray—that your lives will be made completely right again. ¹⁰ I’m writing this before I come so that when I am there I will not have to use my authority to punish you. The Lord gave me that authority to make you stronger, not to destroy you.

¹¹ Now, brothers and sisters, be filled with joy. Try to make everything right, and do what I have asked you to do. Agree with each other, and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

God is our ENABLER. Five Minute Friday post go…

God is our enabler, He makes us stronger, He makes our days right again when sin or trials come our way, and His people make us stronger as well. People of the faith will encourage you to be filled with joy! Christians in right living will agree with each other and live in peace. In turn, God of love an peace will dwell amidst them.

Dear God,

Thank you for enabling us with Your Spirit, mercy, grace, and peace. Forgive us when we make poor choices or entangle ourselves in people not of You and even with the devil himself. Grant us the strength and courage to enable us to stand up against those who may make our faith diminish. Also, guard our hearts from the influence of the Evil One. You want us to be closer to You and further from the Enemy. There will always be good and evil fighting for our attention. Enable us to choose You and Your ways.

Amen.

STOP.

Freeing Ourselves from Fear

Proverbs 1:33 says, “but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” I sure do like the promises in this verse. I want to live in safety and be at ease. So how can you and I have a brave faith when life gets scary? –Gwen Smith, The Fear Fight, Girfriends in God (a daily email from Crosswalk)

Reading this today made me ponder how we free ourselves from fear? How do we do it? How do we believe in God enough to know He can help us do it?

It’s easy. Read our Bibles, read wisdom from other Christian leaders or people within our genres of interest, and pray. We can pray our way through fear and during our times of fear. I know it has helped me immensely! You?

I want to live in safety and be at ease. I want to live without fear of harm. What helps you feel safe and at ease?

What helps you live without fear? Drop me a comment! ❤ Jenn

God, You are the fear eraser. You scratch out the pencil/messed up marks on the pages of our lives or on the perspectives of our minds. Thank you for being by our side at all times! Forgive us when we forget to look to you for help. May we always rest in You for peace. I need you to ease my body, mind, and heart. We love Your ever present ears for our fears.

Amen.

Thankful for…

291. Waking rested and at ease

292. Time to finish my weekly Bible study for class today!

293. Time to write birthday cards to two friends.

294. Time spent yesterday with new clients, my parents, and my family.

295. An hour to sit with a friend who needed a listening ear and help.

Plans—God’s? or My Own?

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New International Version) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

In reading in my Bible this morning, I disovered this type of message repeated in different passages…

²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. ²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22

He prepares you and works in you, “enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

What are the plans God has for us? Or, am I planning my own way? Ponder that today. Am I listening to God’s Word or to the words that float in my own silly head? Do I pay attention to social media, friends, or even family members more than to prayer and study of the Word?

Dear God,

You are the Purpose Giver. Forgive us when we try to let others or ourselves determine our purpose seperate from Your will. Give us the help we need to feel confident in the pupose(s) God is laying on our heart…it may be small or a really big purpose that scares us. We ask you for Your Holy Spirit and our Bibles to whisper into our souls always.

Amen

Today I’m thankful for…

286. Water with fresh lime

287. Morning snuggles given to my husband who had a headache and tummy woes…physical touch makes me feel better, and he said the same.

288. Time in God’s Word…it makes me think and smile

289. Spotify Discover Weekly…now Jake Scott “Tuesdays”

290. Pre-dawn quiet time…to read, to write, to pray, and be.

No Fear in Love

1 John 4:18 (New International Version) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Easier said than done. As someone who is sympathetic, empathetic, anxious, and depressed at times…I struggle with fear. And I’m fearful for others. These feelings/moods are normal for many, but in moderation like most everything is usually best.

Do we fear ourselves? Others? God?

I want to be made in perfect love. That comes from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. As we continue further into the Lenten season, I am reminded to “fear not!” Jesus has conquered our world. He has died for your sins, mine, and the whole wide world’s sins. That is GOOD NEWS!

Dear Lord,

You are the most blessed Savior. Forgive us when we are fearful of future events including death. Help us to trust in you. Guide us to the path of love towards You, others, and ourself.

Amen

Continuation of my list of gratitude/gifts…

281. Another good night’s rest. Praise the Lord!

282. An hour of restful prayer in bed before rising too fast!

283. A glorious sunshiney and breezy day yesterday in the Sunshine State!

284. A neighborhood girlfriend who is a PA…she came to check on our son’s leg wound, and she gave us good advice on how to help it continue to heal in week #4.

285. Our son’s willingness to clean the wound and remove steri-strips for better healing and wound care last night. It did require an hour long bath in the master bigger bathtub with loud audio book of Harry Potter on his phone/wireless waterproof speaker. 👏😊💕