Journey of Grace

Hello all,

God challenges us over and over in His Word to do good. In Acts, in says that Jesus went about doing good. What does that mean? He was constantly looking for opportunities to bless the people around Him as the Father led Him. In the same way, we need to be aware of the "nudgings" of Father God through His Spirit, pointing out people who need a kind word, a smile or an active participation in their lives. People everywhere need to know there is a God who loves them and cares about their lives and who better to show that love than Christians who live their daily lives, in normal ways, except they are going about , doing good...

 Until then,

Jennifer

Hello all,

Just a quick hello to ya'll and thank you to God for strength. Every time I feel ready to give up and throw in that proverbial towel, God strengthens me. And every time He does it through a different avenue. Sometimes its the sermon at church or a christian talk show on TV. Other times it comes through a song or a phone call from a friend. God understands what we go through and if we'll ask and then wait for the answer, strength will come. I've learned not to box in the way I think it should arrive but sit back and watch in wonder as God once again comes through...upholding me with His righteous right hand...

Until then,
Jennifer

Hello all,

God is still good and still on the throne. Why am I bringing this up? Probably because my novel made it all the way to one step before publication before it fell through. Why? I'm not sure. But if nothing else, I believe God has a plan and purpose for me and my writing and I need to just wait to see what it is. Yes, i keep sending out and writing and seeking but ultimately its all up to Him. I ask Him to open doors no man can close and close doors that no man can open. He is God and He has a plan...a good plan...

Until then,
Jennifer

Hello all,

Summer is here in all its glory and extreme heat! I have to watch myself during the summer because on the farm, its one of our busiest times of the year. With the garden producing faster than I can pick and the yard and hay growing, there is too much to do. Add into that writing projects and conducting women's ministry workshops and family and church and ahhhhhh!!!

I've learned not to be too hard on myself during this time. I can't because first of all its not going to help. Beating myself up is not going to get anything accomplished. So I'll do the best I can, knowing winter is just around the corner, the best time for me to write consistently. I'll do what I can and commit the rest to God. I ask Him to show me ways to better use my time and make sure I'm taking time for myself. Maybe a little shopping, a swim or just kicking back and reading a good book...

Until next time,

Jennifer

Hello all,

Things are better than the last time I blogged. God is still in control and moving me along the path one step at a time. I'm learning to abide and wait on Him and His timing and to quit stressing over things that I either can't control or that end up never happening. Can I get a witness? Anyway, the writing is still moving along, I start mentoring a group of ladies this week who are beginning a women's ministry in their church and I've joined a small critique group. Boy, I'm sure glad God is in control...

Until then,

Jennifer

Hello all,

I think the hardest part of the Christian walk are those times when the path you are on is dusky or pitch black. At times I stumble along on my journey barely able to see where to put my foot for that next step. Then there are times like now. Some parts of my journey are crystal clear while some are as black as coal. I mean it seems like God has disappeared. I asked one of my friends the other day, "Do you think God realizes I'm still here?"

I know from His Word that He's with me but its a little harder when the emotions and feelings don't back it up. But that's where faith comes in. Do I really believe God is there and has a plan and purpose for me when my back is against the wall? The answer to this question is invaluable for me to know, not by information in my mind but revelation in my heart. Then I can stand against whatever comes my way, good or bad...and know He'll never leave me or forsake me...

Until then,

Jennifer

Hello all,

It is a never ending push to stay motivated. What? You say how can I not stay motivated when I am doing all I do as unto the Lord? While its true, I have a lot of flesh and sometimes I get tired.  Or is the word weary? Being sick a couple of times doesn't help either. But I have to go back and focus on God, the call and sometimes just take a little time off.

 I talked to the lady whose church I will be working with next month to set up women's ministry there and that helps. Knowing there are people that God has put out there for me to help does a lot to boost that motivation.

So I'll keep trudging on, editing my second novel, waiting to hear from the publisher on the first, speaking and teaching ladies how to have significant women's ministry at their church and all the family and community things I do. First though I focus on that one on one relationship I have with my "Papa" God. With my earthly father already in heaven, I need God more and more each day.  I praise Him!

 Until then,

Jennifer

Hello all,

Last time I blogged I mentioned an upcoming speaking event. It went well and I thank the ladies at New Zion church for having me. It went well despite the fact that the lady that invited me had to leave on a family emergency, I had bronchitis, we were under a tornado watch, and a baby cried through a good bit of my speaking on God having a plan and purpose. Oh well, I guess if you can speak in spite of all this, God must have a plan and purpose in it all. He helped me deal with each issue during the week leading up to the brunch and each event on that day. We just have to take that first step and God never stops clearing the path. We serve an amazing God!

Until then,
Jennifer

Hello all,

Saturday I will be speaking at a mother/daughter brunch at a local church. I'll be talking to them about the plan and purpose of God and how it relates to them as individuals. As women, we want to serve God but often feel inadequate. But God has a special plan for each one of us and wants to reveal to us...How awesome is that?

 Until then,

Jennifer

Hello all,

One step at a time...that seems to be the life and road of any Christian. We have enough light on our path to see a short ways ahead and we are to trust God in the rest. This trust has been a long time coming for me but the light bulb is starting to glow and I am getting an inkling of what trust means. Not doing everything myself for one thing...I think I can figure it all out and get my ducks in a row and then God will be proud of me and do His part. This could sound spiritual but truth be told God is proud of me 'cause I'm His child. He wants me to be obedient to what He wants me to do instead of getting my ducks in a row. I add a lot more ducks than He requires and my life is made hard by my own self. Ouch! Anyway I'm letting go and letting God. What has it gotten me this year? A publisher that is looking at a full manuscript at the moment and an agent who is looking at a fiction proposal. And the agent contacted me, without me contacting her...amazing what God can do when we get out of the way...

Until then,

Jennifer