JudiFree.com » God

From Here to There

JudiFree.com — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:30:53 +0000

I’m feeling stuck in neutral lately – my job, my home life, my relationship with God, my attitude…

I keep longing for “there” when I’m stuck “here”. Stuck is really an unfair word to use. I’ve put myself here. I have done certain things to maintain this stagnant pursuit of “what could be”.

Now is the time I ask myself, “what lie have I exchanged for the truth?” And it always come down to believing that there’s something outside of myself that I need. Security, money, approval, promotion, control.

Jesus is enough. He is enough for me now. He is enough for me “there”. He is enough for me “here”. He has already accomplished and given me one thing that I truly need. I should be able to live in the joy that revelation brings. I should be able to lay down those things that so easily ensnare me.

The Danger of Networking

JudiFree.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:34:15 +0000

The word “networking” has become a dangerous cover up for me. The idea of networking isn’t dangerous by itself. In fact, many people have benefited from connecting with others. However, networking has ignited a desire to use people for what they can give me and what they can do for me. I hide behind the term in order to create superficial relationships with people so I can promote selfish motives. My initial thoughts when meeting someone has turned to, “What can they do for me?” I find myself only connecting with those who can further my agenda.

Instead of thinking how I can have a genuine relationship with people, my thoughts are filled with self promoting fantasies. I desire to see my name in lights.

I pray I see people as souls, not objects. I pray for deep relationships, not superficial acquaintances. I pray for a heart that genuinely loves people, not notoriety.

What do you pray for?

Art and Soul

JudiFree.com — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:57:27 +0000

In our pursuits for Christ and deep study of theology, we run the risk of becoming serious, legalistic, religious, conservative, dry and judgmental.

One very potent guard against this risk is basking in the beauty of art – music, poetry, animation, and everything made to express an emotion or idea. Don’t forget how to FEEL while searching for Christ. Don’t forget to desire, dream, love, sing, dance, spin, scream and cry. It’s a good thing to be moved and inspired.

Thank you Arcade Fire and Pixar for reminding me of this.

What inspires you?

Battling “Enough”

JudiFree.com — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:15:06 +0000

As we continue our “Lenten” journey, we are reading more scripture than ever, praying more diligently together, and spending more family time together. All of these things are exciting and refreshing, but I battle with fatigue of even the best of things. I have always had a difficult time “being a strong finisher” and this journey is no exception.

Sometimes when we are reading our latest devotional, I tune out and think – “Haven’t I had enough of this today? Haven’t I been diligent enough today? Haven’t I been practicing discipline enough today?” The answer is a resounding NO. I imagine the disciples had the same thoughts at the Garden of Gethsemane – just as Jesus was rebuking them for being fatigued. Wait…pray…stay alert. Yes, these are the things I must be doing.

Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise up on wings of eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

I have been doing a lot of praying, reading, and praising – BUT, I have NOT done a lot of waiting. Now…it’s time to WAIT. What are you waiting for?

Lent and a Raid

JudiFree.com — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:17:53 +0000

Last year, my husband asked if I would join him in sacrificing and dedicating ourselves to prayer and devotion during Lent. Being raised in a Pentecostal home, I had never observed Lent, but here my husband was asking me to join him in a new adventure. I, of course, said YES!

Little did we know that those 40 days would become an open door for God to start to change our lives in a way that we had never experienced. We gave up certain foods which wasn’t hard, but the daily devotion and prayer with our family was actually a struggle. We were surprised that we weren’t “better” at doing this.

This past year, God has launched an all out RAID in our lives. I use the word raid because nothing else can describe it. Everything has changed – and I mean everything. From the way we communicate, to the way we pray, to the way we hurt for the lost. Even the way we desire each other and desire the Lord has changed (all for the good I might add). All areas in our life are more passionate and filled with revelation. We recognize that this didn’t happen overnight, but God was whispering to us to draw near to him.

This year, we are observing Lent again and it has taken on a new meaning in the light of the amazing year we have had with the Lord. We have given up TV (which is a gigantic sacrifice for us) and we can already see our hearts changing in less than a week.

God is drawing all men unto himself. Are you prepared to resist him or pursue him? It’s really one or the other.

More Than My Baby

JudiFree.com — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:37:25 +0000

As Mark and I raise June Jett – our single most pride and joy in this world – we are quickly discovering new areas of growth in our lives and in our marriage. We recently learned a very hard lesson which seems almost cruel and hard to articulate:

We must put our marriage before our daughter.

Even now, it sounds odd and out of whack. It’s actually a very hard thing to do for us because June is such a light and joy in our lives. The love we feel for her is unconditional and goes beyond all human reason or desire. However, as hard as it seems, we must do this for the sake of our family being healthy, whole and balanced.

We always thought of “God first, family second, ministry third”. We never thought, “God first, spouse second, children third, ministry fourth.”

Mark and I have to remember that we are one flesh – our children will have to be released from us someday into their own marriages and families.

A Change Is Gonna Come

JudiFree.com — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:41:09 +0000

You’ll never do anything…until you just do it.

My desire is to live with the passion and desire to see this world change. How ever will it change until I change?

It’s not enough to be a dreamer, a thinker, a writer, or a visionary. I’m doing something different today. Even if it’s just one thing today.

Impacting People

JudiFree.com — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:52:26 +0000

My life was impacted this week from the most unsuspecting source – a touring musician, riding his bike across the country to meet people and to spend time in the communities that he’s playing in. He set aside a considerable amount of time to hang out with Mark, June Jett and I during this busy schedule of riding and playing. The fact that he plays some of the most amazing music I’ve ever heard is secondary to the friendship we created this week.

I spend so much time preparing for church to impact others…

I spend so much time organizing events to impact others…

I spend so much time worrying that I’m not impacting others…

Maybe, I just need to spend more time with people…

What You Do Proves What You Believe

JudiFree.com — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:10:46 +0000

I heard this statement today while listening to this speech. I thought I was just going to listen to a speech about leadership – instead, I was challenged on what I BELIEVE. I guess that’s what good leaders do though. They challenge us and inspire us to believe…not to plan, but to believe.

As I was reflecting I tried to write down 100 things that I believe. I made it to number 31 before going blank. Even now, I stumble over ideas that my parents taught me or things I’ve heard in church – but when I look at my actions I have to second-guess some of my “beliefs”. For instance, I might have said “I believe the world is a beautiful place that we should protect”. However, my actions in no way support that “belief”.

How many beliefs do you have that need to be challenged or reflected by examining your actions. Go ahead – try to write down 100 things you believe. It’s harder than you think!

Beautiful Things

JudiFree.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:15:52 +0000

Last night, Mark and I had the opportunity to be inspired again. Inspiration is breath for your dreams. It’s the lifeblood of your hopes. The funny thing about inspiration though is that you must act upon it immediately for it to have any effect on your dreams or else it becomes a cold wind of despair and dried up bones…just a hope that cannot possibly become a reality. Inspiration can even become bitterness – “how can they be so successful at it and not me?”.

So, what am I going to do with this beautiful thing called inspiration? I’m going to hide it in my heart and make 3 changes today:

Pray more
Practice more
Love more

It sounds simple, but really, these are the things that I neglect everyday. I know that if I’m faithful to do these things, the Lord will direct my steps and my works to align with His will. Be inspired today and make a change now.