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Don’t Forget to Remember

20 Apr

I spent some time reading through old blog posts from 2008 – when my blog was really on fire. I found some incredible inspiration in these blog posts which were seemingly lost in the interwebs.

As I recount my life and the revelations God showed me during that time, I am encouraged and inspired. I am surprised that I was so witty and my writing was so good. Not to toot my own horn, but because I’ve been feeling lousy about my writing skills and my ability to communicate. It’s so refreshing to read these old posts and believe in myself again.

thanks me. your welcome you.

The Danger of Networking

14 Apr

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?

Battling “Enough”

22 Mar

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

15 Mar

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

15 Sep

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.

Everyday Wonderful for Everyone!

13 Sep

Last week, I had a huge surge of folks read my blog due to Carlos Whittaker’s post. His question got me thinking about the joy that Mark and I experience in our marriage and our parenthood. I truly feel that “Everyday Wonderful” is not just a crap shoot. This concept of Everyday Wonderful can be attained by anyone. An old Roswell friend of mine married a truly exceptional woman who just had this revelation in her own life. Please ready this post – it articulates Everyday Wonderful in her own words. Read on!

http://www.morgandaycecil.com/a-radical-thing-and-a-fork-in-the-road/

A Change Is Gonna Come

10 Sep

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

7 Sep

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…

The End of It All

8 Jul

I thought having a baby would…

  • end my career
  • ruin my marriage
  • be full of tedious work
  • end of many friendships
  • end my social life
  • make me boring

Instead, having a baby has…

  • given me a new passion for my work
  • increased the joy in my marriage
  • shown me that tedious work for your own baby is actually fun
  • started and bloomed many new friendships
  • started a whole new social world
  • made me more alive with energy with new perspectives

We hear so many negative reasons why people don’t want to have kids. I’m here to tell you that if you have a good foundation and joy in your life, a baby will enhance everything you already have.  Now…get to baby making!

What You Do Proves What You Believe

30 Jun

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

9 Feb

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:

  1. Pray more
  2. Practice more
  3. 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.

I’m still alive and better than ever

27 Aug

The last 6 weeks have been a wonderful, dream state blur. Words don’t come close to describing the emotions and love that we have experienced.

For now, here’s a quick list of things that We are learning and experiencing:

Burping, farting, pooping and peeing are celebrated on a semi-hourly basis.

There are not enough burp cloths in the world.

Losing a pacifier at the wrong time is devastating.

Hearing my baby cry isn’t stressful.

You can become an expert at many new things in less than 6 weeks with daily practice. Case in point: diaper changing.

Being a mommy has rewards that outweigh stretch marks, 3 am feedings, and 30 extra pounds.

Praying never felt so good.

Check out junejett.com to hear about June’s adventures!

A Little Baby Update

9 Jul

Mark your calendars people!

july20

Mark and I are planning on inducing on July 20th. I’m so excited that I’ve peed my pants several times…

 

A Moment In Time – My MJ Tribute

29 Jun

Michael Jackson was more than a celebrity in my home while I was growing up. He was a part of our lives…my life.

  • He was the first musician I loved and whose album I bought on my own.
  • I learned to dance to Billy Jean, Triller, Bad, and Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.
  • I knew how to moon walk before I was 10.
  • Some of the best memories from my childhood were spent with my family dancing and goofing off with MJ playing the background.
  • I got to stay up late to watch the world primere of “Black or White” and “Remember the Time” – I thought music videos as we knew them were changed forever.
  • I have watched the entire Smooth Criminal video over 100 times.
  • I spent a whole summer skating to the nearest USPS box to drop off a letter every day to MJ. I sent the letters to Neverland Ranch…I never got a response.
  • I felt special to share a birthday with MJ – August 29th (I didn’t think it was just a coincidence)

Now that he’s actually gone, it brings a very surreal feeling to me. I feel like he’s actually been dead for a long time or he’s some ancient artist that never really existed during my time – like Elvis or the Beatles. I was never waiting for him to release a new song that was going to change my life. Most of the music I loved from him was made before I was born or just a child.

The Michael Jackson that I loved was not the Michael Jackson that died last Thursday. The Michael Jackson I loved has been gone for a long time. So…I didn’t cry much (only once), I don’t watch any of the commemorative TV specials, and I don’t care if people make crude jokes about MJ. His music will still have a place in my heart the same way it has my whole life.

Baby Class and Birthing Videos

8 Jun

On Saturday, Mark and I attended the much dreaded Childbirth class at our hospital to prepare ourselves for the coming of our baby girl.

As horrific as the videos were, we actually left the 8-hour class feeling really good and much more prepared for what awaits us. 

There are so many important moments and events in our life that don’t come with an instructional class which makes me think - childbirth must be the most important event of them all. 

We will observe many weddings, funerals, graduations, and anniversaries…but this special event of childbirth requires a miracle to make it happen.

6 weeks and counting…

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