Fleeting

Life is ever fleeting, blowing by

It goes as quickly as the wind

The days pass like minutes

Soon they all will meet an end

When all my days are totaled

What will their measure be?

Did invest only a few days

Or all my life in eternity?

Few are the days on earth

Blink and they are done

Each day counts forever

No undoing what's been done

When my heart finds stillness 

For what purpose was it beating?

Was it for the one thing that matters

Or was my life merely fleeting?

WIRED Week 2011

Well, this past week was simply amazing. I've been holding off on writing about it so that I could process all that happened. I still can't adequately explain everything, but here it goes! Basically WIRED week is about bringing the local church together to serve and worship in unity. We had 40 something youth groups and over 1000 kids. Everyone stayed at host churches in the area (one of them is our church) at night, and during the day we came together for worship, Bible study and serving the community through various mission projects. Believe me, it's awesome.

Our worship band for the week was DecembeRadio. Let me tell you, they are one talented group of people! Cody Deese was the speaker and man, he brought it! He certainly wasn't afraid to say what needed to be said!

The theme was "Under Siege" and it was all about spiritual warfare. It's kind of funny because one night the power went out completely. It was hot and dark but we still had worship!

My sweet sister also came into town for the week to help with a VBS track group, and also to keep me company while my husband did all his assistant camp director things. He basically lived at the church for 3 weeks...no joke.

I was also able to help at this booth! We sold these bracelets to raise money to build safe houses for victims of sex trafficking. This is the group I will be going to Ethiopia with this fall!

Speaking of Ethiopia, you should check out my vintage-inspired headbands that I'm selling to raise money for the trip!

Everyday, I helped deliver lunches to sites. For the first 2 years of WIRED I served as a track leader...it kind of made me miss it.

It was so good have my sister here all week! She is the sweetest girl ever and I'm so glad to call her my family! She was good to wear my headbands a lot to help me promote them...and of course, I wore them too!

By the end of the week there were over 150 people who committed their lived to Christ. And that was just from the WIRED participants! There were lots more at our sites! It is so neat to be a part of a generation who is rising up to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We aren't content with doing things simply because they've always been done that way. We are questioning. We are trying to make our lives line up with scripture, not tradition. I can't wait to see what the church will look like in the future. I have great hope!

WIRED Week, I will see you next year!

My summer reading list

I used to read at least a book a month in high school and college, not including my school books. I no longer do so and it makes me kind of sad. However, I am hoping to remedy that this summer. Here are a few books on my reading list:

Yes, it's true. I've been reading this book for several months. However, I never read through any Elliot writing very quickly. It's one of those you read for a bit and then put it down to write out some quotes and think about what you just read. (Or at least that's what I do.) I'm about half way through and I already have so many quotes highlighted. It's probably one of the best Christian biographies I've ever read.

Yep, this is another one I've been "reading" for quite a while. I'm on the last section of the book, but I can't seem to get myself into it again. It's not my favorite of Lewis’ works, but I’m determined to finish it. It is very thought provoking. Lewis delves into all the possible ways we can love. It's intriguing, but certainly not one that you are dying to get home to read.

I haven't read these since I was a kid. I know I'll enjoy them even more so now! I started “The Magician’s Nephew” the other day and I already finished it. Sometimes it’s just nice to escape the real world for a while. This time around I am scouring the pages for all the symbolism I can find. If you are at all familiar with the scripture it isn't hard to discover.I literally put on a Nancy Drew - like outfit and pull our my magnifying glass as I read these books. Ok, ok...I don't do that. I really put in a tobacco pipe and a Sherlock Holmes - ish hat. What? You don't believe that either? I'll stop now. Nonetheless, you should pick them up if you've never read them!

Oh my! I am so excited about this one! Has anyone read it? I read Radical last summer in just a few days. This one already proves to be very thought provoking. I love it when a book makes me want to put it down to read the Bible. I'm only on the second chapter and I have done so several times.

I read this in High School and it impacted my spiritual walk greatly. I’m excited about reading it again. It was very influential in growing my faith. It goes over lots of foundational theology. I love how he uses the term "ordinary" in this book. His "ordinary" Christian is just about equivelent to David Platt's "radical" Christian. It should be ordinary for us to be radical for Christ, to live in the Spirit and be used for the Kingdom. This is not a book for the faint of heart! It will be refreshing to once again turn the pages that helped me understand the Spirit and many other things.

So that's my reading list for now folks. Do any of you have some great summer reads you might suggest? I’m always on the hunt for a good book!

~ Thankful ~

Sometimes I my life gets so busy that I forget to stop and enjoy the small things...to be thankful for each day. I have so much to be thankful for today. I thought I would share a few with you all:.

I am thankful for...

Beautiful weather...

It so beautiful outside today! The warm sun kissing my face and the sweet smelling breeze is refreshing.

New things...

God is starting some new things in my heart these days. I am so thankful that some of my waiting time is over and I am seeing God move in my life in very obvious ways. I can't wait to see all that He does!

Coffee...for now...

Ah, the warm heaven-sent liquid is so wonderful in the morning! However, I am weaning myself off of coffee soon, so I will enjoy it while I can!

Leftovers...

Mmm...there are some yummy leftovers in the fridge. I'm thankful that we even have leftovers. We have more food than we need, which is good to remember today.

Our church...

It was a blessing to lead worship for the youth group last night. We serve beside some amazing and godly people. Fellowship with the believers is so precious.

New music...

I've recently started listening to Kristian Stanfill's new CD, Mountains Move, and I can't get enough. This song is my favorite right now:

My husband...

He makes me laugh so much! Albeit, sometimes it is because he is tickling me but I love to laugh with him nonetheless. We are so incredibly silly. He is a good critic. I have been depending on his feedback lately.

Clothes...

It has almost been a month since I've purchased any clothes. You can read more about that here. I am realizing just how much I really have. I am thankful that I have the means to dress well. Lots of people wear rags.

Well, that is all for now. I certainly haven't exhausted all that I am and should be thankful for, but that would be way too long for this little post.

What are you thankful for today?

...From here?

I hate waiting.

There, now I've said it. I like to have a plan and stick to it. In preparation for any trip or project, you can guarantee that I have made a checklist and a schedule...at least in my head if not on paper. In highschool and early on in college I used to get extremely annoyed when someone was running late or threw a complication into "my plan." After a few loving rebukes, I have since tried to be more flexible. Even so, I just don't like to be flexible. I like my own way better. I hate waiting - in everyday life and in my relationship with the Lord. Except God is obviously not obligated to follow "Jen's Checklist for How She Wants Her Life to Work Out."

I'm just going to be honest right now. This week has been a struggle. I'm having to let go of some of my dreams and surrender a few steps in my "plan" to the Lord. In my soul there is a deep restlessness. I feel like God has given me these intense passions only to let them lie dormant. I am waiting. Desperation for a life filled with His purpose consumes me. I just don't know what that purpose is specifically. I am learning to be satisfied in Him through the waiting, to be content even when I'm not where I want to be, and to be patient in waiting for His vision.

"For still, the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will not lie.

If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

(Habakkuk 2:3)

...From here?

Spinning, my head is spinning

With so much on my mind

My heart has a deep yearning

But for what, I cannot find

Here, for a season, for a time

Yet I’m eager to move on today

I want adventure, not routine

Some days I just want to run away

I feel You pulling me toward something

But when will Your revelation be near?

What is it that You ask of me now

Where are You leading me from here

…From here?

Something invisible compels me

In my mind there is restlessness

I must know, Lord, I must know

I do not want to wander aimless

I know you have a purpose

For the passion bursting from my veins

What You have started in me

Will be completed, not in vain

I feel You pulling me towards silence

So that Your voice I can hear

Your servants waits on you now

Where are You leading me from here

…From here?

Faith Spotlight ~ Arielle

I love to hear people's stories, especially faith stories. I get so excited after hearing how God is working in another life. It's so encouraging and refreshing to share such a special journey with someone else. With that being said, I am going to start hosting a Faith Spotlight every month. My goal is showcase our Great God in the lives of ordinary people. 

For the first one I have a lovely guest, Arielle. She is a young newly-wed, new mom and photographer, as well as a devoted Christ-follower. I can see her love for God radiating from the words I read on her blog. Her posts are always an encouragement to me. Well friends, she is here today to share part of her journey in the faith and I am very excited about it! If you haven't already, you can read her story on A Beautiful Journey.

Just look at her adorable family!

Hello! My name is Arielle and I have a little blog called A Beautiful Journey... I'm so glad to be able to share on this blog. Jennifer is awesome and she truly has a beautiful heart for Jesus. I was going to write out my testimony but, when I sat down to start writing (or, eh, typing) I didn't even know where to begin :) So instead, I'm just going to share a very honest part of my journey...

It seems like all through out my life I have been a quitter. Once upon a time I moved to Texas for a ministry school and...I left. In other words, I quit. Then, I went to a Bible college and I decided college wasn't really for me so, I quit. A while after this, I decided to go to a cosmetology school and guess what? I quit. 

I don't think I can count how many times I have quit different things through out my life. It is quite humbling and it also shows how I needed to learn a big lesson on perseverance. You see, all through out my life I was waiting to hear God's will for my life. "Maybe I should go to this college...but is it His will?"  "I don't feel like this is where I am supposed to be, God is not giving me confirmation that I'm supposed to be here... so I'm going to leave." Instead of taking a leap of faith and sticking with something, I would be afraid that I wasn't doing the right thing, and just give up.

This is a part of my testimony that I am not very proud of. Quitting has taught me many, many lessons. I finally realized that I cannot always sit around waiting for a 'sign from heaven' to see where God is leading me. I can't always quit, or I'm not going to get anywhere, ever.

Sometimes, the Lord does not always show us with some clear sign what we are to do and where we are to be. However, He does give us wisdom, guidance, and dear friends and family to help make important decisions. From there, we have the choice to persevere and give it all we have or shrink back in cowardliness because we are afraid we have made the wrong decision.

I've learned that the Lord leads us and gives us different opportunities. Take those opportunities (even if they are small) and truly make the best of them. He wants to see if we are faithful in the small things, and from there- bigger things will come. Don't be afraid, but instead persevere in faith....and most of all, don't quit! ;)

Blessings,

arielle

i was not promised

I was not promised riches

Nor a place to call my own

I have chosen to follow my Master

And He had no earthly home

I was not promised comfort

Or a life of ease all my days

Jesus calls for holy sacrifice

To give up wholly, without delay

I was not promised a healthy life

Or to live long before I die

In following I will suffer for His sake

And endure trials that pass by

I was not promised renown

No one may ever remember my name

My Savior's is the only one

Deserving of recognition and fame

But I was promised many things

An Enduring crown of glory
For those who faithfully run the race
Who live to tell His story

I am promised His Spirit
While I am here upon the earth
The Holy One resides in me
By the promised new birth

I am promised Himself
Eternity spent with my Beloved One
Is it not more than enough
To be given all of the Son

I am promised a Future
An enduring hope that never fades
A weight of glory beyond comprehension
All else will pass away

All else will pass away...

Running with Purpose

I love to run.

I've always been a runner. Flash back with me to little 5nd grade Jenny (as I was called back then), and you will find me playing soccer, racing all the boys on my team. I was able beat most of them. You could often hear me say, "I'll race you there!" Fast forward to high school. Little 10th and 11th grade Jen (as I am now known) ran track for the local high school. Most of the girls on my team were at practice so that they could look good in their swim suits, and most of the guys were just staying shape for football. Me? I was there to run. I came to each practice and each meet to get better, run faster, have more endurance. Why? Because I loved to run! This love has carried over into adulthood as well. In college I ran almost every morning. It was exciting to push myself to new heights, going more miles, faster.

But this past year I haven't run nearly as much, almost not at all. Sure, I can blame it on wedding planning, being a busy newly-wed, having a full time job, a super cold winter, etc. Truthfully, I'm just not motivated. I have become way too distracted and lost focus of the reason I run in the first place. Today I went on a run for the first time in....well, let's just say its been a really long time. I will probably be sore tomorrow, but that's just part of it. To be a good runner I have to be disciplined. I have to put a lot of time into it. I need to be purposeful.

My spiritual life is no different.

I have been reading through 1 Corinthians. Today I read the verse below - the exact same day I was planning on getting back into running again. Coincidence? I think not. 

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but that only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Ever athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. "

- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I must admit that I haven't been focused solely on my Prize. I have let other distractions, earthy pleasures and life's clutter cloud my vision. How much better of a runner might I be if I choose to run with more purpose? What might come of more discipline in my spiritual walk? One of my greatest fears is a wasted life. Even so, it seems that I have forgotten to strive for Christ with great purpose. Sure, I'm running. I read my Bible, pray, worship, but what is the caliber of my run? Do I run with leisure or with everything I've got?

I was also reminded of this verse:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run the race with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before them, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated on the right hand of the throne of God."

- Hebrews 12:1-2

There are things I need to lay aside to run better. My desire is to be in a passionate pursuit of my Savior. I'm so glad that I have been reminded of the steps I need to take in order to get there.



But the greatest of these...

...is love

Ah, love is truly a wonderful thing. Though I am happy for a day to celebrate love, I know that it is much more important to live a life of love. My youth pastor at FBC Jax once said this in one of his sermons:

Proof of Fellowship with God is a life of love.

I pray that I can embody that statement one day, especially in regard to my husband. What good is it to give my life in love for others if I don't start in my own home? He truly is a precious gift from God. I don't appreciate my husband or love him nearly enough as I should. Yesterday was a good reminder to be mindful of it once more.

Speaking of yesterday, it was Valentine's Day! And of course, we did something special. All the restaurants are crazy packed on Valentine's Day where we live, so we opted to stay in last night. After I got off work, I hurridly started on my preparations for the evening. I was so excited to make our house feel very romantic!

I dressed up the entryway to the dining room with some paper heart garlands. I heart them!

Then I proceeded to write my love his card while listening to Owl City's cover of "Enchanted" by Taylor Swift. Taylor wrote the song about him and he was finally responding on Valentine's Day. I don't normally get into that kind of thing, but I like some songs by Owl City, so I gave it a listen...and then liked it a lot.

On the menu tonight: my man's favorites!

Then I started lighting all the tea lights left over from our wedding. Those little guys have been so great.

(Thanks Aunt Cindy!)

Doesn't the dining room look romantic? *Sigh*

This is what awaited my man when he got home!

We had sparkling grape juice...

And heart shaped chicken crescent rolls...

With chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I tried to make something more elegant and fancy, but those are his favorite in the whole world...so that's what I made.

It was a happy 1st Valentine's Day as a married couple!

Staying in has its perks. For instance, you can light your napkin on fire as my dear husband did. We are pyros. Pro pyros.

As you can see, my plate is clean. It was very yummy! Yay for Valentine's Day and being married!

We are so silly. And by we, I mostly mean Jonathan. I am silly too, just not quite as silly. :)

We were excited about exchanging cards and gifts!

My sweet hubby tricked me (the good kind of tricking). I wanted the NorthFace that I am holding in that picture for quite a while. About a month and a half ago, he told me that they were all sold out...that's because he had already bought it! So sweet.

To end the evening we watched one of our favorite movies.



I love being married to such a wonderful man and I am excited about spending many more Valentine's Days with him...but I'm more excited about spending the rest of my life with him!