It feels so very good to be in this place again... a place of Rememberance...
"Remember" has always been a powerful word to me. If done in love, it puts things back into perspective.
This summer, I've had more time to think, read, pray, confess, and simply... "remember".
I'm remembering what it is like to want to serve The LORD... to crave His Presence... to not be satisfied until I have... Him.
. . . . . . .
Among the few things listed above of things I'm doing this summer, I am reading a book titled, "Her Mother's Hope", by Francine Rivers. I'm in the middle of this book and loving every moment of it. What strikes me at this stage in my reading is how the main character (Marta) always thinks of her mother's hope. Her mother (Mama) has always known that Marta would "go out and fly" - to be someone who does amazing things for The LORD.
Yet, throughout the pages, even as she learns and obtains so many fine qualities, Marta never sees the good in life; she is always striving... for something...
Well... I look forward to reading through the entire book so that I can sense Marta's "Ah-HA" moment.
You see, this year, I've felt a little like Marta - striving to be the best at everything I do. Well, our Father in Heaven loves excellence, but He also just loves...
He loves us - no matter how hard we STRIVE to please Him. This is something I've had to remember this summer...
There is a . . . "holy balance" between excellence and striving.
"Excellence" is allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to please The LORD.
"Striving" is working within ourselves to please The LORD.
At least, that's what I think in this season of my life.
I choose excellence... and I choose to remember my Father's Hope...
That is, He longs for me to know Him... to love Him... to live for Him.
Yes...
Simply remembering...
And feeling all the more refreshed.
Three Things:
My handsome and loving husband, tob...
Coffee Icecream...
and...
Air Conditioning... (Hehe)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
New Name
"I am my beloved's and he is mine." (Song of Solomon)
Three things...
1~Sharing Christmas Holiday with my near and dear.
This December has been filled to overflowing with GOD's abundant love and joy. Why He chooses to shower down His grace on my life? I'll never know... but I am thankful beyond fathoming.
Now married to my bestfriend and beloved, I shared the weekend with his family, and he shared the weekend with mine for the Christmas Holiday. I was so blessed in both of our parents' homes that I cried! When my sweet friend/sister (daisy) asked me if I was ok, I simply said (while wiping the tears and snot from my face - hehe), "Y...y...y...es".
GOD is so very, very.... Good.
2~Sharing a home with my husband.
WE LOVE BEING MARRIED!!!
OH MY GOODNESS!!!
My married friends were SOOOOOOO right!!! Marriage truly IS beautiful - a gift that only The Father could have orchestrated. I love experiencing a new depth of GOD's unconditional love. I've actually learned more about The Father's love, tenderness, longing, and affection while living each day with my husband, Tobin.
He truly is a Godsend.
3~Sharing a song with my bestfriend.
So... I've enjoyed "knowing" my husband.
There's a beauty that comes with being completely real with my husband.
. . . . . .
Have you noted a re-occuring word, yet?
Yes :->
It's "sharing".
I believe The LORD is teaching me so much about this word.
And... honestly...
I love the act of loving, caring, and.... S H A R I N G :->
Happy in Him,
jojo shoe
Three things...
1~Sharing Christmas Holiday with my near and dear.
This December has been filled to overflowing with GOD's abundant love and joy. Why He chooses to shower down His grace on my life? I'll never know... but I am thankful beyond fathoming.
Now married to my bestfriend and beloved, I shared the weekend with his family, and he shared the weekend with mine for the Christmas Holiday. I was so blessed in both of our parents' homes that I cried! When my sweet friend/sister (daisy) asked me if I was ok, I simply said (while wiping the tears and snot from my face - hehe), "Y...y...y...es".
GOD is so very, very.... Good.
2~Sharing a home with my husband.
WE LOVE BEING MARRIED!!!
OH MY GOODNESS!!!
My married friends were SOOOOOOO right!!! Marriage truly IS beautiful - a gift that only The Father could have orchestrated. I love experiencing a new depth of GOD's unconditional love. I've actually learned more about The Father's love, tenderness, longing, and affection while living each day with my husband, Tobin.
He truly is a Godsend.
3~Sharing a song with my bestfriend.
So... I've enjoyed "knowing" my husband.
There's a beauty that comes with being completely real with my husband.
. . . . . .
Have you noted a re-occuring word, yet?
Yes :->
It's "sharing".
I believe The LORD is teaching me so much about this word.
And... honestly...
I love the act of loving, caring, and.... S H A R I N G :->
Happy in Him,
jojo shoe
Monday, November 29, 2010
Lover of My Soul
Tonight, while listening to one of my favorite songs, I stopped what I was doing and remembered Him... the Lover of my soul...
As the chorus "It's all about You, Jesus..." echoed in the room, I couldn't help but embrace this fact: It's all about... Him... Christ Jesus.
As I cherish my few days of maiden-hood, I am determined... determined... to let my yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows be all about Him. Though I'm transitioning from "me-to-we", I will never veer from the awesome truth that it's all about Christ Jesus.
As the chorus "It's all about You, Jesus..." echoed in the room, I couldn't help but embrace this fact: It's all about... Him... Christ Jesus.
As I cherish my few days of maiden-hood, I am determined... determined... to let my yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows be all about Him. Though I'm transitioning from "me-to-we", I will never veer from the awesome truth that it's all about Christ Jesus.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Pilot Truck: Follow Me
This week, something rather unexpected happened just within seconds from our home - ROAD CONSTRUCTION!
I find it a bit humerus when life throws spontaneous turns into our every day "norm". You see, my plan was to drive to the post office. The drive would have taken me 15 minutes tops! Well... on this particular day, the 15+ minutes were dedicated to waiting patiently in front of my driveway. You see, without warning, there were about 20 people working on our street (plus seven construction trucks, and five "slowdown" and "stop" signs...) There was dust and gravel everywhere. I thought..."How...
i n c o n v e n i e n t."
While looking at other somber drivers seeking to simply move, I then asked myself, "Jo? Is this how you look? Ungrateful and agitated? Knock out of it, girl!"
When I chose to be grateful, The Holy Spirit taught me something.
Amidst the construction vehicles, tools, and mayhem, I saw a truck with a sign that read:
"Pilot Truck: Follow Me."
You see, this truck allowed drivers to drive behind it even through the dangerous construction. It drove slowly so that followers would be safe crossing the roadwork.
"LORD! YOU ARE AWESOME!!"
He was revealing to me something that was paralleled to my spirit.
The LORD has been making "crooked paths straight" within my life. Just when I thought, "The work is finished. I've 'arrived'," The LORD takes out His tools and shakes what needs to be shaken. He brakes through the cracks and hard places to pour in new, smooth, and firm ground.
Don't get me wrong... it hurts... stinks... and is "inconvenient".
But through the hurt, there IS healing.
Through the stinch, He is flooding me with His Salvation.
And the inconvenience is being overturned with The Eternal.
Thankful?
Yes.
I choose to follow The Man in The Pilot truck.
Three things...
New turns in this journey called "Life"...
Encouraging music...
and...
50 days until I am united with my beloved... Mmmm... (smiling)
I find it a bit humerus when life throws spontaneous turns into our every day "norm". You see, my plan was to drive to the post office. The drive would have taken me 15 minutes tops! Well... on this particular day, the 15+ minutes were dedicated to waiting patiently in front of my driveway. You see, without warning, there were about 20 people working on our street (plus seven construction trucks, and five "slowdown" and "stop" signs...) There was dust and gravel everywhere. I thought..."How...
i n c o n v e n i e n t."
While looking at other somber drivers seeking to simply move, I then asked myself, "Jo? Is this how you look? Ungrateful and agitated? Knock out of it, girl!"
When I chose to be grateful, The Holy Spirit taught me something.
Amidst the construction vehicles, tools, and mayhem, I saw a truck with a sign that read:
"Pilot Truck: Follow Me."
You see, this truck allowed drivers to drive behind it even through the dangerous construction. It drove slowly so that followers would be safe crossing the roadwork.
"LORD! YOU ARE AWESOME!!"
He was revealing to me something that was paralleled to my spirit.
The LORD has been making "crooked paths straight" within my life. Just when I thought, "The work is finished. I've 'arrived'," The LORD takes out His tools and shakes what needs to be shaken. He brakes through the cracks and hard places to pour in new, smooth, and firm ground.
Don't get me wrong... it hurts... stinks... and is "inconvenient".
But through the hurt, there IS healing.
Through the stinch, He is flooding me with His Salvation.
And the inconvenience is being overturned with The Eternal.
Thankful?
Yes.
I choose to follow The Man in The Pilot truck.
Three things...
New turns in this journey called "Life"...
Encouraging music...
and...
50 days until I am united with my beloved... Mmmm... (smiling)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
WAIT
Willingly
Accept
Immanuel's
Timing
In 2007, The LORD whispered this phrase in my spirit, "Willingly Accept Immanuel's Timing"...
WAIT... Now, four years later, I am remembering His powerful words. I'm realizing all the more that "waiting" is not a season... it is a journey. Oh Yes! It is. You see, whether you are 12 years of age and anticipating your years of adolescence, or a seasoned adult who is awaiting grandchildren, we all must wait.
And... there is no fear in waiting...
A couple of Sundays ago, a pastor shared a profound message on "Waiting on The LORD". As he spoke, I couldn't help but listen to what The Holy Spirit was whispering in my ear once again: "Willingly Accept Immanuel's Timing".
Why is waiting hard? Because it contradicts the "now". Our society is so very FAST!!! Fastfood, latest movies, #1-songs "hit the charts" in only three days, drive-thru restaurants (which... is a pun on words to me)... we are simply so FAST. The thing is, it isn't always the "fast" who "win the race"; It is the slow and steady, the diligent, the patient, meak and humble.
Honestly, I've been driving in both lanes this summer... thankfully The LORD has kept me in one piece while in His peace.
I am slowing down and driving the narrow way...
Making the choice to follow His lead and not speed...
Simply remembering to... yes...
Wait...
"...But they who wait upon The LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
w a i t
Three things...
peace... patience... unfailing promises
Accept
Immanuel's
Timing
In 2007, The LORD whispered this phrase in my spirit, "Willingly Accept Immanuel's Timing"...
WAIT... Now, four years later, I am remembering His powerful words. I'm realizing all the more that "waiting" is not a season... it is a journey. Oh Yes! It is. You see, whether you are 12 years of age and anticipating your years of adolescence, or a seasoned adult who is awaiting grandchildren, we all must wait.
And... there is no fear in waiting...
A couple of Sundays ago, a pastor shared a profound message on "Waiting on The LORD". As he spoke, I couldn't help but listen to what The Holy Spirit was whispering in my ear once again: "Willingly Accept Immanuel's Timing".
Why is waiting hard? Because it contradicts the "now". Our society is so very FAST!!! Fastfood, latest movies, #1-songs "hit the charts" in only three days, drive-thru restaurants (which... is a pun on words to me)... we are simply so FAST. The thing is, it isn't always the "fast" who "win the race"; It is the slow and steady, the diligent, the patient, meak and humble.
Honestly, I've been driving in both lanes this summer... thankfully The LORD has kept me in one piece while in His peace.
I am slowing down and driving the narrow way...
Making the choice to follow His lead and not speed...
Simply remembering to... yes...
Wait...
"...But they who wait upon The LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
w a i t
Three things...
peace... patience... unfailing promises
Friday, September 3, 2010
Forgive & Forget
Forgive and forget
Forgive and forget
We must do our best to
Forgive and forget
If something has harmed you
Or given you pain
Forgive, don't hold on
It will drive you insane
If bitterness tries to
Creep into your heart
Forgive, you'll heal sooner
From wounds and from scars
See, those who forgive
Carry peace and GOD's Love
Forgiveness brings LIFE,
Your heart soars like a dove
Forgiveness seems challenging first,
But you'll see
It's better by far
To forgive and be FREE
Forget: means to "cease,
or to fail to remember"...
Don't put painful moments and times
Back together
"It's easier said than done,"
This is true
But releasing your hurt
Will bring healing to you
Why suffer, why strain
To hold on to a fault
Don't keep your heart locked
In a tightened dark vault
You live to the fullest
When you live in forgiveness
No, you are not weak
You are stronger, my goodness!
Forgive and forget
Forgive and forget
We WILL learn to live,
To forgive, and forget
Three things...
My best friend (fiance), my family, and... homemade milkshakes
Forgive and forget
We must do our best to
Forgive and forget
If something has harmed you
Or given you pain
Forgive, don't hold on
It will drive you insane
If bitterness tries to
Creep into your heart
Forgive, you'll heal sooner
From wounds and from scars
See, those who forgive
Carry peace and GOD's Love
Forgiveness brings LIFE,
Your heart soars like a dove
Forgiveness seems challenging first,
But you'll see
It's better by far
To forgive and be FREE
Forget: means to "cease,
or to fail to remember"...
Don't put painful moments and times
Back together
"It's easier said than done,"
This is true
But releasing your hurt
Will bring healing to you
Why suffer, why strain
To hold on to a fault
Don't keep your heart locked
In a tightened dark vault
You live to the fullest
When you live in forgiveness
No, you are not weak
You are stronger, my goodness!
Forgive and forget
Forgive and forget
We WILL learn to live,
To forgive, and forget
Three things...
My best friend (fiance), my family, and... homemade milkshakes
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Remember
One of the most powerful things we can do is "Remember".
My pastor once shared that when we remember, we put things back together:
RE-member.
When Jesus said, "Remember me" during the passover, what did He do?
He took the bread (symbolizing His body) and broke it.
He and His disciples then ate the bread.
Thus, what was broken was "put back together" within their bodies.
They "re-membered"...
When we choose to remember the good things The LORD has done, it makes our lives worth living. We, in a sense, allow GOD to put things back into prospective - allowing our souls to see that Abba Father is arranging the puzzle pieces of our lives.
One of the things I cherish are the journals I've been given from dear friends and family. (I love journals!) While reading a journal entry about my beloved (Tobin), I remembered how blessed I am to have him as my best friend. Every day since the first day of our courtship has been kissed of Heaven. Tobin and I have been through so much... trials and triumphs; hard times and heavenly ones. All in all, when I choose to remember what The LORD has done in and through our relationship, something happens within me...
It's unfathomably wonderful.
My love is made more full... when I CHOOSE to remember.
Love...
I have been humbled in this area...
In The LORD's Word it says, "... Love... keeps no record of wrongs"
(1 Corinthians 13:5).
Love remembers no wrongs.
Love doesn't "put together" the wrongs that someone has done.
Again... what is Love?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails"
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Now... as we are all "pressing towards the goal" and waiting on our Beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, let's remember Him... let's remember that He is our GOD.
Remember...
Remember...
R e m e m b e r ...
3 Things:
Journals... Oreo milkshakes... and the peace of Abba Father
My pastor once shared that when we remember, we put things back together:
RE-member.
When Jesus said, "Remember me" during the passover, what did He do?
He took the bread (symbolizing His body) and broke it.
He and His disciples then ate the bread.
Thus, what was broken was "put back together" within their bodies.
They "re-membered"...
When we choose to remember the good things The LORD has done, it makes our lives worth living. We, in a sense, allow GOD to put things back into prospective - allowing our souls to see that Abba Father is arranging the puzzle pieces of our lives.
One of the things I cherish are the journals I've been given from dear friends and family. (I love journals!) While reading a journal entry about my beloved (Tobin), I remembered how blessed I am to have him as my best friend. Every day since the first day of our courtship has been kissed of Heaven. Tobin and I have been through so much... trials and triumphs; hard times and heavenly ones. All in all, when I choose to remember what The LORD has done in and through our relationship, something happens within me...
It's unfathomably wonderful.
My love is made more full... when I CHOOSE to remember.
Love...
I have been humbled in this area...
In The LORD's Word it says, "... Love... keeps no record of wrongs"
(1 Corinthians 13:5).
Love remembers no wrongs.
Love doesn't "put together" the wrongs that someone has done.
Again... what is Love?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails"
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Now... as we are all "pressing towards the goal" and waiting on our Beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, let's remember Him... let's remember that He is our GOD.
Remember...
Remember...
R e m e m b e r ...
3 Things:
Journals... Oreo milkshakes... and the peace of Abba Father
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