Life

Each step of life is a journey that you choose to walk.

Each moment of life is another line, sentence, paragraph and chapter of the book called your life.

Enjoy all that life has to offer, good friends, good food, good coffee and as always wisdom and a good laugh.

~Jen





27 November 2010

And now...

a portion of the rest of the story. I just love Paul Harvey. I miss him as a broadcaster. But that does not have much to do with my story. So I'm not sure how much I blogged on over the past 10 days or so...I mean outside of music of the week or the Thanksgiving Countdown. I did enjoy the countdown, but then again, I love countdowns. And yes, we did have a very nice, low key Thanksgiving.

So let me back up to Wednesday the 17th. On Wednesday my phones were shut off. That happens...then on Thursday my car, broke down while taking my daughter to school & myself to work. That does not happen...often. Now mind you that I have no phone...hello feeling like it's 1995! There was a lady that stopped and helped us out. Funny story...she does not stop for strangers on the side of the road, but God told her to. So she did. Come to find out we had attended College Place at the same time & she had attended Blythe Island UMC with my Mother-In-Law. So she recognized me. To her & to me...it was a blessing.

So as the morning goes...I'm doing OK with it all knowing that God is in control & the He will take care of everything. Friday, I go to balance the checkbook and my life insurance drafted!! OUCH! I was not ready for that to happen and that quickly put us into a negative balance with other things left outstanding...

I panic. Wouldn't you? Well...I did and at that moment, I lost faith. I was completely devastated and I really was not sure what was going to happen next. I receive a Facebook message from an acquaintance, now a friend. She offers me her car to drive until I get mine back. God has just revealed Himself. I am overwhelmed and grateful. OH yeah...did I mention that I had not gone shopping in a couple of weeks and there is no food in my house! Yeah...that happen.

So I am praying for food, money, and faith...not in that order, but all three. It's now Saturday and I am at our Feed the Need (insert irony here). I am doing all right considering what is going on in my personal life, but deep down wondering how it's all going to come together. Another friend of mine talks with me and asks what is going on. So I share a bit of the temporary circumstance that my family & I are in. She tells me not to worry and that it's covered. I hugged her neck to thank her and she said, not to worry. That is what we are here for, to help each other in times of need. God reveals himself, again.

I get a message from my pastor too...on Friday. He told me to stop by the church, to pick up a few things. I did & it was enough to get through a week. I am so overwhelmed and grateful. I get home that Saturday afternoon after running some errands, and there is food upon food sitting in my living room! Now I am overwhelmed! God is proving to me that I can trust Him and that He does care for me and what happens to me.

Saturday evening...my friend has my daughter stay at her house. We all go...because we were going to go pick up a couple more things. Milk, Sugar, Coffee were the only things not in the house at this point, but my friend had us stay for dinner. Again, a blessing and God's provision. So Sunday I am at that point of tears by the compassion that people have shown by God's design and I am praying at the alter just to give thanks and to just have a moment with God...

I get home from church and I come home to a football game and happy faces. That was nice. Mike pulls me into the room to let me know that his Mom has given some money and a food card to help us get through. OK...now I know that there is NO denying that when God's children cry out, He hears. I am in tears and I really don't know what to say or do. I just thanked my Mom. We head over to the church Sunday afternoon for Thanksgiving dinner and it was just a great time of fellowship, again I still feel so grateful and overwhelmed that I just don't know what to do other than be thankful. I was getting ready to leave when I was informed that there were some bags for me to pick up in the other room. OK. So I head over to the other building to get what was there...and I was stopped by another friend who I just had to share all this goodness with. What I didn't know is that God had spoken to him as well to help us out. As I was sharing God's goodness & as he was ministering to me about what God has shown him, he hands me a check. Now I just don't know what to do! My God, you are so good and your bounty is never ending! How much I have received by your hand that all I can do is say thank you!

So with that...I cried.

So now it's Monday. I'm at work & having a good morning and hoping that I am encouraging at least one person who hears. We are preparing for a night of worship with recording artist, Jason Gray. I've met Jason before. Such a nice guy & I'm excited about tonight. So we are there and Jason greets us as we get everything else ready before our guests arrive and as we settle in for the evening...I tell you the truth every word that Jason spoke that night was straight from the Holy Spirit and ministered to me like nothing else. It was crazy in a good way.

Tuesday morning - I have read the first couple of chapters of JOB. I needed to read how a worthy person in God's eyes persevered through such a time of trial. It's comforting to know that God is present during each step of life, and He will not let go, all we have to do is ask Him to hold onto us. I have finished up another air shift with Bart and I get a call from Pastor Whit. He was unable to go to the concert on Monday and had asked me to get Jason's autograph. I had done that for my friend and when he came up to see me & to get his gift he asked how I was doing. I wear my worry on my face & would never be able to play poker. He saw me troubled and asked what was going on. As I shared and he listened and then he shared and I listened, it was so great to hear God speaking to me again through another person. Than to top that off, as I read my emails I read from another friend how she felt moved to talk to me on Sunday and didn't, but God spoke to her again to share with me what was on her heart. It was just the right words to read from her as well.

God is present. I am in Awe.

Wednesday morning...I get to work ready to work and singing praise and thanksgiving for all the blessings that God has given. There is another gift on my desk. Another food card. By who? I don't know. What a blessing. Thank you God. I talked with my mom. I share with her what all has happened. I knew I was still short money, and I did not want to have my mom give me money, so I asked her for a small loan. She and my Dad agreed. Another blessing...oh yeah...and mom gave me food too...Crazy! I know have about 2 months worth of food staples in my home. I have never, NEVER had that before. God is Crazy Good. By the afternoon...I had my car back and working. I told the guys at the shop that I would get it Thursday. No problem.

Thursday...Thanksgiving. We get up and are lazy all morning! Finally get ready and get the car. Then we drove out to return my friends car. She invites (quite persistently) that we stay for dinner. We did and it was nice. She shared with me part of her story. We have friends in common and Coca-Cola in common as well as singing. What I did not know is that she too, lost a child. I asked her if she'd be willing to share her story. She may. I pray she does. A gift of the prophetic is what she has and she is amazing and a blessing in my life.

So here it is Saturday well almost Sunday morning and I am finally able to take all these events and put them down. Glory to God and God alone. I knew that this... situation...was far greater than me, or anything I could do. I knew that it would have to come from God and God alone. He once again showed Himself, not just to me, but to my family, my husband, my children, and people around me. Thank you God for your Faithfulness and for giving me another reason to trust you, the one I should never doubt.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

23 November 2010

Thanksgiving Countdown Continues..

with just 2 days left before Thanksgiving. Today's tip...go Shopping!

First off make sure that you have enough space in the fridge, freezer & pantry for anything left that you need to pick up. By now you should have already picked up most of what you need for Thanksgiving Day. Double check your recipes and make sure you have everything you need to make your meal a success, this includes spices, sugars, and . As you shop, don't forget extras you'll need, such as dish detergent, paper napkins and paper towels, and other staples. Once you are in the store, relax and enjoy your shopping experience. If you shop in haste, you may miss an item you need.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

22 November 2010

A Thinner Thanksgiving

This is a great blog from Chuck Barney, Contra Costa Times. So if you are looking for a way to keep off gaining the weight this Thanksgiving, check out Chuck's Blog...

Five ways to lighten the Thanksgiving Day calories

By Chuck Barney
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 11/22/2010 01:00:00 AM PST

Ah, Thanksgiving -- the holiday that wages war on our waistlines. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) estimates that the average citizen inhales 4,500 calories and gains 3 to 7 pounds on Thanksgiving. But it really doesn't have to be that brutal. By making better choices you can still indulge without breaking the caloric bank. With that in mind, we invite you to check out these five strategic alternatives.

-- Chuck Barney

Turkey

That drumstick might look inviting, but dark meat is about twice as fatty as white meat. A four-ounce slice, with skin, carries 206 calories -- even more if it's cooked in loads of butter. Healthier option: Sticking with breast meat -- with a portion the size of your fist -- will save big on calories and fat.

Pie

At 450-500 calories per slice, pecan pie is a big, gloppy disaster just waiting to happen. Proceed at your own risk. Healthier option: Go for the pumpkin pie (330 calories) instead -- and don't be so quick to pile on the whipped cream.

Stuffing

Traditional stuffing is loaded with fat and sodium and the calories pile up even more if it's cooked inside the bird. Healthier option: If a green bean casserole (without the cream sauce) is on the table, it's your better choice at only 100 calories per cup.

Potatoes

Those
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candied sweet potatoes -- all covered in marshmallows -- are more sinful than sweet, packing up to 250 calories per half-cup. Healthier option: The mashed potatoes are your better bet -- especially if you don't slather your spuds in gravy (170 calories per serving).

Spirits

Mixed drinks tend to have a high amount of concentrated sugar and quickly add empty calories. Healthier option: Wine is typically the most diet-friendly choice. Each five-ounce glass carries about 100 calories with no cholesterol, sodium or fat. Or save the calories for dessert and drink water.

Sources: ACE, Men's Health, calorieking.com.



**If I may add...Drink at least 8oz of water prior to your meal and feel fuller faster! Have a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving.
~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

18 November 2010

To Wonder & Ponder...

is swimming in my head. I feel like I am missing a vital piece of life right now. What is it that I am suppose to be doing that I'm not doing? I have asked myself this question for a couple of days now, and last night - the answer hit me like a ton of bricks. God said to me, in the way that He speaks to me, Spend more time with Me! Read My Words & Come to My Throne. As much as I want to say that I do & have & will, I know that I fall short of spending time with the Creator of time.

Why is it that we chase rabbits and not focus on what really matters? Why do we "test the waters" so to speak and see what it's like without God being present in our lives? We all fall short. We all miss the mark. We all sin. Maybe that is why there are so many times that we don't go to Him in prayer and spend time in His presence. We are scared to admit we are wrong & that we are not worthy.

Pride says we are worthy...and pride is wrong. The world says we are to be justified...God says that only He is justified. So what is missing? I don't know what is missing for you, but for me I know that it is trust...or lack of trust. I don't know why I don't trust God. I mean I do trust God...but then fear sets in and I want to take back all control...control that I never had to begin with, so it goes back to trust. Can I really trust God with EVERYTHING? I know I want to & I know I believe. My belief needs to manifest into trust...so that is where I need to begin to work...on trusting God in Christ Jesus for everything.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Thanksgiving Countdown

9 Ways to Plan Ahead for Thanksgiving Dinner -By Jessica Harlan, About.com Guide

This is NOT mine, but I wanted to share with you so that you can have a less stressful Thanksgiving. If you want to read the whole blog, follow the link provided, but for today...here is Day #1...7 days away:

When Thanksgiving Day is still a week or two away, it's the perfect chance to plan ahead for an organized and successful Thanksgiving dinner. Use this list to prepare in advance for Thanksgiving dinner – when the day arrives, you'll be able to enjoy the holiday, knowing you're well prepared for the celebration.

1. Plan your menu and choose your recipes. Decide upon a recipe or preparation method for the turkey, then decide what side dishes you'll be serving and pick the recipes you want to use for each of them (A good place to start is this roundup of Eleven Great Thanksgiving Recipes). Write down the menu, and where each recipe is located so that you won't forget – this list can also serve as a reference for shopping and for remembering everything that needs to be done on Thanksgiving day. Mark the recipes in your recipe books, or, if they're found online, print them out and keep them in a folder for easy reference.

2. Read up on any unfamiliar cooking techniques. If you are unsure how to roast a turkey, make pumpkin puree or prepare a pie crust, now is the time to read up on the proper method. If you have time, you could also find videos showing various techniques (such as carving a turkey)or even do a trial run of certain recipes or cooking methods.

3. Check to make sure you have the proper cooking equipment. Read through your recipes and visualize the preparation of each dish to make sure you have the tools and appliances you need to prepare each one. This list of essential Thanksgiving cooking equipment can help determine what you might need. Be sure to consider whether you'll be making dishes that both will require the same tools or pans at the same; for instance, do you have enough pie pans for both the pumpkin pie and pecan pie recipes you want to make? Will you be using the same saucepan for the gravy as you will for making the mashed potatoes? You still have time to buy or borrow any equipment that you might need.

4. If your guests are bringing dishes or other contributions, discuss with them what they're bringing. This way you can make sure that there aren't duplicate dishes or, worse, an omission of an important element of the meal. Make sure everyone knows what they're bringing, if anything, and how many guests their dish needs to serve.

5. Think through how the meal will be served. Make sure you have the right serving pieces and enough placesettings for all the dishes you'll be serving and the number of guests attending. Looking at your menu, decide which serving piece you'll use for each dish. You can even put a sticky note on the underside of each serving piece now, as a reminder of what should go in each dish. Remember that oven-to-table cookware, such as pieces by Le Creuset or Emile Henry, can double as both cooking vessels and serving dishes (and that's one less dish to wash!). By planning this now, you will ensure that come Thanksgiving Day, you won't discover you are short on serving bowls for all of the side dishes. Be sure to have a few extras on hand for dishes that guests might bring, or ask them to bring their food right in the serving dishes.

6. Decide on decorations. Think about how you want your home and your table to be decorated for Thanskgiving, and buy or make anything that you can do in advance. The week or two before Thanksgiving is a great time for families with children to work on Thanksgiving crafts that can be used at the table, such as napkin rings, centerpieces or place cards.



~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

09 November 2010

Want to save money on your monthly grocery bill

I am sitting in the studio with Cindi Phillips of Financial Freedom Enterprises, Inc. and she has suggested a great book to help every family cut their grocery bill!

If you live in Brunswick/Golden Isles then I recommend stopping by Hattie's Books on Newcastle Street and pick up a copy today. You can also check out the website by authors Annette Economides, Steve Economides and learn more on how to "Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half with America's Family"

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

08 November 2010

New Releases for Tuesday...

Sneak Peak @ what is coming out tomorrow. Get your Christmas on with some great music ~ A Gift for the Ears!

November 9, 2010

- tobyMac - Moving Pictures DVD - ForeFront Records - EMICMG

- Susan Boyle - The Gift - Integrity Music - Provident

- Jason Castro - Who I Am - Atlantic Records - Word

- Underoath - Ø (Disambiguation) - Tooth & Nail Records - EMICMG

- Various - I AM: Official Movie Soundtrack - MRA - EMICMG

- Dave Barnes - Very Merry Christmas - Razor And Tie - Provident

- Various - Holy Hip Hop Taking The Gospel To The Streets Vol. 9 (2 CD) - Holy Hip Hop - EMICMG

- Messenger - Anthems - Facedown Records - Provident


~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

04 November 2010

Reflecting on Psalms...

a lot as of late. I have always found comfort in reading from the Book of Pslams even when I was not what you would call being a Christian. King David had such a way of putting into words human soul goes through and often cannot convey. Most recently I was reading from Psalm 56.

1 Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?

5 All day long they twist my words;
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
hoping to take my life.
7 Because of their wickedness do not[c] let them escape;
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8 Record my misery;
list my tears on your scroll[d]—
are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?

12 I am under vows to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.

When David was on the run and was being threatened by his enemy he found peace in knowing God. What can I take away from this Psalm? What can you take from this Psalm? For me, it means that when the enemy attacks me, whether a physical attack or a spiritual attack, I know that I must call upon God in Jesus name. I must remember His promise to me, that He knows the path in which I am to take and that He is in complete control. There is true peace in knowing that I am being taken care of, and that my enemy cannot touch me.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

02 November 2010

Election Day...

is smack dab in the middle of 2 "holidays", yet it seems to be overlooked by so many when it's not a Presidential Election. To really make a difference in your neighborhood, your county, your state, your country. Here is the biggest stumbling block I see as of late...we are not sure what the truth is when it comes to choosing a public servant. Yes, that is essentially what a "politician" is, they are public servants. They are voted into the position to serve their community, their county, their state, their country. Why are politicians so afraid to stand for what they know is right, what is true? Why are we so afraid to speak the truth about what we believe? And lastly, why oh why do we not treat the position of an elected chair with more respect?

My final hang up...the commercials that do nothing more than bash the opponent. First of all that is far from biblical, and in my eyes it does nothing more than make me not want to vote for you. Let's get back to what is important...making our society safer for the next generation, balance the budget like I'm expected to balance my checkbook and let's hold each other accountable for the decisions that are being made.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen