Faith, Civic Duty and when they collide

There's been a lot of news being reported about people not performing their civic duties or jobs because of their faith. I have to admit, this confuses me.


As a Christian, I do know that we have to follow God's law, but Jesus did remind his disciples to also "Give unto Cesar what is Cesar's" (Matthew 22:21). As a Christian, we are called to do everything in LOVE (1 Corinthians 16:14,"Do everything in love"). Is it our job, our position to pass judgment on those that we are called to serve? (Matthew 7:2, For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.) (Luke 6:37,[ Judging Others ] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.) (Romans 14:10,"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.")

If you are not willing to do what is asked of you and your job because of your faith, then you have a decision to make. Either you quit your job or you do your job without complaint and petition to God for His help in your situation. (Hebrews 4:16); "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

This is to be said that as we are free to worship how we choose in these United States (http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am1.html; "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof") so this should hold true for ALL who struggle with their job and their religion. Jehovah Witnesses do not vote or pledge allegiance to the flag or join the military because of their beliefs. They CHOOSE to not serve in this way, because they know that if they were to join the military they would have to pledge allegiance to the flag, they would have to possibly kill another. They do not complain they just do not take the military as a job option.

My point is this. If you have a job, do it to the best of your ability and with a servant's heart filled with love, not hate or with contentment. You may be the only witness to those you serve that do not believe as you believe. Are you helping or hurting the cause?

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Gone too long

I know, it's been a while. A long while. For the longest time I felt as though I really had nothing of value to say. Funny how a low time in your life can cause you to think. Yes, a low point. I may still be in that low point, I'm not real sure as of yet. Too many things have happened in the past 18 months and I am still digesting and processing the details. I'm sure that I'll share as I go, but that too, remains to be seen.

But for now, I'm back. It actually feels really good to just sit here and type out my thoughts. I don't know if anyone else will read them but me, but that's okay too. Part of the reason for my absence was that I felt that I was putting myself out there too much, so I had that going for me as well as feeling as though I had nothing to say. And that I was being judged. I'm not sure by who, but I still felt that way.

Feelings have a way of making you second guess everything; your family, your job, your faith and even God's plan.

I have come to a couple of conclusions at this juncture of my life. I will continue to work to be a better me, the one that Christ has called me to be. I will continue to be true to myself and to who I am at this moment in time, and I will not be afraid of being criticized for putting myself out there. Jesus calls each of us to be a part of the body of Christ. Each of us has a different and unique role, that only we can fill. I have a better understanding of that now. Do I totally get it? No. I probably never will. But I will continue to try. I may fail, but I will get back up. I will share what is on my mind and in my heart. If it helps you or someone you know, than great. If not, then hey, that's OK too...just know that there is someone here for you to relate to when you are having one of those days.


~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Fellings as I end 2014

I'm not really sure what I expected from this year, but I don't think I really got what I thought I would. As I look back, I see that the only thing to do really, is to turn around and keep moving forward.


Yes, I suppose I should take a peek to serve as a reminder of what went well, what didn't and how I should make things better, but I can't, and I don't really want to. Time marches on.


My memory most defiantly needs improving. I can't really remember what I did yesterday, let alone what I did at the beginning of the year. Memories are really nothing more than the emotion that you feel when you think back on a moment. Those moments tend to flee from me if I don't write them down.


When I go back over my journals, they were filled with financial whoa, house hunting and lists (lots of lists). Mostly grocery lists, what the kids need for school or what they wanted me to buy. As I was reading back through the entries one nagging emotion kept creeping to my mind, fear.


Fear is a pain. A pain of uncertainty and unbelief. It's not that I don't have faith that things will work out, it was the anticipation of when. When will things get better, when will I feel happy or fulfilled or even not so alone in the process of this never ending waiting game?


The other emotion that I keep feeling is a deep seeded feeling that I never dare say out loud, but it has been driving every emotion that I have lately. It's the emotion of a passionless life. Where has my passion gone? There's so much that I want to accomplish in this short span of life that is given, but I can't seem to get out of my own way and do the things I really want to do. Some would say it's just a "season". I don't buy that anymore. I've read and seen too many people doing all the things that I want to do and experience. So what's stopping me? I think it goes back to fear. Maybe. Or maybe I'm just not as ambitious I think I am.


I know this. I have to start being really real and true to who I am and serve the purpose in which I was set here to do.


Jen

Almost Summer...

and the kids are counting it down.


My youngest is saying good-bye to elementary school (can I get an AMEN!) I have been at that school for 11 years so the good-bye is bittersweet, but I am so glad to be down to only 2 schools next year.


My older son has flourished this year in school. He was/is on student council, has had A's & B's all year, has done an outstanding job in band and he came home with all "EXCEEDS" on his CRCT test.


My oldest and only daughter has had many changes this first year of high school. She went to her first Homecoming with a group of friends, made concert chorus, was inducted into the National Beta Club and has maintained A's & B's all year.


Now as we approach summer we are looking to pack up and move to a larger home. The boys need a room of their own, we need an office and well we just need more room. We have not had much luck in finding what we are looking for yet. But as my realtor says, "Your house is out there." I have to believe that.


So what else is new...lots...as I'm sure you can imagine. I have been a total slacker when it comes to blogging. I think part of it is because I've been busy...a little too busy. I have let "other things" stop me from taking the time to have a day to day account of what is going on in my life. If for no one else I blog for me, a journal if you will. I'm glad that you are taking the time to read about my journey.


To be honest we've all been struggling with keeping our schedules in order. I am wanting nothing more than to take control of my time and use what I have better. A prime example is last night. My plan was to go to the gym for a 6:30PM class, well...that did...not...happen. I ended up rushing my youngest to the immediate care because he sliced his finger while helping me prepare dinner. Needless to say, that is an extreme example, but isn't that what happens, other things become priority?


In my last blog (in FEB) I said that I was going to discipline myself for thirty days. I can tell you now, that did...not...happen. So what is one to do? Give up? NO! Try again. As long as God grants you another day, then try again. Your life has the same amount of time in one day as mine - 24 hours. Tomorrow, I will try again, and I encourage you to do the same.


So for tomorrow: THU: my goal is to accomplish these 3 things - read for 30 minutes the Wizard of Oz (the book I'm currently reading) to make it to the gym and work out for 1 hour then walk the dog (my goal is to do this while the kids are at dance) and focus on writing my book. I have put that off too long. My friend Kimberly says if I work on the book for at least 30 minutes a day, then I will accomplish finishing the manuscript.  So here's to trying.


Lastly, goals that I am continuing to work on -> making better food choices day by day - this week the goal is to limit excess sugar, and giving my self an end date to stop smoking. Yes...that is my biggest challenge.




Jen

Why hello

It's so good to be back at working on this blog. It's been a while, but that is because I have been at a loss as to what to write about. There's so many ideas that run through my mind as to what I'd like to share, but as the title of this blog states, this is nothing more than a coffee break. So let's chat...

Where are you in your life right now? Me, I'm in the midst of teen-age angst. My daughter will be 15 next month, and is really excited about learning to drive. My husband and I have told her that until she stops sucking her thumb for 6 weeks, there will be no permit in her future. I am hoping that this will be an incentive for her to stop sucking on her thumb.

I know that we all have vices, and I am no exception. It takes discipline to change habits and I often feel as though I just don't have the discipline to change my own habits, let alone encourage others to change there's.  So I have decided to begin with me and be an example to my daughter and to my sons.

Over the next 30 days I am going to focus on disciplining just one area of my life. I will be hard on myself I already know, and I am sure that I will forget to rely on my faith and my friends, so prayers are appreciated. I will not tell you at this time what I am changing in my life (I don't want to disappoint) but once my 30 days are over I will let you know how I did.

Is there an area in your life that you'd like to change or would like to have more discipline over? Are you willing to share so that we can stay accountable to each other over the next 30 days? Join me on a journey of change...


Jen