NO PLACE FOR SELF-INDULGENCE:

Well Mom and I officially had a very successful weekend putting up two and a half levels of scaffolding in the stairwell and painting the entire stairwell and hallway! QUITE THE ADVENTURE! Props to Mom for going on the top level of scaffolding – I was too freaked out…but did the gymnastics through all of the rungs and levels to hand her what she needed! GREAT TEAMWORK! I am so thankful for all of her help and am just lovin’ my little beach house!

I had a great devo this am I wanted to share, once again, God never ceases to amaze me with telling me exactly what I need to hear, when I need to hear it! Here’s another little snip-bit from Reflections for Ragamuffins:

No Place for Self-Indulgence:

The gradual transformation from an attitude of self-hatred to a spirit of self-acceptance is what occurs in the process of trying to be honest. Paradoxically, the human spirit soars in the daily endeavor to make choices and decisions that are expressive of the truth of who we are in Christ Jesus, not who we should be or whom somebody else wants us to be. Self-mastery over every form of sin, selfishness, emotional dishonesty, and degraded love is the less traveled road to Christian freedom. “You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent desires and passions” (see Gal. 5:24). The perfect  joy of Saint Francis, for instance, may be at the outset an unrealistic expectation, but each small victory over self-indulgence yields its own measure of elation. The beginning of Brother Leo’s peptic ulcer probably can be traced to the day that Francis explained to him the meaning of perfect joy: “Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to his friends is that of conquering himself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ.” Leaving levity in its place, there is no growth without pain, no integrity without self-denial, and neither is particularly attractive apart from the personal love of Jesus Christ.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

This seemed to fit perfectly with a quote a friend sent me from our Crazy Love study – which I will continue tomorrow!

She mentioned how challenged she is by this quote by C.S. Lewis, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this."

…AND I am too!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

EYE OPENING:

A friend sent me this link this morning and it was EYE OPENING! It only takes a few minutes to watch, but worth it!

PART 1:

PART 2:

Thoughts??

Where have you seen God's grace in your life today?



DISPOSE OF THE GARBAGE:

Well for those of you who know me well, you know I am ‘just a little’ hahaha particular about things being clean and organized. You also know how much I love and appreciate my mother – and I would MUCH rather have her HERE then have everything perfect, right! Well today I’m just being really honest – Mom and I took a few days to get adjusted, but we made it! Why is it that it’s so easy to treat people we hardly know with such kindness and love, and those we love THE MOST so thoughtlessly?

My morning devo met me again right where I’m at and I thought I’d share with you:

Dispose of the Garbage:

The garbage in most of our lives is the relentless anxiety and agitation created by the fear that we will not get enough of the world’s goodies to feel safe, secure, and turned on. The agony in the Garden centers on Jesus’ prayerful struggle against the pressures of anxiety…At this moment he represents the serious mind of the pilgrim Church. In the empathetic identification with Jesus, the Spirit infuses power to transcend fear and anxiety and to share in the Lord’s intimate trust of the Father. Theologian Alex LeFrank notes, “The prayerful struggle against the pressures of anxiety remains at the heart of the contemplation of Christ crucified” (Freedom for Service). As Jesus wrestles with fidelity to his mission, adherence to his decision, and the lure to back away from his self-awareness, the Christian experiences the fellowship of his suffering and knows the power of his resurrection over security, sensation, and power.

“But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33.

So as many of you know, my Mom is very talented in helping with everything from painting to hanging mirrors/photos, and basically anything to help fix around the house. The ‘to do’ list always seems to grow while she is here and most of the things couldn’t get done without her! A great reminder came to me the other day as we were out shopping. I’m sure many of you have seen this saying out and around:

I have the photo in my room. Well, as we were shopping, Mom came up to me laughing with the ‘perfect’ pillow for me!

We had a really good laugh and it set us back on the right path :o) Here’s to being refocused on being loving and thankful to a Mom far greater then I deserve – and not to mention – she drove across the country to see me (and bring me all kinds of goodies!)

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

LET MY LIFE SONG SING TO YOU:

 HAPPY MONDAY MORNING TO ALL OF YOU! What a great start to the week! I heard this song right as I was getting to the gym this morning and wanted to share with you! I hope it starts your week off on the right note,too!

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

Where have you seen God's grace in your life today?

B.E.A–UTIFUL BEACH DAY!

Nothing like having Mom in town!!! We’ve painted the guest room along with a mirror and lamp for the entryway…and even made time to go to the beach today! SO grateful for her and this BEAUTIFUL South Florida weather as Minneapolis continues to get blasted with SNOW!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

WE ARE FAMILY!

Mom is pulling into the driveway in 10 minutes….SHE DROVE FROM MINNESOTA TO FLORIDA! I am SO excited and thankful for her! She’s brought so many meaningful things for my new home...from Grandma’s sewing machine to Great Grandma’s china! Can’t wait to give her a HUGE HUG!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

GOD AT WORK:

Really cool thing happened at work today…and I HAD TO SHARE RIGHT AWAY! A local pastor’s father-in-law was nearing the end of his life and under the care of one of the physicians who is on staff at our hospital. Doctor went to Catholic church with his family when he was young, but after losing his father early in life, he has really been wrestling with God. We have had a few conversations in the past, but today presented an amazing opportunity!

Doctor shared with me that the pastor’s father-in-law passed away. He had grown close with the family at the end of his life and the family asked doctor to speak at his funeral. I just received a phone call from him and he said, “I hear around that you are quite religious. I went to this funeral service and they had lights and guitars and, well, it wasn’t like I remembered the last time I went to Catholic church." He said that the family continues to invite him to church and he really wants to chat with me before he considers going back or not.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME! What an AWESOME opportunity to work for the Lord today!

I will keep you posted…

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

ONLY GOD KEEPS YOU GOING:

Short and sweet today! I found another encouraging message from my roommate back at North Park University. Although she is in California and I am in Florida, she was and always will be a very special person in my life :o)

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

HE’S THE ONLY ONE TO LEAN ON:

Well, for anyone that has gone through a tough break-up or loss before…you know that there are many lessons learned! Being single for the first time in five years on Valentine’s Day was a great reminder of the one and only thing you can TRUST to lean on…lean on GOD! I found this quote on a friends wall and it really hit me this morning after all of my reflection yesterday…and just made me smile!

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand & chaining a soul,

you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning & company doesn’t mean security,

you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts & presents aren’t promises,

you begin to accept your defeats with your head up & your eyes open,

And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrows ground is too uncertain for plans.

It fit perfectly with Brennan Manning’s Reflection yesterday on TRUST. I must share as God truly continues to show me that no earthly thing will fill my need to put all of my TRUST in the LORD.

TRUST – AT THE HEART OF THE COMING KINGDOM

Jesus found himself surrounded every day by people who were bent over double, by victims of running sores and withered limbs, by the mute and the deaf. The net effect of all this human misery on him was not depressing. The only charge he leveled against anyone – always the onlookers, never the victim – was lack of trust in God.

The predominant question for every Jew was how to bring on the reign of Israel’s God. Jesus proposed a single way – the way of trust. Jesus did not ASK his disciples to trust in God; he TOLD them to trust in God. Trusting in God was not some feature out at the edges of Jesus’ teaching; it was its heart and center. This and only this would hasten the reign of God.

We presume, however, that trust will ease confusion, dull the pain, redeem the times. The cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11 testifies that this is not so. Our trust does not bring final clarity on this earth. It does not still the chaos or dull the pain or provide a crutch. When all else is unclear, the heart of trust says,

“Into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” ~Esther 4:15-16.

Overall, just a really encouraging reminder to see progress from looking back at times past until now…and as I continue in my walk with the Lord…I always say, he starts to set me down a little more often to walk on my own (footprints in the sand poem :o)

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS:

Happy Valentine’s Day! Sending lots of LOVE to all of you!!!

Sometimes in life…it’s just the little things that mean SO much! I received a little Valentine in the mail from Momma Besch and am so happy to be cozy at home with my little socks on she sent me!

THANKS MOMMA!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

LEARNING TRUST THROUGH TRIALS:

I must apologize for being absent the past couple of days. No excuse – but getting right back on it tonight with seeing God’s grace in my life and logging here. I have 2 fabulous things to share today!

1. A beautiful gift I received at my favorite Starbucks from a very special Barista! Work has been very busy the past couple of weeks and I hadn’t been able to stop in and I was greeted with, “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??”  I don’t know which is better, the coffee or the conversations I have with the staff that works at this very special Starbucks. I have been able to share in my favorite new findings in my blog with them along with what Jesus is doing in my life. SO – the where have you been was followed by…I have something I’ve been WAITING to give you and she presented me with this little book!

I was SO surprised that she had thought of me and gone out of her way to give me this beautiful little gift of encouraging thoughts and quotes! To top it off, she mentioned she had lost my card and wanted to program my number into her phone. She said, “I have 4 Jessica’s in my phone, so I am programing you as Jessica Jesus!” :o) Nothing means more that when she sees me, she thinks of Jesus! AMAZING!

2. As you have seen in my last few posts – God’s really shaking out the lack of TRUST I have for him and bringing it to the surface for me to stare in the face and really work on! Brennan Manning had another FANTASTIC thought on trust this morning in my Reflections for Ragamuffins:

LEARNING TO TRUST THROUGH TRIALS:

The basic premise of biblical trust is that the God and Father of Jesus Christ wants us to live, to grow, to unfold, and experience fullness of life. Trust is an attitude acquired gradually through many crises and trials. Through the agonizing trial with his son Isaac, Abraham learned that God wants us to live and not to die, to grow and not to wither. He discovered that the God who called him to hope against hope is reliable. Perhaps this is the essence of trust: to be convinced of the reliability of God.

Trust is purified in the crucible of trial. From the depths of a purified heart, trust clings to the belief that whatever happens in our lives is designed to form Christ within us. Unwavering confidence in the love of God inspires trust to thank God for the spiritual darkness that envelops us, for the loss of income, for the arthritis that is so painful, to pray with Charles de Foucauld:

“Abba, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all. I accept all. Let only your will be done in me and all your people. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my spirit. I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and I give myself, surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.”

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” ~Romans 4:18

I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE THAT PRAYER. I think the words are so bold and so beautiful. I actually read it over a few times to let it really soak in!

These thoughts really start a new week off on the RIGHT NOTE!! (That and the GRAMMY’S are on tonight :o)

Happy Fresh New Week to ALL of you!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today??

YOU ARE MY ALL IN ALL:

HAPPY FRIDAY EVE TO ALL OF YOU :o)

I had a great spin ride this morning and am pumped up to round out this week on a good note! I had a song in mind I wanted to share with you today – but in the process – came across an ‘oldie, but a goodie’ I just couldn’t resist. The message really hit me this morning. It put me right back up at Covenant Pines Bible Camp in McGregor, MN in chapel singing our hearts out! I am so thankful for those summer memories with some really great friends. CPBC is the first time I truly experienced feeling God’s presence. Whenever I need to remember that feeling I take a look at a photo I took in 4^th grade of the sun setting over the lake. God really IS MY ALL IN ALL:

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today!

GRANDMA’S PRAYER:

Grandma Besch made my day throughout my childhood and on into college with her little cards in the mail. She always had the words of encouragement I needed to hear along with a verse or two. In one very special card I received in college Grams shared that evenings while in her college dorm they would gather for devotions and as they separated to return to their rooms they would sing this prayerful song:

If I have wounded any soul today,

If I have caused one foot to go astray,

If I have walked in my own willful way,

Dear Lord forgive me.

Forgive the sins I have confessed to thee,

Forgive the secret sins I do not see,

Oh guide me, love me, and my keeper be.

Dear Lord, Amen.

I now have it framed on my nightstand. My father read it as we celebrated her life at her funeral. I haven’t looked at it in a while, but it caught my attention tonight. I love the prayer and it is the perfect way to end an eventful day. Love you, Grams! I can’t wait to see you again in heaven!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

SMILE:

I was driving home from bible study tonight and noticed the moon shining bright…

…and the Lord reminded me, “Just smile, Jess.”

Sometimes its just the little things :o)

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today!

LOMBARDI BACK TO GREEN BAY:

What a FABULOUS way to start a GREAT WEEK!

SO – I know this isn’t a typical post, but I must share in my excitement with all of you!!!

Just in case you haven’t heard…the GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS! I had a great time watching the game last night with some wonderful friends, and even though my family wasn’t together to watch the game, we had A LOT OF FUN writing, texting and calling back and forth cheering them on. It was a real nail bitter! Green and Gold runs in our family’s blood, that’s for sure! We were cheering from all over the country…from California to Montana, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland and Florida! Something very special happened last night, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is officially heading back home to Green Bay, Wisconsin!

THE TROPHY PRESENTATION:

I am SO blessed with great family and friends to share in these fun moments of life!

So, I'll conclude with my typical question: Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

I'm on a mission to see God's grace in brand new ways this week! A friend posted a great quote. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Looking forward to how God is going to blow me away again this week :o)

I WANT TO BE WHAT HE WANTS ME TO BE:

I am SO thankful for a BEAUTIFUL Saturday in South Florida! I am really looking forward to Momma Besch coming down to visit at the end of the month! We already have a list a mile long of all of the projects we are looking forward to doing on the house! Dad’s not so happy about her getting on a big ladder to paint the stairwell, but I am thankful she is willing (as long as she’s safe). In preparation for all of our projects I spent the day thrifting and looking for some key pieces to finish off the guest rooms and entryway…my favorite kinda way to spend a relaxing Saturday :o)

As I was heading to church and the sun was resting low in the sky, I was reminded of God’s grace in the beauty of our clouds! TAKE A LOOK:

Church was GREAT tonight. Pastor Bob talked about Fear and how our number one fear is typically FAILURE. He outlined the message with five points:

1. Failure is a result of serious sin – this is why you continue to strike out (pride, greed, sloth)
2. Failure could be a chance for a 2^nd chance
3. Failure is the result of not seeing yourself in His sight – EVERYONE is useful in the hand of God!
4. Failure is the result of DOUBTING what God has GUARANTEED (Matthew 14:31)
5. Failure is the result of misguided TRUST

Some really great thoughts to chew on! If you are interested in the sermon, you can check it out on Calvary Chapels website HERE:What Are You Afraid Of?

I rounded out the night with starbucks and an evening walk on the pied with two of my favorite ladies! We even saw a young kid reeling in a shark! Well, time to call it a night early tonight…we’ve got a SUPERBOWL to win tomorrow! I don’t know if I’m more NERVOUS or EXCITED!!!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

HE STILL MOVES STONES:

SO – many weeks back I mentioned a MAJOR answer to prayer that is in process which I could not yet share. Well, it’s been many weeks, but I am again learning how to appreciate being challenged by patience (or at least telling myself I am!). I heard a little news yesterday and am not quite sure how long it will be until more – but I have accepted it and will continue to be in prayer and WAIT... remembering again that ALL is in God’s time.

Along with my delicious coffee and oatmeal this morning was a wonderful reminder in my little Grace for the Moment Book, by Max Lucado.

 He Still Moves Stones: The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him, to all who truly pray to him. Psalm 145:18

Healing begins when we do something. Healing begins when we reach out. Healing starts when we take a step. God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it. Nothing results from apathy…God honors radical, risk-taking faith. When arks are built, lives are saved. When soldiers march, Jerichos rumble. When staffs are raised, seas still open. When a lunch is shared, thousands are fed.

HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL! …and HAPPY SUPERBOWL WEEKEND!!!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?

MY SAVIOR:

I continue to question – and He continues to reveal to me that it is not in my timing, but in fact His! To be 100% honest, sometimes this is a very reassuring reminder, and others, the MOST FRUSTRATING! This song has caught my special attention the last few days and has been exactly what I’ve needed to preserve and continue to check myself to see where my priority is.

MY SAVIOR MY GOD

Aaron Shust

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

SO thankful for my Savior.

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life today?