Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me

You know, I really have found an appreciation for the young country singer, Taylor Swift. I love her song, "You Belong with Me". It reminds me of a time where I thought things could end in a different manner for me. Anyway, I was singing the song, in my car this evening, and I thought about how God is like a few of the lyrics.

"Dreaming bout the day when you wake up and find that what you're, lookin for has been here the whole time; If you could see that I'm the one who understands you, been here all along so why can't see? You belong with me (Swift)"

Why search for things that do not or might exist in your life? Be grateful for everything and every person that God brings in and out of your life on a daily basis. There is a reason for all of these people and occurrences. God places all of these incidentals into your life, whether you are a believer or not.

Many people will wake up one day, and they will wonder why God does not appear to be with them. Actually, God never left; they left God. God does not always give us what we want out of life; it is His plan that he is going to carry out. In my BSF study of Isaiah, we discussed a passage about how God does not leave us, but we left Him. Hopefully, you will decide to stick with Him. Without Him, I do not know where my life would be.

We belong with God, no matter the circumstance, good or bad. He understands you, and He is always with you. You just have to believe that He is there, all the time (no matter what). We (including myself) need to rely on Him; let Him be that person who "has been here the whole time" (Swift).

Maybe God will answer some of our earthly prayer requests this coming year in 2011.

Grace and Peace!

J Dub (Some of my students have nicknamed me that!)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow . . .

As I reflect on the many different events of 2010, I realize that there truly is a somewhere over the rainbow. I live in a day and time where life is not fair. People who repeatedly sin, and do things to displease God, constantly are blessed.

You have the feelings of jealously and anxiety about your life. You wonder what road to take, which one God wants you to take. You just must step out into that path. You constantly second guess yourself due to your insecurities. I have seen repeatedly the last week and a half, that God may be blessing those people, but God still blesses me in His way. I may not see it, but He is watching over me.

God is that somewhere over the rainbow. He is the giver of "the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true"; whether they are the dreams that we dream, or the one that He has planned for us.

I am sure that God really does have something big planned for all of our lives. Right now, all that I can see is that God has His hand on my life. I am not going to intervene in His schedule. I am waiting for when, "the clouds are far behind me, where troubles melt like lemon drops, high above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me".

God is in control. I am ready for that somewhere, whether here or there. I am blessed beyond belief. I just need to realize it every day. I need to bless others as well.

So, in 2011 . . .

I am going to ask God to reveal His plan. I am praying that God will encourage and uplift me through friends and family. I would love a significant other, but it is up to God. I am not going to push God, anymore. I want to seek out more ways to share God and His love. I want to encourage others to do the right thing in their lives for their sakes. I want to see my daughter truly happy every day, not just on some. I want my daughter to know the love of an earthly father, since she knows the love of her Heavenly Father.

I could continue that list, but I have given myself a tall order. I am asking that you pray for me in 2011, and I will pray for you, too!

Love and peace!!

Jess

DC Talk - Jesus Is Just Alright

Jesus is still alright with me . . .

Do you ever convince yourself that you are alright with the way your life is being played out? I constantly do this. I am okay. Life is good. God loves me, and I try to do my best for Him. I teach my child about God and His love. I try to make sure that I have a Godly attitude in all that I say and do. Then . . . screech . . . things come to a crashing halt.
You realize that things are not alright. Your life has changed dramatically due to circumstances beyond your control. You have no way to make things better. Then, you notice that everyone around you has that picture perfect family, and you are alone. You have lived a good life, and you just want what everyone else has, a chance at being happy. You have let your human nature take control, instead of giving this situation to God.
God never promised Christians happiness. He promised them so much more than that. He has promised them love, mercy, protection, eternal life, plus many more attributes. To borrow a phrase from the fire safety, “We just need to stop, drop, and roll “. We need to stop those thoughts, drop to our knees, and pray to God. He will lead into the right direction. He will give us guidance regarding any situation. We can seek out advice from others, but it will never suffice to God’s advice. We must seek out answers from the ultimate guru, God, because “Jesus is still alright, Jesus is still alright” (DC Talk). Watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NqCccV6Y31s

Holidays and the blues . . .

I believe that the holiday blues have set in already (No, I do not consider Halloween a holiday). I can't explain it really, but I believe that it stems back from the fact that I am not feeling all giddy inside. The holidays are not about the giddiness (If that is a word); they are simply remembering what God has blessed us with (I have also had a problem with this department as well).

The hard part comes from the fact that you see all these lovely families, the mothers and fathers with their children. Don't get me wrong; I have a lovely family (my parents, sister, friends, and daughter). I want that "happy life" with the immediate family. God does not always promise us happiness and a family. That is not an easy pill to swallow.

It is even harder, when you receive a glimpse of what your life could be, then it is put "on hold" for minor reasons that are out of your control. Again, God does not want us to be in control. We have to allow Him to be in control (I struggle with this as well).

So, give everything to God, whether big or small, and He will give you comfort. I know what I need to do, so I will do just that. I have to take life as God gives it.

I am reminded on a daily basis as to how short life is . . . I need to live life as though it is my last. I must seek opportunities to share God and how He has worked in my life. I might need to take that leap of faith, and be real. I need to remember that God is always with me no matter what happens.

I'm on a Rocket ship . . .

Wow! What a tremendous amount of turbulence the last few weeks. I have gone through the emotions of happiness, sadness, recovery, happiness, and now an uneasy feeling. Just when you think you have everything figured out, you remember . . . "Where did I leave God at during this space odyssey"? Not that you left God, but you choose to remove Him out of the equation on some aspects.

Imagine what it is like for people who do not have a daily relationship with God? I cannot even fathom what that must feel like. I guess they may have drastic thoughts and feelings.

I am uneasy because of the unknowns. I know how I want my life to turn out, but I am ready to allow God to direct this crazy rocket ship. I do not want to be in control of it, anymore. When you are in control, this ride is bumpy, jerky, and unrealistic. With God involved, He takes the control panel and directs us. We must give Him the keys to our rocket ship lives.

Closed Doors, Opened Windows . . .

God loves to surprise us. I like to think that He has a sense of humor in watching our lives unfold. A window was opened for me about three weeks ago. I was allowed to feel something that I had never experienced in 13 some odd years . . . a glimpse of a possible relationship.

At first, I was freaked out. I am an analyzer by nature. I looked over the whole situation. I scrutinized the circumstances. Then, I knew that God was opening a new window for me. I am at a point where I know that I am ready for a relationship with someone of the opposite sex, now.

Now, this friendship with this person is more important to me than anything currently, but it is not God's timing for us to be in a relationship. Regardless of whether or not God will provide His timing for this relationship, I know that God does have a plan for a love life in my future. I want to thank God for all of His windows that He opens up to me.

What's the hokey pokey all about?

So, this has been an interesting few weeks off of work so far. We have had our ups and downs of life these last two weeks. I sprained my ankle the day after starting summer break. My dad had his lip busted by a high air pressure pipe while working. We had a great week of VBS at church last week. Today, tops it all . . . My 87 year old grandma fell off of her bed, and she gashed her leg open. She had to get stitches, but she has to stay off of her leg for 4-6 weeks. If any of you know my grandma, then you know that we need prayer indeed. With all of that said, the hokey pokey is what it is all about . . . the hokey pokey life with God that is.

As a Christian, God never promised us happiness in our lives, but joy . . . pure joy with Christ as our guide. In all of these situations, God had his hand at work in our everyday lives. We are all still alive, but we have some minor inconveniences going on. It could have turned out differently for each one of us. We must rely on God to protect us. I know you are thinking, but God didn't protect you, you all still got hurt. My answer is, "Yes, God did protect us. We are still alive".

Just like in the hokey pokey, we put ourselves into the circle, and we take ourselves out, then we shake up our lives, but we still continue to play the game . . . life, but as a Christian we have a referee/lifeguard, which is God. He is there in the middle of this hokey pokey life to watch us when we get a little off balanced. He is there to pick us up again and again with the hokey pokey life . . .

Reflection . . .

June 16, 2010


After careful reflection, I have decided to keep a blog to note my growth as a Christian in this crazy world that we live in today. I know that my blog is just my opinions, so no need to think that I think inappropriate thoughts/behaviors. It is just a way to express my thoughts and feelings about how I am trying to allow God to work in my life daily! This blog is also meant for me to be immersed into God and His Word, since BSF is on hiatus.

Take this park for instance, it is in the middle of the city of New York. At first, I thought that this was a very strange park. Then, I thought about it. We may see things, people, and other instances that seem very strange at some times in our lives, but God always has a grand way of bringing you full circle. We have to be willing to see the big picture regardless of the tall buildings or trees in the way. We must search for the meaning behind the events or situations that arise. You must also analyze your commitment to having joy (Jesus, Others, and Yourself - Yes in that order!!).

I have realized over the years, that Christianity is not about religion, but about a relationship, a daily relationship. No, I am not professing to be perfect or have perfected this relationship; although, I am committed to continue that daily search/finding that relationship with Jesus.

I want to encourage others and myself to keep my eyes on God and please Him, not others.