This free ebook is yours, all you need to do is download it.
Hope it makes your holidays very special!
Love to you today,
Jes
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Free Holiday E-book.
God has really been tendering my heart to home, and one of the things I'm most excited about is establishing some family traditions for the holidays.
This free ebook is yours, all you need to do is download it.
Hope it makes your holidays very special!
Love to you today,
Jes
This free ebook is yours, all you need to do is download it.
Hope it makes your holidays very special!
Love to you today,
Jes
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Yay! I'm SO Excited!
We're giving Bibles out again this year for Halloween!
I'm so excited!
You can read my post other times here.
And this year, it's going to be even more special, as our my sweet friend Marilena and her family will be joining us.
Would you please be praying with me over these Bibles?
Please pray that the children who come to our door will truly spend time reading and studying their Bibles.
Please pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, as they repent of their sins and lay down their lives to take on the life of Jesus and live for Him.
Pray that they will be people set apart for His Glory...that they will forsake a pagan culture to serve Him and share His love, grace and sacrifice with their friends.
I'd also ask that you pray for us as we step out in faith to do this.
Please pray the protection of the Lord around us, and pray that if there is opposition, we will handle it in love, with the courage of knowing that we are being obedient to Christ.
I'm SO excited!
I guess I told you that already.
:)
Love you today!
Jes
I'm so excited!
You can read my post other times here.
And this year, it's going to be even more special, as our my sweet friend Marilena and her family will be joining us.
Would you please be praying with me over these Bibles?
Please pray that the children who come to our door will truly spend time reading and studying their Bibles.
Please pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, as they repent of their sins and lay down their lives to take on the life of Jesus and live for Him.
Pray that they will be people set apart for His Glory...that they will forsake a pagan culture to serve Him and share His love, grace and sacrifice with their friends.
I'd also ask that you pray for us as we step out in faith to do this.
Please pray the protection of the Lord around us, and pray that if there is opposition, we will handle it in love, with the courage of knowing that we are being obedient to Christ.
I'm SO excited!
I guess I told you that already.
:)
Love you today!
Jes
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Current Prayer Request and 1 Peter 3
Thank you so much for praying for me! So much!
I have some specific requests today, and thought I'd bring them before you, as many of you have asked how to pray.
#1. I need more names for my salvation shot prayers. I'm on my last one tonight. Recycling is great, but if you have more to add, now is the time. :)
#2. I'm really not doing well. I have such a fighter mentality, and have fought through so many painful things in my life, that I am totally frustrated that I can't fight through this, but it's simply not that simple.
It's like my sweet friend Anna said the other night when I talked with her...."You can't fight MS. You just have to ride it."
She has it too, so she understands, and she's so right.
My immune system is shot. Just about the time that I get over one cold/sinus infection, I'm on to another...and when you have MS and get a cold, it often times brings on an exacerbation. That's what happened to me when we got back from CA a few weeks ago.
The exacerbation that put me on steroid treatments again on Oct. 9th, has not stopped. I'm still dealing with optic neuritis, which is scary stuff, along with a whole host of other things, which I won't bore you to death by detailing for you.
I took my children out in the morning a few days ago, the first time in weeks that I've driven anywhere but to drop Shane's car off for urgent repairs, and am still paying for it.
Although I feel horrible, and am so sick and tired of being sick and tired, I am praising God for much that He is working for my good through all of this.
I don't think I ever understood how people in great affliction could praise God for it, but He is teaching me not just how to praise Him through it, but how to praise Him for it.
There is a gulf of distinction between the two, I gotta tell you.
One of the sweetest things through all of this is how God is lacing my heart to my husband, my children, and my home at such a deep level.
My precious husband has amazed me by the way he has loved me and sacrificed for me, and nourished me.
He leaves me speechless.
He is my Boaz, such a true and worthy man of God.
I am awed.
I told him last night that it's a breathtaking thing to look at your husband and see the image of your Savior, but I understand that this is exactly God's design for marriage. Exactly.
This passage describes how Shane has been treating me, perfectly:
Before this whole MS thing, I never understood the passages from Scripture about Sarah...where it talks about her calling Abraham, "lord". (see text below)
I get it now.
I don't know...there's so much to tell, and I truly am worn out.
My "lord" has instructed me into bed, and the realization just hit that I'm disobeying at this very minute!
Ugh.
I still got a long way to go, don't I?!
:)
Love you...and thank you for praying for me!
Jes
I have some specific requests today, and thought I'd bring them before you, as many of you have asked how to pray.
#1. I need more names for my salvation shot prayers. I'm on my last one tonight. Recycling is great, but if you have more to add, now is the time. :)
#2. I'm really not doing well. I have such a fighter mentality, and have fought through so many painful things in my life, that I am totally frustrated that I can't fight through this, but it's simply not that simple.
It's like my sweet friend Anna said the other night when I talked with her...."You can't fight MS. You just have to ride it."
She has it too, so she understands, and she's so right.
My immune system is shot. Just about the time that I get over one cold/sinus infection, I'm on to another...and when you have MS and get a cold, it often times brings on an exacerbation. That's what happened to me when we got back from CA a few weeks ago.
The exacerbation that put me on steroid treatments again on Oct. 9th, has not stopped. I'm still dealing with optic neuritis, which is scary stuff, along with a whole host of other things, which I won't bore you to death by detailing for you.
I took my children out in the morning a few days ago, the first time in weeks that I've driven anywhere but to drop Shane's car off for urgent repairs, and am still paying for it.
Although I feel horrible, and am so sick and tired of being sick and tired, I am praising God for much that He is working for my good through all of this.
I don't think I ever understood how people in great affliction could praise God for it, but He is teaching me not just how to praise Him through it, but how to praise Him for it.
There is a gulf of distinction between the two, I gotta tell you.
One of the sweetest things through all of this is how God is lacing my heart to my husband, my children, and my home at such a deep level.
My precious husband has amazed me by the way he has loved me and sacrificed for me, and nourished me.
He leaves me speechless.
He is my Boaz, such a true and worthy man of God.
I am awed.
I told him last night that it's a breathtaking thing to look at your husband and see the image of your Savior, but I understand that this is exactly God's design for marriage. Exactly.
This passage describes how Shane has been treating me, perfectly:
| You husbands in the same way, live with {your wives} in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. |
Before this whole MS thing, I never understood the passages from Scripture about Sarah...where it talks about her calling Abraham, "lord". (see text below)
I get it now.
I don't know...there's so much to tell, and I truly am worn out.
My "lord" has instructed me into bed, and the realization just hit that I'm disobeying at this very minute!
Ugh.
I still got a long way to go, don't I?!
:)
Love you...and thank you for praying for me!
Jes
| In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any {of them} are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, | |
| as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. | |
| Your adornment must not be {merely} external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; | |
| but {let it be} the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. | |
| For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; | |
| just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. |
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Fall Women's Conference - Precept Ministries International - "Living Victoriously in Difficult Times"
Dear Friends,
Below is a note from BJ Lawson, of Precept Ministries, asking for specific prayer requests for this coming weekend for the Women's Conference at Precept in Chattanooga.
Is there a woman you know who could use a time of deep encouragement and study of God's Word? Could you sponsor her going to the conference this weekend?
I've never been, but I have heard that these times are life changing. My friend Deb went to the Spring conference, and left on fire to go home and lead others in the study of God's Word!
I love you, Deb!
Would you please take these prayer requests before the Throne of Grace today and throughout the weekend?
Much love to you tonight,
Jes
This weekend is the Fall Women’s Conference and we would love for you to join us in praying for it. The conference will start Friday evening with dinner and will end with lunch on Sunday. The theme for the weekend is “Living Victoriously in Difficult Times”. Below are a list of speakers, small group leaders, musicians and some special needs. Thank you for joining with us in praying for the women this weekend.
Main Session speakers: Kay, Tommye Hammel, Diane Vereen
Pray for them as they prepare their messages this week and for the execution of those messages. Ask that they not be distracted or overwhelmed as they have to deal with other responsibilities as well.
Worship: Alicia
Praise Team: Kristi and Chandler
Small Group leaders:
Kitchen: Mark and Leland, staff
Hostesses Volunteers: Roxanne Keeney, Doris Bruce
Staff: Onsite, Warehouse, Resource Center, Audio, Maintenance
Pray for the women that God will meet them at their point of need, that they will have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to each one of them, a will to obey and the courage to walk in the truth that they hear. Raise up women from this group who will return home and begin to disciple others.
More registrations.
Thank you once again for praying for this event. I will send an update after the event to let you know what God does.
Enabling others to discover truth for themselves,
Sunday, October 18, 2009
She Nailed It....
Good Sunday Morning to you all! I'm just about to go to church (in my bed)...
I'm going to listen on our church's website, and get caught up on missed sermons.
Oh, how I can't wait to be back....I'm sad that we're not going today, because I miss my family, and I really miss praising the Lord together with them! I miss the fellowship, the hugs, the prayers together...we haven't been to church on a Sunday morning in a month!
On top of all of that, which is both the cake and the icing, I miss being taught face to face by my pastor.
I'm going to ask Shane again when he gets up, if there's any way he'll let me go...but I pretty much know the answer.
This most recent exacerbation has been brutal...and yesterday I started coughing all this gunk up...(TMI?)...I think we're both concerned about that because we now know that when I get a cold or sinus infection, it brings on another exacerbation.
Which means more damage, likely permanent, and it also likely means another round of steroids...which is just so hard on everyone.
OK...I'm digressing. I just thought I'd catch you all up a little bit. I haven't felt much like writing about the MS...but I'm sure I'll be doing more of that...you've encouraged me to blog through this process, that God may be glorified, and I am going to do just that...so stay tuned. :)
Now, on to the real purpose of this post...
My precious friend Shauna, wrote an article on her blog titled Ladies Who Claim Christ, and it is the best article on submission of the Christian wife that I've ever read!
You have to click the highlighted link above and go read it!
I hear little feet....gotta run.
Love you all this morning,
Jes
I'm going to listen on our church's website, and get caught up on missed sermons.
Oh, how I can't wait to be back....I'm sad that we're not going today, because I miss my family, and I really miss praising the Lord together with them! I miss the fellowship, the hugs, the prayers together...we haven't been to church on a Sunday morning in a month!
On top of all of that, which is both the cake and the icing, I miss being taught face to face by my pastor.
I'm going to ask Shane again when he gets up, if there's any way he'll let me go...but I pretty much know the answer.
This most recent exacerbation has been brutal...and yesterday I started coughing all this gunk up...(TMI?)...I think we're both concerned about that because we now know that when I get a cold or sinus infection, it brings on another exacerbation.
Which means more damage, likely permanent, and it also likely means another round of steroids...which is just so hard on everyone.
OK...I'm digressing. I just thought I'd catch you all up a little bit. I haven't felt much like writing about the MS...but I'm sure I'll be doing more of that...you've encouraged me to blog through this process, that God may be glorified, and I am going to do just that...so stay tuned. :)
Now, on to the real purpose of this post...
My precious friend Shauna, wrote an article on her blog titled Ladies Who Claim Christ, and it is the best article on submission of the Christian wife that I've ever read!
You have to click the highlighted link above and go read it!
I hear little feet....gotta run.
Love you all this morning,
Jes
Friday, October 16, 2009
Perspective
As the children were singing through their chores today, soaking in time together and praising the Lord to the music of our church's (amazing) children's choir, I was reminded afresh of how very much they love each other...
and the thought occurred to me as I turned, glanced out the window and saw this, that things could be so much harder...
I will count my blessings one by one...
I will thank and praise Him through all of this.
Period.
and the thought occurred to me as I turned, glanced out the window and saw this, that things could be so much harder...
I will count my blessings one by one...
I will thank and praise Him through all of this.
Period.
Praying for Tracy Klicka and Her Children....
Tracy Klicka lost her husband Chris to MS just 3 days ago.
At the same time, I'm in the midst of one of the worst episodes of MS that I've had yet.
It's been very, very hard.
Yet, I find joy in the pain as I realize that it helps me know how best to pray for her...how to lift her up before the Father with the prayer needs of her heart that only He knows and can reveal by His Spirit.
How beautiful that He writes those prayers on our hearts!
Read her words, words of someone in such deep sorrow of loss, yet rejoicing for her husband and the pure glee that he is now living, being in the eternal presence of His Abba Father.
Now that is a blessed assurance!
Would you please pray for Tracy and her children?
Tracy Klicka's Tribute to Her Beloved
P.S.
Please ignore the goofy little comment tags that show up after my posts now....my friends Ruth and Chandy had my blog looking all pretty, and I messed it up this week as I was trying to make it through yet one more night without sleep due to these steroids...just piddling around on here, and really took away the loveliness of the blog....so the comment boxes look ridiculous, and I can't figure out how to make them go away.
Ugh.
At the same time, I'm in the midst of one of the worst episodes of MS that I've had yet.
It's been very, very hard.
Yet, I find joy in the pain as I realize that it helps me know how best to pray for her...how to lift her up before the Father with the prayer needs of her heart that only He knows and can reveal by His Spirit.
How beautiful that He writes those prayers on our hearts!
Read her words, words of someone in such deep sorrow of loss, yet rejoicing for her husband and the pure glee that he is now living, being in the eternal presence of His Abba Father.
Now that is a blessed assurance!
Would you please pray for Tracy and her children?
Tracy Klicka's Tribute to Her Beloved
P.S.
Please ignore the goofy little comment tags that show up after my posts now....my friends Ruth and Chandy had my blog looking all pretty, and I messed it up this week as I was trying to make it through yet one more night without sleep due to these steroids...just piddling around on here, and really took away the loveliness of the blog....so the comment boxes look ridiculous, and I can't figure out how to make them go away.
Ugh.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Our Recent Trip to Long Beach - Which is Your Favorite?
Touring The Long Beach Harbor by Boat
Chili's - because sometimes you just need familiar food on vacation.
The most beautiful wooden boat I've ever seen - and practicing the Pledge of allegiance. :)![]()
Being Goofy - I love this picture!
Outside of Ruby's Diner - the one time of my life, ugh.
At the General Patton Museum, practicing the Pledge of Allegiance - and getting to thank a WW2 Veteran.
Ahhh....
Ahh....absolute and pure glee! She's such my girl!Sweet Little Feet. :)![]()
Can you tell that we have a few engineers in the family? And one artist. :)
Daddy of the Year Award, don't you think?!
My sweet boy - and me refusing to wear makeup on vacation!
Bringing our trip to a close...I was so worn out, can you tell?
Oh, I just had to add this one....safe in the arms of her Daddy!
Now...why don't you leave a comment and vote on which one is your favorite? This could be fun!
Love ya'll today!
Jes
Monday, October 12, 2009
It Is Well With My Soul...It Really Is.
This song is sustaining my heart these days....
I beg you to listen to the amazing recording of one of my favorite hymns, and then click the link below to read what inspired it, and what happened to the men who wrote it.
I love you today...thank you so much for your fervent prayers for me...today, would you please pray that I'll be well enough to adequately prepare, and then lead our ladies study of Sweeter Than Chocolate this Thursday night?
Please...I want to know the ladies of my church better, I want to love on them and encourage them in the Word...hard to do if I'm not there. Thank you!
Also, please pray for my friend Chandy, she's on my heart after her recent kidney donation surgery, and today is her first day back to work. Just click on her name to read more about her donation experience....she gave one of her kidneys for her Daddy...what love!
I love you, friend!
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm
I beg you to listen to the amazing recording of one of my favorite hymns, and then click the link below to read what inspired it, and what happened to the men who wrote it.
I love you today...thank you so much for your fervent prayers for me...today, would you please pray that I'll be well enough to adequately prepare, and then lead our ladies study of Sweeter Than Chocolate this Thursday night?
Please...I want to know the ladies of my church better, I want to love on them and encourage them in the Word...hard to do if I'm not there. Thank you!
Also, please pray for my friend Chandy, she's on my heart after her recent kidney donation surgery, and today is her first day back to work. Just click on her name to read more about her donation experience....she gave one of her kidneys for her Daddy...what love!
I love you, friend!
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm
Sunday, October 11, 2009
In The Midst....
I'm in the midst of an MS attack....a pretty bad one.
I'm praising God again for my sweet friends here...my family.
My church.
God's Word alive in me by the power of His indwelling Spirit.
Where would I be without the Lord and those He has placed in my life?!
I have so much to be thankful for!
This time around I am able to have my steroids done from a home health agency of lovely people.
No hospital stay...whew! That about wrecked the hearts of my kiddos last June.
It's the Womack family hospital here....Nurse Shane is so patient with me. :)
These steroids make me....well, hmm.....short on patience, and edgy...and very direct curt.
You could pray for my family....they'd thank you for it!
Thank you so much to Kim and Marilena and Nancy and sweet Jane Marie for the meals.
I love you so!
Thank you to Precious Jan and Chris who stepped in with 4 hours notice, to lead week 2 of our Chocolate study last week! I was so bummed I couldn't have been there to watch the Lord work through you two!
I truly love you to pieces!
A few pictures from our walk in the cool of the morning today....so strange, the steroids make it hard to sleep, so I was up at 3:30..then Shane woke to help me, and we talked until 5.I couldn't go back to sleep, and hoped Caedmon ( the early bird ) would wake to take the first walk of the season with me...he did.
And so did sweetie girl (usually our late riser) in her fancy new hat she chose and bought a few days ago, with the Gymboree gift card that her Gram & Gramps sent for her birthday!
Oh, and Toot-Toot joined us. Brennan loves her baby! :)
So nice to finally have cool enough weather to get out in for a bit!
I have a HUGE prayer request that I'm not able to share with you, but would you pray for me about it anyway?
God knows the details.... just reference the private Jes request. ;)
Including this passage for you to be challenged, excited and blessed by.
It answered so clearly Brennan's recent question of "Why do we want to fear God"?
Using the 5ws & an H, and the tool of seeing the contrasts and comparisons in the passage...can you find the answer to her question...one which I trust many of us have wondered, too?
I'm thirsty for comments!
Seriously....they would be such an encouragement to me right now....to read your words of digging into Scripture to explain how we are to fear Him, why, etc....now that would be a TREAT!
Hey...have a field day....blueletterbible.org will even help you do a word search on fear...mmmm, yummy!
Just type in Psalm 128 in the search box..
Choose NASB for your version.
In the right hand corner over Psalm 128, click on "Show Strongs".
Then click on the number that shows up just to the right of the word "fears"....
Now, tell us all you learn about it. :)
Oooh...I can't wait to see what you discover!
Be sure to pray first....ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit, who will always lead you into all truth.
| "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. |
| "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. |
| How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. | |
| When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you. | |
| Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table. | |
| Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. | |
| The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. | |
| Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel! |
Happy Trails to You.....Until We Meet Again....
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Psalms 128 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 11 Oct 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=128&t=NASB >
Copyright Information, New American Standard Bible (NASB)
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. All rights reserved. Used by permission.Please visit their website at www.lockman.org.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
His Power Made Perfect in Weakness
Tonight our ladies Bible study meets for the first time this fall.
We'll be studying Psalm 119, through Pam Gillaspie's new book,
"Sweeter Than Chocolate".
I gotta tell you, I'm so nervous!
We have a big group of women and teen girls signed up, amazing table leaders for breakout times, and the best in childcare.
It's all an answer to so many prayers...and I'm thrilled that women are going to be learning how to study God's Word for themselves.
It's just me.
This study is a new format for me, and I'm tired, some the lovely women whom I am used to studying with are now branching out to lead studies themselves and I'm going to miss them so much (but praise God for their obedience to Him, their desires to share His Word...such a praise!), and I have a sick kid....
Life has hit, in a word.
I just want these precious women...so many of them new to our ladies study or new to the area, to fall in love with God's Word...that's all I want...I want them to love It, and love Him, and live for Him....the same thing that I want for myself.
Your prayers tonight would be such a precious gift to all of us!
Also...please pray for my friends Jodie, and Chandy and their families.
(I love ya'll!)
I'm reminded today that His power is perfected in weakness...
His grace is sufficient.
I will boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (Please, Lord!)
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
We'll be studying Psalm 119, through Pam Gillaspie's new book,
"Sweeter Than Chocolate".
I gotta tell you, I'm so nervous!
We have a big group of women and teen girls signed up, amazing table leaders for breakout times, and the best in childcare.
It's all an answer to so many prayers...and I'm thrilled that women are going to be learning how to study God's Word for themselves.
It's just me.
This study is a new format for me, and I'm tired, some the lovely women whom I am used to studying with are now branching out to lead studies themselves and I'm going to miss them so much (but praise God for their obedience to Him, their desires to share His Word...such a praise!), and I have a sick kid....
Life has hit, in a word.
I just want these precious women...so many of them new to our ladies study or new to the area, to fall in love with God's Word...that's all I want...I want them to love It, and love Him, and live for Him....the same thing that I want for myself.
Your prayers tonight would be such a precious gift to all of us!
Also...please pray for my friends Jodie, and Chandy and their families.
(I love ya'll!)
I'm reminded today that His power is perfected in weakness...
His grace is sufficient.
I will boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (Please, Lord!)
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)