jennieherrema

[jennieherrema]

Take Heart

    The world is a crazy place right now, ya’ll. So much division, confusion, turmoil, and downright evil. Some days it feels so overwhelming and consuming, especially if we let ourselves focus solely on the bad.

    So I just want to encourage you, and myself, to make a point of looking for the good. I’m not saying to ignore what’s going on and pretend it’s not happening, because we can’t. We have to stand up for what’s right and do whatever we can to make this world a better place. But despite all the ugly, there’s still so much beauty. And if you can’t seem to find it, make it. Smile at a stranger, give someone a hug, spread joy, love without restraint, and throw encouragement around like confetti. 

   Don’t let your light be dimmed by the worlds darkness. And remember, no matter what we face in the days and years ahead, God is still on the throne, and He is still in control!

   “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10

   “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9

   “You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.” ~ Isaiah 26:3

   “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” ~ Romans 8:38-39 

[jennieherrema]

"Our mess is the canvas on which God paints His story of redemption." ~ Louie Giglio

[jennieherrema]

In it to End It! www.enditmovement.com 

[jennieherrema]

My prayer for 2017 ~ "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow Love. Where there is injury, Pardon. Where there is doubt, Faith. Where there is despair, Hope. Where there is darkness, Light. And where there is sadness, Joy." ~ St Francis of Assisi

[jennieherrema]

I am the chief among sinners. I’ve stolen. I’ve lied. I’ve cheated. I’ve committed adultery in my heart and murdered in my mind. I am a disgrace, a convict in need of pardon, an orphan in need of a Father.

And yet, Christ saw me, loved me, and gave Himself for me. He lived the life I could never...

[jennieherrema]

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when we see such great need all around us. People all over the world are dying of (or dealing with) hunger, sickness, slavery, war, natural disasters, poverty, and countless other difficulties. Whether it be physical hunger or spiritual hunger, or one of the many...

[jennieherrema]

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!” 

~ Hebrews 13:8 

[jennieherrema]

While I'm waiting

   We all have things in our lives that we hope for. Marriage, a family, a certain job, a raise, whatever it is, most likely it will involve some waiting. We hope, we dream, we pray, and we wait. 

   But the Lord's been showing me lately that I've had the wrong attitude in my waiting. I'll place my desires in His hands, leave them there for a while, but then I start getting impatient. "God, I know you have perfect timing, I know your plans are better than mine, but could we maybe speed things up a little?" 

   In an instant world, it can make waiting frustrating. We have everything from instant messaging to instant mashed potatoes, but it's our heart's desires that require waiting. And while I should be content knowing that my future is in the hands of the One that created my very being, I find myself a little envious when someone else gets what they've been hoping for, while I continue to wait. And that's not the attitude I should have. It makes me so very grateful for the Lord's forgiveness, His grace, and His mercies that are new every morning.

   So it's my prayer that the waiting in my life will no longer cause frustration or jealousy, but praise and thankfulness!

 The following is a paragraph from Beth Moore that has really encouraged me in times of waiting  ~  "Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, continue to walk faithfully with God even though you are disappointed. Walking with God in the day-in/day-out course of life swells your assurance that God is faithful and inconceivably enjoyable even when a request goes unmet. Recognizing all the other works God is doing in your life will prevent discouragement as you await your answer. Zechariah waited a long time for God's answer, but when it came, it exceeded everything the old priest could have thought or asked."

"While I'm waiting" By John Waller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY 

[jennieherrema]

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." ~ Matthew 6:34

[jennieherrema]

Never Forget

[jennieherrema]

[jennieherrema]

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." ~ Psalm 4:8

[jennieherrema]

Oceans Acoustic ~ Hillsong United

[jennieherrema]

"Oh, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!"         ~ Jeremiah 32:17

[jennieherrema]

Join us for week 4 in our series When Pigs Fly.

"We all have a picture of the way we want our life to turn out. The question is, can you surrender that picture?"

[jennieherrema]

Taste your words before you spit them out

   Today I was reminded how much damage a few hurtful words can do. We're told to "Encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thess 5:11) but far too often we choose words that tear down and destroy. 

   Sometimes we say hurtful things unintentionally. But most of the time we know the hurt, the shame, and the pain that the words we say will bring, and we say them anyways. I know, I'm guilty of it just like everyone else. But I've also been on the receiving end of those hurtful words more times than I can count, so I can say from experience that words cut deep. 

   Our words have power. The power to kill and destroy or the power to give life and hope. As much as words can damage, they can also heal. They can bless and encourage and lift up. We can speak love and grace to those around us. If we choose to.

   Matthew 15:18 says "The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart." This verse always makes me stop and think, are the words coming out of my mouth showing a heart that loves Jesus? Unfortunately, I can't honestly tell you that they always do. And I'm so very grateful for the grace and forgiveness of my Savior in those times. But it's my desire to be a life-giver with my words. To take the hope, the grace, the mercy, and the love that I've been given, and share it with everyone I come in contact with by the words I say. 

   So will you join me? Together, let's make every effort to speak life, love, grace, and encouragement to everyone around us!

"No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear." ~ Ephesians 4:29

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." ~ Proverbs 16:24

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." ~ Proverbs 12:25

[jennieherrema]