And The Winner Is...

CWO announced the winner for the Girl's Get-A-Way cruise.
http://www.christianwomenonline.net/Contest_Winner.html Christine at http://cvanwey.blogspot.com/ . Please read her story - it's a faith story that speaks of God's grace and hope and how God brings women together to hold each other up. Congratulations to Christie and her friend Misty! They will be blessed to meet each other and join other women on a fun-filled get-a-way cruise to Mexico.

Debbie & I certainly had a fun-filled afternoon "dreaming" of our get-a-way while we sun-bathed in October on my deck in our swim suites...
Deb, thanks for the memories - awesome 'Kodak' moments!!

Jodie

Freedom Filled Fridays...

Friday - one of the best day's of the week. Those of us who work outside the home look forward to Friday as we know the weekend is a coming! Freedom from "going" to work. Freedom to sleep in. Freedom to meander through a Saturday. Freedom to be with family & friends. Freedom to worship. Freedom to just be. Two days where we are not confined to a desk in an office.

With these thoughts of freedom, I decided to blog on Fridays, using the title of "Freedom Filled Fridays". I thought this would help me blog more consistently - with a goal in mind to somewhat keep me on task.

What does "freedom filled" mean to you? What would a "freedom filled Friday" look like in your world?


I started my blog so I could write about the freedoms I am experiencing - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I am learning to give those things which have weighed me down, to God. My Jesus does not want me to be encumbered with "stuff". He is the burden bearer - not me. He stands ready to take those things from us - we just got to hand it over. Sometimes, I just plain forget and then He gently reminds me when I'm overwhelmed. As I've been learning to give God my "stuff" and fill that void with Him - His Word, His Presence, His Praise - I am being healed and restored to be the woman God called me to be when I was conceived - even before I was conceived. I am being set free! I am running the race!!


Hebrews 12:1,2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside very weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


If you haven't yet experienced "freedom" in Christ - that restoration "freedom" from your "baggage" that has kept you ensnared to a life of guilt, shame, and hopelessness, then take a step and grab a hold of it now - today! Forgiveness and grace offered to me - to you, by God through the death of His Son, Jesus. Confessing your sins, believing in the name of Jesus Christ, accepting His forgiveness and receiving His grace are the 1st steps to "freedom" you will not experience through anything or anyone else. It is taking that first step of faith which brings you into your freedom run...


Romans 10:9-11 ...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame".



Free in Christ ~ Jodie

All Dressed Up...

and no where to go! Yes that's me and my aunt (in the picture on the left) all dressed in our swimming attire in October in Minnesota on my deck! It definitely was not hot and sunny! Can't believe I talked her into it! You could also say we were a few sand pepples short of a beach!

Well, this is serious business - especially when "free" and "contest" are in the same sentence!

Yes, we are from Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes that freeze in the winter. We love our hotdishes (comfort food) in the winter and get plenty of exercise shoveling the piles of snow and washing the piles of laundry from all that winter clothing we must have!

Yes, we NEED a vacation!

Help us trade in our boots for flip-flops; snow for sand; cold ice for warm, sunny breezes. Just thinking about all that fun... girl talk, swim parties by the pool, exploring every part of the ship, pampering, espresso coffee, sailing the ocean, blue sky, relaxing in the sun....aahhhh, take me away. AND it's with our girlfriends - how much better can it get?

Take us away on the Girl's Get-A-Way Cruise! From Minnesota to Mexico - here we come!

Jodie and Debbie (The Northern Girls)

Freedom Filled Days...

Hi Everyone - Greetings & Happy Thursday...

It's amazing how "life" fills your days. Before you know it 3 weeks have passed and you wonder where the time has gone and what filled the days.

I'm getting somewhat "tripped up" with posting on my blog because I haven't yet downloaded pictures from my camera. Somehow, I've got it stuck in my head I need pictures so my blog and writing will be more interesting. Other fellow bloggers do not always post pictures - so, it's just this "thing" that I need to get over and just move on with my writing...writing is what it's all about. There is freedom in them words! It's not that I don't have pictures--my camera is bursting with captured "Kodak" moments. That just means you'll all be looking at an album when I get them loaded into the computer...hmmm...a reason to take a break, grab a cup of your favorite tasting, yummy coffee!

Do you remember what you were doing the morning of Sept 11th?

I do...my sister & I had just parked the car to come into work and the announcement came over the radio - I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Today is a day to remember those that lost their lives because of the horrific acts of terrorism played out on the United States. We should never forget what took place! This website is set up as a memorial: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/index.html . It lists all the names of those who died that day. If you feel led to pray, pick a name and pray for that person's family. Today would be especially hard as they remember last moments, words said (not said) with their loved ones.

We are so blessed in the USA! Our freedom is a gift. It is envied by many and hated by many--around the world. This freedom we enjoy as citizens of the US has been fought and paid for with men's lives. Another man died for your freedom--freedom from enslavement to sin and all it's entanglements--Jesus Christ. Your life has been fought, bought, and paid for by Jesus' death & resurrection! This freedom from sin gives us the right to be called sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father - joint heirs of His Kingdom.

Let us remember! Enjoy your Freedom!

So, if the Son sets you free, you will be fee indeed! John 8:36

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:19

A Sister who is free in Christ ~ Jodie

BIG Step! Smile & say "cheese"...

My first "official" picture post. I'm not digital savvy yet - just getting used to my camera. I've taken some great pictures and will have lots to post - just got to figure out how to load them to the computer. I will be on a roll then.

This is Tina (on the right). Don't we look cute? You can access Tina's blog at http://www.tinavega.blogspot.com/. She hosts a monthly scrapbooking crop called "Faithbooking" (another passion of mine) which is how I met her. I thoroughly enjoy the Faithbooking crops. We are learning to do more with our pictures than slap them in a book - we are learning to journal the thoughts and ideas which capture those "Kodak moments". By journaling in the albums, legacies are left for our families. Tina has an awesome testimony and I love her enthusiasm, creativity, humor, and the insight she brings to God's word. She is also building her photography skills - she's taken some great pictures, experimenting with different angles and lighting, etc. I was visiting with her on Sunday and asked her to take a few pictures of me in my car for my post and she also took this one.

I'm going to do some fiddling with the camera. Until tomorrow...

Jodie

"Stepping Out" - Happy 1st Month Blog Anniversary!

Wow, how time does fly! It's already been one month since I published my 1st blog post and I haven't posted since. I was really excited to get my blog out there into "blog land" and then got cold feet and somewhat of a "writers block". I have to admit that I've been somewhat intimated by the thought of others reading my thoughts and also started comparing my blog site to others - their sites are more pretty, picturesque, etc.

Well, God is so good to a person who is directionally impaired at times.

I was reading one of the posts (July 27th) on Tina's blog, http://www.tinavega.blogspot.com/,

where she was talking about being more than just a "godly wallflower". That in spite of our fears & discomfort, to actually trust the Lord and follow through in what He's directing you to do. He will lead & guide as you "step out" in faith from your comfort zone. She ended with this scripture in Exodus 4:12 - The Lord said to Moses, "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." This scripture spoke volumes to me. In sharing more of my "writers block" with Tina last Sunday, I was able to talk through some of my fears and what she basically shared with me is that we are all unique and our styles are different. Being different, what I have to say will minister to someone in a unique way from what another person would say. The thing to remember is the "why" to your blog. Why am I blogging... to share and, hopefully, encourage others on in their faith. I just need to be faithful to ask the Lord what is on His heart to share, to put my fingers to the keyboard, and He will fill the words.

Ok, so today I'm reading a few of my favorite blogs and I come to KelliGirl's, http://awesomegodordinarygirl.blogspot.com/, post and am blown away because God is, again, leading (telling) me to "step out". She talks about her writing procrastination and choosing to dedicate her writing to God. She captured a statement from another writer's blog which got my attention, that even though the road as a writer can be difficult, if we have a God-given talent to write, we must use it. We have no choice. God demands nothing less. She referenced Matthew 25 where Jesus teaches his disciples about the parable of the talents.

Yes, God, you now have my full attention!

I have been given this wonderful gift of writing. Not everyone can put down in words what is in their heart (or their head). By not using my gift, I am not "being" all of who God created me to be.

What are your gifts and talents? My dad's favorite discussion topic is discovering what your gifts and talents are that you've been given - they are what comes natural to you. Sometimes they're buried under a lot of "junk", but they are there. When God created us, he put a treasure of talents within. You have a special gift - listen to what the Lord is saying, "step out" and trust.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Jodie

On the Road...

to blogging - finally! Yes, I have made the plunge and am now an official "blogger". My friend, Michelle, said "Jodie, you know it's real easy to set up a blog site. You can set it up and tweak it later - just do it!". Good advice - thanks Michelle! I just needed a little push and to know that it didn't need to look perfect at first. I've been contemplating this for weeks now. Part of my delay was coming up with a "title" for my blog. There are so many awesome, inspiring titles. I wanted something that would sum up in a few words and reflect the journey I've been on with the Lord - the lessons, the healing, and the love I've received through the words whispered to my heart and penned upon the lines of my journal. Oh, the Lord is good! Michelle & I went to hear Beth Moore speak at the Target Center this weekend. It was awesome! God met us in a BIG way! In her message, Between A Rock and A Hard Place, she used the words "Road To Freedom" which caught my ears and my pen. Michelle & I were discussing the message on the way home and then it clicked - that's the title of my blog. Woohoo - an answer to prayer!

So, I am here and publishing my first post - I'm pretty excited! Pictures will come later - I am not digital picture savvy yet (I have friends who are...). My desire is for this to be a vehicle of ministry - for you , for me - as the Lord leads my fingers to type what He's whispered to my heart. My prayer is that as this "Road to Freedom" is traveled, these words will bring you and I the encouragement, healing, and hope we need and the Lord offers up to us to embrace.

Good night and God Bless! Until tomorrow....
Jodie