Hi Everyone - Merry Christmas!!
It's Christmas Eve and I am at work - yes, the company I work at is open all day, so, being at the reception desk I am duty-bound to be here. I have not been happy about this...pretty much talking & complaining about this for most of the week. Prior to the company's reorg, it would close at noon on Christmas Eve. So, how could a company expect employees to be here working when there are preparations to be done, and how am I going to fit church in, all this "stuff" to do, etc. Needless to say, I was not focused on Jesus and what I could do while I'm here, sitting at work, no one else around.
Until...God got a hold of my heart today....
Reading today's, Encouragement For Today, devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries put it back in focus for me. I really got excited -- something clicked for me! This is my time to focus on Jesus. We will be hosting Jesus in our home - it's Christmas!
We are celebrating His arrival!
He is coming...to our homes...to our hearts!!
Christmas is a party for Him, our King!
In the last minute "to dos" take time to not only usher Jesus in to His celebration, but, sit at His feet and allow yourself to be "wrapped" in His love-gift for you. Revel at Who He Is, dwell in His Presence, sense His Peace and proclaim His Joy. We are so honored -- our King is coming! Our King IS coming!! Let us not forget or ignore Him because of the days distractions.
Joy to the world the Lord has come!
Christmas blessings ~ Love, Jodie & Grant
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Freedom Friday
I do not know who wrote the following, but it was sent to me via email about two years ago when I was facing a possible layoff at the company I worked for. It said so much to me at the time, that I kept it and continue to read it, passing it on to others who could use some encouragement.
'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.'
Peace, trust, contentment, and knowing you are loved by your "daddy" in heaven...these are the stuff that help us to be free...
Be blessed and be free today! ~Jodie
'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.'
Peace, trust, contentment, and knowing you are loved by your "daddy" in heaven...these are the stuff that help us to be free...
Be blessed and be free today! ~Jodie
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Streams in the wasteland...
Lay aside those 'things' which encumber you - keeping you from who God wants you to be.
I am on a quest to lay aside all the 'stuff' that has cluttered my house. I am one of those people who loves to hang on to 'things' - because it reminds me of something good or of someone whom I dearly treasure OR because I just might use it 'someday'. Well, for the most part 'someday' never really happen and all this stuff just piles and piles and piles up. Now, mind you, they are very, very neat piles. I have a little stack here, a little stack there, a pile in this corner and a pile in that corner, a pile in the living room, a stack in the kitchen. They kinda creep up on me. I think, oh, I'll put it here and get to it in a couple of days - a month later I'm totally overwhelmed and don't know where to start in to clean it up. I then get the very noticeable piles - the ones in my way - cleaned up, but then don't get to the little stacks that are in a corner. I seem to never get to those piles. I've had the same piles of paperwork in my office for 3 years - stuff that are remnants of previously piles sorted that I have to 'deal with'. I never seem to have the extra time I know it's gonna take to handle it.
I was thinking on this a while back and the Lord showed me it's kinda like this with our hearts - our lives and sin. We deal with the obvious sin committed, confess, ask God for forgiveness, clean it out of our heart. But, then there's the little itty bitty sin or the sin that's not so obvious or the sin that we don't want to admit is there - the sin that we don't want anyone to know about or the sin we don't want to let go of because it's what we know and it's too hard and too much work to dig deep to expose the roots in order to dig it out. It's those corners of our heart that God wants to expose His light to - His word to & clean up. It's in letting go of those little piles of 'stuff' that we want to hang on to which brings us the total freedom we are seeking for.
What "stuff" is He asking you to lay aside in order for you to fully experience His freedom?
Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
I am on a quest to lay aside all the 'stuff' that has cluttered my house. I am one of those people who loves to hang on to 'things' - because it reminds me of something good or of someone whom I dearly treasure OR because I just might use it 'someday'. Well, for the most part 'someday' never really happen and all this stuff just piles and piles and piles up. Now, mind you, they are very, very neat piles. I have a little stack here, a little stack there, a pile in this corner and a pile in that corner, a pile in the living room, a stack in the kitchen. They kinda creep up on me. I think, oh, I'll put it here and get to it in a couple of days - a month later I'm totally overwhelmed and don't know where to start in to clean it up. I then get the very noticeable piles - the ones in my way - cleaned up, but then don't get to the little stacks that are in a corner. I seem to never get to those piles. I've had the same piles of paperwork in my office for 3 years - stuff that are remnants of previously piles sorted that I have to 'deal with'. I never seem to have the extra time I know it's gonna take to handle it.
I was thinking on this a while back and the Lord showed me it's kinda like this with our hearts - our lives and sin. We deal with the obvious sin committed, confess, ask God for forgiveness, clean it out of our heart. But, then there's the little itty bitty sin or the sin that's not so obvious or the sin that we don't want to admit is there - the sin that we don't want anyone to know about or the sin we don't want to let go of because it's what we know and it's too hard and too much work to dig deep to expose the roots in order to dig it out. It's those corners of our heart that God wants to expose His light to - His word to & clean up. It's in letting go of those little piles of 'stuff' that we want to hang on to which brings us the total freedom we are seeking for.
What "stuff" is He asking you to lay aside in order for you to fully experience His freedom?
Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sitting at the feet of Jesus on a Saturday...
Have you met with God today?
Have you sat at His feet, looking into His face listening to His voice?
Have you shared your heart with your heavenly Daddy? The 'stuff' that makes you hurt and the 'stuff' that makes you happy.
He's waiting - He's listening - He's speaking.
Have you sat at His feet, looking into His face listening to His voice?
Have you shared your heart with your heavenly Daddy? The 'stuff' that makes you hurt and the 'stuff' that makes you happy.
He's waiting - He's listening - He's speaking.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Red Envelope Day
On March 31st join me and others in stepping out to "Be a Voice for Life" by sending red envelopes to President Obama.
Here's what to do...get a red envelope. They can be found in your extra envelope supply from home, any office supply store, party supply store or Kinkos.
On the front side, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Here's what to do...get a red envelope. They can be found in your extra envelope supply from home, any office supply store, party supply store or Kinkos.
On the front side, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
On the back side, write the following message.
This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.
Send your envelope on Tuesday, March 31st. I believe this is one way those of us against abortion can "do more", "not be silent, and "be a voice for life" to our President and the world.
The blog site, Surrending The Secret, gives a little more detailed info and is an awesome place to go to for post-abortion resources, healing, and help. http://surrenderingthesecret.blogspot.com/
Remember to pray for President Obama and his leadership team. With prayer and action, we can make a difference. Our God can soften and turn their hearts towards Him.
Jeremiah 32:27: "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"
Luke 1:37: "For with God nothing shall be impossible."
Stepping out for Him today ~ Jodie
Friday, March 6, 2009
Freedom Filled Fridays
Happy Friday. It's a day of play for me. I'm attending a woman's conference: A Day Set Apart for Women. The keynote speakers are Carol Kent and Lysa Terkeurst. The conference theme is - Restore.
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.
I'm looking forward to what the Lord has to share with me through His word today. I'm also excited to meet Lysa in person - maybe she'll be wearing those cute & comfy shoes she has written about. Her blog link is at "my favorite road stops".
Enjoy your Friday! It's a day unto the Lord.
Jodie
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.
I'm looking forward to what the Lord has to share with me through His word today. I'm also excited to meet Lysa in person - maybe she'll be wearing those cute & comfy shoes she has written about. Her blog link is at "my favorite road stops".
Enjoy your Friday! It's a day unto the Lord.
Jodie
Saturday, January 10, 2009
It is a New Year!
Happy New Year wishes to everyone!
I apologize for being gone so long from writing. Life has happened at the McLagan household. Good things and very challening things. However, God continues to show Himself to us. His faithfulness, grace, and mercy are unfailing!!
I miss my writing and definitely did not want another day to go by without typing something.
I'm off to a day of play - faithbooking. It's scrapbooking with an added dimension - journaling. I love it and I really enjoy the day. Tina is our Faithbooking Diva. Her blog site, Stones of Remembrance, is listed on my favorites - feel free to check it out.
Bye for now... Jodie
I apologize for being gone so long from writing. Life has happened at the McLagan household. Good things and very challening things. However, God continues to show Himself to us. His faithfulness, grace, and mercy are unfailing!!
I miss my writing and definitely did not want another day to go by without typing something.
I'm off to a day of play - faithbooking. It's scrapbooking with an added dimension - journaling. I love it and I really enjoy the day. Tina is our Faithbooking Diva. Her blog site, Stones of Remembrance, is listed on my favorites - feel free to check it out.
Bye for now... Jodie
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