Our Gift

It's Christmas week. Are you ready?

Jesus is coming!

We are in last-minute preparations - gifts, grocery shopping, sending cards & letters, cleaning, adorning our homes in Christmas attire - many preparations.

But, are you ready?

Jesus is coming! Yes, Jesus!

The King of Kings. The Lord of Lords. The Prince of Peace.

Prepare your heart. Make a place at your table. Invite Him. Receive Him.

The baby Jesus is coming - to you, to the world.

Unwrap Him as you would your other gifts. Show Him off to all your family & friends. Embrace all of what He brings to you. His Love. His Peace. His Rest. His Grace.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

JOY TO THE WORLD, CHRIST THE SAVIOUR IS COME!

12 Days of Christmas

Hi Everyone ~

If you're in the middle of Christmas preparations or just getting started, I wanted to share a Christmas blessing that's sure to add fun to your Holiday festivities along with keeping you focused on Christ and His Christmas blessings for you.

Karen Ehman, Proverbs 31 Ministries, is hosting 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway on her website. Even though it's Day 11 -- it's not to late to "catch up" and enter in this Giveaway bonanza of Christmas fun! You can go back to Day 1 - you have until midnight EST, Dec 11th to comment & enter.

Each day, she features a guest writer from the Proverbs 31 ministry team and offers a chance to win that day's giveaway to those who comment. If you comment on all 12 days, you are entered in for the grand prize gift.

To join in the fun, click on the button to the right which will take you to her website or click here.

It's like Christmas before Christmas - Enjoy!
Jodie

Jeff

My post today is in tribute to Grant's longtime friend, Jeff. We just came home from his memorial service...remembering and celebrating his life with his family and many friends.

Grant and Jeff were childhood buddies, "joined at the hip", as Jeff's mom would often say. They did all kinds of fun stuff together, got into all kinds of trouble and stood up for each other at their 1st weddings. As life happens, they eventually lost touch.

God had other plans...April 2010, Jeff and Grant connected again.

We learned Jeff was surviving stage 4 lung cancer, diagnosed in 2007 and at that time only given 4 to 6 months to live. In May 2010, I met Jeff at the fundraiser his family hosted for him as a way to raise financial support for him. Grant & I were blessed to spend our 30th wedding anniversary with Barb & Jeff up at their lake home near Mille Lacs. This summer, Jeff & Grant planted 400 tree seedlings on his mom's property with the hope to replant them in the woods to grow up and become trees for eagles to nest in.

He was a man who lived life to the fullest. He had this great smile and laugh with this wonderful sense of humor. AND he loved coffee! He was a role model to many boy scouts. If he had an idea, he would pursue it - he didn't know the word "I can't". He loved nature and loved the land his parents built their house on in Randolph - the Property. That's where his service was at today. As we were just getting past Randolph, it started snowing - how beautiful it was. We were out in the woods - winding road with trails into the woods and benches to sit on. We raised the United States Flag - as he loved the USA. We said the Boy Scout Oath and Motto. Memories, tributes, and pictures were shared as we all sat outside amidst the large flakes of snow falling down. Oh, how he loved to sit and watch the snow fall. His ashes were buried up on the small hill to the side of the house. It was a day celebrated as Jeff would have wanted it.

Lord, thank you for the friends you bring into our lives to enrich our life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeffrey Scott Maltby Visit Guest Book

Was born on November 29, 1954 Passed away November 27, 2011 Jeff died peacefully after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Jeff was preceded in death by his father; Wendell Maltby. Survived by his loving mother, Patricia Maltby; his children, Jon and Melissa Maltby; grandson, Tyler Maltby; his significant other, Barbara Matthews; mother of his children, Susan Krohn; his siblings, Kris (Mick) Brogan, Greg (Judy) Maltby, Kathy (Neil) Scharmer, Steve (Jan) Maltby. Barb's children, William (Sonja) Matthews, Kerry (Isaac), and grandchildren, Adelynn and Nora Marsolek; and many family and friends. Jeff was a lifetime scouter, avid volunteer and leader with Kaposia District of North Star BSA. Jeff loved being outdoors working to educate children about science in nature and he had a passion for flying airplanes. His memorial will be held at 949 Sciota Trail, Randolph, MN 55065 on Saturday December 3rd, 2011, 2PM-4PM with a service at 2:30 PM. http://www.legacy.com/

One Day

The Power in One Day ~

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection to bring glory to God.

Colossians 4: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

Romans 15: 5, 6 ~ Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 17: 17-19 ~ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Psalm 91:1 ~ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 25:5 ~ ...guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.

Our days are filled with so much activity & busyness. We, at times, just go about our day doing our thing and often times miss our opportunity to see God at work - to witness first hand His power. Each day holds "His Power" at hand for us to witness & experience. He Is!

~A life given to Jesus.

~A young woman touched because you noticed her new hair style.

~A cashier who is so appreciative that you acknowledged her working on Thanksgiving.

~The loss of a good friend, who touched so many lives because 'he cared'.

~A hug and 'I love you' from your dad - for the 1st time that you could ever remember.

~An answered prayer that testifies to God's greatness as only He could have brought the healing - the miracle.

What does one day hold for you?

Promises & Praises...

Psalm 66:19 God hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

I love God's Word. It is so full of hope, encouragement, and power. It tells of His love to me -- to everyone. It brings truth into my spirit. With truth comes freedom -- freedom to be who God created me to be.

God has attended to the voice of my prayers.

On this Thanksgiving Day I praise Him because HE IS! I have so many blessings, so much to be thankful for. They are from my heavenly Father, the God of this universe, who is in control of my circumstances. I give Him the Glory & Praise. When I wanted to give up on God because I couldn't see a way out of our circumstances -- my Lord heard my cries, reached down and brought me encouragement -- through His Word, through various little miracle 'God-incidences', through friends, family and much prayer. He would not let me 'give up'.

Praise The Lord! God has attended to the voice of my prayers!

See God's love & blessings bestowed on you today - no matter where you are in life.
Blessings to you on this Thanksgiving Day!

Yes To God

Hi friends,

Need some encouragement today? Click here on this link.

You'll go to Lysa TerKeurst's website where you can watch the webcast, "Yes to God". It aired on Tuesday, however, it's available to watch on demand thru 11pm CST tonight. Lysa TerKeurst and Anne Voskamp both share their thoughts and insights to encourage us in our daily walk with the Lord and in saying "Yes to God". Lysa has written a book entitled, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God?". Anne has also written a book entitled, "One Thousand Gifts".

On a personal note...I almost missed it. I was thinking...I've heard it all before...what more could be said that I haven't heard...I just don't have the time being at work, etc.

I listened to that still small voice...and...said... Yes, to God.

God is faithful. When we say "yes", He fills us. Encouragement. Refreshing joy. Confidence. Freedom.

Say "yes" to Him. Enjoy! Love, Jodie

Freedom Friday

Today is the Friday going into the weekend of July 4th celebrations -- Freedom Friday!!

May your celebrations be festive & enjoyable as you reflect on the freedoms our country, the United States of America, is built on. Blessings!! ~Jodie

Where's Jodie? & SSMT Day

Hi my bloggy friends~

Yes, it's been a while since my last post. I am here. The days come and go by so fast...filled with lots of activities, daily routines, challenges, and answered prayers!


The Lord is showing me much as I read His word and reflect on it. He continues to fill my days with His faithfulness and greatness as I sit in awe over His love for me. One of my favorite devotionals to read daily is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I also receive an on-line daily devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries which the Lord continually uses to open my spiritual eyes with. My newest on-line devotional is from David Wilkerson Today. David Wilkerson passed away in April. He's the author of The Cross and the Switchblade, which is an awesome testimony of transformation in the lives of some New York gang members. David Wilkerson Ministries continues to publish his writings - past published and those not published. From reading his devotionals, I know he was a man of God who had a tremendous amount of faith -- you know he spent time in the Word and listening to the Holy Spirit. In his obedience to God and stepping out in faith, transformation occurred in the lives of many. The Lord has been ministering to me on a deeper level with regards to unwavering faith & trust, believing the Lord will make a way. We are to go to Him first with everything, not worrying or fretting, but knowing He's got it under His control.


This brings me to my June 15th SSMT verse.
Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJ) "For the Lord says: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls."

Some versions say 'stand in the crossroads' and 'ask for the ancient paths' . This verse caught my attention as Grant & I are at a crossroad. We are looking at possible foreclosure for our house. In the short version of this journey, the Lord is asking us to trust completely in His provisions for us. This is not about 'the house' it's about our walking in unwavering faith believing our God knows the outcome and we are not to worry or fret. We have tried our 'own' way of fixing this, but, it wasn't His way. Do we choose to follow His way or our way? The ancient paths refer to the ways of God -- prayer and obedience to what He shows us. He is asking us to cry out to Him with our requests, in thanksgiving. It's all to His glory!!

Isaiah 12:2 "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become salvation.' "

Blessings on your day ~ Jodie

Freedom Friday and more...

Hi Everyone, Today is Friday -- Freedom Friday and also SSMT Day! My verse for today is Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (NIV) Oh, Jesus, how I need an undivided heart to follow hard after you to learn your ways vs. my ways. Also, this Jesus girl is taking a 5-day Journey with Jesus. Making an extra effort to focus my attention on Jesus for the next week. Read about it on Lysa TerKeurst's website. Join me as we travel to depths unknown. Blessings on your day! ~Jodie

SSMT Verse Day - Verse Six

Hi my Friends ~
March 15th is Siesta Scripture Memory Team, Verse 6 Day. Today's actually the 16th and I completely missed blogging March 1st on verse 5, so, today I'll cover both verses.

Beth Moore is hosting this on her LPM blog, where you can read up on it if this is something you'd like to do to get God's word in your heart. It's great to have a group of 4,000+ 'sisters/siestas' to be accountable to along with writing them on our 3x5 index cards. I just went to Walgreens and bought plain 3x5 index cards that were already bound together. It's small enough that I can take it with me in my purse. I plan on making it fancy with some added 'bling'. My verses are:

March 1st, Verse #5: 2 Samuel 15:22 Go ahead, march on.

March 15th, Verse #6: Proverbs 31:26 She speaks with wisdom and faithful insturction is on her tongue. (NIV)

Enjoy your day! Blessings ~ Jodie

Tell A Friend Tuesdays - Week Four

Hi my bloggy Friends,

Today is Tuesday - "Tell a Friend Tuesday".

It's Week 4 of the Made To Crave webcast re-runs. If you haven't tapped in yet to listen, give it a try today. http://www.madetocrave.org/ It is running on-demand up to 6am Wednesday EST. Lysa TerKuerst, author of the Made To Crave book, has an awesome teaching on "lifting up our shield of faith". Lysa and her guests offer encouragement that is not only applicable to food cravings but other life struggles, as well.


Crave God -- today!


Blessings ~ Jodie

Freedom Fridays

Hi Friends ~ I received this picture and just had to post it! It's so funny, but yet, it so speaks of freedom. To be a kid again - not caring what anyone thinks, along with possibly wearing underpants on my head (LOL) - to being God's kid stepping out and doing what He's called me to do -
Yes! that is freedom!



Nothing screams WEEKEND better than underpants on your head...
Rock On!!! It is Friday!!!!

Happy Weekend...let your hair hang down, or, better yet, wear something fun! Blessings! Jodie

"Tell a Friend Tuesdays" - Week One

Hi my Friends ~
Being that today is "Tell a Friend Tuesday" have I got something to tell you. Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries has authored a book titled, "Made to Crave". It's not a 'diet' book. It's a book that shares her struggle of loosing and keeping lost weight off and how, by filling the cravings we were made with, with God more instead of food, her weight has stayed off. With the release of her book, she helped host 6 weeks of "Made to Crave" live web casts. They were filled with teaching, nutrition information, testimonies, and lots of encouragement. Those have ended, however, every Tuesday for the next 6 weeks - starting today - they will be re-run on demand. Go to Lysa's blog for more info. Go to www.MadetoCrave.org to watch the web cast.

Enjoy some good encouragement! Crave God Today!!
Blessings ~ Jodie

SSMT DAY

Hi Friends ~
February 15th is Siesta Scripture Memory Team, Verse 4 Day. Hosted over at Beth Moore's Living Proof blog. A whole lot of 'Siestas' are memorizing scriptures this year. So on the 1st and 15th of each month I choose a scripture to memorize. We have these 'fancy' little books with 3x5 cards where we write our scripture in and then comment on the LPM blog with our name, city, and scripture we're are memorizing. By writing them down in our 'fancy' book or 3x5 cards they can be easily accessible to pull out and memorize at any time and then we are 'armed' for any attacks the enemy might try to put on us. The blog is a good accountability tool and plus there's a "party" at the end - I love a good party! I started with the Jan 15th post - so I have 3 verses down.

Feb 15th Verse: Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible. (NKJ)

There are over 4,000 who signed in yesterday with a verse - wow! Here's the LPM blog link to check it out - click here. Here is a picture of Beth showcasing the '2011 Siesta' 3x5 booklet. Having a 'fancy' booklet helps make it fun to hide God's word in my heart.

Blessings on your day today! ~Jodie

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Everyone! Today is one of my favorite days of the year. This picture of my man and I was taken last night at a 30th anniversary surprise celebration for our Pastor and his wife. Yes, that is an unbrella in my hair - you had to be there!

I wrote a Valentines Day poem a few years back and wanted to share that today as well. We are the apple of God's eye and Jesus is our valentine gift to us from God. Blessings! ~Jodie

Reflections From A Heart

What can we say about a day?
That sets apart celebrations from the heart?

As we watch and play,
People say, "I love you" this day.
Love notes, flowers, chocolates and gifts
Are people amiss?

For you see this thing called Love
Is sent to us from our Heavenly Father above.
Sent so we can truly know
A Fathers Love - not woe.

For a heart beats - not just because -
Created with a purpose that was
Fearfully and wonderfully formed from His glove,
It's a masterpiece of perfection - a masterpiece of His love.

Physical or spiritual - only God knows our heart,
Is it chained, lonely, sad - at the end of its' rope?
Is it unchained and free - singing songs of hope?

It's our spiritual heart that desires - longs to be filled,
As we search, seek and find - we are now stilled.
It's not the things of this world that quench our innermost thirst,
But trust, hope and faith work with putting Him first.

So trust in the Lord with all of your heart,
Lean not on your own understanding, will be a good start.
In all of your ways acknowledge Him,
and the light of the Lord will not be dim.

You see my friend God wants you to truly know,
You are God's valentine - a masterpiece from His heart
Love sent from God, never to depart.

So what can we say about Valentines Day?
It's a day of celebrations - hearts happy and gay.
Filled with red Roses and Violets of blue,
It's a day of the heart that says, "I love you".
~~Writted by Jodie McLagan