The Cookie Jar

Going to Grammy and Pappy's house meant several things to me as a little girl.

1. Pappy would pretend to be a bear and give us rides around the kitchen.
2. Grammy would tell Him to stop, before anything would get broken.
3. The "good" living room was not meant to be stepped into, let alone sat in!
4. We were Not to make noise.
5. If we were good, there were cookies in the cookie jar for us.

Up on top of the refrigerator, prominently displayed, was the coveted cookie jar. From the moment we stepped into Grammy's kitchen my brothers and I knew what was at stake. Cookies! They were store bought, iced oatmeal. I don't know why I liked them so much.  Maybe it was because they were served with a big, cold glass of milk. Or perhaps it was because, my Pappy would try and make us laugh by making funny faces when Grammy wasn't looking.  I just remember really, really, really wanting those cookies! 

The desire I had for those cookies, shaped my behavior.  I knew that if I was going to get cookies and milk, that a certain level of behavior would be required.

Yes, I worked it!  

It didn't matter what I did before I arrived at my grandparents home, and it didn't matter what mischief I was involved in after.  All that mattered was how I acted, performed, behaved in their presence.

Unfortunately, we can sometimes act more perfectly for people than we do for God. We can be overly concerned about how they view us than how God views us. 

This often happens when our eyes are on an earthly "cookie jar" and not on eternal things.

Are your eyes on your;

job

looks

relationships

home

car

jewelry

bank account

vacation

What things does God wants you to focus on?

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.  Deuteronomy 10:12

Father, help me to set my eyes on the things that are above. I want to focus on what is eternal not on the sweet, temporary things of this life. Reveal to me where I have been settling for cookies in the cookie jar. 

Do it Lord!

I love this song By Tommy Walker

Do It Lord!

I see Your glory covering the earth, Lord Just as the waters are covering the sea. I see the millions coming to salvation. I see revival fire in the land.

I see the lost and nameless ones remembered. I see the widows shouting out your praise. I see the friendless loved and celebrated. Orphans fulfilling, Lord, Your calling on their lives.

Do it Lord, do it Lord,

Do it Lord we are praying,

Do it Lord, do it that your glory may be seen.

This song reminds me that we can pray for the things that are important to us and to the heart of God.

Years ago a dear friend of mine was battling cancer. I will always remember my tear filled fervent prayers. "Lord heal her, remove the tumors, give her more time to be with her children. Do it Lord." 
For a season those prayers were answered. She had more time with her children and the experimental medication was shrinking the tumors. I will always remember when she called to tell me that this horrific disease had returned and that this time there was little hope of more time.  


Suddenly the focus of prayers changed from giving this young mother more time, to "please give her sweet memory filled times with her children." From "heal her body, to Lord, make her whole in heaven. Do it Lord!"


Just because we pray doesn't mean that God will answer yes! But that doesn't mean we can not ask. I have full confidence that God wants me to come to Him, to tell him what is on my heart. Some people are afraid to ask God, to request that God move in a situation.  I would rather ask and have him tell me no or not yet, than never have asked at all. 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.  I John 5:14-15

I love that this verse says "He hears us". Even if His plans are different than mine, I can trust that he has heard my heart and knows what is best.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

When we are thankful that God is at work, that he has heard us, that he has gone before us, we can ask and offer our request with full confidence that He is listening. This is what brings us peace. Do it Lord!

If I was rewriting this song, I would ask that; 

The hungry would be satisfied

 Orphans would have families

Cancer would be wiped out

Children wouldn't die

God's Glory would be seen

Jesus would return

Do it Lord!

Whatever your prayer is, ask God with confidence that He hears you!

Father, this is our prayer oh God. This is our desperate cry.

In these days that we’re living now. Let Your kingdom come let your will be done.

Coincidence, Good luck or God at work?

Do you know what a coincidence is?  The dictionary says that the definition is: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection


Personally, I think that every day God has orchestrated events. They are Not a coincidence, Not good luck, rather they are God ordained appointments.  He is at Work!

Reflect on these biblical events-

Moses alone as a baby in a basket floating in the Nile River- Pharaoh's daughter sees him and takes him home. Coincidence, good luck or God at work?


Joseph interpreted a dream for Pharaoh and then became head of his household. Coincidence, good luck or God at work?


Esther (a Jewess) becomes queen. Then one of the kings servants, in the middle of the night goes to get a scroll to read to the king. He "happens" to pick the one that will have a blessing for Mordecai. Coincidence, good luck or God at work?


In 2 Kings chapter 8 a great example of God at work is shown.


Elisha tells a woman that she should take her son and move away because there is a 7 year famine in the land. While she is gone someone has taken over her land and possessions. The only way to get her land and possessions back was to present her request to the King. As she was entering the palace,
a servant of Elisha was speaking about her to the King! This is what happened next, the King declared, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.”
WOW!! Coincidence, good luck or God at work?


I have also seen God at work. Just yesterday a woman and her children walked into my school office. She had a translator with her who said the woman was learning both English and Spanish. At first I was confused until I found out that this woman, this familiar looking woman spoke Quiche. Quiche is a dialect that some Mayan people speak in Guatemala. As soon as I found this out, I praised God and excitedly said, I have just visited Guatemala and have been close to where you grew up! The woman then declared, "God is in this place!" 
Coincidence, good luck or God at work?

Oswald Chambers said:  “The things that happen do not happen by chance, they happen entirely in the decree of God. God is working out His purposes.

 God stories!  We all have them.  Every day He is at work!  Look for them!

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalms 40:5 

Father, I am humbled to think that you are with us, working in, through and alongside of us each and every day! Open my eyes to see where you are working and join you in your work! You are marvelous Lord!  Can't wait to see what you will do tomorrow!!! 

The Tapestry

I have been thinking about what a mess it seems that we make in our lives.  Wrong decisions, impulsively responding, going down what seems like dead ends! Yet God has a plan and he continues to work His plan whether we join Him in that moment or not.  The Israelites wandered for 40 years and God was still at work, still loving and guiding, still waiting for them. He has a plan, even when we can not see it.  

Even when it might look like this picture.

The back of the tapestry

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,


I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride


forget He sees the upper but I the under side.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly,


shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand,


as threads of gold and silver in the pattern life has planned.

Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965)

God knows what He is doing! Trust Him to weave together a 

beautiful thing in your life! 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Father, show us a glimpse of the beauty that you are creating.  Remind us that you are at work even when we feel alone or misunderstood.  We will put our trust in you the master weaver!  

Guest Blog-Expect More, Pay Less

I sat down to write thinking once again I knew exactly what to say. I thought I had it all packaged nicely in my head. Then the day hit! And by the evening I was dealing with a momma melt down. The momma melting down was me!

See I was going to remind everyone that we can’t and shouldn’t have all these expectations of God and yet forget there’s a part we play in all of this. But the one who needed the reminding was actually me.

As new doors have been opened to me, so also has more responsibility. More will be required of me. This isn’t a complaint by any stretch! I’m living out something that is very dear to my heart. But am I living an Expect More, Pay Less life?

So often we ask God for more and there’s nothing wrong with that but we should take care to not forget the price in that.

We ask God for deeper understanding of His word. But are we willing to pay the price of studying His word?

We ask God to mature use in our giftings. But are we willing to pay the price practicing?

We ask God to grow our ministries. But are we willing to pay the price of learning how to manage that?

We ask God to speak to us. But are we willing to pay the price of waiting...quietly...listening?

We ask God to send us! But are we willing to pay the price of stepping out of our comfort zone? Sometimes way out of it?

We ask God to use us. But are we willing to pay the price of trusting Him in no matter how big or small we see the task?

I asked God for more and He gave it to me. The evening of momma meltdown was a a reminder for me that with the more He’s trusted me with also comes a price. The price of more time with Him to fill me up, strengthen me and guide me. As He has given me more... I need Him more.

While the Expect More, Pay Less works for me just fine in a department store economy it does not fair well in God’s economy.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “be careful what you ask for” or “count the cost”. I’ve quoted those countless times, but sitting here pondering those words it almost feels like a discouragement from seeking God for more. His desire is to bless us!! So don’t shy away from asking! But don’t confuse department store economy with His.

He is willing! Are you?

Written by Brenda Renderos

Preacher’s kid, wife of 17 years to Gerson, and mom to 3 pretty amazing kids. But first and fore-most I’m a woman experiencing God’s grace deeper every day and learning more about myself and my God. 
Read more in her blog http://jalapenosandchocolate.com/

Things are not always as they seem.

Take a look at this picture.


At first glance, it looks like this little girl is going to be a snack for the ferocious tiger. Actually she is on the other side of a very thick glass. 

Try this one. What do you see? A young or old woman? 

Things are not always as they seem.

While in Guatemala, I was sitting with some elementary aged boys. As we were talking I noticed something on the table.  It was a piece of lined writing paper that was folded into thirds. As I looked at the paper, my teacher eyes kicked in. What I thought I saw was not uncommon to what I have seen in classrooms here in the United States. Drawn on the paper were two big ovals with one little dot at the bottom of each one, there were also to curved lines on the outside of the drawing.

I giggled at their early pubescent behavior."Que es esto?" "What is this?" I asked them. As they unfolded the paper, I saw that they had drawn a dog with two big oval eyes and big loppy ears. 

Things are not always as they seem.
When the Israelites came to the Red Sea - Things were not as they seemed.
When David began to battle Goliath - Things were not as they seemed.
When Paul tormented Christians- Things were not as they seemed.
When the disciples saw Jesus die on the cross -Things were not as they seemed.


In our lives
When we face a huge obstacle- Things are not as they seem
When life feels unbearable - Things are not as they seem
When someone lets us down - Things are not as they seem
When we feel hopeless - Things are not as they seem
When bad things just keep happening, Things are not as they seem

Jesus tells us "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" John 14:1

We are living in a world were there is more happening than what we can see.

The bible says that we are in a battle.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

In the midst of this battle, God will be victorious!

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Things are not always as they seem. You can trust that God has a plan!

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Father, Help me to trust that you have a plan, that you are working when I do not see you, and that you are big enough, strong enough, and wise enough to handle any situation.

Can you Handle the Truth?

"I’m not gonna look!, I’m not gonna even step on that scale!  I know that I have gained weight, why do I want to feel judged? I am just going to avoid it until I am ready!"

Ever been here?

My husband has been out of town, and with no one at home, my eating and sleeping schedule has been less than normal. Usually, I have meals at the same time and my sleeping patterns are consistent. Not this week!

• I went to bed later, got up later!
• Ate a bowl of ice cream for dinner or just had tortilla chips!
• Snacked on peanut butter m&m’s, pretzels and a variety of other not so good for you morsels.

In the midst of all of this I saw the scale.  Most of the time I hop on to check my weight, make sure that things are on the right track and adjust my eating as necessary.  You might say that I have an honest relationship with it.

Not this week! The scale represented the truth! I did NOT want to know how things were! I did not want to see that I had gained 5 pounds!  Each time I walked by I would mumble, Don’t look at me that way!”

Recently I read an article on Youbeauty.com “Could You Live Without Looking at Yourself? One Woman Swears Off Mirrors for a Year.”  Engeln-Maddox. an engaged woman was not going to look at herself in the mirror until her wedding day!  She was trying to see if it would improve her self confidence and improve her self esteem.  It will be interesting to see how this turns out!

Avoiding the mirror and the scale seem like the same thing to me. They both avoid the truth.

Sometimes we avoid things;

To make us feel better

Because we are afraid of the truth

Because it causes pain

Because we know that they will force us to change

Because it is easier

This morning, I got on the scale. “Time to face reality, I said as I waited for the scale to shout the ugly truth!”  I stood there shocked and amazed. I got off and then I got right back on! How could this be?

The weight, that I was so afraid of knowing, was less than when I had last weighed myself!

The truth will set you free! He will free you from;

Worry

Anxiety

Fear

Poor Self image

Anger

Resentment

Pain

Shame

The unknown

Whatever you have been avoiding, know that the Truth takes away the power of the lie!

Don’t be enslaved by the lie! You can be set free!

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

Father, thank you for sending  the truth to us! Thank you for the freedom that comes from knowing and being known by Jesus! Thank you for encouraging me to get on the scale, face the fear and be set free!

Google France

I have been dreaming about France lately. I honestly do not know much about it.  So I did what many people do I Googled it! 

Here are some of the facts that I discovered.

The most visited places in France

Fontainebleau Forest and Castle    13 (million visitors)
Disneyland Paris                         12,6
Notre Dame de Paris - Cathedral)  12
Flea Market - Saint-Ouen             11
Château de Versailles Gardens       7
Georges-Pompidou center             5,9
Eiffel tower                                 5,7
Louvre museum                           5,1
Sacré-Cœur basilica                      5
Notre-Dame de Lourdes sanctuary   5

I also found out that;

• The Population is over 63 million people
• There are more cathedrals in France than almost anywhere else in the world, but most are empty.
• Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Muslim 5%-10%, Protestant 2%,Jewish 1%, unaffiliated 4% 
• France is one of the least Evangelized countries in the world. 
• There are only 2,014 Evangelical churches in the entire country. 
• Only 4.5% of people regularly go to church.

France has endured severe persecution through the centuries. This country is now referred to as a “secular state”, which means that there is a clear separation between state and religion. In addition to this, it is illegal to share your faith openly according to their anti cult law.

France has become like a fallow field.  It is characterized by Christian inactivity. 

Remarkably, this summer, Luis Palau was part of an outreach in the city of Marseilles, France. Thousands came to hear the message of hope and hundreds put their faith in Christ. 


I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ Hosea 10:12 


Our lives can become like the spiritual condition of France. Dry and hardened. 


If you are feeling like this, ask God to plow up your heart, only then can He plant the seeds of righteousness in you. 


Think about getting soil ready to plant

Rocks must be removed

Weeds must be pulled

The soil must be cultivated

Seeds can then be planted

What must be done to your soil?

Father, I pray for the people of France.  May their hearts be softened to hear your truth! Reveal to them your deep love and purpose for them. Bring revival to this land. I also ask that you would reveal to me the condition of my soil. Prepare my heart for what you want to do. 

Rotten Tomatoes

This year I went a little over board with my tomato plants.  The garden is overflowing with cherry, beefsteak, Roma, Brandywine, Heirloom Caspian pink and Aunt Gertie's orange. The plants began to grow and soon there were tomatoes everywhere!


We had major temperature fluctuations this summer.  Hot weather and then rain, lots of rain and then hot again. The perfect combination for blossom end rot. 

The poor tomato develops a black, leathery spot (opposite of the stem). At some point in the development of the tomato there was a lack of calcium. This deficiency combined with the fluctuation in water level creates a little scar that continues to grow and ends up destroying the tomato.

This rot does not have to destroy the whole crop.  These steps will give you a healthy crop.

• Remove the rotten fruit.
• Add calcium to the soil.
• Cover soil with mulch to protect it.

Now I understand what has happened to me. At some point this summer I got out of balance. There were times of intense spiritual intake and times of drought.  Slowly a small, growing scar developed and began to have an effect. 

I am so like this rotten tomato.

Thankfully there is a cure for me.

• Remove the rotten part-Ask Forgiveness
• Add God's word to my day
• Cover each day in prayer

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:8-9 

Father, Thank you for giving this image of myself today. Thank you that because of your great love for us that we have a way to be made new. I don't want to be like that rotten tomato any more. Purify me Lord and I will be clean.

Sleepwalking Zzz

Something awoke me in the middle of the night. "What was that?", I whispered as I shook my husband awake. Glancing at the the half open bedroom door and the 1:30 time on the clock. I jumped out of bed, threw on a robe and darted out our bedroom door. Looking down the hallway all seemed well, yet in my spirit I sensed that something was terribly wrong. At that moment I felt a cool breeze coming from the living room. The front door was wide open!


What I saw was heart stopping! I couldn't believe my eyes! Walking down the middle of our neighborhood street was our 8 year old daughter Lissa. Her brown hair blowing in the wind, barefooted and wearing pajamas, (one of her dad's red t-shirts) walking in what seemed like a dream.  At that moment all of the advice I had heard about sleepwalkers came flooding into my mind. 

• Don't wake them!
• Don't startle them!

All I could think of was that my daughter was in the middle of the street and not awake! As gently as I could make my voice sound and still get her attention, I asked, "Where are you going Lissa?" To my surprise she turned and looked at me and matter of factly replied, "I'm going to Jeni's to get some sugar!" Jeni lived 10 minutes way from us!


For the next year be took extra precautions to protect our daughter from her sleepwalking habit.

• We added a lock higher up on the door.
• We put obstacles of chairs in the hallway.
• We always kept our bedroom door open .

I thank God for waking me up that night. He will lead and guide us even when we are sleeping.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

How is God protecting you?

Is it in creating a new direction?

Closing or opening doors?

Changing a relationship?

A continued, deep feeling about something?

Repeated bible verse?

Changing your schedule?

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”  Psalm 32:8

Father thank you for your protection over my life and my family. I praise you for watching over us even when we are sleeping. Thank you for giving us your Spirit who leads and guide us. Jann

The black cloud

For the last few days I have been having a pity party. Like vultures circling overhead, there have been thoughts. Thoughts about being good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, young enough, strong enough, etc. etc.


It was as if a black smoldering cloud was hovering overhead!  Following me every where I went and slowly encroaching in on me. 


Now before you feel badly for me, There is not;

a family crisis

a death

sickness

disaster

Just me, not smiling, trying not to feel, pushing back any emotions that do surface, walking under a cloud

Why? I am not really sure. Maybe it is a result of all of the things we saw and experienced while serving people in Guatemala or it could be the looming questions that I have been wrestling with. 


Whatever it is, I have had enough! I choose what is good! I choose the life that has been promised! I choose the truth of God's word!


This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

I am going to focus on what is good and true. God has told us in His word what he believes about us. 

I choose to believe that; 

He made me

He loves me

He chose me

He forgave me

He has filled me

He has a plan for me

He is with me

Father, I choose to receive the love that you offer me. I will look at your promises and not at the black cloud! Thank you for bringing me back to the truth and not allowing me to fall into the pit. Jann

I Followed the Wrong Leader!

My mother had one of those big wringer washing machines when I was little. We lived in an old beautiful farmhouse that was filled with all kinds of secret play areas and interesting hideaways. The washing machine stood proudly in the kitchen and when it was laundry day it became the prominent appliance that required focused attention from my mother.  She would use the hose to fill it with water, add the sorted clothes and then pour in the detergent. With a turn of the switch the agitator would begin to do its work and then after rinsing she would do the most magical thing. The wet clothes would go slowly through the wringer. Each time I was in the room while my mother was wringing out the clothes, she would turn to me and say, "Don't ever put your fingers in the wringer!"

Funny how we forget the protective words from someone who doesn't want to see us get hurt.

My older brother, he must have been 6 years old at the time, said he had a surprise for me and that I should follow him. I loved my big brother and was so excited to see what he wanted to show me on this day! Following him into the kitchen I stared in confusion as he pointed to the wringer washing machine. "this will be so much fun", he excitedly shouted at me. I heard my mother's words echoing in my mind.


First he showed me how the machine worked, I think he wanted me to trust him.  


Next he took a wet towel and put it through the wringer. "Look at all of the water that came out of it!" I began to get excited as I stepped closer to see the water.


After that, my brother, the one that I thought I could trust, encouraged me to,"put your fingers here, it won't hurt!" 


Finally, as my fingers began to go through the wringer, I realized that my mother had told me not to put my fingers in the wringer, BECAUSE IT WOULD HURT!!!!!


I made some serious errors this day;

I watched him demonstrate the machine

I stepped closer to the machine

I listened and followed his directions

I got hurt

All of this happened because I followed the wrong leader!

Are you following the right leader?

Jesus is the good shepherd! He gently leads us to restful places. 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, 

John 10:11

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

 he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

 You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

 Psalm 23

Thank you Father. Your sheep, Jann