NEW BLOG!!!!

Hey peeps,
I have a new blog.
Please go to this address and mark it in your favorites!

http://jennyanneb.wordpress.com/

see you all there!

Brotha/Sista loooove

My brother texted me yesterday and I just thought it was a funny conversation between us. Yes, I do have a weird sense of humor and we crack on each other a lot (no harm at all...we just like to see who will be more witty and creative in our comebacks)

So here was his text:
David: "Hey, remember when you were little and you used to cry during thunderstorms...HA!!! Weirdo...its storming over here and that made me think of that."
Me: "Yeah...hey, remember when you were a tool? Oh wait...you still are. BOOM!"
David: "I may be a tool...but I'm sharper than you!!"

dang.
David, 1. Me, 0.

Quotes

"What's a royal ball anyway... I suppose it would be frightfully dull and boring...and completely...completely wonderful." - Cinderella

"...and Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart". - the Gospel of Luke

"Mwaarwaige, Mwaarwaige is wat bwrings us towgeder today." - Princess Bride

Hi Jen!

Text from dad today:

"Hi Jen, how you doing? Any hopeful prospects for a job? love you, Dad."

Me: "No prospects, but trusting God."

Dad: "that is good, Jen. The Lord will supply all your needs. Stay close to the Lord and he will supply. My concern is GM and my pention. The Lord is good. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Love you, Dad."


(thank you God, for godly parents)

&hearst;

Jimmy.

You will never meet such a man like him. I knew him from my old church at First Baptist Church of Oxford in Michigan. Sadly, but joyfully, he went home to be with his ever loving Savior!! Jimmy had down syndrom yet he was the most joyful person. Every Sunday, he would say "Hello Jennifer!" (very few people call me Jennifer) and give me a hug! He died at age 62 which is an incredible full life for a person with Downs. I know that First Baptist will have a huge whole in their hearts without Jimmy with them on earth, but I know they are looking forward to the day they will see him again. Praise God that he is no longer suffering in heaven! He has a new life and a new body! He is well and praising Jesus.

Here's the link for his funeral and a little bit about Jimmy Steiner. http://fbco.spaces.live.com/

Praise God for how he loves and takes his beloved home to be with him.

♥

in the silence

Sunday's sermon was so good. It was something that I needed to hear. I needed to be reminded of the awesomeness of God. Mark has been doing a series in Revelation lately and Sunday's sermon was on Revelation 8:1-5. The points were about how before the Trumpets there was a half an hour of slience. Which was kind of strange because in the chapters before we see that there is lots of noise around with the elders and the saints praising God continually.

Well anyway, if you know me at all, you will know that I don't like to be still. I'm not a sit still kind of person. Even as a child, I couldn't ever sit still in school or in church (which is probably why most teachers and sunday school teachers didn't like me). But God, through his kindness, often reminds me in the midst of my struggling to find an answer or struggling to understand what is going on around me, he reminds me to be still and rest on his sovereignty. Rest? Sit still? Do nothing? Really? Come on. There's got to be something I can do to make things happen, right? Yes, Jenny, there is. Trust God.

So one of the points in Mark's sermon was how God provokes silence and prayer (which was point 2). He pointed out that silence is there for a reflection. At the end of the sermons on Sunday, after we sing the last hymn, we don't have an invitation for people to come down to the front. Which, I'll admit was weird at first, because that's all I knew. But instead, we all sit back down in our seats and take a moment to reflect on what the Lord taught us during the sermon. My media fast has been great! Though I did take a break for the weekend whilst my sister was here so we could watch a movie, so far, I've actually really enjoyed the fast. I've noticed a change in my attitude. The times it gets most difficult is after my run during dinner when I just want to watch TV while I eat, but I've been reading during that time. I realize that I like noise. I always have my music on in my room. I am always wearing my ipod on my walk to work. I've always got the radio on in the car. I don't like silence. But I've decided to take advantage of it. The sermon helped me see that silence is necessary. Sometimes, we need to stop hearing all the clutter so we can hear the voice of God. To go along with silence Mark pointed out that God provokes us to pray. In both silence and prayer we develope a sense of Awe towards God. I often take for granted how awesome God really is so having times of silence and prayer is important to do this so we remember his glory and majesty.

Prayer is also known as a sweet fragrance to God. Verse 3 says, "Another angel who had a golden censer came and stood at the alter. He was given much incense to offer with the prayers of saints on the golden alter before the throne." Another verse, I think in 1 Corinthians, talks about how the prayers of saints are a sweet fragrance to God. Mark pointed this out that God likes to hear our prayers. He delights in them. This strikes me. I mean, I shouldn't be surprised by it, because he is so kind and gracious, but when it comes down to it, I'm not that fun to talk to. And God is holy and wonderful so why would a wonderful, loving God want to talk to someone like me? Why would we delight in what I have to say? I say so many wrong things all the time. So after I got done grocery shopping last night, I took the opportunity to have some silence and just talk to God. I don't understand how my prayers could be a sweet fragrance, but am so thankful that he doesn't throw my words away.

Then in the evening, David talked about Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel and how she was trusting in God. She had a joy in his sovereignty because she knew how to be still and know he is God.

So in all, it was a great Sunday with messages from the Lord that I needed to hear and apply to my life.

♥

Failure.

ARG!!! Why do I fail so much? I just can't seem to do well at work. I am always missing something or messing up on something. What is my deal? I do go over my work about 10 times, but there's still something that I'm missing. Yesterday, I failed at a project and now today I did too. ArG!!! Will I ever get anything right?

I hope the rest of the day goes better. I just feel like a complete and utter failure right now.

I have to remind myself of the Gospel at this time, though. I am thankful that I am a failure, but God, through his kindness is still pursuing me and giving me more and more grace each day. I'm thankful that he hasn't given up on me even though I have felt like giving up so many times. I don't have to be perfect for God to love me. I was a complete wretch when he saw me in my sinful state, but still reached out his faithful and loving arm in salvation for me.

Praise God for failures and praise God for his mercies!


♥

Little Lessons...

This will be updated as appropriate:

1. Computer's don't have everlasting memory to hold all my stuff. 

2. Pay attention to detail.

3. Always bring your camera. 

30 Day Media Fast

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I am on a 30 day media fast from Facebook. It's been pretty good. Though I have had temptations to sneak a peak, especially during work hours.
But I have realized that in place of that, I am watching TV. Hmm...predicament. So in light of this, I have decided to give up TV and movies for 30 days and focus on my relationship with the Lord. In place of watching TV, I'll have more time to spend in the Word, read more books, do better at studying (4 more weeks of my class) spend more time with people. As I was falling asleep last night, I got really excited about it! I'm stoked to see how God is going to work on my heart and mold it to become more like His. I want to hear his voice. I want to know his leading. I want to know Christ more! I want less of the world, less of me, and more of Him. I want more reliance on Him.

Though it's going to be difficult because I do live with 5 other girls who also watch TV (not as much as I do though) so it'll be different to see how I am going to go about hanging out with them, but not being able to watch TV in the living room with them.

Today is day 1. YES!!! I'll keep you posted on how I am doing and what the Lord is teaching me.

♥

Canopy of Pink

Well, DC tourist season has started. Around this time of year, April, is when the masses of people come out from the woodworks.This crazy season began last weekend with the National Kite Flying day on the Mall. The cherry blossoms are in bloom and visitors from all over have come to see them as well as smell them. :) I love walking to work and seeing them and even running around the Tidal Basin to see them (though the tourists get in my way a lot). But I am just tickled to death that winter is over and spring is here!!! I love that God makes all things new. I love that he gives new life...to a regenerate sinner like myself as well as to plants and animals he has created. He is a good and gracious God to allow us to enjoy his creation and thus turn it around to enjoy Him for it all. I think Spring is my favorite season. It symbolizes a newness.

Well, yesterday was the 10 mile Cherry Blossom race. I did it last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. This year I didn't train as much because I was a late registrant, and the weather has just been too cold to run outside. (yes, I am a wuss) I was nervous all last week, dreading the thought of running 10 miles on a Sunday MORNING! Ugh. But, I woke up at 6:30 and headed down on the Mall by 7. And let me tell you, it was GORGEOUS!!! It was 52 degrees by the time we started running and the skies were clear and the sun was shinning. I did the race alone, but I didn't mind. I had my ipod on to keep me focused and running hard. As we got in to our respected categories (I was in the blue bib category), the announcer came on to give us information about the race. He mentioned the weather and how beautiful it was. We were running around Hayne's Point which is on the Potomac River and he said that we would be running underneath a canopy of pink with the cherry blossoms in bloom.

The race started at 7:40 and we were off. My first song that came on my ipod was Hanson's "MmmBop". (I know. I know. I know.) but really, it's a good poppy song to run to. I like running to poppy songs. It was a good song to start the race off and get my pace right. As we started on our first mile, I was pretty good and thinking that I could do this and just really pumping myself up for the rest of the 9 miles ahead of me. Running with over 1200 strangers is so exciting! It was a rush as we were all setting our own pace and in this thing together. Each of us have our own styles of running and finishing and it was so cool to be in that crowd as we passed by the bystanders who were cheering us on.

Arlington Cemetery came and went and we were on our way down to the Kennedy Center. It was around the Kennedy Center and over Independence Drive that we hit mile 5 and the song "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts came on. Perfect song for the middle of the race! Finally, the middle of the race!!! Phew...almost there...come on 5 more miles. I loved the mix I had set up for my run. I titled it "Cherry Blossom 09". I know, so original, right? I had songs on there like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carrey...and so on. Again, I like poppy music.

Mile 6 and 7 were the hardest for me. I didn't know what mile I was on, but figured it had to be either 6 or 7 and it was driving me nuts. We came around to Hayen's Point at mile 7 and for the rest of the way back we were under the Canopy of Pink. It was breath taking (well, I couldn't really catch my breath at this point, but if I had, it would've been gone) the view was amazing. It was on the river and the Cherry Blossoms were so perky as if they were cheering us on to finish well. Mile 9 had finally come and I could see the Washington Monument up ahead!! Almost there, I thought! I can't stop now! I'm almost there! The spektators started crowding during the last half of the last mile and it was so great to have them there. Though I didn't have anyone specifically cheering me on, it was still nice to have people encouraging you to finish strong and well. The last half of the mile was up hill to as we were passing by the Holocaust Museum.

I saw the finish line finally and told my legs to run a little bit faster to sprint it in. They hated me at this point as I couldn't really feel them, but I didn't care. I wanted to finish strong. Finally, I passed over the finish line in an hour and 40 minutes. That's a 10 minute mile. Last year I ran it in an hour and 25 minutes which is an 8 minute mile. I was a little disappointed in my time, but just glad that I could run it.

The race is always fun and so thrilling to do it with a million people. But the best part about running is the satisfaction of finishing it and knowing you did your best and you finished strong and well. And...at the end, they give you muffins and banana's! :) I mean, I just ran 10 miles. I am certainly not going to feel guilty about eating carbs after running 10 miles. :) Yay for muffins!! I hurt. I was sore. My legs were stiff and hated me. I felt like they were permanently detached from my body. But it felt so good! That's the best kind of hurt and soreness. Knowing that you worked hard for something and seeing the bruises from it.

running. it's my addiction.

♥

Does God Love You?

Hmm...good question, right?
This was the title of a pamphlet I picked up today during my walk to the Post Office and bank.
I passed by this guy on my way to the bank in Chinatown today. He was standing right outside just as you get off the metro escalators. He didn't look to thrilled about what he was doing and had absolutely no enthusiasm. I kinda wondered if he even believed the things in his pamphlet that he was handing out. He wasn't a Jehovah Witness because he wasn't in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. And from what I could see, he didn't have a name tag on. As I passed by him the first time, I thought that here was another Crazy standing on the street protesting about something irrational. (Earlier, I was passing a woman who was yelling at the top of her lungs, but from what I could tell, she wasn't yelling at any specific person. I kept looking back behind me to see who she was yelling at and every time I looked back she would be facing in another direction. It was quite annoying, especially as she was hurling out the "F" bomb every other word.) I tried to ignore this dude who was handing out the pamphlet, but as I passed by him, the word "God" caught my eye. I wondered what he could be trying to tell us.

After I finished at the bank, I decided to walk by him and take one of the pamphlets. It was interesting to see who would take one as I slowly walked up. Some looked at it and then ignored it and others took it. Who knows if they will actually read it or not. I finally got my own and started to read while walking down the street (I know. I can multitask. Read and walk at the same time without running into people. It's a talent so few of us have.)

First, I turned it over to see who it was by and if it actually was a mormon church...just so I could brace myself. Then I began with the title, "Does God Love You?" and made my way through it all hoping to maybe find a glimmer of right theology. The writer made his way through the fact that we are all sinners in need of a Savior and that our good works won't do us any good. The pamphlet was laid in in a question and answer form. Like, Q: "How do you know God loves you?" A: John 3:16...
I got down to question 3 which says, "If I am a wicked person in God's sight, what will God do to me?" The following answer is something I did not expect:
A: The Bible teaches that at the end of the world all the wicked will come under God's final punishment in a place called Hell on this earth and this time is very near. There is much Biblical evidence that the rapture of the believers will occur on May 21, 2011 and this world will cease to exist on October 21, 2011.
The rest of it goes on to tell the reader to contact the Family Radio...the people who have published this pamphelt.

Really? May 21, 2011? Dang. That was going to be my wedding date too. I burst out laughing when I read this and I had my ipod on which probably made my laugh even louder. He said that "there is much Biblical evidence to support this". Well, he definitely didn't put any of the evidence in the pamphlet. Doesn't God tell us that noone knows the time or day of the return of Christ except the Father? Hmm...

The pamphlet continues in question and answer dialogue about the destruction of the world and how we can escape such a destruction by believing on Jesus for salvation.

The next question deals with how a person gets saved. "Q: Now I am desperate. I do not want to be destroyed. What can I do to become saved? A: ...Thus, if a person truly desires to become saved, he should spend much time carefully reading or listening to the Bible."
The writer didn't mention anything about recognizing our sin and that it seperates us from God and repenting and turning from them and turning to faith in the work of Christ on our behalf on the Cross. He completely missed all of that. According to this writer, simply reading the Bible will get you saved.

The last question is where I wanted to turn around to go talk to this guy. Here it is: "Q: Should I attend a church?" A: Definitely NOT!! (seriously, the not is all caps) The Bible tells us that for almost 2000 years after Jesus died on the cross, those who believe in Jesus, if possible, were to be members of a church. But now we learn from the Bible that God is no longer saving people through the ministry of the churches. The church age has come to an end. Fact is God commands in His Law book, the Bible, that the true believers are to leave their church. This is because God's righteous Judgment is upon all local congregations as God is preparing the world for Judgment Day. 'When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth, let him understand, Then let them which be in Judea [the local church]* flee into the mountains: [to Christ]- Matthew 24:15, 16'"

Wow. I mean, wow. What Bible is this guy talking about? This is the complete opposite of what God calls us to do. He completely took this passage waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of context.
I felt sorry for those people who wrote this and for that guy who was handing it out. I prayed for them and I prayed for those who read this. Being in the church is how we are spiritually fed, besides of course, your own personal time in the Word.

Please have a note to self: Don't follow this dude! He's a nut!

♥

Media Fast

Sunday night, one of our Pastor's, spoke. As of this moment, I can't remember the points, but it was good! :) 

He talked about getting our focus on God. (well, that was the gist of it anyway. I don't have my notebook next to me otherwise I'd lay it all out for ya)

Well, one thing he mentioned was that his family did a 30 day fast from the media. I thought it was a good idea so I decided to try it out on facebook which I am currently doing. It's going fine, the only time I really want to look at facebook is during work because I have nothing else to do. 

So I've noticed that when I'm not on facebook, I'm filling that time with watching TV. Hmm...this poses as a predicament because it kinda defeats the purpose, don't ya think? 

So, I've decided to go on a 30 day media fast. No watching TV and no watching movies. I'm starting this on Sunday, and I'm actually looking forward to it! I really can't wait to start getting into God's Word more. I was thinking about it on my ride home tonight and got really excited that it's going to be me and God again. No distractions. Nothing else clogging my mind. Just me and Jesus and practicing my reliance on him. 

I'll be posting what I am learning through this time, and if you think about it, pray for me that my mind will become more eternal and Christ focused than earthly focused. Pray that my relationship with God will grow into something I never thought it would. Pray that I see the Spirit clearly working in my heart. 

Well, it's mid-night thirty. I should get to bed. 

Night!!

♥