Close & Holding Tight
I find that when I am closest to God, He wakes me early in the morning. While the rest of my household is sleeping deeply, God awakens my soul. I know I have to be obedient to His calling, or I end up just laying there with no more rest. And, I'll have missed my divine early appointment with my Creator. I have to drag my lazy behind out of bed (I like to sleep!) and listen to what He is wanting to say to me. I need to read His word. I need to HEAR Him. I need to BE NEAR.
After reading a great book lately, the Lord reminded me of an old Hymn that I once sang in church when I was a child:
As the Deer panteth toward the water,
So my soul longeth after Thee,
For You alone are my heart's desire,
And I long to worship Thee.
God has REALLY been speaking to me lately on the importance - the insistance - of Holding Tight to Him. He seeks to keep me Close every day. And, I am choosing in obedience to stay in communion with him ALL day long. Why do I miss this mark so often? It is SO silly and ignorant! Being close to God himself - My Creator, who willingly envelopes me in his love, is where I WANT to be!
As the Hymn goes -
1. I need to PANT toward God's nearness, just as a Deer seeks her daily intake of water to sustain her life.
2. I need to LONG for God to be near, to the point that I pursue Him to envelope me in His love each moment of each day.
3. God IS my Heart's desire and I WANT to be near to Him always. There is no Peace like that of being in communion with my God.
4. I worship God as I seek Him and that pleases Him. I Love pleasing my Creator!
God - His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is a rock? Only our God. God - He clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights.
Psalm 18:30-33
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
All who seek the Lord will praise Him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
Psalm 22:26
Dear God, forgive me for falling short so often in disobience when choosing not to stay near to You. Thank you for always accepting me back into Your loving arms that hold tight and keep me where I belong. Lord, You are my heart's desire. Let Your word remain true - that You will forever hold me near. May I always long after the Peace that fills me when I am intimately close to You! AMEN
~Jodi
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Blog Therapy
Do you ever find writing soothing - as an outlet for your energy, frustrations and anxieties? If you are a left brained thinker, like my Darling Husband, you answer is - No, are you kidding me? Left brainers would rather take apart a diesel engine and put it back together again than write! For me, I can already feel my body relax as I type these words. Writing - about anything, really, unlesss I am particularly inspired, is a pure way for me to exercise an element of who I am. I love the new blog idea (well - at least it is new to me - LOL). Give me a break, I still handwrote my essay papers in Highschool, and I got my first email account from College during my Junior year. Back then, it was the days of notebooks and journals - OLD stuff!! No, in my life, journals still exsist, but with words that are not to share. A blog is a way to share a bit of me for those of you who care - lol. I believe the blogging world began as a way for those creative thinkers to share their thoughts and ideas. If you like to write, or ever feel compelled to do so - I encourage you! There is a reason that you are getting that "nudge" - it is because writing is one of those gifts that God had chosen to bestoy upon you at your conception. It is part of your genetic make up. It is an element of who you are.
You know, I learnd a very important lesson the other day. I am being challenged by a group of leaders in my company to read a book about our personal Dreams. Being the right brainer that I am, I thought it was a cool idea. However, I had a bit of apprehension on discovering what my real, life long dream was. The most fascinating element to my journey towards my life long dream, is that the secret lies in a poem that I wrote when I was in High School. Now, did I know at the time, that the poem that I was delicately serving up was an answer to an element of who I was to come? Nope, the words just came to me like water out of a faucet. I wrote and wrote and then laid my journal down. But, you know what, I was imprinting a life long dream, that would only be discovered at the age of 32, when I least expected it. The words of that poem had a purpose. Writing has a purpose, otherwise God would not have passioned some of us in that direction. And, the passion that poured out of me in my early teens, came flooding back as I was reading, studying, and discussing this book on Dreams. I knew my life long, big time dream instantly, as I read the words of that book. It came back to me in a flash, in the form of a poem -the words that I had written half of my life earlier.
Looking back on things now, I am so glad that I chose to grab a piece of paper, as those words of the poem came scrolling across my conscience. What was mearly a jot of creativity at that point, turned out to be answer to a HUGE questions later in life. And, because I used my gift of writing then, I now know my Dream. I can also see it taking shape and I can see that God has planted the tools in my life to start making it happen. I am not sure when it will come to fruition. But, the biggest blessing of all, is that as I have grown, He has given me the exact tools at the exact time to work towards achieving my dream -really it is HIS dream and my ultimate purpose for being.
Jodi
You know, I learnd a very important lesson the other day. I am being challenged by a group of leaders in my company to read a book about our personal Dreams. Being the right brainer that I am, I thought it was a cool idea. However, I had a bit of apprehension on discovering what my real, life long dream was. The most fascinating element to my journey towards my life long dream, is that the secret lies in a poem that I wrote when I was in High School. Now, did I know at the time, that the poem that I was delicately serving up was an answer to an element of who I was to come? Nope, the words just came to me like water out of a faucet. I wrote and wrote and then laid my journal down. But, you know what, I was imprinting a life long dream, that would only be discovered at the age of 32, when I least expected it. The words of that poem had a purpose. Writing has a purpose, otherwise God would not have passioned some of us in that direction. And, the passion that poured out of me in my early teens, came flooding back as I was reading, studying, and discussing this book on Dreams. I knew my life long, big time dream instantly, as I read the words of that book. It came back to me in a flash, in the form of a poem -the words that I had written half of my life earlier.
Looking back on things now, I am so glad that I chose to grab a piece of paper, as those words of the poem came scrolling across my conscience. What was mearly a jot of creativity at that point, turned out to be answer to a HUGE questions later in life. And, because I used my gift of writing then, I now know my Dream. I can also see it taking shape and I can see that God has planted the tools in my life to start making it happen. I am not sure when it will come to fruition. But, the biggest blessing of all, is that as I have grown, He has given me the exact tools at the exact time to work towards achieving my dream -really it is HIS dream and my ultimate purpose for being.
Jodi
Sunday, May 31, 2009
AN EXCITING WAKE UP
It was a wonderful morning surprise, to wake up and learn that I have been nominated by Lisa, at MY COLORFUL TREASURES (http://mycolorfultreasures.blogspot.com/), to win the "One Lovely Blog Award". It is AWESOME to have recieved my first Blog Award - as I have just recently ventured into the exciting world of blogging!! Thank you Lisa - it is a blessing and honor to have known you! And, thank you to my nominees for having touched my life in the many ways that you have......
The rules for recieving the "One Lovely Blog Award" are as follows:
1. Post the award on your blog (picture, too), along with the person who has given you the award and a link to their blog.
2. Pass the award to 5-15 of your most favorite blogs. Remember to contact those bloggers to let them know that they have been chosen for this award.
My Nominations for the "One Lovely Blog Award" are:
Catherine at Shabby Lane Shops (http://www.shabbylaneshops.blogspot.com/)
Jamie at Handful of Blessings (http://handfulofblessings.blogspot.com/)
Jill at Jill Savage (http://www.jillsavage.org/)
Jenny at The Not-So Bland Family (http://not-soblandfamily.blogspot.com/)
Katie at Mulcrones' Life As We Know It (http://mulcrones.blogspot.com/)
Have a Beautiful Day!
Captivating Book
Another Great Read!!!
If you follow my blog at all, you know how I like to read. And, it is crazy, but I am NUTS over Non Fiction. I am a former Social Worker and Counselor. I get my passion and "buz" on life by learning about real life stories. It really is true that Life is Stranger that Fiction!!
So, my next book that I must give MAJOR kudos to is "The Midwife" by Jennifer Worth. This book is a 1950's account of the life as a Midwife in The East End Docks of London. Admist Immense Poverty and a Rough Culture, Worth gives detailed account of her days as a young midwife, delivering babies of the local Cockney's and saving the lives of mothers.
The story is both humorous and heartbreaking. From the life of the impoverished, the local prostitutes, and the select few "upper" class, it seems that pregnancy did not show regard to class in the East End in 1950! Each mother was left to litterally "bear" her own burden, in her home, minus modern day technologies and pain relievers, all with equal outcome of new life balanced with the possibility of death and devestation to both baby and mother.
The Midwife is captivating - one of those "can't put it down" types of books. I have spent enjoying the past week, with my last waking moments with eyes glued on the text as I slowly drift off to sleep. My days have been spent living life as it is today, with the fresh reminder of the East End of the 1950's not far from my conscious. The line of my real life and "The Midwife" has truely been blurred over the last week. Now THAT'S when you know you have a good book!
A must read! Pick up "The Midwife" and then lets talk about it!!
~ Jodi ~
Friday, May 1, 2009
Glory, where Glory is due
I am a perfect treasure. I am loved and adored. I can do no wrong. I am perfect. Wow - that was hard for me to write. How much of that do I really believe about myself? The honest and sad truth is very little.
But, all this changes when I see myself through the looking glass of Christ. God refers to me in his great Book as his Perfect Treasure. I am loved and adored by God, regardless of how ugly I can be. I can do wrong, but by the blood of Christ, I am holy and perfect in HIS eyes.
Absorbing that makes my head spin. It is too good to be true - but it is ALL right there in black in white in the Book, the Bible. If I call myself a Christian, a Believer, a Follower of Christ - then I MUST believe my initial statements to be true.
Listening to my own voice brings me down, listening to the world's perspective of me could (and has) throw me into a down right depression. But by the Grace of God and the Truth of HIS word, I can live as I don't fully understand, but choose to believe.
Have a Blessed Day - :) Jodi
But, all this changes when I see myself through the looking glass of Christ. God refers to me in his great Book as his Perfect Treasure. I am loved and adored by God, regardless of how ugly I can be. I can do wrong, but by the blood of Christ, I am holy and perfect in HIS eyes.
Absorbing that makes my head spin. It is too good to be true - but it is ALL right there in black in white in the Book, the Bible. If I call myself a Christian, a Believer, a Follower of Christ - then I MUST believe my initial statements to be true.
Listening to my own voice brings me down, listening to the world's perspective of me could (and has) throw me into a down right depression. But by the Grace of God and the Truth of HIS word, I can live as I don't fully understand, but choose to believe.
Have a Blessed Day - :) Jodi
Monday, March 30, 2009
Noteable Quotes.....
******Contest Below! - Enter to Win Scentsy!*********
Are you like me? Are you inspired by short sayings, that really seem to say SOOO much? I love reading quotes, thinking about the meaing behind quotes, and yes, making up my own quotes. I find quotes to be very motivational. Quoting is a relaxing experience for me, as well. You can also search quotes on the internet, and come up with some of you favorites. Well, here are a few of my favorites:
No one can make you feel inferior with out your permission.
Work Smarter, Not Harder.
The best sales person siezes Natural Opportunites. Sales then becomes an extension of their day living - and people no longer run from them in the grocery store.
One's Passion has the power to create intense enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is contagious - spread the virus.
You will only achieve as much as YOUR OWN LIMITATIONS allow.
Giving, minus a greatful heart, is not giving at all.
Unforgiveness is like death to the unforgiver.
Some Bible Excerpts - sorry no references -
It is easier for a rich man to enter an Eye of a Needle, than it is for him to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
God's FOOLISHNESS is equal to the WISDOM of Man.
I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me.
I'll leave it at that. I am looking forward to a day of inspiration, so any new quotes, I will be sure to Blog.
~Jodi~
Are you like me? Are you inspired by short sayings, that really seem to say SOOO much? I love reading quotes, thinking about the meaing behind quotes, and yes, making up my own quotes. I find quotes to be very motivational. Quoting is a relaxing experience for me, as well. You can also search quotes on the internet, and come up with some of you favorites. Well, here are a few of my favorites:
No one can make you feel inferior with out your permission.
Work Smarter, Not Harder.
The best sales person siezes Natural Opportunites. Sales then becomes an extension of their day living - and people no longer run from them in the grocery store.
One's Passion has the power to create intense enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is contagious - spread the virus.
You will only achieve as much as YOUR OWN LIMITATIONS allow.
Giving, minus a greatful heart, is not giving at all.
Unforgiveness is like death to the unforgiver.
Some Bible Excerpts - sorry no references -
It is easier for a rich man to enter an Eye of a Needle, than it is for him to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
God's FOOLISHNESS is equal to the WISDOM of Man.
I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me.
I'll leave it at that. I am looking forward to a day of inspiration, so any new quotes, I will be sure to Blog.
~Jodi~
Monday, January 26, 2009
An AWESOME Read....
You know a book is good when you find yourself thinking about it when not reading. You know a book is Great when you sneak every idle minute of the day to grab a few more words - even if it is only a page or less. You know a book is AWESOME when you are so ingrained in the story line that the illusion of fantasy presides over the reality of your true existence. So this is an awesome one. A fine and precious literary jewel, titled "Gang Leader for a Day". Sudhir Venkatesh, a graduate student at University of Chicago, has kidnapped my mind. What began as an innocent stroll through the stale airport bookstore, has resulted in a willing resign of myself to a story.
AWESOME Non Fiction has the capacity to do that to me! I relate to Venkatesh on so many levels, as I nearly walked his same path - in so many ways similar, but also so contrast. Sudhir is a graduate student at UofC, majoring in Sociology - a path I once thoughtfully considered, on the advise of my Sociology Dean at NIU, upon completion of my Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Human/Family Services. I ended the formal education there, at least for now. But, Venkatesh has so beautifully served up a true delicacy of words - a narrative of his life as it was lived out on the South Side of Chicago, amidst the gangs, cops and community. Within close proximity to the setting of my younger days, as a child of a South Side Police Officer, I am able to gain a birds eye view of the many characters in my life. It amounts to an adult, sociological perspective on the life I lived along side these cast of characters. Eye opening, edge of my seat entertainment, hitting so close to home that it leaves me wondering what world I am REALLY living in!
Read it - and then we need to talk :) ~Jodi
AWESOME Non Fiction has the capacity to do that to me! I relate to Venkatesh on so many levels, as I nearly walked his same path - in so many ways similar, but also so contrast. Sudhir is a graduate student at UofC, majoring in Sociology - a path I once thoughtfully considered, on the advise of my Sociology Dean at NIU, upon completion of my Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Human/Family Services. I ended the formal education there, at least for now. But, Venkatesh has so beautifully served up a true delicacy of words - a narrative of his life as it was lived out on the South Side of Chicago, amidst the gangs, cops and community. Within close proximity to the setting of my younger days, as a child of a South Side Police Officer, I am able to gain a birds eye view of the many characters in my life. It amounts to an adult, sociological perspective on the life I lived along side these cast of characters. Eye opening, edge of my seat entertainment, hitting so close to home that it leaves me wondering what world I am REALLY living in!
Read it - and then we need to talk :) ~Jodi
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