The Average Jane Journal
February 15, 2009
I'm sure we all have regrets as we look back on our lives. I'm writing with regret on my heart as I look back on something I wished I had done differntly.
This past year marked 20 years since my high school graduation. I did not go to the reunion, and just this past week discovered a website dedicated for my class-pictures, contact info, etc. I had so much fun looking at all the pix of everyone-"looking back" pix and "now" pix. But then I clicked on the section marked "in memory of" and my breath stopped for a second. I had no idea that one of my friends had passed away. I don't even know the details of her death, but it saddens me so.
We were close friends through junior high and some through high school. Then after high school I tried a couple of times to stay in contact, and have thought about her so many times through the years.
First of all, if you haven't already experienced this, it is so weird to find out that a person the same age as you has died-someone you spent so much time with when younger. (I guess I will experience that more the older I get.)
The regret I have been feeling the last few days comes from me wondering about this friend's faith. Did she know Jesus?
I have spent so many wasted years. I have been to church all my life, and accepted Jesus when I was 14; but showing my faith was not an important part of my life when I was in school. I have always admired teens when I hear about them living their lives for God while in school. What a horrible place to choose to live for God-that takes love for God!! We always think about things we would have done differently if we had the chance. I would defintely want to live a better life for God if I had to go back. I wish I could go back and talk to my friend.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Average Jane Journal #32 - Dinner With Jesus
The Average Jane Journal #32
February 8, 2009
I just watched an amazing movie and wanted to pass on the suggestion. The movie is called "The Perfect Stranger", and is about a woman having dinner with Jesus. Just like when I read "The Shack" and wanted a weekend away with God, this movie made me want a dinner with Jesus. I was totally weeping in the movie, but in a good way. I was also surprised at how defensive I felt when the woman was being rude in the beginning to Jesus.
I also watched the sequel, "Another Perfect Stranger". It was good also, and I suggest watching it. But I was more moved by the first one, probably because the main character was an adult woman and the second movie was a girl aged 19 or 20-but still the points talked about were great. Both movies touched on Heaven and hell, suffering, "religion" verses relationship, and God's perfect love for us.
Revelation 3:20
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
I hope you enjoy them, maybe throw me a line on anything that moved you.
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Average Jane Journal # 31 - Moron
The Average Jane Journal #31
February 6, 2009
Hey guess what? You're a moron!!!!
I was chitchatting with one of my fav gal pals this week. I was expressing to her how I wonder why when I have experienced God's "peace that passes understanding", why then do I end up looking elsewhere sometimes? I was telling her how I was such a moron.
I told her how I used to always wonder how the Israelites could be such morons, after "seeing" God so many times. But now that I'm older and wiser(no comment), I see that I am just as big a moron as them. The only difference is that I do not have all my failings written down in a book for everyone to read them.(hopefully my personal journals never get published). But you know what, God always loved the Israelites-through their discipline and their high points. And I know that God loves this moron also.
So I just thought it was funny that I was calling myself a moron, because I know I fail all the time. I guess you could say we all are.
February 6, 2009
Hey guess what? You're a moron!!!!
I was chitchatting with one of my fav gal pals this week. I was expressing to her how I wonder why when I have experienced God's "peace that passes understanding", why then do I end up looking elsewhere sometimes? I was telling her how I was such a moron.
I told her how I used to always wonder how the Israelites could be such morons, after "seeing" God so many times. But now that I'm older and wiser(no comment), I see that I am just as big a moron as them. The only difference is that I do not have all my failings written down in a book for everyone to read them.(hopefully my personal journals never get published). But you know what, God always loved the Israelites-through their discipline and their high points. And I know that God loves this moron also.
So I just thought it was funny that I was calling myself a moron, because I know I fail all the time. I guess you could say we all are.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Average Jane Journal #30 - We Are In Battle
The Average Jane Journal #30
January 25, 2009
In the last entry I wrote about being attacked by the enemy. When I was telling a friend of mine this week about what I went through, she said that people forget about spiritual warfare. I agreed with her, I have to admit I don't always think about it going on-so many things we do not see. I forget that there is always a battle raging, a battle for our soul. Even after we give our soul to Jesus, the battle still rages on, a battle for our heart to be hardened to doing God's work and not helping to further the Kingdom.
I just saw a youtube video that was so amazing, it brought tears. It's used for youth groups (got it from my son's youth website); but the impact can be for us "old" ones also.
The link is www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA
If the link does not work, go to www.youtube.com and type in Lifehouse's Everything Skit.
Keep your eyes on Jesus-we are all in a battle my friends.
January 25, 2009
In the last entry I wrote about being attacked by the enemy. When I was telling a friend of mine this week about what I went through, she said that people forget about spiritual warfare. I agreed with her, I have to admit I don't always think about it going on-so many things we do not see. I forget that there is always a battle raging, a battle for our soul. Even after we give our soul to Jesus, the battle still rages on, a battle for our heart to be hardened to doing God's work and not helping to further the Kingdom.
I just saw a youtube video that was so amazing, it brought tears. It's used for youth groups (got it from my son's youth website); but the impact can be for us "old" ones also.
The link is www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA
If the link does not work, go to www.youtube.com and type in Lifehouse's Everything Skit.
Keep your eyes on Jesus-we are all in a battle my friends.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Average Jane Journal #29 - Joy On The Other Side
The Average Jane Journal #29
January 19, 2009
I wanted to share a struggle I had for the past four or five days. I really believe it was an attack to pull me down and it worked for a few days. Almost two weeks ago I was telling so many people how awesome God is and how He healed my broken heart in such a quick time. I was so excited to have experienced that, even though it had been hard and emotional. But I was on fire for God, refueled at seeing Him work.
Well, almost immediately after that "high" experience and telling God I'm ready to move on to where He is leading me-bam!! I was hit pretty hard with questions/doubts, fears, depression-I was pretty down. So I wanted to share it with you in case you ever get hit with these questions or maybe you have some great advice to give me-leave me a comment on here.
DO you think it's possible to be thankful to God for something, but not like it at the same time? I was being crumbled by the enemy telling me that I was lying to God when I said I was thankful for something in my life, because I didn't like it. I felt like I had to force myself to like this gift, just so I could feel like I was being honest in my thankfulness and honoring God. Well, I couldn't make myself like it; and was getting pretty down.
After a day or two of tears and prayer, I starting wondering how I could be Christlike in this problem. I realized I could not make myself like this "something", but I knew I was truly thankful for it. When I started putting my mind on being Christlike, I started getting help quickly. I was reminded of some scripture from a sermon awhile back and that just started my mind opening up to how I was being attacked.
The scripture I remembered was Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I remembered how Jesus asked his Father if there was any other way to save us without having to go through death on a cross. But as the verse above says, He did it for the joy on the other side of the cross-salvation for us.
So God showed me that even though I do not like what I'm going through right now, there is joy on the other side of it. I also know for sure that He believes me when I say I'm thankful and He understands that I do not like it. He knows that my life is not what I thought it would be right now. I feel confident now that it is ok to be thankful for something and tell God you don't like it at the same time. It's all in the attitude of your heart, and I know God knows my heart's desire. Even when I don't understand or like what is going on in my life, I still need to worship and trust God. That is the best way to honor God.
Something else I learned in this struggle is I don't really look to Jesus for examples through hard times. Of course I pray for help, but I have realized that I do not feel worthy to compare my own struggles to anything Jesus may have went through.( I know what you're thinking-duh Ronda, that is why His struggles are in the Bible.) But when I first thought of the scripture above, my first instinct was "I can't compare that to my problem-that's Jesus dying on the cross-I'm too sinful to even put myself near that." But God (and my pastor) reminded me that Jesus struggled in His life, and can relate to our fears and problems. The only difference is He never sinned. But just as Christ asked His Father for another way, He always desired God's will. How much more Christlike can I be than just desiring GOd's will.
January 19, 2009
I wanted to share a struggle I had for the past four or five days. I really believe it was an attack to pull me down and it worked for a few days. Almost two weeks ago I was telling so many people how awesome God is and how He healed my broken heart in such a quick time. I was so excited to have experienced that, even though it had been hard and emotional. But I was on fire for God, refueled at seeing Him work.
Well, almost immediately after that "high" experience and telling God I'm ready to move on to where He is leading me-bam!! I was hit pretty hard with questions/doubts, fears, depression-I was pretty down. So I wanted to share it with you in case you ever get hit with these questions or maybe you have some great advice to give me-leave me a comment on here.
DO you think it's possible to be thankful to God for something, but not like it at the same time? I was being crumbled by the enemy telling me that I was lying to God when I said I was thankful for something in my life, because I didn't like it. I felt like I had to force myself to like this gift, just so I could feel like I was being honest in my thankfulness and honoring God. Well, I couldn't make myself like it; and was getting pretty down.
After a day or two of tears and prayer, I starting wondering how I could be Christlike in this problem. I realized I could not make myself like this "something", but I knew I was truly thankful for it. When I started putting my mind on being Christlike, I started getting help quickly. I was reminded of some scripture from a sermon awhile back and that just started my mind opening up to how I was being attacked.
The scripture I remembered was Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I remembered how Jesus asked his Father if there was any other way to save us without having to go through death on a cross. But as the verse above says, He did it for the joy on the other side of the cross-salvation for us.
So God showed me that even though I do not like what I'm going through right now, there is joy on the other side of it. I also know for sure that He believes me when I say I'm thankful and He understands that I do not like it. He knows that my life is not what I thought it would be right now. I feel confident now that it is ok to be thankful for something and tell God you don't like it at the same time. It's all in the attitude of your heart, and I know God knows my heart's desire. Even when I don't understand or like what is going on in my life, I still need to worship and trust God. That is the best way to honor God.
Something else I learned in this struggle is I don't really look to Jesus for examples through hard times. Of course I pray for help, but I have realized that I do not feel worthy to compare my own struggles to anything Jesus may have went through.( I know what you're thinking-duh Ronda, that is why His struggles are in the Bible.) But when I first thought of the scripture above, my first instinct was "I can't compare that to my problem-that's Jesus dying on the cross-I'm too sinful to even put myself near that." But God (and my pastor) reminded me that Jesus struggled in His life, and can relate to our fears and problems. The only difference is He never sinned. But just as Christ asked His Father for another way, He always desired God's will. How much more Christlike can I be than just desiring GOd's will.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Average Jane Journal #28 - God Loves You
The Average Jane Journal #28
January 8, 2009
Do you ever get confused on your spiritual journey? Do you ever need to make a decision and just not sure which way God wants you to go? Or have you ever been following along on a journey that you felt like you were going the right way? Then something happens, and that journey does not go the way you thought God was leading it. You were sincere in your faith, and were seeking God's will in that particular journey, but then there was a change and you're confused about it all?
Well, I want to remind you, as I was reminded by God this week, that no matter what you are confused about there is always one thing you should never be confused about.
God loves you!!
We may not ever figure out some things in our life, and that is ok because God is in charge. But just remember as you're seeking God's will and trying your best-you can never be loved more by anyone else than our Creator. Just keep seeking Him, and desiring His will.
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