Please Pray for Keri

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Prayer is a powerful weapon or tool, depending on how you look at it. For me, it is the air that I breathe, prayer is my waking moments, and my sleep, for me to not be in communication with God, would cause me to wither up and die!

Now, I am asking that you pray also.

A young lady named Keri needs your prayer to come home to her husband, young son, and daughter. She had a cyst in her brain, blood clots in her brain, and I believe it is over seven cranial surgeries. She had the Shunt used in her surgery, an operation that has never been performed throughout the world, named after her, Keri’s Shunt. Keri is fighting hard, and the doctors are amazed at the miracles they are seeing with her. But this is a long road back, and with every step forward, there can be setbacks.
I will keep you updated if you take the time to stop and say a prayer every day for Keri. A simple, “Lord, please heal Keri.” is fine. And when she is completely healed, I will let you know too.
Thank you!
May God Bless You Always!

Nope, Not Going Back to Eygpt

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

“I am not going back to Egypt,” should be the cry of every Christian! I, myself, don’t want to go back to normal after the Coronavirus, which will include sitting on pews, closing the church doors behind us, and listening to an hour-long sermon along with some praise music. If that is what we have to look forward to, just put me in the desert and allow me to wander around for forty years, cause I am not going back to Egypt! 

God has graciously given us this time to daydream and see ourselves and our lives differently! Because, after trial and difficulties come very good things. And I think we should see our worship differently too! In my mind’s eye, there is a deep, crystal clear blue pool waiting for me to dive into, and it is full of God’s words. While immersing myself in God’s pool of His words, I will ponder how I can live out the blueprint of the church described in the book of Acts in the bible. And while languishing on my float in the glowing rays of God’s love, which warm my face and body, I will ask God for wisdom and knowledge concerning what He wants me to do next. God is the one who is pulling the rope on my float where I need to go. 

I believe God has blessed us with this downtime for us to reassess our lives, to realize what is essential and needed, and what is not. No, I am not saying God started the Coronavirus! But God uses everything for His own good, and it says so in the bible along with the fact that forty is a significant number in the bible. Isn’t our quarantine a forty-day quarantine? The number forty is used 159 times throughout the old and new testament. And, usually, at the end of the forty days or years, something significant happens.  

After forty years of wandering in the desert, the children of Israel were allowed to go into the promised land. Moses received the Ten Commandments after his forty, and Elijah obtained his instructions for leading the people of Israel, and Jesus gave the devil his due at the end of forty. So you see, after our forty-day lockdown, we should be excited about what is to come and figure out how we will pursue it and Him!

If you are not exactly feeling my excitement and desire for the old normal to return, then I feel the need to ask you a question. If we have the resurrected Christ in our lives and we can do all things through Him, then why go back to the boring same old same old when the church can be so much more now? Are you afraid not to go back to the old stinky dishcloth normal? And what is normal anyway and can we go back?

I predict that we may not realize a return to normal so soon because I see the vast majority of people not adhering to social distancing protocol, which will bring about a sharp spike in Coronavirus cases and deaths. This means we do not have the virus under control, and we have not learned the lesson we needed to learn. God’s past record reveals to us that He will extend the first forty of trials if the experience was not understood. 

Here is an interesting fact I think you should know. When everyone started washing their hands more because of the Coronavirus, we saw flu cases drop significantly. Common sense should tell you that in the past flu seasons, people were not stopping long enough to take the time to wash their hands when the flu was so rampant in our country. Ewwwww! Wait, I know twenty seconds is too long to stop in our instant society? How long was that comment? Yep, washing our hands for those twenty seconds might save your life or someone you love!! Twenty seconds is half of forty, is that too long now?

Are you understanding the lesson plan yet?

Going back to Egypt is not the answer for any of us. God has given us a chance to change our lives, our worship, and ourselves. Martin Luther King Jr once said…

“I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

And that is precisely how I feel. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord and His Promised Land! So start following the lesson plan, daydream and anticipate more from your life and your worship. Ask God what is His will for your life and then follow Him into the Promised Land!

 

Stay safe. Wash your hands and follow social distancing guidelines.

As always, God Bless You!

 

 

 

National Day of Prayer

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

If you have read my posts before, you may know that I am all about prayer! In our last home, we had an oversized closet that I turned into my prayer closet. It was a place I could go and shut the world out and be with Jesus. Of course, the one thing you must learn when becoming a prayer warrior is to be a listening warrior too. Many times I sat in there just meditating on God and listening to Him. Since we have moved back to NC and are now in a new home, I must find another place which is just for God and me, because I feel out of sorts without my time with God. I do read my bible and pray, but it is not the same as being surrounded by His words with no interruptions.

For my prayer time, I follow the instructions found in Matthew 6: 5-6.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

If you are not sure what to pray, Jesus gave us the perfect prayer to pray every day. This is the way I pray it…

Our Father, Who are in heaven, 

Hallowed be Thy Name. 

Thy Kingdom come. 

Thy Will be done, 

on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, 

as we forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

And the glory, forever.

 Amen.

So, since today is the National Day of Prayer and if you have never prayed or found the time for prayer, today is your day! Commit to prayer for the next 30 days, every morning, and start with “Our Father.”  Before long you will find yourself pouring your heart out to Him and listening and feeling God pour His love into your spirit. You will see a difference in your life!

If you need prayer, I am honored to pray for you.  You can email me at joniberrydotcom@gmail and submit your request.  This will not be made public or put in any of my posts unless requested by you.  Just God and me and your petition.

 

Stay safe! God Bless You!

 

Keri’s Miracle from God

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Praise God for Keri’s healing and using the doctors as His vessels.  Last night Keri had a ground-breaking surgery never performed in the world.  Now, “Keri’s Shunt” will save her life and may be the catalyst which saves others.  Only God can work miracles and this was His miracle!

In the words of Keri’s mom…

Her surgeon was up all night collaborating with other doctors all over the world. He drew an idea he had on a napkin; a venous bypass/Shunt in the brain that had never before been performed in the world. He still had to find the right tubing that would be small enough for the brain, yet big enough for adequate blood flow without clotting. It had to have the right amount of flexibility. He had to find a vascular surgeon who would do the surgery. It seemed like a big mountain to climb.

God prevailed and answered our prayers for a miracle in a big way! He, and He alone moved that mountain! The doctor found a pediatric heart tube, and put together a vascular team that was willing to perform this groundbreaking procedure that would be called the Keri Shunt. And praise God it worked!

There is nothing left to say, only do and to stand in awe of our mighty God!!  I will end this post with Psalm 150.  Please continue to pray for Keri’s healing.  And thank you so much!

Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise God in his sanctuary;  praise Him in his mighty heavens. Praise Him for his acts of power; praise Him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

Pray for Keri May 5, 2020, 2:30 PM

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Heavenly Father, 

Today, we join our voices and our spirits into one as we come before Your throne of grace, mercy, and healing and bring Keri to You.  Please open the blood vessels in her brain and allow them to flow as You had made them when she was in Kitty’s womb.  Heal every particle in Keri’s brain so she will once again be whole.  We lift Keri up to You as we bow to your sovereignty.  Fill her hospital room with your healing and loving fragrance dear Jesus, as You lay Your healing hands upon Keri’s precious head. Please shine Your light and love on Keri’s family as we bring our spirits, minds, and hearts into one for Keri.  

In Jesus Christ Holy and Precious Name, I Pray!

Amen! Amen! Amen!

Please Pray for Keri

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Keri is the youngest daughter of our dear friends and her sister Kristen is our daughter’s close friend.  Keri is a wife, mother to two young boys, and a Pharmacist, but more importantly, Keri is God’s servant.  She is in ICU and has a clot in her brain after two operations for a cyst.  The prognosis does not look good. I do not believe in prognosis because I believe in God, who formed us in our mother’s womb.  I believe in God who knew us before we even came into this world and had our life’s paths laid out. If I could, I would stand on the highest mountain and proclaim His sovereignty to the world and then humble myself lower than the beach’s sands to ask for Keri’s healing. So, will you please join me in praying for Keri?

Heavenly Father,

I come before you, face down at the hem of your robe to ask for Keri’s healing. Father, your greatness has now been seen and recognized throughout the world. You stopped this world and started healing and revival, which has not occurred in hundreds of years. We know that great things happen after 40 days of struggle, and I beg for Keri’s 40 days to be over, and Your light to break through like the dawn and her healing to quickly appear!! Please open the pathways around the clot and allow the blood to flow again. 

Father, please heal Keri just as you did the Centurion’s servant with a word because of the Centurion’s faith.  We know Your power and believe in Your healing for Keri. And if our faith is insufficient, please give us more faith for Keri’s healing! I ask that you fill her hospital room with the sweet aroma of Jesus and bring complete healing to her brain!

In Jesus Christ’s Almighty Name, I Pray!

Amen!

Open the Country, Close the Country

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

America is perilously perched atop the coronavirus apex, tilting toward “a damned if you do,” and swaying toward “a damned if you don’t” scenario. The decision on when and how to open the country will never again be a back-to-business-as-usual decision. And the wrong choice could lend itself to catastrophic results, economically as well as mortality.

I understand the urgent desire to go back to work and for small businesses to figure out some way to salvage what is left. Because I have lived the life of not being able to make it paycheck to paycheck while caring for my two young children, and at that time, there was no immediate help. But I know the government has set up provisions for those out of work and their small business shut down. And with non-profit groups like the Salvation Army, churches, and individuals trying to catch what falls between the cracks, it would seem to me that staying closed for a while longer could produce optimum results. If you are not getting the monies you need, then you need to contact your Mayor or Governor and make your voice heard!

The protesters who I have seen lately appear to have another worry, and they want the quarantine lifted right now. Getting out to the beaches, and having their hair and nails done seem to be their priority, not a life. We should allow them to be the first out of the quarantine test group since they are not practicing social distancing and proper procedures for protection against the virus while demonstrating. Within fourteen days, they may be the ones who reap the consequences of opening the country or will infect an older adult or someone like me and cause us to die. Either way, we will see the increase in the virus and deaths. But let’s not think about others and put money over life. Spending your money is hard to do when you are six feet underground!

It is during these times that I wish we had a King Solomon. Someone who had exceptional wisdom and discernment from God. Solomon’s knowledge was like the sands on the seashore. Well then, all we need is a couple of buckets of sandy intelligence, and someone who will listen to it then do what is right!
There is a Proverb that describes America during the coronavirus and those who are trying to lead us. It is Proverbs 1:7. I am sure the bible is full of descriptions of America and our people. This one seems a little more relevant.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Yep, that is America! Because at the coronavirus beginning and even now, people were extremely fearful, scrambling to find God again and coming together to help one another. Amazing! Now that a slowing down is happening, some are restless, and restlessness will bring out the fool in all of us. Foolishness can pressure government leaders and advisors to make decisions based on the crying of the loudest voices, whether it is the best or not. And, sometimes doing what is right is not doing what is popular, profitable, or easy. Standing this ground is extremely difficult when you are the only one.

What is the answer?  The answer is God.  Pray to Him and ask Him what is His will for you and your family.  Utilize that wonderful brain He gave you and make informed decisions which are best.  Never put someone else in harm’s way because of your own selfishness!  And love one another as Jesus loves you!

Stay safe. God Loves You! God Bless You!

 

Weird Easter

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Easter Sunday was a little on the weird side and yet it was wonderful too! We did not have any colored eggs or chocolate bunnies at our house.  Of course, our children are grown and I have type 2 diabetes so sugar-free is my new lifestyle. We streamed our Easter service and did not bother with making the usual Easter dishes for dinner. There were a lot of changes to embrace this year for my family.  But the one who has never changed and never will change is My Savior, Jesus Christ.  He was crucified, dead, and buried, and rose for my sins thousands of years ago.  Easter came as faithfully as all of God’s promises!

I am enjoying the new weirdness of worship that churches have come to embrace this past month. And it is exciting at how churches have stepped up their technological game. Their outreach has not only surpassed the pews but they are now venturing where even the missionaries can not go; i.e. directly into American homes and homes worldwide. For someone like me, who for the past two years has been unable to attend church services and bible studies on a regular basis because of health issues, these technological advances have blessed me with the opportunity to rejoin my fellow brothers and sisters in worship. And I pray churches will continue these opportunities after we have been released from our quarantines.

There have been other options when I am unable to attend church events like numerous televangelists who flood our airwaves.  But, after spending eight years in the Houston, Texas area, my eyes were opened to the prosperity preachers, the scamming pastors, and a slew of other devious individuals using the name of Jesus and God for their own wealth and sinister devices. Funny how a big city can take the blinders off your eyes.  I will admit to watching some of them on tv only to be disappointed at their money-raising telethons or the way they manipulate the viewer into giving their money to them.  The promise of healing or release of debt if you provide them with your funds seems absurd to me. God loves a joyful giver, not a twisted arm one.  I want to be able to watch my church that preaches God’s word truthfully and interact, even if it is virtual. A place where I have roots and connection, even when I can not attend in person.

Before the coronavirus, I believe we became stagnant in doing the same old things, the same old ways, and lost our vision for being God’s hands and feet to the world. It is the same experience when we sit around and stay stationary during the day, our bodies become what my Granny use to call being “stoved up.”  Americans, Christians and the world became so “stoved up” that when the coronavirus hit we were unprepared and our response to action was unsteady. We were on auto-pilot with our buttons stuck in place. Circling life, around and around, daily routines and weekly routines over and over again… I think the Zombie Apocalypse really did occur in America!

So, now that we have had our merry-go-round lives derailed, what are you doing about it? Is all of this a weird way of life or a new improved way of life? I believe that the weirdness of Easter has led us to some great opportunities for our lives and we should embrace them! Quarantining does make you pick and choose what you need, not what you want. Here are a few of my suggestions I hope becomes the new normal for people.

Live by the rule that if it is not important for breathing, eating, and maneuvering daily life throw it out without second thoughts.

Honor the real heroes and not the fictitious ones played on a movie screen. 

Revere the good things and people in life, and do not make heroes out of athletes, actors, and musicians.   Their worth should not be in the money they earn, but the life they lead.

Stop the media drain game.  Turn the news off and spend time reading your bible.

Love others as Jesus Loves You!  He loves you more than you will ever know on this earth and gives you grace every day! Share His love and grace with others.

God Bless You!

 

 

 

Silly Is Me or Enjoying the Wait

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

We have finally moved into our home and out of our camper!  The millions of boxes scattered around our home, waiting to be unpacked have not fazed me yet.  Ok, maybe not millions but it sure looks and feels like it.  Once we got into the house, we had to start making various phone calls concerning establishing certain services and getting things shipped to our new address.

I came to realize I am spending a lot of time on hold on my phone. But, have no fear for I developed a system for having fun, getting exercise, and boosting your mood all while waiting. The first thing I do before making the call is to insert my earbuds into my ears.  Whether it is automated answering or a person in evidently there is a waiting period, so you might as well be prepared.

Once I am put on hold, the music starts playing to let me know they have not hung up on me. And I am sure because the music is either smooth jazz or soft orchestra, they are hoping to soothe the waiting customer. When the music starts playing, I begin to dance, and I try to use my upper body as well as my lower body, thus the exercise part. When the music stops, I freeze into a statue.  Then as the music restarts, because they have extended my hold, I begin to dance again.  Time passes without my mind stewing over the fact that I am on hold for a longer period of time than I would like, and my mood is lifted.

Not a dancer, you say? Well, I have an alternative for those who like to sit while on hold.

Start by listing, either on paper or in your mind, the things you are grateful for and don’t stop until you reach at least one hundred.  For example, “Thank you Lord for giving me another day.”  And just keep going and if you can’t think of one hundred, look around my friend.  Everything you have, everything you are, and every little minute detail of this world was made for us by God!

Remember, even when you are on hold or waiting in a line, God has given you the opportunity to practice kindness, patience, and love.  Just three of the virtues He would like for us to possess and utilize each day of our lives!

I have to get back to my unpacking!

Always remember and never forget…God Loves You!

God Bless You!

 

Covid 19 Quarantine’s Golden Nuggets

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

These past four weeks of being quarantined in our camper have been challenging at times, frustrating at times, and pure hell at other times.  We are not only victims of the virus but the weather, laundry, and other essential items we take for granted when living in a home.  With that said, we are still exceedingly blessed and grateful to even have a camper to hunker down inside!

I have realized that the only way to survive difficult times is to find the hidden golden nuggets buried within each day.  Golden nuggets can be anything from something or someone who made you smile, relieved your stress, or opened your mind to a new possibility. And golden nuggets are hidden everywhere in our lives because as soon as we start focusing on them, we begin to unearth more and more.

A golden nugget that we unearthed while being in the camper is radio television. When the internet signal was weak, we would have to switch over to television found using our antenna. You remember those, don’t you?  Radio signal tv was how we use to have to watch tv growing up, or when I was a single parent because I could not afford cable. Radio signal television soon became our golden nugget with a cooking channel, and a channel of seventy’s shows, and our favorite, Grit TV.

As a family, we have fallen in love with the channel Grit TV.  The channel plays old western movies and television shows, some I have never seen.  Which goes to prove I am not as old as my children think! I adore seeing John Wayne as a very young man in the old 1930 movies.  They demonstrate how The Duke stayed true to himself throughout his career.  And then there is Randolph Scott, Roy Rogers, and Dale Evans, along with mired other actors whose storyline was always a moral lesson.  Even our dogs are loving the campfire songs, sung in them.  They climb on the back bed, snuggle up, and blissfully sleep to the twang of the guitars.

During one of the old movies, I was surprised to learn a bible verse that I did not know existed.  The blacksmith in the movie spouted bible verses when conversing with others.  Most of them are commonly known except this one.  I even had the audaciousness to emphatically state during the movie, “That is not a bible verse!”  And then I reached for my bible.

Ok, it is a bible verse! I was wrong. But it is kind of an off the wall statement.

1 Timothy 5:23

“Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and frequent illnesses.”

The Apostle Paul is giving advice to Timothy concerning his health issues.  Of course, during biblical times wine was probably safer than water to drink.  And with the way we treat our environment, we might be heading back to that point again. Something to think about.

To me, it was a double golden nugget find! Finding a new bible verse and a realization that they too had water-related health problems.

I understand that this is a frightening time for everyone and their families.  We need to rely on our understanding of God and His love for us.  Which is more than you or I can begin to fathom. Stand firm on the fact that He will never leave you.

So, take time each day to begin finding those “golden nuggets” in your life.  You can get your children to participate too. Cut nugget shapes out of yellow paper and write on each one their nugget finds. You can even turn it into a game of hide and seek. Then re-read each one to remind yourself and family how truly blessed you are during this time.

Maybe it will be a new gold rush!

 

God loves you!

God Bless You!