Tag: god

Can The Christian Band Mercy Me Get Any Better?

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

OH YES THEY CAN!  Their new album, Lifer, is amazing, incredible and so uplifting!  Having a bad day? Then go to YouTube and listen to the audio versions, or better yet go to iTunes and just buy it.  I pre-ordered Lifer and received teaser songs one at a time and then bam! The whole album.

Most of the time, when I get a new album, there are maybe 5 or 6 songs I really like.  Rarely do I like all of the songs on an album.  Lifer is one album that I love all of the songs.

The song “Even If” is a good reminder that Pastors, Praise Leaders, and Church teachers, get up on stage every Sunday and lift us up.  It does not matter what has been happening in their lives or the struggles they may be going through.  Have you looked at your Pastor as a human being with the same temptations as the rest of us fallen beings? We are men and women, male and female traveling through this time together for God’s reason.

OK, I won’t tease you too much.  The song I am putting on my site is called “Grace Got You.”  Now, I am going to stop writing so I can start dancing to the song.

God Bless You!

Westminster Terror Attacks (You Go British Prime Minister Theresa May!)

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Accolades to British Prime Minister Theresa May after the Westminster attack on March 22.  She is a class act with a firm resolute about how her country will respond to terror.

“We will move forward together. Never giving in to terror. And never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.”

And isn’t that all terror can do anyway is to divide a country? Because to divide is to conquer, at least that is how they view it. But what could happen if the countries under attack from terror come together? Not only the leaders, but the people. We are the ones who have the eyes, and the ears on the streets of our countries. We are the ones who can prepare and be aware when faced with an attack, to counter and defeat this evil! There are around 184,000 terrorists world-wide, and we have 325,838,705 Americans, 64,938,716 French, and 65,511,098 Great Britain citizens.

(If you want to view population by country…http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/population-by-country/)

As Christians, God has given us some strong promises concerning our enemies.  We need to know them, to pray them, and to follow God’s will. Do you not think that by standing with God, any evil can be defeated? I do.

God tells us, “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”               2 Timothy 1:7

If we read God words and believe God’s words, change will happen!

Another impressive statement by British Prime Minister Theresa May, which I feel is a truthful representation of the attack.

“The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our Capital City, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.   These streets of Westminster – home to the world’s oldest Parliament – are engrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe. And the values our Parliament represents – democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law – command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere.   That is why it is a target for those who reject those values.   But let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before: any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure.”

Democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law are the values which America was established.  We have come too far and fight hard every day to maintain theses values, to allow a spirit of terror defeat us!

Remember fighting terrorism is first being alert of your surroundings and reporting anything which looks out-of-place.  Even if it turns out to be a goose chase, because one of those times the person or situation might be the real deal.

God Bless You!

God Bless Great Britain!

God Bless America!

HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY DISNEY LAND PARIS!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I love the travel page on my site One Retail Therapy (oneretailtherapy.com)! We have some of the best travel companies with amazing offers, on the internet! If you are single and don’t want to do bars and dating sites, we have a travel company just for singles. Some of the companies are specific to one area like Disney World, Orlando, or even Israel.

There is one company which has adventures going on around the world almost 24/7. The company is called ISANGO. They keep me updated with what is trending in the world of travel each week.  And that is how I found out Disneyland Paris is having its’ 25th Anniversary.  Wow, if Walt Disney could see his dream now!

You know I read somewhere, Walt bankrupted 7 times and he would not sell his mouse design.  Even when his future outlook was pretty bleak. I guess you know which design I am talking about. Yep, Mickey Mouse himself.

When I think about Walt Disney, I think about a dreamer and his perseverance. To all of us dreamers, he is an inspiration in never giving up on a dream! I wonder if Walt envisioned his company becoming the mega media outlet it is today?  Maybe that is why I love Disney World so much, because it is full of magic and dreams which just keep on blossoming.  Dreams that were and are achieved.

I believe God gives us dreams and buries them within our hearts.  Some people live out their dreams as teachers, doctors, pastors, and artists.  While others forget their dreams and buy into the world’s declared dreams they should do instead.  And don’t fool yourself into thinking that if a dream is from God, it will be achieved over night.  Sometimes God gives us dreams to teach us things like perseverance, patience, kindness, and respect along the way.

What is your dream?  Maybe a trip to Disneyland Paris for their 25th anniversary? Or maybe a life changing adventure to a third world country to assist them with their every day difficulties and share your knowledge with them.

Whatever your dream is, keep pursuing it! Maybe you will be the next Walt Disney, Mother Teresa, or Steve Jobs.

God Bless You!

Baby Jesus and Moving (Just Bobbin and Weaving My Head)

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Well, I finally found my book on Anne, Jesus’ grandmother.  I was sure I packed it in one of the office boxes, but I could not find the book.  Must have been bobbin and weaving my head in the wrong direction, because my husband looked into the box and pulled the book right out.  Isn’t it always that way.

Last night I began reading the book on Anne again.  In this section she talked about how the people must have felt when they held baby Jesus.  We parents know exactly what new baby love feels like.  It comes with a multitude of emotions triggered by smells, sounds, and snuggles.

The author described a feeling of greatness and love that was overwhelming to the point of  dropping them to their knees. Because I have been blessed to have been in the presence of Jesus, I have my mere human description.  I wrote the next paragraph in an earlier blog post called, “The Sweet Fragrance of Love.”

The shirt smelled fragrant, but not overpowering; warm, gentle, pleasing, and full of love.  The next breath I breathed deeply into my lungs.  My body was filled with the warmth and love of the fragrance. I was so happy, with a happiness that comes from another dimension.  And I knew it was Jesus!

Yes, I know what it feels like to be in Jesus’ presence, but to have held Him as a baby…my mind cannot fathom the immense feelings that would pulsate through my body.  Love, greatness, peace, joy and words our English language does not contain would be some of the descriptions. And the fragrance…a baby is soft, and powdery but this would be a scent designed by the angels, which would fill your body, mind, and soul. A scent never known to man, only made for our Savior.

In 2 Corinthians 2:15, we are told, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are saved and those who are perishing.”

Now I am overwhelmed! Jesus made my own aroma so good that I smell like Christ to God.  And you and everyone else too, even those who are not saved.  Love?  No, we do not have a human word to describe this kind of emotion.

Jesus’ time as a baby is gone and we don’t have the opportunity to hold Him.  But Jesus takes every moment we give Him to hold us!  Don’t have a little time for Jesus today?

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

F is for Family…Not Really

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I heard about an animated series which is on Netflix called, “f is for family.”  One of those recommendations of “you have to see it,” kind of things.  And after seeing a small portion of the first show, I thought the show is a vulgar copycat version of the 70’s television show, “All in The Family.” Except I don’t exactly remember the 70s that way nor the show”All in The Family.”

These days vulgarity means big money.  You don’t have to even be a good story teller or comedian as long as it is disgusting and/or shocking.  How sad.  Why have a good plot when you can blow something up or mutilate people instead? Yes, sometimes when I think we have hit the bottom of the barrel in creativity; something like this show comes along and proves me wrong again.

Have you ever thought about the onslaught of foul language, perverted nudity, and violence we allow to enter our homes each day?  From games, to television shows it is a 24/7 free-for-all competition at who will capture our attention first.  The more we watch or listen to, the more we become accustomed and then the language, scenes, and actions don’t seem so vulgar.  And the more we become accustomed, the more it will take to get our attention next time.

In Luke 6:45 Jesus states, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks”

Basically we are what we say.  So if you speak foul and vulgar language, along with obscene actions well…you are foul, vulgar and obscene.

Also in Matthew 12:36-37 we are told by Jesus, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Isn’t it funny that Satan knows these things too? Not really.  So, by getting us to speak, watch, and listen to vulgarity puts us one step closer to his realm and another step away from God.

Now I know people will make fun of what I have said.  They will say things like, “If I watch f is for family, I am going to hell.” Maybe, maybe not. Thankfully, it is not my decision.  My point is it becomes easier and more widely accepted. Once vulgarity and abuse is more widely accepted within your home, your home and family may become vulgar and abusive.  Is that what you really want for your own children?

So where does the buck stop or should I say the vulgarity?

With us! By stopping the money flow to these shows.  Write letters to the advertisers stating you will no longer purchase products from them, if they support these shows monetarily. And then stop buying their products! Oh, yes…stop watching or participating in these things! Talk to friends, family, and neighbors about how important it is to give our next generation a better start in life.

Something to think about anyway.

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

 

God’s Got This Mom!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Being a grandparent myself, I am excited to learn about Jesus’ grandparents from “The Book of Anne!”  It is only logical that if Jesus had human parents, they must have come from somewhere, so Jesus should have grandparents.

Mary’s mother and father, (and Jesus’ grandparents) are Anne and Joachim, successful Galilean farmers.  Anne was Joachim’s second wife and Mary’s mother.  No, he did not have a harem.  Their whole existence revolved around God and His word.  And from the moment you read about them, you instantly know they are a warm, loving couple. Who intentionally raised their own children to know and obey their living God.

After reading about Anne, Joachim, and Mary, I can see why God would choose them for Jesus.  Also, we know why God chose Joseph, because his blood line was royal, Kind David royal.  And Joseph was a good man, who also lived, worked, and played according to the Jewish religion.  Perfect for Mary! God knew this would be the absolute environment for our Savior.

The point at which I have stopped reading, shows Mary and Joseph preparing for their travels to Bethlehem.  Anne has arrived and she is horrified that Mary is planning on going!  The baby is due at any time and she believes this could be dangerous for both Mary and the child.  Mary is calm, and self-assured, and basically tells Anne;

“Gods got this, mom.”

Yes, Anne raised Mary to be certain of God and His promises.  And, Mary is following through with what she has been taught.  I am sure her visits from the angel Gabriel and God keeping her in the loop of things, (so to speak) provided her with a knowing courage.

But I can relate as a grandmother.

I remember before each of our grandchildren were born, I felt a grip of fear.  The main reason was because we parents are told we are to take care of our children.  And I was not in the delivery room to make sure the doctor and nurses were doing the delivery right.  This was my baby girl, who was about to have her own baby and the birth had to be a c-section.

My daughter told us of the fear that washed over her, as her husband went out to tell the families about the change of plans.  She prayed to God and within the very next moment she was filled with peace.  Everything was going to be fine for her and the baby.

“Gods got this, mom.”

Later, we found out that if it had not been for the c-section, our first granddaughter would not have made it.  The cord was dangerously wrapped around her neck.  To go through the birth canal would have strangled her to death.

“Gods got this mom.”

How many times do we tell our children to have unwavering faith in God?  But then yank it away when it concerns us.  I know I do.

If only we could borrow a little of Mary’s courage from time to time and tell ourselves…

“God’s got this!”

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

Push Me, Pull You

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Jesus was born into a world of turmoil and struggle between the Roman conquerors and the Jewish leaders.  Having pagans and Jews live as neighbors is a disaster brewing. Especially since the pagans were trying to force their beliefs on the Jewish people. And everything about Jewish life and government revolved around their religious beliefs.

Sounds like the “Push Me, Pull You” of the Dr. Doolittle story.

The Romans made Herod their regional ruler for them over the Jews.  Herod was twenty-six years old, Jewish, and made 1.6 million dollars a year. (1.6 million in our money today.) Except he was a converted Jew, so the Jewish people did not regard him as one of them. Herod could have cared less about the Jewish people and their leaders, his allegiance was to Rome.

I would be interested to see if Herod and King Henry the 8th of England were related.  They both had a gruesome way to end their marriages, so that they could marry another woman. And if killing all those children in hopes he had killed the Messiah were not enough, Herod made sure everyone would mourn when he died.  He told his sister Salome to arrest and put in jail the most important leaders of the Jewish people.  And when the news came that he had died, they were all to be killed.

So, in the middle of this demented push me, pull you type of existence, a baby was born. Not an ordinary baby either, but our Messiah Jesus Christ!

You see, what Herod did not understand was that God does not work within our human parameters.  He is bigger than everything in the universe.  Human planning will never, ever supersede God’s plans.

Even in today’s push me, pull you world; God is still here.  You hear about the middle east turmoil, and the violence throughout the world…God is still here.  Your day has been one push and pull away from sending you over the edge…God is still here.

If God can send a baby, in the middle of the vile evil which had a grip on Jerusalem,  to be our Messiah.  Don’t you think God can handle what is going on in the world and our lives today? We just have to ask Him and then we have to allow Him to take over!

Give the “Push Me, Pull You” back to Dr. Doolittle and give your life to God!

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

Everything is Good!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I want to apologize because I had stated that I would start my new journey, Jesus as a child, right after January 1, and I am a little delayed.  We, my husband, my self, and our youngest son, decided at the end of 2016 to sell our house and downsize.  Simplify our lives so that we would be able to pursue our passions, spend more time together and enjoy life each day to the fullest.

Well, we began the new year, 2017, with our house being sold. Then came the whirlwind of inspections, appraisers, contracts…blah, blah, blah, and back and forth. Who knew selling a house was so much fun?  And to make life a little more interesting, we decided to trust God for our next home.  Now remember everything happens in God’s timing not ours.

So, with God, we did finally find a home… this past weekend.  The best part was that the house felt like home and I have a prayer closet!  Sometimes waiting on God can be so tough, especially for me.  My husband will say to me, “Now you gave it to God, don’t take it back from Him.”  I like the orderly, scheduled existence; but that is truly not living life the way God meant for us to live…always depending on Him.

Note: During this time my son and myself became sick with a virus they thought. But now it might be sinuses instead. Oh brother! ( I am rolling my eyes.)

While all of this hurry up, chaotic scrambling has been going on,  the bible verse Romans 8:28 flashes in my mind.

“All things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Except I still have an uneasiness about God’s plan for us, because you know God has a sense of humor!  Why else would there be a seven-day lapse between the closings? And if you have ever read your bible then you know 7 days and 40 days can be life changing events.

Or could God just be having a little fun with me? (I am trying to convince myself here.) Because of the lapse between closings, we will be living in a camper with three dogs ages 16,15, and 5; and a 10-year-old cat.  Or maybe this is just a new-age stress test and your turn is next.  What am I worried about any way?

I have watched Tiny House Nation and seen animals and owners co-existing in a very pleasant manner.  At least when the cameras are there and aimed at them. But… our cat is set in his ways.  He insists on doing his business in a hole in the ground outside.  No litter box for this cat.  The one time we boarded him, it was a disaster, because he would not use the box.  He held it in. They finally had to put a leash on him and walk him outside.

Just keep repeating…

“All things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose.”

“All things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose.”

At least I will have some interesting, if not hilarious stories to share with you. So, please be patient with me! We will start our journey concerning Jesus’ childhood soon.

 

God Bless You!

God Bless America!