Tag: Jesus

Franticness

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Frantic could be my middle name at times. Because of the trauma of my earlier years of life, I allow these feelings to take over from time to time.  My understanding of PTSD is an inside-out situation. From inside me to the outside world, my actions and emotions express who I am.  I do have anxiety medications if required, but I like to self-soothe, which helps me to realize I can’t do it all.

Recently, I decided to be a creator and marketer and use all of the online platforms available. Yes, Christmas can make me very frantic.  And that was the trigger this time, the upcoming season. And even though I remind myself of what I have to manage daily, health-wise, I still remember that women are supposed to be superwomen! Even at 63. Trying to write marketing content, make the videos, and place them in strategic positions online is utterly nuts.  Yep, meet me, the new Mrs. Squirrel.

Comparatively, the online platforms are like surfing the Banzi pipeline in Hawaii for the first time, ever surfing. You can hop from Whatsnot, to TikTok, to Facebook, to Instagram, to your webpage, Etsy, WordPress, and Youtube. The big all-swallowing wave is bound to hit sooner rather than later. For me, thank God, it was sooner! I have overcome the franticness and moved to a more straightforward approach. Giving me time each day to work on my novel, Austin.

So if you read my past post about my merch going on here, please ignore it. I am very much human.

Some ways I self-soothe are listening to music, reading my Bible, and doing stretching exercises. I love this bible verse,  “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  Love Jesus. I added the love Jesus part because I do feel like it is a love note from my Savior!

If you are struggling with franticness or the stress of the season, take a break from your own mind.  Put some music on and breathe deeply. Tell yourself that you are God’s child and loved far more than this world can show you.  Imagine Him wrapping you in His arms, holding you, and gently rocking back and forth.  Because you are His child, you are worthy!

God Bless You!

When the Battle Knocks You Down—Create Anyway

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

People often call me a static writer—and it’s true. I don’t just write to fill the airwaves. I write when I have something to say. Because these days, you have to be careful with what you allow into the atmosphere. The enemy loves to clutter the air with noise—confusion, frustration, competition, and strife. Why open the door for him?

Lately, my own battle has been with my health. My diseases have done their best to keep me down and out, but I am a child of God, and He is still writing my story. I’ve started treatment with doctors at Duke University, and I’m feeling hopeful. I even love the area—it may end up being my retirement home! God has a way of guiding us where we need to be, even when we don’t understand the journey. I’ve learned to loosen my grip a little and let Him steer the wheel… though my “control” side still wants to argue sometimes.

But here’s the thing—I refuse to stop creating. Even when my body slows down, my spirit doesn’t. While I’ve been resting and recovering, I designed a few new pieces for my Etsy shop—T-shirts, hats, and hoodies that declare faith and joy boldly!

When I wore one of my new “YAY GOD” shirts to Wednesday night Bible study, sweet Mary, one of our older members, came right up to me and read it out loud with a big smile:
“YAY GOD!”

She got it immediately. It’s not just a shirt—it’s a declaration of praise. A reminder that God is still good, no matter what battles we face.

I also created another shirt that speaks to something close to my heart—aging gracefully. With wrinkles forming and society shouting about fillers, tucks, and lasers, it’s easy to feel like we’re falling behind. But I see it differently now. Every line is proof of a life lived, of laughter shared, of faith tested and strengthened. And maybe, just maybe, the enemy uses vanity to distract us from seeing the beauty God already placed in us.

Both shirts—and more—are up on my Etsy shop now. Each design is created during quiet moments with God, inspired by faith, joy, and real life.

If you’d like to wear your faith proudly or gift a reminder of God’s goodness to someone you love, visit my shop and check them out. Because every “YAY GOD” moment deserves to be shared.

👉 [Shop Faith-Inspired Designs on Etsy] (originallyameliastore.com)

A Prayer for Healing — when the body grows weary

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Today has been one of those heavy, aching days. Arthritis sits like a weight in my neck, shoulders, and spine — every movement feels slow and costly. My body is tired in a way that goes deeper than sleep. I want healing. I need God’s touch.

Psalm 103:3 — Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

Isaiah 53:5 — But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by his wounds we are healed.

These verses rise up in my heart like a promise I must cling to. Jesus bore a pain I cannot imagine, and He did it for my sake — to forgive, to restore, to make whole. My own pain feels small beside His sacrifice, and yet it is real to me. It pains me to remember the cost of my salvation: the cruelty He endured so I might be healed. I am unworthy of that grace, and that truth makes me fall deeper into gratitude and into prayer.

Heavenly Father, forgive me — for the sins I know and the ones I do not. I lay this tired, aching body before You and ask for Your healing hand. You forgive all our sins and heal all our diseases; I claim that promise now. Touch my neck, my shoulders, my spine. Breathe strength into my bones. Restore movement where there is stiffness and bring peace where there is weariness.

Lord Jesus, by Your wounds I am healed. Help my faith to rest not in the absence of pain but in the presence of Your power. Teach me to praise You in the valley, to trust You in weakness, and to receive Your comfort when I am most fragile.

Amen.

If you’re reading this and your body is weary too, join me now — take a breath, speak these words, and believe that the God who healed then still heals today.

God Bless You!

The Wolves Are Silenced

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Now that the howling of the wolves has been silenced by the praise and worship rising from our younger generation, revival is here! What the enemy meant for evil, God has turned into a spark of fire that is now spreading across our land. Those who instigate hate and violence are being met with the unshakable truth of God’s love—shining brightly through the faith of American youth and people across the world. My heart overflows with gratitude and pride as I witness this move of God.

Revival has come. Yes, the revival of America is unfolding before our very eyes—an eternal flame that will not be quenched. Evil thought it could silence us, crush our spirit, and bury our hope. But instead, it awakened a prayerful generation that refuses to back down. What the enemy designed to destroy us has only fueled the movement we have long been crying out for.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord. — Isaiah 54:17

Let us pray:

Father in Heaven, we thank You for the fire You are stirring in this generation. Thank You for silencing the voices of hate and raising up voices of worship. We ask that You continue to pour out Your Spirit upon our land. Protect our youth, strengthen our faith, and let this revival sweep across every heart and every home. May Your eternal flame burn bright until the whole world knows Jesus Christ as Lord. In His mighty name we pray, Amen.

God Bless You!

Demons Lurking in Our Government

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Christians, wake up—the battle is raging. We are in the middle of a spiritual war, and it’s no longer hidden. Just last week, when a moment of silence was requested in honor of Charlie Kirk, the left erupted with mocking growls like wild animals. What we saw wasn’t just disrespect—it was spiritual darkness manifesting in plain sight.

But we will not fear. God is still on the throne. His Word stands, and His people have the victory. Cover your family daily in the blood of Jesus, for there is unmatched power in His name.

We need revival—desperately. Not a shallow wave of emotions, but a fire fueled by prayer and the spoken Word of God. The Church must rise and take her place as light in the darkness. This is not the time to sit quietly on the sidelines. This is the time to pray, to speak truth, and to stand boldly for Christ.

Revival starts with us. Let’s turn our hearts back to God and watch Him move mightily in our homes, our churches, and yes—even our nation.

GOD BLESS YOU!

God's Word

The Word Cannot Be Chained

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Devotional: The Word Cannot Be Chained

Scripture:
“And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.” — 2 Timothy 2:9

The world has always tried to silence truth. Paul knew this firsthand when he wrote these words from a prison cell. His body was chained, but the Word he carried could not be bound. The message of Christ kept spreading—unstoppable, unbreakable, eternal.

Evil thought it could silence Charlie by ending his earthly life. But just as with Paul, the Word that he lived and spoke cannot be chained. It is still moving, still stirring, still changing hearts. What the enemy meant for silence has only amplified the sound of truth.

God’s Word always breaks through. Even when people oppose it, even when culture resists it, even when darkness tries to bury it—the light of Christ cannot be contained. When we carry that Word in our hearts and speak it with our lives, it will go places we may never see and reach people we may never meet.

Reflection:

  • Do I believe that God’s Word is powerful, even when I feel weak?
  • Am I living in a way that lets His Word speak through me?
  • Where might I need to trust God’s Word to do the work I cannot do?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You that Your Word cannot be chained. When I feel weak, remind me that Your truth is strong. Use my life, my words, and my actions to carry Your message forward. Let Your Word move freely through me, reaching places only You can take it. Amen.

CHARLIE KIRK

A Voice That Cannot Be Silenced

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Charlie Kirk

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, evil thought it had won. It felt it could silence a young man who was boldly reaching and inspiring an entire generation—Charlie Kirk. But evil always underestimates the power of God. It managed to destroy his earthly vessel, his “earth suit,” but it could not touch his soul, nor could it silence his voice.

For heaven itself has opened wide, carrying Charlie’s voice further than ever before. What was spoken in life now echoes across generations, igniting courage, stirring faith, and planting seeds of boldness in the hearts of many.

The march continues. Young men and women will rise, fearless and unashamed, professing the Word of God with conviction. His life was a testimony, for Charlie’s words and actions were one and the same—uncompromising truth lived out daily.

Though he has left this earth, his legacy remains, not as an echo fading into silence, but as a trumpet blast calling us forward. Evil did not win—it never does when God’s people stand firm.

FRIDAY 13 TO PRESENT…UGH!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I thought Friday the 13th on WhatNot would soar because it was my dad’s birthday. Every Friday, the 13th, is my dad’s birthday because that was the day he was born, and he and I would have so much fun with the teasing back and forth. What you imagine happening in your mind and reality can be different scenarios. It was for me.
The show was a revolving door of visitors. There were no sales, interactions, or anything else. I ended the show and sulked my way downstairs to bed. Tomorrow will be better because I am going to estate sales and finding some sale-worthy treasures with my peanut budget. I love the scavenging. There will be excitement and boosted endorphins on the way.
When Sunday rolls around, I am hoarse and not feeling well. By nightfall, it was an ambulance ride to the hospital. You never know when the disease is going to kick into overdrive and send you over the cliff. To enhance the trauma of the night, the hospital visit, the doctor, and one nurse were horrific. They did more harm, and I felt like I was in some crazy Alfred Hitchcock movie. I will write about this next week because we will file a complaint.
Next week, I see several of my own doctors, and they start getting me back on track, except the darn laryngitis wants to linger. Now it is Fourth of July week, and I want to do a reset with my Whatnot shop. I will see if I can actually do it. When you have a disease that can be all-consuming, you learn to go with it, fight like hell along the way, and praise God for the successful moments.
I pray your week is full of successful moments, family time, and the love of Jesus Christ.

God Bless You!

Praise God, We Made Three Sales on Whatnot

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

We did it! Last night’s show resulted in three sales — and our Vaseline glass finds are going to new homes where they’ll be truly treasured. As we went through box after box of our collection, we knew it was time to make a decision: if we’re not going to hang it up, display it, or use it ourselves, it’s time to let someone else enjoy it. Our treasures deserve a chance to bring happiness to someone new.

We learned a lot last night, too. A kind community member shared some helpful suggestions about what sells well — heavy items can be a challenge to ship — and we’re taking that to heart. This weekend, we’ll be adding some of our finds to Etsy, TikTok, and eBay. We appreciate all the support and guidance.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for Christmas in July! But tonight, we’re having a PJ night with snacks, drinks, and a game — a chance to connect, have fun, and appreciate each moment. It’s a special Friday the 13th, which happens to be my dad’s birthday. He’s gone now, but I still celebrate him by calling or thinking of him each time Friday the 13th rolls around. It’s a tradition that brings a smile, even through the tears.

Tonight’s sale will feature vintage and new clothes, shoes, and accessories. Even if we sell nothing, last night filled me with hope. I’m looking forward to whatever this new chapter brings.

I do want to say a prayer of praise.

Dear God, Thank you for our success last night, for I know Your hand was on us. I have cried out to you lately about our tough financial situation because I could not see the end of the tunnel. I believe you brought us there last night. Thank you, gracious Father! Forgive me when I doubted and let the dark clouds fill my mind. I lost my focus on You! In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!

God Bless You!

Resolutions Fail

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hello, Fellow Travelers!

As we step into the second week of January, I want to pause and reflect with you. Statisticians often point out that by this time, many of us have already abandoned our New Year’s resolutions. If that resonates with you, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

Personally, I don’t set resolutions. Instead, I create a list of goals I’d like to accomplish throughout the year. It’s a flexible, evolving list that grows as I do. Today, I’d like to share a glimpse of my goals with you, not to boast but to inspire and encourage you to think about what matters most to you in this season of life.

Here’s a portion of my list:

  • Finish writing the children’s book manuscripts I’ve been storing for years.
  • Complete the fiction and non-fiction projects I’ve started.
  • Find ways to share my work and contribute to our household income.
  • Read through the Bible in a year.
  • Make more cross bracelets and keychains to give as gifts.
  • Honor God in my home.
  • Tithe faithfully.
  • Listen to and cooperate more with the Holy Spirit.
  • Say “yes” to godliness and “no” to ungodliness.
  • Join a church and actively participate.

Some of these are continuations of what I’ve already started, while others are entirely new adventures for me and my family.

One of my more practical goals is to exercise regularly. I’ve started riding a stationary bike—thank you, Goodwill! As my legs grow stronger, I plan to try a ballet DVD because dancing brings me so much joy. On the nutrition side, we’ve committed to eating at home to prioritize health and save money. Meal planning has been a game-changer for us: we create a weekly menu, shop on Saturdays, and post the plan on the fridge for accountability.

You might be thinking, That’s great for you, but my schedule is packed with appointments, kids, and endless obligations. Trust me, I understand. I’ve been there too. But here’s a gentle challenge: carve out two days and two hours that are just for you. Communicate this clearly to your family—ask your spouse and kids to step up and help. It’s okay to stop doing everything for everyone.

Of course, life doesn’t always cooperate. There will be moments when you or a loved one gets sick, or you’re too exhausted to exercise or stick to your Bible reading plan. It’s easy to feel defeated in those moments, but don’t let temporary setbacks derail you. When you’re ready, pick up where you left off. If you were reading the Book of Matthew and stopped at chapter 8, but your plan says you should be at chapter 14, start at 14. If you have time, go back to what you missed. Life moves forward, and so can you.

Remember, this journey is not about perfection—it’s about persistence.

Time passes quickly. Kids grow up, parents age, and we find ourselves at the end of our earthly journey sooner than we expect. Let’s make the most of the time we have. Be kind—it costs nothing but can mean everything to someone else. Love as many people as you can. And above all, praise God through it all.

You’ve got this, my friend. Let’s walk this road together.

God Bless You!
Joni