Tag: #Jesus

PSALM 139

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hello, fellow travelers. I pray this day finds you full of joy and hope. I would like to share with you the amazing, wonderful, heart-tickling bible verse that was shown to me. Let me give you a little background. When I get up each morning, I use the YouVersion Bible app, which is free! It has daily verses, study plans, and people sharing their stories. I love it!! The best part for me is listening to the bible being read by an amazing orator, not AI, but a person, probably an actress.  The emphasis on words and sections brings the Bible to life: swords clanging, Goliath hitting the ground in a plume of dust, and Jesus talking to me! No flat words on a page being mulled over in my mind. Yep! The best way to start my day!

Now, back to this morning. The verse was King David’s Psalm 139, titled God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man. As she read each word, it wrapped around my heart and settled deeply within my soul. As only David can explain, I was moved to listen repeatedly and savor the moment in the Lord’s presence. There are several verses we contemporary Christians take out and use for our benefit occasionally.  But this Psalm needs to be prayed in its entirety. Take it out every morning and either have the YouVersion app read it to you or read it aloud to yourself.  Ask God to give you David’s feelings when he wrote it as you read.

My takeaway from Psalm 139 is:

God knows me and is with me and loves me even when I am in the depths of hell. I pray you feel the same power and love when you read it!

God Bless You!

Psalm 139

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be

How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!

They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.

Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?

I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Hello Fellow Travelers

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Isn’t that what we are on this earth? We are only here for a moment in time, and then hopefully, we will be with Jesus for eternity. So how is it going for you? Are you in a season of abundance or in a period of drought? Life, much like the seasons, has its cycles. Sometimes we find ourselves in a season of plenty, where blessings abound and everything seems to fall into place effortlessly. Other times, we may endure dry spells, facing challenges and uncertainties that test our faith and resilience.

In these moments, it’s essential to remember that every season has its purpose. Just as the earth needs both rain and sunshine to flourish, our souls require both joy and trials to grow. During times of abundance, we should embrace gratitude, sharing our blessings and spreading kindness. These are the moments to strengthen our roots, deepening our connection with God and those around us.

Conversely, in times of drought, we are called to rely on our faith more than ever. These are the moments that refine us, teaching us patience, perseverance, and trust in God’s plan. It’s in these challenging seasons that we often experience the most profound spiritual growth, finding solace in prayer and community.

As travelers on this earthly journey, we are never alone. We walk alongside fellow sojourners, each with their unique stories and experiences. By sharing our journeys, we uplift and inspire one another, creating a tapestry of hope and faith. Let’s cherish each season, knowing that both abundance and drought are integral to our spiritual journey.

So, dear friends, whether you find yourself in a season of plenty or facing trials, remember that you are part of a greater journey. Keep your eyes on the eternal horizon, and take heart in the knowledge that every step, no matter how challenging, brings you closer to the everlasting embrace of Jesus.

Blessings to you all, and may your journey be filled with faith, hope, and love.

Beryl Barreling Across the Country

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hey everyone! How’s your day going? If you’re in Houston, Texas, I bet you’re feeling the rain—we all know living at or below sea level has its risks. Back when we were in Fulshear, just outside Houston, we saw it firsthand.

Why choose to live where storms practically beckon their arrival, wreaking havoc on land, homes, and lives? The people. That’s why. When Hurricane Harvey slammed our area, communities rallied. People like Mattress Mack and JJ Watt stepped up, providing water, shelter, and support before official help arrived. First Responders were superheroes, on duty non-stop.

Our small church was right there, too, being the hands and feet of God. It’s the same spirit you’ll see with Hurricane Beryl. Houston isn’t just big—it’s a giant family.

The Bible gets it right about community. We don’t just survive with government directives; we thrive with neighbors, friends, pastors, and churches who embody Jesus’s love. Galatians 6:2 nails it: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

What is the law of Christ?

Jesus told them in Matthew 22:37-40 when asked about God’s law: Love God wholeheartedly, and love your neighbor as yourself. That’s it. That’s the ultimate truth—a fist-bump moment! Imagine being there when Jesus dropped that mic.

And that is what we need as a country to become one big family! Put the politics aside in the months to come and give it to Jesus to resolve. I heard a Pastor in Charlotte give an amazing imagery concerning politics and the anxiety it can bring you. Below is my representation.

Having the lamb in the right place in our lives will make it so much easier!

Don’t forget to see how your church or family can help those affected by Beryl.

God Bless You!

Surviving The Second Covid Variant Wave

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Is Groundhog Day upon us? Because if you have been reading the news and the latest information on Covid with its new variants, another fall like last year with shutdowns and mandates may be upon us.  Can your family survive another pandemic season?  I also wonder what position our government will assume? A status of no action with the attitude concerning those who get sick and possibly die, get sick and die?  Or will they grow a backbone and tell the American people what they must do to stop Covid completely?  And if Americans seem not to be able to comply, then mandate it as law?  What am I saying…our government and a backbone?

Ok, enough picking on our government. My groundhog does resemble some of our officials. 

What are you doing right now to buffer yourself, your family, and humanity from another Covid season? I was vaccinated, and I wear my mask when I go out and make a few trips out as possible.  If I can protect someone else by wearing a mask, it is no big deal to me.  Of course, washing hands is an OCD area for me.  It grosses me out when someone does not wash their hands in the bathroom.  Don’t they realize they have “potty germs” on them and then on everything they touch?  Yuk! Washing your hands will definitely save humanity!

Next question, how is your mental health?  Are you able to function every day, or has all of this beaten you down?  If you feel overwhelmed, please seek help.  Whether it is a best friend to confide in, a Pastor, or a Therapist, do not let the circumstances take control of your life!  Ya’ll know me; I go to the Lord.  And some of you would laugh to hear my prayers.  They are not formal, flowery, or repetitive religious prayers.  I envision myself as a child climbing up on my Father’s lap and then laying my head against His shoulder. Snuggling in, I begin to pray. When it is Jesus and me, I see and know my Father as the lamb as He was slain.  The scars on His face and body are ever before me, and I know the price He paid for me.  It makes me very much aware of His love for me. And His reassurance that what I am experiencing today is only temporary gives me the strength and hope to move forward in life.

Of course, when I pray for others, it is different. Because that is when I come before Jesus’ throne, I lie prostrate before Him. It is an audience with the King, and He is The King. I give to Jesus my petitions with His words and promises attached. I humble myself as low as I can and pray fervently for those on my prayer list. Also, I thank Him for answered prayer, even if He did not answer it my way. 

I will pray for you; email me. All prayer is confidential. Prayer is the greatest gift to give and receive! This world needs prayer! Prayer is…

For some, the journey we call life can be extremely tough, while others breeze right on through. And the second wave of Covid variants may be a struggle for you, your family, and your friends.  I have a few suggestions that might help all of us survive and thrive this next year. First, you can set up a “check-in” session by inviting a small group over each week, sitting around a fire, talking, and maybe adding a little prayer. Second, run errands for those who can not or should not go out, have a text chain, spread love, hope, and kindness to as many people as you can during the day. Third, pray for those you see each day and do not know who are homeless and begging for money. And when you begin to feel drained, go somewhere quiet and sit with the Lord.  He wants to love on you too!

I know our world has become uncertain and frighteningly violent.  Which to those of us who study the bible, it is not a surprise.  In the days before Jesus comes to take His church back to heaven, read the book of Revelation, these events will begin to happen. It is how we endure this time that is so important. We can be servants, or we can be served. I want to be the servant! What about you?

Comments are appreciated, vulgarity deleted!

God Bless You!

I’M BACK! My Sight is Restored

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I never realized that having cataracts removed from both of my eyes would catapult my Van Gogh vision into clear Kodak moments! Since cataracts are gradual, you do not realize how much of your vision you are losing. I thought everything was fine and waiting on the surgery would not be a big deal. Looking back, I see a strain on my whole family, with my husband becoming my chauffeur and our son my texting assistant. And toward the end of the cataract invasion, I became the perfect enactment of a “cartoon old lady” by bumbling around, squinting, and placing objects almost on my eyeballs to identify them. Who needs cataract surgery? Then the day came when I could no longer recognize my keyboard or the letters on my computer screen, and writing in longhand across a page resembled intersecting lines. Surgery Please! Five years later.

Yes, the “old lady” is coming out in me. I see her every day in my mirror with my new corrected vision and notice her butting in on my decisions and actions. I am too young for cataract removal and old lady syndrome, but there she is squarely in front of me, staring back. Maybe with my cataracts removed, she will go away!

Unfortunately, my cataracts are disease-related from all of the years of steroids utilized to keep the GPA in temporary remission. But why wait so long on such a simple procedure? Maybe I could not bear the thought of one more surgical procedure and one more hit to our finances. Yes, we have health insurance through my husband’s job, but nothing is 100%. And with my infinite number of doctor visits, within my extensive catalog of physicians I have acquired, there are still co-pays and medical bills to be paid.

I should not complain, think of myself as unfortunate or resent the old lady staring back at me. There was a time in my life when I was a single parent, working for an hourly wage and with no health insurance. Those were some tough years because I strove not to be on assistance. So, being a single parent and paying our way meant my meals were infrequent, and I ate many a can of Spaghetti-0s. You could get those four for a dollar! But my children had everything they needed, and that was what kept me pushing forward every day. It may have been what kept me alive! I carry memories like these within my mind’s eye to help remind me just how blessed I am today! It also gives me empathy concerning single, hourly wage parents with the same struggles I have known.

I believe we are here to learn lessons and to try to be better people. By now, I should have acquired at least four or five PhDs. Lessons we see with our eyes and within our memories should help us move forward in life. And when you get that nagging feeling like you have been there before and it was a disaster…walk away!

The Apostle Paul had a physical sight impairment, and his memory sight must have been pretty horrific when he chose to follow Christ because of the torture and imprisonment he endured. He knew his destiny and passionately followed it until the end. One of Paul’s comments I wished I had learned early in my life is Philippians 4:11.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

I wish I could have said that during my past journeys.

What did I learn this time from my journey of sight to no sight and back to sight again? First, not wait for needed surgeries and graciously, not grumpily, depend on others for assistance and prayers. Second is the sanctity to have sight and not to have sight. Third, I learned to go deeper into my study of the bible, thanks to Audible and Chuck Missler, which brought me to a greater dependence on Jesus Christ and to know Him more.

We all have struggles in life, some of us more than others, and we must remember that when interacting with people. We don’t know what they are going through or went through in life which brought them to the place they are today. And it is how we see them and ourselves, either with our eyes or with our heart, that will make the difference.

If you are having some difficult times right now, step back and try to get a new view of the situation. Finding someone you trust to talk to and pray with will help you. And know as I know that God loves you!

Easter Is Done

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Well, did you survive your Easter weekend and the potential sugar overload you experienced?  Or did you graze your way through the delicious dishes and desserts on your Easter table?  Either way, those are the things we should allow to pass away and readjust our focus to our relationship with Jesus Christ after Easter.  I understand how easy it is to get the big “E” High related to last week’s activities and food.  But after the celebratory activities, you can either assume your CEO (Christmas and Easter Only) status or move forward to RRWJC ( Real Relationship With Jesus Christ!)

What is your choice?

Let’s start with, “How was your day today?” Did you think about God or Jesus in any way, shape, or form?  Did you struggle through the Covid cesspool of information, restrictions, and no restrictions?  Are you worried about the numbers going up in your area along with the hospitalizations and deaths?  Can you pay your bills, buy your groceries and get adequate healthcare for yourself and your family?  Do you see a future for your family or just the continual circle of Covid doom?  This pandemic alone can run you over, leaving a wide swath of a grimy tire print across your body.

And, I feel your pain on every level; financial, restrictive movement, and no end in sight.  If you are someone like me and have your daily health to consider what you can accomplish or not, these are frustrating times.  And to turn the molehill into a mountain at our home, we are watching our youngest adult child go through incredible health-related difficulties while the doctors are unsure as to what to do.  We have seen so many doctors and been in numerous universities and hospital facilities that it has become routine.  They know he is sick, and it is probably an offshoot of my disease, but no answer for cure or relief is in sight. Watching your child waste away is horrible. Like I said, “I can feel your pain.”

So what do I do to move forward each day during these frustrating times? I get up out of bed and begin my bible study each day, taking an hour to read, focus, and learn the bible.  Then there are my prayers, some I write in my journal, and some are silent between God and me.  I write my frustration down in my journal, too, because venting this way is better than venting on other people. My support is a close-knit group of sisters in Christ, two to three, who I rely on for advice.  I listen closely to Jesus and my husband because no matter what, they are always for me.  And I shut my ears to those who want to put their two cents in without understanding our burdens.  Happiness is something you have to search for each day and choose to present yourself to others with a smile and kindness.  I like myself better when I am this way.

God tell us…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“All who rage against you

    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

    will be as nothing and perish.

Though you search for your enemies,

    you will not find them.

Those who wage war against you

    will be as nothing at all.

For I am the Lord your God

    who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

    I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10-13 NIV)

Meditate on these verses, write them on a piece of paper to carry around with you and say them over and over again.  They will help during your days of frustration and give you hope to go on!

God Bless You!

Joy

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

“Joy to the world, all you boys and girls now, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me!” Come on now, and sing the song with me. “Joy to the world, all you boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me!” You can dance while you sing!

Yep, I feel better! Sometimes I need a little singing and dancing to lift my heart up!

In Proverbs 17:22 it tells us, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit draws up the bones.” Now that is an “Amen” statement! How has your heart been lately? Are you carrying your burdens on your face, in your words, with your actions and within your soul?  I become this way from time to time.  We call it being Eeyore at our house.

I know life is challenging and uncertain right now.  But when you immerse yourself in Christ and God’s word, you will find the uncertainty fade away. He can take the road that you are on and change your direction. And this does not depend on governments or what is happening in this world. His loving assurance will give you confidence to face your trials and tribulations. But you have to let Him!

Did you know that God loves you with a love I cannot explain and it is not contained within this universe, only heaven.  You are so precious to Him!  And He does want you to find Joy in all circumstances of your life! Just ask Him. No special words required, talk to Him like you would a friend.

One thing I do when the Eeyore mentality takes over my mind is to read a book from one of my favorite authors, Barbara Johnson.  She is living in glory today with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  But what she wrote yesterday applies to today’s life.  Barbara knew about life’s difficulties, tragedies, and sorrows. God helped her deal with and transgress out of the murk and mire of her most trying times, even wanting to commit suicide. Then God sent Barbara on a lifelong crusade to help others find their Joy through Jesus Christ. It was a daunting task that she did so well! Sometimes, I think I should continue where she left off. Or, maybe all of us should embrace the Joy gauntlet and anoint others with it every day.

I will leave you with one of Barbara’s stories, and I hope it puts a smile on your face. If that does not work, go to YouTube and watch videos of babies laughing. Works for me.

While reading one of her books, Barbara told about the time she took her five-year-old granddaughter to a Church’s women’s gathering.  They opened the convention with hymns being sung.  Barbara looked over and was astonished to see her granddaughter belting out the hymns.  She knew she could not read the monitors and did not understand these hymns. So, afterward, Barbara asked her granddaughter if she knew the words to the hymns and her granddaughter responded no. She singing the words, “peppermint peanut butter” to the hymns!  And it worked.

Amazing Grace (Peppermint Peanut Butter) Works for me!

Find something that makes you happy and returns your Joy back to you! And then share it with a friend, or a relative. Spread the Joy around like peanut butter!

God Bless You!

Inauguration Day, Are You Impressed?

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Today’s Presidential Inauguration will be bringing joy to half of our country and distress to the other half.  Which group do you find yourself in? I am neither because I have my everyday life to attend to and could care less about one more political grandstand from anyone. Or has Covid brought you hardships that you are trying to deal with and navigate, and the inauguration means nothing to you? Either way, history will mark the event, news anchors will comment their slant on it, and life will go on. Ask yourself this question, “What will today’s inauguration actually bring to or take away from my life today?” Nothing.

Instead, let me tell you a more interesting story about a Princess who lived during the late 19th century and into the 20th century. She had schizophrenia, and during these early times, schizophrenia treatment was more barbaric torture than therapy.  When asked how she survived, she said she was never alone and that her faith and God were everything to her. She devoted the rest of her life living among the poor and serving their every need. I doubt if Inaugurations, Coronations, or other political moves worried her at all.

Her focus remained on Christ and following His loving ways, even when living and working in poverty. Her example of enduring with God is something we need to remember and emulate during these times of unrest, division, and disease. Keeping God as our focus keeps the stress of the world’s turbulent behavior away from our doorstep.

Here are some encouraging bible verses from Isaiah.

Isaiah 50:15

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

Isaiah 65:1

“I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me;

I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me.

I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’

To a nation which did not call on My name.”

God is there even when you do not ask Him to be! Pretty impressive if you ask me!

My game plan for 2021 is to slide Jesus into the middle of my chessboard and focus on Him, pray to Him and ask Him which way I move.  The outside world will have to stop rattling my front door because I am not answering.  They do not make me, break me, nor feed my family.   How am I so sure?  Because I have seen God time and again at work in my own life. 

Here is an example for you.

 A year ago, Covid was ramping up, our son and my health were deteriorating, and we were living twenty- two hours away from family.  (Remember, this is not a one time on my knees praying. I had a prayer closet which I went into every day, continually asking for God’s help, for Him to show us where we should be, and to put into motion His plans for our lives.)  Just as Covid was beginning to lock the country down, our home sells, my husband’s new job is back in North Carolina, close to family. God provided the way and the means for the move. Since then, my son and I have amazing new doctors, and I believe we are entering a restoration phase of our lives!  It does not mean our daily lives are without struggle; it means that the struggle is doable with God.

Back to today’s inauguration.  For it is in God’s hands I shall take my refuge and dependence upon, not our elected leaders.  

God Bless You!

Jesus Cotton Balls For My Ears, Please

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Do you ever have what I call a Charlie Brown moment?  My Charlie Brown moments are when I hear or read a statement that I believe is so right I should have known it. In my mind I am asking how I could have missed the information as I smack the front of my forehead and lament out loud, “Oh, Good Grief!”  

The other day while reading a book, the author mentioned Ephesians 2:2,  where Satan is called “the prince of the power of the air.”  Yep, this was my good grief moment! My mental light bulb turned on and logical realization began taking place. I knew I needed some Jesus cotton balls for my ears! But where to find them?

This certainly demonstrates that the tv media, the print media, the internet and the radio, which are all operating on air waves, are viable tools for the devil.  From the over exaggerations to the outright lies, it is clear who has been whispering in their ears! No wonder the televangelists today sound more like carnival barkers hawking their wares, right down to implying that tithing to them will bring money and blessings to you! Fools! And we are even bigger fools for buying into it!

Why can’t we just be real and tell the truth in all situations?  I will tell you why. It all has to do with the root of all evil…money.  Man has decided it is a necessity for him to live these ultra extravagant lifestyles. (Satan whispers directly into these ears too.) But while acquiring his wealth, man has forgotten where his duty lies and that is to assist widows, orphans, and other humans who are in need.  So humanity moves forward devouring, exaggerating, and lying our way to wealth and what we deem as happiness.  Have you noticed how lies and lawlessness go hand in hand?

Now, I want to ask the woman a few questions.  While we have been quarantined, and in the need of cutting back on our expenses, have you missed your beauty routines, expensive youth remedies, and new clothes?  Or have you found it freeing not trying to “perfect” yourself for the world?  My generation did not have the luxury of manicures, waxing, expensive serums, and hair care.  We did it ourselves.  And if you did have the money to do these things you were considered wealthy in our mind’s eye.  Some of the most beautiful women I knew then and know now, have the simplest of self care routines and attire.

What about you men? Do you miss spending the money on power suits, cars, manscaping, and preening in front of the mirrors at the gym?  Or are you free to be a real father to your kids, a nurturing husband to your wife, and a good neighbor.  Once again, my generation of men mowed the grass, kept the outside of the house up, and played ball in the yard with the neighborhood kids.

Could it be that in striving for more, we actually have received less and diminished our self worth? What do you base your self worth on, God’s word or the worlds’?

After diligently searching for some Jesus cotton balls and unable to find any for my ears, I decided to locate something else. Actually I already knew what it was going to be and as usual, I am repeating myself.  Daily bible reading keeps you informed of the truth in every situation and circumstance you may incur.  This world will bend you and try to break you, but God’s bible is here to sustain you, give you hope, and let you know how much He loves you! Here is a bible verse which may help. Philippians 4:8.

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, good, and right.

Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell in the fine, good things in others.

Think about all you can praise God for, and be glad about it.”

Well, that is a large “drop the mic” boom from the Apostle Paul! When he wrote this verse, Paul was in prison chained to a guard waiting to be put to death.  And he found ways in a grimy dungeon full of tortures being performed day and night, to lift his mind to a better place.  And you thought your life was tough.

I have posted this verse in my home because I believe it is a great way to start a day and end a day.  I also believe turning all of the media crap off during the day and being selective about our television watching has made for better days during the pandemic at our home.  Magazines no longer clutter up our spaces, just some good literature.  If you have members of your family who are not big readers, there are Christian comic books on Amazon and Christianbook.com.

In the meantime, I am either going to invent or find some Jesus cotton balls!

God Bless You!