Its so funny how kids can say and do the most random of things and yet they'll say or do one thing and BAM! Its a God word to you... so it happened to me this morning...

My 2 year old nephew Jarrett was playing with his big sister Layla. They were chasing each other around and then the both of them found their 10 year old uncle's lightsabers. So of course they play and run around some more and then suddenly Jarrett runs to me, holding his lightsaber close to him and yelling at his sister, "No Layla! No hit my lightsaber!" I laughed and told him, "Jarrett that's what you're suppose to do with a ligthsaber." But he wouldn't listen as he stood in the far corner of the room, cradling the fictional weapon as if it were a living thing all its own. He didn't want a dent on it, a scratch, a chance for it to be damaged or ruined in any way shape or form.

Suddenly I thought about Anakin or Obi-Wan Kanobi doing this with their lightsabers, Aragon doing that with his sword, Anduril or even (for you anime fans out there) Ruroni Kenshin never drawing it and yelling, "HEY! That's my sword! I don't want you causing any damage to it! Its so pretty and shiny and..."

As I chuckled to myself about these random pics running through my mind, I was reminded for some reason instantly about "gifts", "abilities" and "weapons" and not just any kind, mine. And then a voice said loud enough in my heart to catch my attention and stop me in my tracks, "Are you holding back?"

Suddenly stories flashed across my mind of people, in the bible, who withheld...

--Cain not giving the first of his fruits yet his brother Abel did...

--The wicked and lazy servant with only one talent in Jesus' parable...

--Ananias and Sapphira keeping money from the early Church in Acts...

As I sit here and think about certain things and "gifts" I can use against the enemy, I ask myself what about the everyday stuff? What about the gifts and abilities God has given me? Do I withhold those as well: the ability to love even when I have the right not to, the ability to show compassion, mercy and grace even when the world around me tells me not to or if I have a reason to? See this thing isn't just the enemy's fault all in all... its my fault too. By me allowing reasons determine my actions and my feelings instead of allowing the things God has taught me through out the years, I have chosen what I think or really what the world thinks I should do in response to something with holding what should given in God's eyes. And when that happens... God can't be seen because he won't show up.

And of course this is happening at the part of the year it really shouldn't be happening at... CHRISTmas! You know? The time when it should be more about Jesus and not so much about me and because of my split second, me center decisions many people have been the results of my harsh actions and my double edge sword of a tongue, especially those that I hold close and say I love. I pray that God would forgive me and my family would do the same even if they give me reason not to love on them. The love, the grace, the mercy, the kindness... the things that I'm so use to showing them for some reason recently have been left on the shelves in my heart collecting dust and sometimes can't even be found because they're so unrecogizable. My family almost fell apart because of decisions like these once... I can't let the enemy get a foothold in my family anymore! Its time for me not only to dust off the spiritual weapons to fight off the enemy but the gifts that can strengthen the chances and opportunities for God to show up on this earth!

~Jeanne;)

----------------
Now playing: Charlie Hall - Center
via FoxyTunes

Hey guys!! Sorry about not posting something for such a long time! Man, its already December?! Holy cow... any who...

Well, its crunch time! That's right... its time for final exams and the like. Unfortunately though this is also a time for me when I am going through some hard stuff, relationship-wise. I just ask for your prayers right now in that clarity will be brought about and that a friendship can still be salvaged out of all this craziness.

Besides that though, everything is great! My dad has a new job now, working for a men's organization out of Oklahoma City, OK called Men At The Cross. He's doing great, trying to keep himself healthy and strong (trying to avoid having another heart attack). My mom's still working hard as a teacher and getting some leadership stuff done for her to move up in her position right now in the school system. My oldest sister and her kids are doing great... getting ready for Christmas as are my little brother and little sister.

During my quiet times the past couple of days, God has just been reminding me through scripture, music, friends and videos who I am...

I am his child, his disciple, his ambassador and he has faith in me!

Right now I'm just trying to hold on to that and remind myself that day in and day out and that no matter what may happen to me whether it comes to school, family, relationships... whatever, I can hold on to that truth and know that I was chosen, I have been given authority and I've been sent out to do God's will and to fulfill God's plan for this world and that He, the God of the universe, has faith in me!! And I should not be afraid...

Well that's it for now! Hopefully I don't take as long to post stuff the next time... later!
~Jeanne;)

Hey everyone! Sorry its been a while... but of course college can do that to someone. I just finished one of my tests here at the college today and was able to get a bit of free time before I have to get started on an essay for my English class. So here's my life...

Life has been pretty good so far. I've been meeting new people all over and enjoying the new life I have here at Atlanta Christian College. The work load is a little bit on the "more than I like" side but I've been doing quite well in all of my classes so its not too bad I guess. I've met quite a few people here at the college who are absolutely amazing! We also had a chance this past week, as a college - faculty and students alike - to take a day off from the norm of ACC and go out to do ministry work in Atlanta. We all had so much fun and enjoyed ourselves immensely but were completely spent by the end of the day! A good spent... like knowing you put forth everything you had to offer - strength, love, intellect and passion - into reaching out to the people in the area trying to get them to catch a glimpse of Christ's love in us and see it come through us to these people! I felt like I was back on the mission field that day... I enjoyed it completely!

I do ask however that you guys be in prayer for a few people: my dad lost his job and is looking for a new one. He's got a family of 8 to provide for so please pray that he finds something soon! Also pray for our college - its in the process of making a decision to move to a new site so it grow and its down to two opitions: Newnan, GA or Peachtree City, GA. I would really love it to be in Newnan cause that's where I grew up (just my opinion though). Just pray that the best choice will be made. Also pray for me as I continue to seek hard after God and his will for my life!

Hope all is well! God bless and hopefully I'll talk to ya soon!

~Jeanne ;)

Hey everyone! Its been awhile... for some of you, y'all were following my adventures in Mexico the previous year through the blogs I posted on the AIM website. I really didn't think I would be doing this again and then I thought it might be a good thing that people actually know what I'm going through now. Even though I'm not in Mexico but in Southwest Atlanta (East Point, GA) instead of being home with my family I still think that God is going to grow me and mature me in many ways here on the campus of Atlanta Christian College. I really can't wait to see what's in store for me...

So in case for some of you who didn't hear... I'M IN COLLEGE!!! That's right, after a 6 year sabbatical from the school system I'm back and man is it already getting tough for me. Essays, tests, quizzes, reports, reading, note taking... its crazy. (Yeah go ahead and laugh it up you college grads). So of course I'm dealing with the new phase in my life and meeting the new people here at the school. Its great and I've met a lot of amazing people already and I'm already famous here too! Last week at our Chapel meeting we do here at the college I made a presentation about my missions trip to Mexico in front of the entire staff and student body here at the school! Anywho besides all that I did have a bit of tragedy hit too: a very close personal friend our family passed away this week and I'm planning on going to the funeral for it. So life is moving in so many different directions right now for me I'm fighting just to try and stay focus on God and his will right now... we'll see how it goes and hopefully if anything else it'll be amusing for you guys...

And Lord don't even get me started on the men around here....

Later!

~Jeanne ;)