My husbands Nanny was this type of women, and it so impacted her family and friends, and has inspired us to do the same. This world is filled with ways of making ourselves great but the secret, the power lies in being hidden in the rock and pouring out our hearts on behalf of those we care for and those we despise. I feel so powerless so many days to do anything that will change this fallen world, but that is a lie planted like a black seed in the fertile soil of my mind ready to take root in my heart.
There IS something we can do, but when we say it, when we do it, sometimes it seems so meaningless so useless. When you see a life devoted to Jesus in quiet love and a life that responds to that love through constant prayer, you know that over time like slow soaking rain it will bear much much fruit.
Never give up because even if you don't feel that prayer is doing anything it is doing something in your heart. Knitting you closer, one stitch at a time, to the very heart of Christ.
Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
July 24, 2011
Women of Influence
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
--Matthew 5:15
More than 200 years ago, two average, rather frail women became concerned by the spiritual state of their small church in a little Minnesota town. They decided to meet together regularly, and pray for God to work. A short time later, their pastor noticed that his heart seemed more open to the word of God-and that his preaching had fresh power. Several families in the congregation fell under conviction, and confessed their sin. Other families began witnessing to their neighbors. Before long, people were traveling from far away to become involved in the many Bible studies springing up in the church community. Soon, wholesale spiritual revival broke out, and God's Spirit moved powerfully across the state of Minnesota, changing the landscape for decades to come.
These two women never wrote a book or traveled to other cities to tell their story. They didn't even want their names known! But they were powerful women of influence, substantial saints who let God exercise spiritual clout through them. And you are no different. God is not looking for famous individuals who can speak eloquently before thousands. God is looking for someone like you. Daniel 11:32 says: "The people who know their God will display strength and take action."
* * * * * * * *
The passage doesn't say you have to join the talk show circuit or do noteworthy things. If you know God, display his strength and take action! It may be as simple as taking a meal to family with a sick mom, leading a Bible study, or just meeting with a few friends to pray. First make sure you know him, know his heart. And then just do what he says!
Father God, I do know you and love you. Empower me by your Holy Spirit and show me how to take action-wherever and however you lead-to advance your kingdom.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
July 20, 2011
Sharing the Manna
Freely you have received, freely give.
--Matthew 10:8
What does it mean to glorify the Lord? It means showing off Jesus! Talking about him, thinking about him, singing about his goodness, pointing people to him, letting all his attributes and character qualities shine through our lives. That's what it means to glorify him.
The other night while lying in bed, I had the chance to glorify him by just thinking about his goodness. I was pondering I Timothy 6:17, which says that he "richly gives us all things to enjoy." Lying there, I magnified the Lord in my thoughts. I recalled how God's hand of blessing often stopped and started in the Old Testament depending on the Israelites' obedience.
But then I thought of God's New Testament way of doing things. Always blessing. Always giving. And always richly giving us all things to enjoy. Jesus is the manna always falling on the camp. He is the rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life. He is the bronze serpent, lifted high, and always healing. He is the sun always shining. He is the well of grace constantly overflowing. Who ever returned from his door unblessed? Who ever rose from his table unsatisfied? Scripture says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2). The Lord Jesus is so good. Taste and see how really good he is. Drink deeply from the Living Water today... and glorify his name.
*********
I think we glorify the Lord best when we pass on his goodness to others. By God's grace, you are his manna to others. You are his light shining in the darkness. You are the vessel through which his grace overflows. And out of you flow streams, rivers of life touching the thirsty world around you. The charge to us today is to richly give all things for others to enjoy.
Father, help me to glorify your Son this day as I watch for opportunities to touch, encourage, help, and strengthen other lives today by your empowering and in your great joy.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org
July 20, 2011
Sharing the Manna
Freely you have received, freely give.
--Matthew 10:8
What does it mean to glorify the Lord? It means showing off Jesus! Talking about him, thinking about him, singing about his goodness, pointing people to him, letting all his attributes and character qualities shine through our lives. That's what it means to glorify him.
The other night while lying in bed, I had the chance to glorify him by just thinking about his goodness. I was pondering I Timothy 6:17, which says that he "richly gives us all things to enjoy." Lying there, I magnified the Lord in my thoughts. I recalled how God's hand of blessing often stopped and started in the Old Testament depending on the Israelites' obedience.
But then I thought of God's New Testament way of doing things. Always blessing. Always giving. And always richly giving us all things to enjoy. Jesus is the manna always falling on the camp. He is the rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life. He is the bronze serpent, lifted high, and always healing. He is the sun always shining. He is the well of grace constantly overflowing. Who ever returned from his door unblessed? Who ever rose from his table unsatisfied? Scripture says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2). The Lord Jesus is so good. Taste and see how really good he is. Drink deeply from the Living Water today... and glorify his name.
*********
I think we glorify the Lord best when we pass on his goodness to others. By God's grace, you are his manna to others. You are his light shining in the darkness. You are the vessel through which his grace overflows. And out of you flow streams, rivers of life touching the thirsty world around you. The charge to us today is to richly give all things for others to enjoy.
Father, help me to glorify your Son this day as I watch for opportunities to touch, encourage, help, and strengthen other lives today by your empowering and in your great joy.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
If you have copious amounts of squash and zucchini in your garden like I do try this recipe out. I added turmeric and a dash of cayenne pepper to the spices.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Baby Lou, Baby Lou, Baby Lou...
He's my cozy Lou bear ready for a snuggle one minute and down trying to climb up bookcases the next. Has it really been a year since, by the mighty grace and power for Christ, I was able to push him out as those big burly EMT's clobbered up my stairs? He was so beautifully perfect I couldn't believe my eyes. Now he's all vibrant filled with life, wild curly locks ready to shoot me one of his toothsome grins. He keeps me from getting my chores done but there will always be time for that I guess...
He's got my tendencies that's for sure. Always grubby grabbing bits of food off the floor, a bottomless pit, banging his head on hard places when frustration rears its ugly face. I'm trying to remember to stop and pray, take a deep breath, and let go of my pride, wearing humility. always a challenge. always needed.
My prayer for this boy is wrapped up in his name... a warrior, a lion hearted man of God filled with righteous justice for the down trodden, and broken. I knew he would be ours and he would be Louis even before I conceived. A special gift to remind me that I am His special child too.
Nests
I've always have a fondness for nests. I especially love when I'm doing something in my yard and come upon a nest of little ones huddled together awaiting their awakening or alive and free from all encasement vying for the next bite.
Playing in Trees
In the spring when Louis was taking his morning nap Sophia and I would venture outside to explore and climb our apple tree. These happen to be some of my most favorite pictures of my sweetie. She also still enjoys taking a few...
Easter Times
I'm going back a ways I know...it's a remembering time for me so this works out lovely. Won't you come back with me?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
July 5, 2011
A Reminder Over the Rockies
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.... Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
--Ephesians 5:15-17
Somewhere over Colorado, the plane went completely dark. At the same moment, the audio channels died and the movie screen went blank. I gave a serious-almost frightened-look to my friend, Judy, sitting next to me. It didn't help that we were encountering turbulence over the Rocky Mountains.
The captain came on with the usual bland assurances. But I don't think many of us felt assured. After a few more minutes I heard a passenger say, "Do you smell something burning?" You could sense the tension in the cabin. And just then we began to descend. Judy and I huddled our heads and began softly saying the Lord's Prayer. The captain came on and explained that due to the power failure, we would be making an emergency landing in St. Louis. As our plane slowly lost altitude, Judy and I began praying for the other passengers. If we were going to die, we wanted to cover as many people as possible with our intercessions.
When we finally touched down in St. Louis, applause erupted from the passengers. Relieved as I was, I found a Scripture from the book of Job slipping into my thoughts. "Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed" (Job 14:5). In short, God can take us home any old way and any time he wants. That "limit" for me might have been that very afternoon over the Rockies. It was yet another reminder that today is the most important day of my life.
*********
Don't look at today as "just another day." Think of it as one more priceless opportunity to love people to Jesus. We really don't know if there will be another.
Father, I don't want to waste this precious day of life. I want to walk with you step by step and enter into all your will and desire for me.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org
July 5, 2011
A Reminder Over the Rockies
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.... Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
--Ephesians 5:15-17
Somewhere over Colorado, the plane went completely dark. At the same moment, the audio channels died and the movie screen went blank. I gave a serious-almost frightened-look to my friend, Judy, sitting next to me. It didn't help that we were encountering turbulence over the Rocky Mountains.
The captain came on with the usual bland assurances. But I don't think many of us felt assured. After a few more minutes I heard a passenger say, "Do you smell something burning?" You could sense the tension in the cabin. And just then we began to descend. Judy and I huddled our heads and began softly saying the Lord's Prayer. The captain came on and explained that due to the power failure, we would be making an emergency landing in St. Louis. As our plane slowly lost altitude, Judy and I began praying for the other passengers. If we were going to die, we wanted to cover as many people as possible with our intercessions.
When we finally touched down in St. Louis, applause erupted from the passengers. Relieved as I was, I found a Scripture from the book of Job slipping into my thoughts. "Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed" (Job 14:5). In short, God can take us home any old way and any time he wants. That "limit" for me might have been that very afternoon over the Rockies. It was yet another reminder that today is the most important day of my life.
*********
Don't look at today as "just another day." Think of it as one more priceless opportunity to love people to Jesus. We really don't know if there will be another.
Father, I don't want to waste this precious day of life. I want to walk with you step by step and enter into all your will and desire for me.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org
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