It sits stoically on it's perch. Looking slightly out of place amongst the Valentine's Decorations. But, that's the point...isn't it? My visual reminder in 2014 of The J.O.Y. Experiment. And, that come December...I will celebrate with purpose the birth of my SAVIOR & what that truly means.
In January, we looked at the name JESUS. We learned that the name JESUS encompasses ALL His names.
In February, we will focus on JESUS as Savior.
I have a pretty active imagination. And, as I typed that...I saw Jesus in a Superman suit...standing in front of the cross...his hands on his hips....his cape flapping in the breeze...and big BOLD "J" emblazoned on his chest. Obviously, I have the active imagination of a 7 year old boy. Or, I happen to be a 43 year old woman who loves her superhero movies...which I do. A lot. Let's keep that between us...shall we?
A Savior is defined in the dictionary as a person who...
SAVES
RESCUES
DELIVERS.
So, the question is
WHY DO WE NEED A SAVIOR?
Ephesians 2:1 says that we were DEAD in our transgressions & sins.
I Thessalonians 5: 9 & 10 says, "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him."
Galatians 5 talks about what kind of life we lead without a Savior & then when He swoops in & saves us!
19-21 It
is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way
all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation
of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for
happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness;
cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal
temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided
lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of
depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable
addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.
22-23 But
what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives,
much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection
for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness
to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a
conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find
ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in
life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
My friends, I know this much....
I NEED A SAVIOR.
I think when we truly see & acknowledge our need for a Savior the more precious the gift of God sending His Son, JESUS, becomes.
I have seen my life without a Savior. I have lived that list above. And, then...
by simply acknowledging that life & asking for His forgiveness...
HE SAVED ME.
The gift of SALVATION is FREE.
That life...that list....is forgotten. As far as the East is from the West.
If you haven't accepted this gift...if you need a Savior...He is right there, friend. Ready & waiting to SWOOP in...
If you have questions or want someone to pray with you, please feel free to email me at justjilly@rocketmail.com. It would be my privilege to share with you His salvation plan.
Now, here is our scripture memory for February!
And, guess what??? I got smart and you can download it here!
For those of you who have left comments here, Facebook, Instagram or via email...thank you! Your encouragement is like manna! I pray for you. And, I ask that you continue to pray for me as well.
I'm under the weather, friends. Like not the "Ohmygosh, I'm dying."
More like I'm trudging through Jell-O. My throat hurts.
My tummy is icky. And, I just am tired.
So, I'm trying to be a trooper. When honestly, I feel like a pooper.
I wanted to assess honestly how I feel The J.O.Y. Experiment is working.
It's just hard when you feel yucky.
It seems to overshadow everything.
But, here it is...
IT'S WORKING.
And, to say that...
is
AMAZEBALLS!
There are some things going on right now that I just can't share about.
And, the situation alone could be enough to snuff out any & all J.O.Y.
But, the amazing thing is....it's NOT!
Here are some of the things that truly seemed to help me create JOY:
Diet
(are you rolling your eyes? because i would have too. but, we are 24 days into the daniel plan & i can not begin to tell you the changes it has made. 24 days, peeps, without a diet coke. 24 days without refined sugar & flour. and, it shows.)
Exercise
(again with the eye rolling. consistent exercise has helped decrease the depression. and, after about the second week...i quit moaning about going to the gym. and, i know the gunny is feeling JOY over that.)
Routine
(yep, i get up at 5am monday through friday. 30 minutes for a quiet time. 30 minutes for stretching & toning.)
Music
(i have solely listened to christian music the past month. i've gotten over cringing at the cheesiness (just bein real, my friends) & learned to love & embrace it)
These four things plus the journaling & practicing putting OTHERS before myself have brought a great contentment. I'm not saying I'm there yet...it's a journey. There are detours. Bumps in the road. But, I am finding JOY in the journey.
Tomorrow, I'll be sharing on the name SAVIOR & posting scripture memory for February. I'm a little behind due to this crud.
If you are joining in the J.O.Y. Experiment, tell me about it. I'd love to hear what you are learning. You can leave a comment here or email me at justjilly@rocketmail.com.
Yesterday during my lunch hour, I wandered the aisles of Target. I found myself suddenly surrounded my RED, PINK, and some god-awful shade of the color of purple. There were hearts, cupids, and candy....LOTS & LOTS of candy.
For several years, I spent Valentine's Day as a single mama. A single mama with a big open gaping wounded heart. Because... Love Ran Out. Valentine's Day served as a reminder that I was alone. That I had been abandoned. That the person I loved & had committed my life to... no longer loved me. It's been a lot of years now, but this morning after I dropped my boys off from school this song in the video above came on my radio. I've heard it dozens of times & sang it at church, but this time that song touched that sensitive scar on my heart. And, the memories flooded in...the absolute abandonment, the hurt, the embarrassment of a failed marriage, the loneliness, the fear... And, I turned up the radio... And, I let those lyrics fill the car And, I let Him remind me...
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love HIS. LOVE. NEVER. RUNS. OUT.
EVER.
So, this Valentine's season, my friends, can you be aware of those around you for whom earthly love has run out? Can you GO. BE. LOVE.?
For those abandoned...children whose fathers have walked out... wives whose husbands said, "I'm done. I don't love you any more." Oh, I know your pain. And, right now...at this moment...I am lifting up your broken hearts.
Psalms 34:18 in The Message says this...
"If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath."
The Gunny had a short little trip for work over the weekend. So, I decided to make the most of it. A trip to the thrift store, Target & Lowes, and I was in bizness.
It all started with these amazing finds. Crate & Barrel bamboo plates. Pottery Barn polka dot plates. A wood bowl. Anthropologie like teacup & saucer candle. A divine plate. Baskets.
This might have been the best of all....brand new...still in the packaging with all the teas...$7.99. I love, love, love it!
I created the pillow covers out of 3 tea towels that were on clearance at Target for 88 cents each.
The footstool poof I wanted was finally on clearance.
So, it now resides in our happy little home.
The mantle got a total overhaul with some pops of color. New lamp & shade...both on clearance at Target. The other stuff I shopped the house for...
And, the most awesome canvas of the US. It was 50% off at Hobby Lobby. A steal for $30!
I'm usually an art snob. I like things that are sentimental & have meaning to us. But, this...this is happy & fun! And, I have a couple of touches I plan to add to it.
New runner with more tea towels.
The new mantle decor called for a new garland.
The JOY letters in the window are now in my office. But, they were on sale too. And, I wanted a little reminder for work.
I created a new JOY wreath as well.
I switched out the old curtains for some I had hanging in the guest bath.
New plants for a garage sale planter that I picked up ages ago....
BEFORE that was an "in" color.
I painted my lantern. And, you can admire my couch cover in this photo as well. My dogs lay all over our couch. So, in order to preserve my new couches...I invested in throws from uglysofa.com. You need to check them out! Seriously! They have saved my couches. I had NO idea how dirty my couches were getting until I finally purchased the covers & saw the dirt on the cream covers after only one day. Gross. I wash the covers every few days.
Best, Idea. Ever.
New little sign from The Hobbying & the Lobbying. There is a family story behind this hymn, so it is precious to me.
My new little happy vignette.
Oh, got that white Ikea vase at the thrift store too. I planted a tropical...pretty sure that I'll be disowned by "blogland" for not planting succulents. But, I'm a rebel like that...
My "new" Pottery Barn plates...
My "new" curtain for the kitchen sewn from a thrifted bed sheet.
That glue gun to the right got a LOT of use this weekend. A LOT.
This pillow got a little facelift. That's two more clearance tea towels sewn together & tied around the pillow to give it a POP!
It hit my like a TON of bricks yesterday in church. It my quest for creating J.O.Y. through Jesus, Others, and You. I had given littleno thought to "creativity killers". And, as Pastor Matt shared on unforgiveness I felt that quiet whisper..."You, this is for you..."
And, it was.
Dang.
And, this isn't just a little stone in the road. This is ONE. BIG. STINKIN. MASSIVE. MOUNTAIN in the highway. So, B.I.G. that I can't even see around it.
I always try to be transparent on this here blog. I am not a fan of evasive, elusive posts...via Facebook, Twitter or blog. But, here...at this moment...I can't share about this situation yet. Some of its not mine to share.
Can you trust when I say that by the world's standards I would be justified NOT to forgive?
But, I don't see any exceptions in Matthew 18.
None.
Dang.
So, I'm back at it friends. Blessing instead of cursing. Shutting my big ol' pie hole when I really wanna trash talk. And, trying to be a little more like my Jesus.
Below is the link for Pastor Matt's sermon yesterday morning. It's not long. And, if you watch it...you'll wish you could live in Kansas City and go to church with me. Because, our pastors...Matt & Chris...they're the real deal. Oh, they're flawed humans just like you & me. But, man, oh man....they don't "DO" church. These guys' lives are spent being the church.
So, check our A New Way--Week 3. Do it. Seriously. I'm gonna watch it again. It's that good.
And, let's get around this BIG ol' mountain, so we can continue on our journey to J.O.Y.
I have kept a "diary" since I received a Hello Kitty one in the 2nd grade. I still wish I had it. It said things like who I thought was cute, who was my best friend, how awesome my gold belt & rainbow shirt were, etc...
You know, the important things. (smile)
I began to truly journal in high school when the depression was especially bad. I let up during college. And, started again...rather faithfully...when I got married. I have all my journals since that time. And, every once in a while...I pull them out & read them. I am always amazed at the things I have forgotten OR just how amazingly insightful I am. (sarcasm...the insight not the forgetting. forgetting, i'm a pro. now, what was i talking about)
My journals have evolved like me. It used to be just me writing what was going on & my feelings. Then, I began to journal scripture verses & lessons the Lord taught me.
I started to add my sermon notes.
And, fun evenings out.
Notes from the books I read.
Above, are my notes from the book Unglued.
Good stuff.
Stuff I would forget if I didn't write it down.
Then there are things about my kids. Like when Ry got caught being good at school. And, when Mac received his first information postcard from a college! What?!?!?!?
And, I clip articles & design ideas & tape them in there as well. Before Pinterest, I used to have separate notebooks for my craft ideas & home decor. Now, I get so few magazines that I just put them in my journal.
So, I guess I really created a psuedo Smash book before it was cool.
I want to encourage you if you are joining me in The J.O.Y. Experiment to begin to journal. Your journal doesn't have to be like mine. But, I can testify to the fact that you will be so glad you took the time to write down your thoughts, His Word, and how you created J.O.Y. in your life through JESUS, OTHERS, & YOU. When we look back in December and celebrate His birth, your journal will stand as a testament to His faithfulness & goodness. Happy Friday, friends. I hope your weekend is filled with family, friends, and some time with our Jesus.
I thought I'd show you just a couple of cheap Valentine's Day decorating ideas...
First, my mantle garland made from book pages. (shocker)
I used some glue, glitter, scrap paper, twine, ribbon from the Target Dollar Spot & there ya have it.
The LOVE letters are again book pages, scrap paper & clearance stickers from Hobby Lobby. I framed them in $1 frames from the Dollar Tree.
The book wreath has found its home with its kinfolk. Instructions for the wreath are here.
My last Dollar Tree decoration is the red plastic hearts....I love how they are spilling out of the teapot. I may or may not have silently praised myself for this little vignette.
I made all the decorations above for under $20.
I'm fighting a migraine today. So, cute & clever is out. And, I'm at a loss for a clever closing...
So, after my sucky birthday. The Gunny took me shopping at Savers & let me have some fun. Now, I know...some women are out there going...he took you to the "thrift store" & you were happy. And, as a matter of fact....I was. I couldn't have been happier than if he took me to Nordstrom's & let me loose there. Except for shoes...I'm all about NEW shoes.
I got the above sweater & shirt at Savers. Paired it with my jeans & booties along with a vintage necklace The Gunny got me for Valentine's Day several years back at one of my fave antique stores. Also pictured is my January bracelet from my bracelet-a-month anniversary gift. I'm already excited for February!
Picked up this beautiful scarf at Kohls. I got one for my aunt too. It's probably more her colors than mine. But, it's little Southwest flair makes me all giddy. I picked up the Banana Republic sweater at Savers, as well as, the purse on my little shopping spree with The Gunny.
This coat is from the spree as well. I loved the rosette. And, I knew I had the perfect cropped pants at home & black shell from The Pink Suitcase that it would go over perfectly. It was what I had needed to pull it all together.
Most Thursdays, I get to work from home. It is divine. I threw on my grey Savers sweater over a white top that I thrifted a couple of months ago & put on my comfy jeans & Target glittery houseslippers. Sipping Earl Grey out of my mug from an IG swap & working at the kitchen island is lovely. Of course, no work from home day is complete without a messy bun.
The checked Ralph Lauren shirt & black ruffled sweater were also a part of my birthday gift. I paired it with the most cozy sweater leggings that I picked up at Marshalls for $10 a month or two ago. Threw it on with some brown Guess boots...also from Marshalls & topped it with a bun. I am loving the bun thing now that my hair has gotten long. It's funny because it reminds me a bit of my childhood....
That's me circa 1978 or so at my Christmas recital in my piano teacher's basement. My mama liked buns too. I remember how my head would ache when she would take it down at night. Ouch! Of course, that was preferable to sleeping on the pink sponge rollers. Which I did...a lot. a lot. a lot a lot.
I have started getting back into the routine of things with the New Year. Now, on Sunday evenings...I take about an hour & plan out all my outfits for the week. I press them & hang them complete with accessories. It saves so much time & frustration during the week. I usually watch whatever I have recorded on the DVR & it actually has become a little ritual to get me back into the mindset of the work week.
Anywhoo, the outfit above is again...a thrifted sweater dress, a denim jacket from Marshalls, my trusty booties, and the most awesome "scarf" from my friend, Heather, of Bebe & Alice. I love it. It is so unique. And, everyone always comments on it.
Last, but not least....one of my trusty tunics from The Pink Suitcase in Ottawa, KS. Miss being in Ottawa regularly for business because I can't stop in & do some damage with all the amazing things these gals bring back from market. You can find The Pink Suitcase online. I paired the tunic with LOTS of bead goodness. The large turquoise necklace is a fave find from TJ Maxx. And, the long strands I made myself. Good therapy. Oh, the 31 is the days left we have on The Daniel Plan until we allow ourselves a cheat day then get right back on the wagon. The Gunny has been compiling a never-ending list of all the carb loaded food he is going to consume. So far, all I want is chocolate chip pancakes.
So, there ya have it, peeps. What I Wore...for what it's worth.
