a joyfully abundant life
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100 Days

100 Days: The Introduction

100 Days: Week One

100 Days: Take Two

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My Joyfully Abundant Life

jacquegarner
THIS DAY! - {insert profound thoughts} - But serio THIS DAY! - {insert profound thoughts} - But seriously! This day has certainly redeemed itself from this morning’s chilly, rainy, yucky-ness. The windows are open, I’m baking bread, and enjoying a quiet Saturday. What are you up to today?
Snow days make me want to bake. Started out this m Snow days make me want to bake. Started out this morning with some yummy muffins. Cookie dough is chilling and I’m about to start some bread. How do snow days affect you?
Today's Psalm (Psalm 11) in the #oneyearbible sure Today's Psalm (Psalm 11) in the #oneyearbible sure is a timely word for today! There's a phrase that probably every pastor has heard as they lead their churches. "People are saying . . . " (And it's not a new thing - just read Psalm 11 to see what "people are saying" to David.) This phrase almost always means, "I don't agree with something and I mentioned it to another person and they agreed with me so I'm going to take my concerns to the pastor." Sometimes these concerns are legitimate. But more often they're based on incomplete information, personal opinion, perception, and/or speculation based on listening to the voices of others who are operating with incomplete information, personal opinion, etc. There's so much speculation swirling around right now. So much "people are saying . . . " The enemy thrives in speculation. He knows it steals our peace and our joy. He knows it distracts us from the truth. He knows it brings division. Can I encourage you today with the words of David? THE LORD STILL RULES and you can trust Him. He is working on your behalf. Let Him lead you from His omniscience. Let Him handle the unknowns as you lean into Him. Share your concerns - your "people are saying"s - with Him and let Him filter out the garbage. Cling to Him, knowing He holds you in His hand. Let the peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind. I'm praying for you today. I'm declaring Psalm 11:4 and Philippians 4:6-7 over you. Hold fast! People are saying: The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do? The truth is: But the Lord is in His holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. Psalm 11:4
I got to start out my Saturday with this view befo I got to start out my Saturday with this view before heading out to the church to get ready for our first Sunday service of 2021. So thankful for the two grand boys who were added to our family in 2020. Definitely two of the best parts of the year! #arloreed #gigix7
I woke up early this morning (NOT on purpose!) I t I woke up early this morning (NOT on purpose!) I tried to go back to sleep but I was too excited about starting my new faith journal. #nerd - Last year I felt the Lord leading me to read through the Psalms in 2020. He is so good. So wise. He knew exactly what was heading my way and the Psalms were exactly what I would need on the best days and on the worst. - Reading slowly (so slowly! I stretched 150 chapter out over the whole year) allowed me to really soak in His Word. To gain a deeper understanding of who he is. For my faith and trust in Him to grow exponentially like never before. - When each day seemed to bring worse news than the day before, the Psalms kept me anchored in hope. The beautiful relationship David and the other writers had with God taught me so much about the kind of relationship God wants with me. - I developed the habit of processing everything through Him first. Everything. All the feels. The good, the bad, and the absolutely ugly. I laid it out before Him in my journal and through spoken prayers. And it has changed my life. - Did I do this perfectly? Nope. Not. Even. Close. And I don’t expect to be perfect in 2021 either. - But because of 2020, I have a greater expectation for 2021. I’m not afraid of what’s to come for I have seen that He is truly faithful - not just because I read that He was, but because I’ve experienced it. I know that He works out everything. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. for the good of those who love Him. He wastes nothing and everything holds a purpose. - So, hello, 2021! I’m looking forward to what God is going to do in me and through me. I’m excited about the direction He is taking my family and our church. I am believing for Him to do big things in the body of Christ - for hardened hearts to be softened towards Him, for the lost to be drawn into relationship with Him, for healings and deliverances to abound, and so much more! - Let’s do this! - #happyplanner #faithplanner #oneyearBible #diveintotheWord
This is not where I expected to be today. • Back This is not where I expected to be today. • Back in the spring when I found out our 7th grand baby was on the way, we were at the beginning of lockdown. • I never dreamed that we’d still be living in some alternate reality and I would not get to be at the hospital when Arlo was born. • But here I am. Still in my pjs. (Well. That’s everyday!) Waiting at home. Not a hospital room. • And remembering that even in disappointment: God is good. God is faithful. God is able. • There’s still so much to be thankful for. There is still a God who reigns supreme and He is the same God who’s faithful love surrounds me and comforts me. • “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:1‬ ‭CSB‬‬
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The enemy uses shame as a tool to bring fear, sile The enemy uses shame as a tool to bring fear, silence, condemnation, insecurity. Shame releases the impulse to flee and hide. Shame becomes a wall between us and the Father. "Shame on you" is a CURSE and it has no place in the believer's vernacular. 📣 We are called to speak life to a broken and hurting world. 📣 We are called to speak encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ. 📣We are called to proclaim the truth of God's Word to everyone around us. When we choose to speak #nothingbutJesus, we are choosing to speak grace. 💖 The lost need grace. 💖 Believers need grace. 💖 Every person waking this earth right now - whether I believe they deserve it or not - needs grace.
Paul, imprisoned for his faith, had a lot of time Paul, imprisoned for his faith, had a lot of time to write letters. He could have chosen to write anything. But in this 2nd chapter of his letter to the Philippians he chose to showcase an attribute of Jesus that isn't a very popular virtue these days. HUMILITY. Jesus exemplified humility. He took off His crown. He set aside His own comfort. He gave up His royal rights. He endured the harassment of "haters", public humiliation and mocking, the excruciating pain of crucifixion. There was no place for self-centered pride in His pursuit of Kingdom purpose. He took on MY guilt and shame, the heaviness of MY sin --- all for the joy He knew was coming on the other side of the cross. Pride says, "This isn't my problem. Sorry, you're on your own. Hope everything works out." Humility says, "I love you enough to walk through this so you can find freedom." Pride says, "But what about my rights?" Humility says, "I will give up all that is rightly mine to see you find healing." Pride says, "But what's in it for me? " Humility says, "I will do whatever it takes, whatever the cost, for you to experience the love of the Father." #nothingbutJesus
It’s a weird time we’re living in. We can focu It’s a weird time we’re living in. We can focus our eyes on all the negative, but Paul encourages us to choose another way. The Jesus way. “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus . . . “ Philippians 2:5. Humility. Leaning into the Father. Choosing the eternal perspective. Finding delight in obedience to Him. Being content with what God has blessed us with. Our visit to the creek started with a 🐍 but we didn’t let that steal our fun. Lo had the best time! #simplejoys #nothingbutJesus
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