Whatever

Whatever.  It is a word uttered by countless people on television and by many disgruntled children and adults alike.  For decisions as simple as what to have for lunch to major ones such as which school to attend or what job to apply for, the casual response of “whatever” seems a little indecisive; as if the person is not focused enough to truly concentrate on the issue at hand.  Yet, with all of the shortcomings this word may hold, it is used with much abandon on issues even more crucial than meals, colleges, and careers.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the first known use of the word whatever was recorded in the fourteenth century.  While the word has multiple meanings, one of the definitions is “anything and everything that.”  Wikipedia states that the slang term means “I don’t care what you say.”  In reality, the entire world has adopted a “whatever” attitude.

Many people today feel that they can do or say anything they like without acknowledging the consequences of their actions.  They recklessly run wide open, like a loose cannon rolling around on the deck of a ship.  Without any respect for the destruction they may cause along the way, they keep living their lives with selfish ambition, disregarding the way their actions are affecting others.

From superstars who live with reckless abandon to doctors who promote abortion, this world is filled with instances of people whose existence is essentially based on a “don’t care” attitude, devoid of values, morals, and in many cases, even common sense.  This idea of “anything goes” may be popular for the moment, but history has shown that this pattern only leads down a dead end road.

Recently, I have been saddened when I turn on the news, hearing the way many Biblical principles have largely been tossed aside in favor of more secular ones.  Many of these secular views are not just being casually referenced to, but instead, they are being promoted in the public eye at widely popular events such as the Grammy Awards and the upcoming Super Bowl.  Instead of focusing on musical talent or athletic ability, events like these are now becoming political arenas.

While the word “whatever” may relate to many things that are wrong on this earth, this word is used in a positive way in the Bible.  The Apostle Paul used this word six times within one single verse in his letter to the Philippians.  Instead of telling them that he didn’t care or that they could do whatever they pleased, he gave them advice for how they should live their lives.  He imparted wisdom, so that they could find joy for their journey, no matter what was going on around them.  His message also applies to you and me today, even in the year 2014.  Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Paul begins by telling us to think about things that are true.  In reality, the old adage is true: if you tell the truth, it’s easier to keep your story straight.  Yet the devil often tempts us to tell falsehoods on a daily basis, also imparting his own lies to try to undermine what God wants to do in our midst.  Instead of getting trapped in his evil snares, we should focus our attention on the true and living God.  Our hearts should be tuned to His still, small voice, so that we can hear the Truth, the Life, the Way, Jesus Christ.  Only by thinking on what is true will we be truly content.

He continues by saying that we should think about “whatever is noble.”  In this context, noble refers to things that are moral, upright, or honorable.  We should not even be thinking about engaging in immoral behavior.  As Christians, we have to set ourselves apart from the worldly ways, so that we can be an example to the world.  We should strive to be like Jesus, walking daily in His Father’s will, always shining our light for all to see, like a beacon in the night.

Paul also encourages us to think about things that are right.  This concept brings to mind a child who is learning the difference between right and wrong.  You can tell them multiple times not to eat several handfuls of candy before bed.  Inevitably, they will sneak into the candy jar, testing their limits just to see what happens.  In their case, this results in a stomach ache that eventually subsides.  Sadly, our human inclination to “push the limit” often does greater damage, resulting in permanent injury or even death.  We know it is right to obey the speed limit, yet we all find ourselves going a “little over” at times.  We need to remember that a slight increase in speed can be so much more detrimental if we have a blowout or a deer runs in front of our car.  By doing what is right in all things, we will certainly avoid unwarranted heartache and disappointment in life.

Then Paul says we should think about “whatever is pure,” “lovely,” and “admirable.”  When I hear the word pure, I am reminded of the precious blood of Jesus that washes us white as snow.  Our sins have been forgiven.  We have been cleansed.  We are pure through Jesus Christ.  Yet this world imparts so much corruption, from immoral living arrangements to the disregard for human life.  Instead of hiding in a corner somewhere, we need to take a stand for Jesus, showing the world that Jesus saves.  We must carry the message of His love to a lost and dying world, keeping our minds pure, focused on the One who is the purest of the pure, the most admirable, and worthy of our praise, Jesus Christ.

Finally, Paul tells us that our minds should be centered on anything that is “excellent” or “praiseworthy.”  Paul doesn’t tell us to think about the expletives we heard on that “family friendly” television program.  And he doesn’t tell us to dwell on the fact that we told a lie, cheated someone out of something, or engaged in any other inappropriate behavior.  Instead, he tells us to live of a life of excellence.  We should think about things that will allow us to be a positive role model for others to look up to and to think about things that are worthy of our praise.

You may be reading this, thinking, “I can’t think about all of those things right now.  There are too many things about me you don’t know.  It’s just...too difficult.”  You might even respond to this blog by saying, “Whatever.”  Friend, I want to encourage you today.  Your situation may be dire, but so was Paul’s when he wrote this scripture.  Paul wrote this letter while he was confined in prison.  Even so, he uses the words “joy” and “rejoice” in the book of Philippians a total of sixteen times.  He knew that Jesus would deliver him from behind those bars.  And he also had the assurance that whether he remained in prison or was soon set free, God would take care of him.

Paul unlocked the secret to living in peace, despite our current situations.  In Philippians 4:6-7, he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul knew there was more to life than the bars that surrounded him. Whatever happened, he knew that God would be faithful to the end.

God will do the same thing for you.  No matter what your circumstances, Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting love.  Every mountain you have to climb, He will help you summit every peak.  Every river you have to cross, He will be your lifeline.  And every day you wake up wondering how you will get out of bed in the morning, He will be there, holding out His hand, giving you strength to face another day.  And when you give God all of your worries and cares, you’ll find that it becomes easier to think about the positive instead of dwelling on the negativity.  So set aside your fears, cast aside your “whatever’s,” and rejoice in the Lord always!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Checking In

Have you ever checked into a hotel, only to find that your room wasn’t ready yet?  Or maybe when you got to your room, you were greeted with one bed instead of two, no towels, or something else that was askew?  Earlier this month, I checked in to a hotel, only to find that the lock on the door did not work.  In the second room, the shower didn’t work.  In the third room, there were ants.  Problem after problem, yet with each move, I knew I was closer to something better.  While it may have had ants in the beginning, the third room that I was blessed with was a gorgeous 2-room suite.  All I had to do was have patience, trusting that each problem would be resolved.  I knew that God would take care of me, despite the shortcomings of my current surroundings.

In reality, this world is very similar to a hotel room.  Every morning, God wakes us up and we go to work, to church, to school, or some other location.  While all of these things are wonderful, they are temporary locations to which we attend.  Just like a reservation at a hotel, none of these things will last forever.  And just like there may be maintenance problems in a hotel room, we often awake to find various problems we need to solve or many bumps in the road that we must navigate.  Perhaps you had a flat tire on your way to work, or lost your cell phone, or accidentally spilled something on your new coat.  Many things in life cause us to become upset, lose patience, and often give us the desire to simply give up.  But just like the lock and shower that could be fixed and the ants that could be dealt with in my hotel room, the things that happen to us on a daily basis can be resolved quite easily as well.  One by one, God will send the answer to every problem in our lives, no matter how insignificant.  He cares about each and every aspect of our lives, right down to the moments we trip over our own two feet or get tongue tied when talking to someone during the course of our day.

You may be reading this, thinking, “Jennifer, there’s something much bigger going on in my life.  I’m at the end of my rope and there is nothing that could ever fix this problem.  It is a hopeless situation.”  Don’t be discouraged.  Jesus will give you hope, even for the most hopeless situations.  Maybe you have a loved one who is undergoing cancer treatments, or perhaps your son or daughter could be drifting away from you.  Your heart could be broken in two because your husband or wife is having an affair.  You may be wondering how you will pay next month’s rent, or where you will find money to pay for basic necessities like food and water.

I want to encourage you today.  I know firsthand that there are some things in life that seem insurmountable.  As a little girl, I sang at the funerals of my two baby brothers.  I experienced the loss of three grandparents.  Five years ago, my sweet Mama went to Heaven.  I have spent many weeks in the hospital, wondering when I would ever get to come home.  But through it all, God has remained faithful to me.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will never give us more than we can bear.  He has a plan for my life and I strive every day to live according to His perfect will.  While this world has its share of trials and tribulations, one thing never wavers.  That is God’s love for you and me.  He loves you and me more than we could ever comprehend.

Along with God’s unconditional love, we can take comfort in the fact that this life here is temporary.  Just like the contents of a hotel room, we do not own this world.  We are not here to stay forever, so the curve balls that life throws our way are truly just temporary inconveniences, no matter how difficult they may seem.  They are not the end goal in life.  The Apostle Paul wrote in the book of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV), “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  The troubles we encounter in this world are just momentary setbacks, if you will, in comparison to the incomprehensible joy that awaits us in Heaven.

Maybe you are reading this, wondering how you could ever get into Heaven.  You may have done things that you regret and you may feel that you are not good enough.  The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 NIV).  Based on this verse, there is not one person who is perfect.  Not one of us is good enough on our own.  But Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, died on a cross so that our sins could be washed away.  His sacrifice paid all of our debts.  Call on His name today and repent of your sins.  Ask Him to be the Lord of your life and save your soul.  If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will gain eternal reservations in Heaven with Him.  And unlike a hotel room, there will be no checking out.  Instead, we can joyfully anticipate the very moment that we walk through Heaven’s gates when we are finally checking in!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Pray Now!

When was the last time you told someone that you would keep them in your prayers? If you’re like me, you may do this very often. But when was the last time you actually stopped for a moment, amid your busy schedule, and prayed for them right then and there? Recently I spoke to someone on the telephone who asked to pray for me and I also prayed for them. We both stopped, took the time to pray that God would bless each other’s families and ministries. It only took a moment of our time, but what a blessing it was to join together in prayer to our Heavenly Father. The Bible says where two or three gather together in His name, there He will be in the midst. I know for certain that He was in our midst as we prayed that day. We didn’t just make a promise to pray later. We determined in our hearts to pray now.

Have you heard of Epaphras? While he is only mentioned three times in the Bible, he is truly what we would deem a prayer warrior. For his ministry was one of truly gigantic proportions because he knew the secret to touching God with his prayers. We don’t know much about him, other than the fact that we know he traveled with Paul as a fellow servant of Christ. Paul wrote concerning Epaphras, “He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12 NIV). Epaphras didn’t just tell someone he would pray for them. And he didn’t just pray once in a while. He prayed always. He was “always wrestling in prayer” (Colossians 4:12 NIV). Paul compares Epaphras’ prayer time to that of a wrestling match. Epaphras struggled and fought, making sure that every word uttered to Heaven counted. He knew the power of prayer and he knew that it required concentration, stamina, and strength, just as a wrestler would need inside the ring.

Sadly, it’s hard to find any Epaphras’ in the world today. For there are not many people who will set aside time every day for uninterrupted prayer time. While I certainly pray every day, I am also guilty of not setting aside enough time to pray each and every day. There are work and school schedules, church functions, meal times, and so many other things that must be attended to in our daily lives. But even in the midst of the hectic rat race we find ourselves in, one thing is clear: there is always time to pray. Through prayer, we can see our lives change for the better. Through prayer, our grief turns to joy, our tears turn to smiles, and our wayward loved ones can find their way home. You may have seen it on a bumper sticker, a bookmark, or a t-shirt, but I know firsthand that this motto rings true: Prayer truly does change things.

My parents prayed for me when I was born. The doctors gave up on me. My parents did not utter some complicated prayer out of a prayer book. They prayed, “Jesus help.” Jesus used these two words to change my life. He answered their prayer when they heard what sounded like a small kitten coughing. While it was a long road in the neonatal center, baby Jennifer finally got to come home. The doctors may have given up on me, but my mom and dad joined together in prayer. Two people were praying on my behalf, with Jesus Christ in their midst. And He heard their cries. I thank Him every day for giving me the opportunity to live. I know that I have a purpose on this earth and I take every chance I get to tell others about the saving grace and love and mercy of Jesus Christ. He is the reason I am alive today. And I am living proof that He answers prayers!

But even though we know that He answers prayer, it seems it’s hard to find time to follow the advice given in the book of Hebrews that tells us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV). We may spend hours at ball games, watch numerous television shows, and ride in our cars for long periods of time, yet the majority of us cannot give even 15 minutes, half an hour, or an hour to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even Jesus had a difficult time convincing His disciples to pray for an hour with Him shortly before He was to be crucified. The Bible says, Jesus “returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’” (Matthew 26:40 NIV). He went away to pray two more times and each time, came back to find that their eyes were heavy and that they had fallen asleep. Jesus tells His disciples, “‘“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” (Matthew 26:41 NIV).

When I read this passage, I am reminded of the exercise bike that I purchased a while back. I thought it would motivate me to exercise, having it sit in my living room. I always plan to ride it in the evening while watching television. I have “good” intentions. While I plan to ride it, I always find an excuse: I’m too tired; I’ll ride it tomorrow, and many others. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. In the meantime, I am gaining no benefit from the exercise bike other than the effort it takes to dust it off, since it rarely gets used. In a similar way, Jesus is telling us that we may have good intentions to pray, but “life” gets in the way. Our earthly bodies become tired, too stressed, or complacent. Yet a life without prayer is one that can lead to temptation, as Jesus warns us. Prayer is the key that keeps us closer to Jesus and further away from evil.

No matter where you are in your life right now, Jesus loves you. He wants you to talk to Him, just like you talk to your family and friends. There is no need for an eloquent prayer. Just share your heart with Him today. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for help. Whether you are driving down the road, standing in the shower, running on the treadmill, cooking dinner for your family, going to work, or an infinite number of other things you may be doing, you can always pray. Maybe you’re sitting there, thinking, “I’m not good enough to pray. Jennifer just doesn’t understand. I’m a sinner and I know that Jesus would never want to hear from me.” Let me assure you, friends, Jesus Christ loves you and me unconditionally. It doesn’t matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done. Jesus Christ died on a cross so that we could have our sins forgiven and receive eternal life through Him. We are all sinners, but through the grace of God, our sins have been washed away. Don’t wait to pray to Jesus tomorrow or the next day, for it may be too late. Stop what you’re doing, call on Jesus Christ and pray now!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Moving On

My Dad and I at Green Gables National Park.

Have you ever visited a destination so marvelous that you simply desired to stay there forever?  Perhaps it was a sunshiny sandy beach or a majestic mountain vista.  You know, the kind of place that tugs at your heartstrings and seems almost like a dream.  From a Swiss chalet at the foot of the Matterhorn to a quaint bed and breakfast in my ancestral home of Inveraray, Scotland, I often find myself wanting to stay in such a gorgeous place just a little longer.  This summer, I had the opportunity to visit Prince Edward Island.  As someone with a Master of Science degree in English, seeing all of the Lucy Maud Montgomery sites was somewhat overwhelming.  The idyllic scenery on the island drew me in like a bee to honey.  I must admit that I have visited several locations that were so dear to me that I became misty eyed when it came time for us to leave, and this was one of those times for sure.  While there are many different places that cause me to leave a little piece of my heart behind each time I have to leave, I know that I cannot stay in one place indefinitely.  Eventually, it is time to move on.

Jesus’ disciples even found that they often had to move on when they were traveling with Jesus.  One day they went up on the mountaintop to pray with Jesus.  Peter said, “‘Lord, it is good for us to be here.  If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah’” (Matthew 17:4 NIV).  The location was so glorious and the experience was so profound that Peter wanted to build homes and begin living on that mountaintop.  Of course, Jesus knew that He could not stay on the mountain forever.  He knew that He would have to walk through the darkest valley of His life.  He knew that all too soon He would be hung on a cross to die.  Surely He would rather have stayed on that mountain, secluded from the rest of the world.  Yet He knew that He had to move on in order to obey His Father’s will.

As Christians, we often get comfortable at certain points in our lives.  We find a job that suits us well, locate a church that makes us feel welcome, or discover a vacation destination that we enjoy so much that we’re ready to move in, much like Peter was willing to place roots down on top of the mountain.  While all of these are blessings along the way, we must remember that our purpose is to follow God’s plan for our life.  Sometimes this means we must leave that “comfort zone,” whatever it may be, and press on to something different that lies ahead, whether it is a negative change or a positive one.  Either way, we can rest assured that every valley we cross and mountain we summit along the way is a step in the right direction.

Paul wrote, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV).  As Christians, we should have the same goal in mind.  To forget the past with all of its disappointments and failures and push on toward the abundant life that awaits us.  Jesus Christ knows every joy and every difficulty that we may encounter on life’s road.  He knows every opportunity we may miss and every door we may walk through.  No matter what we face during our journey on this earth, Jesus Christ gives us the assurance that better things await us.  So don’t look back.  Look ahead.  Seek the Lord’s will for your life.  Keep moving on.  Cherish each moment of your life with the knowledge that every step you take will bring you one step closer to Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Bible: The Story Isn't Over

Last Sunday, over 11.7 million viewers watched the conclusion of the epic mini-series The Bible.  What a fitting way to conclude a day of Easter celebrations, from the sunrise services, cantatas, and dramatic performances, to the Easter egg hunts, delectable dinners, and time spent with family and friends.  Inevitably, Easter means a lot of things to a lot of people.  But one meaning of Easter outshines them all.  The Resurrection of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, is the reason for this joyous celebration.  The Bible series may be over, but the story has just begun.

As I watched this moving depiction of the greatest story ever told, I was reminded once again of how the stories in the Bible are much more than stories.  Unlike fairytales, the stories in the Bible are real.  The people in the Bible are real.  Jesus Christ is real.  To sit and watch this movie, I felt as if I was watching a movie about my best friend.  When I was a little girl, I gave my heart to Jesus.  Since then, He has always been my best friend.  While tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Jesus cry out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me,” I was still smiling because I knew that God had not forsaken Him.  I knew that three days later, He would rise again.  I knew that this was not the final chapter in the book.

When they spoke of places like Ephesus, I relived the moment I set foot inside the theater where the Apostle Paul was run out due to the fact that He was preaching about the one true living God as opposed to the god of Artemis.  The same theater where my dad and I proudly proclaimed, “Great is the God of the Apostle Paul!”  Through experiences like this as well as our adventures in Rome, I have literally walked in the footsteps of many of Jesus’ disciples as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I have stood firmly on the ground where they walked and I have tried to imagine what it was like when they walked upon this earth.

I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed walking in their footsteps and I also enjoy watching dramatic representations of Bible times.  Nevertheless, there is one thing I love even more than these.  I love the fact that one day, we will no longer have to imagine what it was like to sit and have a conversation with Peter, Paul, or John.  We will not have to watch a depiction of Moses parting the Red Sea or a movie showing the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  For one day, we will literally be sitting face to face with these heroes of the faith and with Jesus Christ himself.

I recently saw where someone said they were sad to see The Bible come to an end.  While this particular series they were referring to has come to an end, I couldn’t help but think how the Bible itself has not come to an end.  The Bible is a living book with prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled.  We are seeing news every day that brings us one step closer to the long-awaited day when Gabriel sounds the trumpet.  Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will rise to meet Him in the clouds.  All of the pain and suffering and heartache will be no more.  All tears will be wiped away.  The old will become new.  We will be changed.  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

Until that glorious day, we have a mission.  To share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone.  Like Jesus’ disciples, we are called to be fishers of men.  We are called to spread His light throughout a darkened world.  Perhaps you are still living in darkness.  I want to encourage you to call on the name of Jesus Christ.  Confess your sins.  Ask for forgiveness.  Your life will be forever changed.  You will have a personal relationship with the One who gave His life for our transgressions.  If you have already made this commitment, I want to encourage you to live for Jesus every day.  Bring the Bible to life through the way you live for Christ every day.  And one day, you’ll discover that the final chapter is really just the beginning of a forever life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer