Back on the home front...

Today is actually the second week that I have been back here at England. For the past 4 and 1/2 months I was in South West Asia (undisclosed area) deployed. It was quite an experience to say the least and scary at times. Although I am glad to be back here to a familiar land. I am sorry that I don't have much to say now but have a blessed week. :)

It wasn't till yesterday afternoon that I received an email from my oldest sister Tammy that I needed to make an urgent call back home. When I first started thinking about it all I thought that something might have happened to my grandmother but it was my mother. Then my nervousness turned in to worry. Lord please tell me that my mother is o.k. and that nothing serious is going on was running through my mind.

When I called my sis she told me that my mother had a check up with the doctor and the news was not good. Come to find out one of the arteries on the left side of my mother's heart was blocked and one of the nerves in the back of her neck had a blockage as well. As I get ready for this upcoming deployment my biggest worry is that I will have to take a plane back home whether it be for my mom or my grandmother. Just a month ago my grandmother had a light stroke and her health is not all that great as well. I know that everything happens for a reason and I just continue to pray that my mother and grandmother will be fine and will make it through all of this fine.

What is a Christian like in Today's World ??

Life is a challenge everyday that we wake up. What is so awesome is that it is something to look forward to and as children of God if we were never challenged we would grow into complacency. With this said I have found myself in this situation but with this upcoming deployment in less than a month and 1/2. I know that I am going to be challenged spiritually,physically, and emotionally.

Although I look at this at a different perspective I thank God for all of this because I would have it no other way.

What is a professional Christian?

A professional Christian is a professed believer in Jesus Christ who has traded form for substance, inward faith for outward image, and passion for polished professional religion.

The professional Christian can speak Christianese fluently, such as Amen, Bless God, and Praise the Lord, no matter what the state of their heart. Jesus spoke to broken hearts.

The professional Christian maintains a cool collective demeanor except when at certain well rehearsed placed in church services, he smiles, laughs, or shouts "Amen" as if on autopilot. Jesus wept.

The professional Christian tithes to the exact tenth of his increase and then binds God to bless him "or else." Jesus gave freely.

The professional Christian will send a check to help the poor and needy but not go himself - it's not his ministry. Jesus lovingly touched unclean lepers with His bare hand.

The professional Christian avoids the appearances of evil lest "God's" image be tarnished. Jesus let prostitutes weep at His feet and was known for being a friend to sinners.

The professional Christian pursues movements and well known ministries coveting the title "ministry partner." Jesus pursued lost sheep.

The professional Christian sees tragedy strike and knows with a shaking head that God's judgments are just. Jesus was moved with compassion.

The professional Christian has a certain religious look, hair, and confident swagger - after all, King's kids should have the best of everything. Jesus hung naked and unashamed before the world.

The professional Christian makes church clubs where anyone meeting their social, economic, and educational standard are welcome. Jesus promised that His Father would freely give His kingdom to anyone who believed in Him.

The professional Christian loves other professionals and greets them at church services with big bear hugs, provided they aren't too annoying, don't sing off key, and use generous amounts of deodorant. Jesus loved the hurting outcasts who had no proper place to bathe.

The professional Christian drives the latest car, wears the latest fashions, and the best watch. I mean, Jesus already paid the price of sacrifice already, right? Jesus usually walked, lost his clothes to gambling soldiers, and well, songwriter Ray Stevens answered the watch dilemma - no Rolex.

The professional Christian can quote every prosperity verse in the Bible, not caring for context and condition. Jesus knew the moment by moment heart of the Father.

The professional Christian has the formulas down: the three keys to victory and the nine reasons God wants him rich. Jesus retreated to solitary places and often spent whole nights in prayer to know the Father's will.

The professional Christian knows the seven steps to freedom in Christ; Jesus said,” If the Son makes you free you shall be free indeed!”

The professional Christian loves the world, the things of the world, and wants the world to love him, too. He calls it, "Covenant Blessing." Jesus calls it compromise.

The professional Christian has a form of godliness but denies the power of it. Jesus will tell him/her, "Depart from me, I never knew you."

A professional Christian is not Christian at all.

May God deliver us from our willing love of darkness so that godly sorrow will work true repentance into our hearts. May we love the Light of the world as He reproves and exposes corruption in us calling us to a new life and sweet freedom in Christ.

Currently Listening Rise By Building 429 see related

Seasons of Life

As always I apologize for the delays in my posting but it sure has been a while since I have last posted. The reason for my delays is access to a computer. I do have a lap top in which my parents have blessed me with over the holidays but here comes the bad part. I would have to get a contract with one of the companies here in England and it would have to be for 1 year. Unfortunately I am possibly due to deploy in the next 4 months in which the deployment would probably last for 6 months. So this leaves me with this I would only have 6 more months on base before I would have to move again. Here is the whole dilemma in a nut shell.

Other than that I have been going through some rough times lately. One of which I am going through right now but all I can say is that God will get the glory once it is all said and done. I would go into detail about this but I think it is best that I don't. All that I do know is that there are times in our lives where we endure seasons. Seasons of sadness, gladness, happiness, joy, etc.. With this said it reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes. Which is one of my favorite books of the bible. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.Whatever is has already been,and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked,  for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"  So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

Even though we all go through with seasons in our lives we all know that nothing compares to knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. I wish you all a blessed week.

<>< Jess <><

Valentine's Day what is the history behind it all ??

As Valentine's Day comes along every year around February 14th people venture to the stores to buy flowers, cards, etc... for that special someone. What people don't know is that there is some history as to why this holiday has been enstilled as it is and here is what I got from online.

The History of Valentine's Day Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

	According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Through all of this though we all need to realize that there is one true love that we have and that's Jesus Christ. Although it is nice to receive flowers and such but knowing without a doubt that there is one person that sacrificed his own life for someone like ourselves it is truly a blessing to have a love such as him. I wish you all a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !! God Bless.

Drenched in his love,

<>< jess <><