What?? How did you get that??

What in the world is this woman talking about?  That question was probably first on your mind when you read the title.  Many of you may have just popped in to be curious.

What?? How did you get that?  Is just what I thought about on Tuesday after an email orchestrated by 3 people had gone terribly wrong...  Unfortunately, the receiver read so much into that email that clearly wasn't there.  Unfortunately, the reader tried to read between the lines and when he/she did took matters into their own hands.  Now here is where I have a problem!  Ask what the email means first.  Second, don't accuse people of wrong doing - that's being judgmental.  Thirdly, never ever accuse someone of wrong doing in a public setting.  Here's the reason why:

1. By treating people like this in public - you in turn lessen your voice to the people.
2. You lose respect.
3. You have no self control.
4. You show that you have no patience.
5. You show that you are judging others.

Instead, ask yourself:

1. Could I be wrong in the assumption of this email?  This could also relate to text messages as well!
2. Does this aid me in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ?
3. Have I lost my mind?

Then, you also shouldn't take it to one of the three people as if you are trying to get them in trouble.  What in the world were you thinking?  Again, does this aid your ministry?  Does it aid you in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  The answer is No and No.

Shame on you!  My prayers are with you as you learn to take the log out of your own eye first.

Matthew 7:3-5English Standard Version (ESV)
³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye  Scripture from www.biblegateway.com

My goal in this post is just to make you think before you choose to accuse....

Of course this post could possibly be related to just about anything that people deal with daily.

Blessings for a beautiful weekend!

Jana

Santa Baby......

My fedex man came today and finally delivered my wonderful gift from Santa Baby....  Just what I needed to get my creative side fired up.  Of course Close to my Heart products do that for me every time.  Pictured below are Small organizer, Inks - Hollyhock, Lagoon, Slate, Whisper, and Canary, Cricut Artfully Sent and Accessories included in the kit, Stamp of the month for January, Heartstrings Paper Packet, and of course the December Stamp of the Month.  You can view these on my website at My Close To My Heart Site










Here's a small portion of the January Stamp of the Month. Thanks Santa Baby for my late Christmas present.  It arrived at the perfect time!! 

Creative Side

For those of you that come to my blog to view my creative side but, haven't seen it for 2015 - please continue to come.  My New Year plan (I'm not going to use resolution - because they tend to fail) was to embrace my blog.  I love blogging and all things creative - I just found that I put other stuff first. And tend to neglect my fun side because I let life as we know it push creativity out.  I love to write, blog, and create when I should be sleeping.  Bear with me - creativity will come.  For me, it has been all about time management.

My 2015 started out with a bang as my 2014 had brought closure to many things.  I have closed the door on 2014 but, it doesn't mean I won't revisit it from time to time.

2015 is about new beginnings for me.  Recently, I have become a part of a Ministry Team that has taken us to another church.  Not to permanently move but, to help another church.  For some people they can't believe we would abandon our church.  This is not an abandonment for me this is a test.  How many people do you know that will just up right leave their church to serve another.  I consider this more of a Missionary Team where we can put our gifts, talents, and education to good use all to glorify our God.  This has been a breaking new ground experience for me.  As we get use to our routine and don't conform to change all that well.  Thank you Lord for the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone.  You see - I believe this is what happens.  I think we get comfortable and then God shakes things up a little bit so we can strive for new heights. 

We all strive for just a little bit more:  more time, creativity, off time, bible time, friend time.... what ever it is we are always striving to get more of something.

Recently, I became the WMU Director for our association.  This my friend, has also been a ground shaking experience for me.  My gosh - look at what I am responsible for but, I can't do it alone.  I have an awesome council that I work with and ladies from many other churches in our association to help with the activities that we choose to do.  Most importantly, it is important to realize that 7 years ago this would have never been me.  Today, my God has given me a voice.  One to use to glorify his name and to glorify his work.  Most importantly, God is with me to guide me and to make sure his work is done.

As I adjust to WMU director, school returning to a new session, the Ministry Team, job, and my family life just bear with me.  Here my blog will go through a renewal process as I work to make this blog work for me and everything that I do.  I need a place where I can share all things, and create my blog to work for everything. 

For today, I wish you peace and blessings for a beautiful day.  For friends in far away places that are dealing with mother nature know that others are praying for your safety and please share a comment for any prayer needs you may have that we can lift you up for prayer.  IF you will leave a comment just so I know you will wait with me as I redesign my space.  Bye for now...

Brick and Mortar

In August, I lost my grandmother that I had helped care for 14 years since returning to my own.  I felt peace knowing she was with God and felt lost not knowing what to do now.  Have you ever just felt so out of touch with reality that you weren't sure of your very next move?

For months, I have struggled with church just not feeling the same any more.  As I picked my brain about the who, what, and why to try and figure it all out - I just came up empty handed every time.  Today, watching a short video - I determined the source about my why?  Why did church just not feel the same?  Instantly I knew the answer - Because my grandma just wasn't going to be there any more.....  Her spirit yes but, never again would her body walk in and sit in her pew or her pew of choice.

Why did it take me this long to put all the pieces together?  Was it just not the time for me to understand.  If everything was explained in MY time then I would be bored and always constantly looking for the next thing to just know....Most importantly everything happens in God's timing. 

My family is responsible for my foundation of faith.  They built the foundation one brick and mortar at a time.  God took it and turned it into a mansion that can only exist in my mind but, can be seen by the love that radiates from me.

As they always said, let your light shine so, others may see Jesus in you!

T

New Year........New Me!

One of my favorite moments of December was when the doctor said your tumor we removed was benign.    Praise God!

This will be a change for 2015!  I vow to blog something at least 3 times a week.   I'm thankful for the changes I can't wait to see unfold this year.  God bless you all!