Category: encourage

encourage · Prayer · Random Stuff

Today’s Daily Devotion

jachancellorLeave a comment

Then he said to me: “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth; “Every thief shall be expelled,” according to this side of the scroll; and, “Every perjurer shall be expelled,” according to that side of it.”  Zechariah 5:3 NKJV

I am struggling with this, especially today.  This is my devotion today, and the little story that came with it was about a woman witnessing another woman shoplift.  She did nothing about it, and thanked the security cameras so that she didn’t have to confront the person or security to take up her time.  The decision of confronting the person or turning her in was a difficult one.  Is it to be made?  All of us sin.  We are all forgiven if we choose it.

The prayer that went along was this:
Dear Lord, heavenly Father, I pray for Your righteous justice for this woman and for everyone, because we’re all sinners.  Bring us discernment and judgment as we go through each day, and help us to make the right decisions.  In Your holy name, amen.

I truly want to do the right thing.  Is it always what we should do?  We are supposed to confront our brother or sister in Christ when we are aware of wrong doing.  Someone else took care of that for her.    I pray that I do what God wants me to do, especially in difficult situations.  It doesn’t always work that way.

Do you watch and do nothing just to let past be the past?  Do you pray for that person that you are aware of wrong doing? I struggle with that more than anything.  Pray for the person?  Seriously?  Yes, Lord I know, what I am supposed to do, but I don’t always WANT to do it.  I don’t always want to do what people tell me to do either.  hmmm, I think I see a pattern.  It is easier sometimes not to do anything.  It causes less conflict, stress, and issues. 

Then I think about my character.  Is my witness and character what God would want it to be?  Do I show in my daily actions of doing the right thing?  Does it show that I am loving and forgiving? 

Lots to pray about today.  I pray that you have a good day, and that you make right decisions.

Blessings.

card making · encourage · friends · Random Stuff · scrapbook

Cards

jachancellorLeave a comment

I love making cards.  Once a month, Julie (wonderful, crafty friend), who sells Stampin’ Up, hosts a stamp-a-stack weekend. I always feel NOT crafty when I attend these things.  Julie always is the first to tell you that she follows directions, and will take from scrapbook pages or other ideas and make it her own.

I loved learning this technique.  We weaved ribbon around a card stock.  I fumbled around a lot this day (my hands were not cooperating), but it was so worth it.  Ribbon, card stock, color paper, and a stamp.  Simple, and really cute.

And then – change the paper, and ribbon…and you have a completely different look.  
This is really great for using up extra ribbon.  
 And, then this rose:
Tear some paper.  Emboss the white outer part of the rose.  Water paint (yes, with drops of ink on a wet card).  Blot if you wanted it lighter (which I did), but I LOVE the effect.  You can also dry with an embosser.

Then Marie (another crafty friend – jealous!) had a workshop, and Julie had to step it up.  And we did!  

These bubbles are a riot!  Fun, and really easy.  

These petals almost killed me, but OH did I feel crafty!  And, I think I could repeat what I did. 
Simple concept, and very easy, just detailed.

You can find her here…
www.craftasticpassion.com 

Tell her where you found her!  =)
Enjoy!

blessings · encourage · family

Bret Michaels and Me

jachancellorLeave a comment

Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison, winner of Celebrity Apprentice, was in my town today.

Living in a military community has its blessings…and this was one of them.

Bret is to perform at “The Swamp” tonight, and you have to be 18 to enter.  Carmen is my bff when it comes to Bret and Poison.  She and I attended a Poison concert last year in Birmingham.  We had a great time.  I so wanted to attend tonight, but since Carmen doesn’t turn 18 until January 1st…so, what to do?

A wonderful friend of David’s, Ray, had said that the rock radio station was advertising Bret was going to Hurlburt Air Force Base at 3p today.  Julie (dear scrapbook, stampin’ up friend), sent me an email that Bret was going to be there at 2p.  So… I go to work, and I have truly given up on going to see him.  Justifying it…I had already seen him in concert, and so I lived out that dreamed from teen years.  I get this email from Julie encouraging me to go.

Carmen brought lunch, and I asked off for the rest of the afternoon….and, we got to the base, and there were some people there.  Not a ton…and we made our way into the middle of the crowd.  It was incredibly hot. 

Bret’s bus pulls into the parking lot…

 Carmen and I in the parking lot of the BX.  Waiting for Bret to walk this way…
 BRET!!!!
 Love his smile.
 more…
 We fought our way to try to get a picture with him.  The military guards were not going to let that happen, at least not with us today.  As Bret was walking to his bus, I was close enough to ask he could sign Carmen’s Poison shirt.  “Do you mind if I keep walking while I sign it?” – NO!  Of course, not!  He signed it.  I told him that we were praying for him to continue to get better.  We love you Bret.  “I love you too!”, and I was 19 again.  I believe that he is completely sincere about his love of his fans.  I experienced it today. 

 Carmen’s shirt.

I know that Bret is a rock star, and famous for now.  It was a pleasure getting to meet him, and have Carmen experience a “star.” I will say that it was a really great day for the both of us.  A bonding experience if you will.  But, we will have many more, and I am sure it will not be because of Bret or Poison, but of God’s blessings.  
I am blessed with a husband who allows me to stalk out a rock star at 43 years of age.  I am blessed with a daughter that loves 80’s music…my music…and her own generations music.  I am blessed with a son, who found a set of speakers on the side of  the road, and connected them to his electronic drums!  There was a reason for the headset…but…
I am blessed.  I have been asking God to “show me His Glory” like Moses did in Exodus.  I have seen bits and pieces of it in the past weeks.  I believe that we forget to ask for this.  We forget to ask for big things.  Simple things sometimes.  
Bret has survived a rock stars life, an appendix surgery, and a brain hemorrhage.  I don’t know if he knows Christ, but I believe he has been shown bits and pieces of glory.  God has given him a 2nd, and 3rd chance.  
I know that He has given many to me.  Over and over again, I am shown the path I need to take.  Gentle reminders of His love.  Opportunities to make things right.   
Meeting Bret today was really cool.  Meeting my Savior one day will be incredible.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
encourage

Looking back…

jachancellorLeave a comment

Looking back over your life…are you happy with the choices that you have made?

Do you find yourself questioning where you are? 

I do.

I can’t believe that I had a difficult first marriage, one that I would have never thought of ending, but had to.

I am blessed with those surrounding me. Strong personalities, with dynamic choices in life.

Regrets.

We all have them.

I am not strong with algebra.  In high school – fine, in college not just once but twice failure.

I believe I need to conquer that fear.  Fear of hearing the doubt that was instilled by my first husband.  Doubt.

Faith – can I succeed?  Yes.  

Now, where do I sign up?  Okay – Lord, you are my rock.  Here I stand.

Thankful I am a child in God’s hands.

What are your doubts?

 

beginnings · encourage · friends · Prayer

Common Ground

jachancellorLeave a comment

I am truly amazed at God’s blessings. 

I was approached several months ago by a new Mom and her infant to help a colicky child and a transition into motherhood.  

I prayed to have God show me what I was to be for them, and wow, has He shown me.

Common ground is uncommon in generations.  Bring an infant in, and it changes the scales.  Balanced.  Being reserved, and not being critical is crucial.  I can honestly say that I do not have it with my own children, my beautiful teenagers, but I do when God reminds me of my purpose.  Listen.  Amazing what ground can be covered when I do that.

The simple act of taking an infant from it’s mother’s arms and give loving care while the parents have dinner, can be a hard two hours for you and the child, but blissful for the parents.  And, really – it wasn’t that difficult.  And, then there is a bond that is created between you, the parents, and child. 

How often do we get answers to prayers so quickly, and not even realize it?  I am amazed at God’s love, and how wide it spreads, just by doing what He asks. 

Kind words, hugs, smiles, all of these are so simple, yet spread so very far.  You will never know how you affect someone by any of these things. 

Simple. Comforting.

Remaining on common ground with God —well, now that is a different story. But, I am trying. 

Be an encourager, smile at someone today!

cranky · encourage · Proverbs

Encourager

jachancellor2 Comments

Are you an “encourager”? People tell me I am. The majority of the time, I suppose, I am. Today, I am not. Cranky.

Cranky is a term I can deal with. It is fine for others to be cranky but apparently not me. I am always smiling and encouraging. “But, what if I don’t want to be happy today? Do I always have to smile? Wouldn’t that make me hypocritical?” I despise hypocrites. I may tell you my entire life story, several times at that, but I won’t lie about it. Not even to my children. How does one look someone else in the eye and lie? Bold face.

I subscribe to “Journey”, a monthly devotional. Today’s subject was “Radical Obedience.” Obey is a word referenced a lot for me lately. I believe I am obeying God. I believe that when I am cranky it is better just to be cranky, than to lie and be hypocritical. But it is more than that.

I am struggling with fear and complacency. “A doer who acts –this person will be blessed in what he does” James 1:25. So, if I am cranky am I disobeying? I want to be bold in the spirit. I want to see the blessings from God when I obey.

I believe that obeying is petitioning God, thanking God for what He has blessed me with. Listening. But, sometimes I can be cranky.

I am an encourager. We all have bad or difficult (cranky) days. We need to listen, obey and God will bless our faithful obedience.

Weary.

I am weary.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Blessings today, and hopefully, I won’t be cranky tomorrow.