SmellingCoffee

A quick prayer request

July 18, 2009

Do you remember our friend, Frappuccino Fun with Amy? (If not, you’ll get lots of her good ideas by reading the “Frappuccino Fun” posts linked on the sidebar.)

Anyway, right now, Amy is at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital with her 16 year old son, Patrick, who has just been diagnosed with pancreatitis. I know Amy and her family would covet your prayers – and I know that you’ll be faithful to lift them up to the Lord.

Thanks, friends! I love you so much! I’ll let you know how Patrick is doing along the way.

That’s all I’m sayin’ for now…

July 17, 2009

Warning: if you are a family member, this might be TMI! Read at your own risk and please please don’t reply! 🙂

For everyone else out there who wonders what I’m talking about, click on my blogging friend Heidi’s post from Moms, Ministry, and More. She has a blog post written about James and me today on her blog. It is also posted on a wonderful new blog called Adding Zest To Your Nest.

Let me know if you’re up for the challenge in your own marriage. And that’s all I’m sayin’ for now…at least here on Smelling Coffee. One of these days, I’m going to be a guest writer on the Zest blog. I’ll let you know.

A blessed weekend to you from one seeking to be an Engedi. 🙂

The Extraordinary Ordinary!

July 15, 2009

Aren’t these lovely pictures?

On the surface, they seem to be just “ordinary” pieces of artwork. But if you take a closer look, you’ll find something extraordinary in each one.

In the first picture, there is a couple in love. The second one features a man’s face. The third one is of a baby, and in the fourth one, there are 10 faces. (Can you find all ten?)

Those artists are amazing arent’ they? Each picture brings glory to its creator as we see and appreciate the intricate detailing of the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Just like these works of art, there is beauty, mystery, and an extraordinary design in every one of us – put there by our Creator – who is anything but ordinary.

However, many of us often fall prey to excuses like, “I’m just a quiet background kind of person” or “I’m not like _____” or “I don’t have anything to give”… and we think that God can’t use us like He uses some who are more verbal or talented or “out there” kind of people. We could be no further from the truth.

In Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby teaches: “The people you generally see in the Scriptures were ordinary. Their relationships with God and the activity of God made them extraordinary… Anyone who takes the time to enter an intimate relationship with God can see Him do extraordinary things through his or her life…”

Are you an ordinary person who wants to be used by God for extraordinary works? Don’t try to go out and do extraordinary things! Instead, focus on seeking and getting to know God in a deep love relationship, studying and obeying His Word, and yield yourself to Him. The result is that He will do the extraordinary through you – in His timing and in His way that will be best for all involved.

Then, when others take a deeper look at your life – they will see the beauty and the incredible detailed plan of an Extraordinary Creator, and He will be mightily glorified through you!

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” Henry Varley

A men! Love to you extraordinary ordinaries. 🙂

The littlest thing that is HUGE!

July 13, 2009

I have to tell you the sweetest thing the Lord did for us this weekend!!! As most of you know, my husband’s job was deleted, and this Wednesday is his last day of work. (We still don’t know what plans the Lord has for us – we just know that He has some, and they are good, and He will be glorified through them and through us as we trust and obey Him in our wait. Thank you so much for your prayers. We’re so grateful for them!!!)

Anyway… On Saturday, I was washing clothes and our 17 year old washing machine stopped right in the middle of a load of towels. We had been praying for it’s life extension for some time, but on Saturday, we had to lay it to rest. But because of an “extra” provision from the Lord, we were able to get a new washing machine, and we’re so thankful for how God worked it all out.

That, in itself, is a good enough story – we had a need, and the Lord graciously worked out a way to provide for us. But that’s a big thing. And everybody knows that He takes care of big things. I happen to think that it’s when we see Him do the little things that He shows Himself mighty and brings Himself the most unusual glory.

James was driving home with the washer in the back of the truck when he noticed something was flapping in the wind. When he got to a place where he could, he pulled to the side of the road to fix it. That’s when the Lord did something so little, but so amazingly HUGE!

Something shiny on the side of the road caught James’ eye. A Nissan Frontier truck wheel cap. If that doesn’t sound big to you – let me tell you more. Our Jeep died this spring and we were really bummed at squeezing an unexpected car payment in the budget. But we did, and The Lord graciously provided James with a 2002 Nissan Frontier truck. The bumper needs some work, and get this: it was missing ONE WHEEL CAP!

My sweet husband is a content man – and spending money replacing a wheel cap on his truck was just not on his radar. But the Lord knew the need – as little and unconcerning and ornamental as it was – and in the most unexpected way, He provided for that “need” in a way that only He could have orchestrated. How I praise Him!

The real gift of the wheel cap was not the wheel cap itself – but the fact that it was a beautiful reminder of how God is well aware of our every need – and He WILL take care of you and me. In the big things, the medium things – and even in the small, ornamental things of life – He will provide what is good for each of us and what will bring Him glory in, through, and around our lives.

Isn’t that just like the Lord?

So, to our Faithful God be the Glory for a Nissan Frontier wheel cap – and for the truth that He is taking care of your and my every need!

Lord, “Please, let me (us) see Your glory!” (Ex. 33:18)

Blessings to you today, my friends…
Jennifer

Sweet Sunday Scripture ~ "Do not worry"

July 12, 2009

Matthew 6:25-34 New Living Translation (This is a Word we are clinging to – knowing that God is completely aware of all of our needs – ours, and yours too!!!) Blessed Lord’s day everyone…

25) “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

26) Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

27) Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28) And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, (29) yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

30) And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31) So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’

32) These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

33) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34) So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”