Something I'm pondering this week: Mark 12:33 (NIV) To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Neighbor: a person living near or next door to the speaker or person referred to. (Google) *Translation--love the person next to you. Love your neighbor, the person in front of you at the grocery store, whomever you come in contact with. Loving your neighbor is easier said than done. I'll admit that I struggle with it. It's so much easier to be an island and not connect with others, to focus on your own life. But what does God ask? He asks that we do two things: love Him and love others. We are His most precious creation, and when we love others, we love what He loves. What I'm reading this week: Because excellent Sci-fi. Because aliens! Because it's Mary Weber, duh. ...
Posts
Fruit John 15:16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you. (AMP) Friends, let me pose a couple of questions . . . * Think about the things that are filling your mind, heart, life, and time. Are they drawing you to Jesus? Or are they draining the life from you? * What are you doing to feed and rejuvenate your heart, soul, mind, and body? * Are you taking time to practice self/soul care? * Is there anything you need to step back or away from to be a better, more sane version of yourself? ". . . bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting . . ." We are called to grow, to bear fruit, fruit that will l...
Growing up, my dad could insert a movie quote into any conversation or situation the same way a comedian can land a perfectly timed one-liner. Dad would tell a joke and follow it up by saying something like, "I made a funny!" Those of you who grew up in the nineties will remember this line given by Splinter (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). It was something we kids picked up on and did too. Unfortunately, I'm not as quick with it as I used to be. So, in light of Father's Day, here are a few--because I have a lot--of my favorite ones (from movies and TV). "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." --Joe Fox, You've Got Mail Emma: What are you doing? We need a plan. Regina: I have one. Gold still has a nose. I still have a fist. -- Once Upon a Time How about the scene in The Princess Bride when...
*** I should probably start this out with a disclaimer, so here goes: I am not a medical professional. If you struggle with anxiety, please seek professional assistance.*** This is/was me, 2001, my senior year of high school (the other person in the picture is covered with post-its to hide his identity). I hate this picture. Oh, how I hate it! I am no longer that little thing who could hardly squeak out a "thank you" to the cashier at CVS. I am no longer the girl who could not talk to someone they didn't know without my overly white skin turning to a lovely shade of hello-I'm-shy red. I am not the girl who was voted "shyest" by my senior class. Yet, I am still that girl. Hello, my name is Jessica and I struggle with anxiety. I first thought about writing this two or three weeks ago, when my anxiety levels ramped up to high. Anxiety is not fun to talk about. It's admitting something about y...
This will be a short blog. I am, again, working on edits for "A Desperate Love." This is how my week has went (other than editing and more editing) . . . The book I am currently reading: The book I am reading, again. Because I can never get enough of the beautifully broken Nymia and the dark and mysterious Eogan. Swoon. The magazine I have yet to get to: The cute discounted mug I keep forgetting I have. Is it microwave safe? I don't know. I just need to put some freshly perked coffee in it and sit with my "Magnolia Journal" magazine, please. My "lunch" for today. Once I sit at the computer I don't like to get up. I also lose track of time. Lunch has to be easy. That's all there is to it. The tomatoes I planted last week. I do not have the time or desire to plant a garden this year. So I bought two large pots and tossed some seeds in. W...