What’s in a name? The Bible says that God knows our name. Do you find that comforting? I sure do!

When I was growing up with an unusual name, I found that people had trouble spelling it and pronouncing it. I used to dread the first day of school, wondering just how this new teacher would butcher the pronunciation of my name.

One time in particular really stands out to me. It was 6th grade. I already had a complex about my name because almost everyone got it wrong, and this teacher was no different. He kept calling me Janine. I have a cousin named Janine and have no problem with her having that name, but don’t call me Janine! That’s not my name!!

As a young girl, I got so tired of being called Janine, among other things. It was so very rare that anyone would say Janan the correct way. Juh-Nan. I absolutely despised being called Jan too!  Mostly I was called Jan-in (like the a in ran) and sometimes Jan-Ann.  Also NOT my name!!

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I stopped into Wawa this morning to get a latte’ and when checking out I told the lady behind the counter that I always enjoy seeing her smiling face, to which she responded, “Oh, thank you! You just made my day!”

Wow Lord, thanks! That in turn made my day!

Go out there my friends and make someone’s day. All it takes is a kind word.

Show the love of Jesus to someone you rub shoulders with today. It will make your day too!

The boys snickered as I sat there in class with my dress falling over my knees. Why, Mom, why do you make me dress like this when everyone else wears their dresses shorter than mine? Why must I be the subject of ridicule by all the boys in my class?

Shyness developed in me at a very young age. Rejection and pain were covered up by solitude, retreating into myself, and pulling away.  Shame called my name!

Then in high school, I would roll up the waistband of my dress until the hem would be just to my fingertips when I put down my arm, and off I’d go into my day.  I was not going to be ridiculed about the length of my dress any more!!  Have you ever done anything like that when you were growing up?  I’m sure I’m not the only one!

But God!!!

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No matter where you find yourself today my Internet friend, trust in God and He will lift you up!!

Psalm 139:9-10 ~ If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast!

Cling to these promises today my friend!

How often when we are hungry do we say, “I’m starving!?” I know I’ve said it. I know I’ve heard my husband say it, and I’ve heard others say it too. But, the Lord reminded me that there are people in the world who truly ARE starving. People who don’t have enough to eat, who don’t know where their next meal will come from, or even when they will have something to eat again. We’ve all seen pictures of the starving children with the extended bellies, dying from lack of nourishment. Breaks our hearts to see them, doesn’t it?

But we can still be starving even when our bellies are filled. We can be starving for love that God alone can give. Have you read His word today my friend? Have you gotten your fill of truth for your life today? Have you met with Him in prayer? Be still before your Heavenly Father and bring your requests to Him. He promises to meet ALL your needs.

Psalm 107:9 : for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

John 6:35 : Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 4:14 : but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Revelation 7:16 : Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.

“God says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

So much to do, so many things to accomplish. Lord, where do I begin?

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Really Lord? Be STILL??

How can I be still when my mind is going in 16 different directions at once??  Well, maybe not 16…but a lot of directions for sure!

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Remember the Prego tagline, “It’s in there?”

Listening to Pastor George Pearsons from Eagle Mountain International Church this morning, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to write this when he made the statement, “It’s in there!”

Do you realize how many good things God wants you to accomplish?  Do you know for certain that everything you need to know for life and godliness is found in His word, the Bible?  Yes, my friend!!  It’s In There!! Continue reading →

I invite you to become a Bible Thumper like me!!  Become changed by the Word of God and never look back, and never take offense at being labeled a Bible Thumper.

I’m sitting here this Christmas watching the University of Mobile passionately perform their beautiful Christmas concert, and I am so very blessed.  I was reminded today by a couple Facebook posts that it was 27 years ago this day that my first husband went into the hospital so very sick with cancer and went home to Jesus 21 days later.  Wow!  Seems like so long ago but yet it sometimes seems like yesterday.

Raising three children from the ages of 8, 6 and 5 as a single mom for 15 years, I was blessed to watch them change and grow, seeing them love Jesus, growing up into wonderful adults that make me so proud, now raising families of their own, blessing me with 10 grandchildren!!

I am truly blessed!

Oh the wonders of my God; how amazing He has been to me!!  Oh the wonders of His love, how He loves me and provides for me, yesterday, today and forever!

Now I celebrate 11 years with the wonderful man God blessed me with later in life.  Our marriage is such a blessing to me, as is my husband.  I have seen God do such amazing things in my life and his, and we will celebrate 12 years of marriage next June.

God’s word is truth, and He is more than enough to help you go through anything and everything life throws at you, even cancer, even death of a spouse or parent.  I hope to encourage anyone who may be facing difficult circumstances today.  My story is one of victory in Jesus in spite of life circumstances.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, the Son of God, who came to earth as a baby so he could grow into a man and suffer and die on a cruel Roman cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind, I thank Him that we can have victory over all things here on earth, and we can live in eternity with Him if we put our faith and trust in Him!  Thank you, thank you Jesus!!

I believe that Christmas lives in me.  I believe.  He truly is the Lamb of God!!  Sweet Lamb of God.  I love the Holy Lamb of God.–some stanzas from the concert playing as I type.

For the friend who may be reading this and struggling with something difficult in life, let me encourage you to turn to Jesus and never look back.  You will not regret it!