I am sitting in my living room, on my big comfy white chair (my favorite place to place my bottom and write anything from grocery lists to blogs) and maizey is sleeping in her room. These moments are sacred; these moments are quiet... hallelujah! Hah!
Its also in these moments that I remember how much I longed for little footsteps to thump around my home, and giggles and cries to penetrate the silence I was in. I am so thankful for these quiet moments, but I am always so thankful for the noise as well.
This morning I was overwhelmed to write. The Spirit of God was pressing on my heart my absolute need for Him. My need when my season is, in my eyes, one of fruitfulness and when it is barren. My confession must always be the same... more of you, less of me. The moments when I come alive are when His breath is running through every vein of my being... seeping from every pore of my body. The moments in either season when I feel like I've lost purpose or I am crumbling under the weight of my longing or loss are the moments when I forget or can't get my heart to be even strong enough to confess my need of Him. He is the ONE thing always neccessary to move forward. What love He has for us... Jesus is always our answer, and He always makes Himself available. He welcomes us as we are, no matter how long its been. He never punishes us by holding back His presence because we have failed to faithfully come, but welcomes us the same again and again. What love, what grace.
I felt the need to write that this morning. So whoever you are that needs this... its time to turn to Jesus. He is your answer. He is available. You don't need to know what to say, or how to come, just seek Him. Tell Him you need Him. He will always be there.
xxxx
In other news... things I'm absolutely loving at the moment:::
{Music}
Bethel Music - The Loft Sessions
Kari Jobe - Where I Find You
My favorite morning is a cup of coffee/tea, my bible & one of these albums playing ... nothing better for the soul...
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Q AND A.
As tweeted... a little Q&A this post... :)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE U.S. CITY....
Would it be right to say anything but St. Augustine, Florida? The place where i was born and raised.. where the sun shine's more often than not... where Barnacle Bills feels like home... where my mom and dad and brother and sister in law are right around the corner... and where surf groms roam free to cause trouble... yep, i definitely couldn't say anywhere else. :)
CAN WE BE PALS....
absolutely. the more pal's the merrier the gal. (ALMOST rhymed)
WHERE DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO BLOG....
well, i don't find it nearly often enough...because bible reading, writing, journaling and a few other heart things take precedence... but when i do find the time... i LOVE it.
WHEN YOU WERE IN THE WAITING...AND THE WAITING... DID YOU EVER HAVE DOUBTS & HOW DID YOU HANDLE THEM....
absolutely. I love 2 Corinthians 10:5 (MSG) "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ."
Waiting can be so painful, but one thing I decided would be more painful, was getting to the end of the waiting season and holding my God promise in my hands, and wishing I would have gleaned every single God moment and lesson from the waiting. I certainly didn't/don't have it all figured out, but that was one thing I held to.. as well as having verses like 2 Cor that were truths I would/do cling on to.
WHAT HAS GOD TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH BEING A MOM TO YOUR SWEET BABY....
phew... so many things i could never fit them all... selflessness... love in a new form... choosing to be thankful even when I'm tired and worn down... when you wait for a miracle baby and she comes, i decided i would never complain for what i begged God for... in every challenge, she reminds me of God's faithfulness, and i always remember in my heart those that are still waiting for their promise... it brings such perspective.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET READY TO WRITE... WHAT INSPIRES YOU....
writing is a discipline as well and an 'in the moment' expression... so when its a discipline, i make the space I'm writing in practical... computer ready to catch ideas, tv off, house tidy so it doesn't distract me, phone off... but preparation for the God moment expression of my heart is all in the preparation of every day... reading my bible, journaling, worshipping in the every day...
i get inspired by other music, by life moments of heart ache and thankfulness, by need, by the expression i feel in my heart like God is desiring to give the church to sing..
WHEN YOURS INSPIRED BY THE LORD TO WRITE A SONG, WHAT COMES FIRST FOR YOU? MELODY OR LYRICS....ooooo..... tough one... both... one ... the other... depends every time...
YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO BE SO HAPPY...HOW DO YOU KEEP IT UP?...
I believe ONE HUNDRED PERCENT with all my heart that you can ALWAYS find something to be thankful for. so even in the moments when life is the hardest, choosing to see and speak the good and choosing to give yourself perspective will change your outlook. Its really not hard to look around and realise how blessed we are... i decided a while ago that i would always choose to do that.
WHATS YOUR TAKE ON WALKING FORWARD IN FAITH VS. WAITING IN FAITH....
My take on that is to be a sheep.
Jesus said that His sheep know the sound of His voice... so, incidentally, i want to be a sheep.
I think that we need to be people that pray for wisdom and discernment so that in each individual situation we are hearing the Spirit of God and knowing when to walk forward and when to wait. Sometimes our waiting involves walking.
DO YOU HAVE PLANS ON RECORDING YOUR OWN ALBUM, WITH YOU OWN SONGS?
I love being a part of my local church, Hillsong Church, and writing for the house God has put me in... the album stuff just happens sometimes to be a part of that in our church.
DO YOU FEEL A DESIRE TO LEAD PEOPLE IN A DIFFERENT EXPRESSION OF WORSHIP OTHER THAN SINGING SONGS? IF SO, HOW?
I love interpretive dance. I'm pretty good at twirling.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR LIFE IS ON HOLD?
Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength... Love people... and flourish with what God has placed in your hand for the moment. He will never fail you...and every dream and hope that He has placed in your heart will come in time... the time between now and then has purpose beyond what you could ever imagine....
Hope you endured my rambling and poor grammar :)
xoxoxoxoxoxo
jilly
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE U.S. CITY....
Would it be right to say anything but St. Augustine, Florida? The place where i was born and raised.. where the sun shine's more often than not... where Barnacle Bills feels like home... where my mom and dad and brother and sister in law are right around the corner... and where surf groms roam free to cause trouble... yep, i definitely couldn't say anywhere else. :)
CAN WE BE PALS....
absolutely. the more pal's the merrier the gal. (ALMOST rhymed)
WHERE DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO BLOG....
well, i don't find it nearly often enough...because bible reading, writing, journaling and a few other heart things take precedence... but when i do find the time... i LOVE it.
WHEN YOU WERE IN THE WAITING...AND THE WAITING... DID YOU EVER HAVE DOUBTS & HOW DID YOU HANDLE THEM....
absolutely. I love 2 Corinthians 10:5 (MSG) "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ."
Waiting can be so painful, but one thing I decided would be more painful, was getting to the end of the waiting season and holding my God promise in my hands, and wishing I would have gleaned every single God moment and lesson from the waiting. I certainly didn't/don't have it all figured out, but that was one thing I held to.. as well as having verses like 2 Cor that were truths I would/do cling on to.
WHAT HAS GOD TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH BEING A MOM TO YOUR SWEET BABY....
phew... so many things i could never fit them all... selflessness... love in a new form... choosing to be thankful even when I'm tired and worn down... when you wait for a miracle baby and she comes, i decided i would never complain for what i begged God for... in every challenge, she reminds me of God's faithfulness, and i always remember in my heart those that are still waiting for their promise... it brings such perspective.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET READY TO WRITE... WHAT INSPIRES YOU....
writing is a discipline as well and an 'in the moment' expression... so when its a discipline, i make the space I'm writing in practical... computer ready to catch ideas, tv off, house tidy so it doesn't distract me, phone off... but preparation for the God moment expression of my heart is all in the preparation of every day... reading my bible, journaling, worshipping in the every day...
i get inspired by other music, by life moments of heart ache and thankfulness, by need, by the expression i feel in my heart like God is desiring to give the church to sing..
WHEN YOURS INSPIRED BY THE LORD TO WRITE A SONG, WHAT COMES FIRST FOR YOU? MELODY OR LYRICS....ooooo..... tough one... both... one ... the other... depends every time...
YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO BE SO HAPPY...HOW DO YOU KEEP IT UP?...
I believe ONE HUNDRED PERCENT with all my heart that you can ALWAYS find something to be thankful for. so even in the moments when life is the hardest, choosing to see and speak the good and choosing to give yourself perspective will change your outlook. Its really not hard to look around and realise how blessed we are... i decided a while ago that i would always choose to do that.
WHATS YOUR TAKE ON WALKING FORWARD IN FAITH VS. WAITING IN FAITH....
My take on that is to be a sheep.
Jesus said that His sheep know the sound of His voice... so, incidentally, i want to be a sheep.
I think that we need to be people that pray for wisdom and discernment so that in each individual situation we are hearing the Spirit of God and knowing when to walk forward and when to wait. Sometimes our waiting involves walking.
DO YOU HAVE PLANS ON RECORDING YOUR OWN ALBUM, WITH YOU OWN SONGS?
I love being a part of my local church, Hillsong Church, and writing for the house God has put me in... the album stuff just happens sometimes to be a part of that in our church.
DO YOU FEEL A DESIRE TO LEAD PEOPLE IN A DIFFERENT EXPRESSION OF WORSHIP OTHER THAN SINGING SONGS? IF SO, HOW?
I love interpretive dance. I'm pretty good at twirling.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR LIFE IS ON HOLD?
Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength... Love people... and flourish with what God has placed in your hand for the moment. He will never fail you...and every dream and hope that He has placed in your heart will come in time... the time between now and then has purpose beyond what you could ever imagine....
Hope you endured my rambling and poor grammar :)
xoxoxoxoxoxo
jilly
Sunday, May 8, 2011
to mum with love.
I blogged this week as a contributor for Hillsong Collected... follow the link if you should so choose :) and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY... to all the women...mothers spiritually or earthly...sisters...nanna's...daughters and all the rest... you are valued and loved xxxx
http://bit.ly/lNMwuw
http://bit.ly/lNMwuw
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Promises kept.
I can't help but look at my bible and think how BIG it is. Its actually quite small in size but the spiritual weight of what it carries is so vast I can hardly comprehend that there's a 'pocket sized' version. Isn't it unbelievable that it is the Living Breathing Word of God? I can only assume (or hope?!) that I'm not the only person that has at times become complacent in reading it and diving into the depths of it... but there is always a point at which I pass by it on my nightstand, or couch, or chair or wherever it was last left and my heart almost leaps from my chest. Its like my soul has been parched in a desert and at the sight of the Living Water it can hardly contain itself.
I found myself in Romans 4 today... reading about the Faith of Abraham. My spirit melted in the moment I read Romans 4:21 "He was FULLY convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises". There's a list to go on about the promises that Abraham believed God for... not to say that He didn't struggle when He didn't understand how God would come through on His word...and even make mistakes... but He was counted by God as righteous because of his faith. I think one thing I have struggled with in the last few years is knowing full well in my heart that God's promises are sure and will stand against anything... but being caught in the gap of not understanding His timing and outworking - because its not my timing and I can't see how He will do what He said he will do. (pretty sure if i knew all those things that would make me God and that is just as ridiculous as it sounds hah!) I found so much comfort in Abrahams story... He left a legacy of faith and He was FULLY convinced of God's promises and the repercussions of that today are mind blowing. I am sitting in my living room on the couch, writing this, overwhelmed of God's faithfulness to Abraham and what that means for me sitting here today... and overwhelmed by God's faithfulness to me... even after a long journey... and what that will mean for maizey when she's sitting on her couch, in her living room one day, thinking of the faithfulness of God.
I could post it a million times and the truth of His promise would never lose power:: He is faithful. His timing is ALWAYS perfect. He is close to the broken. He is close to the seeking...and He is after the deepest part of your heart. He will keep His promise.
xxxx
I found myself in Romans 4 today... reading about the Faith of Abraham. My spirit melted in the moment I read Romans 4:21 "He was FULLY convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises". There's a list to go on about the promises that Abraham believed God for... not to say that He didn't struggle when He didn't understand how God would come through on His word...and even make mistakes... but He was counted by God as righteous because of his faith. I think one thing I have struggled with in the last few years is knowing full well in my heart that God's promises are sure and will stand against anything... but being caught in the gap of not understanding His timing and outworking - because its not my timing and I can't see how He will do what He said he will do. (pretty sure if i knew all those things that would make me God and that is just as ridiculous as it sounds hah!) I found so much comfort in Abrahams story... He left a legacy of faith and He was FULLY convinced of God's promises and the repercussions of that today are mind blowing. I am sitting in my living room on the couch, writing this, overwhelmed of God's faithfulness to Abraham and what that means for me sitting here today... and overwhelmed by God's faithfulness to me... even after a long journey... and what that will mean for maizey when she's sitting on her couch, in her living room one day, thinking of the faithfulness of God.
I could post it a million times and the truth of His promise would never lose power:: He is faithful. His timing is ALWAYS perfect. He is close to the broken. He is close to the seeking...and He is after the deepest part of your heart. He will keep His promise.
xxxx
Sunday, May 1, 2011
celebrating.
celebrate::::
1. Mark (a significant or happy day or event), typically with a social gathering:
2. Do something enjoyable to mark such an occasion:1. Mark (a significant or happy day or event), typically with a social gathering:
There's not actually anyone that on this earth that I'd rather celebrate than my husband. He makes me smile the best and deepest smile that my heart could smile... and I am beyond in love with him. This weekend we've spent every day of it celebrating the amazing man, husband and father that he is. I love loving him...and i love the way that he loves me and our maizey...
i am so blessed... and FULL of thankfulness.
happy birthday to my baby cakes. i love you matty.
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