Tag: God

FREEDOM

Jennifred Jones

Today I was privileged to watch part of  the ceremony for Hungary’s National Day in Budapest. Hungary was founded August 20th 1000AD by St. Stephen. As they sang their national anthem the guardsmen slowly, reverently raised their flag up the tall gray pole. The rain was coming down steadily, but that stopped no one from joining in the celebration of their freedom. The band played and the people sang while the guards watched as the flag was unfurled. Umbrellas of every size and color dotted the crowds who watched from the grounds. The verdant grass contrasted its green life against the red, white and green color stripes of Hungary’s flag.

Freedom. What a privilege. What a responsibility.

As I thought about their freedom and the freedom sought in many lands around the world today that freedom is available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. God said, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!”

Yes, we can have that freedom if we choose and if we cultivate it. Freedom begins not in a certain land or place; it begins first in our heart. It begins with a simple choice. “I believe.” Our greatest bondages are in our mind and Jesus came to free us of everyone of them—big or small. God said He would give us a new mind and a new heart when we come to Him, but now we must keep it renewed daily, sometimes minute by minute, as our greatest enemy, the devil, tries to take over our thoughts and bring us back into his bondage. Jesus gives us freedom no matter where we live and no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in. He is our great deliverer. This is our privilege in Christ.

It is also our responsibility, because we and we alone have control over our minds. God will not force us to think a certain way and the devil is constantly barraging our minds with thoughts of hate, anger, destruction, doubt, fear, guilt, inferiority, unworthiness, but God said we are to bring those thoughts to Him and cast them down. In other words, flatly refuse to think on them. Yes we do have a choice, to think on the bad and the negative, or to think on the good and the positive. We choose. God wants to help us. We tend to think we’re helpless and too far gone. No, that too is a lie. Jesus is there to help us and gives us His power to overcome those thoughts.

If we are free in our minds we can be free in our bodies. Freedom does begin first on the inside. I believe all men and women really do want to be free, but there is a cost. True freedom is found only in Jesus Christ, and He paid the cost that we couldn’t. All He says we need to do is believe and follow Him.

And His truth shall make you free!

God Wants to Be Noticed

Jennifred Jones

How good does it feel when someone gives you a nice compliment, or just acknowledges you and comes over with a big smile and says, ‘Hello’ and ‘How are you doing’ and asks about you and your family, and how you’ve been etc.?

Even if you’re the shy type, it still makes you feel good and you think, “How nice they are to stop and talk and ask about me”.

God is the same way. He wants to be noticed by us and by others.

He has this whole display on earth all the beautiful flora and fauna, animals, waters, different peoples, and He has given us good creative minds to think—all that He might be noticed!
The heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament declares His handiwork.

God likes it when we notice what He’s done and say, “Thanks!”, “I really appreciate all you’ve done”, This is a magnificent day!” Wow! God, it’s absolutely amazing how you made all these little bitty stones all different shapes and colors to glow in the bottom of the stream bed under those little fish, some bright and fancy, and others sort of dark and drab.”, “Boy those clouds are beautiful. How majestic is that sky today!”

God loves to hear you talk like that. We’re noticing Him. We’re giving Him glory. It’s who He is. He is a creative God. He is the creator…The Only God! He is a good God!

“What do you know about that? I made every green light in a row driving today! Thanks God! You did that for me. I’m just me, but you’re You! Thanks for watching out for me!”

“Boy, I got a late start today; those kids made me late again!” But there was a bad wreck about 15 minutes ago on the road I drive and God didn’t let me be on the highway at that time. He was protecting me, “Thanks God! You’ve done it again!”

I can’t thank You enough for everything you’ve done in my life and I love my kids!

Yes, God, I notice You!

Draw Out the Talent in Our Youth

Jennifred Jones

This spring an old bridge was graffitized by some local students. Some people were up in arms over the situation, but I chose to see it from a different angle. Below is my letter to the editor posted in the Carroll County Comet July 2014:

Xenia Bridge: Vandalism versus Artwork

Let’s take a different perspective on the Xenia Bridge ‘vandalism’ episode. Why do we sometimes allow ourselves to get all up in arms over things like this?
No lives were hurt or lost, no trees were cut down, no fields were burned, no homes were broken into, no animals were stolen, and no one was stabbed, killed or robbed. All it was, was paint-artwork-on an old bridge that was probably rusty not that long ago. Who or what are we trying to protect; our kids and their future, an old bridge which has no life in it, or are we worried about what others might think if we don’t correct those kids? Was it truly malicious intent by the students, or are they like some the rest of us…looking for a way to make their mark on the world, to be noticed, to use their creative minds. Our kids are our best investment. They are tremendously talented. Some of these students are Class A art students and their work would make any parent proud!
Let’s choose some of our older buildings and walls around town and give our students a project—design and paint something unique and colorful on it that represents where they live and let them put their spin on it. Let them paint the town bright and colorful. Put their creative minds toward a good purpose and who knows, maybe our little towns will become a tourist attraction! “This town, this bridge, this wall was designed and painted by our kids, and that one was done by mine!”
by Jennifred Jones