Happy and Satisfied

Sometimes you are so wrapped in the moment... in life... in enjoyment... in divine pleasure that blogging about it simply gets put to the side a bit. So sorry my readers. More has been happening in my life then I can simply keep up with. But now I will give you a taste of my yummy blessed life. Glory to you. Glory escapes out of your belly and manifests all around you! You bring the party, the joy, the life. There is nothing you can't do and not a moment you can't enjoy. Just be you cause there is no one quite like you!

I love being a nanny. I adore my four children ages 3 to 9. Loving them has been one of the most fulfilling things of my life. It is busy and chaotic and loud and crazy at times, but I love it! My day looks like waking up at 6:30 to prepare the three oldest for school the whole while listening to some jams on the computer. Next I drive them to school and start my day with the younger ones. I work in the garden, help do dishes, help do laundry, take kids to the park, change dirty pull ups, entertain, stop fights, give lots of loving, play anything and everything, prepare lunch, somehow fit my morning run in with that and a shower, get the older ones from school, help them get their home work and baths done, encourage them to play outside and not just computer and television, stop fights, love on them, sneak in some texts and quick phone calls, help prepare and clean up dinner, play more with the kids, get them ready for bed, read the two older ones a chapter of the Chronicles of Narnia, give them their hugs and kisses and "I love yous" before bed, prepare their lunch bags for tomorrow's school, take a moment to check my email and facebook, and by 8:30 or 9:00 my little body is done and I pass out once my head hits the pillow. It is a happy tired from a very fulfilled purposeful day. And of course weekends include park trips and crazy water fights of which I am Queen of the hose. Once in awhile there is down time. And I manage to get breaks of course. But I really am loving it! I am aware 24/7 of God and enjoying Him constantly and experiencing His divine grace in my life.

Another absolutely amazing thing! God has brought a man into my life. He really popped out of no where at one of my Jesus meetings. It has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Our whole relationship has been effortless and wonderful and full of His divine grace. Never have I met a man that reminds me more of my Father and sees me and treats me the way my Father does. And yet he is 100 percent his own person with a personality that suits my own to a tee. His name is Shane. He is handsome and wonderful from inside out. I have never enjoyed someone more in my life or found it so easy to be myself around someone. Our times together involve long talks on the phone, playing with the kids together, eating good food, exploring new places, being silly, helping and supporting each other, and just enjoying and learning about one another. It is exciting how God is leading our relationship and how we are experiencing His divine grace and love through it all. This has become a whole new way for me to experience heaven. I am blown away by the love of my God.

Now this weekend I will be going to my first Mystical School led by John Crowder. Shane will be there of course and many of my friends as well. I am very excited. One I will get some time off, two I will get to see so many people experience revelation of grace, three more time with Shane (giant smile face), four I am excited how God will use me to bless people, and to be honest if God has something in store for me specifically I just don't see how. He has already blessed me so much and made me so happy. I just don't see how He can make me any more satisfied. I give Him absolute permission to blow me away more of course. If I get any happier I just might have to fly.

I love you all my readers!!! Remember no matter what you are going through or feeling that He loves you, everything is covered and fixed, complete glory is inside of you and bursting out like a never ending well spring, you can do anything you want, and remember that Christ fills all in all. Live for pleasure (He is pleasure), live to enjoy (He is enjoyment), live to experience (He floods all experiences). And after tasting Him you can't even go back to any lesser experiences. No need to worry about sin because you are too busy drinking and manifesting His glory. And remember you are drunk and manifesting the kingdom by just being you and doing what you love and enjoy most. So freedom, love, blessings, peace. I am overwhelmed with joy by all of you one of kind Jesus people. How tasty you all are! And enjoy relationship! There is nothing quite like the glory manifested in all relationships!

Yummy Nanny

I have been in a crazy active chapter in my life. There is soooo much happening and so many changes! Just a few months ago if felt like my life was changing so slowing... like a page snail sneaking to the next chapter of my life. Now it feels like the pages are moving wildly fast! It's like the parts in the moving that are action packed and fun and filled with so much experience. I do not have time at the moment to truly describe all that is going on, but soon I will be getting my own lap top which will allow much more time to share the wonders of me and Jesus and our wild little life.

To give a quick synopsis, I quit my preschool job, moved out of my house, and am now a live in nanny. I am still in the same city but doing many different things. I am basically a mother to four children ages 2 through 9 and also live with their grandmother. Together we manage the house while their parents are away in Afghanistan. In October I go back to school and move in with my older sister for a year if we get the house and then will live on campus. Of course God is in control and can change things as He pleases.

I've stayed a week in Marietta with this family, been to special toy stores and museums, went Contra dancing, and truly learning/enjoying a whole new life. All the while God is changing my Bible and prayer habits and has gotten me to trust Him even more deeply. He keeps giving me even more revelation of grace as I live day by day. Most of all I am learning I can do anything with Him!

Taught by Texas Ducks

Jesus Saved

Hello my beloved readers. I actually have some time in my wild little Jesus life to do some serious (ha ha) blogging. So here I am writing to you from my happy vacation with my brother and sister in law in beautiful Texas. I want to thank you ahead of time because blogging this next section is helping me better understand and see the latest revelations God has shown me about my awesome Jesus and His finished work on the cross.

I was always taught in church and in my Sunday school class that there were sinners and the saved. The saved were the people who asked Jesus into their heart and somehow like magic in that exact moment you were transformed into a new creature. Everybody else though, forgive my brashness, was screwed unless they accepted Jesus and doomed to hellish torment for all eternity. Bless my Jesus that I did not spend too much time even paying attention to the theologies I learned in the church but most of my time being sweetly loved by my Jesus. Once I came to correct teaching it lined up with what I had already experienced of my true Jesus in my heart. It made sense. It made me happy. It worked. So that was what I was taught before, but here is what I understand now.

Jesus died for every single person on this planet past, present, and future. The word "all" is used so often in the New Testament it's hilarious that I ever missed it. Just a few verses include 2 Cor. 5:10 (salvation for world), Titus 2:11 and John 12:32 (all people), 2 Cor. 5:13 (all died in Christ), Romans 5:18-19, and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (all made alive in Christ). Salvation isn't about our response to Christ, but His response to you. There are now simple believers and unbelievers. Believers are already enjoying the benefits of this reality of true holiness and unity with Christ and blissed out joy and love while unbelievers are simply those who do not believe what Christ has done for them and live a lie. If you don't know that God loves you, saved you, made you perfect, made you one with Him, is totally flipping awesome and made you that way.... well if you don't know that... you are going to be pretty miserable and look to anything to try to make yourself feel better. You will do what we like to call... sin. The beautiful thing is that "Christ died for us while we were yet sinners."(Romans 5:8) Paul evens tells the pagans in Acts 17:28, "we are his offspring." Jesus married His bride and then fixed her. His kiss of the cross is what transformed her. Our sin should not be the emphasis because He killed it... instead the truth... Jesus... His salvation... His love is our every word and message.

All the unbelievers in our world are family, saved, children of God... they just don't know it yet. They are lost. They are walking around with a false identity. But Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Now He lives through us and as we drink this message ourselves we cannot help but be overflowing well springs of love and truth. We cannot help but see Jesus in everyone and everything because His light shines in the darkness. Our message changes from, "accept Jesus" to "Jesus accepted you, He loves you, He made you new, you are His special child and He just wants to bliss you our forever." And once you simply believe that like a little child, well, lets just say you are going look and act just like the little unique reflection of Jesus that you are.

This brings up questions like will all someday believe him and why do some not? To answer those... I simply don't know, but Christ lives in me and He does so I am okay with not having all the answers. But I must say I do hope that someday just like God Himself hopes, "that all will come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9) and that "all men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:4). Do I believe that people can decide to believe on Christ and enjoy reality after death... I'm not sure. But I will say that the Word when describing heaven does say that the "gates will never be closed" (Rev. 21:25, Isaiah 60:11, and Isaiah 26:2). Scripture always tells us that "love always hopes" and "love never fails (1 Cor. 13: 7-8). I also believing that hell is a self inflicted place of unbelief. God still loves those who chose to lie in that lie world and He still sees them as saved. I believe both heaven and hell are manifested on earth in the present too from those who believe and don't. But I cannot help but hope that everyone will someday whether in this life or the next will decide to believe on Christ just as much as a family member with a lost loved one wishes that someday their child will come back home. And isn't this the Father's attitude in the story of the prodigal son.

Finally I say if we believe that sin could enter to all people through one man Adam why can't we believe that salvation entered to all people through Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Seriously who is stronger... sin or Jesus. Jesus won hands down. And He won by dying naked on tree and... possessing evil itself and dying it's death. "He became sin who knew no sin, that we might become His righteousness." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus loves you. Jesus saved you. Jesus, the most awesome bridegroom of all time married you and now you are just like Him and can enjoy Him and be enjoyed by Him forever. And now you can enjoy the big Jesus family and let them know that what He did for you, He did for them too. Now that is the good news. :)

Yummy Good Byes

Well, I thought I would update you on all the changes that have happened in just two weeks time! I applied for a nanny job last month and they got back to me. I was told they went from 20 applicants down to four they were interviewing. I was one of the four. I had my interview two Tuesdays ago. They called me the next day. I got the job. It's a live in nanny position for four children while their parents are deployed in Afghanistan. I will be living with the kids and one of the grandmothers for a couple months and then the other grandmother for the rest. It's a beautiful place, the kids are awesome, and the pay is blessed of God if you know what I mean. Only thing is I had to put in my two weeks notice at the preschool right away because they want me to start April 2. So today was my last day working at the preschool since I graduated in 2009 with my Associates in Early Childhood. My preschool parents spoiled me with a cake (it's the one in the picture), a necklace, clothes, flowers, cards, and more! It's crazy that I'm leaving their children and they still blessed me. My co-worker told me it's because I was good to them. It's funny how me just being me has made such a difference to people. It's kind of amazing really. These simple Headstart parents really blew me away. God closed this door so gently for me and with so much love.

So tomorrow I fly off to Texas to visit my brother and sister in law. The perfect time for a vacation! Then I come back for one day and then head to live with my new kids as their nanny. Next I head to college full time to complete my Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and possibly do my student teaching overseas. So yah... I guess you could say... I moved out of the nest and am really starting to soar.

It's just crazy. I just lifted my wee little wings and said "ok Jesus" and He blew. "I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar."

Go ahead and soar world! Be yourself. Enjoy Him. And let His love lift you to places you never thought you could go. :)

Two Steps Back and a Big Leap

It has been awhile beloved readers. Sorry about that. I have been very preoccupied with life... but it is a good preoccupied. I would like to update you on what God is doing with this next chapter of my life.

I have been working as a preschool teacher since I graduated in 2009. I have loved working with my kids and families and my beloved staff. God has taught me soooooo much there and I have enjoyed every moment. I must say it has been a wild crazy little ride at Headstart. But it has become clear that in order to do what I love and help serve these children I must have my Bachelors' degree. And of course God has a way of making His desires your own. So this will be my last year at Headstart. After the summer I will be going back to school, hopefully living on campus (another huge leap for me- living on my own) and getting my Bachelors. I am also considering doing my student teaching in Africa. I feel God has more to teach me from that place. From there God will open the next door. But He has made it clear that it is much bigger then here. He has convinced me He is my husband and I must follow Him alone. I am under Him and though I love my family and friends... I'm on this wild adventure with Him and He is just plain so wild, wonderful, and crazy awesome that I can't help but follow Him. I am wildly in love with Him. And if He wants me to live a wild, abnormal life and is convinced that He can use little old me... then I say... "Jesus, the only response I have is I'm all yours."

So in some senses it seems odd that after getting out of school and then slowly progressing to lead teacher I am now going back to school. My big quote for this chapter of my life has been, "You gotta take two steps backward to take a giant leap forwards."

I must admit I am a wee bit nervous about leaving home, leaving work, trusting God to provide for me financially at school, making new friends, etc.... but I am also extremely excited. And God has ruined me in a good way and I simply must believe Him. Love and faith is my only response to Him. I mean... what can I say... Jesus killed me and made me new. I belong to Him. Let's do it.

In the meanwhile... this song has been an inspiration to me throughout my life. It might seem cheesy to some, but I believe there's so much glory on it. I encourage you all to fly with Jesus. He has given you wings! Love you all. Jesus blessings!

Teenagers/Jesus

Here I am listening to some music...yes it's E.T. by Katy Perry and of course some Bruno Mars, etc. I am not going to lie, I can really feel heaven in some of those songs. But as I sit hear listening to music (this one is Skyscraper by Lovato) I simply must write a bit about the teenagers I've been around.

I have grown up in a church where I used to help lead a kid's group. I've grown up with these kids and love them dearly and have seen them become God loving teenagers who really enjoy real Jesus. Now I pop in at their youth group some times and keep relationships with them. I see so much glory in them and am sooo refreshed by them because they are soooo real! Anyhozers we had a just girl's sleepover prayer thing Friday night. God blew me away with those girls. I ended up staying up til 2 am joining the girls as they opened up and received love and prayers through one another. They also prayed for me and I received words from God and sooooo much love! Now that is heaven on earth.

Lately I have also been joining the teen class as a support to their young teacher, to be around them, and to be honest... because I get bored during the sermon. I love it because they are so open for Jesus to move. And God has used me to give the teens a little nudge when it comes to healing. I encouraged them to just declare the healing and keep it simple. Well over the past few weeks a kid got his back healed instantly and just today a girl got instantly healed from her headache and another from her knee! But what was most awesome to me was to see the kids step up and let Jesus use them and how excited they got when it worked! Praise God! 

So now I am going to lead the teen Sunday school class next quarter and I am pumped. I just can't wait to tell them what Jesus has done for them on the cross, to tell to them more about the Good News, and to empower them and let them lead. I haven't felt this thrilled and excited in awhile. If you want to pray for me and these teens I'll totally take it. (Readers feel free to share your own Jesus-ness in the comments too and pray. You all got Jesus and His light!) It is so true that when the older generation bends down to lift up the younger you feel soooooooo good! It is truly exhilarating. I feel soooo alive right now. It is probably also because God reminded me through the gals prayers that night what an influence I have made on the girls. Sometimes we just don't realize how much we shine and it is soooo encouraging to hear it. Praise God. We are His lights. We can enjoy Him, He enjoys us, we enjoy others, and they enjoy us. Let's do it! Go Generation by Generation!!!

Jesus Guy

Hey, here's another Jesus guy I highly recommend. He has a wonderful understanding of grace and the Word and totally lives heaven's reality. His name is Benjamin Dunn and he wrote one of my favorite books "The Happy Gospel." I had the privilege of helping host his band last year. He is sweet and down to earth in person  and treats everyone with love and respect. Check him out. Enjoy.

A Random Adventure

I just have to tell ya'll about a fun little adventure I just had today... such a sweet little Jesus blessing.

So Katie, a sweet young friend of mine and also my brother's girlfriend decided to take me on a little adventure today. I was given no details except that it would be Saturday at 5. And what a hilarious, fun adventure it was.

It began with us stopping at a family's house we both knew and giving away some Panera bread that her job let the employees have. I had no idea how that worked with what she had plan. Then we gave more bread away to my spiritual little brother. And then she decided to take me to Dunkin Donuts where we ran into my friend Alanna who just happened to be there. I was so confused and had no idea what Katie had planned. May I also say she was so hilarious, silly, and goofy the entire time. Finally... after she drove around in random spots and circling back, she ended up taking me to the true destination... Chipotle. Yummy!! It turned out everything beforehand was just a decoy, but yet it played out so well.

Well after gulping down a huge burrito we decided to continue our adventure by adding another person. We jokingly called it "kidnapping". This black guy started talking to us as we stopped at our "victim's" apartment. The guy asked if me and Katie were drunk. I replied that we did not need that to be happy. (I find it funny that that was not the first time I've been asked such things).We picked up my spiritual little brother Jesse (he is with me in my latest video) and we drove around talking. Then we stop at Burger King and Katie bought Jesse food and we continued great conversation which led to us praying for one another. I love Jesus and fast food. And I can't help get teary eyed when people so sweetly pray for me. We then literally ran to the car.

Our adventure was not over. We decided to go to Marcs and give more bread away to my little sister who was working there and other peeps we knew- mind you we had like ten minutes before the store was going to close. Then we headed to Walmart to find something for my sick brother Sam (also Katie's boyfriend). We found the perfect stuffed cow. Praise Jesus.

It's those delightful, simple things that are heaven on earth. Nothing beats just chilling with sweet people, talking about life and God, and praying and encouraging each other. And there was Jesus showing me Himself today... by living through a sweet girl who wanted to take me on an adventure and by living through my lil bro Jesse too. JESUS is awesome!!!!

May Jesus bless you with your own random little adventures. May you receive them and initiate them. :) Jesus loves you!!!

Yummy Instruments

Hi Ya'll,
It's been a little while. God recently got me out of feeling blue and getting lost in a dumb dumb pool of negativity. That happens when you listen to lies. But praise Jesus He uses people to remind you of who you really are. Now I am delightfully feeling like my real self again and enjoying the present and excited about the future.
Anyhozers... this is my first video welcoming my little brother in Christ, Jesse. I met Jesse at a Bible study and he is a true blessing and a delightful, fun little brother. Don't underestimate the young people folks. Jesus tastes great on anybody no matter age, race, color, etc.
This is a little revelation God gave me about instruments and God showed Jesse things too. I actually asked God to remind me the other day of who I was in Him and God sure did. Enjoy.
And remember you are all unique, beautiful, perfect little instruments in Christ and Jesus makes you sound sooooo wonderful and you are a delight to Him and blessing to everyone!!! May He tune you to understand who you are because of what He has done for you. Praise JESUS!!!!!

Winnie Banov

I love this lady Winnie and her husband Georgian. They led our trip to Mozambique. If you want to learn from somebody look up the Banovs. They are parents of joy.
I will never forget in Africa how I got so drunk in the Spirit after Winnie shared the good news. I went over to her and hugged her and said, "Thank you for believing." Her response to me was, "Thank you for believing." I hope you enjoy how Jesus tastes off of this lovely lady.

Manifesting Love

I had a sweet time with the Lord Saturday morning. The past few months I'd felt so tired and drained. See my focus for awhile had been on taking care of all my children (preschoolers and spiritual children). Saturday was the start of my two week Christmas break and I just looked at Daddy exhausted. He so sweetly wrapped His arms around me and told me, "We've been so busy with the kids haven't we." I replied mildly, "yah." He then told me how He would spoil me over the next couple weeks and we could enjoy each other. He wanted to simply love on me. It reminded me of married couples who finally take a break from the kids. Then God began to unravel to me a beautiful revelation... one that I am still meditating on.

Fruit naturally results from love. When couples are wildly in love all they are concerned about is loving one another and in their love for one another wonderful little surprises can happen along the way. Love cannot help but to manifest itself. And the greatest moments of love bliss is where the manifestation of love starts. Now I am in no way saying that we have physical, marriage intimacy with the Lord, but I am saying that marriage is simply a representation of the greater union we share with Christ. This glorious union began with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and could not help but manifest in the lives of all human beings and could not help but also fix every human being through the cross. I cannot imagine the fellowship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had! And now we are joined to that union through Christ! It no longer becomes an effort to love others. We just be ourselves and enjoy being loved on by our God and loving Him back and naturally you will produce the greatest fruit. A father and mother cannot help but radically adore their new born baby and pour everything into it. And every person God wants to love on and birth life out of. He wants His children to have their mother's eyes, similar quirks, and more. Truly He allows us to become Fathers and Mothers of His children.

The whole reason Jesus died and fixed us was so we could enjoy love and love. It is who we are now. It is the most wonderful thing. Simply let Jesus love you. He always has and He always will. And enjoy being His love slave and enjoy the manifested results of love. Maybe you will see druggies and prostitutes turn from old ways and be soooo happy and drunk on Jesus, maybe you will adopt an orphaned child, maybe you will write books that lift up hearts of people around you, maybe you will create movies that stir the soul, maybe you will build houses for the poor, maybe you will be an ear to the elderly, or anything. There are no limits and rules on LOVE. And then when you get a little too wrapped up in the "kids", your loving Husband will pull you aside and assure you He will take care of the children, get you to let go all your concerns, and just love you.

Something yummy from McVey

A friend/big brother in Christ had this posted on his facebook. I just had to repost it. Steve McVey is another wonderful guy with deep revelation of the grace of Christ. A few more peeps I like and trust are Georgian and Winnie Banov, Heidi and Rolland Baker, John Crowder, Benjamin Dunn, Steve McVey, and John Eldridge. 


"Grace throws parties for returning prodigals without saying a word about their sins. Grace pays everybody the same regardless of what time of day they began to work. Grace restores dignity to whores that everybody else wants to stone. Grace hugs the diseased leper (or AIDS patient) that nobody else wants to touch. Grace looks past a person’s behavior and sees the person for who they are in the eyes of God. Grace is irrational to the thinker. It is unfair to the judge. Grace is foolishness to the achiever. It is a waste to the selfish. Grace is a mistake to the disciplinarian. It is shame to the religionist. But it is a stream of water to the thirsty. It’s freedom to the imprisoned. It is life to the dead. Grace is rest to the tired. It is another chance to the failed. It is hope to the despondent. It is a way out for the lost and a way in for those who can see the Door. Grace. It’s not a theological premise. It’s not a doctrine. It’s not a philosophy. It’s not something to be balanced with anything else. It’s not even the most important thing. It’s The One Thing – The Only Thing. It’s a Person – a Person who has held you in His heart before the first molecule existed and One who will never let you go."


 Steve McVey

Here Goes

Well, I am actually going to let you all in my life a little bit and get a feel for what has been going on around me.

First off I am about to be shown God's grace manifested in what lately has felt like a big old storm. My work basically has been a negative mess. Everywhere I turn some complaint is spouted and no one ever has any solutions or ways to help fix things. I feel so bad for the children because it seems we are all far too concerned about ourselves. And my usually giddy me was starting to somewhat crack. Praise Jesus for my Bible study peeps and family who reminded me of who I am and the Christ inside of me. I don't have to try to be joyful or change the atmosphere. I can just be me- who is the joy of Jesus and just be the atmosphere. Others may wallow in lies if they like, but I do not have to. So this week is my last week before break and here goes nothing. Glory to glory for sure. Gulp. I know Jesus has this. I am definitely out of my comfort zone, but I am very glad He does that to me.

Also God is beginning to show me many more radical things. Things of which I am still processing myself. They concern God's love and how far salvation goes. I'm going to drink more of this up first and then I am sure it will show up more in my writings.

I also am very much longing for snow. It was really neat when I was running the other day after feeling really down from work a few flakes began to fall. Such a sweet Jesus blessings. I am sure I will get my white Christmas. 

O, did I tell you all I am an aunt. Well she (I think she's a she) isn't born yet, but I still consider myself her aunt now. She's already kicking in the womb. I believe she's going to be a dancer or at least like dancing. 

Jesus blessings everyone.

Perfect Love

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear." (1 John 4:18 NASB)

Many times I've looked at this verse and simply thought that God's perfect love meant we don't need to be afraid of anything. We can live our lives with no fear. And yes, that is all very true. But God has been showing me today that there is so much more involved.

If one looks at the entire context of John 4 we see that it is about outward manifestations of love. This perfect love does not just keep us from getting afraid of things, it is the power that compels us to love. It is our greatest weapon.

During my prayer time with God today He was showing me that perfect love is what Jesus used when He was about to go to the cross. If you read in Luke: 42-44 we can see that before the cross fear was present. Jesus knew the pain and agony He was about to face. I mean we are talking about one man dying the death of every single human being on earth. But love was stronger then fear. And His love cast the fear aside and made it possible for Him to be the hero of everyone.

Now this perfect love of Christ is in us. It fuels us. As Romans 5:8 states we first come to know this love that was demonstrated to us by Jesus' death on the cross, then come to realize that this love casts all fear aside, and then realize that "the love of Christ controls us." (2 Corinthians 5:14)

We can see this perfect love demonstrated in many seemingly "fearful" situations and how love has conquered. First look at Christ- at twelve He had no fear but was teaching religious leaders; He had no fear of being tempted by women when He spoke to the women at the well (see we have His perfect pure love too that causes us to not fear a dead flesh and dead lusts/temptations); and to Him declaring to His Father at the cross about those mocking Him "Father forgive them for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34 NASB) Then look at Stephen who was controlled by this same love- as Stephen was being stoned to death he too yelled for God to forgive his accusers. Then look at Paul who was beaten, ship wrecked, thrown in jail, and so much more the whole time totally confident and possessed by Christ's perfect love. Then of course one can look at modern lovers like Heidi and Rolland Baker who left all to serve orphans in Mozambique Africa; Georgian and Winnie Banov who travel all the world and even speak at garbage dumps; Benjamin and Stephanie Dunn who love on lepers with no fear of getting ill; people who adopt children who are handicapped; mothers who chose to give all for their children; couples who chose to forsake their old way of life to join together in marriage; and so much more.

Love is the most powerful thing. Love is God. God is love. And love looks so simple. Just check out 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. But the amazing thing is there is nothing stronger. Instead of picking power, anger, lighting bolts, swords, etc... God chose perfect love to conquer the world. And perfect love looks like Jesus defeating all wickedness and imparting all goodness to the world. This perfect love that shoves fear aside to take that bullet declaring "I love you." And it is this perfect love that has been imparted to us. We live for love just like Jesus did. We are obsessed with love. And actually Jesus chooses to love though us. We are one with him and feel how He feels about others and cannot help ourselves but to love. We are so connected to Him that we do not know if it's His love we are feeling for someone or our own or a mixture. And our response/reaction to anyone and anything is love.

Now you might be wondering why I shared this video with you about the very cranky bear. Check out that sheep in the story. Love casts her fear of that cranky bear aside. Instead she loved that bear and love won. Love always wins no matter what or who tries to oppose it.

Enjoy being controlled by Christ and His perfect love. Love is so fun and so addictive and it so works.

Thoughts on Unity

I have begun to see why Paul says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). I believe Jesus has such a heart to see His people get along as family and understand that we are a family no matter what. 

I have a family- a large family. A regular Dudek bunch we are- three girls and three boys. Our family grew up in a small house with three girls in one room and three boys in another. We were home schooled. But we were also one of the coolest, funniest (and still are) families ever. We have always been loud, interrupting each other and crazy open. My parents were always willing to be real with us and we could be real with them... so real that at young ages we could rebuke our parents. A couple times when our parents were fighting (which was rare) we kids actually made them work it out and would tell them they were both being selfish. We do not all agree either. I mean we all believe in Jesus and love the Lord, but yes some of our theologies even differ. We can annoy each other and hurt each other. And yet we were the home (and still are) where everyone wants to be. Our holidays are the best and we all just enjoy and legit love one another. We are always there for each other no matter what and we would give everything to help one another. Even if we went off a wrong path I know we would still be family.

I believe this is what God wants for His church. And by church I mean "His people." If I was upset with a family member I'd work it out and we'd still be family. I see so much in the church that can honestly be quite silly. Sometimes we act like to be a family we have to meet certain qualifications and believe the same thing perfectly. Then each talk behind the other's back. And I can  just see Jesus saying, "Guys, you are a family. Why are you living a lie. Let love reign." Control, winning an argument, proving who's right and wrong is not what it is about. Jesus got down and washed the disciples feet and they didn't even understand who He was and their theology was wack. Love will show the way. And love is what the world needs. And satan knows that if he can get the church to act the opposite of their real identity the world will not want anything to do with Jesus.

"Jesus, your grace has purchased for us not just individual perfection, but the entire church body perfection. I pray for you to bring revelation of this across your people throughout the world and this nation. I pray love will reign and in love things will be worked out. I pray for the manifestation of unity and brotherly love the likes of which we've never seen- a love that the world sees and says, "Wow that's Jesus." A love that without trying we are the home where everyone wants to be just like my Dudek home. It's time Daddy that we stop our silly arguments and fears and lay down our insecurities and walk in our real identity. Satan has lied so long to all of us making us act worse toward one another then the world. No more. Jesus shine on. Thank you that you purchased your entire bride on the cross. Get the reaction that you want from your bride. And start with me. Show me the way. Help me. I love you. It is time.

In Jesus Name Amen."

Life's a Maze

Well I just want to thank my Jesus for a refreshing Friday and Saturday.

Right now I am a preschool lead teacher and also going back to school to pursue my Bachelor's in Early Childhood education. It's been busy juggling school, college, etc. But God has been soooooooooo goood. I am about to make some big transitions. One thing God has really shown me is not to over spiritualize things and just see that He is in everything.Too often I used to make lame excuses about why I was feeling this way or that way and why this or that was happening when some answers are so simple. This week I often just felt anxious, confused, exhausted and God so sweetly told me that I was just tired and about to make some big steps and that it was ok. Sometimes it's just the simple answers like go to school, plan a budget, eat right, get some sleep, enjoy friends and family, watch a movie, etc.

This weekend I got to sleep in, watch a wonderful movie- Real Steel- with my parents, hang out with friends and family, slept in, went on a corn maze, and talked and gave and received hugs. Truly God is in the simple things.

He's been teaching me soooo much about wisdom too. He's letting me see that wisdom is a good thing, a sweet thing that He has purchased for us on the cross. Imagine having the wisest man ever around to help you make decisions, deal with relationships, figure out schooling, etc. I think of how much trouble God saved me from founding me through my parents with a right relationship attitude toward guys. I feel I was saved from so much trouble and heartache and am truly happy. Wisdom is free wine too. Check out Proverbs 9:4-5....yum. It's awesome reading Proverbs through the framework of what Jesus has already purchased for us on the cross. He is wisdom. And He's even given us these minds to make wise choices and be creative! It's so fun. It was actually neat planning a budget with Him today.

So thank you Daddy for being so wise and kind. It's great being yours. I love you so much. Bless all my readers with refreshment and wisdom too. Even overflowing so we can pour your refreshment and wisdom to others from our unique way. Love you all. :)

As I was locating a picture for this... I just realized that a maze can be a truly wonderful and refreshing thing. We go through corn mazes for fun and to spend time with those we love and enjoy. It can take a long time to get through. If it doesn't you feel ripped off. And you all have fun working together trying to figure out how to get through it. Wrong turns become part of the fun. And during it you can't help throwing corn kernals at each other and just being silly. Everyone knows you can't take a maze too seriously. The point is to get lost and have fun through it. It's about adventure and good times. And the more the merrier.

Sometimes life can feel like a maze. We know it might take a while to get through but we don't know for sure. If you take it too seriously you'll miss out. But with Jesus and His wisdom and refreshment it is fun and enjoyable. It's truly a beautiful thing. Life is not about getting through it and figuring it out... it's about enjoying Jesus and all His blessings in it, learning about Him through it, and blessing others as well. It's the adventure of Jesus and His love experienced with others. Thank you Jesus for the mazes of our lives.

Hosting Benjamin Dunn and Friends

Well it all started with me and my sister in law Jodi running into two Jesus guys at Dunkin Donuts. Then we learn there's a new ministry run by a sweet Jesus couple called Love Drunk ministries and meetings they host called Kingdom Culture meetings right here in downtown. Who woulda thunk?! To fast forward a bit me, my brother, my sister in law, and my friend Alanna simply joined in with this family of believers and are all obsessed with Jesus and His grace. And just last weekend God worked it out for all of us to host Benjamin Dunn and Friends- a totally heaven manifesting Jesus band that are doing world-wide tours to raise money to build a leper mansion in India. Benjamin Dunn also wrote one of my favorite books called the Happy Gospel.
So the whole band stayed at my brother and sister in laws help and I simply got to help host. It was amazing meeting these people whom I just heard of about a year ago. They are some of  the sweetest, most chill, joyous, and truly talented people I know. It was such a blessing just getting to talk with them and hear the concert itself. God really worked it out and gave us an awesome location (the auricle in Downtown Canton, Ohio) and brought many people who were already there for Canton's first Friday of the month art festival. The energy, joy, uniqueness blew me away! This was honestly the first concert I've ever been to (I used to be very conservative with music) and it was beyond amazing!!! I felt God so much. The band told us too that it was one of the best shows they had on this tour so far. God is so good using little old us.
This song is one of the songs they do in the album circus of love. If I get videos and pictures up I will be able to show you actually footage from when they were here.
Ben told us at the concert this song "You're the sweetest thing" was given to them from God on the spot as they sang for this lady with leprosy. All I could think of when they played the song here were my preschoolers and other people God has used me to love on. Enjoy. And dream with God... nothing is impossible. You... yourself... are a miracle! :)

Africa Jesus Wine

So I discovered while on my Africa trip that the Jesus glory in Africa is quite delicious. I have never drank more then a sip of real alcohol and never taken drugs and I will never need to. See Jesus satisfies me every moment of everyday whether I'm chill or whether I'm crazy. Some people manifest Jesus' joy and love and laughter in different ways. Really the best way I can explain all the extreme manifestations is its like when people are chill and happy watching a funny movie or a funny moment occurs and you just can't help but roll on the floor laughing or the wild jittery excitement a child gets at Christmas only a bazillion times better. It's hard to not manifest a smile, laugh, silliness, rolling on the floor laughing, totally relaxed laying down, or just a sweet chillness when you are experiencing the reality of who you are in Him. So here is what a Jesus drink of glory looks like with Georgian and Winnie and our team at the Iris Base in Pemba, Mozambique Africa. You can't see me in the video because I'm filming but you can hear me laughing. Enjoy. This wellspring is inside of you 24/7 no matter where you are. :)

The Heavy Weight of Peace

I would like to release a new way of thinking... actually an old way... a Jesus way. See we have all thought something very wrong for quite some time, myself included.

A few days ago I felt troubled... "heavy" is how I like to call it. There was so much drama happening all around me and so much trouble it seemed in my life at that moment. I wanted to walk in grace but just felt so "heavy." Finally I gave up trying and just went for a walk with two friends of mine and blurted out all my concerns. My friend Alanna then shared the most profound, yet strangely simple truth that I have ever heard (something God told her the night before.) It was just, "My peace is heavy."

It hit me that I had it all wrong. I was believing a lie that our earthly troubles are actually heavier then the peace of God. But the reality is that His peace, love, joy, etc. is heavier then any trouble we could ever face and thereby makes our earthly troubles seem light in comparison. This reality manifests not just in our minds, but in our emotions as well. We actually feel peaceful.

So I decided to challenge God's grace. I quit trying to fix things and trying to understand things. I just decided to simply believe the truth. And it worked!!!! No matter what was going on around me I felt peaceful. Even discovering I had an unexpected extremely high payment to make did not unsettle me. It has been crazy. He really has purchased this kind of heavy glory for us 24/7 through the blood of our Savior.

Here's scripture to prove this- Isaiah 26:3-4 (and that's "perfect" peace), Philippians 4: 7-9 (He guards our minds with His peace. He does this, not us.) Proverbs 3:5-6 (so we this isn't based on our own understanding or if we know where were heading), John 14: 1, John 14:27 (this peace is way beyond the world and its understanding. It's outside our box), John 6:29 (It's simple... all we have to do is believe what He says about what He has already given us in Christ), Colossians 3:2-3 (We must believe in our minds what Christ has already done for us. Simply believe the truth. We even have the mind of Christ.), 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction (and this is Paul talking whose afflictions including floggings, sleepless nights, hunger, etc. [2 Cor. 6:4-5]) is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

I dare you to challenge the grace of God in every area of your life and just see if He will lavish on you that "peace which surpasses all understanding." And peace is just one of the fruits of the Spirit. I share with you this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsSR4VrmsRY and ask you to dare to change your way of thinking. I dare you do believe what Jesus has purchased for you on the cross. God bless.

Peace out.