Jesus Calling devo confirms: ONE DAY AT A TIME, today...

I was totally ministered to and challenged by a friend this last weekend. Her 'one day at a time' mission challenged me, but in a great way.

I tend to be a compulsive list-maker. I set my day up 'for success' with my handy-dandy to-do list. And yes, I tend to get a ton more done on days I have a list than the days I skip the list. When I don't feel productive, I battle discouragement - so checking off a list fill my 'productivity tank'. I attribute these feelings to working non-stop up to the week I had my first son, where I went from a 'career woman' to a 'stay-at-home-mommy' overnight. (That's a whole other post...)

I set goals. I have monthly goals. Yearly goals. Financial goals, fitness goals, time w/ my kids goals, date night goals, the list goes on and on. Basically, anything positive that I want to do - I make it a goal, write it on a list & set out on my mission.

There are books on this stuff (I read them). There are websites that teach this (I've subscribed to them). But in all this goal-setting, list-making...some how I lose a bit of my peace, joy, and....sanity.

Back to ONE DAY AT A TIME....So a friend shared this one day at a time plan she has. A couple days later, I tried to plan out the rest of our lives (mine & Dave's) with my husband....'let's do this' and for the boys, 'let's do that'....and my husband's response: "Jen, you gotta take one day at a time".

Just yesterday, I declared: "I think God may be trying to tell me: Take life one day at a time"....And if you have the Jesus Calling devotional, you'll know that's exactly what today's entry was about.

Now that I think about it, I found myself in Matthew 6:34 the other day, where Jesus tells us: "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself...."

This is challenging for me in that I cannot just fully abandon my lists and goals. I believe in the scripture that teaches 'we are slaves to our debtors', so I feel it is God's will to me and my husband to live on a budget and have a plan to rapidly pay off debt. God calls us to be good stewards of our finances so I can't toss my budget spreadsheet out the window. College for my boys, retirement for my husband is a reality in our future...by planning now and saving now for it, retiring with enough to live on will be a possibility. I just feel convicted that this is what me and my husband are to do.

However, I realize that I have to really trust God more with the minor things I have listed out daily to do.

The one drawback I experience from my list-making is...when I don't get everything done on the list - I feel overwhelmed & discouraged. This is when I know I'm not aiming to please God, but 'my lists' are lord over my day, not Jesus.

In recent months, I have cut my lists in half...I wasn't leaving time for my kids...which is why I am at home. And I am learning to put down on paper what really, really needs to be done like: pay bills, order prescription, dr. appt., etc. Things that are a MUST GET DONE TODAY OR ELSE are the things that make it to the list.

If you go up to Matthew 6:33 - you get the practical application how-to for this 'not worrying thing' (which, we're not to serve the 'worry-god').  We get rid of the worry, the micro-managing lists by: SEEKING FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Again, (like my post on joy the other day), we will find what we need (direction for our day) by getting in God's presence by seeking Him...first thing in the morning. Seeking Him first before setting goals. Seeking Him first before we commit time to people and things. Seeking Him first re: our future. I don't need to worry, micro-manage, control everything when He's first. He will lead and direct, I just need to trust He will do that.

See, if He holds the keys to our future, we can't get there without Him anyways...so why do we make our lists, make our plans, fill our calendars withOUT spending time w/ Jesus to see what He guides us to do?

My friend said that right now, her goal is to: Wake up on time in the morning! I loved that...because for me, that translates: If I wake up on time, I will get my time with the Lord to see how my day will go.

My personal challenge is to be Spirit-led w/ my time and follow what God puts on my heart. If He says, 'stop mopping and read to your boys' - I need to do it. If He says, get out of your email box and call your husband and tell him you love him....I need to do that. If He says, take your boys to the park, who cares if you're breakfast dishes are in the sink - I need to go.

I have to put God first and He will direct my day to support my priorities, which are my family, my home, and ministry. I have to trust that He will guide me and my time to take care of the true needs. "ALL THIS WILL BE ADDED TO ME" - when I set myself before Him.

God is good. The Bible is true. Do things God's way & get God's results!

Finding Joy...Where is it, how do you get it?

How do you find the joy of the Lord?

I was asked this yesterday...and so I got inspired to find the 'how-to' today. I know that it's possible...so this is what I found.

First, read these verses, especially the last one in Psalm 89:15:

1 Kings 8:66
On the eighth day he sent the people away and they blessed the king. Then they went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shown to David His servant and to Israel His people.

2 Chronicles 20:27
Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

Ezra 6:22
And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Nehemiah 8:10
...Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 84:2
My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Psalm 89:15
How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance.

It's not necessarily talking yourself in to having joy. Joy is different than 'positive mindset', although that can lead to having a better attitude and appearing happier, but joy is a result of feeling and experiencing God...It comes from HIM! You don't have to muster it up. You don't talk yourself into being joyful. You get it by talking TO GOD.

Joy is something that comes from deep down inside. Inner pleasure, a glad result. It's not necessarily circumstantial. We can all feel good and happy for a moment, but if you want joy - the kind that comes from the Lord, than guess what? Reread Psalm 84:2 and Psalm 89:15 again.

Where is the joy found? 'The courts of the Lord'...'the light of His countenance'. In 1 Kings 8:66 - Joy came from what God had done. In Exra 6:22 - the Lord caused them to rejoice.

What can one do practically to get the joy of the Lord?

In Psalm 84:2 it says 'my soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord'...I receive 'the courts' as His presence...the light of His countenance....His presence. So guess what: long and yearn for God's presence in your life. (You will recieve it!)

So practically speaking, the way to get the deep inner gladness that is NOT circumstantial and momentary -

GET & STAY

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.

If you want the how to on that...go to John 15 & read it, and study it for a season.

One practical way that I have found a place of peaceful joy and contentment has been by  keeping my time with the Lord and my devotional protected in the mornings.

Last summer, I said, I HAVE TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD...no excuses, no if, ands, or buts...right? And thank God I followed that advice of the Lord. It prepared me for this season that has been demanding on my husband of long days, few days off...I just stay at peace - not disgruntled and nit-picky.

PRACTICAL HOW-TO:
Do everything in your power to set time aside (DAILY) about 30 min. - 1 hour (enough time to really unload the junk of life so that you can get to the place of sensing/feeling God's presence around you...) and just open up your heart and mind to the Lord.

I journal...and maybe you're not a writer, but have a pen and paper handy...be sure to have your Bible...and just sit and be honest with God. Be vulnerable, humble and real with God. Let him into your problems, frustrations, the things that cause anxiety, sleepless nights...and let Him minister to you.

See, joy comes from experiencing God with your day to day stuff. Not just getting answered prayers and being blessed (although joy comes from that too).

But unshakeable peace and joy comes from

having a deep communion with God.

So deep that when things fall apart, overwhelm you, disappoint you...your mind and heart are so concentrated on God and His love & power that you have a steadfast mindset that God's victory in your life will prevail and so the joy continues.

Joy comes from sensing/acknowledging

His presence in your life throughout your day.

Beyond saying 'God loves me'...but from feeling His touch and leading throughout your day. And by using scripture as your map. Doing things God's way gets God's results. How do you know what God's way is? By continually reading your Bible and putting the Truth in your mind to navigate you through life.

In a nutshell:

Joy is found by YOU being Spirit-led

as a result of YOU abiding in Him.

Seriously, read John 15 - and see what that looks like for yourself. May God give you the revelation to find true, lasting, unshakeable joy!

Is this a good bio?

This Thursday I get to do a radioshow interview. Really, this is just a testimony of the grace and favor of God...really.

In preparation, I need to write a bio to be introduced....what do you think of it?

Jennifer Morin completed her Bachelor’s Degree of Liberal Studies at CSUB and is now pursuing her Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling and Leadership at Summit Bible College. She has worked in the real estate industry here locally, was on staff at a local church (before having children), and now she operates her Beachbody coaching business from home.  

She considers herself as more of a health & fitness enthusiast who loves helping people by holding them accountable and coaching them through their journey to reach their weight loss goals. It is her passion to help people live longer and more healthful lives so that they can fulfill the job God has for them here on earth.

Her days start with quiet time with the Lord, a powerful workout, and then the management of her & her husband, David’s home & household needs. One of her biggest priorities is making time for her kids to have play dates, fit in a movie, or throw pennies in the fountain at the Marketplace.  God, David, and her boys are at the top of her list of priorities, as well as serving at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at her church.

With the resources that Beachbody provides and the education she receives from Summit, her plans are to establish a local ministry of counseling and coaching to help people be set free from the bondages of addiction to food and other things, and offer support/accountability groups. She is a firm believer in the power of prayer and believes that Jesus Christ can heal us and make us whole again.

Starting Thesis Research & I need your help!!!!

I am currently enrolled in our local Bible college to get my Master's degree in Christian Counseling and Leadership. And I have began to prepare for my thesis. I have a family that comes first and so I cannot procrastinate on researching these ideas. So I am being proactive and starting now to lay the groundwork.

First step was to:

Create an email account solely for

confidential correspondence for research.

And I've done that...read further for address & what I'm looking for...So now, I need to get the word out about what I'm doing.

The assignment for my thesis is to:

determine a ministry need in Bakersfield, CA.

So here is my request: If you live here in Bakersfield, CA or YOU DID....

I want to hear from you!

What do I see a need for?
In a nutshell, I have an idea for a need for counseling services that have great emphasis on prayer (the power of prayer), support groups, and accountability groups. 

I have an idea of what it will look like, but I need to confirm that it is a need here locally...and it is relevant to my community. Plus, are the specific groups I believe we need...truly a need?

So I invite you email me at ministryresearch@yahoo.com to become part of my contact list for questions and answers.

And YES! This will be 100% confidential. I fear the Lord so greatly - you have my word. Plus, my credibility starts now. So for my future ministry and in honor of the Lord, I will keep your name, your story, your questions and prayer requests strictly confidential.

In the event you were comfortable with me sharing your story, give me the name you would like to be called in my thesis, in the event I can use it. Sally, Joe, Mary, Mac, etc...you get the picture. ("All names will be changed to protect the innocent.")

What will this research be like?
I plan to start the research by doing questions of "what do you think about....?" "Do you think Bakersfield needs help here:_______?" "What is Bakersfield's local ministries lacking?" (Not in a judgemental way, but more of a matter of 'limited resources' kind of way.)

I don't want to recreate the wheel and I don't want to compete. But I really believe in the vision I have...and I want to confirm all that I've concluded, before I spend too much time reading articles and writing this 100 page paper.  (Yes, it's 100 pages...so you see the need for help right?)

Why am I doing this?
I truly believe that God has called me to edify and mend the body of Christ through a variety of ways. And creating this future ministry is one way to help the local body be stronger in their walks and pursuits for the Lord. Perhaps it will be a '501C3, non-profit parachurch organization'...a ministry that comes along the side of a church....not to compete AT ALL with a church...but to be a ministry that is strictly confidential & founded on the Word of God.

It will be non-denominational....and no doctrines of man, but completely accountable to Jesus Christ in upholding to the truth of the Bible. Biblically rooted, biblically sound counseling services.

So will you help me?
If you have something that's burdened you, you've seen a need for, need help with, please, I invite you to email me at ministryresearch@yahoo.com to become part of my thesis project.

And by the way, nothing surprises me either. I am a firm believer in the grace of Jesus Christ. My heart is to see people set free by the Lord. I stand on Matthew 19:26: ...with God all things are possible!!! And I want others to get to that place of faith as well.

So please, help me help our community!

Email me today. We will do correspondence through this email address and keep it very professional, educational, and biblically honoring.

Thanks!

Are you enjoying motherhood?

There will be a day when there will be

no writing on the walls,

Nor cuts or bruises from spills or falls.

The voices will no longer yell, shriek, or scream

through the rooms,

Just clean floors shining as dead silence looms.

I try so hard to embrace the current days as joys,

The long, high-energy, mess-cleaning days

with both of my boys.

As I decluttered my office today, I found this little poem I wrote...I think it was on a day I retreated to the Lord over my inability to cope with the demands of that day. It's not always easy to stay home daily with little people, who have limited language, limited self-control, and limited understanding of restrictions and expectations. But as I have continued to press into the Lord and meditate on Titus 2:3-5 - staying home for the sake of loving my husband, loving my kids, and being a worker of my home - staying home has become more fulfilling.

Reminds me of that song of Steven Curtis Chapman that talks about sweeping up Cheerios that have got away, put color on your lips, a baby on your hip and you head out the door...isn't that our life? There were days that I could have swore that the laundry was breeding and mulitplying, murmuring under my breath as I swept the kitchen for the forth time, only for dirt to be tracked in from outside...again

• Dirt in the floor tells me that my kids have been playing and having fun outside.
• Sticky finger prints on the sliding glass door means that my kids had a snack and are satisfied.
• Hot Wheels strewn all over Jacob's floor is a sign that both my boys were playing together and enjoying eachother's company. (Or Jacob was entertaining himself.)
• My boys at my feet, whining says that they want MOM.
• Kids refusing the rest of their dinner says that they are well-fed and nourished.

All of the things that can drive us batty throughout the days have a positive side to them. My kids love to play outside, they are constantly being fed healthy, juicy fruits for snacks. They both love to race Hot Wheels across the room. They are very well-fed kids (just check my pantry, 2 refridgerators and freezer). And the best thing - they love their mom! How can those be bad things?

So instead of being frustrated that my kids are kids. I'm sitting back and learning not to sweat the small stuff. When my boys grow up, I want them to remember that they were well taken care of, they were important and that I was available and loved them.

Life happens. Messes are the result. Just clean up as you go with a smile, grateful for each day God has given you to enjoy your kids as they are kids...and enjoy being a mom.

NO ONE - my morning's inspiration

No one accepts me..

No one loves me...

...Like you -

No one has time for me...

No one listens to me...

...Like you -

You're my friend,

You're the one I run to,

The one I wake up to,

The last one I say good-night to...

There is no one like you, Jesus -

You are the one...the only one,

My Savior, My friend...

I will love you Lord with all of my heart...

...forever and ever.

- Jennifer Morin - 3/11/12 - inspired by an awesome morning in His presence!

Danger of Comparisons

Most of us do this or say this right?

• "Well, I'm not as bad as so & so?"
• "At least I don't spend as much as so & so's wife."
• "I would never be like so & so."
• "I don't drink as much as so & so."
• "I serve way more than so & so."

Comparisons. We live our lives daily, comparing ourselves to 'so & so', all the while we try to keep up with the Joneses. Right?

Here's the danger: You're not living to your personal best, your personal potential if your eyes are on everyone else.

Another danger: You live in denial of the areas you really need to improve in, since 'you're doing so much better than everyone else'.

When you are feeling holier than thou, better than others, superior above others, read the Book of Proverbs, read Ecclesiastes. Let the Word rebuke you in your pride and let light shine in the areas in YOUR LIFE that need improvement.

This isn't to condemn you at all. This is to admonish you and encourage you to take your eyes off everyone else and put them on you so that you really can become everything that God is calling you to be.

See, 'so & so's' assignment from above is very different from yours. Their calling, their gifts, talents, and experience are all different from yours, so how can you really compare yourself to them?

God knows the plans He has for you....YOU!

If you want to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to Jesus. Let that sober you and set the standard to live by. And go by God's opinion of you - let your confidence rest in who God says you are. Not 'so & so'. You are accountable to God - let Him be your standard and set your standard. This will put you on the path that will lead you to where YOU are supposed be - at the end of your life!

Are you eating to live or die?

If you've ever been to my home, you will see 3 picture frames in my kitchen, one with each word:

EAT        TO        LIVE

I made these when we first moved in, nearly a year ago with Daniel. He did the painting with water colors, I cut out the words, something I should put up in pinterest, right?

But there were 3 purposes for this project: 1) to fill in the wall w/ some decor, 2) make something homemade with my 4 year old, and 3) serve as a reminder - in my kitchen - to eat to live, not live to eat.

Fast forward a year after living here and I am 8 lbs. lighter from when I moved in. I moved here weighing about 133 (a plateaued weight), and this week I reached 125.4 lbs. This is a result of continually working out 4-6 days a week from the last year w/ my at-home dvd programs that work, by the way. And by stopping the mad eating, the splurges, the snacking on my kiddos food scenarios.

If you've talk with me for any amount of time, you'll know I attack 'food addiction'. I'm a firm believer that's why most people are obese and overweight. And I believe a food addiction is very real for their daily life. (A book on this topic is on the list.)

Keyword is 'most'....I have a few, very few friends, who really have medical problems that prevent them from losing weight, but it's been tested and confirmed by the doctor. Not used as a scapegoat excuse to not work out and eat healthy.

Are you still with me?

For the last month or so, I embraced experimenting with food. I took dairy and meat out of my diet...bread, caffeine, and didn't sweeten anything w/ my all natural sweetener stevia. I ate "plant foods" only: greens, fruits, all kinds of veggies, beans, almonds/nuts, and hummus. Stuff grown, not processed with artificial stuff or butchered. And wow, I'd say I've never felt more healthy in all my life. No bloating, tummy aches from eating 'too much'. No zits!  And I went from about 129 to 125 lbs. in just 3 weeks. Mind you, I did NOT have the goal to 'lose weight'.

Back to EAT TO LIVE. My 'experiment' was encouraged by information my chiroproactor shared with me from a book. (My Chiropractor is Dr. David Mongold who has the Alpha Omega Wellness Center at Gosford and White Ln. (661) 397-6555 - www.alphaomega4wellness.com )

Guess what the title of the book was...are you ready for this?



EAT         TO         LIVE

This book is written by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. I just started reading it today and it has a nutrient dense food consumption approach. You'll have to get the book, read it, and learn it. But I think I'm going to try it. Since I was kinda doing it already and saw the results, I want to learn more and move my family in that direction. He also has a book "Disease-Proof Your Child".

After going off animal products for awhile, and then experimenting by putting a little dairy, very little and some meat back in yesterday...I will tell you I was miserable last night. I felt stuffed...my tummy hurt, was bloated and was NOT a happy camper. And I did NOT eat a ton of bread or meat or dairy. Just a little bit at a time.

In fact, as soon as I put a little (nitrate, preservative, gluten free) lunchmeat in my tummy, I felt a knot in my gut.

Now I know why some people go Vegan and never return. Although, I think Vegans do bread, not sure exactly on their guidelines....But the way I was eating for those weeks didn't have bread, but last night, I had 1/2 a bun of gluten-free bread (since my son eats this stuff, we have it eat). Maybe it was that, that left me stuffed. You really feel the difference of putting plant food in only, versus animal products: meat & dairy.

So now what for me? Am I ruined for life? The beauty of the plant-food-only way I was eating was I was enjoying fruit like I hadn't in months (too much sugar, right?). I was eating almonds/nuts, which I avoid (too much fat, right?)

So what have I got out of this experiment? I have learned that if I eat plant food only, minus the dairy & meats - I can have more of the nutrient dense, deliscious, natural stuff that I love. I love bananas over cheese by the way. Oh and peaches...I have a tree in bloom and can't wait to splurge. But for some reason, when eating all the animal foods, I can't seem to eat more than 1/day w/out gaining weight. 

Get this book Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman if you're interested in losing a dramatic amount of weight, getting off diabetic/blood pressure/cholesterol meds, if you have an autoimmune disease, etc.

I am going to embark on this a little further and I know that it's going to turn my life upside down on how to eat.

I've always thought to eat to live, now I have the book to teach me how. And I say, 'why not?' I refuse to believe the lie that NOT eating junk & sweets is a miserable way to live. Look at how you look and feel from eating a diet high in fast food, processed foods, packaged foods, sweets and fried foods. Really, I'm not miserable from NOT eating that stuff.

I hypothesize that by changing the way I eat and staying dedicated to exercise, I will have quality and quantity of life...Lord willing I don't die by a tragic accident. And that's what I'm going for...my goal is to live to 80ish, but feel like a 40 year old!!!! Otherwise, if I'm overweight, have all the aches and pains as many 60 year olds do, have a prescription list longer than a grocery list, than please God, let me die before 70.

I dread being old AND sick AND in pain.

I'm investing the next 40 years of my life to eat healthy, so when I am old I am NOT sick and NOT in pain. We can eat to live a healthful, vibrant life. Won't you join me?

You can check out this doctor's site at www.drfuhrman.com and www.diseaseproof.com!  Let me know what you think!

P.S. I was not paid to plug in these doctors. You know me. I love information and helping people be healthier & don't require payment to do so! :)

Prayer Seasons - Prayer Life

Many who know me, know that I'm a person of prayer and I've conclude that life follows the highs and lows of my prayer life.

Do we all have seasons that we make the time and find the energy to seek the Lord like no other? And then we have the seasons, (like when the kids are up all night coughing their heads off and there's no rest), that we hit the snooze button too many times and cut our prayer time short...or out?

Do you have a prayer - devotion time planned daily for yourself?

I pray over a lot of things. I once had a stalker-friend who tried to control me with her prayers. NOTE: You cannot control people with prayer.

While I say this, I find myself experience deep disappointment when a certain things and people are not lining up with my prayers. What's up with that?

I believe that it is God's will that we be self-controlled, Spirit-filled people who are submitted to God's plan for our lives. So when I pray along those lines, shouldn't what I'm praying happen? Hmmmm.

I have learned the value in continually asking. It's commonly said that 'prayer will line our hearts up with God's plan'.

I've also concluded that in the process of interceding for someone, God not only grows my faith and trust in Him with the final outcome, but by devoting time to pray for someone, God reveals the deeper issues that need prayer.

We have to get to the root of the issue to get rid of the external symptoms.

This is going to take some major prayer for bondages to be broken, addiction to be healed, oppression to leave. This is going to require me to give up my expectations, and pray as the Spirit leads.

Think about diets! People use diets to 'lose weight'...once the weight is gone, they go back to eating the junk...only to lead them back to a diet. Diets are temporary, that's why they call healthy eating a 'lifestyle change'.

We need to look at prayer like this. Don't pray a few times for the temporary fix, but be committed to having a lifestyle change with our time. We need to commit to being a devoted follower of Christ by praying, communing with God, interceding for our families, our loved ones, and depositing the Word of God in our hearts for direction and encouragement.

It's when we go from praying seasonally (when the trials strike), to living a life of prayer that we will see major changes and breakthroughs in our lives and those we pray for.

So what are you waiting for? Make the changes to your schedule now & start praying! Your life, your family, your future will make it to the path that God truly intends for you when you do!