Janey's Devo

Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience--at times, blind obedience. To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heart-rending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may continue.

Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.

EPHESIANS 5:20; PSALM 118:1; PSALM 89:15

Have you ever noticed how impatient--frustrated--downright mad---some people get when you're trying to react to a situation in blind obedience? That incredulous look comes over their faces. It's just as incredulous to me that they react that way. I'd rather be on a stormy sea with God in my little boat than on the stormy sea refusing the life preserver He's trying desperately to toss me. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble, He tells David. Joy regardless of my circumstances. As we say in the South, "you can't beat that with a stick."

Peace be with you!

Janey

Thomas and I at the Happening #59 this past weekend! The Happening is a MS methodist retreat for high school students. Thomas served as the "Big Brother" and I went through in the adult group. It was an amazing weekend with an awesome staff. I highly suggest anyone going through the Happening(high school), Journey(college), or Cursillio(adults). They are all incredible retreats that will bring you closer to God! I am posting links to the websites on my blog if you are interested.....

Leave outcomes up to Me. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help. When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.

You already know the ultimate-destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me.

PSALM 27:13-14; EXODUS 15:13

"Its so hard to know how to do in this life," Cynthia tells Father Tim. It is. Some days I'm concentrating so hard on staying in step with Him and living close to Him that I give myself a headache! But that's not the way the Lord intends or wants it to be. A child who trusts his father doesn't have to concentrate that hard. He simply does it. When his father says, "Don't worry about that. I'm going to take care of it," the child doesn't give it another thought. He knows it will be so. Let it be that way with us. Trust. It's how to do in this life.

Peace be with you.

Janey

Soundtribe Sector Nine at the Alabama Theatre. Great Show!

Okay so last weekend Birmingham had its annual Christmas Village Marketplace at the BJCC downtown. My friend Holly Young and I went and scoped everything out. It was good, but I will have to admit that I am partial to Mistletoe Marketplace in Jackson, MS. Sad I missed mistletoe this year, but I will survive. So ready for THANKSGIVING at the beach and CHRISTMAS!

The DG house is ready for Christmas! I am pretty excited that December is almost here!

My friend Kelly and her hubby Justin~

I am so mad that I could not find my camera in time to get a better picture. ugh! Anyway this is my brother in law Michael on the sideline after he got to run out on the field with the football team! It was great!

Us with Courtney, Will, Hannah, and Clay before the MSU/Alabama game. Thanks to Will we had awesome tickets! Even though we lost, it was a good time. Good to be back in Starkville with old friends!

My best friend Elizabeth and I tailgating at MSU. So Fun!

Janey's Devotional:

Sit quietly with Me, letting all your fears and worries bubble up to the surface of your c
consciousness. There, in the Light of My Presence, the bubbles pop and disappear. However, some fears surface over and over again, especially fear of the future. You tend to project yourself mentally into the next day, week month, year, decade, and you visualize yourself coping badly in those times. What you are seeing is a false image because it doesn't include Me. Those gloomy times that you imagine will not come to pass since My Presence will be with you at all times.

When a future-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Ligh of My Presence into that mental image. Say to yourself, "Jesus will be with me then and there. With His help, I can cope!" Then, come home to the present moment, where you can enjoy Peace in My Presence.

LUKE 12:22-24; DEUTERONOMY 31:6; 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

For all of us--and each of us. Let the bubbling begin!

Janey

F. Jones Corner

Halloween Handlebars!

Simon Tann and Wally Wiggins

Halloween dinner with the Tanns and the Wiggins in Jackson!

Lovin lazy Sunday afternoons