1,000 GIFTS, #246 to #269

August 22, 2011 9:33 PM 5
Although I haven’t posted in several weeks, I’m always counting…the JOY ever close as I see God’s grace at work all around me, and most hopefully…deep within my heart, where the needs are greatest. Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be.
246.  Remembering our time in South Africa two years ago this week. That trip changed my heart forever. I kept a journal and logged it all here.
247.  A precious email from my friend Teresa who has caught the JOY of counting 1,000 gifts. She is our Women’s Ministry Bible Study Director and loves the Word of God.
248.  A long encouraging email from Jennifer, a brand new mommy of a baby girl. Jennifer is a Christian counselor and her words matter. She is the youngest woman who serves in women’s ministries at our church.  She is our little gleaning Ruth, but truthfully, we learn from each other.
249.  My moonflower vine is blooming. I love seeing God’s handiwork and His creation blesses me so. These vines bloom at dusk, my favorite time of day.
250.  A party for my mother-in-law’s birthday.  She has been a godly influence on my life and I’m so thankful for her. Family is everything to me and she has welcomed me and loved me for a long time. I’m forever grateful to her for raising such a wonderful son, my husband!
251.  It was LOUD grace, but I counted 14 little boys under the age of 10 at Memama’s birthday party.  P-R-E-C-I-O-U-S. 
252.  There were two roses among those boys, my granddaughter Madie Ruth being one of them!
253.  My dad’s mucadine vines are loaded this year.  He loves to garden.
254. Our Interim Pastor, Rev. Joel Southerland, has been preaching from  the 4th chapter of  James. He has certainly encouraged us in the Word of God. He ended our August 15th Sunday night service by asking all our staff pastors and their wives, our deacons and their wives and our pastor search team and their spouses to come down to the front of the church.  We literally had an “encouragement hug-fest,” and were loved on and hugged and blessed by our church family.  Pure therapy from God’s Word by God’s people.
255.  This was his message that Sunday evening:
Seven Things You Can Do Instead of Slander:
     1. Edify (Ephesians 4:29)
     2. Encourage (Proverbs 12:25)
     3. Give Testimony (Psalm 145:10-12)
     4. Give Thanks (Ephesians 5:20)
     5. Praise God  (Psalm 9:1-2)
     6. Teach Others (Proverbs 13:14)
     7. Pray (Matthew 5:44) (Romans 12:14)
256. My first born son and his wife and their son all have August birthdays. My sweet daughter-in-law planned a party for the “boys” since their numbers matched up…here’s the cake:
257. My youngest son and his wife gave Zeke a “toy laptop” for his birthday.  It is very nice and a great teaching toy. When we asked Zeke what he was going to do with his laptop, he said, “I’m going to use this to work on my sermons…” He’s watching everything his daddy does. God’s grace has blessed me with sons who are modeling godly lives for their children.
258.  After record triple digit heat this summer, it was nice to have some recent rain. Last week we enjoyed two rainy evenings at home! Delight. This was my view as I drove from work, right before turning on the road to home. Summer rains are so precious.
259. My friend Jennifer, the new mommy sent me this “WAIT” acrostic last week…I love it and it is timely – I hope it will be a grace gift to you as well:
WAIT:
Withstand: the schemes of the devil and he will flee from you (Ephesians 6:11).
Anticipate: the need – go back to the last word God spoke before His silence.
Serve HIM in that manner while waiting on a new word.
Integrate: your faith into everyday life.
Trust: simply the most difficult, because it can be done only in a Spirit-filled life.
260. The gift of sight confirmed by a great report from my eye doctor this past week.  He is a delight – a Messianic Jew, Dr. Eisner.  We love to talk about the LORD together.
261. A great email from my friend Leah Adams requesting prayer support for some new teaching material God is calling her to concerning being “covenant keepers.”  She’s great!
262. A quick, yet wonderful and blessed trip this past weekend to Hilton Head Island, SC. We were the guests of my son’s in-laws, so Zeke and Madie had both sets of grandparents together and received a double portion of love. We had dinner in a restaurant that was near the marshes of the island.  It was so peaceful there.
263. On our way to Hilton Head we stopped for the day in Savannah, GA, one of our favorite places to visit in our beautiful state…I love the live oak trees and the history of this city. I am thankful for some overdue uninterruped conversation with my sweet mate.
264.  A short little video sent to me last evening by my youngest son’s wife. I love my smartphone and am so thankful for the way she keeps me in the know with little snippets of Jackson’s day. Grace indeed.
265.  A four-mile bike ride on Hilton Head, then meandering through the ruins of an old estate from the 1800’s called the Baynard Plantation. 
266.  An impromptu fun game with Zeke and my husband in those dappled-light woods near the ruins.  Brought back memories of him playing with our boys…
267.  Plans for a treehouse came forth from their play time.  The grandchildren are in for fun at the farm when Pop builds the tree house!
268.  To be a mom and a grandmom.  Daily DOUBLE portions of Grace.
269.  To be HIS daughter, ALL GRACE…
Encourage one another and build each other up,

~Jan

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August 22, 2011 9:33 PM 5

1,000 GIFTS, #231 to #245

August 2, 2011 1:29 AM 4
Today has been a wonderful Multitude Monday. It started with a sweet time in the Word this morning…
231. I’m so very grateful and thankful for my quiet time place…
232.  I am on day 86 of a 90-day devotional by Beth Moore entitled “90 Days with Jesus the One & Only.”  I’ve lingered way longer than 90 days as I spent the 40 days of Lent reading  a devotional recommended by my friend Joanne Heim a couple of years ago. After I finish Beth’s devotional I am going to read through the book of Acts. I LOVE THE WORD OF GOD!
233. Last Tuesday our Women’s Ministry hosted a “Summer Sisters Salad Supper.” We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship with salads of every kind and desserts galore. Over 200 women attended and my dear friend Lanie Nash shared her journey through ovarian cancer. Women’s ministry is hard work, but rewarding…I serve with the best team ever. I could NOT imagine this ministry without Cindy, Teresa, and Jennifer. They serve with hearts of gold.
 
234.  Speaking of women’s ministry, I received a precious email early this morning from Leah Adams of The Point Ministries.  She is a North Georgia gal and my cooking-canning buddy. Leah is coming to be the guest speaker for our Women’s Ministry’s 14th Annual Christmas Brunch, December 3, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Leah is a delight. She is a disciplined woman with a passion for the Word of God. She emailed to tell me that she is praying as we plan and prepare.  It blessed my soul!  Thank you Leah – I love you girl! 
235. This little buddy spent the night last Thursday with his Pop and Gran Jan…this smile is the result of a quick trip to the Dairy Queen for ice cream.  D-E-L-I-G-H-T!  (Zeke…not the ice cream!)
236.  Please don’t think me irreverent for taking this picture at such a time…but I wanted to capture the JOY of seeing all these men kneeling in prayer at the altar before evening worship last night. We were singing “Somebody’s Praying” as the men filled the altar in prayer.  Oh God, raise up men to lead our homes, our churches, our land…
237.  I love participating in the “SSMT” Siesta Scripture Memory Team.  Today is August 1st, the day we post our verses to the LPM Blog.   Here’s my post from this morning:

August 1, 2011 at 7:52 am
James 3:18 (NLT)
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
238. Yesterday after church we went to the home of my youngest son and his wife to visit and take a nap as we had to be back at church early Sunday afternoon. We live out in the country and it just saves a trip home!  Besides that…we get to fellowship with our youngest grandboy Jackson.  D-E-L-I-G-H-T.

239.  This is the fabric for another new quilt!!! I had ordered some accompanying fabric and found out it was discontinued.  But just today a kind woman in Customer Service at Hancocks of Paducah, KY told me she personally went and found the exact yardage I needed for my quilt.  What a blessing. I thanked her…

240. The book I ordered came in the mail last week. It is a new book that I love for two reasons.  The topic – the Word of God…and the artist…one of my favorites. Karla Dornacher.  Her gifts bless me.

241. I’ve shared from my heart about the death of my sister Jean 26 years ago.  I wrote this post  last year on the 25th anniversary of her death.  It is the “most read” post on my blog. Just this past Saturday I got to spend time with my niece Amy, Jean’s beautiful daughter.  She lives in California, and is visiting home this week. Time with her is rare. There are no words to describe how much she is like her Momma.  Although Amy was only 23 months old when Jean died…she is JUST LIKE HER.  What a gift.

242.  Tonight’s supper included zucchini fresh from the garden. My sweet husband cooked and cleaned up the dishes. I love that man.  He takes such good care of me.
243.  My little granddaughter Madie is really talking a lot. She didn’t spend the night last week, but I’m looking forward to girl-time with her.  I didn’t have that as a “boy mom!” I want to teach her to make biscuits…
244.  And as I sit here listening to the beautiful piano music from Ann Voskamp’s blog I was thinking about the wonderfully gifted pianist at our church.  He is actually the Instrumental Worship Pastor. His name is Rev. Dawson Hull and he is a gifted musician.  Just yesterday I was blessed by his gifts.  As our interim pastor Joel Southerland was sharing during the invitation about “being a Friend of God,” Dawson played an impromptu gentle medley that included “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”  His sweet wife Taneea is also a gifted musician. Their spirits are a blessing to our church family.  We are thankful for them.
It’s time to hit “publish post” and get ready for bed…and read…and continue to count these gifts to 1,000.  My heart is full tonight…another gift.
245.  A quiet heart…a contented heart.
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August 2, 2011 1:29 AM 4

Quietness

July 31, 2011 12:45 AM 5

Quietness. Yes! Even with my sanguine and outgoing personality, I love solitude and quietness. I actually crave it. Quietness…some definitions I love:

  • making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound
  • restrained in speech, manner, saying little
  • free from disturbance or tumult; tranquil; peaceful, a quiet life
  • being at rest
  • refraining or free from activity, especially busy activity
  • making no disturbance or trouble; not turbulent; peaceable
  • free from disturbing thoughts & emotions, mentally peaceful, a quiet conscience
  • expressed in an unobtrusive way
  • not showy or obtrusive; subdued
  • not busy or active

The past few months have been a lesson for me in the discipline of quietness.  I read a tweet recently by James MacDonald of Walk in the Word Ministries.  It simply said:

“Finding out all the facts in every fiasco you face is overrated –
consider the discipline of not knowing – it will help you give grace later on.”

I wasn’t “facing a fiasco” as mentioned in the tweet, but had been through a season in life that was difficult and quite frankly, was draining me in body, soul, and spirit. As I sought solitude God began to speak to me through His Word, drawing me to quietness, to “not knowing everything going on.” This “not knowing” brought peace. Here are some passages that really encouraged my heart:

Exodus 14:14
 “The LORD will fight for you, and you have onlyB)”> to be silent.”

Job 34:29 
When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble
Psalm 4:4  
“Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still”
Psalm 46:10 
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 141:3 
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips 
Isaiah 30:15
“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Isaiah 32:17
 “The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness,
 quietness and assurance forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11
 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life,
to mind your own business and work with your hands
If you are going through a rough time, step back, get quiet, and be still before the Lord. The wonderful passage in Psalm 46:10 about “being still” means cease striving…take your hands off, relax.  I promise you this, you will find out and know – HE IS GOD. He has everything well under control – yes, HE IS GOD. 
Get some rest, seek quietness. I know you young moms and busy wives have precious little solitude, but try to carve out some time in the day, even if only a few moments…to just close your eyes and meditate on the goodness of the Lord.  Be Still. R-E-S-T in Him.
~Georgia Jan
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July 31, 2011 12:45 AM 5

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?

July 17, 2011 1:21 AM 5
This song “Blessings“ has absolutely blessed my SOUL all day today. I first heard it recently, but not enough of the lyrics to find the songwriter…until today.  My best friend Lanie and I spent the day together shopping and enjoying coffee and sweet fellowship.  Lanie is an ovarian cancer survivor for over a year now.  The song came on the radio today in her car and I said, “that’s the song I’ve been looking for.”  She told me how it had ministered to her in her deepest moments of need the past year and a half. I pray it ministers to you too.  This young woman is gifted and you can tell she writes from a deep place.  She is also the writer of “Mighty to Save.”  Her name is Laura Story and her “story” is full of God’s grace.

’Blessings’ – it’s one of those songs that unexpectedly touches listeners in their deepest need,”
says Wally Dekker from WBFJ-FM in Greensboro. “Laura Story’s simple delivery of such a
poignant message provides instant connection. If you want a song that elicits response,
please consider. If you want a song that will touch hearts for eternity, it’s a must add.”

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July 17, 2011 1:21 AM 5

1,000 GIFTS, #207 to #215

July 12, 2011 2:08 AM 4
 I have had one of the absolute BEST weeks in a long time! It has been very peaceful and quiet – and this wafted over to the same PURE Joy in my spirit – all from Jesus. This JOY will be reflected in my list of counting grace gifts to 1,000:
207. Nowhere to go last week…off work…reconnecting with all things H-O-M-E…stillness.
208. Celebrating my re-birthday this week, the day I became a born again believer in Jesus Christ, on 7-7-85. I’m 26 years old in the LORD, and I wrote my story here.
209. Lots of garden time last week and the daily delights of fresh tomatoes.
210. A “sew-in” with my friend Lanie. I had a pattern for a “sewing mate,” and we made them together. So peaceful and fun, more JOY. This creation holds all your sewing notions close at hand. The bag on the far right is a little trash container for threads, etc.
211. My son is fishing in Canada this past weekend, and he is so proud of this Walleye, the biggest catch at the Lodge this summer. He is a JOY to my heart.
212. On my backroad drive to go to my friend’s for our sew-in, I saw this hay bale. I loved it and was reminded to pray for my friend Beth Moore as she wraps up her study on the book of James.  The other side of the bale said “James 5:16.” 
213. Plans are being made for a baby shower in a few weeks, and I’m one of the hostesses. The baby girl we are celebrating will be born into a family of strong women of faith and she will mark the Fourth Generation!  I sure love y’all – Mrs. Mary (great-grandmother), Pat (grandmom), Pam (great Aunt), Jennifer (mom-to-be), Lindsey (aunt), Allison (aunt), Stephanie (aunt), and little miss Taylor Kate (baby girl due in August).  The joy of long-time friends from serving in one church for over 23 years…PRICELESS!
214. My mom and I spent most of Saturday morning painting our front gates…the fellowship was so good and I really did enjoy spending that time with her.
214. The reference of Habakkuk 3:17-19 has come to me from many sources the past month. Again this morning while listening to David Jeremiah and his new series entitled “The Joy of Encouragement.”  He did.
215. My daughter-in-law Erin saw this bookrack in a magazine and that smart girl duplicated it! Her Dad made the rack and I sewed the fabric that made the “shelves.”  Jackson loves it – he loves books. So did his daddy. 
Counting my blessings, naming them one by one – all the way to one thousand!
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July 12, 2011 2:08 AM 4

1,000 GIFTS, #190 to #206

July 4, 2011 7:20 PM 1
It has been a month since I shared the wonderful story of Caitlyn’s conversion. She was baptized a couple of weeks ago and is aglow in her new walk with Christ. We still rejoice in being in the right place to water the seeds others faithfully planted. I am continuing to count His gifts with JOY and Ann Voskamp. This counting discipline has affirmed more and more the value of simple things in my life. This simplicity keeps me centered and brings me the most JOY. I don’t take them for granted – I am very thankful.  It has also reassured me of the purpose of blogging – my way of documenting my simple life – my family, our home, our ministry – all grace gifts and His blessings.
190. Celebrating 34 years of marriage 6/11/77 to 6/11/11!  Blessed and spoiled. I love you so much Gary and thank God for bringing us together – high school sweethearts.
191. A blessed productive afternoon spent with two outstanding women’s ministry leaders. Cindy, Teresa, and I inventoried our entire Bible study library and put together a spreadsheet. We are ready and geared up to serve the women of our church. God sure blessed me by sending these women to serve alongside. I love them both so much.
192. Attending the wedding of Jordan and Kristin and knowing them both since they were wee ones – that is so special.
193. A sweet little helper in the garden…this is my grandson Jackson.
194. Being released from the ortho doctor after 5 months – I had torn the PCL in my right knee and it is healing beautifully with physical therapy alone.  Thank you LORD.
195. Another quilt class called “Take 5.”  Five fabrics used in every block.  This is the class I took where I made the quilt for Beth Moore. I received a sweet thank-you note from her day before yesterday. God has used her so much in my life, and I know He is rewarding her in ways that will matter for eternity.
196. Father’s Day dinner with ALL my menfolk around the table (the two below in matching shirts for Father’s Day): Husband Gary, sons Jeremy & Jonathan, Dad Tom, and grandsons-Zeke & Jackson. Blessed indeed. (Thankful for the women around that table too…)

197. A churchwide picnic with fantastic food, fellowship, fanfare (music), fireworks and FUN.  I went by and picked up my grandson Zeke and we had a blast. He was mesmerized with the orchestra.  I adore this picture:

198. An antique biscuit cutter that has scalloped edges…and my grandmother’s biscuit recipe (in the post right before this one).
199. Blueberry bounty and a little granddaughter who loves them.
200. Another new quilt started with a jellyroll of fabric. A jellyroll is pre-cut strips and these are especially beautiful.

201. It is coming together nicely:

202. My backyard garden, a happy place for me to be (if I’m not in the sewing room). :)
203. I have had the blessing to keep my two older grandchildren for 5 whole days (and nights). My daughter-in-law is away visiting her sister & brother-in-law who serve as missionaries. My son is also staying with us and he has been a wonderful help. It has been good to see him be a daddy up close. I worked so hard to get a picture of them…
204. My youngest grandson and his first trip to the ocean. Delight…
205. Blackberry bounty. My dad’s vines. We have had good family time picking these blackberries. Simple things yet again.
206. On this Fourth of July, I’m so thankful and yes, proud – to be an American and live in the greatest country on Earth. Even with all the flaws, I’d still rather live here than anywhere I know.  Send a revival to our land dear LORD.
As I wrap up this list, you can see there is nothing as glorious as the salvation of Caitlyn last month, but these are grace gifts all the same. Family time on the farm surrounded by good food and sweet fellowship…and yes at times some tempers and tired folks, but still all GRACE. And I’m so grateful.
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July 4, 2011 7:20 PM 1

With God As Our Partner

June 11, 2011 2:28 PM 4
It takes a groom, it takes a bride,
two people standing side by side.
It takes a ring and vows that say,
“this is our happy wedding day.”
But marriage vows are sanctified
and loving hearts are unified
when standing with the bride and groom,
unseen by others in the room
the Spirt of the LORD is there
to bless this happy bridal pair.
For God is love and married life
is richer for both man and wife
when God becomes a partner too
in everything we say and do.
And every home is specially blessed
when God is made our daily guest.
For married folks who pray together are
happy folks who stay together.
For when God’s love becomes a part
of body, mind, and soul and heart,
our love becomes a wondrous blending
that is both eternal and unending.
And God looks down and says, “well done”
for now we two are truly one!
(by Helen Steiner Rice)

 

Gary Timothy Morton wed Pamela Jan Maloy
June 11, 1977
Highland Park Baptist Church
Conyers, Georgia
34 years ago today!
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June 11, 2011 2:28 PM 4
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