Instead of writing a blog entry today, I built a shopping page for your shopping pleasure. Enjoy!

Since Mark and I work with youth a lot, we are quickly understanding how CRITICAL it is for young people to:

• Know the power of God
• Recognize the spiritual warfare taking place over their lives
• Learn to use the authority they have in Christ Jesus

I guess this isn’t just an issue with youth…it’s a problem in all of us. The spiritual realm is often mocked and laughed at nowadays - we are so focused on “living a good life” that we completely ignore the true spiritual battle happening.

It was common in my home to say the name of JESUS when you are scared and say “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND”. It was also common in my home to recognize when something was demonic. We did not call spiritual disturbances “ghosts” we called them demons. It was a real thing to me and so was the power of Jesus. Even as a child I experienced demons fleeing by just saying the name of Jesus. Are kids still learning that in Christian homes?

People - WE HAVE THE VICTORY…even over DEATH! Depression, sickness, demonic opression MUST flee in the name of Jesus. We have the power…He gave it to us! We don’t have to live defeated any longer. All over the world, people are being raised from the dead, healed from diseases and using the authority Jesus handed to them. Why can’t we!?!?!?

Luke 9:1-2

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal.

The older we get, the more we learn that bad things happen to good, Godly people. We don’t always get what we deserve. And we aren’t entitled to anything.

I feel like I grew up this week. I saw some really great people with families lose their jobs. Some I knew were faithful Christian people and some who have been faithful to this company for many, many years.

I do not believe my faith would have been shaken if I had lost my job. In fact, it would have challenged me to dig deeper, live in faith and give my whole world over to God. I can still do those things, but I’m much better under pressure.

Can we perfect our faith if everything always goes our way?

I’m safe. I still have my job. God is good (and he still would have been good if I lost my job today).

My company announced today that our CEO resigned and that they will be laying off 20 - 25% of staff. The layoffs will take place next week.

I have some options here on how I will react…

fearful, paniced, gossiping, angry, frustrated

OR

full of faith, love, peace, joy, patience, self control, kindness etc…

Even if I lose my job next week, I know who my provider is. I am the head and not the tail. Above and not beneath. I am a child of God. I have the mind of Christ. I have Godly favor…there, I said it!

TODAY IS STILL THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE;
I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

It’s eerie…

I look just like Tiffany - my sister-in-law…and she looks like me.

We married brothers (who look nothing alike).

Tiffany & I also look like our Mother-in-Law.

Does that mean something gross about our husbands?

Judi Left // Tiff Right

Tiff Left // Judi Right

Judi Left // Tiff Right

My In Laws

Last night, I spent some time with some of my best buddys at the hospital. What should have been a somber and awkward time was a refreshing and belly-gut-laughing time.

I am slowly feeling the tug on my heart to give more…  I want to do more. My plate feels full, but just when I think there’s nothing left to give, God prepares a way and my cup overfloweth!

Seriously, Mark and I gave so much time and money last month and we ended up having more money left over in the bank account and more time together than EVER. It was truly supernatural. We are more energetic and refreshed than ever.

This life is not my own. These posessions are not mine to keep. My time is well spent with others I love. My heart is pounding as I write this…

Waiting outside our polling place - 1 block from our house

 We brought doughnuts to make some friends: 

Then, we went inside at 7 am and VOTED!

Now, I’m a voter! I plan on taking full advantage of the free coffee at Starbucks on my lunch break!

I’m more excited for tomorrow’s election than I am for Christmas. This only comes around every 4 years and for some reason beyond me, I am addicted to the news updates, drudge reports, and mug slinging. Interestingly enough though, I hate TALKING about politics with people.

It’s sick - I know.

Mark and I are planning on getting up at 5 am tomorrow, bundling up, and waiting for our polling location to open. We will be taking pictures and spreading joy - yes, even at the polling place.

If you are a Christian who plans on standing in line at the polls tomorrow, bring something more than your vote….bring joy to others around you. So many people will be grumpy, impatient and jaded tomorrow. Here’s some simple tips:

1. Smile
2. Make small talk
3. Bring coffee or snacks and share them
4. Be patient
5. Be KIND!!!!

Something you didn’t know about me: I used to be obsessed with Michael Jackson. I’m talking about real obsession. I wrote letters to him at Neverland Ranch EVERYDAY and skated to the nearest mail box to mail it - EVERYDAY (this was before Neverland was a known ”hotbed” for bad behavior with little boys). I was bummed when the MJ took a turn for the “strange and unacceptable”. I was really pulling for him and Lisa Marie.

I know the words to most of the songs and every Halloween I still love to watch Thriller - the best music video of all time.

Oh MJ - now everyday is Halloween for you. Your face is your mask and your antics your costume. We will never be able to delight in your superior dance move, moon walk, spin/kick, glittery glove, jerry curled music ever again. At least we still have Thriller…