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Category Archives: Jesus Christ “I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious. To stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coat-tails and the heavens hailing your heart – to gaze and glory and to give oneself again to God, what more could a man ask? Oh, the…  I might as well admit that I had it out with God earlier this week. I just found out that we are not going to be able to go to Ethiopia in the fall. Immediately I started asking God why. Wasn’t I called to go, to get the stories of those there and to be… 18 comments 
That is disappointing. I was suppose to go to Kenya in November, but it didn’t work out. Now I get to go to South Africa in July/August for two weeks, my sister and I are going together. Our goal was to take a group of people with us but so far she and I are the only ones going. 
Jennifer, I know this is so hard for you!!! God has greater things. Hang in there! (Beautiful poem, by the way) 
I’m so sorry! That’s really tough to swallow. But you’re in good company. Paul had doors shut on him repeatedly in Acts. It all ended up being part of the larger plan. Sometimes the things we see in front of us get us halfway there, with the end yet to be revealed. Praying for you for guidance in taking the next step of faith. 
I am so sorry to hear this, Jennifer. What a huge disappointment. I’m glad that you are feeling positive and keeping an eye out for more doors to open. I can’t imagine something like this happening with our upcoming move and how disorienting it would be when you are SO certain it’s what you are supposed to be doing. Praying for wisdom and guidance for you guys as you figure out the next steps to take! 
I know God is going to open another opportunity for you and Jonathan! You’re right; He didn’t give you the desire to go for nothing. He knows all things and has a plan much bigger and BETTER then you can imagine. Love you Sis and I can’t wait to see what’s in store :)
Oh and I love the poem! It’s just beautiful :) 
Sister, I relate to this SO MUCH more than you could possibly know. I’ve longed to be in Africa since I was 8 years old, no joke and that door has continued to stay close. Why does He give us these desires and then cause us to wait for what seems like an eternity? Obviously, we have to keep trusting that His plan and timing are good and perfect. We raised money a few years ago to go to Cambodia and not long before the trip was to happen God closed the door. Many things ended up happening in our lives around the time of that trip that would have been extremely overwhelming had we still planned to go. And even now, I’ve backed away from photography and school, God has led us away from our Church and I have NO idea what I want to do with my life. This is happening RIGHT now in my life. All I have said over the last few weeks is, “I feel so lost”. But then I’m reminded that cause makes us wait for a multitude of reasons. Be it that he’s preparing us for something [possibly something we aren't even aware of] or maybe he’s even protecting us. I saw something the other day that said God often delays our plans because He knows there’s a storm ahead and that we should be grateful for that love and protection. All this to say, I can reallllllllly relate to the current state of your heart. Praying for and with you. Know that you’re not alone. :)
*that GOD makes us wait for a multitude of reasons. 
I am so sorry that God closed this door, for now. It is difficult when that happens, when your heart was set on one thing. But I have hope that this closed door is only going to lead you closer to what God ultimately wants. Praying that you receive His comfort! 
I agree with Natalie. I know It’s difficult when we have plans and don’t understand what God is doing. But we can meditate on His truth and we know He will work things our for our good. Thank you so much for sharing your heart so openly. 
This was great to read. I just turned in my deposit for a college I want to go to but there’s always that chance he wants me somewhere else. This helps me see even though I feel God wanted me at this school, he may not. He may have another plan and I need to LISTEN. :) Thanks, Jennifer. 
I do believe the Lord must have a need for you to be where you are around those dates. He is still teaching [us] you to wait. It’s hard, I know. But He tells us to take heart and press on. This too shall pass and you shall be in Africa before you know it. 
I am SO sorry Jennifer! I know how badly you wanted to go. But God has a plan and I KNOW this opportunity didn’t workout for a reason. Keep your chin up, pretty girl. You two will make it to Africa TOGETHER soon! 
God is the God of preparing hearts, so I think you are onto something…I haven’t understood many many many things and wondered how possibly this or that could or couldn’t happen if…____ 
Jennifer, I totally understand. So many times I thought God CALLED me to this place and would get frustrated even with all the confirmations and signs and even small windows of opportunities that seemed big enough for me to squeeze through. God is so much greater in store than what we think he has called us to. This is just a set up Jennifer… He’s got something amazing and it’s just being prepared for you! 
I’m so sorry your Ethiopia trip isn’t happening. I know are hard it is when things don’t go through when you really thought God wanted you there. There must be some reason that God is not revealing to you yet. Waiting is always the hardest part. God knows your desire to serve him and I don’t think he will ignore it. Stay strong :) 
I am so sorry to hear this Jen. Praying that God will open another door and I’m confident that He will! Much love xo 
I am so sorry to hear you wont be able to go to Ethiopia this fall. I know this is something you had your heart set on and you felt called to it. But you are so right, that God has a plan and there is something in the works for you. I just know it!  Today is Good Friday. It’s the day my Savior suffered on the cross, bearing the sins of mankind out of love. He knew agony. He knew pain. It wasn’t easy. This is the man who is my model. The one I follow. And my life looks nothing like His. I can’t help but think that… 17 comments 
Jen, wow this was seriously one of the best posts I’ve ever read. You are 100% right on everything you touched on. Its so easy for us to think to be a Christian, its going to church, warming those pews, and letting people see that we’re there, to save face. Yet others are dying brutal deaths just by uttering His name. Desperate to read His word and know Him without getting caught. Suffering for a lot of us is not true suffering. 
This is why I think you are fantastic. Such an awesome post and couldn’t agree more.
This is really good. I just finished reading Francis Chan’s “Forgotten God” and it ended with something similar to what you wrote. Sometimes we just ADD Jesus to our lives but we live like the rest of the world. When the Spirit is living within us and we really recognize what happened at the cross, we can’t live just normal lives. thanks for sharing Jennifer! 
Wow, such truth. Sometimes I try to remind myself that without persecution there is no gain. That if my life seems almost perfect then, maybe it’s time for me to be stepping out of my comfort zone and be tested. 
A beautiful post and a beautiful reminder =)
Wow, I love this post! I was just thinking yesterday during the Lords supper how truly easy it is to get caught up in life an think that everything is ok. Thank you for this reminder. I want to live a life to the Glory of Christ and not myself. 
Love your heart Jennifer … so very good!! 
Wow, so moving, Jennifer!!!! Loved this post : ) 
Beautifully written and worded Jennifer. This post is full of such honesty, and you have now challenged me to re-evaluate my life as a “Christian”, drawing me closer to our Father. 
Such a great great great post!!! 
This was perfectly written. These are things that have been in my heart for quite some time. It’s just so hard to live it out… but I better stop hiding behind the excuse of it just being ‘too hard’. 
Wow. I am speechless. All I can say, is thank you. This is wonderful. Oh, and Amen. :) -bree
Very beautifully said. I’ve had these similar thoughts growing up as a Christian in America. It’s hard not to be one of the “hypocrites”, but I try. I have had true struggles and I’m able to thank God for them because they’ve brought me closer to Him and become a better person.
you know i admire and love this post. beautiful heart you. 
I am studying James right now & it’s message is hitting me!! It’s hard, but we need to remember to rely on God for strength, not ourselves! Thanks for this post! Very convicting! 
I truly loved this post. It’s really incredible for me to be able to read about your journey as I start my own little quest into photography. Seeing you seek the Lord through every step is really encouraging. However, my experience is a little bit different. Not being raised in a Christian home, the Lord’s grace was abundant when others reached out to me in high school and I gave my life to Christ. Since then, I have experienced much persecution at home. I often feel alone in this struggle, but those times have been my closest with Him. As I reach the end of my college experience, I believe that the low points I’ve experienced in the past few years have brought me a closeness with the Lord that nothing else compares to. True joy is found in His presence! My point in sharing this? I know that you and your hubby are super active in your church, and I just wanted to encourage you to seek out youth/college people that may be experiencing this kind of persecution! It happens everywhere in all different ways. Blessings to you! Love every post you submit, and picture you take! 
amen. this is actually exactly what david platt talked about in secret church on good friday, so i love that you posted this the same day i was listening to it! as christians, we are called to suffer. the more we become like Christ, the more we will suffer. it is a promise, not an option. more Jesus doesn’t mean more earthly treasure. it means more of Him and Him only.  The seasons have changed and things aren’t the way the used to be. I followed Him to this place and I’m happy to be here, but sometimes I find it to be very quiet. And sometimes quietness becomes too much. The unanswered question, the eagerness for fresh direction and the small things leave me feeling… 16 comments
This is so lovely. I too have always been one to enjoy doing less in my day and to be still. I would have so many friends who were all about going out every night because they just couldn’t do nothing at home. It’s fun socializing but there are times we need to be still and hear His voice. :-) great post indeed!
Just beautiful. I so wish we lived closer!! 
Me too Natalie! :) 
I love this. Thank you for writing this, it is what I needed to hear. I recently when down from 40 hours to 20 hours, and before my hours got cut I envisioned myself doing so much more with my time off. But I’ve found that I get a little lonely and bored on my days off and haven’t been accomplishing much at all. After reading this I realized that maybe that is exactly what I need, at least for a little while.
You’re so gorgeous!!!
Thank you so much for posting this Jennifer! My heart was really encouraged by it =) 
Love this Jennifer, it spoke to my heart :) Thanks for always sharing your thoughts and what God is revealing to you! 
I love that first quote. So so much.
I’ve really been enjoying everyone’s “GOD” posts lately. They’re so needed, I’ve been soaking them up lately. Thank you for yours. A great reminder during my little life struggles.
I, too, have been fighting a strange illness… It’s comforting to know you’ve been there and overcome. 
First of all, are there any BAD photos of you?? Cause sheesh you are just tooo gorgeous all the time! :) I love the honesty of your posts, I totally get this, that stillness, thankfully I’m not in that right now. God bless.
This is so, so lovely. Thank you for sharing with us! Love that quote by Elizabeth Elliott, too!! You look beautiful… always such beautiful, tranquil photos! 
i am right there with you and couldn’t have said any of this any better! i have always been more of a lonely one during different times in my life- haha :) the seasons of loneliness are longer than others but i suppose He’s working it for are good. much love! 
your writing is always so beautiful, and touching. thank you for sharing this. and thank you for always adding such beautiful images. you are perfect :) 
Wow, your words are beautiful! And the photos of you are stunning! 
Such a beautiful post Jennifer!! I too have spent many times alone and in solitude in my life. A lot of it has to do with my illness. I know God has almost given me a special ability to be able to be alone so much while everyone else is out working. A lot of people wouldn’t be able to handle it, but I am usually ok for the most part. I still don’t know why I had to suffer with this illness, but I also wouldn’t trade it because it is making me into who God wants me to be. Also slowing down in life allowed me to meet my hubby, and I just couldn’t imagine my life without him! :)  “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing;… 2 comments 
Such a beautiful prayer!
I love this! Great prayer :) |
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12 comments
I LOVE this!
Rylie recently posted..Yes.
what a great quote!!!
Oh my goodness, this whole post is beautiful.
Great post! This remind me of one of my favorite C.S. Lewis quotes.
We are half hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
Daisy recently posted..Our Wedding (Getting Ready)
Thank you Katelyn
Oh wow, I love this. His imagery is beautiful. :)
hugs,
~bree
Bree Holloway recently posted..late-night brownies
This is just beautiful, Jen, and I love that quote by Jim Elliot. He was an incredible man of God!
Faith recently posted..Commencement!
This is just beautiful!
Amazing quote! And I loved reading your insight and your heart =)
Natalie recently posted..To Pour Life into Others, We Must Be Humble
Thank you sweet Natalie! :)
I remember that in Shadow of the Almighty. Such a wonderful gem of literature.
I had a similar moment today while driving. The sunbeams were bursting through gray and rain-heavy clouds, it was glorious. God is causing the sun to shine and the light was piercing through the darkness. It was phenomenal. I was in awe even as I was traveling at high speeds.
Who is like the Lord?
oh my goodness, this is so beautiful. i want to love Him like that!!