Engage

 When my boyfriend and I decided to get married, he gave me an engagement ring as a sign to show that we were involved in each other's lives.

In the same way, when you are engaged in some kind of activity, there are signs showing your engagement:

• You can't quit talking about the thing you are excited in.
• You are immediatedly captivated whenever there is some kind of break-through or an improvement involving your area of interest.
• You will go to great lengths - and sometimes expense - to participate in your area of interest.
• When you are engaged in your area of interest, you are all in. You are not halfheartedly paying attention.

Besides marriage, I made the choice many years ago to be engaged with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm part of the body of Christ, and I express that by being engaged in my local church. I'm all in!

Whar are you engaged in?

~~

I wrote this post in response to Five Minute Friday's prompt, "engage." In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the above post in 5 minutes, but took extra time to make a graphic.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

This time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

Journey

 I've had a super-busy weekend; but I feel I must participate in this week's Five Minute Friday since the prompt is "journey," even if it is a few days later

I named my blog, Jerralea's Journey, back in 2008 to reflect the things I learned on my Journey Home. I always have something to say about the journey.

GO

You and I are both on a journey. Life is a journey, from the moment we receive our first slap on the bottom making us draw our first breath, to the day the breath of life leaves us. 

Some have a plan in mind from the day they first realize they are the master of their own fate.

Still others wander aimlessly until the end and then they question "what was it all for?"

I feel my journey kicked in when I decided to follow Christ. I've been His disciple, His servant, for over 50 years now. It seems unbelievable I've been on the Journey Home that long, but it's true.

I'm closer now than ever. 

I was thinking today about testimony time in my home church. I had a brother there who every week got up and said "I'm so glad this world is not my home. I'm just a stranger passing through on my way to my heavenly home."

This life is not all there is. In fact, the apostle James tells us in light of eternity, life is a vapor that vanishes quickly. I don't want to waste time with stupid stuff.

STOP

Do you view life as a journey? Have you decided what is the most important thing about your journey?

~~

I wrote this post in response to Five Minute Friday's prompt, "original." In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the above post in 5 minutes, but took extra time to make a graphic and look up scripture references.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

This time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Pursue = Follow Hard

 This week’s prompt from Five Minute Friday is the word, “pursue.”

 

I’ve written a few times in the past about goodness and mercy pursuing us (as found in Psalm 23:6); but today I wanted to try it from the opposite direction:  a believer’s pursuit of God.

 

Here’s my five minutes:

 

When I thought about pursuing God, this verse came to mind.

 

Psalm 63:8 AMPC
My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.

 

The most important thing in anyone’s life is whether they are in right standing with God.

 

As a believer, I treasure the words of Christ. As a dyed-in-the-wool rule follower, I love knowing what the rules are so I know what to do. Christ told us the most important rule we can follow which can be found here:

 

Mark 12:29-31 The Message
Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

 

I love that translation – love God with “all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.” In other words, “follow hard,” like Psalm 63:8 directs. In the original language, the phrase translated “follow hard” means  to catch by pursuit, overtake, pursue hard.

 

If you don’t want to follow hard after him, can that mean you really don’t want to know Him?

 

But let’s ask the question, why pursue God?

 

Because fellowship with Christ is everything.

 

Because He rewards pursuit.

 

Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

I believe diligently pursuing or seeking Him is the most worthwhile thing I can do with my life.

What do you want to pursue?

~~

If you would like to read my posts about pursue as used in Psalm 23:6, click on these links:

The First Faves of 2019

The Journey's Weekly Check-Up #4

Why Would I Fear the Future

~~

I wrote this post in response to Five Minute Friday's prompt, "original." In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the above post in 5 minutes, but took extra time to make a graphic and look up scripture references.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

This time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

Originial Sin

I’ve often thought original sin started in the Garden. The source of the sin was doubt. Eve believed the lie that God was withholding something from her that would enrich her life.

 

But then, I go to thinking … Originally, sin entered the ranks of heaven through the archangel, Lucifer. He was the worship leader, and he was extra beautiful. The Word says this about him:

 

¹² “How you are fallen from heaven,
    O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
    you who laid the nations low!
¹³ You said in your heart,
    ‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
    I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
    in the far reaches of the north;
¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
    I will make myself like the Most High.

Isaiah 14:12-14 English Standard Version

 

In pride, he decided leading worship was not enough. He wanted to receive worship. Anytime, you go against God it is not going to work well for you.

 

And so, Lucifer fell from heaven and became man’s mortal enemy. He spends all his time and energy laying traps for men to fall into sin because he hates anything God loves.

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV

 

Since God’s love is so massive, He decided to give His Son, Jesus, for our redemption. Jesus agreed and willingly became a sacrifice so that any who want to put their trust in Him and believe Him for a rich and satisfying life could become a child of God.

 

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT

 

I choose not to live in pride like Lucifer, or doubt God like Eve. My goal is to finish my life’s journey well and be welcomed with the words, “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant.” (See Matthew 25:21)

 

What is your choice? 

~~

I wrote this post in response to Five Minute Friday's prompt, "original." In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the above post in 5 minutes, but took extra time to make a graphic and look up scripture references.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

This time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

But God Says

Today, I'm joining the Five Minute Friday group of writers who free write on a prompt for five minutes. This week's prompt is the word, "but." This is a word with several possibilities! 

I chose to go this route:

I submit that as a believer in Christ, I am to live an opposite life from what my peers think is a successful existence.

The world says look out for number one - yourself; but God says * to esteem others above yourself.

Our culture's attitude says to accumulate wealth - the one who has the most toys when he dies wins. But God says ** lay up treasures in heaven that can never rust, fade away or be stolen.

In our world self image is everything. But God says *** He wants to make you into the image of Jesus.

YOLO - You only Live Once - is the heart's cry of this generation; but God says you will live forever in eternity. You must choose whether it is with Him or in Hell. ****

You have one beautiful, precious, irreplacable life. How will you choose to live it?

*    Philippians 2:3

**   Matthew 6:19-20 

*** Romans 8:29

****Matthew 7:13

~~

In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the above post in 5 minutes, but took extra time to make a graphic and look up scripture references.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

A current post is How to Survive and Thrive in 2025. I'd be honored to share it with you.

Have you read my Transformation Series? It’s just as vital today as when I wrote it in 2023. Click here to read all the posts.

Also, this time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and InstaEncouragement Link-Up and Let's Have Coffee

Second in My Life

It's been a time since I have participated in 5 Minute Friday; but I have missed being part of the group that free writes for 5 minutes on a writing prompt. 2025 seems like a great time to dive back in, so here goes:

SECOND

When I was a kid, I was taught a little rhyme which said,

Jesus, and Others, then You. 

What a wonderful way to spell joy!

I think most Christ followers know - and try - to put Jesus first in their lives and in their daily thoughts. Then we dive into the day and it all becomes about us, about our agenda and what we need to get done.

I'm convicted I do a lot of thinking about me, actually.

But the second part of the JOY formula is to focus on others.

As a wife, mom and MiMi, I felt I had that covered. After all, a family takes a lot of time and attention.

On the other hand, my family is an extension of myself. When they are happy and safe, I feel good. So I could really call focusing on my family the same thing as focusing on myself.

I believe the Others part of that formula means my community. Am I praying for them? Serving them? Really seeing them? Lending a listening ear?

~~

My 5 minutes are up! Wow, writing time went quickly.

I would like to sum up the past 5 minutes of writing this way: Make room for the second thing which is ministering to others in whatever way God leads you to use your talents.

I think this is one of the keys to living a blest life.

Never act from motives of rivalry or personal vanity, but in humility think more of each other than you do of yourselves. None of you should think only of his own affairs, but should learn to see things from other people’s point of view. Philippians 2:3-4 J.B. Phillips Translation

If I esteem others in my community above myself, and my community esteems me and the others above themselves, then we have a community where everyone is valued. 

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

A current post is How to Survive and Thrive in 2025. I'd be honored to share it with you.

Have you read my Transformation Series? It’s just as vital today as when I wrote it in 2023. Click here to read all the posts.

Also, this time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at 5 Minute Friday

 

Perfect and Proven

As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.                             2 Samuel 22:31 NKJV

 

Father,

 

I am in agreement with the statement Your word is proven – You have never failed us, and Your word always comes to pass.

I love that You shield everyone who puts their trust in You. I feel that since You are so much greater than any of Your creatures, Your shield is large enough to keep out anything the enemy sends our way. The only things You allow to touch us are tests You intend to use to bring about good.

 

The key is will we trust You? Even when it doesn’t look like it is going to go good, we need to affirm our trust in You. I always remember one of God's saints, Bro. Chapman, saying the one thing God wants from us is our trust – even more than our love!

 

Today, may each of us settle in our hearts that we trust You with our very lives. Let us take courage, knowing You are a good, good Father.

 

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen. 

~~

Hello, dear readers. It’s been quite awhile since I have posted on this blog. I am still working with my writing coach: and we are on the last quarter of my novel. However, I have missed blogging terribly.

I’m excited to announce that my work schedule has lessened. I now consider myself “semi-retired.” Instead of working 6 days a week, I’m condensing my work into 3 days a week. More writing time is available! More blogging time can be penciled in on my schedule! Therefore, look for new posts from me at least once a month here, and also at Jerralea.com 

My latest post is How to Survive and Thrive in 2025. I'd be honored to share it with you.

Have you read my Transformation Series? It’s just as vital today as when I wrote it in 2023. Click here to read all the posts.

Also, this time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Grace & Truth and Sweet Tea & Friends