Jana Spicka and Women Getting Real Ministries
General
The Manger Moment: The Common Denominator
Dec 21st
The manger scene is a wonder to ponder with the poorest of the poor in the shepherds and the richest of the rich in the magi. What a spectrum of humanity it is. Not unlike our own spectrum of Salvation Army bells ringing for donations and registers ringing up designer gadgets and clothing. Yet we will all come to “the moment.” And it will be the same moment for us all, rich or poor.
The gifts will all been opened, and the glee for the “next” will subside. From the meager gifts of the Angel Tree recipients to the gaudy gifts of the materialists, the packages will lie unwrapped in a heap, exposed for what they are: more stuff.
And then the moment comes. The manger moment. In that split second we ask, we all ask, whether young or old, wealthy or wanting, we ask, “is this all there is?”
This is the very answer they were given at the manger. Here, wrapped in his mother’s arms, “is all there is.” Jesus is the all in all. He is the first and the last. The rich who became poor only to become rich. He is ancient of Days who became a newborn, the servant who became King. The crucified who rose again. He is the embodiment of the question “is this all there is?” To which He boldly answers, Yes I am. I am the way the truth and the life.
A new song on the radio declares a glorious truth much like the angels did on that first morning: “our Salvation has a name.”
He is Jesus, Savior,
Son of God, the King of Kings.”
Our salvation has a name.
Jesus, Savior,
Precious Lord of Everything.
Our whole world’s about to change,
And it will never be the same.
He is one thing that binds us all together… “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 Beyond the gifts, and the goodies, and the yummies, and the laughter, tears, torment, and longings, Jesus is the great joy that fills in our spirits like no gift card can. Jesus is joy. And He is ours for the taking, if we will only believe.
Don’t miss the answer of the manger moment. Our world will never be the same. Your world will never be the same.
So what are YOU waiting for?
Jul 27th
There is lots of flux around me right now. Lots of dreams, lots of plans and at the same time lots of gaping holes. I have pieces missing, people moving away, plans falling through and I am watching in wonder as what I worked and hoped would happen simply fizzle out to nothing. So now what?
Sound familiar? What do we do in the waiting?
I noticed when everything started unraveling I took a deep breath and evaluated what I did know.
1) I know God loves me and only has good for me.
2) I know that I am not quitting just because it got harder than it already was.
3) I know that God never goes back on His word so somehow this change in course is going to get me closer to His plan.
4) I know that waiting on Him is the safest, smartest, healthiest thing I can do.
I realize now this is a pretty great place to be. Waiting sucks. But Jesus is better. Better than running ahead, running away, running crazy. And just to top off the day today, in the middle of the waiting, He gave me this passage:
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is the God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30: 18
Are you resting in the truth that God longs to be gracious, giving and good for you? Are standing in the one truth that you will be blessed if you will but wait on Him alone? Not waiting on the perfect outcome, or getting your way, or happy endings…but waiting on Him. Alone.
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. Selah.
Free Gift with Pre-Order of our New T-shirts!
Sep 30th
Don’t miss this, chicks! We have a beautiful new t-shirt coming out, and when you pre-order, you’ll recieve a gift with your purchase. Click here to see the design and place your order.
Weddings, Funerals, Life, Oh My!
Aug 6th
We spent last weekend remembering Chuck’s grandmother who died at 103. This weekend we are celebrating the marriage of Sarah and Todd.
In between, there was a broken computer (again!), various yammerings between my kids, several chewed up items by the dog, and good news about our website launching Monday. Now add to that, tense conversations between co-workers, problem solving with product delivery, and the tight rope walk of bills.
I love it when lives intersect. Even when it is awkward, messy and confusing.
In my head, I hear Master Ugwe from Kung Fu Panda say, “There are no accidents.”
In my spirit, though, is an even better answer.
I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness
Watch and pray
Find in Me, thine all in all.
See how there is no striving in that stanza from “Jesus Paid it All.” Only the humble realization that I don’t have what it takes, but He does. The only response required of me is: watch and pray. Not passive but expectant. Not distant but actively looking, seeking, finding. And then comes the hope and the comfort. Ahhh, yes. You are my all in all. You are all I need in all circumstances.
Lord, thank You for the hard moments of grief, the moments of great joy, and even the sticky, sinful moments. There are no accidents. In all of these moments You are there and it is Your strength that guides me. Your life is all I need and all I want. Amen.
If Walls Could Talk
Aug 5th
Here’s the quote that was engraved in the wall of a 150-year-old church in St Louis.
“I think more of the place where I was baptized than of the cathedral where I was crowned.For the dignity of a child of God, which was bestowed on me at baptism, is greater than that of the rule of the kingdom.The latter I shall lose at death, the other will be my passport to everlasting glory.”
St. Louis IX, King of France