You Are Loved – poetry

You are so loved

By God Himself

It’s almost hard to believe

 

But you are His

Created intent

Each nuance about you He sees

 

From deep in His heart

He has fashioned you

Though Satan tries to destroy

 

That plan will not work

The Cross has come first

The Lion of Judah receives

 

A cry from your heart 

Will join you to Him

A cry of simple belief

 

No one can snatch you

Out of His hand

He’s stronger than all things conceived

 

Turn from the things 

That keep you apart

Repentance is all that you need

 

Allow Him to wash you 

Deep in His blood

Your past will not succeed

 

copyright 2020   Jean Chamblee 

Encouragement From Grandmama Jean

Romans 7:24   “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Even the great Apostle Paul struggled with his flesh….we have to take up our crosses DAILY  and crucify the flesh and the lies of the enemy that try to defeat us.

God is for us!!  Every day we are in a battle – like lambs to the slaughter….but thank God that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.  We get up –  ask forgiveness and know that each new day is a gift. You are a child of God and God doesn’t walk out on His children….He keeps helping them grow.  

So when Satan comes with condemnation – even if you blew it in an area.  Repent – and enjoy the forgiveness and fellowship bought and paid for by Christ.  Don’t let the devil steal your joy.  The Bible says:   “ His mercies are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness”   God’s grace and power is there to help you overcome sin and the flesh and the devil.   Don’t give up.  There is a crown awaiting overcomers and we are overcomers as long as we don’t quit.

Remember you were chosen to be alive at this time.  God has a plan to use you for His glory and He can’t wait to reward you.  He is a good Father.   I know we don’t do it for the reward….nevertheless He spoke and wrote it because it was important to Him that we know this.  The Bible teaches we will all throw our crowns at Jesus feet because He is so worthy.  He did for us what we could not ever do for ourselves and freely gave it to us!!  The ability to become the sons and daughters of God and part of His family forever.

If you get time read Romans 8 again.  It is packed with so much!

Love you all!!!  I am cheering you on in Christ and praying for you!!  I can see the beauty in you!! I can see you as the bride of Christ dancing before Him in the beauty of holiness. 

(Don’t cringe at that!  lol  I know you see all the sins you’ve lived in and don’t see how – one day at a time, one battle at a time.  I remember well the battles in the beginning! Keep going!!!!  There is special honor for end time believers that don’t give up and endure till the end!!  You’ll never be perfect….that’s not your goal…..to follow Jesus and His Word as best as you can and stay close to Him.  Never get caught up in the “doing”  ahead of just “being” with Him .  It’s out of relationship that change happens !!)   Many will be purified by these times – so stay close to Him and discover His peace that dwells deep inside of you no matter what happens in the world.  

“Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord.”   Zechariah 4

As we lean on Jesus……

Romans 8:31  If God is for us, Who can be against us.

Much love and prayers

Grandmama Jean

DON’T LET PERFECTIONISM RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY (OR ANYDAY)

With the holidays almost here, just a little encouragement to keep you from the trappings of perfectionism.  The definition of perfectionism is ‘refusal to accept any standard short of perfection”.   It can drive you mad!!  It is actually your own perception that drives how you view perfect.  It may come from upbringing, teaching, or your own ideas.  If we look at it, what drives it is ,I believe,  from the root of pride.  Or wanting to please or be perceived as perfect. Sometimes we don’t even see it at work in our lives and inner thoughts.  It can simply be ingrained in us by the world. 

It is a sad way to live because it is often in imperfections that something is made unique and beautiful.  We were never made to be cookie cutter humans.  Just look at our finger prints.  God gave us each one that is like no other.  Or like snowflakes or the grain of wood.  You get all that, so I will make another point.

Personally, it was my upbringing that imprinted this deep into my psyche .  It was sad as I watched my mother try to live up to her own self imposed image.  Perhaps it came from her upbringing too.  At any rate I promised myself I would try to live an authentic life and I am probably more vulnerable and open than most.  But I still have those lingering subconscious pressures I have to fight against.  

I have to work at it.  Catch myself tensing up and even more if  someone begins pointing things out.  I have to look within and regain my peace and commitment to be kind to myself and realistic about my limitations  Personally my health doesn’t permit me to do “all things”, maybe for you it is your job, energy level, finances.  These things are real and I think God wants us to have true mercy for ourselves.  A perfectionistic spirit is not realistic. It is subtly tormenting.  We can choose to be realistic and give ourselves a break.   

As a believer and follower of Christ, I also know that the enemy of our souls (the devil)  is an accuser and loves to get us to condemn ourselves.

Fortunately my family is mostly used to my imperfections and limitations.  My family is small though, yours may not be and you may have some pretty big criticizers in your midst this holiday.  I encourage you and remind you that God the Father knew we could not reach perfection or righteousness on our own so He sent His Son who was strong enough to never sin and destroyed sin on the cross for us!!  What a gift.  We are covered as we accept what He did and we try to walk in His ways – imperfectly.

So give yourself a break, determine now to reject any petty criticisms about your home, cooking, anything at all.  Protect your soul.  No criticisms allowed.  And know that you are okay and that this is a day to focus on more cherished things like….love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience/long suffering , faithfulness…  let these things be in your mind and heart.

Enjoy the many things about the holidays that are special to you.

You are loved. You are beautiful.  If someone else can’t see that…..it is their issue.  Let it fall off.  Protect your soul and know quietly inside that you are are a blessing.  Period.  

Much love and have a great day!

LONGING HEART – POETRY

You are my bread, my life, my song

With you alone, does my heart belong

Deep within me calls to deep

Draw me close Lord, Your heart to meet

 

You are the great I AM

Take me Lord into Your hand

Mold me into Your heart of grace

Until I look and can see Your face

 

You are my bread, my life, my song

With you alone, does my heart belong

Deep within me calls to deep

Draw me close Lord, Your heart to meet

 

Breathing deeply, I feel You near

I will sit quietly, Your voice to hear

Waiting until the break of day

When I know what You’re saying, I will obey

 

You are my bread, my life, my song

With you alone, does my heart belong

Deep within me calls to deep

Draw me close Lord, Your heart to meet

 

Into Your image I will be drawn

Though the process painful, the days are long

I know that You have a plan for me

To be like Your Son, my heart set free

 

You are my bread, my life, my song

With you alone, does my heart belong

Deep within me calls to deep

Draw me close Lord, Your heart to meet

copyright 2013  Jean Chamblee

I LOVE BEING A MOTHER – POETRY

I love being a mother so much! 

It’s the sweetest gift that I know 

A journey full of peril sometimes

But it always makes you grow

 

It plunges you into selflessness

A tiny life looks to you

It trusts in you without judgement

Its love is pure and true

 

Although you never feel adequate

Or deserving of so much trust

You know that God has made it this way

Depending on Him – we must

 

We surely won’t do it perfectly

Thankfully that’s not required

Sometimes we barely get through a day

Because it can make you so tired

 

But then comes the smile at the break of the day

The shine comes out of their eyes

It doesn’t matter how tired you are

That sparkle becomes your great prize

 

They grow, and grow and then turn around

The time will slip by so fast

You try to capture the moments

But, oh, how quickly they pass

 

The miracle happens one day you wake up

And see the person they are

Unique in the world, with gifts just their own

To you they’re a shining star

 

No one can reach so deep in your heart

It’s something that you can’t let go

Though they grow up with a life of their own

There’s things only a mother can know

 

That gift, the Lord can put in your heart

Whether the child came from you or not

It’s something that we can give away

The power of love comes from God

 

A richness and depth as the journey ends

You hope you’ve done something right

As you see a reflection that is something good

You know you can rest for the night

 

Trusting in God, they’re in His hands

They were really His all along

The God of the earth let us borrow them

So that we could share His hearts song

 

Through the joys and the sorrows, the love and the pain

We catch a glimpse of Him

As He watches intently each day of our lives

We know why His Son He did send

 

He held nothing back, and we can relate

As we cuddle our precious child

The God of the universe gave us a gift

A mother’s heart, to have for a while.

 

copyright  2018  Jean Chamblee Thomas

HE THOUGHT YOU WERE WORTH IT

Slowly, with purpose
He walked through the streets
Each step He was taking
Your life He could see

Breathing in pain
Sores on His back
He suffered the shame
But His heart was intact

He knew that His mission
It must be fulfilled
There was no other way
Except Calvary’s hill

Looking at faces
His mind must have swirled
He kept the joy before Him
Of saving the world

Strong and determined
As His life blood poured out
He knew it was worth it
He ignored hell’s loud shout

As He hung on the cross
He gave out a cry
As He paid for our sins
Tears streamed from His eyes

Love kept Him there
We’ll never know
How bad was His suffering
The three days He was gone

Paying our penalty
As He hung on the cross
He knew what it took
To redeem all the lost

So now it’s our choice
To believe and receive
The beautiful gift
For which He did bleed

 

copyright 2013 Jean Chamblee

HE WHISPERS

So today is an especially sweet day. I woke up this morning hearing in my head the phrase “I love you to the moon and back”. I wondered if that thought could have been from God? Would He use a common human phrase to communicate with me? And for Him the moon is not very far or big. Haha

Just waking up I wasn’t thinking with my spirit but was just in my head!! So I dismissed it without much thought. Then later I finally got around to doing something the Lord had asked me to do, and that was to mail my book to an old friend. I had been putting it off because I couldn’t find an envelope, but the Lord patiently waited. I put the dollar stamps on it which were in the shape of a moon and proceeded to the mailbox. I knew God was happy about my obeying Him and following through on this. Then I looked up and on the mailbox was a beautiful bluebird. I thought to myself “bluebird of happiness”,which was a phrase I had heard in a movie. Then it dawned on me that God had put the bluebird there as a sign to me that I was making Him happy by doing what He had asked.

Then quickly in my minds eye or spirits eye to be more accurate; I saw a visual of the Father picking me up and joyfully swinging me around in His arms like a little girl. Wow. I was really having a divine encounter all morning and it was so subtle I could have missed it, but thankful I didn’t. I knew God was communicating. Then I walked back in the house and picked up the stamps. The stamps were a picture of the moon! To the moon and back!! Right in my face. I love you to the moon and back! Then again, I looked out the kitchen window and the bluebird was sitting on the wire in the 20 plus wind gusts we’re having today and holding on as if to wait for me to see it, then it jumped off.

Wow again. I could have missed this all. It started with a subtle “I love you to the moon and back” thought as I woke up. How amazing is God!!! He truly does communicate with us . Are we listening? Do we miss the thoughts He sends our way? Are we awake enough to recognize Him. We certainly can be and He will help us if we ask! He has so much joy in us. We make Him happy! You make Him happy! He made you and has a dream for your life. I hope this inspires you to actively “listen” with your spiritual eyes and ears as well as the other. He whispers, but He is full of love for you. Receive it! Hope you have an awesome day!

Blessings, Jean

John 10:27

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Let me tell you something true. God desires you. He loves you. He has amazing plans for you. And He likes you. He likes me, too. His liking of you is not based on how clever you are, how well you can serve Him or what you look like. It’s not about who you know and can influence for HIm. It’s not about your gifting or your pereferences. He likes you because He made you. Like an artist finishes His work an signs it proudly with His name, God has written His name of love across your life.” ~Heidi Baker

King David asks “Who am I that you should be mindful of me?” (Psalm 8:4) Such a good question….it’s about Him and His desire for a family, His most passionate desire to have you choose Him and want Him and know that He loves you through sending His son. If you have not done so…..I pray you will choose Him today. (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Romans 10:13) “Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord (Jesus/Yeshua) shall be saved.” I pray today will be your day. Whisper His name …talk to Him….He is waiting for you!

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

SATAN IS AFTER THE THRONE OF OUR HEARTS! Just exactly what does that mean?
We must ask ourselves…..WHO is supposed to be the King of our hearts? God!! (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!) We know from scripture that Satan is a thief and comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. (John 10:10)

What did he want more than anything? Isaiah records Lucifers words:

Isaiah 14:13-15
“For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’

Lofty words he uttered. He wants to “sit on the mount of the congregation”. That is us.

So how does he accomplish this? Predominantly with lies and deception. (John 8:44) “…When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
(2 Corinthians 11:18)
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

He comes in stealth to take the throne of our hearts and souls. Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions. That’s where it gets tricky. They are always at work and engaged in something. But according to the Word of God, anything we allow to take up our mind, will, and emotions more than God …has become an idol in our hearts. (1 Corinthians 10:14)  “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

On more than one occasion God has called me on the carpet saying “You have an idol in your heart” Each time I was floored thinking that it couldn’t be. But when He told me what it was….I had to agree and admit that what or who He named was occupying my thoughts more than He was. OUCH!

So I simply repented and began to pay attention to my thoughts and affections, making sure they were set first on God. Our priorities in life should be 1. God 2. Spouse 3. Kids/Family 4. Job/Ministry When this delicate balance gets out of whack so do we. It can result in depression, anxiety, overwhelming stress or show up in many different ways. These are just the symptoms that something is amiss in our souls and needs to be adjusted.

It is pretty easy to fix. Just recognizing it is half the battle. Then begin casting down and resisting those thoughts that occupy too much of our being! God is a jealous God. “…For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…” (Exodus 20:4) “…for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God…” (Exodus 34:14)

Actually I think it’s cool that He is so passionate about us. He certainly paid a huge price to show us how much He loves us. To prove His love for us.

I truly believe this is a season of repentance. Even on the Hebrew calendar …we are in the month that they consider a time of repentance. So I encourage each of us to examine our hearts and see if anything or anyone is occupying our mind, will and emotions more than our God. I pray you won’t be a stubborn mule like I can often be and wait until things start falling apart to get my attention! Thank goodness for His mercy! He loves us, wants us, created us…..to be His. I hope you can hear that this is truly a LOVE MESSAGE, and no condemnation. He wants you. What could be better news than that! The King of the Universe wants to be the King of your heart! You are loved!

LET THE LOVE FLOW – Poetry

Oh how I think I can handle so much
When what I so need, is Your gentle touch
Seems like this life is over my head
And truly it is without what You’ve said

I need You every hour, my enemy fierce
Taking me down and bringing me tears
But You see it all and You have a plan
As I call out to You and reach for Your hand

There is a place so gentle and sweet
Where You come so near, I can feel Your heartbeat
You are my Maker, Lord above all
I belong to You and You catch my fall

No one can have that place inside me
It belongs to You, but the enemy’s coveting
They want to dethrone You as the King of my heart
Taking my mind away and from You tear apart

How foolish he is , the devil our foe
It’s You he contends with and covers our soul
When we step away and fail to stay close
The injuries come from the wounds and the blows

You catch every tear, oh Lover of our soul
And begin the work quickly to again make us whole
This life is a battle, a game for the throne
That place in our heart that You call Your own

Help us fall down at Your feet and stay there
Where we are protected and covered in Your care
Wanting to guide us and wisdom to give
Keeping us safe and helping us live

Preparing a place for us yes You are
More beautiful than imagined, that outshines the stars
But oh we must walk with You every day
It’s our only survival, to do things Your way

Gently bend down Lord, in love scoop me up
Heal all the wounds and again fill my cup
Connected again, the enemy fails
Because I’m Your child and You paid with those nails

Oh let the love flow and the stress fall away
As I realize that You Lord are always here to stay
Never apart do we have to be
You paid the price for me to be free

I love You!

copyright 2017 Jean Chamblee