Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 7/15/2009
Sooooo.............
It's been a while! Hello my faithful friends. How about you say, "We get this thing going again!"
My son has graduated high school and is about to step into a new season of life called college. The Lord blessed us with the most amazing gift - FULL RIDE! Yep, all four years of his college is completely paid for plus extra financial aide to keep him going. WOW GOD! He makes more than me, hahahaha!
This brings me to ME. I, too, am stepping into a new season of life. After becoming quite used to being a fulltime mom, meeting all the needs of a wonderful son, I am once again going to be doing this ride single-handed.
I know I have lots of great friends and an even greater God who will never leave me nor forsake me, but just the same, I live alone. I can do pretty much what I want now with no guilt of leaving anyone behind.
Pretty much what I want... hmmm... novel concept if you are one who completely desires to do only what God wants. Which is WHAT!?
I have several options, but what is my heart? What drives my passions? What lights my fire? What glorifies God and exalts the name of Jesus Christ?
I have a burning desire to make disciples and send them out! I have a call to speak and be heard. I have a genuine drive to help people get set free from bondage.
I love to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I love to seek and soak in the presence of God. I love to sing praises to His name and commune with Him.
So, where do we go from here? To the Throne Room!
Please join me in prayer for the next season of my life, and if you are entering a new season, please let me know!! I would love to join with you, too.
I need you partners. I need you friends!
With love always,
Jennifer
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 1/12/2009
 1 Down, 2 To Go! Weeks that is...
Can you believe it has been a week already!? I'm telling you though, there really is nothing "fun" about fasting! I am glad it is not a work but simply a joy to honor God, who lives in us.
Fasting without Prayer = Diet!
The devil has no victory, though he has put his best foot forth in trying. THREE times he has blasted me with lies that could have been very persuasive, but I know that I know God has called me to this fast!
1. A close friend called me out on the purpose of my fast to which I am grateful, because that helped put into perspective just how much I want to honor my body as the Temple of the Living God ~ my KING!
2. Someone very close to me and FULL of wisdom (usually) tried their best in convincing me that we do not have to fast, and if we can "drink" an apple then why can't we eat it. Wow, that was really convincing, but the Holy Spirit is more!
3. The sermon on Sunday was based upon God's love for us and that our works cannot get us any closer to that fact. Boy oh boy did the enemy have a field day with that one. "you're only doing this for brownie points with God... etc..." You know the lies. Well, I silenced him and praised God for breakthrough!
"The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
The Bible does not say a whole lot about fasting, but it does speak a considerable amount on faithfulness. Yes, I would loooove to sink my teeth into a sandwich, or a plate of spaghetti, or some BEEF!, but I would much rather honor Him who is faithful to me! And again, I know that I know, God has called me to this fast.
I really am having SUCH a good time.
The funny thing is ~ I'm not hungry. JESUS is my Bread and my Water! He is my portion. I am satisfied. That is why the enemy is trying to attack my mind. Stupid Devil! I have the mind of Christ!
How are you? Please share with me!! I want to know how to pray for you!
Blessings and Prayers,
Jennifer
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 1/5/2009
Good morning my friends! I trust in the Lord that your holidays were all wonderful, blessed, and full of Jesus!
This blog is a follow up to the blog, "An Invitation" that I wrote a while back. Today is the day we start our 21 day fast! If you have already begun... wonderful!
I am writing you to encourage you with strength and vision, but first, I want to thank you sooo much for joining in with me on this fast! You have been so faithful to come alongside me spiritually. It is a strand that cannot be broken!
Whatever fast you are doing (Daniel, juice, other), I encourage you in the Lord to be strong and faithful. You will be so blessed by doing so!
For accountability, I am doing a complete liquid fast. I will be drinking coffee :-), juices and broths. 21 days is a long time, but I know the Lord has called me to do this; therefore, He WILL give me the strength to carry through! I am believing God for breakthrough in some physical areas and also for my future for next year. I need to know where to go and what to do when my son goes to college. I have a divided heart, and that is not of God!
My son, Christopher, is also fasting. He will be doing the Daniel fast. First, I have to say that I am so so sooo proud of him! It is his first fast ever, and he is super excited. He sees and understands the benefits spiritually, mmm such growth! Praise God! Second, he has some concerns, as do I, for college and scholarships... we are believing together for a miracle! God is faithful! I am excited at the thought of God showing Christopher His love for him too!
We have a plan, but God has a Master plan!
In saying all that, how can I be praying for you? What are some of your goals? What fast are you doing so I can hold you accountable too?
I am asking you to believe that God can do the unimaginable, the unthinkable, the unbelievable! He is a mighty God! He is THE mighty God! Let's dream God-sized dreams together. I will believe with you too. There is enough room in my theology to do that. Is there enough in yours?
I believe in you!
Jennifer
"I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. I will put my dwelling place among you." Levitcus 26:9-11
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 12/6/2008
 Seth Barnes, founder of Adventures in Missions (AIM), wrote a blog that I think is of interest to everyone! Soooo... I "borrowed" it to post here on my blog.
MERRY CHRISTMAS ORPHANS!
Seth Writes:
I love what some Christians are doing to minister to widows and orphans through imaginative ways. Take Product(RED), for example: Bono saw the consumerist tendencies of Americans and, instead of beating them over the head with statistics, utilized corporate revenue to bring life-saving drugs to AIDS victims in Africa.
Or, take my friend Tom Davis, who helped start Saint's Coffee, which promises that for every pound of coffee you buy, an orphan is fed for an entire month. I see more and more of these types of businesses springing up these days. It is a creative way for the ministry-minded and business-minded to get together and collaborate in ways that advance the kingdom of God. For more on Saint's Coffee, check out the following:
It's that time of year when our minds turn toward giving gifts to those we love.
 This year Saint's Coffee is offering several special coffee blends and Christmas packages for the holiday season.
This reasonably priced, fair trade and organic coffee is among the top 3 percent of all coffee in the world. And when you drink it... you are helping more than yourself.
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 11/25/2008
Hello My Dear Friends!
I just love all of you sooo much! I am grateful for each and every one of you. I really REALLY am! Ah man, when I think about where my life would be today without you, I shake my head, and then I give God some praise!
I am writing this blog as an invitation! I am inviting you to the awesome privilege of a fast. As the New Year kicks in, I want to souly turn my focus toward Jesus Christ! I will be enjoying a 21 day fast, and would like to know if you will join me.
I am writing you long in advance so you can pray and see what way you would like to do and begin to prepare for your fast. The fast will begin on Monday, January 5th and will go for 21 days! (I will be on vacation with my sister till then.)
Why am I inviting you? Because Iron sharpens Iron! I want to be an earth shaker! The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. The time is NOW! That's me~ That's you ~ That's US! I believe in you!
This fast is primarily to honor God and seek His face and let my heart connect with His in a profound way. Oh how I just want to draw more and more near to Him.
His voice will be heard.
His name will be exalted.
His will, will be done.
Is this true for you?
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Watch the whole thing! The last 20 seconds will change your life! Oh death where is your victory; where is your sting?
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 11/23/2008
HA! I'm still alive, and I'm still around!
It has been a while since I have written. Sorry! This blog will not be that long.
I just wanted to say that I love you all and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 9/8/2008
Today is Christopher's 18th Birthday! Oh Boy!
I got up and cooked him bacon and eggs for breakfast, and tonight I will cook him the meal of his choice and bake him a chocolate/chocolate cake!
(Please pray for me, as this is totally against my fast. Would it be right to share a piece of cake with my son on his birthday this one time, or do I resist like crazy?)
Man, I can't believe he is 18!
When I look back in retrospect, I can honestly say, "Where has the time gone?" He is a big boy. Hahahaha... I told him this morning that in the legal sense and in society's eyes, he is considered a man, BUT he will always be my baby! He liked both of those statements.
I started weeping at the table this morning. I could not control it. He was tickled at me. He even teased me. He knows that I love him so much! I am such a sucker for him, and I don't care!
Oh God thank you!!! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful son!
In your time today, when you read this short blog, PLEASE say a special prayer for Chris. He has such a call on his life. I see such fruit. It is a mother's desire to see her son walk out that call with passion!
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 8/22/2008
 Okay.... I have been on a bad benge with eating! I really really need your help!!!
This is such a sensitive subject. It is not just every day a woman will put out there, especially on the internet, her struggles with food and weight!
For the month of September (actually starting on the 2nd), I am going to fast from ALL sweets, cereals, beef & unclean meats, sodas, ice-cream, and drive-thrus, as well as, fasting food completely once a week.
I am not dieting! I hate dieting! I have been on a diet for 5 years... I am over it!!! I just want to eat healthy. Whatever that looks like.... I have always been a junk-food-junkie...
I have been studying how to truly eat well and honor my body as a temple. I will be eating fresh/steamed veggies, fruits, nuts and fish. I have been on a good regimen for vitamins and nutrients, too. The enemy has been coming at me full force, but greater is HE who is in me.
So, I am BEGGING you to please re-visit this blog during and at the end of September, and ask me how I'm doing with this challenge. Actually, I invite you to join me. There is power in accountability!
I have done this before... month long fasts from food items, but never so intense. The fact is, I struggle big-time with eating. I don't normally tell people when I am fasting, but as the Scriptures say, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak..." Boy oh boy is this true!
Even if you don't join me, I am asking you from the bottom of my heart to please pray for me
I love you!
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 8/10/2008
 On this day, my son Christoper, moved in with me. YES! He moved in with me.
A couple of weeks ago, he said to me, "Mom, I want to tell you something, but I don't want you to get your hopes up." That's enough to make any parent nervous. He said, "I am thinking about moving in with you." My spirit leaped inside of me! I know how Elizabeth felt while pregnant with John the Baptist, when Mary showed up pregnant with Jesus!
Avoiding the "hopes up" syndrome, I told him whatever he wanted to do, I would support that decision.
Now two weeks later, he has officially moved in. His room is in order (well at least his stuff is in there... thrown).
It has been a long journey, and an even tougher one than any I have been through. I would never want to live it again. I have abandoned my son in the past, and there was fear, I'm sure, that I may do it again. However, over time, I have proven to my son that I am here for him. At first, all I wanted to do was "run" home, but God would not let me! OH HOW I AM GRATEFUL!
My son and I are closer than ever. We have an open door policy with our thoughts and our lives. As a result, he trusts me, and to God be the glory. It wasn't so long ago that I was not a trustworthy person.
 TONIGHT, as we were moving in his stuff, I asked him what does he want on his walls (his room is black and white). He quickly said, "posters of Lindsay Lonahan and a couple more young hotties." I assured him that that was not going up... He laughed so loud and hard. It cracked me up too. It was great to know that he feels that comfortable with me to joke like that.
My son is quite the boy. HA! I guess they really never grow out of that.
We both know that this is going to stretch us to who knows what. My place is MUCH smaller than what he is used to, and I have lived completely alone for over six years!!! OH BOY! Also, financially it is going to be quite different too. God is my provider though!!!
Time is a healer! So is LOVE! I know that I know that Christopher knows that he knows, I LOVE HIM!!! Just like God, I will never leave him nor forsake him.
For all of those who have walked this journey with me, THANK YOU for praying with me, putting up with me, and more than anything, not letting me give up! I love you!!!
I would ask for continued love, prayers, and accountability. This journey is not over; it has really just begun!
Children are a gift from God! Thank you God for the gift of your Son and mine!
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Posted in My list of Blogs by Jennifer Smith on 7/26/2008
Hello again.
An edition to living out my dream:
On Friday, I was a speaker at a women's retreat where 300 women gathered to praise our Lord and get refreshed in Him. Though I was not the main speaker but a workshop speaker, there was still a great turnout of women; the room was packed!
The theme of the conference was "Victorious Women." But who knows that life gets in the way of feeling victorious sometimes.
As we began, I felt that a short song to the Lord would be appropriate. Amazing Grace was suitable for the occasion. See, I was giving my testimony. Giving my testimony has been the open door to many speaking engagements. I have done it so much, that I don't even "study" for it. After all, I did live it you know. I just go and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me in what God wants to reveal.
The Lord has given me a spirit of creativity with it now, too. I don't just give my testimony. (You try talking the same talk for 6 yrs straight.) I get the audience engaged and participate. A revelation that the Lord gave me was not to just tell the testimony and the call on my life, but help others tap into the heart of Father and the call on their life... to grasp the dream in their heart and execute it... GO FOR IT! Oh it is sooo much fun!!!! I love seeing others get over the "only ifs" and confess the "I cans." I love to see others gain the surpassing knowledge of who they are in Christ!
As I closed my session, 30+ women responded to the altar call of writing down what was in their heart. With tears streaming down some faces, with the look of hope and excitement, it was qutie obvious that they had certainly tapped into a place they had not visited in a long time or perhaps did not even know existed.
 We took the time to put some of our dreams (and hurts) on paper. Here are a few of the responses:
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To be a teacher or nurse, a missionary or speaker: Even if I've failed, I can try again... I have failed. Sister, I want to be on fire for Him. I am oppressed and need freedom from the onslaught of the enemy that has me bound.
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A ministry to homosexuals and the church.
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This one broke my heart: What is my dream? Can't be sure that I know the truth. Oh... I'm only fooling myself. I have always dreamed of having a companion and children, but at 45, I have given up.
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I want to finance many Christian institutions. (I wish I knew who this is!!!)
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I want to write and produce music.
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I want to write a book... the list goes on and on.
I am hugely encouraged by these notes. I brought the stack of them home to pray for them all. As I was going through them, my heart just melted. I know that I know the Lord wants to answer the desires of these ladies hearts! He is so very faithful! I would ask that you would lift up to our Lord these women too!
We then closed with an intimate time in the Lord, giving HIM the glory for a wonderful day! We clutched hands and exalted the name of Jesus in prayer, then we seized the moment with another closing song... "Aaaamen.... Aaaamen..... Aaamen, Amen, Amen!"
Oh what a time of freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!
"Oh God, may we love You in all things and above all things. May we reach the joy which You have prepared for us in advance. All that is good comes from Your hand. It is your desire to see your children joyful and walking in freedom. Place in our hearts a desire to please You and fill our minds with thoughts of You. May we truly be victorious in our minds and in all we do! To you, our Lord be all the glory."
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