Malfunction!

I'm sorry my brain is temporarily out of order!!! I will inform you when circuits are up and running again.


Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.:)


With much love,

Tracy Jenks

The Importance of Eighteen Inches

First, I would like to apologize to my readers for not being consistent with my blogging. I have had so much going on the last two months. I promise to try and be more regular with my post.


Last night my thirteen year old came running down our stairs and turned the corner and ran into the bookcase. We believe her toe is broken. Of course, there isn't a lot you can do with a broken toe as far as treating it. She has a game to cheer at tonight and she will not be able to perform.

As I think about my daughter and her situation I wonder, how many of us have jammed toes or other ailments that keep us from performing. I know I have a disorder that seems to be a thorn in my side that keeps me from doing the things I want to do. I never stop trying but it definitely interferes with all I would like to do.

I can't help but think that perhaps God is keeping me on His timeline. Even though I don't understand, I trust that He knows what is best for me.

It has taken so long for my belief in God (which comes from my head) to drop eighteen inches to my heart which is where the trust in my Father is. Having belief and trust are two separate things. You can believe all day long but without His trust, our Faith will not be enough. Any of us can believe, even the angels of Hell, but to trust in Him is where your peace comes from. What a great feeling when things start to crumble around us and we are able to know that God is in control, He is not caught by surprise, as we may be.

I realize to have a relationship with God is personal, it can happen in your living room or bedroom or at church. Church is a place we build our Faith and grow it. We are also there because the Word tells us to assemble together and lift each other up. No church is perfect and believe me I know this but I have to ask you guys a question and I hope you will comment at the bottom anonymously if needed.

What keeps you from Church? Being judged, not feeling worthy enough, hypocrites (which we have in every church), because of sin in your life, wanting to get things right first? Perhaps it something completely different. I would like to say that if your waiting to get your life right, it won't happen until you seek God first and then things will become clearer. I have a burden for those who feel they don't belong in church, As I write my book I could use your complete honesty for more insight.

I want you to know that I love you no matter what you have or are going through right now. If you knew my story you would understand more.

Please, Please click on comments and give me some insight into your heart. Thank you sisters and brothers! Don't forget about those eighteen inches from your head to your heart, Faith and Trust.

With much love,
Tracy Jenks

Rollin with Life

It's time to prepare for the trip I have been anticipating for months. I have done months of work, research, praying, doubting, and more research. God said "Yes" you will make this trip one week before final payment was due.

I began to freak-out walking into the unknown, wondering what God had in store for me. I have all my material and final book proposals done. I'm packing my luggage and choose a big bag with compartments for my cosmetics, shoes and also my clothes. I was packing for five days and decided this was the best fit to carry my belongings.

As my good friend Tracy picked me up and we put our luggage in her vehicle, she asked "does that have wheels," I replied "no." She picked up my thirty eight pound bag and gave me a puzzled look.

I tell my wonderful family good-bye and we hit the road headed to Memphis. From there we would head to North Carolina for the Proverbs 31 conference. One taking the speakers track and the other, the writer's track and Women's Ministry track.

What an awesome experience! My brain is in overload with wonderful information that was much needed. What wonderful friends I met. So humbled to be walking completely dependant on my Lord. I'm sure things went just the way God had planned with the exception of a few distractions from Satan himself.

I hope to go again next year , God was so evident in these six hundred Jesus lovin gals.

There was two things that bothered me about this trip. One, I have fat feet and ended up with blisters on my toes and the sides of my feet. I ended up with band-aid wrapped toes and feet. I was sure this 4'11 woman needed some height. Now I realize that dynamite comes in small packages but not with heals!

Secondly, my perfectly picked bag to carry my belongings. I couldn't help but say "what was I thinking?" By the end of the trip I was dragging my bag by the side handle. What did I come home with? A bag that now needs to be thrown in the garbage because it has much wear and many holes. Why didn't I bring a bag with wheels?

This makes me wonder if I am doing life on wheels or am I dragging myself over the rocks, through the crowds, thrown into my compartments or using myself the way God created me to?

You see, what I know is it's great being on wheels, being a Jesus Gal! If I stay humble and keep my eyes on my Father He will be faithful to keep me exactly where I should be. Completely surrendered to His plan.

" The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you , Lord have never forsaken those who seek you."

Psalm 9:9-10

This is the verse picked up under the cross as we departed our last session at an awesome, divine appointment scheduled by my Father in Heaven.

Stay on your wheels with the Lord, things will always go much smoother and less rocky otherwise. Thank you to Proverbs 31 for making this appointment possible.

Please post a comment, I want to hear from you, I want to know you.

With much love,

Tracy Jenks

In Hiding

It seems like forever since I have talked to you last. I was sure these summer months, off from work would be free from distraction.

I am one of those that need routine in their lives. I have always and still do, look forward to summertime. Once they arrive, I seem to walk in circles wondering what to do. I have never set goals for my summer months - except this summer.

A goal I am determined to follow through with. Something that the Lord has had on my mind for over three years. I have been working on my book and getting ready to meet with publishers at the end of the month but not without life happening in the midst of it all. I think this summer has had more come up than any other.

God is bringing me full circle from young childhood to where I am today. He is my hiding place. If it is God's will (I never saw this coming), we will be closing on a house on Tuesday! God works in mysterious ways, the house we are buying is directly across from the house we lost because of much hardship. God's unconditional love is amazing! I don't deserve what He has given me but He loves me as His child and forgives me, as we forgive our own children.

What is so amazing about it all, is the peace I have! As I have grown with my Heavenly Father, so has the peace I have. With everything that has come up over the months, in the past, I could picture myself pulling my hair out. I thank God that He has brought me to this place, In the Palm of His Hand.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalms 32:7

Amen

With much love,

Tracy Jenks

What are you clinging to?

As I sit in silence... not sure what to do, I did what I often do, discuss what is on my mind - with my God. It is silent because my two teenage daughters are off to Florida with the church, I am just not used to being here alone. Oh, my husband is at work.

Anyway, my daughter Morgan has been soooo clingy lately. She is such a vibrant girl, what is disturbing about her being clingy is, she normally is the energizer battery. This started a little before she got sick. She was nervous about this trip, she hasn't even stayed at friends houses. She was scared she would have a bad episode and I wouldn't be there. My heart just breaks for her. I know what it is like being sick, it changes your life style. I am probably just as bad as she is about being apart. It's hard for us both and I knew she needed to build up some self-confidence that she could still live a normal life, for the most part. I think we both needed the reassurance.

Ps. 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

I remind myself daily that my children are His before they are mine, in faith I needed to let her go. I know she is in "The Palm of His Hand".

This reminds me of the exact relationship I have with my Father. I cling to Jesus even worse than she clings to me. I wonder if that is a sin?:) I believe that is exactly how He wants us to come to Him. He wants us to come to Him as our children come to us, as we should go to our parents.

Matt. 19 13-15 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

Satan of course would make things worse by turning a wonderful statement of a thirteen year old into an anxious thought. These are the verses I cling to right now as my baby is having a great time in Florida.

Morgan makes random statements like "I just wish Jesus would come on and get us... I mean... why leave us here?" "Aren't you ready to go to Heaven mom?" "I'm just going to live with you forever, it's to scary living out there in the world... know what I mean mom?" I just look into her beautiful blue eyes, in amazement and think she is thirteen... I am ready for Heaven now but I wasn't even close at thirteen.

I guess you know where I'm headed with this, the evil one tries to use awesome things in our lives to make you think of the "what if's", when those statements were no more than the love she has for God.

When these thoughts arise, I meditate on verses of the Bible until the thoughts go away. My Lord is always capable of overriding Satan's attacks. I praise God for that!

Cling to the only thing that won't take off to Florida, one you can put all your hope in. Keep your thoughts on God. "Be anxious about nothing, but pray continually."

With much love,
Tracy

What do you think?

As I ponder on the grace and mercy of my Heavenly Father, I can't help but ask a question. When you deliberately ignore someone, gossip even about children (God's pride and joy), lie, or are simply rude to someone; is that sin the same as any other sin in our Father's eyes? It seems that many feel as if there are different rates of sin. Some are worse than other's.

It is easy to have this frame of mind, it's hard to believe that killing someone and gossip would both be rated on the same sin scale. Guess what, we are not the judge, God is. Our Father ensures us that if we believe in Jesus Christ with all of our heart and ask for forgiveness, it is granted.

If a killer ask for forgiveness, true forgiveness and turns from his sin, he is forgiven. Let's say, someone who continually gossips or treats people as if they are beneath them and continues to do so, even knowing they are doing it, where does that rate on the scale? Only God knows but I do know that these (especially in our churches) are turning people away from our Abba Father. I realize all churches have there issues and I Boldly suggest that if you are going to church for any other reason besides God, disappointment and hurt are ahead.

How many of you struggle with this in church as well as out of church? No one is perfect and I realize that, I am far from it myself, but for some reason many of us believe it should be different in church, and it Should. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and prophecy is being filled, we need to keep evil spirits from our church homes before Satan gets a solid foothold.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph. 4:29

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Prov 17:28

Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Eph. 4:25

This is weighing heavy on my mind this morning, along with many mornings. How many of you are witnesses of this yourself? Is it disheartening to you? Has it kept you from attending church?

I can not say that I have never been guilty of this but I truly want to apologize to anyone I may have offended by my words or actions. Please forgive me.

I would truly like to hear your response concerning these questions, please reply by clicking the comments below. I value any ones opinion that would like to share. Thank you and have a great week!

Please also be in prayer for me, God is moving in my life and moving me. May I be obedient in all He leads me to and it's not always easy.

With much love,
Tracy Jenks

Rest in the Lord

As I fall into my comfy bed
my body lay at rest
Yes... relaxation at it's best

I wake to an annoying noise
a noise to familiar
one I dread to hear

It's time again
to start all over
it's time to remove the cover

I say to my Father
here I am
I must be part of your plan

I say good morning
King of glory
I can't wait to hear the story

The story behind the shooting star
that I saw from afar
as you spoke, I was so aware

The yearning in my heart
was all about you
and all you can do

It's not about me and my wish
It's about our relationship
Before it didn't matter

But after that day
I went astray
I lost my path

The path you made for me
before I could see...
I thank you for your mercy

Before my eyes were opened
I lived for me
until you showed the importance of maturity

Matured I have
with each passing day
a bump in the road causes delay

Delayed but still going
knowing your love for me
keeps me striving for eternity

Not only eternity
but for me
and my family

Blessings are abundant
Why would you glimpse at me?
A woman with leprosy?

You give strength to the weak
and answer those who seek
and you comfort those who weep

Many can't see
because they do not search
please protect them from this world's curse

Relationships aren't meant for only trails
they grow abundantly with each mile
there is a Savior who can fill your soul

Your soul was made for Him
the piece that's missing
Why do you keep guessing?

Are you fearful?
What will it change?
Things will never be the same.

Before, it didn't matter
then soon after
I realized with laughter

God is patient
It is a process
Exciting I must confess

You will never know
until you search
for the one that should come first

He is loving
He is kind
He is gracious beyond mankind

He is our God
our Comforter
our Strong tower

Crawl into your resting place
rest in the Lord
there is no greater reward

Do it now
don't hesitate
soon, it will be to late!


by-Tracy Jenks