Why can't we go on vacation?!

I'm sure the title of my blog is a question that you may have asked recently if you want to go on vacation this summer. 

This is a question that has filled the brain of this Jones girl lately. It's not that we can't afford to go, it's that we are choosing to sacrifice. What I mean is, that we are trying to save money to eventually buy a bigger home for our family. 

Our family is growing and expected to one day have little people crawling around on the floor. Right now, if we had little people, we would literally be tripping because of the lack of space. 

Now, I am SO grateful for my existing home. God has blessed us completely! It just has come to the point that we need more room. Simple right? 

Although we know we need to save money and we are paying off any debts that we may have, I STILL long for the sight of palm trees, the smell of the ocean and sand between my toes. I STILL want to be there NOW. 

Maybe you don't like the beach as much as I do. Maybe you long to be somewhere cold and rainy (I don't understand that...lol) but anyhow, maybe the beach isn't your cup of tea but it IS mine. 

I thought I loved everything about the ocean and then I got to thinking........but I don't like hurricanes or tropical storms. I definitely wouldn't want to live close to a beach when a hurricane is on it's way. 

The truth is, we ALL face "hurricanes" or "storms" in our lives. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus is on a boat and there's a storm that is threatening the very lives of the folks that Jesus was traveling with. They were freaking out! And then they go and find Jesus asleep?! This is an unexpected reaction! But it speaks to me in a BIG WAY! 

If we know who is in charge, we DON'T need to worry. 

I realized that today after talking to a friend about some things that I was worried about. I realized that each storm has a purpose in your life. You may not understand it now, but you soon will. You may not understand why the waves are SO BIG and that you can't see above them BUT God knows right where you are. You are not alone in the storm. 

There's been a song that I've been listening to non-stop and it's called Oceans (Where feet may fail). God has made this song SO REAL to me. It talks about trusting Him without borders....in other words, don't limit God and what He can do. Listen and enjoy.. 

Bible in 90 Days (Friday reading)

A group of us at church are reading the Bible in 90 days and I have agreed to blog on Friday's about our reading...So here goes! 

Nehemiah 13:15-17

Bottom line: Honor the Sabbath! 

Esther 1-2

What I take away from this chapter is there’s an intentional measure of describing the party that’s about to take place, after King Xerxes’ exhibit to show how important he was. He is described to us as a King that was in high regard (or so he thought).

The King decides to throw a weeklong party. His drunken self calls for his wife to come to him so he could show her off because of her beauty. She refuses. Let’s think about this; why would she refuse? First of all, it was against the custom of the Persians for women to appear in public. Secondly, he wanted to “show her off” like she was a trophy wife, when he should’ve been protecting her.

She was actually asked SEVERAL times to meet the King and she refused every time. Now if she had obeyed the King’s orders, would she have been looked down upon?

King Xerxes gets angry and probably embarrassed because he was trying to display the splendor of his kingdom and then he gets shut down by his own wife? So he goes and talks to his “counsel” and asks’ them what he can do legally to his wife.

The King’s anger grew inside him. He had rule over 127 provinces but he couldn’t rule over his own family or his own spirit.

The majority of his cabinet pretty much tells him that he had better do something because if he didn’t then all the women of the land would think that they too could dismiss their husbands.

So King Xerxes annnounces a royal ruling that his wife was permanently banned from his presence and he would find someone else that would know her place.

Whether it was the passion or the policy of King Xerxes by this new law, it did open a door for Esther to step into the Queen’s place.

Later the King started to have second thoughts about what he had done. So his attendant’s stepped in and urged him to press forward with what had been decided. So they tell him that they will put the word out that they are searching for beautiful young virgins for the king and that whomever he choses will replace the Queen.

I think it’s interesting that each woman that was brought to the palace had to go through a 12 month prescribed beauty treatment, AND THEN she went to the King. SO this was a long process.

The King visits with each of the young virgins and then he sees a girl named Esther. Esther is an orphan and was raised by her cousin, Mordecai. He immediately falls in love with her. He places a crown on her head and made her Queen. At this time he doesnt know she's Jew. He throws her party and appropriately calls it “Esther’s Banquet”. He even makes it a holiday!

One of the most important parts of this selection is that Esther was a Jew. She was also an orphan. Her cousin, Mordecai raised her and told her to never tell anyone of her racial background and she didn’t.

Later in the Chapter, Mordecai is sitting at the King’s gates; he overhears two of the king’s eunuchs planning to kill him. So Mordecai tells Esther and then Esther tells the King. Mordecai received credit for saving the King’s life. Something struck me, while reading this. Did Mordecai work for the King now? Why was he there at the gates? I know earlier in the chapter it talks about how Mordecai would be around the gates before Esther was queen, to basically check up on her and see what she was up to. I don’t know the answer, but I thought it was interesting.

Esther 3-4

King Xerxes appoints Haman as the highest-ranking official in the King’s government. Everyone had to bow down to him, but Mordecai would NOT do it. This infuriates Haman. Then he learned that Mordecai was a Jew and instead of just doing something to him, Haman wanted to punish all Jews throughout the Kingdom.

So he goes to King Xerxes and tells him “the people that don’t fit in or who are different, must be destroyed.” He even says he’ll pay for it.

So the King gives him his signet ring, (what informs people that it’s approved of the King) and says, “It’s your money, do whatever you want.”

So the word is spread throughout the provinces to kill Jews, young and old on a single day. While all this news of a massacre was spreading, the King and Haman sat back and had a drink. I'm not sure that the king really knew what Haman was planning.  

So Mordecai is OBVIOUSLY upset at the King’s orders. So much so that he goes in the middle of the street and rips his clothes, puts on sackcloth and ash on his head and begins wailing in desperation for his people. He finds himself at the King’s gate where there isn’t supposed to be anyone dressed in sackcloth. 

Esther’s maids told her what was going on and she sent Mordecai some fresh clothes but he refused them. So Esther sent one of the royal eunuchs, Hathach, to go to Mordecai to find out what was happening. Mordecai explained the horror of what was to take place.

Basically, the end of this chapter ends like this; Mordecai sends a message saying that she should go to the king to plead for the Jews. Esther tells Mordecai that she must be invited to speak to the king. But she urges Mordecai to gather up the Jews in Susa and fast for her. Then she would go to the king. She says, “If I die. I die.”

Something interesting here, Esther knew she had to PREPARE to go and see the king. She knew she needed the prayers of her people to accomplish what needed to be done.

Esther 5-7

Esther dresses in her royal robes and goes to speak with the king. He welcomes her and invites her in. He asks’ her what she desires and she tells him to come to a dinner with her and Haman. He agrees and they dine. While at dinner the kings asks’ Esther again what it is that she wants. Esther says for him to come to dinner again tomorrow and THEN she will give him a straight answer.

So Haman leaves the dinner and he’s a pretty happy guy until he sees Mordecai, (the Jew)….So Haman goes home and explains what’s going on saying that the Queen invited him to another dinner tomorrow night but he can’t enjoy any of it because of Mordecai.

His family tells him to go and build a gallows (where people are hanged) and then to go and tell the king to order that Mordecai be hanged, then go enjoy dinner…..Haman liked that idea and so he had the gallows built.

So the King couldn’t sleep that night. He order that his servant come and read him his journal. In it, he had recoirded that Mordecai once stopped an assassination attempt on his life. He asked what honor had been given to Mordecai for doing this and his servant said, “Nothing.”

The King wondered if anyone was in the courtyard and the servant told him that Haman was out there. Haman was on his way to talk to the King about hanging Mordecai. The servant explains that the King wants to honor a man for his good deeds and Haman immediately thinks it’s him. Haman says what he thinks should be done and the King agrees.

He tells Haman to “bring a royal robe that the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crown on its head. Then give the robe and the horse to one of the king’s most noble princes. Have him robe the man whom the king especially wants to honor; have the prince lead him on horseback through the city square, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man whom the king especially wants to honor!’”

So Haman did it. Then he ran home and cried. While he was still talking to his family, the king’s eunuchs came to pick up Haman for the dinner that had been planned the night before.

While at dinner, Esther explains what is going on with her people. That they were to be killed. And she explains that Haman was the one that had arranged it all.

The King is outraged. Fear struck Haman and so he started pleading for his life to Queen Esther. Then to make matters worse, the king had stepped out for a moment and while he was gone, the Bible says that Haman was “groveling” at the couch where Esther was reclining. So it must’ve appeared as if Haman was trying to do something to the Queen. When King Xerxes comes back in the room, he says, “ Will he even molest the queen while I’m just around the corner?”

This infuriates the King. And Haman knows that his life is about to end. The a eunuch announces to the king to look across the courtyard and see the gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai. The eunuch explains everything and the King says, “ Hang him on it.” Pointing to Haman.

Esther 8-10

After all of the truth coming out about Esther and Mordecai, the King takes the signet ring off of Haman and gives it to Mordecai. He also appointed Modecai over Haman’s estate.

Then Esther pleds with the King to revoke the plan to kill all the Jews. The King says, ““I’ve given Haman’s estate to Esther and he’s been hanged on the gallows because he attacked the Jews. So go ahead now and write whatever you decide on behalf of the Jews; then seal it with the signet ring.”

The order read that the Jews could defind themselves if anyone tried to harm them.

Mordecai walked away from the palace with a royal robe, a gold crown and a purple cape of fine linen. Jews celebrated with Mordecai. They celebrated in the streets with cheering and eating! And many non Jews, became Jews because now it was dangerous to not be a Jew!

Then the Jews overtook the people that tried to kill them. And all the Kings government officails actually helped the Jews because of Mordecai. They also killed ALL of Haman’s sons.

Everything was reported back to the King. He asked Esther what else should be done. She said to tell everyone to stop killing and that she wanted Haman’s sons to be strung up in the gallows so that everyone could see.

All of this is still recognized today but the Jewish holiday called, Purim.

We are through ESTHER!

Job Chapters 1-8

Going to do this a little different….

Job 1 – Job loses his income and his children

Job 2 – Job's health is threatened

Job 3 -  Job finally cries out

Job 4 -  Job’s friends give their advice

Job 5 – Misery until you find God

Job 6 – Job realizes who his friends are

Job 7 – Job complains to God and then asks for forgiveness

What I find most intriguing about the whole book of Job is that he went through SO MUCH and still chose to be obedient to God.

I mean, in the first chapter he loses his way of income and his children! All 10 of them!

The other things is that Satan had to ask permission to test Job. This shows how mighty God is!

I have really enjoyed this reading! The book of Esther is a little different than all of other books of the Bible though. There’s not a lot of talk about the Lord. Mordecai, of course, demonstrated his devotion to God, but as far, seeing anything that the Lord said to anyone, is not seen in this book.

There is a lot of talk about King Xerxes, who is still talked about today in current video games and in the movie 300.

The book of Job is that book of the Bible that really demonstrates the powerfulness of simply being obedient to God. Job didn’t understand what was happening to him and he complained about it. But he still chose to honor the Lord.

Happy reading!! 

Tear down the Walls

Ya wanna Fight?!

At the urging of a friend, I am back at the blogging grind. 

There's a topic that I have been thinking about and that is the topic of FIGHTING. There can be an array of subjects how the term can be used. 

Just for kicks, I looked up the definition of the term 'fighting'. 

fight  (ft) v. fought (fôt), fight·ing, fights v.intr. 1. a. To attempt to harm or gain power over an adversary by blows or with weapons. b. Sports To engage in boxing or wrestling. 2. To engage in a quarrel; argue: They are always fighting about money. 3. To strive vigorously and resolutely: fought against graft; fighting for her rights.  So as you can see, it can mean several things. What comes to your mind when you think of the word fighting? Do you think of an armed solider fighting for America? Do you think of you arguing or in a physical fight with someone? Do you think of someone in a hospital bed, fighting for their life? Do you think of ROCKY in a fighting scene? Do you think of someone being so stubborn that they're fighting for their opinions to be right? Do you think of someone fighting for a cause?  There are a number of things that come to my mind. But then questions arise from the pile of scenarios; Why does arguing or physical fighting exist? How did it ever come to be? When in an argument with someone, why would the thought of actually hitting them come into your mind?   I can understand the other scenarios; the FIGHTING for a cause like Human Trafficking or FIGHTING to end abortion. I can even understand someone being stubborn and FIGHTING to make sure their side of a story is right. But actually hitting someone....I don't understand.  But that's not what this particular blog is about. I wanted to write about 'fighting' because I see or hear about it almost EVERYDAY. Sometimes it's positive but a lot of the time it's negative.  The positive side of it I LOVE to see, are people fighting for a cause in our world. People fighting for each other. Or I'll see a post about a solider fighting for me. THAT's what moves me and reassures me that there are people that TRULY care for each other.  Now let's talk about the negative. We all know those folks that post from time to time on Facebook about how "now they know who their true friends are" or they use the term "people" knowing that who they're talking about is reading what they post. Come on! Really? Is that how you want to spend your days? Demeaning others so that YOU can share YOUR THOUGHTS and OPINIONS? Because you've NEVER messed up, right?  Ok I'll get off my rant about that.  I also have had situations I've heard about where a person fights with everything they've got, to ensure that THEY don't lose something they want. Whether it's a boyfriend, best friend, etc. They will go to extreme's to keep what they think they have.   In all of these different scenarios, laying behind all the actions and words, there is something that is similar and that is PASSION. Passion can be good or bad.  I know of someone that was also passionate and that was JESUS. They didn't call the movie "Passion of the Christ" for no reason! In the words of Christine Caine, "They didn't call it the "Christian Obligation of the Christ". Sometimes that's how folks view their Christian walk, as an obligation. Some even see going to church, as an obligation. Something to do on a Sunday? What? Isn't that a bit dangerous to think that way?  Jesus was passionate about His life and that's how we should be.   So I ask you these questions; What are you passionate about? What are you fighting for? How do people perceive you? Do they know what you are fighting for?  I know, I know...deep questions for a Friday. But try to think about it... Good day, nat j

As though it is

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ~ Hebrews 11:1

Many of you know that Jared and I have struggled with infertility for 10 years. This is something I never thought would happen to me as a little girl thinking of myself having a family and being a mommy. After all these years of crying out to God and feeling that I'm inadequate, I had a breakthrough while on Choir Tour about a week ago. I was reminded of Hanna in 1 Samuel 1. She poured herself out to God. So much so that Eli thought she was drunk! I feel as though God was asking me to completely surrender to Him and so I did.

I have decided to live and think in a new way. A way that God has called us to live. A life that is FULL of faith and hope. Because of this new way of thinking, we have decided to call our future children by name. To speak about them, to pray and dream over them. At first, I thought "Is this weird? Should I really do that?" 

Then I thought to myself that if we really believe that God can do the miraculous, this is one small thing we can do. We believe He will fulfill His promise to us. So we have decided to call things as though they are.

My desire is to have twins; a boy and a girl.

So here are their names:

Selah Grace Jones and Sullivan Nathaniel Jones

I know maybe no one has ever done this before but I feel it's a HUGE step of faith for Jared and me.

Please pray for them..I know they haven't yet come but I would like to usher my children in on a HUGE wave of prayer. I want them to be close to the heart of God. I want people to know their names and to call them out in prayer. 

Pray for Jared and me as well; that we will stand strong in our faith and cling to the hope we have in Jesus. I know this is different but I believe its for a divine purpose. 

I want God to be glorified in all of this! I want people's faith to be increased when they see and hear what God has done. That is the reason for everything! To bring Him glory! To make Him BIG and me small. 

Even if I don't have a boy and girl twins, I know that God knows what's best and I am happy either way. Will you stand and pray with us? 

Thank you for your prayers in advance! 

~ Natalie

Ready to be Revolutionary

"Revolutionary- refers to something that has a major, sudden impact on society or on some aspect of human endeavor. " 



Do you ever just sit and think about God's faithfulness? Do you ever wonder what He has in store for you? Do you ever think that you're not doing enough; That you HAVE to do more for the Kingdom? Do you ever feel an urgency or restlessness to tell people about Jesus and the love He has for the world? 

Well this is how I've been feeling. I believe that God is looking throughout the earth for people to DO and MOVE. I also believe that we must have a starting point. Just like in the sermon yesterday from Josh Robinson, we have to STOP doing all of the things that we KNOW hold us back.  We have to know Jesus in order to tell others about Him. We have to be disciples first.  

Recently, I've been thinking about the DASH. I've heard many sermons about the "dash". The "dash" meaning the dash between the year you were born and the year you die. That is what's important. I don't want to live my life always thinking about drama, or what someone said or what if I did this or that, etc. I want to live how God has called to me to live.  Period. 

So what does that mean? We only know when we study His Word.  

I am so encouraged right now. Sure, I have my up's and down's just like everyone else. But we can't stop preaching the good news. We can't get comfortable in our pews because we think we're in a good place. We have to keep reading, keep praying and leaning on Him. God will lead you to where He wants you to be. He knew you before you were ever born. He knitted you together in your mother's womb. He KNOWS the plans He has for you. 

Not everyone is going to be a "Christine Caine" or "Billy Graham". God has called each of us to do OUR part. Whatever that is. Maybe you are called to minister to those around the world but you may only play a role here at home too. There has to be both kinds of people. 

We live in a lost and dying world that is crying out for a Savior. No government, no political party, no relationship will EVER satisfy us like Jesus will. Stop with all of your worrying about everything and make JESUS a priority. Become passionate with your first love and let's be revolutionary! 

~ n  

Start Proclaiming

Over the past 2 months, at least 10 people have come to come and told me they're praying for me to have a baby or I just come to their mind during their prayer time. Now, I don't know if you've ever had this happen to you but it can be so encouraging and sometimes a bit......I don't want to say "scary" but a little weird, but in a great way!  

Recently, Pastor Mark spoke about something that John Marc said while leading worship and it was that "God likes a big audience." 

He wants to be known. He wants people to see how powerful He is and what He can do in their life. He wants people in Heaven with Him, so He uses situations like Baby Judah, my friend Shannan's brain tumor, my infertility, etc. so people will hear about what He has done and come to Christ.

As the song says, "We will overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony", that's what I plan to do. God wants me to proclaim what's mine and He wants it done loudly and with confidence! So that's what I'm 'bouts" to do! 

A couple days ago, I posted about how cool it is when you surrender everything to God. He'll give you insight, vision and a longing to do more for Him. That's where I'm at right now. God has been showing me, how much people are in need of the saving grace of Jesus. 

I could sit here and say that "Well there's so much drama in our world today, who am I to stop it?" Or I could say, "Well it's not my problem." 

Well sometimes God doesn't want you meddling but I believe that it is my responsibility to be available if God chooses me to help in a situation. You'll know when He wants you to move by the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

Take Jessica's situation for example. I knew in my heart that we we're to ACT and NOW! Jared felt the same way. When God tells you to do something, YOU WILL KNOW! It's unshakable! 

I believe that a lot of Christians today are too comfortable. We have our salvation and we go to church but is that enough? Is that all God has called you to do? The answer is NO! We are to be Salt and Light to other people. But have we lost our saltiness? (Matthew 5:13-16)

Now, I don't know who will read this and I really don't care if people think I'm odd or whatever. I know who I am and that's a child of God. I know why I'm on this earth and that's to proclaim His name in the dark places of my city, state, nation and the world. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) That means, who or what do we have to fear? Nothing! 

It's time to be actively pursuing Him; To go to the ditches, pull people out and share Jesus with them. I know I'm speaking very plainly but the message of Jesus isn't complicated. It's simple. That's why He came as a baby! 

I'm not writing this to get any kind of recognition but simply to proclaim His name! Everything is about Him. Bottom line. Yes, you make your own choices in life but He is the reason for your existence. He has chosen you! He has set you apart for a divine reason. 

I'm preachin' to myself for sure but also to you. It's time to step it up, Christians! And tell people about Jesus, not just about your church and what they do, but about Jesus. :)

Nat J