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

REACH Week Devotion 4- Fear Not

REACH Week Devotion 4 – Fear Not

Matthew 10:28-32 says “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

There are many excuses for not serving, but one that’s tough to argue with is fear. Often times to help those most in need we are asked to enter the most dangerous situations. The result might be a simple, but hurtful, rejection from the very people you’re trying to help. It could also result in the loss of property, or even physical harm. In the direst of situations, helping others may require a sacrifice of everything.

Any one of these can be a reasonable justification for holding back when God calls us to meet a need. In times like these we each have a choice; to fear man or to trust God. Fear is an overwhelming emotion that can paralyze us from the inside out. This is why it’s important to remember that when we’re confronted with fear, we understand our value in God’s eyes. He knows every detail about us, including every situation we’re in.

Fear not. Serving has never been easy; it requires boldness. It requires an ability to understand our fears and to ignore them. It requires us to trust that God not only knows our names but understands every detail and is aware of every situation. Don’t choose to fear man. Serve in boldness by trusting God. 

~Jared Jones 

REACH Week-Devotion 3- October 18, 2011-Faith Without Works

Devotion 3 – October 18, 2011, Faith Without Works

James 2:14-17 says “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead”

I know I’ve done this before. Someone tells you a truly desperate situation and, instead of saying something like “Hey I know how to help” or “Let me see what I can do”, you say “I’ll definitely pray for that person”. Prayer is a vital part of our walk with Christ, and sometimes it’s all we can do. Other times, though, God calls us to do something more.

Our faith in God isn’t just what we know about Him, it’s what we do in response to Him. God wants us to build our faith through prayer, worship, and His word, but He also wants us to act out our faith in real, tangible ways. This isn’t about working for our salvation; that debt has been paid. This is about an external reflection of an internal affection for our savior.

When we find ourselves with an opportunity to serve, don’t turn away from it. Don’t look to see if God’s going to send someone else. More than likely, that someone is you. Embrace the opportunity to demonstrate your faith. Serve it out, live it out.

~ Jared Jones 

REACH Week-Devotion 2- The Message is for All

Devotion 2 – Monday, October 17, 2011 – The Message is for All

Acts 10:34-38 says “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism  but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” 

The nice part of town. White Collar. Upper Class. Blue Collar. Lower Class. The wrong side of the tracks. These phrases can be used to describe someone’s place in life. On the surface, they might give you an idea of where someone lives, where they work, or how much money they make. Unfortunately, by using these sayings we are assigning value to a person based not on who they are but on how much they make. 

Fortunately, we serve a God who shows no favoritism. Our God “accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right”. This is amazing news! Jesus died not just for the sins of a select few but for all of us. This message is universal and needs to be heard by everyone; not just the rich, not just the poor.

As we participate in REACH week, remember that those we serve aren’t “less fortunate” than us. Without God’s grace we are all less fortunate. Sin puts all of us on equal footing with one another. Only by Jesus’ sacrifice are we made right with God. Carry this message in your heart and proclaim it to everyone you encounter this week, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or where they’re going.

~ Jared Jones