fixyoureyesonjesusblog

Today I have often thought about the word: DETERMINATION

What it means? What is behind that word?  I like to compare stuff to running, because it is one of the few sports that you can actually do by yourself. You don’t have to have a team, a partner, you can just run all by yourself.

In 2009, I lived in Bethany, Oklahoma and attended Southern Nazarene University and ran Cross Country. I wasn’t extremely fast, but boy did I love to run. I got a little bit of a scholarship, but that really didn’t mean much to me. I was just glad to be part of the team, but most of all be able to run.

2 weeks before the state invitational I had to have emergency surgery. I still was determined to run in that meet. My doctor had released me to run and told me to take it easy.

It was the day of the meet and I really hadn’t run much, but my heart was in it. My heart was going to out weigh the discouragement in my head. So the race started and I took off, I had a good steady pace. I was coming around to finish my second mile and my coach was telling me to stop and that I could come out. I looked at him and said ” Coach, I got this” I wanted to finish the race. I didn’t want to give in or quit that easy. I was determined to walk across that finish line with a smile on my face.

So I was coming around this turn and boy I was cramping up. I kept digging a little deeper and a little deeper. I kept saying ” I can do ALL things through Christ who Strengthens me” I was about a 100 yards away, and I could see the finish line. I don’t know if you know anything about running, but when you get close to the finish line, you want to give it your all and people would yell “KICK” that meant to put it in high gear and go full force. There was  this girl in front of me and my goal was to pass her. I just wanted to pass her. I came around this turn and boy I kicked. I said I got this!! I’m not quitting until I reach the finish line.

When I stepped across the finish line. My coach and teammates cheered me on, gave me high fives. I remember my coach saying: “Not bad, for just having surgery” I believe I had set my personal record of like 24 minutes for 3 miles.  I was so excited.

You see in life. Things will get tough, you will be faced with all different circumstances, but you can’t lose your determination. You have to give it your all and at times when you want to QUIT, you’ve got to dig a little deeper. You got to say “I got this” when everyone else is telling you; you can’t. You have to tell yourself “YOU CAN.”  Never lose sight of your dreams, your goals, and know that the finish line is just around the corner. After you finish that goal, set another goal. Don’t let the hurdles take you away from the competition.

DON’T QUIT!!!

~J

As I am preparing to speak in chapel tomorrow at Valley Christian Academy, I can’t help but to remember the very first time I spoke in front of a large crowd. It was in 2002 at the Sistersville Church of the Nazarene, I had just gotten back from a mission trip with 64 other teens and adults from the West Bahamas.

I know when you think of Bahamas; you probably think of gorgeous, fun attractions, the beach. I bet poverty really doesn’t come to your mind. I will never forget the experience I had there. We would walk to pick up the kids, walk to take the kids to Vacation Bible School or Sports Camp, Walk to take them home when it was over, and then walk back to go home or catch the bus.

Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The one thing that really comes to my mind is when we ate lunch. The kids would sit on the wall and watch us eat, and we would eat a good meal. Most of the time I just couldn’t sit there and eat, I’d share my food with them. I also remember taking a bunch of shirts to the site one day and passing them out. They were so thankful for that shirt. That someone actually cared about their well-being. Brendan one of the Bahamians that I met gave me a Jesus Fish Necklace. I still have that necklace. He wanted me to have something to take back with me. I often look at the necklace and wonder how all those kids are doing and just what are they doing in life. Did we have an impact on them? Are they serving Jesus? Did they go the other way?

Now… Back to my first public speaking event. I was asked after my mission trip to share my story. Now, I just shared a little bit. I remember just as plain as day how nervous I was. My “Grams” was sitting in the back row as she always did. I was scared. The thoughts that were going through my head were: Am I going to make sense? I wish someone else could speak for me. What if no one is listening.

Well…. it was a little late to back down, it was a little late to say I wasn’t speaking that Sunday. I breathed a small prayer to myself and said “Lord, use me and speak through me. Amen”

That tripped changed my life. It changed who I was. It changed how I viewed things. It changed who I wanted to be. I’ve always wanted to serve, and I’ve always wanted to give. It’s just who I am. I am very thankful God created me that way.

As I am speaking and pouring my heart out and sharing my story, my testimony. God spoke to me as I was speaking and said “You better get use to this, because one day Jamie..you will reach the world through speaking and writing.”  Even though I was speaking and they were so in tune with what I was saying, God was still speaking to me as I was speaking to them.

I’ve known since the age of 19 that I was called to the ministry. A ministry through writing and speaking. God has made that clear to me. Now, I have to say I have fought it off and on. I wanted to do Grad school, but didn’t think I was good enough, or didn’t think I would pass my classes. God gives you the knowledge that you need, when he has placed something before you.

God has placed before me a vision and a dream. I cannot share all of my DREAM with you, but I do know that it is going to be something spectacular!! Never say never, always go above and beyond your expectations. Be the change that you want to see in the world. Change one life at a time and answer Gods call on your life. It all starts when you let go of yourself and your wants, and say Yes, to Gods Call On Your Life!!

Blessings,

J

We are all faced with life decisions from time to time. Some decisions can have an impact on our life forever, some for a short time, and some maybe just a brief moment. I’ve had to learn the hard way most of my life, due to the fact that I am very stubborn and hardheaded and tend to not always listen.

I was in the 7th grade and played volleyball for Spencer Middle School. This particular day my mom had asked me to not have anyone at the house while she was in faculty senate (meetings). I said: OK.  I did not listen. I pretty much invited the entire volleyball team over to the house and got in trouble. I had to turn my volleyball uniform in because I was being disobedient. At that time it was the only thing that I really cared about. I loved sports and that was a way my mother could get my attention, so I turned my uniform in. I was bummed, but I look back and if I would have listened, I wouldn’t have had to turn my uniform in. It was a hard lesson.

Learning the hard way for me as help mold me and make me into the person I am. I’m thankful that I had a mother that cared, and showed me love through discipline. Times weren’t always easy, but you learn not to do it the next time around.

God doesn’t want us to fall short and learn the hard way. You see he has a calling for us all, whether we answer it; it is completely up to us. Sometimes you have to give up what means the most to you so that you can complete the will of God. I’m often told to not let distractions and excuses get in your way of your dreams. I was told to DREAM BIG!!   You see sometimes in life we are faced with the most difficult decisions. Just because things don’t turn out the way you are expecting them too, does not mean that it will not come back around. If you honor God and honor his calling on your life. Nothing else will matter, everything will fall into place the way it is meant to be.

Folks don’t learn the hard way, but know that everything works out for good to those that love the Lord. People will judge you, put you down, that will criticize you, some will constantly tell you are doing wrong, don’t put yourself in a situation where you cannot answer your calling. God knows best and when he wakes you up all hours of the night, he is trying to protect you from learning the hard way. Be strong in your faith and never let someone get in the way of your calling.

The choice is yours. What do you choose?

Thankful!

~J

“Seek Him”

Psalm 9:10 (NIV) “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Have you ever thought about how much God really loves you? How much he put his life on the line? I know that I haven’t always made the right decisions in life, but it seems that when you make mistakes in life that is how you grow and become a better person. I’d like to think that I’ve turned out pretty well (not bragging or anything).

The most important thing that I’ve been taught in my life is to seek God with all of my heart. I have struggles just like everyone else. I’m far from “perfect” but I know that there is a God that loves us so much that would die on the cross for our sins. I also know that in today’s society “people are searching for love, for something bigger and better.” We need to tell them about Jesus. It is our duty as Christians to step out of our comfort zone and take the message of Christ to a different level, to not be afraid to spread the Gospel of Christ.

I’m writing this book in memory of an Amazing Woman of God. She was a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great, great grandmother.She loved people, loved her family, and most of all loved Jesus more than anything in the world. When things got rough for my grandmother, she always seemed to have a positive attitude, and I truly think that was because she had put all her trust in the Lord. She knew, he would take care of her.

One of the last things that my grandmother told me before she died was: “Jamie, I love you and serve God with all of your heart.” The one thing that has inspired me most of all about my grandmother is that she never once gave up “HOPE.” She served God with all her heart. I don’t know if I can ever take her place, or even carry her torch, but I do know that I will do my best to serve God with all of my heart.

I will always miss you “Grams”, but you are with the King having the best time of your life. This book is my gift to you. You always told me God gave me a passion and gift to write, so I’ll give it a shot. I love you grams.

Love ya,

Jamie Michelle.

“Serve God With All Of Your Heart”

In life we are all faced with different challenges, some may bigger than others. I am currently in my first semester of grad school. I am studying journalism, mass media, broadcasting/communications. I never thought I would be doing as well as what I am. I don’t think I have ever had a perfect score in an entire semester. I know for a fact I’ve never had the highest grade in a class until now.

You see a wise friend once told me ” J, when are you going to start doing for yourself instead of doing for others” All my life I have done for others and focused on what they needed. I never really took the time to focus on “Jamie”

Sometimes we can be so scared and let our fears take over what we are supposed to be doing. We can keep running, but never make any head way. I’m so blessed that I have planted myself in Roswell, America. I have the most amazing Christian friends a girl could ask for, I attend an awesome church, I love serving and my church family has become like family to me. I am so blessed!

There are times that we have to step out of our comfort zone and accept the challenge God has before us. You will always have people in your life telling you can’t do something, or why are you wasting your time. Then you will have sisters, family, friends, pastors, that will encourage you and tell you to DREAM BIG!! To set your expectations high and to never lose HOPE, but to have FAITH that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH CHRIST!!

You see folks, my dream and passion is to write. To write Christian Books, to one day create a magazine for Christian Families, to travel that world sharing Gods word. I am willing to accept the challenge of people putting me down, telling me that I am not going to succeed, I accept the challenge. My eyes are focused on the prize!!  God will help me overcome any challenge that is before me. I will conquer anything and everything that comes my way.

You may have a challenge before you, it could be work related, church related, family related, you may have a dream within you that people are telling your that you should not do it. I’m going to challenge you to accept the challenge, move forward, and know that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, he gives us what he knows we can handle.

Friends don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and DREAM BIG!!!  When you are planted, everything just keeps falling into place. When you cont., to run from Gods calling, life gets messy and it’s hard to clean up.

Accept the Challenge!!

~J

As I am sitting here listening to the storm. It brings me back to a time when I was a kid and we were sitting outside on the porch swinging with my mom. As kids we may or may not have been a little scared of the thunder. A mom always has a way of calming her children. We would sit outside and watch the lightening, rain, and listen to the thunder.

My mom would calm us down by telling us that “Jesus was bowling again, or he was rearranging his furniture.” Silly, stuff to calm us down and to use our imagination. She also would sing ” Till the Storm Passes Over” Now I don’t remember all of the words, but the ones that I do remember every time it storms I am reminded of the song my mother use to sing to us.

Till the storm Passes Over, Till the thunder sounds no more, hold me safe till the storm passes over.  I know that is probably not how it goes, or maybe just even a bit of it or it may be in the wrong order.

I have to think that that all of the storms that we face in life and everything that we are going through… God is going through that battle with us, we are not alone.

As my mother would calm us by singing that song. The best part of it all is that our heavenly father can calm us all of the time, if we would just allow him to. You see, even though I love my mother and I know she loves me. One day she will be called home to join Jesus. Yes, I will have the memories, but the most important thing that she has taught my brother and I is to surrender to God. To love and serve him with all of our heart. Even when the thunder roars, and you feel that you can’t go on or you have no one. You will always have your heavenly father to carry the load.

Don’t let the storms of life take over, but trust and know that Jesus is the answer to what ever you are facing.

Thanks mom for always teaching us the love of Christ and being the example for us. When things got rough, you always leaned on the master. For that I am blessed!

Blessings,

J