Chickfila, Christians and Homosexuals

As we all know Chickfila has been in the spot light and for reasons which absolutely blow my mind. Yet, part of me can't be too surprised because this is all part of the plan--the falling world--Jesus's return, right? 

The world against Christians.

I have refrained from commenting or making remarks on my own FB status about what's been going on because I felt this was a good opportunity to go to God in prayer about the situation. Not that it involves me or my family directly, but as a lover of Chickfila and a Christian who supports the hard work of Truett Cathy and his family for putting God first in his business. It's evident that when we put God first in our lives He is faithful to bless us (i.e. Chickfila). 

From what I gather there was just a lot of misinterpretation and the "world" decided to misconstrue what someone said for their own gain...to cause a big ordeal. Like what we are seeing right now-- Chickfila Appreciation Day & Homosexual "Kiss-in"  Day on Friday. 

The world against Christians. 

Christians (the church) share their views and thoughts on homosexuality and are quick to might I add. "It's a sin, they are all going to hell...etc..." However, I don't know about you but how many professing homosexuals actually admit to also being Christians? I don't know too many that do, but I could be wrong, I have been plenty wrong before...So, if I am not mistaken what does it matter what they do with their lives if they aren't even living for God? Why are we so busy condemning their actions when they don't even INTENTIONALLY live for Christ.

The people we need to be putting on blast are ourselves..those who profess to be Christians, who have genuinely accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

**"This is where God really "socked it to me."**

While God is weeping over the immoral decline of this nation...He is doing it that much more over us-- Christians. 

Regarding the matter at hand, we all want to speak our minds about the homosexuals (who aren't even living for the Lord) and what has been done to defile the Chickfila name...yet we (Christians--living for the Lord) are addicted to pornography, drugs, alcohol, food...have issues with adultery, lying, cheating, cursing and blessing God from the same mouth and the list goes on and on...check it out in the Bible...oh and we do it in SECRET...as if the Lord can't see us! Or we don't do it in secret and we have non-believers looking at us scratching their heads saying, "this is what Christians do and look like?" I don't know what's worse right now the homosexual or the addicted Christian. 

If we, Christians, have truly been changed from the inside out and love the Lord with all our heart, soul and minds then why don't we live like it? Why do we continue to still live in bondage to the things of this world? Why have we not grabbed hold of the freedom that Jesus Christ gave to us when he was beaten for our stupidity? 

Preachers have watered down their messages to a more "Jesus loves everyone" when it needs to be preached that God hates sin and will do away with those who choose to live in it. Are we about growing mega, happy go lucky churches or saving those whose lives are leading them to Hell? Ouch. I know it's harsh and we Christians don't like to be "spanked," but the truth is we all need our butts kicked. 

Sin is a choice and we choose everyday to do it or not do it. The ultimate answer comes down to answering this one questions,  "is God worth living for because He evidently thought we were by sending his only Son?'

I rest my case regarding the matter and know that despite the backlash that Chickfila has gotten God is still going to bless the business and that much more because of all this craziness! 

Sorry for the straight-forwardness of this post...just giving it to you like God gave it to me!

~Jenni~

Divine Appointments

Do you believe in them? I most certainly do.

We have added a "tradition" to our family by going to Chickfila in the early am to eat and let Bear play on the playground. These days his fun consists of climbing up and down the steps. He likes it,and we enjoy watching him, so it's a win win! Not to mention that it's something that he will get to look forward to for the coming days, months and years ahead.
We eat first, of course...and then we play. Bear is all about play and cares nothing about food especially in this instance. I mean a LARGE, INDOOR PLAY GROUND, if that doesn't scream fun to an 18month old then I don't know what does! :)

We had finally finished eating and managed to feed Bear somewhat of a "hearty" breakfast and off to the playground we went. The previous time we went it was just us but this time around Bear had a playmate. This little boy was 3 and his name was Caden. He was another one of God's special children and I couldn't help but know that something was different. Trey and I got to talking and then Caden's mom approached us and said, "I just wanted you to know that my son is Autistic and he usually plays by himself but I just want to keep an eye out." We, of course, looked at each other and knew in that moment this was a God ordained meeting.

We began to share with her about Bear and the early signs that we detected in him and how we immediately sought professional help to make sure we weren't overreacting as parents..which we weren't. I couldn't help but cry as I knew exactly what she was feeling. She appeared strong and put together but who knows what was really going on in the depths of her soul.

For the record, I am a crier. Some people handle their emotions by doing other things. Me, I cry. So please don't make another person feel less than if they handle themselves differently then you do. God has created us to handle different situations in different ways and crying is my outlet. Although drinking is my next solution! HA! TOTALLY KIDDING. Trying to lighten the load here. Is it working?! :)

Okay back to Caden and his precious momma.

Just like with any child on the spectrum, the signs are all different as children display different characteristic traits of being Autistic. Of course, I asked questions and she was open and willing to answer. My first question was basically asking her when she thought something was wrong. She replied and said right around 12months old. I was definitely engaged and had her full attention as I kinda knew where this was headed. Just curious, I then asked, do you vaccinate your child? She responded and said she did, and that she believed the MMR had something to do with it. I gasped. I was reminded about a conversation I had with a Pediatrician about the MMR who shared her views (as a medical doctor) regarding that vaccine. It was an interesting conversation nonetheless.

Before I move on I would like to address something in this blog. I am not a parent who rallies behind TO or TO NOT VACCINATE. It's every parents decision and CHOICE to do what is best for their child. You may ask, what's better then vaccinating your child? To some parents-- NOT vaccinating. And again, that's their choice. To push your views onto another parent and dictate to them what's best is not my place or yours. Be sensitive to the subject. We can't be blinded (or not care because we don't currently have a child with autism) by the fact that Autism is at it's HIGHEST ever and no one has any answers. If you were a parent of a child who has Austism you would be desperately trying to figure out why. And I can promise you with every parent of an Autistic child that I have spoken to they will tell you that they would have done some things differently if they could reverse the clock. I say all this to say, we all parent our children the best way we know how and I am a believer who asks the Lord everyday for discernment on how to raise our child. God knows that and He is faithful to lead us in a direction that is best for our child. He will and can do the same for you...

Now that I've gotten that out of the way...back again to Caden and his momma!!!

She went on to tell us that Caden was having the ABR test done on July 5th to see how his hearing is because he is so delayed in his speech.
In any situation when a child is behind in their speech they test for hearing first and then depending on results they are able to move forward with more testing if needed. 

It was about time for Trey to leave but there was a "prompting' in my spirit to pray for this woman. Thankfully, Trey had the same "prompting" and he led us to pray for her. I held onto Caden, who was as strong as a bull, and during Trey's prayer we just laid hands and began to speak life. During his prayer, I felt some sweet lips kiss my cheek and knew little Caden was making his move on me while Trey's eyes were closed! Haha! Just like a boy...already putting moves on a lady. :)

Trey finished and handed the lady his business card so that we could keep in touch.  Bear and I stayed and he played as I continued conversing with Karen. Oh.that.name. Just pray for that name too!


Karen then proceeded to tell me that her husband had left and they were currently separated. Oh my goodness, apparently crying was in the "cards" for me today. I asked her about the situation and she told me that he wasn't a believer and that he couldn't handle what was going on and that she had dedicated too much time to her sons (one of whom is Autistic-Caden) & he was being neglected. I had to put my flesh in check. That's all I will say about that.

I appreciated her willingness to share with a complete stranger and I only hope that she knows that there will be an army of God's best praying for her, Caden and her husband.

I have said it before and will say it again...God allows us, as believers, to go through trials in our lives so that we can be a testimony to his goodness and faithfulness. There are so many people who need HOPE, who need JESUS and if, as believers, we never went through trials and came out on top then what type of witnessing could we really do? You can read the Gospel and NEVER will it be watered down but people also need to know that God still moves and is our very present help in time of need TODAY. And what better testimonies to share then ones that we have walked through!
It was evident that this woman needed HOPE. I mean who doesn't? We live in a crazy world and last I checked, after watching the news, it isn't getting any better.


If you ever wanted to know if you are in God's will just take a look around you...if the enemy seems to be messing with you, putting negative thoughts--thoughts that contradict the Word then that jerk is around. Just sayin'. God is in your midst, He is just sitting back making sure that the enemy doesn't cross THE line. There is a line. I promise. Just go take a look at the book of Job. There's a definite line. However, the Lord is gracious and is a gentleman and will not force himself onto a situation that He is not welcomed into. So, if you expect things to work in your favor then you better let Him in on the situation or else you are headed for doom and gloom. Amen? God doesn't expect or want us to manage this life on our own. I mean for heavens sake I know I don't want to, and I can honestly say I would probably be in the nut house if it wasn't for those in my life who I know have dedicated their time and efforts to pray for me and my family. His grace is sufficient...


I will close this "book" now, but PLEASE pray for Karen, Caden and her husband. Specifically for Caden's test on July 5th and for God to restore what the enemy has set out to destroy.  

2 Corinthians 12:9 ⁹ But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and ^[a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may ^[b]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!  Amplified Bible


Be Blessed,


~Jenni~

In EVERY SEASON give THANKS!

If there is anything I have learned in these last 29 years of life...yes, I am 29. It's crazy to think I am in my last year of 2 decades lived and I will be rapidly approaching 30 in less than a year. :/ I don't care about the number I just don't want to start "falling apart." You ask why the thoughts of "falling apart?" Probably because I received an email from The SCOOTER STORE they day after I turned 29. No.Lie. And it went straight to my inbox not my spam folder. :/

Anyways, this blog is all about giving thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Enough said right there.

Needless to say, Trey and I are having our best year yet...and I know the best is yet to come...oh and it is only June; bring it Lord! Bear is doing amazing! His personality is somewhat like mine and somewhat like Trey's. He definitely has a strong will and doesn't give up easily (I totally love that). He is our pride and joy! I'm thankful for the Lord's hand upon Bear's life and all that God is doing in and through Bear even at this young age. His ability to communicate is starting to show. He is "talking" more now then he ever has (obviously). Bless him; he has so much to say but making it make sense to us is still a struggle for him. But that's OK because we know when the Lord see's fit he will be talking beyond his age. He says mama, dada, bye bye and he has said words like goldfish, WOW, more and a few other words that I can't remember at the moment. He has yet to say these words again but in my opinion he has said them and more than one person has been present to hear it. Which confirms that we are not making stuff up! LOL

We have been SUPER busy around here. Trey's travels have slow down some and I have been working 1-3 days per week.  Life is good! And I am thankful for what God is doing in and through these Sheneman's. We know God is up to something and we are waiting patiently for what He has in store!

All I know is that I serve a God who is faithful always! Even when the days seem dark and long his light is always present and wants to shine through. He is good...ALL the time!

Honored.

I'm sure you can relate but we will see.  Has there ever been a time in your life where you felt not good enough, incapable or unworthy? I have. In some cases it's because I have allowed others to make me feel that way or it may have just been the overwhelming feeling of being a momma, wife, friend  etc.. getting to me on a bad day. Either way all of it is untrue.
No one can make me or you  feel incapable, not good enough or even unworthy unless I or you give place to other peoples ignorance.
Praise the Lord I don't give place to people's stupidity anymore. I told y'all this was a new year for me. :)

Anyways, this Mother's Day I just reflected on my relationship with my son and how much I have invested into his life and will continue to do so for the rest of his life...well, at least until he turns 18 and then I will let him come to me when he wants his momma's advice. During those moments of reflection I was reminded of a friend who told me what a GREAT JOB I was doing with Bear. This was during a time when I needed it the most and I know it was God's way of using this person to reassure me that I really was and is my son's biggest advocate. Mind you, I am not the person who fishes for compliments from people, so when it happens I respond humbly and almost bashfully because it really comes unexpected to me. My husband is infamous for calling me out in front of others (in a good way of course) by saying to so and so, "doesn't my wife look great?" Which in turn causes me to cringe and probably puts the other person in an awkward position because then they feel obligated to say, "why, yes she does!" I mean even if they didn't think so who would say, "well, of course she doesn't?" Know what I mean? lol Rabbit trail sorry.
What I was trying to get at is that I really didn't expect the "you are doing a GREAT JOB with Bear" comment but it really made me feel good because someone else was applauding me for the fact that I was doing everything in my power to make sure I was doing the best for my son. I had a cheerleader! lol
There was a time in my life growing up that I placed a lot of expectations on loved ones in my life and they failed me. To the point where I was so completely devastated that I felt like the world was caving in on me. My husband even told me the same thing. So, when I say that I really don't place expectations on people anymore I don't. I don't want the heart ache. I don't want to relive certain times in my life especially when I feel like God has blessed me with a "new" life. So, I choose to live my life doing what I think God would have me to do when it comes to being a wife and mom. The fact is the Lord compliments me everyday I just need to stop and listen! He does the same for you too! :)

The task of motherhood is obviously not easy. But truthfully what good thing in life comes easy? It's an around the clock "job" and it never ends. However, I don't want it to. I LOVE being a mom. I LOVE knowing that the Lord is my "go to man" when it comes to raising Bear, that He is my source of getting this mom thing right--not perfected, but right. I LOVE telling Bear a million times a day how much I love him...to infinity and beyond of course! I LOVE the fact that he (when he is in the mood) kisses me first with his mouth closed-- lips puckered and if I am lucky I'll get another one with his mouth WIDE open--praying that he doesn't bite my lips off...yes-- he has unintentionally bitten my lips before. I LOVE how he really is attached to Trey and I and cries when we walk out of a room. That's genuine LOVE right there and I pray that my son always knows what that kind of love feels like. First from his Heavenly Father and then from us--his Earthly Parents.
I "secretly" cried when I saw his sweet face that Sunday morning. A total blessing from God...is my son, Bear.
I'm just thankful that the Lord has shown me what it means to be a godly mom to Bear. I want Bear to see godliness in me everyday and during my bad days I hope he still sees some of  Jesus in me.  I have two little eyes watching me around the clock and I want nothing more then for him to see his Jesus in me on a daily basis.

I jokingly tell Trey on occasion "I'm clocking out" but the truth is it never happens and it certainly didn't happen on Mother's Day! How could I Bear's the reason I celebrate being a momma!

I hope all of you mom's had an amazing day!

~Jenni~

Life Transformation

Well, the 12 week challenge at Gold's is over and I am proud of myself for setting out on a life long journey of a healthier lifestyle. Initially I signed up because Trey asked me to and I wanted to support him. But then I realized that I needed to take advantage of the opportunity and put forth 100% effort in all that I did--for ME. 


So, I did it. I completed the challenge and saw some incredible results. I'm not done. There are still a few pounds to be shed, some toning that needs to take place and a little more muscle to be built in some areas...but overall I am proud to have seen the results at the end of the 12 weeks! 


I lost 10lbs., 3" in my waist, 3" in my hips, 4% body fat, and a total of 6.6% of body weight lost!!! As a result, I have dropped 2 pants/short sizes & have reached a healthy BMI. Since Bear, I have lost a total of 55lbs (I only gained 35lbs with him) and I am just 5lbs shy from being at my PRE-Trey weight!! 


Oh and I can't forget to mention that Trey and I ran a 5K last weekend and I finished in 31:55!!! Not bad for a girl who never consistently runs and never completed the C25K app. 


None of it was easy but the truth is life isn't. Anything that you want in life takes work...IF you want it to last. If you want to be healthy-- it takes work, if you want your marriage to last till death do us part-- it takes work, if you want to draw closer to the Lord-- it takes work, if you want your children to be mindful and respectful--it takes work, if you want to be successful--it takes work, if you want a clean home--it takes work. Get me?


Work is good! If you don't like to work (and I don't just mean the kind of work where you clock in and out to get a paycheck) then you are just merely existing and I believe that we have a greater calling then to just exist. There are people around us who need to hear our success stories, who need to know that with work your marriage can survive, with work you can lose that 25lbs, 50lbs, or even 100lbs. 


More importantly, I want that for my family. I don't want Bear to ever know what it is to struggle with his weight a day in his life. Trey and I know what it is like and we don't want that for our son. So we are choosing to raise him in a way where we hope and pray he doesn't ever experience a weight issue. 
I want people to look at my marriage and think, "WOW, they have been through hell and back but yet they still stand side by side in love." 
Financially there was a time in our life where it was a struggle but we were faithful with our "little" tithe and as a result the Lord has blessed us beyond measure. 
I want people to look at our son and see his "little" ears and closed ear canals and hear us say, "the Lord is faithful and good our son can hear unaided!"


At the end of the day, I want the Lord's blessing over my health, my marriage, my child(ren), my work, my home, and my friendships. I want HIM to bless the WORK of our hands because we do it to bring honor and glory to his name. 


Through this 12 week transformation I am that much more convinced that through Christ I can do ALL things! 




My prayer for you is that you would be determined to set out to work hard and as a result you will be able to sit back and see the goodness of the Lord shining down on you! 


Have a wonderful weekend!


~Jenni~

Good Friday!

I can honestly say in my 28 years of life this Easter has more meaning to me then any other. That probably may sound really pathetic, but now that I am a parent my world operates differently. I see things through the eyes of a parent; naturally, of course.

Bear has not been feeling good and has been running a low grade fever since early Friday morning. As a result, he is extra cuddly and whiny but who wouldn't be?
As I held him very close, in his nursery, while we rocked I couldn't help but think about how great, how deep, how wide the Father's love is for us. I know the love I have for my son and, well, there are no words that were ever written to express or show the love I have for him...the crazy thing is that the Lord's love surpasses my ability to love. How absolutely crazy is that? It's hard at times to wrap my mind around, but it's true. There technically are no words to express his love for us either but through action only as He sent his one and only son to hang on that old rugged cross to carry our shame, our sin, and our sorrows.

So, the next time you feel ashamed, unworthy, unloved you better think again. The God I know sacrificially sent his Son to take on all of that so you didn't have to.  The God I serve, his love surpasses that of an earthly parent's love and a spouse's love. Lord knows I need to be reminded of this and maybe you do too!

Enjoy the weekend with your family and if you want have an Easter egg hunt for your kids, but first instill in them what Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday (actually Monday) are really all about. Explain to them that there's a God that loves them more then you do and as a result He sent his son that we would have life and have it more abundantly. That through Jesus' obedience we are no longer condemned to hell but are able to spend eternity with the One who loves us most. That's the real meaning behind Easter...make sure they know it!

He has Risen!

~Jenni~

Moved to tears...

It's been an emotional last few weeks for me. Not because I am sad but because I'm blown away by God's constant faithfulness in my life. Last Wednesday Bear had his EEG and the night before I laid in bed and was looking through pictures of me carrying Bear all the way till now and the flood gates opened. Trey was next to me and asked me if I was ok and I was, just extremely grateful.

Have you ever been there? Where your heart is so full from seeing God move mightily in your life that you just can't help but cry...weep? If you have then I'm sure you are totally relating to me right now.

Yesterday I met a little boy who had Cerebral Palsy. As he laid across me I couldn't help but want to lay hands on him and pray but I was so overcome with emotion that I couldn't get words out. I could barely say 'Jesus.' I was trying to fight back the tears but the harder I tried the more they came out. My heart was heavy and I just really needed God's healing hand to be upon this boy. I can't imagine what his parents face or deal with on a daily basis but I do know that God still heals and in that moment there was nothing I wanted more then to see that boy healed.totally.by the blood of Jesus.
I was that much more moved when Bear came over and placed his head against the little boy's head for a good 15 seconds. I didn't ask him to he just did it.
In that moment, I was reminded of when we were in the NICU with Bear still waiting on news about his ears and tests etc...when our Pastor's wife and friend texted us and told us that she had all the little children in the kids room praying for Bear. The amazing part of this story was that they all had their hands placed over their ears praying for him. Chills. And yet here I was, trying to pray and my son came over and in his own way reached out to this little boy. Talk about fighting back tears. Whew.

If there is anything I desire for Bear it is that he understands, at a very young age, who the Spirit is and what He is capable of doing when we allow ourselves to become open to his moving. I'm thankful that we are part of a church body who instills this in our children at a very young age. There is something about the acts of a child that touch the heart of God.


Matthew 18:1-2
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.


Just think on this, why would God call us to become like little children in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven? 




Acts 2:17‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams...'

If we ever needed a move of the Spirit we need it now; in our families, on our jobs, and in this country. However, it won't happen if we shy away from who the Spirit is and what He has come to do in us and through us. We are here to be vessels of his light. So shine BRIGHT! 

~Jenni~