Movie time

I just finished watching The Note, a movie based on the novel by Angela Hunt. It was nice to relax with a Dairy Queen Blizzard in one hand and a tissue in the other as I watched this heartwarming flick. (I just love to much on junk food while watching a good movie.)

What good movies have you watched recently? Any family friendly movies you would recommend? And what's your junk food of choice to munch on while watching the big screen?

And for you popcorn fans, have you ever tried Kernel Season's Popcorn Seasonings? My family's favorite is white cheddar. Less fat that butter and so yummy! Alright, all this talk about less fat is making me feel guilty about the previously mentioned Blizzard... And I didn't even tell you about the bag of Skittles, pretzels, or granola bar...

Remembering Wilda

This past week marked the one year anniversary of the death of my dear friend, Wilda. Though decades separated our ages, God closed this gap in the love we shared for Him and each other. The kids and I were blessed with the opportunity to see her one last time hours before her lungs deflated with their last breath on planet Earth. One of the last things she said to me that day as we walked out of her room was, "Don't forget about me now Jennifer." I could never forget. (And God knows this dear woman gave me lots of material to pull from!)

Thoughts of her filled my mind all week. I remembered how she used to yell at me because I refused to move out my refrigerator every six months to clean behind it as she did. I remembered the way she used to affectionately call me Honeygirl. I remembered the countless theological discussions, times of prayer together, and her commitment to intercede for me as God began to clearly reveal that He was calling me to ministry. And this woman was a prayer warrior if there ever was one. And I certainly cannot forget the incident involving Jacob and the fire alarm at her assisted living home... But that is a story for another post!

One memory has come to mind repeatedly this week. Once while we were on the phone she shared with me creative things she did with her kids when they were small. From her annual Thanksgiving waltz with her freshly cleaned turkey to making tents with her boys while teaching them about the Jewish Festival of Booths, she shared a lot of memories with me that day. Then she said, "Now it's turn Jennifer. It's your turn to determine the memories you will leave your children with."

All of us have people in our lives we love, care for, and rub shoulders with each day, and we are determining the memories we will leave with them through our words and actions. It is easy for us to get caught up in the business of life and neglect this eternal perspective, but the truth is that our days are fleeing. God gives us windows of opportunities within our spheres of influence to create memories with the ones we love. Will we choose to make time, or rationalize that we do not have enough of it?

The words of Moses from Psalm 90:12 come to my mind as I think about this, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." We would be wise to pray as Moses did and ask God to make us aware of our brevity on earth and give us a heart of wisdom that seizes the moment, treasures our loved ones, and exalts our God.

Above is a picture of Wilda with our kids: Jacob, Matt, and Chris during our Christmas visit to see her in 2007 - three months before she went home to be with Jesus. (Sorry if the words / picture is a little off center. This is my first attempt at posting a pic.)

Calling all questions!

I want to invite you to be a part of an exciting episode coming up soon on Abundance In Him radio program. I am going to host a question and answer program with your questions about Abundance In Him Ministries, the material we've been studying over the past several weeks, or any personal questions you may have for me. You can submit your question in one of three ways: on the "contact us" link on our website, posted here as a comment on the blog, or you can mail it if you perfer. Our mailing address is Abundance In Him Ministries, Inc. PO Box 4506 Youngstown, OH 44515.

I cannot wait to get your questions, and it is my hope that I will inundated with lots of them! Rest assured I am one who believes there are no dumb questions, and you will remain annonymous on the air. So what are you waiting for? Ask away!