Author: janniec

Headstrong

Headstrong

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Headstrong

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” Isaiah 26:3 KJV

I am a Peanuts and Snoopy fan. I saw this post that got me thinking from the Peanuts Gang. The picture was Charlie Brown sitting on his bed with his hands locked in prayer. Old snoopy was lying next to him with his eyes closed and a beautiful, peaceful smile on his face. Charlie Brown said, “I recently heard someone say, when I wake up, I pray that God gets in my head before I do. And honestly, that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.

What a powerful thought when it comes to what we are letting in our heads. Would you agree that the mind is a powerful thing? What does perfect peace look like on imperfect people you ask.

 Perfect Peace: Keep in mind friends, this is not the total absence of trouble or hard times. It means inner quiet, safety, and wholeness that remains strong even during life’s storms.

Mind Stayed on Thee: To have a mind “stayed” on God means to anchor, fix, and rest your thoughts on Him. Instead of letting worry or fear take over, you keep turning your attention back to God’s goodness and power.

Because He Trusts in You: Trust is the foundation of this peace. Believing that God is good, in control, and present allows the mind to stop fighting for control and rest.

Here is how we follow Jesus’ example and teaching as it comes to our minds.

  • Humility: Putting others first and serving them, just as Jesus did.
  • Love and Compassion: Caring deeply for people and showing forgiveness instead of anger.
  • Obedience to God: Trusting God’s plan and wanting to please Him in every choice.
  • A New Perspective: Looking at life through God’s wisdom instead of chasing selfish goals.
  • Read the Bible: Learn the words and actions of Jesus to understand His character.
  • Pray Often: Ask God to help change your thoughts and quiet worldly distractions.
  • Choose Kindness: Pick forgiveness and service when faced with hard moments.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. God has the power to quite the noise and calm the storms.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Who’s Driving You?

Who’s Driving You?

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Who’s Driving You?

Who is doing the driving in your life friends? Are you in the driver’s seat without a clue of where you are going? Are you in the passenger seat? Or are you in the backseat trying to tell God how to drive?  What does it look like when we leave the driving to Him? It looks like giving over everything in our lives as we trust God to guide us. Yes, it is Faith over fear.

The other day I was listening to this quartet gospel group, The Dixie Hummingbirds. Did you know that the group was formed in 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina, by James B. Davis and his classmate Barney Parks under the name the Sterling High School Quartet. This influential American gospel music group, spanning more than 80 years. They inspired several up-and-coming artist, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown.

This amazing group was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame along numerous awards. If you haven’t heard their music, I recommend you giving them a listen.

They have many songs like, love me like a rock, I found a friend, In Good Health, and it will be alright. But there is one that relates to my topic today called Christian Automobile. The song is complete genius with a message that remains relevant now. Here are some of the words:

Oh, you know that every child of God is

Running for Jesus (just like an automobile)

You know prayer (prayer is your driver’s license)

And faith (faith is your steering wheel)

when you get on

The road to glory

Satan is gonna try

To flag you down

But keep on driving, if you (want your starry crown)

You gotta check on your tires

You got a rough road ahead

And when you are weary from your journey

God gon’ put you to bed

You’ve gotta check on your brakes

And stop your wicked ways

A man is born of a woman

It’s only of a few days

You’ve gotta check on your lights

And see your own faults

Stop while you can see them, children

Or your soul will be lost

You gotta check on your generator

You need more strength and power

You can’t do nothing without the man

You need him every hour

You know prayer (prayer is your driver’s license)

faith is your steering wheel

Now you can’t tell me we all can’t relate to this song. No matter where we may be going in our life, let the Lord do the driving.

The idea of letting Jesus do the driving comes down to a few basic steps that I want Us to remember.

  • Admit we need help. accept that we cannot always manage everything on our own.
  • Letting go of control. Stop trying to force outcomes and choose to trust God to steer us in the right direction.
  • Ask for guidance. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead our decisions, relationships, and daily steps.
  • Taking Action. Faith also requires movement. Look at it this way, Jesus steers the car, and our faith puts it in drive to move forward.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Parent First

Parent First

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Parent First

“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, give me my share of the estate. So, he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had and set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” Luke 15:11-13

Every now and again I stumble on to the Parable of the Lost Son, also known as the Prodigal Son. This famous story was told by Jesus and features a father and two sons. The younger son wanted his inheritance now and then he was leaving, leaving, leaving. There are indeed many angles to the story, but the one I want to focus on is the dad.

Using my imagination, no doubt the dad was not happy with the way his son was acting. Yes, he was old enough to be on his own, but was he ready? He came to his father making all kinds of demands that he had no right to do. Nevertheless, his dad gave him his portion.

No, the dad didn’t have a cell phone or car to rush out to find him. Instead, he let him go, doing what all parents must do and that is to trust in God. Sometimes our children just don’t understand where we are coming from. Parents tell us things because they have been down that road before and trying to keep us from the same mistakes.I know for myself that I didn’t always listen to my parents when they were telling me stuff, but in time I learned, they were right all along.

But like my parents prayed for me, I know that father prayed for his son. As a parent where we leave off, God picks up. There are no better hands for them to be in than His. While that son was doing his so called, thang, his dad continued to pray for him. I know he thought about him everyday. Parenthood and the loving concern we have for our children isn’t something you can just turn off and on like a light switch.

But look how reality brought that son home friends. See even when we see something as a parent, it is our children who must come to understand things for themselves. Still in my own imagination, I can see that dad looking out over the fields as he noticed a figure coming up the road. That dad recognized that it was his son, he knew that walk anywhere. A sigh of relief and then Joy filled his heart and before he knew it, he was running to his son. He threw his arms around him and kissed him with hellos, I am glad you are okays, and welcome home. The son knew he didn’t do things the right way as tears fell from his eyes. His father focused on building him up instead of tear him down. Clean clothes were put on his body, rings on his fingers, food in his stomach, and he told everyone to prepare for celebration. My son’s home!

Sometimes the greatest lessons don’t come from home, but when you are away. Parents are not perfect, but we love our children unconditionally. One day they will know this love when they have a family. The father reminds his eldest son of the importance of love and forgiveness as he tells him, this brother of yours was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Morning Person

Morning Person

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Morning Person

What does it mean to be a morning person or early bird? It is someone who naturally wakes up early, feels most energetic and alert in the early hours of the day, and tends to go to sleep early in the evening.

When I wake up, I immediately touch base with God. With my hello’s and thank you’s. I yawn and stretch as I get dressed for the gym. It’s 4am. Yes, it’s still plenty dark outside.

For me personally I have adapted the morning person lifestyle over some years. I Love my evenings to just relax or do what I want.

The Bible frequently highlights the early morning as a special, sacred time for prayer, focus, and experiencing God’s new mercies.

Examples and Themes of the Morning

  • According to Mark 1:35, Jesus got up very early in the morning while it was still dark to go to a quiet place and pray.
  • Lamentations 3:22–23 states that God’s compassions and mercies “are new every morning”.
  • Psalm 5:3 says, “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch”.
  • Psalm 30:5 notes that “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning”.

“Good morning, Father God. I want to thank you for bringing Jesus into my heart and life through your Holy Word. Help me to show others the kindness I sometime haven’t been shown. I forgive, because you forgave me. You worked with me through my struggles and loved me despite my sometimes-foolish ways. Thank you for my family and friends who love and support me. Lord There is none like you and I am thankful for all you’ve done in my life. Amen.

Remember friends we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Keep Getting Up

Keep Getting Up

By | | Comments 0 Comment

This world is filled with all kinds of challenges. Some of them are easy to navigate while others take a compass, map, and GPS. And yes, there are many lessons to be learned along the way.

Our circumstances might knock us down, but they shouldn’t knock us out! This means that hard times will test you and try to break your spirit, but we must stay strong. Be the bouncy back kid! After all we Got Jesus and He does make the difference.

Test and trials will come for us friends, and when we fall, the most important thing we can do is get back up and keep getting up!

Every day I live, is another opportunity to learn and to grow. The Lord is our Shepard, and we shall not want. He is our leaning post and comfort in every kind of weather.

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Where There is a Will, There is a Way!

Where There is a Will, There is a Way!

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Where There is a Will, There is a Way!

The Apostle Paul In Romans 12:2, writes: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”This indicates a shift in how we think, see, hear, value, and act.

 The term, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” is a famous English proverb meaning that strong determination and a firm mindset can help you find a method to overcome any hard challenge and reach your goal.

Friends make the Good Lord your highest priority, letting His values guide your daily choices.

  • Start your day with Him: Pray or read scripture before checking your phone or rushing into tasks.
  • Consult Him in decisions: Ask if your choices align with His will rather than just your own desires.
  • Integrate faith everywhere: Let your faith influence how you treat family and do your job.
  • Love above all else: Care deeply for God and show that same love to the people around you.
  • Trust through hardship: Lean on God for strength and peace when life gets difficult, rather than worrying.
  • Let go of idols: Do not let money, status, or distractions take the place of God in your heart.

Friends let me leave you with this encouraging quote about pushing through, “one day, you will look at your struggles and laugh. In the moment it seemed impossible, Nevertheless, you kept it moving, rock n rolling, and pushing on through!”

From a will and a way comes a spiritual shift in your thinking. You may notice your priorities moving from external validation to inner peace. You can finally feel the God initiated transformation in your heart, purpose, or direction. You have woken up with not only a renewed mind but a since of purpose through the Holy Spirit. awakening, renewing one’s mind, or transitioning from living by the flesh to being led by the Holy Spirit. Aren’t you glad you did? Amen.

Remember Friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Spiritual Workout

Spiritual Workout

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Spiritual Workout

I remember those classic 80’s TV morning fitness shows, they were the first things on. They had cute outfits on, but I found myself whizzing on by. Of all the work out personalities the most famous person was Richard Simmons, with his Sweatin’ to the Oldies. Now this was a show worth stopping to look at for a few minutes. I remember those shorts and bedazzled tank tops. The man was a household name that made exercise fun and accessible for all body types.

Let’s look at the term, “Spiritual exercise” which refers to practices—ranging from prayer and meditation to disciplined routines—designed to strengthen your inner life, build resilience, and deepen your connection with your faith or inner self. If you are looking for an everyday routine to exercise your spiritual or mental “muscles,” you can find many apps to help you get started right now.

The Bible compares spiritual growth to athletic training, teaching that while physical exercise has some value, “training for godliness” is essential. We can start by responding like we know where are help comes from, as we recognize God’s strength rather than depending entirely on our own willpower.

Key biblical principles for achieving spiritual fitness include:

  • Daily Spiritual Discipline: Just as an athlete trains their body, believers are called to exercise their faith through regular prayer, worship, and meditating on scriptures.
  • Abiding in Christ: Spiritual fitness is not about self-effort alone. Jesus emphasizes that just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it stays attached to the vine, believers must remain connected to Him to grow spiritually.
  • Honoring Your Body: The Bible also values physical health, noting that your body is a “temple of the Holy Spirit”. Caring for your physical health is viewed as a way to honor God.
  • Running the Race with patience: means enduring life’s spiritual and personal challenges with persistent perseverance. Rather than sprinting for quick results instead, focus on your long-term goals and refusing to quit despite pressure.

My friends God has the perfect individual work out plan for each of us. To make changes we must be willing to participate. “Health in both body and mind is real wealth.”

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone, is when we are helping them up.

The Greatest of These

The Greatest of These

By | | Comments 0 Comment

The Greatest of These

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:1-3, 8 & 13 NIV

What’s love got to do with anything you say, it has everything to do with it. The Lord knew exactly what this world needed. Love. And because of love He sent his only begotten son into the world showing us in real time love, mercy and compassion. Dear hearts, no matter what you are doing or trying to do in service to others, whether it be financial or time, without love we not hitting on nothing.

The “love chapter” is a common nickname for this chapter. It is famously read at many weddings. Written by the Apostle Paul, it defines true, selfless love as an action and concludes that love outlasts all other spiritual gifts. It includes selflessness, humility, kindness, grace, and endurance.

While frequently associated with romance and marriage ceremonies, the original text addresses unity and community conflict within the early church in Corinth. Paul wrote this chapter to emphasize that extraordinary spiritual abilities—such as prophecy or profound knowledge—are completely meaningless without a foundation of unconditional, sacrificial love (often referred to in the original Greek as agape).

The chapter is most famous for its concluding verse, the greatest of these, which elevates love above all other virtues. It famously states: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” At the end of the day love is not what you say; love is what you do. Love is an action word. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

This is Only a Test

This is Only a Test

By | | Comments 0 Comment

This is Only A Test

I’m showing my ages again y’all. How many of you remember this, “This is a test of the emergency broadcast system, this is only a test.” Launched in 1963 It was an eerie buzzing sound done on TV and over the radio. It played for 20 to 25 seconds. I remember the man cartoon figure low to the ground with a helmet on his head and binoculars in his hand as though he was searching for something.

The system was established to provide the president of the United States with an expeditious method of communicating with the American public in the event of war threat of war, or grave national crisis. Did you all know that in February 1971, the Emergency Broadcast System faced a major scare. A teletype operator accidentally broadcasted a real “Emergency Action Notification” instead of a test tape. This caused mass panic, as radio stations abruptly ceased regular programming at the height of the Cold War.

Although the system was never used for a national emergency, it was activated more than 20,000 times between 1976 and 1996 to broadcast civil emergency messages and warnings of severe weather hazards.

Tests are a part of the world we all live in. Whether it is faith, patience, in our minds, and peace. In our homes, on our jobs and everything in between. Nevertheless friends, we are not alone when test come. Jesus Tells us that He is with us. The dictionary defines A “test” is a way to find out if something works or how much you know.

1 John 4:1 command believer not to accept every spiritual claim blindly, but to critically evaluate teachings and leaders. Because many deceptive voices and false teachers exist, Christians must use discernment to test whether the underlying spirit behind a message truly originates from God. John warns against spiritual gullibility. He instructs the church to actively assess the source, character, and content of teachings rather than accepting them simply because they sound spiritual.“Testing the Spirit” refers to the attitude, teaching, or influence driving a person. Believers are to examine whether a teacher’s message aligns with the foundational truths of the gospel. Study to learn these differences.

My friends let me leave you with this thought, true spiritual maturity is measured by how quick you act in obedience even when it makes you uncomfortable. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Leftovers

Leftovers

By | | Comments 0 Comment

Leftovers

In the book of John, chapter 6 verse 12, we see that Jesus feed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. No doubt a miracle of the Heavenly kind. And when everyone was full, He told His followers to gather the remaining food, so nothing was wasted. They collected 12 baskets of food.

I’m not gonna kid you I love me some leftovers. My favorite is Thanksgiving dinner, nothing like moms dressing with a little giblet gravy, some cranberry sauce, and don’t forget the rolls. Lordy be!

Leftover is something that remains unused or unconsumed. Most commonly, the plural form leftovers refer to the edible food remaining uneaten at the end of a meal, which is often saved, refrigerated, and eaten later.

Jesus cared about that hungry multitude, and he thought beyond just today, but for tomorrow. In Jesus relationship with people, he never gave us leftover or in other words the bare minimum. He always gave us His absolute best (love, focus, patience, and enthusiasm, just to name a few).

Giving God your best is a recurring theme in the Bible. It generally means prioritizing doing everything with a wholehearted, sincere effort. I get it friends our lives are filled with distractions and busy schedules. Overcoming these challenges often requires setting clear boundaries. It means deciding to put God first before the daily rush begins.

Giving your best to God means offering Him your time, heart, and talents completely. It is a way to say thank you for all His blessings. Give Him your very best every day. No sloppy seconds. Friends ask yourself this question, what would happen if God didn’t give us his very best?

“When we give God our best He will bless the rest.”

Remember friends we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Canadian Book Publishing

Menu

Latest Release

The Armor Project