tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082029953773801512012-02-16T15:28:32.066-05:00Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.comBlogger891100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-59392299828405481342011-01-01T11:22:00.002-05:002011-01-01T11:27:11.467-05:00

Tim Challies of challies.com, a fabulous blog that I read regularly (and a fellow Canadian!) posted his top 10 most popular entries since he's been blogging. All of them are interesting, lots of them being book reviews. I found this one particularly moving, as he shares the poem of a woman whose marriage has been ravaged by her husband's addiction to pornography. The devastation that

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-15761124467845288652010-12-23T11:02:00.002-05:002010-12-23T11:09:35.302-05:00

This is my niece, leila. Isn't she the cutest thing ever??

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-38781140727787389802010-12-17T08:32:00.004-05:002010-12-17T08:34:47.927-05:00

"the only way two sinners can forge a relationship of respect, appreciation, and peace is when they are relying on God's grace and are committed to give grace to one another..."An awesome article by Paul Tripp about the painful harvest of unforgiveness in relationships.

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-19850263873731529652010-11-07T07:20:00.005-05:002010-11-07T07:45:38.000-05:00

We had so much fun carving pumpkins with our community group last week! Here's some proof of the craftiness...

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-57684708560837623722010-11-03T14:46:00.002-04:002010-11-03T14:48:54.795-04:00

One of the many reasons I love Charles Spurgeon...his solid teachings on the sovereignty of God."I do not come into this pulpit hoping that perhaps somebody will of his own free will return to Christ. My hope lies in another quarter. I hope that my Master will lay hold of some of them and say, 'You are mine, and you shall be mine. I claim you for myself.' My hope arises from the freeness of

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-71390450839403268222010-10-26T14:50:00.003-04:002010-10-26T15:11:00.042-04:00

My family and friends who know me best know that I'm an avid exerciser. My solitary run, pick up basketball with friends or lifting circuit at the gym is something that I really look forward to each day. The exercise endorphins got a hold of me in high school and even more in college, and they haven't let go of me since. Now I can't stop myself from remembering how good it feels to get active,

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-74960577918138170532010-10-20T14:46:00.002-04:002010-10-20T14:51:44.124-04:00

I've been meaning to start listening to John Piper's series on Romans for the past few months and am finally getting disciplined enough to start the venture this week. Piper took his church through the book of Romans for seven years before it was completed- talk about exegesis! The series started with Romans 1:1 "The Author of the Greatest Letter Ever Written". As always, Piper is an amazing

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-58363653810197059992010-10-13T09:05:00.005-04:002010-10-13T09:22:37.232-04:00

I love CCEF, a biblical counseling college dedicated to restoring Christ to counseling and counseling to the church (that is actually their slogan too!) The resources available on their website have been so helpful to me as I complete a secular education in a counseling-related field. The emphasis on Freudian psychologies, self-actualization and many other psyche-driven interventions in the

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-13874778539018128432010-10-01T09:52:00.005-04:002010-10-01T09:58:59.308-04:00

We sang this song last Sunday at church and it wrecked my soul for how far I am from these words being true and yet how much I want them to be my life's song.Be Thou my VisionWords – Dallan Forgail, 6th CenturyBe Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that Thou artThou my best though, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my lightBe Thou my wisdom, Thou

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-25674588932021581722010-09-15T15:06:00.002-04:002010-09-15T15:12:45.869-04:00

Be appalled, O heavens, at this;be shocked, be utterly desolate,declares the Lord,for my people have committed two evils:they have forsaken me,the fountain of living waters,and hewed out cisterns for themselves,broken cisterns that can hold no water.Jeremiah 2:12-13Reading this today brought a conviction of the idols that are vying for my affections, challenging the place that Christ holds in my

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-54973928847797394232010-08-29T10:31:00.003-04:002010-08-29T10:54:51.438-04:00

After growing up in a church and floundering through what it meant to follow Christ in high school, mostly by seeking moralism and religion, the Lord changed my heart to see Him as glorious and wonderful, and to convict me of the sin of chasing after my own worldly interests. This is just a summary of my long process toward truly following Christ, and eventually, he used the life of older women

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-22399245413038903652010-08-28T12:35:00.004-04:002010-08-28T12:57:02.704-04:00

I've been getting back into some serious leisure reading (is that an oxymoron?) and its been pretty great for my soul. The non-stop action of work and grad school has had me on a pretty long hiatus from consistent reading, so cracking open a good book over the past week has been extremely enjoyable. Its amazing the significant effect of what I put into my mind on my daily life and outlook.

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-66304510567301143732010-08-27T18:02:00.001-04:002010-08-27T18:04:17.772-04:00

This video made me laugh. When I showed it to my mom, her response was "you did that type of thing when you were that age".

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-44357315874021362152010-08-18T13:19:00.002-04:002010-08-18T13:33:55.634-04:00

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19This is such an absolute, all-encompassing promise that it almost seems to great to be true. All our needs are met in the riches of the person of Christ Jesus. To an aching conscience, the person of Christ offers redemption. To the unloved, he offers the comfort of his perfect love. To

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-22865500368035340762010-08-16T10:59:00.003-04:002010-08-16T11:17:26.333-04:00

I have a lot to anticipate in the near future. The end of summer is bringing some exciting and fun things my way and I can't help but be thankful for the simple joys of relationships, changes that are happening in other's lives as well as my own and the opportunity to spend time with people I love. The Lord is so good at giving blessings out.Here's a highlight reel of the things I'm excited

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-58896649832948886392010-08-13T08:45:00.005-04:002010-08-13T09:52:06.874-04:00

Romans 15:4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by the endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.This morning I am reminded of words of assurance that point us to Jesus and eternity, offering a hope in Christ and God's promises that is a firm foundation for every struggle in life. These truths fix my eyes on a coming Savior

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-30385402796752250202010-08-06T08:34:00.035-04:002010-08-06T09:45:22.612-04:00

Here are just a few of the finer moments in my life created by my funny husband (and perhaps egged on by me at times!)Yes, this is the first time he has ever worn an apron! (Note that this is a rare time Mark isn't loving the camera on him.)This pictured was taken from the car window while stopped at a red light. He just couldn't resist running out to grab a bite of that hot juicy burger. A

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-63601370306828666232010-08-05T13:34:00.004-04:002010-08-05T13:46:53.749-04:00

I couldn't resist posting this article from Tim Challie's blog that reviews a classic 70's spoof of a book. It made me laugh many times.Help Lord--The Devil Wants Me Fat!Last year I posted a few pictures from the old 70’s classic Soul Winning Made Easy by C.S. Lovett. Recently I came across another of his books, one titled Help Lord—The Devil Wants Me Fat! The book teaches how the devil is able

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-54667580389864263042010-08-03T14:14:00.005-04:002010-08-03T15:29:53.372-04:00

So I've been reflecting on whether I should further extend my hiatus from the blog-o-sphere which has been steadily occurring over the past few months or if I should try to get back into sharing my heart, thoughts and convictions with renewed vigor. The problem I continue to face in consistently writing on here boils down to a greater struggle that currently encompasses most areas of my life-

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-78521610468857132242010-06-12T09:42:00.000-04:002010-06-12T09:44:30.639-04:00

“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9You and I are not integrated, unified, whole persons. Our hearts are multi-divided. There is a board room in every heart. Big table. Leather chairs. Coffee. Bottled water. Whiteboard. A committee sits around the table. There is the social self, the private self, the work self, the sexual self, the

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-32235201615238528232010-06-03T10:13:00.000-04:002010-06-03T10:16:48.887-04:00

Yes, I've been neglecting my blog as of late, and no, I don't have much of an excuse for it besides the fact that I tried to redo the template, messed it up, lost my previous one, and then got fed up with trying to fix it. Good excuse? Nah, I didn't think so either. The good news is that I have fresh inspiration to fix my blog template, make it look sweeter than ever before, and get back into

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-40252593139611661412010-06-02T12:50:00.000-04:002010-06-02T12:53:44.491-04:00

A fellow Canadian blogger shared this post. Watch the videos to understand why it moved me to tears.From Challies Dot ComEvery now and again I like to give you a snippet of Canadiana in a series I call "It's a Fact, eh?" Let me do so again today.Yesterday I had to drive down to Buffalo to pick up my sister and my niece who are up here for a short visit. I pulled onto the highway and, as I did so

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-85078345961673729492010-03-22T14:24:00.000-04:002010-03-22T14:29:34.569-04:00

Just an fyi:If your morning routine includes heading to Starbucks before 10:30 a.m. (this may not apply to the college peeps whose day usually begins around 11 or 12...) :) It's free pastry day with the purchase of a brewed or iced beverage at Starbucks if you get there before 10:30 and use this coupon.Enjoy the freebie!

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-1086322617138319522010-03-14T09:00:00.000-04:002010-03-14T09:02:27.878-04:00

“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” — 1 Corinthians 10:12 It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, “I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall.” “I have fervent love,” says another, “I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray.” He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of.

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-37472767757856793282010-03-13T09:41:00.000-05:002010-03-13T09:43:21.476-05:00

“The Puritans and [Jonathan] Edwards had the highest view of the mercy of God. In a sense their high view of the mercy of God is what gave them the courage to be self-analytical. But I think people reading them who are not grounded in a high view of the gospel can become depressed and introspective.”David Powlison, CCEL podcast: “Biblical Counseling and the Puritans"

jods22@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06846188119160421239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-10905691645519592882010-03-08T15:29:00.000-05:002010-03-08T15:37:36.919-05:00

This week I'm thankful that there is finally some sunshine! God's grace to us who are seasonally depressed. ;)I'm thankful for being able to worship with the saints at Veritas.I'm thankful for my time in Australia which introduced me to Indian food (which is what I'm serving Mark tonight!...eee we'll see how that goes!)I'm thankful that my natural inclination to discontentedness finds no grounds

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-32924492694470967642010-03-08T15:28:00.000-05:002010-03-08T15:29:37.913-05:00

“I fear there are some Christians among you to whom Christ cannot say ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.’ Your haughty dwelling arises in the midst of thousands who have scarce a fire to warm themselves at and have but little clothing to keep out the biting frost, and yet you never darkened their door. You heave a sigh perhaps at a distance, but you do not

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-20991919041375580342010-03-06T09:51:00.000-05:002010-03-06T10:01:51.963-05:00

This song has been a favorite of mine for a good while and it was also played in our wedding while Mark and I lit the unity candle! The lyrics are filled with praise for the mercy and grace of God in redeeming sinful hearts such as mine. A lot of Christian music these days tends to focus on a "positive message" or even a humanistic, self-focused message of doing good things and being good

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-33112606315176726602010-03-05T09:15:00.000-05:002010-03-05T09:18:21.069-05:00

I may have been away for awhile, but this video still makes my heart swell with pride for my home country, the under dogs, the forgotten, the humble, CANADA!

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-47179216420445046112010-02-26T09:00:00.000-05:002010-02-26T09:21:36.156-05:00

I don't know about you all, but I tend to waste a lot of time thinking about the things I don't have and wish I could change in my life, instead of focusing on my blessings and the simple things that God has given me out of His kindness and grace. This just leaves me discontent and unhappy with my circumstances and the things I don't like about life instead of grateful for all the things I do

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-87174974355034176182010-02-24T16:16:00.000-05:002010-02-24T16:38:13.164-05:00

Few pastor's words and sermons have influenced my view of the gospel and its daily relevance to the extent of Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church in Texas. Podcasting his sermons has deepened my understanding and application of the Bible in monumental ways. He's also freaking funny and his messages are challenging and steeped in the truth of God's love and grace to us in Christ despite

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-32483798508926182152010-02-23T14:07:00.000-05:002010-02-23T14:12:03.319-05:00

This picture brings me great joy- Mark and I are so blessed by our wonderful friends! They're so full of life! The Lord's woven our paths together in ways that only HE, in all His sovereignty and wisdom, could make possible. To Him be the glory! Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-87655192549737132382010-02-22T10:19:00.000-05:002010-02-22T10:20:11.943-05:00

“Be of good courage and cast these dreadful thoughts out of your mind. Whenever the devil pesters you with these thoughts, at once seek out the company of men, drink more, joke and jest, or engage in some other form of merriment. . . . When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares that we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus: ‘I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it?

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-50741249913261216902010-02-11T16:27:00.000-05:002010-02-11T16:36:51.204-05:00

I think we all have moments where we are left asking and wondering, "why does God love me?" What can make a perfect and pure, sinless, holy God love a sinful, wandering and weak person like me? For me, the more I see my sin and how deeply seeded it lies in my soul, I grow in my wonder of my God whose love will not let me go, no matter how far I stray. It is an indescribable and

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-65606630621105332762010-02-01T14:55:00.000-05:002010-02-01T15:04:23.538-05:00

ok, so i'm a morning person, so it might seem a bit biased that i'd be preaching the gloriousness of mornings...but seriously, i have found mornings to be some of the most profitable and rich times in my life. time with the Lord, exercise, breakfast, studying, reflection are consistently enriched when i do these things in the morning hours. i am definitely not consistent in waking up early

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-90398934697236661772010-01-29T09:10:00.000-05:002010-01-29T09:44:03.063-05:00

I spent the day at the Traumatic Brain Injury unit yesterday where people with brain trauma combined with alcohol/drug addictions seek recovery and treatment that is specific to their needs and abilities. It was an "aha" moment for me as I sat in on one of the group therapy sessions and heard the life and hope in the voices of people who have lived the majority of their lives in bondage to

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-87509682193038182302010-01-15T13:24:00.000-05:002010-01-18T08:02:09.930-05:00

"Repentance involves seeing sin for the deceitful and deadly thing that it is, so that we turn from it. Belief in Christ involves seeing Christ for the gracious and powerful Saviour that he is, so that we turn to him. These two acts go together in a person’s salvation. Repentance and belief are like two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one side of the coin without the other side also." -

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-68636899298168233732010-01-10T09:31:00.000-05:002010-01-10T09:32:07.515-05:00

There once was in man a true happiness of which now remain to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings, seeking from things absent the help he does not obtain in things present. But these are all inadequate, because the infi- nite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself.-Pascal

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-52446118878612684052009-12-17T11:03:00.000-05:002009-12-17T11:27:49.849-05:00

How sweet are the days when I truly yearn for Christ and His return. May they be more often, may they be deeper. May they compel me to seek, find and enjoy the Lord in joy and love.come Thou long expected Jesusborn to set Thy people freefrom our fears and sins release uslet us find our rest in Thee.Come Thou long awaited Emmanuel!Come Thou long awaited Emmanuel!

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-88070024270282050812009-12-15T11:09:00.001-05:002009-12-15T12:17:39.415-05:00

My soul waits and longs and hopes for change. Change in the worldly sense has always quickened my heart in excitement; I grow easily bored with circumstances and as I find myself in the midst of one milestone, I am hasting to look to the next one ahead. This has always been the case for me. Whether its going away to college or leaving to study abroad or finishing college hockey or getting

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-48632300231816731742009-12-02T11:31:00.000-05:002009-12-02T11:32:49.250-05:00

21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-86661718355443576392009-11-19T15:04:00.000-05:002009-11-19T15:05:52.180-05:00

"May the living God who is the portion and rest of the saints make these our carnal minds so spiritual and our earthly hearts so heavenly that loving Him and delighting in Him may be the work of our lives." - Richard Baxter

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-1821100218755708782009-10-22T13:51:00.000-04:002009-10-22T14:28:28.381-04:00

whatever was to my profit, i count it all as loss, compared to the surpassing grace of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake i have lost all things.i read these words today and they cut straight to my heart. thinking about the trivialities of life that my heart gets caught up in, that i am no where near counting these things as unimportant or seeing them with indifference, let alone

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-70579105503369039012009-09-25T10:54:00.000-04:002009-09-25T10:55:48.816-04:00

’Tis a Point I Long to Know’Tis a point I long to know, Oft it causes anxious thought; Do I love the LORD, or no? Am I his, or am I not?If I love, why am I thus? Why this dull and lifeless frame? Hardly, sure, can they be worse, Who have never heard his name!Could my heart so hard remain, Prayer a task and burden prove; Every trifle give me pain, If I knew a Savior’s love?When I turn my eyes

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-14304439209306644182009-08-09T00:13:00.001-04:002009-08-09T00:40:18.249-04:00

sifting through sin that the Lord's bringing to my attention; seeing, feeling, experiencing the deadness that sin brings.thanking the Lord that He has made a way for me and that His promises quicken my heart to life from the death i deserve.he promises newness.a new heart. "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-38108138699653507982009-07-23T11:43:00.000-04:002009-07-23T12:26:12.958-04:00

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-47913733481742506272009-07-21T08:10:00.000-04:002009-07-21T08:11:50.647-04:00

JD Greear shares three things he prays every morning to help him stay gospel-centered.“God, because I am in Christ I know there is nothing I can do today that would make you love me any more, and there is nothing I have done that makes you love me any less.”“God, your presence and approval is all I need to have joy today.”“God, everything the gospel tells me about your intentions for my life is

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-86685253987946979302009-07-16T10:52:00.001-04:002009-07-16T11:15:59.449-04:00

i've been praying that the Lord would give me wisdom. i've been praying this a lot lately. mostly cause i'm seeing all the situations in my life where i'm acting without wisdom and discernment. i've been tossing around james 1:5 in my mind where james says, "if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given him. but when he

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-75255414253874180982009-07-10T09:54:00.000-04:002009-07-10T10:06:10.407-04:00

Guy #3 made this happen. Before him, it was just a couple of crazies breaking it down... then Guy #3 got risky and initiated a dance party. No bravery points for any one after Guy #3.

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-42572269067479932512009-07-09T22:01:00.000-04:002009-07-09T22:44:24.323-04:00

"We must hide our unholiness in the wounds of Christ as Moses hid himself in the cleft of the rock while the glory of God passed by. We must take refuge from God in God. Above all, we must believe that God sees us perfect in His Son while he disciplines and chastens and purges us so that we may be partakers of His holiness." A.W. TozerI know that I must preach the gospel to myself everyday. I

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-20646839351131586142009-07-06T23:52:00.001-04:002009-07-06T23:52:49.392-04:00

i drove for 14 hours in my car today. all alone. it was surprisingly wonderful apart from the periodic cramps that wreaked havoc on my legs every 2-3 hours. i became "that girl" doing laps around the sunoco gas station to get the blood flowing. i'm not ashamed. there were a few delirious moments of driving-exhaustion where the only remedy was to crank the local rap station and break it down

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-71614018457289414522009-05-27T10:52:00.001-04:002009-05-27T11:00:19.399-04:00

and my training hasn't been looking exactly like this...but i have had several break-ins lately to my apartment by the competition, trying to knock me off of my game...

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-25109362677608537382009-05-26T09:06:00.000-04:002009-05-26T10:18:14.936-04:00

Today.i'm praisin God for joy. i'm praisin Him for life to the full through grace. i'm praisin Him for friendships that are eternal.i'm praisin Him for knowing what i need when i don't.i'm praisin Him for simple joys.i'm praisin Him for revealing Himself to me through people.i'm praisin Him for unexpected joys...and boldness ;)i'm praisin Him that the mystery has been revealed to us.i'm praisin

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-5376211242017355702009-05-19T14:04:00.000-04:002009-05-19T14:29:36.040-04:00

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."These words have been coming to me a lot this week. "To whom shall we go?" I am convinced that there is nowhere

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-20481197729796462832009-04-30T07:10:00.001-04:002009-04-30T07:10:32.707-04:00

“My soul – never be satisfied within a shadowy Christ. … I cannot know Christ through another person’s brains. I cannot love him with another man’s heart, and I cannot see him with another man’s eyes. … I am so afraid of living in a second-hand religion. God forbid that I should get a biographical experience. Lord save us from having borrowed communion. No, I must know him myself. O God, let me

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-59689841939461643972009-04-29T06:19:00.000-04:002009-04-29T06:37:49.317-04:00

Lately the Lord's been making alive to me the call to genuine, authentic faith. The kind of faith that proved Abraham to be righteous, the kind of faith that is believing without seeing, the kind of faith that does not waver in unbelief but is strengthened and God-glorifying (Romans 4:20). The kind of faith that must be Spirit-led and not man-labored. "After beginning with the Spirit are you

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-20867171699651944502009-04-11T07:54:00.000-04:002009-04-11T08:18:38.340-04:00

This weekend, I'm struggling and failing to grasp and cherish what Christ did for me in His submission to death and victory over death. Lord, have mercy on me according to your unfailing love.This is straight up cut and pasted from John Piper's blog, Desiring God. I read it yesterday morning, then again 10 minutes later, then again in the afternoon, then again 15 minutes later, then again that

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-18850835862909160782009-04-10T08:59:00.000-04:002009-04-10T11:15:48.662-04:00

The last couple weeks have been craziness for me...as can be seen by my recent abandonment of my blogging. But I'm still here! And I praise God that my blog-abandonment has come not from having nothing to write about, but because He has been teaching me and showing me so many different things that it's an overwhelming thought to even attempt to put it to words. His sovereign grace and mercy in

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-26686397815262153302009-04-01T23:04:00.000-04:002009-04-01T23:07:03.930-04:00

"I will go before you and will level the mountains,I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.I will give you the treasures of darkness,Riches stored in secret placesSo that you may know that I AM the LORDthe GOD of ISRAELwho summons YOU by NAME."Isaiah 45:3

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-16148705369379715022009-03-21T12:57:00.000-04:002009-03-21T14:52:53.861-04:00

"In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:4-5The saying goes something like this, "You don't realize what you've got til it's gone". Well, my roomies are gone (don't worry, its only temporary- spring break!) and I've been realizing what I've got: some freaking sweet sisters and

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-13341068188146721412009-03-20T12:13:00.000-04:002009-03-20T12:37:50.838-04:00

All the power required to do all that He wills to do lies in undiminished fullness in His own infinite being.The Presbyterian pastor, A.B. Simpson, approaching middle age, broken in health, deeply despondent and ready to quit the ministry, chanced to hear the simple Negro spiritual,Nothing is too hard for Jesus,No man can work like Him.Its message sped like an arrow to his heart, carrying faith

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-34355351438475030682009-03-16T09:44:00.000-04:002009-03-16T10:08:51.208-04:00

It's finals time and for me, that means locking myself up in my room, lighting some candles, listening to internet radio 24/7 and drinking lots and lots of tea. It also eventually leads to one of my favorite activities- tossing all my notes and assignments into the trash (of course, some of them I chose to keep but this is very rare) and walking away in freedom once that final exam has been

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-49146508936130081292009-03-14T10:21:00.000-04:002009-03-14T10:31:51.232-04:00

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-66068865700455255092009-03-13T00:33:00.000-04:002009-03-13T00:45:33.466-04:00

"I do not set aside the grace of God"Grace. I can't grasp it. I can't fathom why I was offered it. I can't value it rightly. I can't understand its completeness.Yet I cling to it. Because in all my inability to see it for what it really is, God mercifully causes me to know that its the only thing worth clinging to.

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-27095477158162094642009-03-11T00:51:00.000-04:002009-03-11T01:02:18.813-04:00

Why Am I Second? Cause Christ is Everything for me. I can't do anything on my own and I can't live for myself as I have in the past. I've tried so many things to fulfill the need in my life but I am convinced that there is no true joy, no reason, no purpose, no satisfaction apart from Christ.

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-62068042023107864102009-03-06T08:02:00.001-05:002009-03-06T08:24:40.155-05:00

Alright, I have a public confession to make. This has been on my conscience for about the past day, and I just have to say it. I know the answer to the economic crisis befalling the USA.I've known it for awhile, pretty much all my life, but I've been too scared, too timid, to tell my American friends. To share the secret of a land so bountiful that its own inhabitants will not divulge its

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-60050811528349549522009-03-04T13:40:00.000-05:002009-03-04T15:19:05.832-05:00

We watched this video in one of my business classes the other night as an illustration for a concept we were discussing. I was pretty repulsed when I first saw it, but its fueled a lot of thoughts since then. If you watch the first 30 seconds, that's enough. I warn you that the following video may disturb you but its not graphic.My initial reaction was to turn to the dude sitting next to me

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-49236546884947128602009-03-02T22:31:00.000-05:002009-03-02T22:57:53.657-05:00

I have some pretty cool dudes coming to visit me this weekend! My two brothers (one by blood, the other by choice) are gonna be visiting Columbus and beyond over the next few weeks and are stopping in for some much-needed bonding time. They're a ton of fun and although The Hallway (our less than roomy house) is a bit limited on space, it should be a great time!

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-90413171206527515822009-03-02T10:58:00.000-05:002009-03-02T11:32:50.476-05:00

The upcoming thoughts of graduating from college have produced a lot of different things within me: excitement, anxiety, violent outbursts, fear, joy, sweating blood....there's been a pretty good range of emotions that have played themselves out over the past month or two. The reality of the current economy and my somewhat "complicated" scenario of being an alien in a foreign land (literally)

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-55160429471758294162009-03-02T00:41:00.000-05:002009-03-02T01:03:28.007-05:00

"I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24Intentional, sacrificial prayer has been on my heart for the past 2 weeks.  This is a new thing for me.  It's easy to pray as I walk to and from class, as I exercise, as I sit in the car, as I go about my day, and fit prayer into my schedule as I wish.  But where is the sacrifice involved in that when I

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-80462629917170684162009-02-12T21:24:00.000-05:002009-02-12T21:26:28.977-05:00

My blog is currently under some major construction!  For those of you who still check in on it once in awhile, thanks for keeping up with me.  I'll have some new posts coming along asap.

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-29407124584658117182008-12-08T21:44:00.000-05:002008-12-08T21:55:43.692-05:00

In no particular order...10. The Sun, The Sand, The Ocean. enough said.9. Running around the Swan River with a backdrop of Perth city and kite boarders on the river.8. Stopping for coffee/tea time every 2 hours...may need to incorporate that into my NA life.7. The plethora of outdoor adventures at my fingertips- surfing and scuba diving will be missed the most.6. Tim Tam Slams. If you're

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-17601973746878806522008-11-25T20:21:00.000-05:002008-11-25T20:48:46.252-05:00

the title of my blog is temporarily inaccurate and should take on the name "Asian Adventures" for about a week. 2 hours after my last final exam, i was boarding a plane to Singapore to catch up with some old friends from Sask. Aleasha and Jamie have been teaching abroad for the past 6 years and it was soooo good to see them and to meet their two adorable little kids, Jaxon and Ruby. seeing

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-55983519837698442012008-11-18T06:00:00.000-05:002008-11-18T07:01:32.096-05:00

Lately the country tunes have found their way to the top of my ipod playlist. And the crooning of nostalgic cowboys has made me feel a tad bit nostalgic myself. Usually the country music leads me to the bottom of a whiskey bottle and thoughts of my lil broski, a diehard country fan (one, both or neither of those statements may or may not be true), but right now life is dealing the right mix of

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-46078699451322743182008-10-30T07:50:00.000-04:002008-10-30T08:02:08.421-04:00

yes, i am going to Bali, Indonesia. random you say?...well, yes. but not really when you consider that Bali is Australian's number 1 tourist destination due to cheap flights, cheap food, cheap hotels, pretty much cheap everything. and seeing as i'm supposed to be getting a full experience of australian culture, i figured that it didn't seem right to miss out on a big part of their lives-

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-90213534069629224912008-10-19T22:01:00.000-04:002008-10-19T22:40:06.489-04:00

My biggest fears since coming to the land of bountiful flora and fauna has been an attack by one of the 3 S's: snakes, spiders or sharks. Always lingering in the back of my mind as I step into the ocean is the thought that a great white could be lurking in the waters, waiting for me to come out deep enough that it can eat me up in one quick bite. Yet, I always rationalize in my mind that it is

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-54507677480788477352008-10-13T23:12:00.000-04:002008-10-13T23:37:37.209-04:00

Perth scenery. In honor of you, Knuckles!! Cuba's a staffy.

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-66410479828790680132008-10-13T22:24:00.000-04:002008-10-13T23:11:34.185-04:00

This morning I'm sitting at the computer with my second cup of instant coffee beside me (its the only kind of coffee they drink here), looking forward to a gorgeous spring day. How do I know it's spring here? Well, besides the whole city seeming to come alive with a new energy that was missing in the winter months, there are a few other signs. The hot sun is pulling out 30 degree celsius days

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-76870292016999769562008-10-01T22:11:00.000-04:002008-10-01T22:36:38.750-04:00

I just got home from a weekend away as far south as you can go in Australia, in a little town called Augusta. I think it might be the most beautiful place on earth. Augusta is at the point where the Indian Ocean from the west and the Arctic Ocean from the south converge. This in itself creates some pretty amazing displays of nature. Augusta also has a river that runs through the town and into the

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-41403596510386858812008-09-25T01:00:00.000-04:002008-09-25T01:23:22.273-04:00

You really know you're in a foreign country when the sport being played on TV makes no sense and looks completely weird and strange to you and you have trouble even figuring out which way both teams are going! The past few weeks have been a lot of that confusion for me, as the AFL Footy season playoffs have been underway. "Footy" is the Aussie-rules version of American football, but it really

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-89759828563052616762008-09-16T02:33:00.000-04:002008-09-16T02:34:48.456-04:00

After being in Australia for nearly two months, I thought I owed it to you all to dispel any notions that this tropical island is a complete oasis and paradise on earth. Yes, the beaches are amazing, the winters are warm, the summers are hot, the people are charming and the animals are cute. I’ll even go as far as saying that the Aussie lifestyle is extremely appealing and that the most used

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-51568556643130321682008-08-31T08:43:00.000-04:002008-08-31T09:29:22.824-04:00

It's Sunday night and I am salt-saturated, sun burnt, wind burnt, sore all over, bruised in random places, exhausted and...thoroughly satisfied. I just got home from my first adventure in the Indian ocean on the back of a surf board. I went for a two day trip up north to a little town called Lancelin that is known for their good learn-to-surf waves. Along with 11 other random people, all students

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-24076909249170385082008-08-28T11:22:00.001-04:002008-08-28T12:04:40.808-04:00

I've been spending a lot of time alone lately. Something to do with being on a continental island on the other side of the world....I dunno. But here's the thing- my moments of aloneness and solitude have been some of the richest moments of my life. The solitude I am experiencing away from others has translated into some of the most intimate and fulfilling communion with the Lord. Listen to

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-43607056105443430252008-08-28T07:01:00.001-04:002008-08-28T12:20:35.465-04:00

it is the dead of winter in perth, WA. how do i know this? why do i have pictures of the beach if its winter, you ask?? or a more common question, does australia even have a winter? well, that depends on how you define the term "winter". because to my aussie comrads, winter means pulling out the wool socks (the ocean breezes tend to get a bit chilly!), slapping on a wetsuit before braving the

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-76640381256911286372008-08-21T11:27:00.000-04:002008-08-21T12:29:11.809-04:00

This week I have realized a very important fact about my life here: I am a student. I have homework. I have research to do. I have group assignments to begin. And I have to learn where the library is... In the excitement and emotions of being here, I confess that I allowed myself to fall into what I like to call the "First Weeks Floating Phase". It is that blissful time in the semester when

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-70250756153795497382008-08-15T03:03:00.000-04:002008-08-15T03:20:52.800-04:00

As you might have guessed from the title, I am beginning to settle in to life in Perth and the Aussie way. I have been here for almost 4 weeks and can now say that I am through the worst of homesickness and am starting to drink in each moment and experience what life has to offer with complete enthusiasm. I remember my international business class talking about the 4 stages of transitioning to

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-82419631411158790992008-08-04T21:30:00.000-04:002008-08-04T22:02:11.648-04:00

And I have no good excuse for my lack of blogging over the past 2 weeks...unless you consider the factors of jetlag, culture shock, homesickness, and a little bit of nervous anticipation thrown in there as well. It has been exactly two weeks since my first day in Perth, but I feel like I have been here a lot longer. This is probably because I have ridden more buses and trains than I have in my

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-83770896541686428732008-07-16T10:51:00.000-04:002008-07-17T20:37:30.634-04:00

As my mom often reminds me (with a satisfied, somewhat smug look on her face), I am NOT a "details" person. The smug look from Danae is a reminder that indeed she IS a "details" person, and so despite all my strivings to be an independent, self-sufficient woman, when it comes down to it I admit...I still need my mama.No, I do not thrive off of labeling every folder and filing it with a color

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508202995377380151.post-83093718029913356342008-07-11T15:47:00.000-04:002008-07-11T16:05:57.263-04:00

It just seemed like the right thing to do- go away on a trip so you sign up for a blogspot, email all your friends the addy, and then write. Write about your thoughts, your dreams, your comings and goings, your new friends, your life. And yet now as I find myself on the brink of this new blogworld, I'm starting to have cold feet about it all. Parusing on the massive network of other people's

Jody Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621018947839167247noreply@blogger.com1