Tag: Life w/the Colemans (Page 8 of 8)

The Call

May 4, 2008 / Jennifer Coleman / 1 Comment

What is The Call? It’s a prayer and fasting movement led by Lou Engle. Thousands across our nation and around the world have been gathering to pray and fast for break through in spiritual realms.

Our friends the Conways have been becoming more and more involved with the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Tampa and attended a Call gathering held in FL a few months ago. They let us in on the movement and then Leslie and her son J drove until the early hours of the morning to attend The Call gathering here with us in Montgomery on April 5th. We were blessed to have them come pray with us.

Over ten thousand gathered to pray and fast that day .. it was a very moving experience. God did a work in all of our lives. It’s hard to describe the intense warfare that was going on against abortion, tearing down prejudices and bitterness between black and whites, and releasing revival in America.

Here is a powerful 2 min. video from YouTube from The Call. Just a taste of the 12 hours we experienced.

I learned a lot about the history of our new city and about how God is moving in our city and nation.

You can join in with the thousands praying and fasting in future The Call gatherings by watch them live on God TV. There will be a The Call gathering in DC in August, one in CA this fall and several International ones including one in Israel coming soon.

http://us.god.tv

There are many other ways you can get involved, also. You can donate, volunteer, you can attend training, you can commit to pray and fast against abortion for life, you can help start an IHOP in your home town, you can plant a Prayer Furnace… and much more.

Be sure not to miss the Purity Covenant PDF file at

http://thecall.com/

International House of Prayer

http://www.ihop.org/

Prayer Furnace

http://luke18project.com/

Prayer to end abortion

http://bound4life.com/

I was thinking a week or two before The Call that we need a ribbon for abortion awareness like the ones for breast cancer etc. At the call we got these “Life Bands” and have committed to pray this 22 word prayer everyday with thousands of others: “Jesus, I plead your Blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America.” You can order a band and learn more at the above site.

Earlier this year the Lord showed me a weed of doubt that had grown in my heart and revealed to me that doubt is having more faith in our enemies than in Him. I had allowed the thought that I would never see an end to abortion and that it was hopeless to pray against it to enter my heart. I repented immediately but the faith that I could be apart of bring down the stronghold of abortion still wasn’t there.

If you are in a place like that, with any enemy in your life.. get your self in a position to hear the WORD. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. If you have to hear it for days or months straight before it gets in your heart, do it. Lives may be a stake. Our weapons are not carnal but mighty to the pulling down of strong holds.

When I pray against abortion now, I have direction for my prayers. I pray for forgiveness of the sins of our nation and against the lies planted by the enemy that are leading people astray.. taking every thought captive and bringing them under submission to Truth.

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 MSG

I’ve been privileged to see the beginnings of revival in our nation and I hope in the last day you will find me still standing in prayer.

God Bless,

Some late coming news

March 31, 2008 / Jennifer Coleman / 1 Comment

Mike scolded me the other day for not having any blogs in March. 🙂 I need to work harder at putting blogging in my routine and get over the fact that I have little to say and just say something. I don’t mind a gentle reminder from time to time that’s been a while since I’ve blogged. You’d better send it in an e-mail though.. Sometimes I forget blogging exists. Did I mention that I am thinking about trying some ginkgo?

I am blogging today because I just learned some really sad news and thought you all should know. Larry Norman died of heart failure last month on February 24, 2008. He was a revolutionary song writer, a prophet, an evangelist and music producer. He led hundreds to Jesus and helped disciple many others through his music and testimony. He is known as the father of Christian Rock and has affected all our lives… even though we may not have realized it.

Larry had a heart for the lost and knew that he could reach his audience with the gospel through rock music. The secular music labels rejected him because he had too much Jesus in his songs and the Christians baned his music from their stores because they had too much rock. He started his own record label, Solid Rock and over the years produced a hundred solo albums and helped many other Christian artist, and in doing so helped Christian Rock to get its start.

Time Magazine once called Larry “the most significant artist in his field.” In the 70’s Billboard Magazine called him “the most important writer since Paul Simon.” He sung at the White House twice and at an 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium in Moscow once. In 2001 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Elvis Presley. He was still singing and producing in spite of his illness near the end of his life.

I am glad he stuck it out and paved the road for so many others like Third Day, Switchfoot, and ___________ (fill in the blank with your favorite). Music is such a powerful tool and so many people have been lead to Jesus through the message of Christian Rock that would have never have listened to a hymn. Can you imagine a world without the song “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me? Would you have ever thought just a few years ago that hundreds of secular radio stations would be playing a song about worshiping Jesus several times a day at their listener’s request? Larry played a part in that happening.

My personal Larry experiences:

The first time I saw Mike out side of school he introduced me to Larry by playing several of his songs for me on his record player (Mike barked like a dog to one of them and scared me to death).

Months later I was honored to hear that my picture hung next to Larry’s in his college dorm room.

Larry’s “I wished we’d all Been Ready” and “Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation” have been among my favorites.

Mike sung “The Tune” by Larry to me in our wedding.

Larry came to San Antonio once and we got to take the kids to meet him. He was very down to earth and enjoyed talking to just anyone. He signed a CD for us with a sketch of himself. Princess J was extremely flattered. His drawing of a face with long hair made her think it was of her. We all had a good laugh.

He has left a legacy of Christian faith for many generations. I am thankful for his life and for that of all the saints that have helped encourage us along the way to Jesus.

Jenny

Larry’s site
http://www.larrynorman.com/bio.html

Gospel Music Hall of Fame Bio of Larry
http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=514

CCM Mag’s report on his funeral
http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stories/11570494/

Puzzle Pieces

February 28, 2008 / Jennifer Coleman / 3 Comments

I read where someone said that moving is like having all the puzzle pieces of your life dumped out and you have to put it all back together.

Having moved to a smaller house a bunch of my puzzle pieces have been going to the dump and Good Will. About 10 car loads to each.

So far I haven’t regretted letting go of stuff.. it’s only been a couple of months, though. Less clutter has been nice and having to put all the puzzle pieces back together has given me the chance to look at what I really do need or love. I am a little concerned that there’s a day coming when I’ll spend ALL day looking for something only to remember days later that I took it to Good Will.

I am finally to the last hardest pieces: finding a place for those things I don’t need often but I wasn’t ready to see go and decorating.. the icing on the cake. Mom and Dad have been helping me by ordering some large prints of Dad’s beautiful nature photos. Some of my old art work just didn’t work in this house. THANKS so much! I’ll post pictures of them later..

I had some frames that I had put plain Bible verses in before and a bunch of pictures of the kids that I wanted to find a creative way to display.. so ta-da I decided to try to put them together in digital scrapbooking. Here are my first tries using Adobe and some free papers on line.

The Storms of LIfe

February 19, 2008 / Jennifer Coleman / 3 Comments

I love this painting by Rembrandt. I think sometimes we don’t take the Bible stories literally or seriously enough. We look at the disciples with scorn and think “Silly disciples. Why didn’t they trust Jesus?” When in their reality the waves were about to swallow them up. They were fishermen. They knew the sea. They weren’t afraid of a little storm. They were afraid for their lives for a good reason… I have no idea how Jesus slept during that storm. I think He must have been playing possum so that He could bring the disciples up to a higher level of faith for the storms of life that were on the horizon.

We have been keenly aware that we are in Tornado Alley since moving to AL. There have been several tornado warnings this year, a school closing and the tornado sirens are becoming a familiar sound.

Sunday there were several places in our area hit including a neighboring town where several of Mike’s co-workers live. Please, keep them in your prayers.

The storms were still a ways off when we left for church. Princess J had several questions about the safety of the church building in which we attend. I explained to her that it depended on the strength of the storm. She consoled herself that there were no windows in the main auditorium. I looked up and said that roof might get torn off and asked her if she knew what to do if it did.

I know. I wasn’t very reassuring. But I wanted her to put her trust in God no matter what happened and not be shocked and appalled if something did happen. We have to keep a cool head in times of crisis and not forget Who is in control and brings all things together for our good. Princess J has shown herself to be very calm and collected in storms of the past. At times much more so than I.

Once she was trying to climb down from a tree in our front yard and ripped her knee open. We rushed her to the ER. I thought a chunk of her leg was messing and was turning shades of white and green. All I could say to the ER attendant was “Help my baby.” She stayed perfectly calm and still through 25 stitches. She was only seven. She is really amazing. I could tell you more.

While in FL we weathered 4 hurricanes and several tropical storms. When there is a hurricane on the horizon you know sometimes weeks in advance and it’s all the news reporters talk about. The anticipation grew so bad that I had to stop watching TV. I was loosing my joy to fears of how I would handle it if I lost my home or how I would comfort a neighbor or friend who lost theirs.

Here is a poem I wrote early one morning during an approaching storm. I found my focus once again and was..

Overtaken by Joy

Hurricane Wilma on the horizon
My thoughts run this way and that.
How to prepare? Stand or escape?
What will she leave behind?

Not willing to cave into Fear
I look up to my Heavenly Father
And declare, You’re My Rock, My Fortress
My Invincibly Strong Tower!

Basking for a moment
In His unfailing love
Undeniably displayed in His Son
I sit myself down with an old friend, Peace.

Then suddenly,
Unexpectedly
I am overtaken by Joy
Poured forth as a warm anointing.

As I’m absorbing, it immediately begins transforming.
My lips are forced up by a smile from within.
My heart so full that tears must escape.
My mind is lost in wonder.

How did this happen?
After searching endlessly,
I am caught unaware?
Joy, you were hidden in such a curious place.

Peace beyond understanding.
Love casting out Fear.
Joy comes when trusting in
The One Who holds me so dear.

by Jenny Coleman
October 19, 2005

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7

The truth is that when and if something happens God will be with me as always and lead me, guide me and provide everything I need. In the mean time I need to be focused on what He is leading and guiding me to do now.

God bless and keep you!

Jenny

Christmas Day

January 2, 2008 / Jennifer Coleman / 1 Comment

Christmas Day was a good day. We had two Christmas miracles; Mike found his badges for work and my washer was hooked up and working. We talked about the true gift of Christmas being that Jesus lives in us. I am happy to know Him and to be together as a family again. Nana sent us some Christmas goodies to munch on and the kids have been making their plans for how to spend their Christmas money. Josh and Joel are hoping to go in together on a computer and Judi is planing on buying her very own ipod. James is saving his up for his future computer needs. Mike made us a Christmas brunch of bacon and apple turn overs (I felt so spoiled) and I made fajitas for lunch. One thing we liked about this house is that it feels like home. It’s nice being at home with your family.

Thank You, God, for happy memories!

A Thankful Perspective

December 3, 2007 / Jennifer Coleman / 5 Comments

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18

This picture screams out, “COMPARE ME!” As Princess J and I were staring at the startling differences- Princess J rightfully enjoying her youth and I marveling at where mine had gone, the mathematician of the family brought in some perspective, “Well, Mom is 3 times older than you, Princess J.”

Pollyanna is one of my favorite movies. She comes in on the scene having lost everything, she’s placed in a loveless home and by choosing the right perspective brings an infectious change not only in her home but in the whole town, which honors her by nick naming themselves “The Glad Town.”

St. James addresses the problem of comparing people in the second chapter of his book. I think Pollyanna brings verse 5 to life, “My dear brothers and sisters, listen to me. Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor in the world’s eyes to be rich in faith? Hasn’t he chosen them to receive the kingdom? Hasn’t he promised it to those who love him?”

Romans 8 has been an life changing chapter in my life. It says that it’s all about perspective – what set your mind on… Turn your thoughts toward God and you’ll find the freedom to receive all Jesus died to give you. Let yourself be consumed by sinful thoughts and they will lead you to your death. When tough times come draw strength from the Spirit of God that is in you and pray with a hope in God who uses all things for the good of those who love him.

I was young and now I am old(er) and I have found that God is faithful in every circumstance. In return I want my life to reflect an infectious perspective full of thankfulness. Jenny