Wednesdays with Jillene: live like what you know to be true is indeed true

“You have to live like what you know to be true is indeed true.” I can't count the number of times I've said that... to myself and to others. My own words come back to really hit home sometimes. ‘Cause the thing is, I can know what is true and still not allow truth to …

Watching the skies…

I am a self-proclaimed Weather Nerd... it may be sad, but it is true. Living for most of my life in the snow belt of Western New York for most of my life where expecting regular snow events measured in feet might have fed this hobby of mine. Combine that with working in camping ministry …

In Awe and Wonder: celebrate!

Merry Christmas! May you find anew the awe and wonder of God in human flesh, born to save and redeem us! ~Jillene

In Awe and Wonder: treasure

There are some recreations that will never compare to the real thing. Without a doubt in my mind, no matter how we attempt to portray the glory of these moments, we cannot capture the full awe and wonder of the events from the first Christmas story! But this year I’m thankful for the way God …

In Awe and Wonder: sign

Sitting around the Christmas tree with children in pjs and hair still quite a mess, little ones eager to open presents, someone is still super sleepy, someone is probably a little cranky…. and in them moments before opening gifts we read the Christmas story… “Let’s read the Christmas story. Someone open your Bible to Luke …

In Awe and Wonder: prepare

How many Christmas Eve’s have I sat with wrapping paper, tape, scissors, ribbons, gifts only to have to find my list… in an almost panic, fearing (or finding) that something is missing… a present lost or a detail dropped. Leading to that first Christmas I’m not sure how Mary and Joseph felt, Elizabeth and Zechariah, …

In Awe and Wonder: kingdom

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the …

In Awe and Wonder: expect

The very last words of the last book of the Old Testament read:“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, …

In Awe and Wonder: time

As we’ve been reading scripture through this advent season, the Bible is telling one story leading to the coming of the Messiah, the birth of Jesus. The stage has been set, in fact the plot put in motion since creation and the fall. Sin brought brokenness to the world, separation between God and humanity, constant …

In Awe and Wonder: rescue

During very difficult situations it can appear there is no possible way that light will come in the darkness. And Israel faced many years of darkness when they were held captive in exile. The promises of God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob seemed so long ago… the reign of the kings over… the nation shattered…. …