More than Unbroken

This week, I have found myself in such a peaceful place.  The edge-of-my-seat tension has departed.  Now, I know this is just a moment of rest.  I've been in prayer and asked God to keep me from getting too comfortable.  And Holy Spirit spoke to me, almost laughingly, and told me to just enjoy the peace that God has given me.  Battle mode has been on replay every day for these last few months, and God has given me a "Selah" moment.  Selah means "rest in the Lord."  It's found in Psalms when the Psalmist has said something significant and wants to just stop and think about what was just said.   So in my time of "Selah," I'm thinking back to all God has done for me and my family over the last few weeks and months.  It's easy to count your blessings when you look for them.  I know that there will be another battle to fight soon.  I know that the enemy will not stop attacking.  His mission is to kill, steal, and destroy. ...

Anyone feel a little out of control?  This phrase has made laps in my head all week.  My sister has used this phrase a lot as her way of letting us know she's trying to keep it all together.  In all honesty, so have I.  The thing is, if I'm in control all of the time, then I'm not allowing God to be in control any of the time.  And what's worse, I'll mess it up.  Out of control will soon turn to chaos, and I'll be standing in the ruins of my way of doing things.  Catchphrases like "let go and let God" don't help me release what God needs to control.  Songs give me the spiritual boost I need until the moment comes that I have to decide who's got this.  When the rubber meets the road, do I actually live what I'm singing about, writing about, and encouraging others to do?  Or do I hold on tightly to my way of handling life because it's familiar and easier to justify?  Will I step out on faith and let God take over? Sometimes our steppi...

Do you have any scars?  Maybe you have an exciting or interesting story behind yours.  My scars are pretty run-of-the-mill. I have a small scar above my left eyebrow from when I had chickenpox as a kid.   Not being crafty has actually resulted in some pretty appalling scars from a hot glue gun. Over the course of my life, I've needed different surgeries or procedures that have left scars, the most recent being my pinky finger.  I'm sure you all are tired of reading about my finger revelations, but until God moves me to something else, just bear with me. Scars are the physical evidence that your body has healed.  I have one surgical scar in particular that was sore for months after it healed up.  It was a constant reminder that trauma had occurred, but I was healed.  There were no more doctor appointments.  There was no more wound care.  The daily struggle of having an open wound had become a subtle reminder of what had been overcome...

Who would have thought that a broken finger would bring insight and, ultimately, intimacy with God? Today, my finger and I returned to work, but I am thankful for the forced stop that allowed me to spend time with my Creator and Savior.  God has revealed so much to me during this season of recovery. He is growing me in ways I’ve prayed for but not in the ways I’ve expected. One of my revelations has been that I am a warrior in Christ. Not a way I would describe myself at all. My sister reminded me of the story of Gideon and how he felt.  According to him, he was the least of his tribe-the tribe that was the least of all of Israel. I guess I can identify with Gideon.  So if I’m supposed to be a warrior that means that I need armor. Well, fortunately the Bible addresses that in Ephesians 6. As Christians, we have armor to stand against the enemy, Satan, the destroyer who wants to deceive and take as many souls as he can with him. In studying this armor we’ve been given, one...

First of all, let me say thank to everyone for the warm birthday wishes. Since this post is going live so late, I’d like to make sure you know that today, March 31, is my birthday. I just wanted to to clarify this for most of you that will probably not see this post until tomorrow. Smiles, Jill © Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

This was one of Pastor Chuck’s catchphrases. I’ve thought about it a lot. Basically, it means that you have to put something (money, effort, time, etc.) into what you are doing in order for it to really mean something to you.  If what you are doing doesn’t cost you anything, then it’s easy for you to ignore it, forget about it, or walk away from it. Unfortunately, this is how many approach life. They are looking for the easy route, too lazy to blaze a new trail or put forth the effort to really be proud of what they’ve accomplished. No, these days, everyone is awarded for even signing up, regardless of whether or not they showed up for a practice, a recital, a game, or a day of work.  This trend has wafted into American church doors like a fog surrounding Christians until they can’t see ahead of them or around them because their vision isn’t clear.  The Bible tells us that “where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Are you due for an eye exam? Do you s...

Today marks sixteen years that I have been a mother.  I had no idea what to do with the little baby boy that God gave me, and we've had plenty of bumps along the way.  As I reflect on his life so far, I'm reminded of so many little moments in his life that I will hold to tightly and treasure always. Of course, the first moment is his actual birth.  Many people don't know this, but I went into pre-term labor with Wess at 34 weeks.  The doctors told me that, given how early he was, he would likely have a low birth weight and multiple medical and developmental issues.  But I knew in my heart that he would be strong.  He would be okay.  Believe it or not, I sat in a hospital room from March 7-14, 2005 incubating him as long as my body would allow. Then, on March 14, he arrived.  I'll never forget the relief I felt when I heard those piercing cries come from his strong lungs.  My baby boy, by the grace of God, was perfect... and so tiny! We had to...