Jody Langston

Create Your Badge

So it has been quite a long time since I have last posted. Life has taken me on a vicious ride (or so it seemed like one). It has definitely been interesting!

I am at this place right now in my life where I am really starting to understand WHO God is and what He desires of me. It is rather hard because what He wants is everything. EVERYTHING! Have you ever had to give up EVERYTHING? I have not (yet) and it is because I hold on tighter than a kid dangling from monkey bars. Honestly.

I had this big conversation with someone dear to me about how it’s weird knowing we were raised in church. We talked about how it must be getting saved before knowing God, instead of kind of stepping into it because “that’s how you’re suppose to live”. In the back of our minds we want that “radical” salvation. We want that “I surrender all” (and YOU DO) because you know nothing else. How it must feel coming to the knowledge of a God who loves you like no other, that will never leave you or forsake you, that longs to give you the desires of your heart, right off the street. When you were raised in church from birth you know all the ropes, the things to say, the things to do. You know how to be Christlike. Even if you hurt inside, or have things that seem too hard to let go of, you still know how to smile like you have it altogether.

There’s a song that says,

Never let him see you when your breaking
Never let him see you when you fall
That’s How We Live
And That’s How We Try

Tell The world you’ve got it all together
You never let him see whats underneath
We cover it up
with the crooked smile
but it only lasts for a little while

There’s no such thing as perfect people
there’s no such thing as a perfect life
so come as you are, broken and scarred
lift up your heart and be amazed, and be changed
by a perfect God

(Natalie Grant)

See? That’s all I have to say about that right now.

F.O.C.U.S. adjusted

My mother passed away 4 years ago today.  The past three years I really felt alone on this day.  It’s different this time.  Instead of focusing on the fact that she isn’t here, my focus is on how my life has changed since she’s been gone.

My mother was a beautiful woman inside and out.  She was so loved by people for her faith in Jesus.  She was never ashamed of who God was to her.  She was always there when someone needed her.  And, if that weren’t enough, you were always encouraged and blessed when she picked up a mic.  She loved to sing.  It was her passion – her heart.  Anywhere we went, no matter what church function it was, someone always asked if she was ready to sing.  She always had something.
When I was around 10 years old, I began to sing with her at church.  Though I didn’t do it often enough, every time was a blessing.

The day after she passed away, I remember arguing with God.  I was so angry and hurt that I couldn’t be there for the funeral.  I lived in another State and it was Winter.  Everything seemed impossible.  I wanted to forget I was alive and forget all of the things I knew God had called me to.  I just didn’t want to live anymore.  In that moment, God said this to me, “I will finish what I have started in you.”  And, indeed, He IS.

Since that day, God has brought me out of a deep depression and he has delivered me from hurting myself.  Those two things controlled my life for too long.

Do I still think about my mom and miss her?  Of course I do and I believe I always will.  Am I going to allow it to detour me off the path God has layed before me?  Absolutely not.  God is calling me to do great things.  He has set me apart so that I can persistantly, diligently, and consistantly focus on HIM.  This is my -adjusted focus-.

It’s a new day — new focus.

Do you need to adjust your focus?

Cereal and God

I woke up this morning, did the norm, and decided to actually have breakfast today.  I sat at the dining room table eating my cereal and had a much-needed conversation with God.  Don’t you just love it when you can sit and talk with Him for 20 mins and feel like it’s been forever?  He speaks volumes to our hearts when we’re open to receive.

Sunday morning I had the privilege of praying with my pastor’s wife and youth pastor’s wife for a woman that ran to the altar, so desperate for Jesus.  This morning I began to think about all the men and women who are tired of living the life they’re living, those who are so desperate for a breath of fresh air, a new hope to cling to.  In every one of us there is a warrior fighting to break through our past, our regrets that we hold on to, and our doubts of ever becoming the person we are suppose to be.  Our inner person is screaming to be free, to be released from the prison we have confined them to.  People may have hurt us in the past, but it is solely up to us on whether or not we forgive and let go or hold on to it for the rest of our lives (miserably).  I have heard the statement, “the one who angers you, controls you,” and it is so true.  I know it for a fact, personally.

Wow, I actually wrote this on the 4th of February.  Reading it now just adds another piece to the puzzle.  it makes perfect sense with what has been said the past couple weeks.  God is really trying to get something across to us.  It is so obvious!  How long will it take our body (church) to connect the dots?  COME ON!  ha ha We have GOT to get this!

Lately…

…the Lord has been penetrating this in my heart and I want it to penetrate yours…

Let faith arise, let faith arise, let faith arise
Let faith arise, let faith arise, let faith arise

When faith arises captives are set free
When faith arises broken hearts are mended
When faith arises the enemy must flee
When faith arises there is victory
When faith arises deep wounds are washed away
When faith arises every void is filled
When faith arises all fears must cease
When faith arises there is victory

I have been singing those words for 3 days.  If we could truly grasp the fact that what we have been experiencing is only a glimpse of what God is ready to lavish us with and seriously let our faith ARISE, then will we see a manifestation of God’s power like we have never seen before.  I can just see God pouring His spirit out like fresh oil – falling like fire and soaking us like rain.  The words have been, “we must really surrender everything..surrender..and let the chords be broken to release freedom..”

I’m watching…

Be blessed! Have a VIBRANT day!!!!

The Secret Place

I believe we go throughout our lives thinking we’ve done the best we could when really we could have done so much more. I think a lot of people are going to be awakened and surprised when they get to heaven and see all of the gifts and plans God had for them that they did not seek to find and use. God’s plan for us is far beyond what we can see – right now. We must seek it to find it.

I am nearing the end of a phenomenal book. Everyone should read Increasing Your Personal Capacity by Eddie Windsor. Every night I find myself examining my heart and life. It seems as though every chapter takes me to a secret place inside myself. A place where I can look at different areas in my life. Areas that only God and I know about. Some areas I didn’t even know existed. God has definitely captivated me with the words written in this book. I can certainly see my personal capacity being increased within me. Time to put it into effect.

I want to challenge all of those who read this. My challenge to you is to go to that secret place within yourself. That place where God waits for you, to be intimate with you, to love you. He wants to increase your personal capacity but can only do so with your willingness to grow. God will do his part if we will do ours. Seek Him. Run after Him. Wait in His presence. Be still.

“So take me to that place where You are..take me to that place where You are..so take me to that place where You are..take me to that place where You are…Cause I am hungry for your presence Jesus..I am hungry for your presence Jesus..I am hungry for your presence Jesus..”

Come On!

Come. running. to. the. mercy. seat.  Come. on! Let. the. healing. waters. flow. to. your. feet.  Reach. for. the. fire. as. it. falls. from. Heaven’s. gates.  Let. it. take. you. higher.  Do. not. be. afraid.  It. is. drawing. closer. to. the. lost. and. found.  Freedom’s. cry. is. only. a. heartbeat. away.  Child. of. God. be. washed. in. Heaven’s. rain. this. hour.  Let. go. of. the. turmoils. that. weigh. you. down.  The. dams. are. breaking.  Mighty. rivers. are. flowing.  Dive. in. and. let. the. healing. rains. of. Heaven. wash. over. you.  Let. it. wipe. away. every. stronghold.  You. are. free! You. are. free!

Okay, so this is just what I have been feeling for the last few days. Be blessed!

Wow

God is amazing. But everyone already knows that…

How I love Him..

Hey!

Our purpose in life is to reach as many people as we can for the kingdom of Heaven.  As I reside in Yakima, WA, I vow to do that.

This town that I grew up in is not the place I would have chosen to stay and call “home” but God’s thoughts are higher than mine!  My heart is burdened for the Yakima Valley.  Eight years ago God showed me that I was to be involved in Youth Ministry.  My heart aches for young people.  So many gifts and plans for each of them and they choose drugs, alcohol, and sex.  It is my duty as a Christian, as a follower of Jesus Christ, to go to them with the message that there is a better life mapped out JUST for them.

In each and every soul out there lies a vision and a purpose that has not yet been revealed.  As I journey along this path my prayer remains, “Father,  lead me to those that you want and give me the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that I need to bring them to you, to your kingdom!”

May each and every one be blessed as God’s face shines upon you and gives you peace!

Much Love,

Jody Marie