"Selective Amnesia"

"Hello, it's Tuesday, November 6th ... who are you and what do you believe ...???"

As a kid growing up, election time was nothing more than a nuisance. 
Debates interrupted my favorite t.v. shows, posters and signs that were plastered everywhere just got in the way while playing outside, and oh the commercials!!! Honestly, even as an adult there are still times when I don’t feel that much different! 

However, once I reached the age when I was eligible to vote it was made clear to me that voting wasn’t merely just an option but that I had been given a responsibility that I was not to take lightly.

I have heard it said that, "With responsibility comes sacrifice." I believe that's true, but I don’t have the same first-hand experience of this truth as those who have fought and served to protect my right to vote. I don’t know what its like to leave my family, my home and my own ambitions to serve, honor, and protect America.

My grandfather did though, as well as 3 of my uncles and my cousin, who is more like a brother. They each made that choice and their choice leaves me humbled by their passion to serve. I love these men in our family and when I take my responsibility to vote seriously I feel as though I honor them in some small way and the countless others who have fought for this nation that we call home.

You can say what you want about the system being corrupt, the candidates being tainted, and the country being jaded. But if you say that to most american soldiers they will tell you that’s just an excuse. Just like my parents told us growing up, "It doesn’t matter what other people do or don’t do, you are responsible for what you do."

"Remember Who You Are And Whose You Are In The Voting Booth."

For the Christian, voting shouldn't be about aligning with the republican, democratic, or independent party. Look, If you haven’t noticed, the parties have drastically changed in the last decade. The platforms of both major parties and what they stand for are very different from what they use to be. We have only one guideline, actually an obligation in voting and that is to the Word of God and to the blood of Jesus that redeemed us.  Our vote, like our actions must be in alignment with the Word of God. And there is much more in the Bible that speaks to the issues of our day than most realize! 

Each year around election time I hear some christians and even some leaders refer to  Psalms 21:1 when it comes to politics, this verse says,  “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” I love this verse but so many times it is stated almost as if implying, “ It's all solely in God’s hands, so whatever happens is ok because it is His will”

But that takes this verse out of context and frankly is a lazy ignorant stance of bad theology. If this were true than it would be pointless for us to pray for righteous leaders and law makers for our nation if it is all just a "given" right?. But that's not what the word of God says. Throughout the bible we are encouraged to pray. The bible also says that "when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice but when the wicked bear the rule the people mourn" - Prov 29:2. So obviously then, who winds up in power can go either way. Sobering but true. History confirms it. 

If you think about it then, this verse in Psalms 21 is better applied AFTER the election! After a leader, president, or king has already been put in office. The verse says "the heart of the king is in the Lord’s hands...", but in this country we have a say in the electing of who that king is!

"With Authority Comes Responsibility."

You see the belief that,  “It's all in God’s hands” isn't in line with how God has chosen to operate. For example, even as a child of God myself, never has His will for my life ever just been a “given", simply because it was His will for me. Even though I am His child and the bible even says, "He holds ME in the palm of His hand."... still ... it is not an automatic! No, I have a part in the outcome. I have decisions to make, I have to choose His best for me. You have to choose. So it is with our vote, we do have a part to play in the outcome of the election.

I can’t vote on behalf of everyone but I can decide where my vote goes and what I am in alignment with. Don't fool yourself, you are not voting for a person, you are voting for the policies that candidate has declared they stand for. My vote isn't aligning with a person, it's aligning with the issues, policies and matters of morality that are in alignment with the Word of God. To vote and align otherwise would be to stand separated and apart from the truth. 

I have heard it said that your vote is like your seed. No candidate, platform or campaign is perfect or even close to it. Neither am I. But in all the rhetoric, debates, posters and commentary let's not allow our moral compass to suddenly get “selective amnesia.” This is no time for favoritism or generational party-loyalty hold-overs. This is the time for christians to rally around the truth.

Here Are Some Christian Voting Guidelines.

Get yourself and your vote in alignment with the Word of God. 

In the bible we see that there are some things that are sacred to God. Two of these are named in the book of Genesis, the book of our beginning. These 2 serve as very clear guidelines that show us where our vote belongs. 

 #1. Life is Sacred.  It is precious. Only God can give life.

The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights. Every Christian is called upon to vote to affirm the intrinsic value of human life and the dignity of every human being in a way that transforms the culture. This means a candidate whose stance and policies are pro-abortion are NOT in alignment with the Word of God. There is no grey area on this. 

 #2. Marriage is Sacred.  

Marriage is defined in the bible as between a man and a woman. Relations outside of this are clearly outlined as being outside of the design of God and they fall under the curse as all sin does. Let's be clear, religious organizations didn't make this up, it is in the bible.

Both presidential candidates have been repeatedly asked during this election and have publicly stated their belief and policy stance in regards to the issues of life and the definition of marriage. The two candidates have opposite stances about these so it is critically important who you vote for. Click here to read the candidates FOR and AGAINST POLICY STANCES : http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf

The bottom line is that for christians, this election is only cloudy if we make it that way. Align your vote with what is sacred to God. Keep your moral compass consistent. Remember who you are in the voting booth! Actions speak louder than words. Align, unify and act.

I call you blessed,
Jen ~ 

www.jentringale.com 

A Winning Strategy

I truly believe that every person has a God-given purpose for their life.

This familiar quote speaks to this truth from the book of Jeremiah in chapter 29 and verse 11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." To each of us that purpose is unique but engaging in the discovery process is of equal importance no matter who you are. In fact, as a redeemed people it is our responsibility to seek to know.

But if there is one thing I am sure of it's that whatever that process may be ... it is definitely worth it!

Truly the best part is that somewhere in that discovery process there is a stumbling upon of the big picture. That thing that moves you to action. And no matter what your purpose may be it boils down to this, a simple invitation to serve. To serve not out of guilt but out of passion to make a difference. To bring Jesus into reality in peoples lives. And the purposes in each of us through which Jesus makes Himself real are as vast, creative and unique as the stars in the sky!

Essentially the simple definition of the word 'calling' means, an invitation to service. Each of us have an opportunity, some would even say an obligation, to cultivate whatever abilities and talents God has given us in order to fulfill that purpose to its highest and fullest!

"Whatever your purpose may be, it boils down to a simple invitation to service."

Think of it like building a structure:  First you make sure that you're working on a solid foundation. Secondly, you need to have your materials for building ready and the tools it will take to put those materials together. Consider for a moment the life of Nehemiah and how he went about his own discovery process to fulfilling his purpose which happened to be rebuilding the wall and the gates of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah's profession at the time was as the royal cup-bearer for King Artaxerxes. In Nehemiah chapter 1 we read that while doing his job, seemingly getting by just fine, Nehemiah is informed that his people in Judah are in trouble and that the walls of Jerusalem have been torn down and the gates burned. Immediately Nehemiah's heart is heavy and deeply troubled. Verse 4 says that as soon as he heard the news that he "sat down and wept.”

A good indicator as to what your purpose is and in what way you are called to serve is to ask yourself the question, "What am I moved by?"... "What do I have compassion for?" You see whatever it is you feel compelled to do something about is typically a sign as to what you are called to.

Nehemiah wept over what he had heard. He was deeply moved for his city, his people and their legacy. He could have jumped into action quickly but choosing wisely, his first move was to go and seek God. He went to God to get His strategy for how he was to go about making a difference.

As believers we have been given access to God’s wisdom. Only His wisdom holds the answers to society's problems and we are called to bring it into reality. To be salt and light in the earth. To bring real answers to real problems. We are called to restore.

When we choose to set ourselves apart and inquire of the Lord in prayer we are setting ourselves up for success. This should be normal protocol for how we live and is the most important aspect of moving forward in any area of life. Especially in the pursuit of fulfilling ones purpose!

So when you are facing a decision, even when you feel that you have a good idea of how to move forward, settle yourself before God and get His plan and His strategy for your success.
It may just be direction for one step, but more direction will come as you obey.

This is part one of a series so be sure to check back in the coming weeks.

I call you blessed.

Jen ~

visit my website at jentringale.com/

The Forgotten Gift

I don’t know about you but as a fairly driven, to-do list keeping, on-the-go type of person myself, the idea of accomplishing and resting seem pretty opposite. Rest is something you do once in a while on a Saturday morning or during that week of summer vacation right?

In a culture that constantly pushes forward at a rapid pace, it seems night or day there is always something or someone that is demanding your energy and attention. The belief is that those who don't keep up with all the demands will fall behind and things will crumble apart.
And yet the biblical principal for accomplishment and success is quite the opposite of our mainstream way of life. The Bible says in Job 22:21 
“Submit to God, be at peace… in this way prosperity will come to you."

Even today in our world, peace is the hottest commodity. People go to great lengths to learn the secret of how to find it and keep it. The secret is found right there in the word of God and it isn’t a diet, a mantra or even a sunny beach. According to the bible the secret is to submit yourself to God. Simply put to be still and know that He is God. Stop and consider Him and His love for you - this is true peace. Adapt to this lifestyle as a believer the bible says and ..."prosperity will come to you."

I don’t know about you but prosperity coming to me sounds much more attractive than me having to chase it down! The truth is, peace has already been given as a gift to every believer by the only one who ever really had it to give and that was by the Prince of Peace himself, Jesus.



The moment when Jesus presented us with this gift is recorded in the Bible in John 14:7 when He said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

His gift of peace is a perpetual, unending supply that never runs out and cannot be taken away. The only way you and I can lose our peace is if we choose to let it go.

Thoughts of “what if”, “how” and “when” start flooding our mind and the next thing you know anxiety, fear, worry and disappointment have replaced our gift of peace with something else called stress. Stress is a life-stealer, taking days, weeks even years off of a persons life-span depending on how long it is allowed to work. Stress and peace cannot be in the same place.

Sometimes I think some people live so long with stress that when they finally get back into a place of  peace and resting, after a while they feel rest-less and unproductive. They have become so use to the feeling of being driven and pushed they have to re-train their soul how to let peace be in control again. The truth is making the decision to create a lifestyle of living in His peace can actually restore back the time that stress had taken away.

There is no level of work, family even calling that exempts you from the need to rest.

I encourage you today to go back and pick up your gift of peace. Let go of stress; cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Become protective about your gift of peace. Re-train your thoughts to think thoughts of peace and not anxious stress-filled thoughts.

Judge God as faithful and let Him bring prosperity to you. Let Him lead you what to do instead of being driven to do. Give yourself permission to rest and live the life that Jesus died to give you. A life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

I call you blessed,

Jen Tringale
www.jentringale.com

Power Play - Part 2

"Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm,confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and  remain at rest.  The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me’? Tell the people of Israel to go forward!  Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the Israelites shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." (Exodus 14:13-16 AMP)

Let's jump right in and pick up where we left off last week.

Moses said "...See the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today." The best way to set yourself up for success is to start to imagine or picture your victory.  This practice of imagining your victory is something almost every professional athlete takes advantage of.  Olympians that train for months and years to compete, practice seeing themselves crossing the finish line first and winning the gold. God gave us our imagination. When you allow Him to inspire your imagination you rise to a level of dreaming with God, allowing Him to show you what He wants to do in and through your life. 

In order to live in victory you have to believe you are victorious and picture yourself walking in victory.   

Moses then said, "... For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again."
The next step to moving forward in your victory is to position yourself by aligning your life with God's word and declaring it over your life.

"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."

What does that mean?  It means in order to take your position of standing strong in His promises you must stay in peace."...and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."

Choose the peace that passes all understanding and choose to remain at rest.
When peace is absent in our lives, chaos builds its home.  You have to be proactive in choosing your peace, even in the midst of adverse situations.

"The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me’? Tell the people of Israel to go forward!
Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the Israelites shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."

We've learned the a few keys to kingdom victory, this last point is one of the most crucial.  
We must take action!  So far we've positioned ourselves for success.  We've imagined ourselves walking in success and in freedom, we've chosen peace and remained at rest.  Now we're ready.  
We have to stretch out our hands and walk through to the other side.  

You see, everything we just accomplished in the previous steps is of zero importance unless we are willing to take action on our faith.  We have to walk into our victory.  
The Israelites weren't driven through the Red Sea, they chose to put one foot in front of the other and act on what they believed. They walked through the Red Sea and over into their freedom and prosperity.

 What were our steps for victory?

1.) Fear not.
2.) Stand firm and undismayed.
3.) See our salvation and imagine ourselves in victory.
5.) Choose peace and remain in rest.
6.) Take action!

You were made for greatness! You have the Greater One, the Holy Spirit on the inside and nothing is impossible for those who believe!

I call you blessed!

~ Jen

www.jentringale.com

The Power Play

"Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm,confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and  remain at rest.  The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me’? Tell the people of Israel to go forward!  Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the Israelites shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." (Exodus 14:13-16 AMP)

Have you ever felt trapped in life?  Circumstances and situations rising against you from what seems like every direction?  Look at the Israelites and Moses.  They are standing on the brink of destruction, or so it seems.  A few days before, they were celebrating their victory over the Egyptians. God had delivered them from the depths of their slavery and now they're supposed to be marching out to their promised land.  They approach the Red Sea with no direction to turn and as they stand waiting, a vast army of Egyptians led by Pharaoh, approaches from behind wanting to wipe out the whole lot.

Life can work that way for us sometimes.  We have a great victory in our lives; that job we were praying for is offered to us, that family member we've been praying over finally decides to give their life to God. and the enemy will seek to steal, kill and destroy our victory. We get an unexpected bill in the mail or our car needs work done and the cost is high, etc. But the Bible says - "fear not!" We are victorious over the enemy and he has no authority over us!

Let's take a lesson from Moses on how we should stand when we face these circumstances.  First, notice the first words from Moses. "Fear not; stand still (Firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today."

What's the first thing we're supposed to do when trials come?  "Fear not..."  It's human nature to allow fear, doubt, and worry to creep into our thoughts when negative circumstances present themselves.  The first response is always the most important and it's vital to our overcoming the enemy.

In the medical field, doctors and nurses are responsible for caring for the sick and hurting and restoring patients to complete health.  However, it's the first responders on the scenes of emergencies that give the patients a fighting chance for survival.  It’s the first responders’ job to stabilize the patient at the scene, before the doctors and nurses even see them. Think about your words, actions, and thoughts as the first responders in trials and tribulations.  When you resist fear, doubt, and worry in the midst of difficult situations and instead speak His word,  you allow God’s victory to cover your life and your situation.

Now, what did Moses say next? "...stand still (firm, confident, undismayed.)”  To ensure victory, stand firm.  Don't allow what it looks like to drive you back into complacency.  Stand still, firm, confident, and undismayed knowing that God is your redeemer and your provider.

Always remember, you are blessed.  God has called you out of the land of oppression and He is leading you into your land of prosperity and freedom.  Keep your confessions biblical and positive through your journey and stand firm, never compromising your beliefs and your trust in Him.

I call you blessed!
Jen ~

Choosing the right relationships.

Relationships are not only a basic need for every person, they are also very key in your purpose discovery process and in fulfilling your God-given destiny.

I believe that God can speak to anyone He chooses and in various fashions. However, there are some principals that He set in place in regards to being connected to the right place/people that makes all the difference.

What makes it right?
The who, where and when come as God leads us... and trust me, He always does!
I know for myself,  from an early age I was taught the valuable lesson of listening to those around me, especially those that were older than me, to learn from what they had gained and experienced. I have to say that this principal has paid off richly in my life in so many ways.

I have also learned how to draw from these right relationships. Those relationships that I have with my pastors, mentors and leaders are not by random choosing but they are born out of divine direction felt in my own heart. In other words, I didn't just randomly pick those people, God does the picking and I have to follow up with the following!

God also uses these relationships in more ways than can be seen on the surface and its important to note that these relationships are not left for someone to pursue you but you have to go and pursue them!

Your ability to draw on these relationships comes from giving of your time, talent and abilities with an attitude of listening and learning. Yes, I am talking about serving. I am talking about giving of yourself. Today's culture pushes us to constantly ask, "what will you do for me?" but in Gods kingdom He says, "you will reap where you sow" and that what you reap will be, "pressed down, shaken together and running over."  Not a bad return rate!

The principal of sowing and reaping is very key in these types of relationships. There is an impartation that comes no other way but by giving of yourself and receiving that spiritual deposit that brings invaluable results.

 It's important to have spiritual leaders that makes a very real investment in your life.  The right mentor in your life has the ability to impart God ordained wisdom that will save you from learning things the hard way, making you that much more effective. Wisdom that will for the most part only come through such a spiritual leader is worth the investment!

Let's look at some biblical examples where people heard from the Lord in similar ways.

"The direction which came to Jeremiah from the Lord:  Arise and go down to the Potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." (Jeremiah 18:1, 2 AMP)

God wanted to communicate with Jeremiah and He told him to leave where he was and go to the Potters house ( the place) where he could hear.
I believe this not only has to do with the physical location but also Jeremiah's willingness to listen to God.  Jeremiah was willing to submit to Gods command no matter how odd it seemed.  Because of that bold act of faith God was able to get Jeremiah the truth and revelation he needed.

I encourage you this week to do your own relationship check-up.
Make a mental list of the people that God has at one time or another prompted you to connect with, starting with your Pastor and your church. (Although there may be others leaders and mentors as well, you always want to start there.)

Then put the principal to work for you.
 Submit yourself. Give of your time, talent and abilities where you can and position yourself to receive everything God has for you.  Doing this will set you up to be a success and walk out God's destiny and purpose for your life!

I call you blessed,

Jen 

We're back from Jamaica

Jamaica - July 2012 Kingston This trip took on meaning on multiple levels as we progressed through our week. And I love it when that happens! I've heard it said before "What God does for one He will do for another." But I have also come to know, that sometimes God wants to use you to do for others what He has already done for you. He releases greater blessings into our lives when He works that way. When I was 12 years old I went on my first missions trip experience. It opened my eyes and my heart to a world I didn't know anything about. To say that experience left its mark on my life would be an understatement! In planning this trip to Jamaica I made the decision to take a small team comprised of young women from various churches I had ministered in this past year. These girls are already leaders in their own right and above all, committed and passionate about God. They each have a deep desire to be used by God to reach their generation. What I love even more than their passion, is their zeal. They don't plan on sitting down and waiting, they are moving into their destiny right now. This trip was a first step into new territory for me. Jamaica was a new place and I've felt for some time the Lord was directing me into that territory. I am so thankful for the relationships and connections He has given me there. People of such heart, full of integrity and big vision for their nation, those are the people I met in Jamaica. As you know from my last blog, I was connected with Mr. Tommy Cowan on my last trip to Jamaica. The Cowan family name is very familiar in Jamaica and the Caribbean as a whole. Widely-known as music industry royalty, Mr. Tommie Cowan has been highly regarded as one of the best producers in Reggae music history. He is partly known for being Bob Marley's manager for the length of Marley's career. Upon receiving Christ, Tommy founded Glory Music Productions. Tommy's wife, Mrs. Carlene Cowan, better known as Carlene Davis, is a popular Reggae singer who later switched to Gospel music after giving her life to the Lord and now has a powerful international music ministry. The 2nd generation of this family is only picking up steam, continuing to have massive impact for the kingdom of God. From pastoring and church planting to hosting the popular TV show, Wealth Magazine, producing concerts, fund-raising events and beyond, the Cowan siblings are carrying on the legacy using their gifts, talents and abilities to be a force of light in the darkness. Needless to say there are so many doors that have opened to us in Jamaica and it seems we walked right into a set-up from God. There is such a dynamic orchestration of God taking shape in Jamaica right now. It is a nation at its tipping point. The Church in Jamaica is rising up to move things in the right direction. While we were there meeting with Christian leaders from all different aspects of commerce and culture, there was an immediate sense of an awakening in the atmosphere. A stirring of the pot thats its thier time to take their place of God-given authority and walk into their Kingdom destiny. We are beginning to partner with these leaders in releasing the call of Jamaica's destiny! I am so thrilled beyond words to be a part of this movement of God. To see the hand of God at work, orchestrating His plan for Jamaica and across the Caribbean. For those of you who have partnered with us in prayer, in vision, and in financial support we thank you so very much for giving part of who you are and joining with us in this assignment. We know that things are just beginning and there is so much more to come! Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter and on our website to keep updated on what's happening.  As the song says, .... "Something's moving, something's changing, see His glory.... feels like heaven on earth." I call you blessed, Jen Tringale