FE and Brady2

FE and Brady2
Originally uploaded by jenniferfedor.

Praying comes easy to some and it's a struggle for others... (not me, but people I know have told me :) And I just wanted to write about the conviction of prayer. It's so essential! Christ has really been putting it on my heart and in my life that I need to do this more as part I want a deeper relationship with Him. My devotionals the past few days have been about prayer and it's importance. Matthew 6:6 speaks specifically about this. My prayers are heard by the Creator of the universe, and He wants me to come to Him continuously throughout the day in prayer. Uhhh... I fall short! "..in everything by prayer..." and then in Ephesians the challenge of living and being "worthy of the call" - that definitely is a challenge and an honor! It is such a gift.
Cindy Norman (I call her Brady) and I have been good friends since she moved to Akron Ohio and I invaded her life one day by showing up at her house and saying "let's hang out!"
She is a great encouragement and discplined in the area of prayer. Soon she is moving to the LA area to volunteer at Mosaic Church. We both lived in China and want to go back.... If neither of us are married in 5 yrs., we're going back girl!
Brady, Thank you for your prayers and your character that you've allowed me to be a witness to as Christ transforms you into His image daily and makes you more "worthy of the call" :)
Keep it Real Brady!

(l-r) Nadia and Jenn

Jenn & Nadia #2
Originally uploaded by jenniferfedor.

So, this morning on my way in to work I saw this beautiful sunrise (yes, i was on the road @ 6 am :) and it reminded me of the little "happys" that God gives us for short periods of time. This picture is of me and my friend Nadia. She is from Russia and is the facilitator for a kind of foreign exchange program for the summers. She is a "happy" that the Lord brought to me this summer.
Nadia shared with me her thoughts on Christ and many questions about His death and resurrection. I appreciate the time I had to get to know her because those conversations have really made me humbled.
In the world of Washington DC life is fast paced and there is always something you're going to or coming from. But, it's good to take time and think about what we've been given here in this city and in this life.
Let me challenge you, just as I'm challenging myself to think about what you've been given. Nadia does not know what it's like to have a relationship with the Lord, I do. With that comes an overwhelming sense of joy and a motivation to encourage you and those whom the Lord has brought in to my life.
*p.s. don't you love the silly face Nadia is making :)

Nixon @ noon August 9, 1974

Nixon @ noon August 9, 1974
Originally uploaded by jenniferfedor.

"Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31
On this 31st anniversary of a man whom I admire and I am puzzled by at the same time.
Richard Milhous Nixon is a man who is the poster child of just how sin (specifically pride) can cause you to fall hard. He was humiliated in front of the world for his pride. Yet, at one point in his life he refused to let himself be remembered solely for his failure. Nixon spent his later years facing his choices and paying the consequences for them.
But, he knew there was something bigger then his past. He decided to seek out TRUTH, and that is when Billy Graham became his friend. Graham introduced Nixon to Christ and Nixon became a christian. HE GOT IT! Nixon realized that all the running he had done to escape his past - well, in front of God once he had asked forgiveness.... his past was clean and what God saw when he looked at Nixon was his child.
We are all capable of allowing sin to destroy us, but we are all capable of forgiveness. Thank you Richard Nixon for what you've taught me. Let this be encouragement to ALL of us who have failed, missed the mark, given up. If RMN can do it, you/I can too. Keep It Real!