December has been an abundantly fruitful month for me. I sang and spoke in prisons, churches, a baseball stadium, a coffeehouse, a country club, and on Mackinac Island! Most folks love Christmas music and ask me to bring familiar carols and some holiday cheer. My favorite part is not the music, however. I love inviting people to think about the mystery of Christmas! People who would not normally think about spiritual things may take a moment to wonder if the familiar narrative about angels, a manger, a…
Read moreJean's Journal
prayers and jars
I woke up this morning to cold floors and chilly air….NOOOO!! Summer can’t be ending already! I was just getting ready to enjoy it! Oh well, one thing in life is sure - change happens. We can resist it, but it’s inevitable. In my life, a lot more than the weather has changed and is changing! My husband has retired from the military and is now living here in Michigan full-time! Yay!! I don't have to mow the grass anymore!!!
Autumn is coming...
but the chickens don't care.
There has also been change…
Read moreBe still and know.
I’ve just returned from a busy travel season. Not only did I travel around the globe doing ministry, but I also flew to Texas to be with my husband as he retired from military service! We cleaned and packed up his old life in one part of the country and drove 22 hours straight with two dogs in a car to our new life as a family in Michigan. (the dogs did great, by the way, and required far fewer potty breaks than we did!)
After such a strenuous time emotionally and physically and so much time away, I’m now…
Read morehallelujah
In these uncertain times where so much is changing around us, thank goodness there is ONE who never changes! Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! His love never changes! How good to know that the Lord is our shepherd. No matter what is going on in our country, our world, or in our lives, we can breathe a sigh of relief. So today, I invite you to take a moment and just praise God for His goodness.
As I was traveling to Nashville a few months ago, my rental car was running out of gas. (it had not…Read more
As I was traveling to Nashville a few months ago, my rental car was running out of gas. (it had not…Read more
today's the day!!
Today is a day of rejoicing. My new CD 'WONDER' is released to the world, and I couldn't be happier about it! Why is this CD so special to me? Probably because it doesn't feel like 'mine'. It happened quite by accident (God's design, of course) when John Ellis and I were worshiping in the studio last year. The sound that was being created that day was more than music. It carried the palpable presence of holiness. So we recorded that moment and then another moment and another. By January, producer Billy…Read more
back to IRELAND
I am sitting here after a long day of teaching....yes, I still teach music lessons one day a week to eager young piano, vocal, and violin students. My feet are propped up and there's a blanket over my legs. I'm so comfortable right now that I'm not sure I want to move to my bedroom to go to sleep! I will enjoy my little rest to the fullest because tomorrow begins another journey the green island of my dreams and destiny. How many times have I been to Ireland? I have lost count. But my heart still skips a…Read more
by faith not sight
Happy Spring all my friends and prayer warriors out there!
I thought I would send the latest 'video blog' from my 'back yard' to encourage anyone who is praying and believing for something or someone. Keep praying, keep believing, and keep speaking God's Word over your situation until you see His Word become flesh in your life!
I would also appreciate your prayers as I head into a busy month of ministry. I will be speaking/singing at three events this weekend in the Kalamazoo area, including the KPEP…
Read morethe lowest place
Christmas came early for me last night, and my heart is completely full....no need for further celebration though there are still gifts to be exchanged and family gatherings to be enjoyed! For four years, I have travelled to Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility to celebrate the season with men who will not be going home this Christmas. When people hear that I do prison ministry, they often thank me for the 'sacrifice' I am making. What might be hard to understand is that prison ministry is one of the most…Read more
returning and rest
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
As I write these words I am sitting still for the first time in what seems like forever! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel, ministry, media appearances, and busyness. Last week, I was in Ireland speaking and singing in several churches in Navan, Kilkenny, and Dublin. After a long journey back to Michigan which included three flights and two bus rides through New York City, I had…Read more
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
As I write these words I am sitting still for the first time in what seems like forever! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel, ministry, media appearances, and busyness. Last week, I was in Ireland speaking and singing in several churches in Navan, Kilkenny, and Dublin. After a long journey back to Michigan which included three flights and two bus rides through New York City, I had…Read more
expect the miraculous.
I just returned from another visit to the UK and am 'sat' with a cup of tea pondering all that the Lord did...in me! These trips always build my faith. I am suddenly thrust out of my comfort zone and must sing and speak in strange places on very little sleep. There have been many challenges over the years.I’ve had my car broken into and my money, credit cards, phone, passport and identification stolen. I’ve lost my luggage may times. I’ve been threatened by volcanic ash and blizzards. I’ve had to minister…Read more