Family

The Prodigal @ Home

/ Jodie / 2 Comments

Luke 15:11-32

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.[a]’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Like that prodigal in the parable, I also left my Father’s house as a young child. Blind to sin because of the desire to be my own god, I spent decades wasting my inheritance on immoral living. I ate and drank and wallowed in the mud & muck, just like a pig. Until one day, praise GOD- when I came to my senses, by the power of His Spirit! Conviction cut straight to the heart, piercing between my soul & spirit. I confessed, repented and returned to my Father, where He welcomed me home with open arms.

But my story doesn’t end there.

Since being adopted into God’s family, I’ve also played the part of the older child. The prodigal at home. Distracted by the demands of being about my Father’s business, I inadvertently become disconnected from His heart. As a result, the pouting begins; grumbling and complaining about the pigs who get to party, while I do ALL the work of the ministry! Forgetting about the grace given me, I become self-righteousness and angry. Angry that they seem to be getting all the attention and affection and applause, as if they are my Father’s favorite. Over time, if I ignore that anger long enough, it grows into a root of bitterness that defiles and deceives my own soul.

But, praise the LORD!!!

There’s still good news for that prodigal stuck in the pig trough.

When we:

Get HONEST with Him, ourselves and others (confess)

HONOR our Father (repent, forgive)

He will:

HEAL our prodigal heart

DELIVER us from the pig trough

My fellow prodigals, I believe it’s time to come to our senses again. LOVE must be our highest goal! We’ve become too distracted by the work of the ministry. It’s time to repent and return to our Father’s house- and the heart of the Father. It’s time to confess our sins to Him and one another so that we may be healed. It’s time to humble ourselves, get honest, and ask others in the body of Christ for help. It’s time to submit and surrender to His Word and Spirit as He cuts through our emotions, our minds and our wills.

It’s time for prodigals to come home. It’s time for prodigals at home to come to Him. He’s waiting for all of us with open arms.

Called. Chosen. Commissioned.

/ Jodie / 2 Comments

Matthew 4:19

19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me…

Matthew 22:14

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 28:19

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

A little while ago, a local college student asked to get together with me. She was searching for someone older in the faith to disciple her and wondered if I’d be interested. I agreed to meet with her on campus to discuss the idea over a cup of coffee. As we sat down together at a table outside the library, I soaked in the Florida sunshine as she started a monologue about all the things she was doing for the Lord. At some point during her sermon, I interrupted to inquire about her story. She fumbled to find the right words as I asked a few questions about her relationship with her parents, siblings and our Father, Son and Spirit. They weren’t complicated questions. Just simple things that pertained to BE-ing a disciple of Jesus. The conversation stalled, so she quickly changed the subject to her fiancé. They were planning to enter full time ministry together after graduation. She explained that her man recently found a spiritual father because he was struggling with porn, so she thought it would be a good idea for her to have a spiritual mom too! As we talked about their relationship, she admitted they were having sex, and occasionally they smoked weed together at parties.

As our conversation came to a close, I assured her that I was willing to meet again if she understood what kind of spiritual mother I am. I’m a childlike mom who’s filled with compassion and cares for the broken hearted. I feed the hungry and the hurting, because I’m hungry and hurting… and I’m healed and delivered by the love of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, and the power of His Spirit! I’m not a mom that continually affirms and applauds gifted kids. I’m grateful for God’s grace and the gifts He’s given all His children, but I preach Bible so that good fruit may be produced. I am called, chosen and commissioned to BE and make disciples who love the Lord with all their heart.

Unfortunately, I never heard from that young woman again.

But she’s not the only kid wandering around in the wilderness here. Many have been called to this land flowing with milk and honey. Many live here as orphans. But a few have chosen to follow Jesus down the narrow road alongside spiritual siblings, parents and grandparents. A few have chosen to sit at the generational table He’s preparing for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

The sad reality is, there are many breastfed babies being trained for service in the Father’s house, but they don’t have a clue where the kitchen is! They haven’t been taught how to purchase, plan or prep a meal. They haven’t been taught to sit and share with their Savior and Lord. They haven’t been taught how to eat His body and drink His blood every…single… day. They’re hungry. And they don’t even realize they’re starving to death!!!

Question is: who’s gonna feed them?

It’s time for parents, like Peter, to strengthen the body of Christ. Yep, I’m talking to you. I know you’ve been guilty of denying Jesus because you’ve feared man, not God. But let me remind you: He’s interceding for you!

Repent & return to Him.

He’s called you.

He’s chosen you.

He’s commissioned you to GO, make disciples!

Care for and feed the lambs & sheep. Invite them to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sit at the table and listen to their stories. Tell them yours. Preach the Word of God to them. Pray with and for them. Pursue their hearts. Prophesy dry bones to life in their mind, will and emotions.

You know where the kitchen is. You know how to sit at the table. You know how to eat the scroll. It’s time to share your leftovers with the next generation.  

NEW BOOK Available Today!!!

/ Jodie / Leave a comment

For nearly two decades, I’ve periodically written & posted biblically based blogs @ deepintothewater.com

Never, ever, ever did I have any desire to write a book about my life.

God, however, had other plans.

After hearing His still, small voice, I put literal pen to paper and began pouring my heart out in my journal.

8 years later (a significant number for me), I felt prompted to publish some of those pages.

So, welcome to my house! Come on in…the doors open. Allow me to introduce you to The Restorer of Homes.

https://a.co/d/8NQVDsx

Help!

/ Jodie / 3 Comments

Matthew 24:35 

Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Psalm 121

1 I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

Isaiah 40:3-5

3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,
“Clear the way through the wilderness
    for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
    for our God!
4 Fill in the valleys,
    and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
    and smooth out the rough places.
5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
    The Lord has spoken!”

As the cover of my current journal declares, God is Faithful.

Yesterday, after drinking my daily smoothie that contained a new ingredient I’d never consumed before, I noticed that I felt kind of weird. I laid down for a bit to rest while watching Chip & Joanna Gaines do their thing. Grabbing my bottle, I continued guzzling water like I normally do with the heat and humidity of the good old Florida sunshine in summertime. Within a few minutes, swallowing became difficult. I sat up straight, quickly ascertaining that I must be suffering an allergic reaction! Breathing slowly, I calmed my nervous system down and began praying in the Spirit.

“Help me, Lord!”

Peace rushed in.

At the same time, I was still very aware of what was happening inside my body. The swelling in my throat was increasing, so I decided it was time to ask someone for help. I walked into my man’s office, interrupting his work day. “Babe. Don’t panic. I think I’ve had an allergic reaction to something I drank. I’m having a hard time swallowing.” I sat down on the floor as he retrieved my water bottle and the Benadryl. I took two, immediately. I text a nurse practitioner friend, but there was no response. At that point, my throat felt like I’d swallowed a very hairy tennis ball! “Babe. I’m gonna need you to take me to the ER. But before we go, let’s pray.”

He did.

As I grabbed my things, he informed the kids what was going on. I saw the concern in their eyes as we rushed out the door. Fortunately for us, we live literally right down the street from our community hospital. Upon check in, once I told the admin what was happening, she promptly stopped the paperwork and called for a nurse. By the time I turned around, a woman was there with a wheelchair. She whisked me right into an available room, as the team rushed in. Within moments I was undressed, put into one of those fashionable hospital muumuus, an IV was started and my vital signs were being monitored. Asking how I was feeling, the head nurse agreed with my self diagnoses- also noting that my chest and back were covered with a rash. The nurse practitioner assigned to my care immediately ordered more anti-histamines and a steroid which were promptly administered through my IV.

Once the dust had settled, my man smiled at me as he sat there- holding all my belongings in his hands. I saw the care and concern in his beautiful blue eyes.

As the medication and fluids entered my system, the swelling stopped. In fact, the fuzzy tennis ball began shrinking! I was discharged within an hour or so. Armed with a prescription to continue taking meds at home, my man and our kids were now assigned to my care. They came rushing out to the garage before I even had a chance to open the car door! We spent the next few hours enjoying our abbreviated family fun night, eating dinner together and watching one of the gazillion Mission Impossible movies. The anti-histamines knocked me out before 9p.

Upon waking early this morning, I began processing yesterday’s events with the Lord in silence. Thanking Him for being with me; an ever-present help in times of trouble, my heart was filled with gratitude. As we walked through everything that happened, I remembered how He’d been with me in previous trials.

I heard Him validate who He is:

The Way,

the Truth,

the Life.

and I heard Him validate who I am in Him:

His beloved.

He also alerted me to what the enemy had spoken over me yesterday so that I could remain aware of his prowling around, acting like a lion. It confirmed the bible verse Holy Spirit woke me up with early this week.

In that moment, I realized He’d been sharpening my sword- which is the written and spoken Word of God. It’s the only weapon used to cut between soul and Spirit. Like those anti-histamine’s that block the histamine response in the body, only the Word can block the fiery arrows of the enemy.

Our battles belong to the Lord, but we have a part to play, my friend. We cannot fight lying down- being passive. Yesterday, when I realized the attack on my body, I sat up. Then I stood. And when He said “GO!” I went. Immediately. THIS is how we fight our battles. We hear and do the Word.

It isn’t enough to sit in the Lord’s presence during a worship service as the highs and lows of the songs sooth our soul. Man cannot live on corporate gatherings alone. Please understand me. We NEED to sit in His presence, alone and together. We NEED to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth as a covenant community and alone. Before we show up on a Sunday morning, or a Wednesday night, we NEED to be full of His bread and water. Like Jesus, we must get up while it’s still dark and go to a secret place to pray to the Father in heaven. Then we must train ourselves to be still and know Him.

Study the Word.

Pray.

Meditate on His Truth.

Once you’ve eaten the scroll for yourself, my friend: get up and do whatever the Father’s will is, in whatever way He says to do it!

Period.

End of sentence!

This blog post is the result of one of those holy moments. Usually prompted by a passage I’ve read, I simply write my response to the Lord in a journal each day. Journaling is just another way to communicate with the Lord. What I sometimes can’t get out of my heart through my mouth, my mind can easily translate through my hand as it scribbles my thoughts (conscience and sub-conscience) on paper. Most of the time what I scribe remains hidden from others. I love that God and I have secrets just between the two of us. But occasionally, He prompts me to transcribe His word and my words digitally, so that I can tell others the GOOD NEWS of the gospel! This is not my story. It’s His. His story transforms lives.

It’s time to sit up, stand up and sharpen your sword, my friend. God is preparing you to be an overcomer. You must be alert and aware at all times. The enemy is prowling around you and your family. Do not be defeated by his lies. God is with you and He is for YOU!

Revelation 12:11

11 And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.

(Thank you to those who prayed and reached out, when our eldest sent text messages.

And to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the hospital who cared for me.

Grace and peace to all of you!)

Psalm 96 Records

/ Jodie / 1 Comment

Psalm 96

Amplified Bible

1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Sing to the Lord, bless (affectionately praise) His name; show forth His salvation from day to day.

3 Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be reverently feared and worshiped above all [so–called] gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are [lifeless] idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come [before Him] into His courts.

9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before and reverently fear Him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations that the Lord reigns; the world also is established, so that it cannot be moved; He shall judge and rule the people righteously and with justice.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all the things which fill it;

12 Let the field be exultant, and all that is in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy

13 Before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge and govern the earth! He shall judge the world with righteousness and justice and the peoples with His faithfulness and truth.

Today is one of those marker moments in life. Feeling compelled to build an altar to the Lord, this blog post is written as a remembrance of God’s love, His goodness and His faithfulness to our family.

Our third born daughter, Malorie Jane Bullard released her debut album entitled “Close to You” at midnight on November 3, 2023! As a mother, I am proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the many gifts God has given. But there’s so much more to her song story than notes and lyrics.

In the summer of 2002, I suffered a traumatic miscarriage with my third pregnancy. When I began hemorrhaging at home, I knew something was dreadfully wrong. After checking in with my OB/GYN that confirmed no heartbeat, we were immediately sent to the hospital for an emergency D&C. The doctor warned me that the situation was complicated and to prepare for the worse-  I may not conceive any more children. When I woke from surgery, I was weeping uncontrollably. The nurse tried to comfort me, to no avail. I went home stunned, in shock, and deeply grieved for the large family I believe God had promised. At the same time, I was grateful for the two little girls I held in my arms during recovery.

That fall, I discovered I was pregnant again! The doctor confirmed, but warned again of the complications I had suffered and that statistically I was at greater risk of another miscarriage. In order to ensure a healthy pregnancy, weekly blood tests were required. At some point, I decided I was done being afraid. I told God I would trust Him, regardless of the outcome. At 18 weeks’ gestation, an ultra-sound confirmed the miraculous! Safe inside her mother’s womb, a sweet baby girl was growing in the shelter of His wings. On July 3, 2003 Malorie Jane Bullard made her silent debut into the world amidst all the noise; I was screaming and speaking in unknown languages having suffered horrendous back labor and unplanned natural childbirth! Holding our little bundle of joy there in the hospital, we were completely unaware of the challenges that lie ahead…

For the first four months of life, she screamed & cried uncontrollably, projectile vomiting after every feeding. We were unable to sooth or comfort her in any way. Even while nursing, she seemed distant and unable to bond with me. I also cried uncontrollably as we made multiple trips to doctors and hospitals for help. We tried every formula on the market, medication and expert recommendation. Again, at some point I decided I was done being afraid. If she had to continue to endure such pain with projectile vomiting, she would do so in her mother’s arms, drinking her mother’s milk. At four months old, we supplemented her feedings with rice cereal which helped weigh the contents of her stomach down long enough to digest more nutrients. She was eighteen months old before the raging reflux and vomiting ceased. By then, however, we were in the midst of another storm…

I had noticed Malorie wouldn’t make eye contact with me. Or anyone else. She seemed to live in her own little world. And when others interrupted that space, she became violent. She relied on me for her basic needs, but there was no connection. For the first four years of her life she remained silent. She did eventually learn to say “ma-ma” and “da-da,” and a few other unrecognizable words. Countless doctors and specialists ignored my cries for help. So, I began doing my own research. Information about Autism was just beginning to be published and so I pushed and pushed and pushed doctors until a first-year physician’s assistant FINALLY listened and referred us to UNC Hospitals for an evaluation. Upon completing a 25-page application separately, my husband and I joined hundreds of other families on a two-year waiting list.

In the meantime, God called us to withdraw our oldest two girls from public school to homeschool. Continuing Autism research in my spare time (ha ha!) I discovered many practical tools that helped Malorie thrive at home. When it was time for her to start Kindergarten, she joined our homeschool. Even though she was still non-verbal, she listened and learned alongside her sisters every day. Later that year, Malorie was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Seated around a large conference table with highly educated experts, they questioned her miraculous improvement. She had started talking, interacting with us, a few others, and showing a profound love of music. After noticing her stimming/flapping when music was on in the house, I intentionally began playing classical and children’s tapes for the girls during the day, in the car, and every night at bedtime. And when our second oldest began piano lessons a few years later, I decided to sign Malorie up too!

A songwriter since age 9, Malorie Jane Bullard is no longer silent.

She was made to sing a new song!

Isaiah 40:1-5

Amplified Bible

40 Comfort, comfort My people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to the heart of Jerusalem, and cry to her that her time of service and her warfare are ended, that [her punishment is accepted and] her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received [punishment] from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one who cries: Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord [clear away the obstacles]; make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God!

4 Every valley shall be lifted and filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain.

5 And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.