In Loving Remembrance...

On June 6th of 2005, my father - Walter Louis Wojak - passed from this world and into the next. The Lord is, indeed, sovereign over all circumstances...and his passing was quite unexpected, none the less.

Today, April 15th, would have been his 49th birthday.



My Dad was truly unlike any man I have ever met. Growing up in a severely dysfunctional home, the Lord drew my father away from his life of drugs and alcohol (by amazingly providential circumstances), and - over the years - dramatically transformed his life into one of the most unique testimonies and commited Christians I will ever know.

Looking back, I am utterly amazed at the impact that our Lord God had on his memorable life.

My Dad loved the Lord. More than anything, he longed to know and experience the intense love of Christ that had been so absent from his unfortunate youth. Some of my fondest remembrances of him are when I sleepily walked into the living room in the early morning hours, and found Pop in his favorite chair, Bible open, journal open, and his strong hands clasped in humble and earnest prayer. Dad clung to the Truth of God in desperation, because he had experienced what it was like to be without Him.

Dad's laugh could lighten anyone's hard heart: loud, strong, and genuine. He was such a remarkable mind: the man could remember the most random, remotest, and complex topics. I remember how eager I used to be to inform him of something "new and intelligent" that I had learned - so confident that it would be something he had never studied; only to be foiled again as Dad rattled off his extensive knowledge of my "mystery subject." Dad was not without his faults (who is?), but it was the grace he demonstrated to everyone - regardless of circumstance - that was one of the strongest fingerprints of Christ in His life.

Remembering him on this day, what touches me the most was his profound tenderness and servant-heart. I could always run to my Daddy whenever I was scared, confused, troubled, or just in need of a good hug. He was always looking for opportunities to love and serve those around him: from his humble practice of a chiropractor/acuptuncturist, to ministering to his hurting/needful family.

My father taught me what a man of God should be. Sometimes I cringe because I didn't appreciate him enough. I wish that I had taken advantage of more opportunities to tell him how much I loved him, how much I respected him, and how much I learned from him. My Dad was the one who led me to Christ... I am so grateful to be his daughter. The Lord could not have given me a greater Christian example of a father and husband.

Last year, Dad's "birthday gift" was a fishing trip to Kohler, WI, in which he caught a gorgeous trout (the only fish on the trip, to be exact) at the exact time of day that he was delivered into this world. This year, my beloved father basks in the everlasting glow of the One who loves Him most.

I love you, Daddy! See you in Heaven...

Who Do I Think I Am?!

Today, I am able to say that I am thankful for the humbling reminders that God grants to us: of how unworthy we are, of how much we need Him, and of the extent of His grace and compassion. How is it that, unfortunately, we always seem to appreciate these reminders only after we recently endure some difficult trial or circumstance?

Such times always give me a deeper understanding of the question I ask myself SO many times: Who do I think I am!?

Since coming here to Louisville, I think that my experiences these past two years have proved my mother a relatively wise and insightful woman: There are things that I will experience in life that are meant to not only fashion me into a more devoted believer, but also to prove a useful counselor for the Lord (my field of study). And if He wills for various circumstances to occur, the purpose they accomplish should be considered as gracious gifts from God's Hands - even though I may not realize it at the time.

Now, as a fleshly sinner, that makes me wonder: What exactly is the Lord going to will for me to endure?!

And then it strikes me what an absolutely selfish question this is: as if my submissiveness and service to God is wholly based upon "what He may or may not do for me in this life." It is God's RIGHT and sovereign choice for me to persevere in whatever He may will, and to walk faithfully by His side - through thick and thin, whether in times of blessing or times of despair and/or destruction. It is I who must persevere, and remain willing and obedient to whatever He may deem appropriate. I am starting to value and appreciate that I must consistently choose to immerse my conciousness in the reality that "God is love"; and thus He is the only One of any of us that might be completely and rightfully trusted. Who am I to question? Who am I to doubt? Who am I to dictate and lay blame when all I ever produce is sin and rebellion, and He redemption and progress?



Absolute submission to God results in complete freedom from myself: that which constantly has proven to hold me back, confuse me, discourage/disillusion me, get in my way, and shove me down. Why do we fear total abandonment from Self when it leads to utmost joy and freedom?

Once again, Lord, you bring something that should be so simple and foundational for us into the sweet light of understanding. Continue to teach us, Lord, the value of truly fearing You, instead of fearing what may happen to us throughout our lives; and for enlightening Your Word to us, as in Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT):

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Beause of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."

LET'S BE FREE!

Have Fun!

I like this game!

Add a caption to the fun pictures:

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Stretch those imaginative muscles, friends... Have fun!

Jen Meets "Facebook"

Guess what I did for TWO HOURS today!

Last weekend, my friends Lin-z Jennings (not really how you spell her name) and Catherine Huffman spent the evening helping me sign up for a Facebook account while watching Grey's Anatomy on TV (great episode, by the way...).

I have this funny tendency of not really being interested in the technological/computer stuff that everyone else is into...but I'm getting better! For example, it wasn't until this past Fall that my sweet roomie, Donna, finally got me to sign up for a blog account (and after much prodding and pleading, I might add). Now I'm hooked!

Well, I think the lightning bolt has struck again.

For two hours this afternoon, I sat in front of a computer screen updating info, downloading pics, and browsing/searching for long-lost companions I've not spoken to in literally decades! I'm gonna have to be careful, or this could become yet another ugly sap of my precious time and energy.

I pray the Lord help me to prove a good steward with Facebook!