the faith of a child

This past week at our church we had Vacation Bible School. It was a busy week and at times it was hard to focus on work. During the week, the kids learned different verses and Biblical truths that went along with the theme. VBS this year was Outrigger Island. They decorated the church like a Hawaiian island…it was fun to walk around and experience.

I remember the days of VBS when I was a child. Really the only thing I can remember is Kool Aid and cookies! But I know there were a lot of truths that I learned as a child that I cling to now as an adult. As I tried to focus on work this past week, I managed to hear the verses that were being shouted out by the eager children. Here is what they were taught:

Motto:
Know the Truth
Speak the Truth
Live the Truth

Psalm 86:11 Teach me Your way, LORD,and I will live by Your truth.Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.

Truth: God is real
I know God is real. I can believe there is no other God.
Isaiah 44:6b I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but Me.

Truth: Jesus is God’s Son
I know Jesus is God’s Son. I can celebrate who He is.
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

Truth: Jesus is the only way
I know that Jesus is the only way. I can confess Him as my Savior.
John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Truth: The Bible is God’s word
I know the Bible is God’s word. I can explore its truth.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.

Truth: My actions show what I believe
I know my actions show what I believe. I can stand for truth.
Luke 10:27 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

These principles may seem simple and basic to a lot of us who have known the Lord for a while but our faith is built on these principles that hold such power and truth! Let us not forget the foundation of our faith.

obedience

The story is told that when Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa, a group of friends sent a letter saying, "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?” Apparently, Dr. Livingstone sent this message in reply: "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."

I wonder if God thinks this about us sometimes. I wonder if He ever calls us to obedience without showing us the path we will travel, or the end result, just to see what we will do. Kind of like a test. Will we obey without a road map?

And I often wonder why following God isn’t easier. There are days when I feel tired of getting called out of my comfort zone to obey God.

Maybe there is something within us that is revealed when we are pressured from without. Maybe the call to obey shines light on the truth about our faith. I know that in order to grow, faith must be stretched, and that’s often uncomfortable.
You see, I have not learned to trust God in the easy ways of faith. I have not learned to trust God by reading a book or listening to a great sermon. Nor have I learned to trust God by hearing how my friend trusts God. No, I am learning to trust God by stepping out into an adventure of obedience and discovering for myself that He is trustworthy.

Obeying when God hasn’t revealed the steps along the way or the final destination is challenging. But when we choose to walk by faith and not by sight, God gets all the glory in the end because we KNOW we couldn’t have done it on our own!

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for being completely trustworthy. Thank You for having my best interest at heart, even when the path to obedience seems scary. Help me to take the next step of faith, even when I don’t see where I’m going. I will choose to trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

By: Glynnis Whitwer
www.proverbs31.org

in times of trouble

after yesterday, i went back and re-read some devotionals i had in my inbox. i found this one and it was just what i needed to hear. i hope it encourages you as well.

Sometimes struggle makes us aware of just how much we depend on God: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

Whatever trouble we're going through, God is always with us. Paul himself was "perplexed" as to why he was suffering, but he knew that he could have faith (trust) in God. Since Jesus suffered, as followers of Jesus sometimes we too will sometimes suffer, for "no servant is greater than his master" (John 13:16). How great a promise God gives us that he will never abandon us!

What is troubling you today? Our natural instinct is to obsess over the "Why?" question. Instead, why not try to focus on the "What?" question: "What shall I do next?" And leave the rest to God, who is our refuge, gives us strength in times of trouble, and gave His life so we will live.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength"(Philippians 4:13).

By: Darren Hewer

give them all to Jesus

this morning wasn't the greatest for me. i faced another let down...i was reminded of the truth of a song this morning. the song i was reminded of was "Give Them All to Jesus". this was a song sung by Evie and is now sung by others. here are the lyrics:

Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?
And are you tired of spinning 'round and 'round?
Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life
And at the feet of Jesus lay them down

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts and broken toys
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy

He never said, you'd only see sunshine
He never said, there'd be no rain
He only promised a heart full of singing
About the very things that once brought pain

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts and broken toys
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy

And He will turn your sorrow into joy!

the words of this song are so true. we need to go to Jesus and lay our troubles down...lay down the defeats...lay down the discouragements...lay down the disappointments. i must admit while i was sitting on the couch crying this morning, i didn't think of the joy Jesus had for me. what a great reminder in this song that if i give all those things to Jesus and He will turn my sorrow into joy!

too cute for words

i saw this little girl on America's Got Talent last week. she brought me to tears. she by far is the best 4 year old singer i've ever heard and to boot, she is absolutely adorable!

Lord, change me

this came from one of my devotionals. the message struck me. do we go to church just to feel good? to feel better about ourselves? to show others that we are faithful in going? or do we genuinely go to be changed? that can be a scary thing to think on. if my desire is to be like Christ and to be the woman He wants me to be, i need to be willing to change. today is sunday...think about this as you go to church today...next week or the week after. when you walk through those doors, you are inviting Christ to change you.

As I sat in church, my foot began to tap to the lively praise music. It
was refreshing! Then the pastor stood and prayed, "Oh Lord, we have
come here today to be changed by You. Please change us."

The words caught me off guard. I wasn't sure I had come to be changed;
encouraged and refreshed, yes, but changed? I thought about it over the
next week.

As Christians we so often want God's blessing and His strength and His
wisdom...but do we willingly say, "Lord, change me?" I knew I didn't
always. Yet it is the thing God calls us to, to be changed.

I thought of the worm and the butterfly. If the worm were asked, I am
quite sure that he would not feel the need to change, having no concept
of the beautiful, flying creature he would become.

Only the Lord sees us as the finished product of what His grace can do
in our lives. Only He knows the butterfly in each of us.

"The Spirit of the Lord works within us to become more and more like
Him" (2 Corinthians 3: 18, The Living Bible).

Is the Lord asking you to let Him change you? Change is not always
easy. But the joy and the reward of being transformed into the godly person
God knows you can be will surprise and delight you. It will bring a
fulfillment that is worth every effort. And God will enable you, by His
Spirit, to make the changes you have put off too long.

Don't wait any longer for God to change your circumstances, your boss,
your husband or whoever or whatever is holding you back. Ask Him today
to change you. He promises to transform you, and you won't be
disappointed with the result!

By: Gail Rogers

when i gaze into the night sky

i have a calendar at home that shows a scripture for each day of the year. this morning when i woke up i flipped the page and the passage was Psalm 8.

O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

there are several songs that we sing today that refer to this passage. however, my favorite is "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name". i remember singing that when i was in choir at church many years ago and always getting teary when i sang it. it's such a beautiful song and the part when it goes into the hallelujahs, i just can't help but get emotional thinking about how we will be singing our hallelujahs to God when we see Him! please watch this incredible version of this song by Sandi Patty.

to all who are weary

i love it when i wake up in the morning and a scripture or song lyric is on my mind. it really starts my day off in the right mindset and i thank the Lord for putting those things in my mind to dwell on.

this morning i woke up with a song. it is one i used to sing. the lyrics are simple but the message is profound.

it comes from Matthew 11:28-30 (Amplified Bible):

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

think on that. Christ invites us to come to Him. He is the only one who can give real rest to our soul. why is it that when we are burdened with something we often leave Christ out of it. we try to do it or fix it on our own. we try to find the strength within ourselves first before we run to Him. i have such a great visual of Christ just waiting for us. i know when i was a little girl it was comforting for me to run to my mom or dad and crawl up in their lap to get a hug, a kiss and to hear that everything would be ok. i still run to my mom and dad; however, i can't sit on their lap anymore. : ) there is comfort in being loved and having the compassion of a parent. that is the same thing Christ wants to do for us. He is our Abba, our daddy.

let's run to our Abba Father and climb up in His lap for only the comfort He can give.

Come to me
You who are weary
I’ll give you rest
I’ll give you rest

Come to me
I’ll take your burden
Come to me
I will give you rest

For I am gentle
And humble of heart
Learn of me
And you shall find peace
Unto your soul

Come to me
You who are weary
I’ll give you rest
I’ll give you rest

Come to me
I’ll take your burden
Come to me
I will give you rest

Come to me…

describe God

how would you describe God? what words come to mind? i was challenged the other day in my devotions to write down 3 words to describe God. it then asked to find verses in the Bible to correspond with the words you wrote down. once i started writing, i didn't want to stop because there are just so many words! one of my friends had shared this video of a skit called "everything". i had seen a version of it on youtube before. it really touches my heart. after watching it again i was reminded of the words i would use to describe God and this is what i wrote:

*Creator: Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

*Sustainer: Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

*Provider: Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

*Companion: Isaiah 41:13 For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.'

*Lover: Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

*Constant: Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

*Faithful: Psalm 36:5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

*Sacrifice: John 3:16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.

*Persistent: Psalm 37:24 The LORD will hold your hand,and if you stumble,you still won't fall.

*Protector: Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

*Friend: John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

*There: Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

*Loving: Psalm 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

He is EVERYTHING

here is the powerful skit...

it's time for a face lift for the summer! hopefully everything will be up and running again soon when i have time to format my page. come back soon!

i am not alone

when i walk in the morning, i often feel all by myself. i rarely see anyone out at the hour i am. today i was reminded that i am not alone. every step i make, every move i make, God is with me. there's a song by Natalie Grant called, "I Am Not Alone". it's a beautiful and encouraging song. what a comfort to know whatever we walk through in life, God is always right there...walking beside us, holding our hand, carrying us when we can't walk...

You’re here in my heart
You’re the light that guides me through the dark
You walk beside me, the night seems cold
Each time I fall, You’re arms are there to hold
You walk beside me, giving strength I’ve never known
I am not alone, You walk beside me, I am not alone

You’re here in my mind
I talk to you and all my fears unwind
I know I’m loved for who I am
You make me want to be the best that I can
You walk beside me, giving strength I’ve never known
And I am not alone, You walk beside me, I am not alone
Wherever the road leads

And I rely on Your patience when I face the unknown
And because of You, I am not alone

I am not alone, You’re always beside me, I am not alone
In the sun, in the rain
Through the good times, and in the pain
You’re always beside me
I reach out for Your hand, I know that You understand

mourning a loss

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
~Isaiah 41:13

this morning i received a call from a dear friend of mine. she told me her father passed away unexpectedly on wednesday. i just was shocked. i adored her parents. when i was talking with her this morning, i shared a memory.

during the first gulf war, mr. farmer was deployed. i wrote him a letter and he wrote back. i still have that letter to this day. i even pulled it out and read it when art was deployed. that is a letter that i cherish. i also remember when he returned, aarionne and i bought matching patriotic boxer shorts and shirts to wear to the welcome home ceremony. i think that night we also attended a lee greenwood concert! those are memories that i cherish.

i was looking up a song on youtube this morning and it just seemed appropriate to the news i later heard. listen to the song and read the lyrics. when we cry out to God, He is there. He is "I AM".

Pencil marks on a wall
I wasn't always this tall,
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed,
You watched my team win,
You watched my team lose,
You watched when my bicycle went down again,

And When I was weak unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Elbow healer, Superhero,
come if You can,” and You said “I am”

Only 16, life is so mean, what kind of curfew is at ten PM
You saw my mistakes, You watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I’d never love again

When I was weak, unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Heart-ache Healer, Secret-keeper,
be my Best Friend” and You said “I am”

You saw me wear white, by pale candlelight,
I said forever to what lies ahead
two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
too much it might seem when it’s two AM

when I am weak, unable to speak,
still I will call You by name.
“Oh Shepherd, Savior, Pasture-maker,
hold on to my hand,” and You say “I am.”

The winds of change,
And circumstance blow in and all around
us so we find a foothold that’s familiar,
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer
Life had begun, I was woven and spun,
You let the angels dance around the throne, who can say when,
But they’ll dance again, when I am free and finally headed home

I will be weak, unable to speak,
still I will call You by name
“Creator, Maker, Life-sustainer,
Comforter, Healer, My Redeemer,
Lord and King, Beginning and
the End, I am, yes, I am.”

By: Nichole Nordeman

verses to remember

Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
~ Psalm 5:3 NLT

…those who hope in me will not be disappointed.
~ Isaiah 49:23 b TNIV

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They cheer us up and give us hope.
~ Romans 15:4 NIRV

the mind is a battlefield

i just started reading "Battlefield of the Mind". so far it has been very eye opening to the war that rages around in our thoughts. i have experienced some freedoms from just asking the Lord to free my mind and to ask for "mind binding spirits" to leave. Joyce Myer explains how the Lord impressed on her heart to pray for the mind binding spirits to flee from her mind. she shares a very powerful story about experiencing the freedom of thought.

one of the things i face is unpleasant dreams. i've always been a big dreamer and i almost always remember my dreams when i wake in the morning. they often are so vivid they feel real. since i've been walking faithfully with the Lord, i've noticed that my dream life has become more negative. i feel as if i'm being attacked by my thoughts while i sleep. they say that you don't really have control over what you dream about and there is some truth to that; however, i do believe that through prayer and thinking on the things of God, we can have victory over our thoughts even at rest.

when i was little, my mom used to sing a song to me that still resonates with me this day and i often find myself singing it when i wake up from a nightmare to try and fall back asleep. the words are simple yet so profound.

Good night my Father put thoughts of Jesus in my head.

Holy Spirit comfort me put Angels all around my bed.


And fill my dreams with the things that please you.

I want to hear your sweet voice it sounds so peaceful.


Good night my Father put thoughts of Jesus in my head.

Holy Spirit comfort me put Angels all around my bed.

phrase to remember

one of my girlfriends told me this phrase the other day. it is just what my heart needed. i ended up typing the phrase on business card size paper and sticking them around my house, in my car and at work...so everywhere i look i am reminded of it's truth.

“Faith is not knowing God can, it’s knowing He will.”

secret things

Another great devotional from Girlfriends In God. I am so challenged by today’s thoughts. We all have secret things that we hide from others. What do you hide from your spouse, family, friends, and co-workers? God doesn’t want us to live in secrecy. He wants us to live a full and rich life free from bondage. That rich and full life only comes from Christ. Nothing we try to satisfy ourselves with, will fill that void. Our validation and meaning comes from Him. Make sure to read the suggestions below for combating our secret habits.

Have you ever noticed how often Satan uses secret things to trip us up on our journey...those secret places that reside deep within our soul that we keep hidden from others and even try to hide from God?

Think about it...

...Pornography is usually done in secret.
...Excessive shopping can be done over the Internet, with no one watching.
...Eating disorders develop in isolation when we binge by ourselves, purge with no one
around, or publicly pretend to eat, but privately starve ourselves.
...Negative attitudes and thoughts begin in the sanctity of our mind, secretly taking root
in our hearts.

The things we watch, what we think and how we spend our time are the "secret places" Satan can and will use against us. Yet, often we continue in our secrecy, afraid to reach for Truth. Why?

Secret places seem safe. Secret places are familiar and can be kept hidden. Secret places feel comfortable to us, so we cling to them.

It's not that we don't want to be honest and get real about the secret places in our soul. It's just easier to keep the truth hidden than it is to get real about things from the inside-out. Though most of us crave authenticity, our fears of being "found out" are what keep us living in secret, which is exactly where Satan wants us to stay. The crafty, conniving one knows that if he can get us to continue to bury our secret places deep within our heart, we can't be effective for God. He knows that thoughts of our private sins will eventually eat away at us, causing us to feel fraudulent and unworthy of the love and acceptance of others, and most of all, our Heavenly Father. However, the truth is, we are the ones who don't love and accept ourselves. Not God.

Friends, the message of Jesus Christ is one of hope and restoration. It is one of freedom, of unconditional love and acceptance, and it is one of Truth and spiritual exposure. What He wants from all of us is greater authenticity, greater genuineness, and the Truth, that can only be found in Him.

So, how do you combat those secret keeping habits you have developed over time?

1. Practice telling the truth. Telling the truth is a choice and needs to be a conviction. Healthy habits can and will be formed when practiced repeatedly, and truth telling is an important habit to cultivate.

2. Develop a genuinely authentic faith. Recognize the importance of authenticity, and begin making it of utmost priority. Do things to strengthen your walk (prayer, Bible study, etc.) and to guard your mind.

3. Recognize that no one has it all together. See Satan's lie for what it is and determine not to get into the comparison trap with others. You cannot know what a person is all about by what they look like on the outside.

4. Stop trying to be perfect, act confident, appear happy, and seem super spiritual. These are some of the most common ways we, as women, pretend. When we operate in a spirit of truth and openness, we will be able to live without pretense.

5. Determine to live your life with a genuineness that others will cling to and want to emulate. Honesty facilitates honesty. When you begin to get real and honest, hiding nothing in your relationship with God and others, people will begin to take notice and follow suit. This will strengthen all of your relationships and build up your self-esteem!

By: Lisa Whittle
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Lord, I pray that those who are reading this devotional might be convicted and encouraged. May we all know that You came to set us free from a life of bondage. I pray in the powerful name of Jesus that you would set us free from our secrets. I ask that you would expose the sin in our life that we have become comfortable with. Transform us to the men and women you desire us to be. Amen.

really, vanilla?

i was surprised by the results of my latest survey. i was really thinking chocolate would win. i am a fan of vanilla...that is my favorite. what does your ice cream flavor say about you?

Vanilla

There is nothing plain about Vanilla. In fact, if you love Vanilla, you are actually a colorful, dramatic risk taker who relies more on intuition than logic. Emotionally expressive and idealistic, you tend to set high goals for yourself, and push yourself to meet and exceed them. On the romantic front, you tend to rely on secure romantic relationships that fulfill your emotional needs while working toward future objectives.

Double Chocolate Chunk

If you love Double Chocolate Chunk, you tend to be lively, creative and dramatic. Always the life of the party, you charm everyone you meet with your enthusiasm and sense of style. You enjoy being in the spotlight and prefer to be in the company of friends rather than left alone to reflect on life. You prefer passion and excitement in your romantic relationships, and require a lot of attention from your mate.

Strawberry

A love for strawberry reveals a thoughtful, logical person who carefully weighs each option before making decisions. More a follower than a leader, you are content and effective working behind the scenes and out of the limelight. In relationships, you are often characterized as shy and reserved. Although you don’t fall head-over-heels in love at first sight, once you commit to a relationship, you are loyal and supportive.


Butter Pecan

If your favorite flavor is Butter Pecan, you might be characterized as the perfect worker. You are devoted, conscientious, respectful and fiscally conservative. You hold high standards for right and wrong and show integrity in all of your actions. This includes an extreme sensitivity for others’ feelings. You aren’t one to wear your heart on your sleeve; it takes a little encouragement from close friends and family to share your deepest thoughts.

Chocolate Chip

As a chocolate chip lover, you are competitive and accomplished; no victory is sweet without a little hard work. Although you are competent and ambitious in love and work, you are generous with your time and money, never taking your blessings for granted. Your captivating personality makes you a shining star in social situations.


Coffee

As a coffee lover, you are lively, dramatic and flirtatious – thriving on the passion of the moment. Because you throw yourself into all that you do, you tend to be over-committed, starting new projects without finishing old ones. You tend to become bored by dull relationships and thrive on new and exciting ventures.


Mint Chocolate Chip

As a Mint Chocolate Chip lover, you tend to be ambitious and confident… yet a little skeptical about life. You are a realist who prepares for the future, needing a solid plan to feel secure. While your stubbornness is a business asset, it can add a challenging element to your relationships. Nonetheless, your loyalty, honesty and dependability create lasting friendships and close family ties.


Rocky Road

If you opt for the rich, indulgent taste of Rocky Road, you tend to be a balanced mixture of charm and practicality. While you are outgoing and engaging in social situations, in the business world you tend to be more aggressive and goal-oriented. You enjoy being catered to, and appreciate the finer things in life. You are very sensitive to minor slights and respond best to encouragement rather than criticism.

i found this fun information at www.icecream.com

what makes a teacher?

when i was a little girl i used to play "teacher". i loved setting up school in our basement and reading books and handing out assignments to my make believe students. when i was in elementary school, i loved cleaning the chalk boards and wanted to write on them all day long with colored chalk...that real smooth stuff. i loved all the details of being a teacher...stickers, putting smily faces on papers, recess and of course "heads up 7-up". there was a reason i loved playing teacher so much...i had great examples!

do you remember your favorite teacher? what was it about that person that made them your favorite? was it because they were especially nice to you? was it because they pushed you to your potential? over my years of schooling i had several teachers that stood out.

* miss staples aka mrs. anderson: was my 1st grade teacher. she was the sweetest teacher around. i just remember her gentle spirit and loving heart.


* miss love: was my 2nd grade teacher and was miss staples' friend! they were so much alike. i was so glad to have both of them especially since in 1st & 2nd grade i broke my leg (same leg, same bone...i know, crazy). both of them took the extra time to help me in the classroom and out on recess. for that i will always remember these ladies.


as i grew older the relationship with my teachers became different. as i "matured" (as much as a teenager can do), teachers became more like friends. in high school i had many teachers that i loved. not only because they were good teachers but because it went beyond teaching. they touched my heart and soul as a young person trying to find my way in life.

* miss bowman: she taught economics...she was very hard in class, but great. you either liked her or you didn't. she was my mentor in the girls' discipleship group. she became my friend.

* mrs. orme: was my typing teacher. she taught business classes. i didn't do too well in typing because i couldn't get the keys memorized...still don't know them all. what is so special about mrs. orme is that she later became my teacher and advisor in college! she was always so genuine. she helped to mold me to be in the profession that i am today.

* miss scott: what girl doesn't love home economics?!?! miss scott was the teacher. i loved being in that class. she taught me so much about being a domesticated woman...too bad i don't remember a lot of it...like sewing...ugh


* mr. chamberlain: was my art teacher. i enjoyed being creative in many different outlets. i thoroughly enjoyed ceramics during j-term and the drawing in art 1. he went on fine arts trips to nyc. he was a great man to be around.

* mr. mohler: this man was around during my elementary days and high school days. he taught music. he directed the choir. he also was the band and strings director. i participated in all of those groups...singing in the choir and playing the violin and percussion.


and last but not least...

* mr. sundberg: i remember hearing what a tough teacher he was when i was a freshman. students feared him. i would only be fortunate to have him as a teacher my junior year. this was a difficult year for me. i had several issues with health which caused me to miss a lot of school. then of course on top of that i had mr. sundberg for english. english was not one of my better subjects (still isn't). i love to write but the whole grammar thing just gets me. from what i remember of mr. sundberg he was tough but loving. he pushed you to be all you could be. he had high standards and by all means should have. he was a friend to the students and a friend to me when i needed it.


a few of these people i see on occasion and still keep in touch via email. it's neat to have a relationship with them after all these years. it's comforting to be able to go back to those more innocent days and reminisce.

thank you to all teachers past and present for your sacrifice. you challenged, you disciplined, you befriended, you laughed, you cried, you prayed, you discipled, you taught. i am forever grateful to you!

book report part 5: "Captivating"

this is my last post on "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" by John & Stasi Eldredge. if you haven't read the other 4 posts, make sure to look for them. this book was excellent! i would highly recommend women to read it.

God really does want you to know who you are. He wants you to be able to understand the story of your life, to know where you have come from, and to know where you are going. There is freedom there. Freedom to be and to offer and to love. So, may we take a moment and remind you who you truly are?

You are a woman. An image bearer of God. The Crown of Creation. You were chosen before time and space, and you are wholly and dearly loved. You are sought after, pursued, romanced, the passionate desire of your fiance, Jesus. You are dangerous in your beauty and your life-giving power. And you are needed.

As a woman who has been ransomed and redeemed, you can be strong and tender. You speak to the world of God's mercy, mystery, beauty, and his desire for intimate relationship. You are inviting; you can risk being vulnerable, offering the weight of your life as well as your need for more because you are safe in God's love. You labor with God to bring forth life-in creativity, in work, in others. Your aching, awakened heart leads you to the feet of Jesus, where you wait on him and wait for him. There eyes of his heart are even upon you. The King is captivated by your beauty.

the song posted below was mentioned in the book. the lyrics are beautiful images of what Christ is to us. please take the time to listen and may God touch your heart by it as He did mine.

book report part 4: "Captivating"

obviously i've learned a lot from this book or i wouldn't be writing so much about it. i just found it to be an excellent encouragement for women. so women, if you get a chance, pick up this book. i think it will show you a lot about yourself and show you things you may have never thought of before.

the next section i wanted to share was on romance. as a woman, romance is part of my dna. God knows that. He wants us to be His bride. here are some thoughts Stasi & John Eldredge had on being "romanced".

A woman becomes beautiful when she knows she's loved. We've seen this many times-you probably have too. Cut off from love, rejected, no one pursuing her, something in a woman wilts like a flower no one waters anymore. She withers into resignation, duty, and shame. The radiance of her countenance goes out, as if a light has been turned off. but this same woman, who everyone thought was rather plain and unengaging, becomes lovely and inviting when she is pursued. Her heart begins to come alive, come to the surface, and her countenance becomes radiant. We wonder, "Where has she been all these years? Why, she really is captivating."

We live for romance. We are wired for it; it's what makes our hearts come alive. God longs to bring this into your life himself. He wants you to move beyond the childlike, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." He wants to heal us through his love to become mature women who actually know him.

What is it that God wants from you?

He wants the same thing that you want. He wants to be loved. He wants to be known as only lovers can know each other. He wants intimacy with you. Yes, he wants your obedience, but only when it flows out of a heart filled with love for him. "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me." (John 14:21). Following hard after Jesus is the heart's natural response when it has been captured and has fallen deeply in love with him.

mercy

"But God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy. So he gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God's grace has saved you.

God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with him in his heavenly kingdom because we belong to Christ Jesus. He has done it to show the riches of his grace for all time to come. His grace can't be compared with anything else. He has shown it by being kind to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.

God's grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn't come from anything you do. It is God's gift." ~ Ephesians 2:4-8 NIRV

my parents shared a website with me yesterday for Back to the Bible. is it an international media ministry. Woodrow Kroll is the president and senior Bible teacher for the ministry. yesterday on his program he talked about mercy: "God's mercy means withholding penalty." (click on the title for the video and transcripts from this program).

here are some poignant thoughts i walked away with.

God's character is such that His mercy means there isn't anything you and I have done so heinous, so bad, that God, when He chooses to, can exercise mercy on our behalf.

When we receive the mercy of God in our lives, we're not making excuses for the way we've lived our life. We're saying, "There is no excuse for the way I've lived my life. There's no excuse for the way I've acted in front of God and in front of other people." And what we're doing is, we're saying to God, without making excuses, setting aside every opportunity I have to justify myself. "I am admitting I need Your mercy."

Fourth century church father, John Chrysostom said, "Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan." That is so true. If I demand justice, I make Satan happy, but I may disappoint God. If I show mercy, I surely will disappoint Satan, but I will be more God-like in the process of doing that.

Being merciful then means not being judgmental and not demanding justice. It means not allowing the penalty for sin against us to become a penalty. We just take that sin and we say we'll wipe it away by showing mercy to this person.

To show mercy always demands more than intellectual assent that I need to show mercy. It demands action. It demands that I find ways and find people in my own life that I can go out of my way to show them mercy as opposed to asking for justice.

those thoughts are so convicting to me. we have such a wonderful example in Christ. yet why it is so hard for us to grant others mercy? one line from Mr. Kroll really stood out to me: mercy demands action. it is something we show…something we demonstrate. we choose to wipe the slate clean. we don’t look at the wrongs, the sin…we don’t penalize them. we look at them through God’s eyes. what a great reminder. oh, to be more like Christ.

book report part 3: "Captivating"

there is a section in this book on healing wounds. all of us have wounds. some are deeper than others. some are more fresh than others. the good news is that God can heal any wound...if we'll only let Him.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3

This is the passage that Jesus pointed to when he began his ministry here on earth. Of all the Scriptures he could have chosen, this is the one he picked on the day he first publicly announced his mission. It must be important to him. It must be central. What does it mean? It's supposed to be really good news, that's clear. It has something to do with healing hearts, setting someone free. Let me try and state it in words more familiar to us.

God has sent me on a mission. I have some great news for you. God has sent me to restore and release something. And that something is you. I am here to give you back your heart and set you free. I am furious at the Enemy who did this to you, and I will fight against him. Let me comfort you. For, dear one, I will bestow beauty upon you where you have known only devastation. Joy, in the places of your deep sorrow. And I will robe your heart in thankful praise in exchange for your resignation and despair.

You are the glorious Image Bearer of the Lord Jesus Christ-the crown of his creation. You have been assaulted. You have fallen to your own resources. Your Enemy has seized upon your wounds and your sins to pin your heart down. Now the Son of God has come to ransom you, and to heal your broken, wounded, bleeding heart, and to set you free from bondage. He came for the brokenhearted captives. That's me. That's you. He came to restore the glorious creation that you are. And then set you free...to be yourself.

walking with God today

this morning i went for my walk as i usually do. i was listening to my ipod and thinking on the words of the songs. as i walked and listened, i talked to God. thanking Him, praising Him, asking Him...as i made my turn to walk home there was a rather upbeat song on...it had a great message. i was listening to this song and praying and found it hard to focus because part of me was listening to the words of the song. the song finally changed and i heard the first line of the next song. it hit me. "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD". wow. here i was thinking i was doing great by listening to my praise songs and talking to God at the same time but really what God wanted me to do was slow down, be quiet and listen to Him. how can i possibly hear God's voice when i've got my head phones on? i know He can speak through music and music is a form of worship but there is a time when we just need to be still...

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 NIV

Be quiet and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 NLV

Our God says, "Calm down, and learn that I am God!" Psalm 46:10 CEV

Cease striving and know that I am God Psalm 46:10 NASB

book report part 2: "Captivating"

we all our wounded. we all deal with shame. in a section from "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge, they discuss "wounded femininity".

As a result of the wounds we receive growing up, we come to believe that some part of us, maybe every part of us is marred. Shame enters in and makes its crippling home deep within our hearts. Shame is what makes us look away, so we avoid contact with strangers and friends. Shame is that feeling that haunts us, the sense that if someone really knew us, they would shake their heads in disgust and run away...

Others seem to master their lives, but shame grips our hearts and pins them down, ever ready to point out our failures and judge our worth. We are lacking. We know we are not all that we long to be, all that God longs for us to be, but instead of coming up for grace-filled air and asking God what he thinks of us, shame keeps us pinned down and gasping, believing that we deserve to suffocate...

Shame causes us to hide. We are afraid of being truly seen, and so we hide our truest selves and offer only what we believe is wanted...we are silent and do not say what we see or know when it is different from what others are saying, because we think we must be wrong...

Shame makes us feel very uncomfortable with our beauty. Women are beautiful, every single one of us. It is one of the glorious ways that we bear the image of God...

You really won't understand your life as a woman until you understand this:

You are passionately loved by the God of the universe.
You are passionately hated by his Enemy.

...There is a One greater than your Enemy. One who has sought you out from the beginning of time. He has come to hear your broken heart and restore your feminine soul.

when i read that, i think of the song lyric, "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world". we have such tremendous power and hope through God.

i stumbled upon this song when i was looking for something else on youtube. i think the Lord showed it to me for a reason. it's called "Praise His Name". when we struggle with our wounds and shame we should look to the One who can help us through...we can "praise the hurt away".

book report part 1: "Captivating"

i am currently reading "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" by John & Stasi Eldredge. there is so much to learn from this book that i decided to start writing about it even though i'm not finished.

in the beginning of the book it describes the significance of woman when she was created. here are some thoughts that jumped out at me.

It is nearing the end of the sixth day, the end of the Creator's great labor, as Adam steps forth, the image of God, the triumph of his work. He alone is pronounced the son of God. Nothing in creation even comes close. Truly, the masterpiece seems complete. And yet, the Master says that something is not good, not right. Something is missing...and that something was Eve. (Genesis 2:21-23)

She is the crescendo, the final, astonishing work of God. Woman. In one last flourish creation comes to a finish not with Adam, but with Eve. She is the Master's finishing touch. Eve is ...breathtaking.

Given the way creation unfolds, how it builds to ever higher and higher works or art, can there be any doubt that Eve is the crown of creation? Not an afterthought. She is God's final touch, his piece de resistance. She fills a place in the world nothing and no one else can fill. Step to a window, ladies, if you can. Better still, find some place with a view. Look out across the earth and say to yourself, "The whole, vast world in incomplete without me. Creation reached its zenith in me."

to me that is astonishing! i have always struggled with insecurities and self-esteem. i think most women do. it's not uncommon for women to question their worth. the difficult part is finding worth in what matters...finding worth in God. most of the women i know, me included, have searched for significance and meaning in everything we could think of. we try to get validation from friends, family, men, etc. we try to fill up our days, our hours and minutes with activities so we don't have the down time to think...to see that we really are lonely. after all the striving to be something we're not, our core tells us there is still something missing. that is something we can never escape no matter how many activities we are involved with or how many relationships we are in or how we think we've found the answer in a man/woman. God created us to find our significance in Him and absolutely nothing will fill that void except for HIM.

you know, i think that when God created Eve He had her future insecurities in mind. the Creator of the universe created woman so man and the rest of creation would be complete...God said it was good! what greater validation is there in life?