Sunday, January 24, 2010
I'm a Mama
I got a puppy! He is an 11-week old bullmastiff puppy. He weighs 30 pounds. He is the sweetest most precious thing in the world. I am absolutely in love. His name is Linus.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
trying to trust
What a week! I am drained. In every aspect of my being, I am exhausted. It has been a week that has truly pushed home what Jesus meant when he said, "for they are not of the world anymore than I am of the world." I have never felt more out of place, or far from home.
From an earthquake in Haiti, to trials with students, to the longing for salvation of loved ones, to bewilderment with the "church", to attack after attack after attack from satan.....I am standing firm on one thing.
Jesus has overcome the world!
I'm okay with not having the answers. I'm okay with not knowing what tomorrow may bring. I'm okay with things getting turned up-side-down at the snap of a finger. I'm okay with the warfare. I'm okay because I know that my God is a God of power, might, grace, and love.
And I know that my God has everything under control.
And I know that my God will not leave me or forsake me.
And I know that my God provides rest for the weary.
And I know that in the end....my God is victorious.
From an earthquake in Haiti, to trials with students, to the longing for salvation of loved ones, to bewilderment with the "church", to attack after attack after attack from satan.....I am standing firm on one thing.
Jesus has overcome the world!
I'm okay with not having the answers. I'm okay with not knowing what tomorrow may bring. I'm okay with things getting turned up-side-down at the snap of a finger. I'm okay with the warfare. I'm okay because I know that my God is a God of power, might, grace, and love.
And I know that my God has everything under control.
And I know that my God will not leave me or forsake me.
And I know that my God provides rest for the weary.
And I know that in the end....my God is victorious.
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Love Like No Other
How can loving others be so hard?
This past week with my 7th grade girls we have been studying scripture about relationships. The "task" for the week was to read 8-10 different verses and write what they were telling us about relationships.
For whatever reason the following verses struck a chord in me in a new way:
12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I 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. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
I'm sure you recognize them....they are from John 15. This is one of my all-time favorite chapters in the Bible. "I am the vine, you are the branches...." "Remain in me...." Oh, I just love the truth that bleeds from this chapter. But, back on track, these verses about friendship and loving others just hit me at the core tonight.
I have 4 pretty great girls who are dealing with middle school just as we all have. Sure things have changed some but it all goes back to the whole "he said, she said, they said, I don't like him, I can't stand her, she is my bff........(you know the rest)." They struggle with where they belong and fitting in and trusting God and living out their faith.
Tonight, as we read John 15:12-17 my heart simply broke. It ached to help these girls realize how important it is to show love. It ached to open my eyes to the love that some of my very own students, friends, co-workers, and family need to see. God made more clear HIS unconditional love. Love that is so deep that he would come to earth and lay down his life for his friends.
I cannot comprehend that. I can honestly say that I'm not sure I would be willing to die for too many people, if any. I can also tell you that some days I don't feel like loving anyone, especially that difficult student or the stubborn family member or the kid that never stops talking or people who never have anything good to say. But, I know that is why God continually places them in my life. He is teaching me and growing me and molding me to be more like him.
To love like no other.
This past week with my 7th grade girls we have been studying scripture about relationships. The "task" for the week was to read 8-10 different verses and write what they were telling us about relationships.
For whatever reason the following verses struck a chord in me in a new way:
12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I 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. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
I'm sure you recognize them....they are from John 15. This is one of my all-time favorite chapters in the Bible. "I am the vine, you are the branches...." "Remain in me...." Oh, I just love the truth that bleeds from this chapter. But, back on track, these verses about friendship and loving others just hit me at the core tonight.
I have 4 pretty great girls who are dealing with middle school just as we all have. Sure things have changed some but it all goes back to the whole "he said, she said, they said, I don't like him, I can't stand her, she is my bff........(you know the rest)." They struggle with where they belong and fitting in and trusting God and living out their faith.
Tonight, as we read John 15:12-17 my heart simply broke. It ached to help these girls realize how important it is to show love. It ached to open my eyes to the love that some of my very own students, friends, co-workers, and family need to see. God made more clear HIS unconditional love. Love that is so deep that he would come to earth and lay down his life for his friends.
I cannot comprehend that. I can honestly say that I'm not sure I would be willing to die for too many people, if any. I can also tell you that some days I don't feel like loving anyone, especially that difficult student or the stubborn family member or the kid that never stops talking or people who never have anything good to say. But, I know that is why God continually places them in my life. He is teaching me and growing me and molding me to be more like him.
To love like no other.
If you haven't read my "42 day challenge" please keep scrolling down.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
42 Day Challenge
This has been on my mind. 42 days is 6 full weeks. 42 days from today will be Feb 21 (for me).
I'm challenging myself and those who read this to pick one person. One person who fits one of the following criteria:
1. they are not a believer
2. they are a believer, but have fallen away from their walk
3. a believer who is wavering in his/her faith
Now, have you chosen someone? Good. Pray for them for the next 42 days. (look at today's date - the date you are reading this - and count out 6 weeks) Pray for the person's relationship with the Lord. Pray for your time with that person. Pray that God would use you in that person's life. Pray that God would do a GOD-SIZED thing in that persons life. Write that person's name on notecards and place them where you will see them often, as a reminder. For example I will be putting one on my bathroom mirror, my coffee table, my desk at school, and in my jeep.
I will touch base here and there. I would love for you to keep me posted. I will be praying for you all. We have a kingdom to build....one prayer at a time.
I'm challenging myself and those who read this to pick one person. One person who fits one of the following criteria:
1. they are not a believer
2. they are a believer, but have fallen away from their walk
3. a believer who is wavering in his/her faith
Now, have you chosen someone? Good. Pray for them for the next 42 days. (look at today's date - the date you are reading this - and count out 6 weeks) Pray for the person's relationship with the Lord. Pray for your time with that person. Pray that God would use you in that person's life. Pray that God would do a GOD-SIZED thing in that persons life. Write that person's name on notecards and place them where you will see them often, as a reminder. For example I will be putting one on my bathroom mirror, my coffee table, my desk at school, and in my jeep.
I will touch base here and there. I would love for you to keep me posted. I will be praying for you all. We have a kingdom to build....one prayer at a time.
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