Post a comment and spur me on toward love and good deeds!
Hebrews 10:24 (New International Version)
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Monday, May 24, 2010
I'm Still Here!
Last week of school for 2009-2010....looking forward to summer. I have high hopes that this brief blog this morning will be the first of many this summer.
Post a comment and spur me on toward love and good deeds!
Hebrews 10:24 (New International Version)
Post a comment and spur me on toward love and good deeds!
Hebrews 10:24 (New International Version)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Goodbye 2009
Wow, 2009 was quite a year, don't ya think? It was certainly a roller coaster ride for me and my family. We enjoyed some real high points: Zach promoted to high school and received his driving permit; we purchased 40 acres, built a house, and moved in before Thanksgiving; I started teaching at the high school; I had the thrilling experience of praying with several children who received Christ at Vacation Bible School.
We have also faced several obstacles, and as you can imagine, the high points I listed above bring a fair amount of stress with them. My personal area of sin is fear and worry. Lately, I have been waking up before my alarm clock with my mind swirling with worries. Panic usually sets in before I think to pray.
This morning, a word picture came to mind. I was 10 years old again and learning how to snow ski. I came around an icy corner and fell down because I felt out of control. As I tried to scramble to my feet, my skis slid toward the edge of what seemed a steep cliff to a beginner. I whimpered and begged my daddy to help me. He stood about 10 feet away on flat ground, telling me I could stand. Yet, every time I tried to get my skis under me, I would slide closer to the drop off. My tears brought my daddy to my side, and his strong arms steadied me as I righted myself.
That is the situation I find myself in currently. I can feel myself sliding toward the precipice of fear and despair. I am calling out to my Father to bring me peace. I know he is standing only a few feet away, but I long to have him scoop me up in his arms and carry me to safety. I don't want to wade through the tough circumstances anymore. I just want life to be easy.
For now, I am grateful for the glimpses of heaven and God's goodness to me.
Thank you for your friendship and love in 2009. You are what keeps me moving forward!
We have also faced several obstacles, and as you can imagine, the high points I listed above bring a fair amount of stress with them. My personal area of sin is fear and worry. Lately, I have been waking up before my alarm clock with my mind swirling with worries. Panic usually sets in before I think to pray.
This morning, a word picture came to mind. I was 10 years old again and learning how to snow ski. I came around an icy corner and fell down because I felt out of control. As I tried to scramble to my feet, my skis slid toward the edge of what seemed a steep cliff to a beginner. I whimpered and begged my daddy to help me. He stood about 10 feet away on flat ground, telling me I could stand. Yet, every time I tried to get my skis under me, I would slide closer to the drop off. My tears brought my daddy to my side, and his strong arms steadied me as I righted myself.
That is the situation I find myself in currently. I can feel myself sliding toward the precipice of fear and despair. I am calling out to my Father to bring me peace. I know he is standing only a few feet away, but I long to have him scoop me up in his arms and carry me to safety. I don't want to wade through the tough circumstances anymore. I just want life to be easy.
For now, I am grateful for the glimpses of heaven and God's goodness to me.
Thank you for your friendship and love in 2009. You are what keeps me moving forward!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Jesus' Death and Resurrection
Without a doubt, the chapters we will discuss here are the climax of God's love story with mankind. It makes me nervous because I know my writing will not do it justice. I have spent the past two weeks reading of the death and resurrection of Jesus in all four gospels: Matthew 26-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 22-24, and John 19-21. It is tough to put into words all the emotions involved as I read through the torture my Lord endured on my behalf. The amount of material we need to cover is very overwhelming to me as well. So, I just want to point out some things that stood out to me.
Matthew
26:31--Jesus exposed one of the greatest tactics of the enemy: he strikes the shepherd in order to scatter the sheep. This should cause us to be on our knees for anyone in authority over us. Without strong, godly leaders, we are doomed to self-destruct.
26:50--Jesus called Judas "Friend." Could I do that, knowing that Judas was there to stab me in the back?
27:41-44--The Pharisees mocked Jesus for being able to save others, but not himself. They were totally oblivious to the ultimate truth that Jesus' purpose was solely to save others. He had no intention of saving himself from death. By His death, we are saved! Hallelujah and Amen!!!
27:51-53--When Jesus gave up his spirit, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the graves were opened. That is the supreme climax to God's love story. There is no more separation between God and man. Jesus tore away the veil and granted us entrance into the throne room of heaven. If you don't read another thing I write, please understand this! Jesus Christ has made a way for you to speak directly to your heavenly Father. Don't miss it!
27:54--The centurion recognized the deity of Christ. "Surely he was the son of God!" Do you recognize it?
28:1-7--Jesus was already gone when the angel rolled the stone away. Cool!
28:18-20--These verses are the Great Commission. They are our marching orders. Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Are you obeying the command of God?
Mark
15:5, 10, 15--Pilate was amazed at the silence of Jesus during the trial, and he knew that the whole situation centered around the envy the Jews had toward Jesus. Yet, Pilate chose to satisfy the bloodthirsty crowd. Sad, sad. Girls, let's choose to be people of integrity who do the right thing, not the people-pleasing thing.
15:32--Do you think the Jewish leaders really wanted Jesus to prove himself to them and "come down that we may see and believe"? I doubt it.
16:11, 13, 14--The unbelief of the disciples astounds me! I have to think it frustrated the Lord as well. God, help me believe you!!!
16:16--"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I have been baptized as a believer. Have you? What's your story?
Luke
22:42--"Not my will, but yours be done." This, my friend, is true obedience, to give up our own desires to fulfill the desires of God.
22:33, 34, 54-62--Peter swore he would NEVER deny Christ, yet he did it 3 times before the day was over. Never say never. . . . I believe Jesus allowed Peter this humbling experience to teach him not to judge others who grow weak in their faith. I, like Peter, often grow over-confident in my self-righteousness. I've been in Peter's shoes more times than I want to admit. How about you?
24:13-35--I love the Walk to Emmaus story. Do you? Have you ever been on a Walk to Emmaus retreat? Email me your story!!
John
19:35, 20:31, 21:24--John wrote his story with one purpose--so we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that we may have life in his name. Sounds like a wonderful life-purpose to me! My purpose is to glorify the Lord and to invite others to join me. What's yours?
19:38--Joseph was a secret disciple. Is there such a thing? Can you follow God and not have anyone find out? What do you think?
20:16--Mary recognized Jesus when he called her by name! Do you recognize his voice calling you?
21:7--I love that Peter was never afraid to jump out of the boat. Let's join him!
21:19--Peter would glorify God in death. I pray that I will too.
21:25--John admitted that he could have written bucket loads more stories of the life of Jesus, but the world would not be able to contain all the books. I bet you are thinking the same thing about my lengthy blog post!
I asked a bunch of questions this time, ladies. I hope you will choose one or two to answer. Click on the comment link on my blog site, and let's discuss what you think!
Matthew
26:31--Jesus exposed one of the greatest tactics of the enemy: he strikes the shepherd in order to scatter the sheep. This should cause us to be on our knees for anyone in authority over us. Without strong, godly leaders, we are doomed to self-destruct.
26:50--Jesus called Judas "Friend." Could I do that, knowing that Judas was there to stab me in the back?
27:41-44--The Pharisees mocked Jesus for being able to save others, but not himself. They were totally oblivious to the ultimate truth that Jesus' purpose was solely to save others. He had no intention of saving himself from death. By His death, we are saved! Hallelujah and Amen!!!
27:51-53--When Jesus gave up his spirit, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the graves were opened. That is the supreme climax to God's love story. There is no more separation between God and man. Jesus tore away the veil and granted us entrance into the throne room of heaven. If you don't read another thing I write, please understand this! Jesus Christ has made a way for you to speak directly to your heavenly Father. Don't miss it!
27:54--The centurion recognized the deity of Christ. "Surely he was the son of God!" Do you recognize it?
28:1-7--Jesus was already gone when the angel rolled the stone away. Cool!
28:18-20--These verses are the Great Commission. They are our marching orders. Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Are you obeying the command of God?
Mark
15:5, 10, 15--Pilate was amazed at the silence of Jesus during the trial, and he knew that the whole situation centered around the envy the Jews had toward Jesus. Yet, Pilate chose to satisfy the bloodthirsty crowd. Sad, sad. Girls, let's choose to be people of integrity who do the right thing, not the people-pleasing thing.
15:32--Do you think the Jewish leaders really wanted Jesus to prove himself to them and "come down that we may see and believe"? I doubt it.
16:11, 13, 14--The unbelief of the disciples astounds me! I have to think it frustrated the Lord as well. God, help me believe you!!!
16:16--"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I have been baptized as a believer. Have you? What's your story?
Luke
22:42--"Not my will, but yours be done." This, my friend, is true obedience, to give up our own desires to fulfill the desires of God.
22:33, 34, 54-62--Peter swore he would NEVER deny Christ, yet he did it 3 times before the day was over. Never say never. . . . I believe Jesus allowed Peter this humbling experience to teach him not to judge others who grow weak in their faith. I, like Peter, often grow over-confident in my self-righteousness. I've been in Peter's shoes more times than I want to admit. How about you?
24:13-35--I love the Walk to Emmaus story. Do you? Have you ever been on a Walk to Emmaus retreat? Email me your story!!
John
19:35, 20:31, 21:24--John wrote his story with one purpose--so we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that we may have life in his name. Sounds like a wonderful life-purpose to me! My purpose is to glorify the Lord and to invite others to join me. What's yours?
19:38--Joseph was a secret disciple. Is there such a thing? Can you follow God and not have anyone find out? What do you think?
20:16--Mary recognized Jesus when he called her by name! Do you recognize his voice calling you?
21:7--I love that Peter was never afraid to jump out of the boat. Let's join him!
21:19--Peter would glorify God in death. I pray that I will too.
21:25--John admitted that he could have written bucket loads more stories of the life of Jesus, but the world would not be able to contain all the books. I bet you are thinking the same thing about my lengthy blog post!
I asked a bunch of questions this time, ladies. I hope you will choose one or two to answer. Click on the comment link on my blog site, and let's discuss what you think!
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