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Happy Saturday!
Today, Bruce and I had one of those rare days that we spent together. We ran errands and used a gift card and had lunch out. I had a list of things I needed to accomplish and the greatest one was getting my desk cleaned off. Who knew it was brown with a black blotter?
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
The longer I am here on the planet the more the world around me seems to progress. And in the same breath, at the age of 54, the world seems to change faster than I am able to keep up. This year at school, as technology is rapidly taking over, we are being asked to submit our attendance each day via the internet and to record and submit grades in the same manner. I have gotten the attendance part down pretty good but I have yet to attempt the new grade posting process. (I finally just got down the old one!) These two new procedures are not optional. I still keep a paper and pencil grade book because if the computers crash or the program becomes corrupted I can still submit grades somehow. My grade book is not going to crash! But none the less I must learn and renew my brain to accept these new processes because it is mandated by the school district.
My job is not the only place I must learn new things and progress into a new world. I must also learn and progress in my spiritual life. Sometimes God lets us learn our lessons on our own time, but there are times when He is preparing us to serve Him and our instruction must be accelerated and the lessons must be learned at a faster pace. We must rise higher and higher to reach the lofty goals of knowledge and power. We become more empowered by the Holy Spirit when we seek God’s perfect will for our lives and then act in faithful obedience to the call of God in our lives. We become more loving when we seek to serve Him through kindness and compassion to others. This “heavenly progress” is what gives our life meaning. We become less conformed to this world and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit as we renew our hearts through a life in piety; studying the Word, praying, serving and worshiping. When we do these things led by the Holy Spirit, God calls them good.
Take joy in this phenomenal and heaven bound journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other. Love you all and see you in worship, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Prayer request: On Thursday of this week I will go to my first big interview in the candidacy process. I will go to the Southwest Ministries and Career Planning Services to be counseled in the results of my testing, autobiography and other requirements. Please pray for the counselor with whom I will be paired and that he/she will find me worthy and recommend me for the candidacy program to the synod candidacy committee. Thank you friends. Peace, Gaylene
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Happy Friday!
John 20: 28 “And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.”
Each year within the first hours of receiving my new students I can usually call them by their first names pretty accurately. It is my job to plan instruction for them, listen to them and teach them to the best of my ability. But it takes time for each of them to remember my name and as late as today I had one of my students address me as “Teacher.”
We have lots of names for God. When we call upon His name we say, Gracious God, Heavenly Father, Lord, Creator and Redeemer and a host of others. But do you know what God calls Himself? He calls Himself “I Am.” God says, “I Am your Lord,” and that is enough. When God claims His lordship over us then He can command our obedience, our service and our loyalty. But God, in all that He demands of us, provides us with protection. He also plans for us, fights for us and His providing for our every need is too much for us to even fathom, and we should never doubt how powerful God is. My meditation on this scripture said, “Such marvels are unfolding; wonders beyond your dreams. They only need the watering of a grateful spirit and a loving heart to yield abundantly.”
One of the exercises in my Christian Worship class was to write a prayer without asking for anything, just addressing God and giving thanks for His abundance, giving praise and glory for He alone is glorious and for His creation. So when you come to your prayer time today give thanks to the great “I Am.” Go humbly before the Father with a bended knee and a yielded heart and just try to imagine His phenomenal power.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for one another. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
John 20: 28 “And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.”
Each year within the first hours of receiving my new students I can usually call them by their first names pretty accurately. It is my job to plan instruction for them, listen to them and teach them to the best of my ability. But it takes time for each of them to remember my name and as late as today I had one of my students address me as “Teacher.”
We have lots of names for God. When we call upon His name we say, Gracious God, Heavenly Father, Lord, Creator and Redeemer and a host of others. But do you know what God calls Himself? He calls Himself “I Am.” God says, “I Am your Lord,” and that is enough. When God claims His lordship over us then He can command our obedience, our service and our loyalty. But God, in all that He demands of us, provides us with protection. He also plans for us, fights for us and His providing for our every need is too much for us to even fathom, and we should never doubt how powerful God is. My meditation on this scripture said, “Such marvels are unfolding; wonders beyond your dreams. They only need the watering of a grateful spirit and a loving heart to yield abundantly.”
One of the exercises in my Christian Worship class was to write a prayer without asking for anything, just addressing God and giving thanks for His abundance, giving praise and glory for He alone is glorious and for His creation. So when you come to your prayer time today give thanks to the great “I Am.” Go humbly before the Father with a bended knee and a yielded heart and just try to imagine His phenomenal power.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for one another. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Happy Wednesday!
Wednesday is such a long day for me. It begins with Prayer and Share at school. It felt so great to get our prayer group back together after the summer. But after teaching a full day, a three and a half hour class at Brite (which is amazing by the way!) and then choir practice I am a bit tired by the time I get home. But it is such a great day the tiredness is worth it!
Isaiah 48:12 “Listen to me, O family of Jacob, Israel my chosen one! I alone am God.” Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
The living God is a God of His Word. God told Israel that if they would be His people, then He would be their God. The nation of Israel was surrounded and infiltrated with all of these other man-made gods and yet the one true and living God, the only one who could not be toppled as a stone idol, told them that He would never leave them or forsake them.
Let’s talk about what happens when God remains with us:
First, His love is always and ever present with us and we can always be sure of that love.
Next, Strength, forever and in every situation, every difficulty and every danger we can be sure of God’s strength.
Next, Patience, God is the one who never tires even when we are exhausted with not only physical exhaustion, but when we are fed up, the patience God has is everlasting.
Next, Understanding, God will always understand even when He does not agree, but He always understands as a wise and loving Father.
Finally, This living God, whom we love, worship and adore is our God and will never leave us or forsake us because He loves us so much. So for today and all the days to come let us not fear for God is with us.
Take joy in this amazing journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Wednesday is such a long day for me. It begins with Prayer and Share at school. It felt so great to get our prayer group back together after the summer. But after teaching a full day, a three and a half hour class at Brite (which is amazing by the way!) and then choir practice I am a bit tired by the time I get home. But it is such a great day the tiredness is worth it!
Isaiah 48:12 “Listen to me, O family of Jacob, Israel my chosen one! I alone am God.” Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
The living God is a God of His Word. God told Israel that if they would be His people, then He would be their God. The nation of Israel was surrounded and infiltrated with all of these other man-made gods and yet the one true and living God, the only one who could not be toppled as a stone idol, told them that He would never leave them or forsake them.
Let’s talk about what happens when God remains with us:
First, His love is always and ever present with us and we can always be sure of that love.
Next, Strength, forever and in every situation, every difficulty and every danger we can be sure of God’s strength.
Next, Patience, God is the one who never tires even when we are exhausted with not only physical exhaustion, but when we are fed up, the patience God has is everlasting.
Next, Understanding, God will always understand even when He does not agree, but He always understands as a wise and loving Father.
Finally, This living God, whom we love, worship and adore is our God and will never leave us or forsake us because He loves us so much. So for today and all the days to come let us not fear for God is with us.
Take joy in this amazing journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Happy Tuesday!
The beginning of the school year always has its stresses. There are so many things to learn and so many things to turn in at the beginning of the year. It is at times difficult to remember which ones need to be turned in on which day. Today, our substitute folders were due. One of my colleagues at school had a substitute template that required only a basic change of information to make it applicable to my classroom. Geni came to the school for a visit this afternoon and helped me complete the folder and get it turned in on time. There were other things just as critical to be turned in and they still wanted me to teach the children all in the same day! Imagine that…
Luke 5:11 …and when they had brought their ships to land, they left everything and followed Jesus.”
Those first disciples were just ordinary working class people just like many of us. And yet Jesus took the skills they had in place and made them fit for the kingdom on earth. These simple fishermen had heard the message of Jesus and were so awestruck by His words and the miracle catch of fish. But more important, these disciples not only followed Jesus, they lived in communion with each other and with the Master.
They were taught all of the same lessons before Jesus ever sent them out to share the gospel with the people. The Disciples took the Words of Jesus, the very words spoken to them, as a command and then committed them to prayer. These disciples were taught the art and practice of prayer by Jesus Himself. I feel sure that before Jesus sent them out with preach, teach and heal in His name that they prayed together as a worshiping community bound by the love and grace of God through Jesus.
What happens when you meet Jesus? Are you willing to dock the ship you are sailing and follow Him? God took the fishing skills of the fisherman and called them to fish for men. He called them to share the love of God and preach the forgiveness of sins.
What does He call us to do? God calls us to do the same thing He called those disciples to do. We can share the love of God with those with whom we work. We can help someone who is hurting and afraid. We can share what we have with someone who is in need. We can listen when someone needs to talk and we can sit with those who are in need of feeling God’s presence. Is it time to dock the boat and follow Him? God doesn’t ask us to walk the plank, but He does ask us to take a leap of faith and land in His loving arms.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other. Love you, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
The beginning of the school year always has its stresses. There are so many things to learn and so many things to turn in at the beginning of the year. It is at times difficult to remember which ones need to be turned in on which day. Today, our substitute folders were due. One of my colleagues at school had a substitute template that required only a basic change of information to make it applicable to my classroom. Geni came to the school for a visit this afternoon and helped me complete the folder and get it turned in on time. There were other things just as critical to be turned in and they still wanted me to teach the children all in the same day! Imagine that…
Luke 5:11 …and when they had brought their ships to land, they left everything and followed Jesus.”
Those first disciples were just ordinary working class people just like many of us. And yet Jesus took the skills they had in place and made them fit for the kingdom on earth. These simple fishermen had heard the message of Jesus and were so awestruck by His words and the miracle catch of fish. But more important, these disciples not only followed Jesus, they lived in communion with each other and with the Master.
They were taught all of the same lessons before Jesus ever sent them out to share the gospel with the people. The Disciples took the Words of Jesus, the very words spoken to them, as a command and then committed them to prayer. These disciples were taught the art and practice of prayer by Jesus Himself. I feel sure that before Jesus sent them out with preach, teach and heal in His name that they prayed together as a worshiping community bound by the love and grace of God through Jesus.
What happens when you meet Jesus? Are you willing to dock the ship you are sailing and follow Him? God took the fishing skills of the fisherman and called them to fish for men. He called them to share the love of God and preach the forgiveness of sins.
What does He call us to do? God calls us to do the same thing He called those disciples to do. We can share the love of God with those with whom we work. We can help someone who is hurting and afraid. We can share what we have with someone who is in need. We can listen when someone needs to talk and we can sit with those who are in need of feeling God’s presence. Is it time to dock the boat and follow Him? God doesn’t ask us to walk the plank, but He does ask us to take a leap of faith and land in His loving arms.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other. Love you, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Happy Monday!
Well, life at school has returned. Tonight I spent several hours grading tests and assignments from Friday and getting them posted. The district has gone totally online in its grading system. In other words, the district is at a stand still with everyone trying to accomplish the online grading system. So tonight I posted them the old fashioned way…in a gradebook with my pen. The computer can lose the grades and go completely wonky, but my gradebook is with me and is a lot more reliable - not as fast, but far more reliable!
Luke 6:38 “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over and poured into your lap.”
Today, our principal announced that a family with children in our building is suffering with a devastatingly ill child. In short, this 4 year old little boy contracted a staff infection and is being treated at Parkland in Dallas as if he were a burn victim. The staff infection caused him to shed his skin both inside and out (don’t ask me how). The treatment for his skin has worked and his skin is healthy once again, but the treatment has left him with electrolyte imbalance. He is currently intubated and in a sort of coma like state.
Yesterday the family thought they were going to lose their little boy. He is doing better today, but is not out of the woods by a long shot. The parents can only visit their child at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm for thirty minutes at a time. This little boy and his twin sister were born while their older sister was in my classroom 4 years ago. Please be in prayer for little Tucker, his parents and his sisters.
Mrs. Dugan, our principal, asked if anyone wanted to help this family with meals during the week while Tucker (the little boy) is in the hospital. Within moments each grade level and special group of teachers had taken a night to help this family. They are set for meals for the next two weeks.
Believers in Jesus are followers of the world’s greatest giver. Jesus gave time to those who needed it, He gave comfort to those who were hurting, He fed those who were hungry, He provided sympathy to those in mourning and so much more. God calls us as believers in the giving Christ to give abundantly, because He gave so abundantly to us. If we can learn this lesson we will become a great power to help others because we have been shown the abundant life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who gave His all for us.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all mighty and faithful prayer warriors, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Well, life at school has returned. Tonight I spent several hours grading tests and assignments from Friday and getting them posted. The district has gone totally online in its grading system. In other words, the district is at a stand still with everyone trying to accomplish the online grading system. So tonight I posted them the old fashioned way…in a gradebook with my pen. The computer can lose the grades and go completely wonky, but my gradebook is with me and is a lot more reliable - not as fast, but far more reliable!
Luke 6:38 “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over and poured into your lap.”
Today, our principal announced that a family with children in our building is suffering with a devastatingly ill child. In short, this 4 year old little boy contracted a staff infection and is being treated at Parkland in Dallas as if he were a burn victim. The staff infection caused him to shed his skin both inside and out (don’t ask me how). The treatment for his skin has worked and his skin is healthy once again, but the treatment has left him with electrolyte imbalance. He is currently intubated and in a sort of coma like state.
Yesterday the family thought they were going to lose their little boy. He is doing better today, but is not out of the woods by a long shot. The parents can only visit their child at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm for thirty minutes at a time. This little boy and his twin sister were born while their older sister was in my classroom 4 years ago. Please be in prayer for little Tucker, his parents and his sisters.
Mrs. Dugan, our principal, asked if anyone wanted to help this family with meals during the week while Tucker (the little boy) is in the hospital. Within moments each grade level and special group of teachers had taken a night to help this family. They are set for meals for the next two weeks.
Believers in Jesus are followers of the world’s greatest giver. Jesus gave time to those who needed it, He gave comfort to those who were hurting, He fed those who were hungry, He provided sympathy to those in mourning and so much more. God calls us as believers in the giving Christ to give abundantly, because He gave so abundantly to us. If we can learn this lesson we will become a great power to help others because we have been shown the abundant life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who gave His all for us.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all mighty and faithful prayer warriors, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Blessed Sunday!
Proverbs 18: 10 “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.”
Breathe the name of Jesus.
Yesterday I helped lead a daylong session on the different aspects of prayer. When I was a child I remember going to worship in the Methodist church and there came a part of the service for the “Pastoral Prayer.” The pastoral prayer was a seemingly very long prayer and before long I checked out and was no longer listening. I thought that was how you were supposed to pray and I, like the disciples in the garden that night, fell asleep during my prayer.
As I have grown I have learned that I do not have to pray like the preachers I heard growing up and that my simple everyday language prayers are what God really wants to hear. And sometimes when I have so much on my mind that I don’t know what to pray about first, I just breathe the name of “Jesus.” Just like my song says, “When there is nothing left to do, but just depend on You and the power of Your name.”
For you see, God is so powerful that He can answer more prayers than we can possibly imagine or voice. Just breathing the name of Jesus is sometimes all we need to do. God will take the rest into His loving heart giving us peace and rest.
Friends…breathe…Jesus.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Proverbs 18: 10 “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.”
Breathe the name of Jesus.
Yesterday I helped lead a daylong session on the different aspects of prayer. When I was a child I remember going to worship in the Methodist church and there came a part of the service for the “Pastoral Prayer.” The pastoral prayer was a seemingly very long prayer and before long I checked out and was no longer listening. I thought that was how you were supposed to pray and I, like the disciples in the garden that night, fell asleep during my prayer.
As I have grown I have learned that I do not have to pray like the preachers I heard growing up and that my simple everyday language prayers are what God really wants to hear. And sometimes when I have so much on my mind that I don’t know what to pray about first, I just breathe the name of “Jesus.” Just like my song says, “When there is nothing left to do, but just depend on You and the power of Your name.”
For you see, God is so powerful that He can answer more prayers than we can possibly imagine or voice. Just breathing the name of Jesus is sometimes all we need to do. God will take the rest into His loving heart giving us peace and rest.
Friends…breathe…Jesus.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
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