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Happy Saturday!
What a wonderful day! The only thing I asked for my birthday was to see the new Harry Potter, so we went this afternoon. It is amazing! It is action packed and for the most part follows the book quite well. The end of this part of the last book ends as Geni says, “perfectly!”
Psalm 43:5 “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him—my Savior and my God!”
Okay, I got a C+ on my Sacraments paper. I have never gotten a C+ and I must admit it has really bothered me. This grade seems to be at the forefront of my thinking. I became really discouraged and afraid to begin this new paper. After I read the comments on the paper from the professor I decided that I must learn to write in a different style than the one I presented my professor with in this paper. I am pretty good at the reflection style of writing, but I have a lot to learn about writing a paper that presents an argument. So, if I am not too old for another adventure, then I am not too old to ask for help. I am not sure who to ask, but I am going to start with my advisor and see where that takes me.
When we run across bumps in the road we have some choices to make. We can try to go around or we can try to go over. If we try both of these things then the bump is still there and eventually we will have to deal with the situation. The thing to do is to remove the bump. I must learn to write a research paper that presents a clear and concise point that defends a point of view, a statement, or other theological standpoint. But most of all in my writing (for me) I must not only achieve academic excellence, but I must show the glory of God in what I write. My writing must reflect and witness the life of God in Christ Jesus.
This new paper I will begin researching tomorrow is a theology of death and how Christians view and handle death. The conclusion of the paper will be the Celebration of Life service I wrote for Casey. My voice praises God for this professor and this paper and its less than stellar comments. This is a bump in the road that must be removed so that I can move forward as I move forward in becoming a full time seminary student. My hope is that I will find someone who knows how to write in this style of writing and can guide and teach me the skills I need (you know how I ask for us to pray for each other each day?). Please pray God will send me someone who can help me learn to write in this style and I can remove this bump in the road.
For me to be sad and discouraged is not of God and is a sinful state. I know God will help me in some way. I am not sure how, but I have enough faith in this loving God to believe and enough humility to know I cannot accomplish this alone. So tonight I praise God for His goodness, faithfulness and tender mercies and ask for help.
So the question for the night is…How do you deal with bumps in the road? Who do you seek out when problems stop you in your tracks? And can you find a way to praise God as you are learning how to remove the bump in the road that is keeping you from moving forward? There is always another journey isn’t there?
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. 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.
PS Our friend Wes Reed is in the hospital with pancreatitis. Please pray for his healing and restoration to well being. Peace, gc
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Happy Friday!
Psalm 121: 1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
I got my sacraments paper back tonight with the professor’s comments. I did not receive the grade I had hoped for. I did not fail the paper but I am somewhat troubled by the grade. My confidence is a bit shaken and I have one more paper to write and now I am nervous about writing again.
Tonight’s meditation tells me to look unto the hills. I don’t believe I can physically do this, but I can look from this world and lift my eyes to the Help of the Lord. This type of writing and annotating I don’t think I understand. So instead of getting down about this grade I am going to have to research how to do this and how to write footnotes in short order.
I think the lesson I am meant to learn is that no matter what happens, I need to look to God for help, comfort and guidance in all situations. I need to look to God when things are going well and when things are not going so well. For all my spiritual needs I need to look to the Lord who made Heaven and Earth. And for all of my temporal, earthly needs I still need to look to Him, the Lord who made all the earth.
Continuing to take joy in your journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer daily. Love you all so very much. 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 G
Psalm 121: 1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
I got my sacraments paper back tonight with the professor’s comments. I did not receive the grade I had hoped for. I did not fail the paper but I am somewhat troubled by the grade. My confidence is a bit shaken and I have one more paper to write and now I am nervous about writing again.
Tonight’s meditation tells me to look unto the hills. I don’t believe I can physically do this, but I can look from this world and lift my eyes to the Help of the Lord. This type of writing and annotating I don’t think I understand. So instead of getting down about this grade I am going to have to research how to do this and how to write footnotes in short order.
I think the lesson I am meant to learn is that no matter what happens, I need to look to God for help, comfort and guidance in all situations. I need to look to God when things are going well and when things are not going so well. For all my spiritual needs I need to look to the Lord who made Heaven and Earth. And for all of my temporal, earthly needs I still need to look to Him, the Lord who made all the earth.
Continuing to take joy in your journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer daily. Love you all so very much. 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 G
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Happy Thursday!
The resounding whisper throughout the halls at school is “One more day and I am SO ready for a break!” It is an interesting sight as teachers walk down the hall and quietly articulate this phrase to other teachers passing each other in the hall. I plan to teach tomorrow and keep these very excited children between the walls and off the ceiling. Please pray for our sanity!
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
When the Spirit of God is upon us we carry with us the beauty of His character. We reflect the glory of God when we act in patience, love and service. I pray each day for God’s presence to be in me as I work with the children in my class. Some days or some moments I am a better reflection than at other times. This class of children is a rather challenging group and I find myself losing patience, not being as loving as I normally am and not being the servant God desires in me as I work with these children.
Then I think of God and how I am not always an easy child with which to teach and try to discipline. I am sure God loses patience with me and just wishes I would stop talking, listen and realize that His will for me is far better than my own desires and plans. God never gives up on me and starts again with me every moment of every day in love, forgiveness and grace.
The character of God is in His heart and in the beauty of His perfect holiness. I am not perfect, but since God has claimed me and each of us as His children some of His character must dwell in us. So tomorrow when a rough moment or situation comes along, I am going to stop and take a breath. I will breathe in God’s love, His kindness, and remember that those with whom we live and work are His children too. I invite you to take that breath, too. Let us ask God to inspire us by placing His spirit in us so that His very presence is recognized by others and we reflect the character of God.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. 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 G
The resounding whisper throughout the halls at school is “One more day and I am SO ready for a break!” It is an interesting sight as teachers walk down the hall and quietly articulate this phrase to other teachers passing each other in the hall. I plan to teach tomorrow and keep these very excited children between the walls and off the ceiling. Please pray for our sanity!
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
When the Spirit of God is upon us we carry with us the beauty of His character. We reflect the glory of God when we act in patience, love and service. I pray each day for God’s presence to be in me as I work with the children in my class. Some days or some moments I am a better reflection than at other times. This class of children is a rather challenging group and I find myself losing patience, not being as loving as I normally am and not being the servant God desires in me as I work with these children.
Then I think of God and how I am not always an easy child with which to teach and try to discipline. I am sure God loses patience with me and just wishes I would stop talking, listen and realize that His will for me is far better than my own desires and plans. God never gives up on me and starts again with me every moment of every day in love, forgiveness and grace.
The character of God is in His heart and in the beauty of His perfect holiness. I am not perfect, but since God has claimed me and each of us as His children some of His character must dwell in us. So tomorrow when a rough moment or situation comes along, I am going to stop and take a breath. I will breathe in God’s love, His kindness, and remember that those with whom we live and work are His children too. I invite you to take that breath, too. Let us ask God to inspire us by placing His spirit in us so that His very presence is recognized by others and we reflect the character of God.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. 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 G
Happy Wednesday!
Matthew 25: 21 “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Isaiah 12: 3 “Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Most of us who are Christians are not famous or world renowned. We go about our lives in rather quiet ways. We have ordinary jobs such as teachers, office workers, laborers, homemakers or administrators or other vocations that will never give us a claim to fame. We are those who love God and serve Him with gladness and as faithfully we know how. We are those followers of Christ who go to choir practice tired from a long day, make the casserole for the supper at church and a pie for the neighbor who is sick while making a phone call to the elderly neighbor just to check in.
These are the kinds of loving service that probably no one else sees, but God does. He sees the small things we do for others and is so pleased. The reward we receive is nothing the world can provide. We do not do these things for reward, but simply because they are the right thing to do. We do them to be a loving friend and servant to others and to God who is always far more faithful to us that we will ever be until we meet Him face to face in heaven. Our reward is a far more spiritual one. Our reward is Joy.
I do not know about you, but when I have walked or worked in the service of our Lord there is no earthly reward that can ever exceed the Joy that is in my heart. The world may never recognize believers in quiet, humble, patient service, but God sees it and rewards us with a heavenly reward, not earth’s fame, earth’s wealth or earth’s pleasure, but with Joy divine.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue lift one another up in prayer each day. 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.
Matthew 25: 21 “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Isaiah 12: 3 “Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Most of us who are Christians are not famous or world renowned. We go about our lives in rather quiet ways. We have ordinary jobs such as teachers, office workers, laborers, homemakers or administrators or other vocations that will never give us a claim to fame. We are those who love God and serve Him with gladness and as faithfully we know how. We are those followers of Christ who go to choir practice tired from a long day, make the casserole for the supper at church and a pie for the neighbor who is sick while making a phone call to the elderly neighbor just to check in.
These are the kinds of loving service that probably no one else sees, but God does. He sees the small things we do for others and is so pleased. The reward we receive is nothing the world can provide. We do not do these things for reward, but simply because they are the right thing to do. We do them to be a loving friend and servant to others and to God who is always far more faithful to us that we will ever be until we meet Him face to face in heaven. Our reward is a far more spiritual one. Our reward is Joy.
I do not know about you, but when I have walked or worked in the service of our Lord there is no earthly reward that can ever exceed the Joy that is in my heart. The world may never recognize believers in quiet, humble, patient service, but God sees it and rewards us with a heavenly reward, not earth’s fame, earth’s wealth or earth’s pleasure, but with Joy divine.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue lift one another up in prayer each day. 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, November 16, 2010
Happy Tuesday!
Final assignment submitted for my class at TCU. One worship presentation and one research project left to go and I will have completed the fall semester of Christian Worship. Today I have completed my final teacher observation at school. And today I registered for the spring semester. I will be taking Congregational Leadership. The latest requirement for Lutheran ordination is that I pastor a church for three years before I can serve as a chaplain. Being a pastor of a church is not my first choice, but if it is what the requirements demand of me so I can become a hospital chaplain, then this class should be most helpful. Offer a prayer for me that I can meet the challenges of this candidacy.
Exodus 25: 8 “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
Matthew 18: 20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them.”
This verse from Matthew brings me a great deal of peace, but this verse also claims enormous power. I always say that two brains working on a problem are better than one and four eyes looking at a situation are better than two. Can you fathom being with a friend and calling on the name of Jesus with the full knowledge of the promise that Jesus will be there? This is a promise that we must claim always.
Know that this promise is true - that when two believers meet Jesus is the Third. When we gather with other believers we become the sanctuary for God. We become the living presence of God. We are a place for worship, praise and prayer because of the promise that Jesus will be there. The power of the Holy Spirit unites us to each other and with Christ because we gather in His name. Friends, that is a powerful bond! The power that is created is the desire to serve our risen Lord and Savior.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count you blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. 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.
Final assignment submitted for my class at TCU. One worship presentation and one research project left to go and I will have completed the fall semester of Christian Worship. Today I have completed my final teacher observation at school. And today I registered for the spring semester. I will be taking Congregational Leadership. The latest requirement for Lutheran ordination is that I pastor a church for three years before I can serve as a chaplain. Being a pastor of a church is not my first choice, but if it is what the requirements demand of me so I can become a hospital chaplain, then this class should be most helpful. Offer a prayer for me that I can meet the challenges of this candidacy.
Exodus 25: 8 “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
Matthew 18: 20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them.”
This verse from Matthew brings me a great deal of peace, but this verse also claims enormous power. I always say that two brains working on a problem are better than one and four eyes looking at a situation are better than two. Can you fathom being with a friend and calling on the name of Jesus with the full knowledge of the promise that Jesus will be there? This is a promise that we must claim always.
Know that this promise is true - that when two believers meet Jesus is the Third. When we gather with other believers we become the sanctuary for God. We become the living presence of God. We are a place for worship, praise and prayer because of the promise that Jesus will be there. The power of the Holy Spirit unites us to each other and with Christ because we gather in His name. Friends, that is a powerful bond! The power that is created is the desire to serve our risen Lord and Savior.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count you blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. 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.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Happy Monday!
Thank you all for your wonderful birthday wishes. It was a wonderful birthday followed by a small celebration given by my students today at school. The students regaled me with tales of how old their grandmothers were. Some were older and some were younger. Go figure!
Mark 16:20 “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following.”
Do you remember those old stories about being taught how to swim? Someone would throw you in the pond, lake or river and you would either sink or swim. God tells us in His Word that the disciples went out preaching about Jesus and salvation. Jesus did not send these men out without preparation. Jesus gave them the task to preach about His love, forgiveness and eternal life. The verse tells us that everywhere the disciples went, Jesus was working with them confirming His Word to them and in them.
God prepares those He sends out to proclaim and work in on this earth. We are not thrown into the lake without a rope. We are tethered to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and encouraged by His Word. Whenever we trust him wholly and we leave to Him the direction we are to go, His plan is made manifest in us. As we learn these lessons of trust and obedience and are willing to walk in the ways of Christ then others see God’s presence in us.
God calls us to trust in Him with boundless faith. We need to remember the words “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” The old song says, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way…”
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.
Thank you all for your wonderful birthday wishes. It was a wonderful birthday followed by a small celebration given by my students today at school. The students regaled me with tales of how old their grandmothers were. Some were older and some were younger. Go figure!
Mark 16:20 “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following.”
Do you remember those old stories about being taught how to swim? Someone would throw you in the pond, lake or river and you would either sink or swim. God tells us in His Word that the disciples went out preaching about Jesus and salvation. Jesus did not send these men out without preparation. Jesus gave them the task to preach about His love, forgiveness and eternal life. The verse tells us that everywhere the disciples went, Jesus was working with them confirming His Word to them and in them.
God prepares those He sends out to proclaim and work in on this earth. We are not thrown into the lake without a rope. We are tethered to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and encouraged by His Word. Whenever we trust him wholly and we leave to Him the direction we are to go, His plan is made manifest in us. As we learn these lessons of trust and obedience and are willing to walk in the ways of Christ then others see God’s presence in us.
God calls us to trust in Him with boundless faith. We need to remember the words “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” The old song says, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way…”
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.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Blessed Sunday!
Today is my birthday. I hit the double nickel! I am 55 years old. My family prepared a wonderful dinner for me of steak, pan sautéed cauliflower and salad with an Irish Cream Chocolate Cake and coffee for dessert. I may never go out to eat again! Dinner was delicious! Thank you, Bruce, Geni and Travis. You are the best!
Matthew 6:8 “Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!” (This verse is followed by The Lord’s Prayer.)
This God we love and serve is a God of goodness and tender mercies. His word is true and He knows us better than we know ourselves. With this verse God invites us to “come unto Him.” Not just to come unto Him in times of trouble, but in all we do.
God wants us to come to Him for the solution to every problem, for the calming of every fear, for our every need that is physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.
God is our God of everything. God does not want us to just come when we are desperate or in despair, but for all things that bring us joy and gladness, things that bring us to our knees in shame and in need of forgiveness and for our needs of home, health and friendship. If you will remember that in The Lord’s Prayer that follows this verse Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are to come believing in the power of the love God has for us and remember how faithful God is to answer the prayers of His people. God does not qualify why or when we can come to Him, but simply to “Come unto Him.”
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. Love you all so very much, 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.
PS I received the time and date for my Entrance to Candidacy Interview today. I will be interviewed by the candidacy committee on December 17 at 10:00 AM at Briarwood Camp in Copper Canyon, Tx. Please join me in praying for the interviewers, that they see and accept the call I am answering, and for me that I may have peace in this process. Thank you all. Peace, gc
Today is my birthday. I hit the double nickel! I am 55 years old. My family prepared a wonderful dinner for me of steak, pan sautéed cauliflower and salad with an Irish Cream Chocolate Cake and coffee for dessert. I may never go out to eat again! Dinner was delicious! Thank you, Bruce, Geni and Travis. You are the best!
Matthew 6:8 “Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!” (This verse is followed by The Lord’s Prayer.)
This God we love and serve is a God of goodness and tender mercies. His word is true and He knows us better than we know ourselves. With this verse God invites us to “come unto Him.” Not just to come unto Him in times of trouble, but in all we do.
God wants us to come to Him for the solution to every problem, for the calming of every fear, for our every need that is physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.
God is our God of everything. God does not want us to just come when we are desperate or in despair, but for all things that bring us joy and gladness, things that bring us to our knees in shame and in need of forgiveness and for our needs of home, health and friendship. If you will remember that in The Lord’s Prayer that follows this verse Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are to come believing in the power of the love God has for us and remember how faithful God is to answer the prayers of His people. God does not qualify why or when we can come to Him, but simply to “Come unto Him.”
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. Love you all so very much, 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.
PS I received the time and date for my Entrance to Candidacy Interview today. I will be interviewed by the candidacy committee on December 17 at 10:00 AM at Briarwood Camp in Copper Canyon, Tx. Please join me in praying for the interviewers, that they see and accept the call I am answering, and for me that I may have peace in this process. Thank you all. Peace, gc
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