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Happy Thursday!
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
My daddy used to tell me that I talk too much. Then one day I told him to remember that is how I make my living. But in my next career, as a hospital chaplain, I am going to be called on to listen far more and talk less. I guess that is why this scripture keeps coming back to me.
In the story of the transfiguration, Jesus is transfigured into His heavenly being. He speaks with two other citizens of heaven in Elijah and Moses. Peter and John are witness to this phenomenal event. John seems to be completely and totally reverent. But Peter…Peter cannot deal with silence. Peter has never been able to deal with silence until after the crucifixion of Jesus. This amazing act plays out before Peter’s very eyes and Peter runs his mouth. Peter says, “Jesus let us make three booths; one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah. “ Oh, Peter!
And then Jesus says the worst thing possible to Peter, “don’t tell anybody.” OMG!! Peter has been sworn to silence. Can you imagine the turmoil going on inside Peter? Peter has just seen a glimpse of heaven and he cannot tell anyone. This is the same Peter who confesses that Jesus is the Christ. This is the same Peter who says, “I will die for you.” Well, we all know how that turned out! I picture Peter like some of the children in my classroom who refuse to raise their hands and just blurt out answers constantly.
Peter could not deal with silence. He could not be quiet before. He was so devoted to Jesus and I am not sure that even though Peter confessed that Jesus was Christ, the Son of the living God that he realized that Jesus was God. Perhaps if Peter had this true realization then he would have been more awed in the presence of the transfigured Jesus. My point is that sometimes we learn more by listening than talking. In my quiet time I am adding a time of quietness; no radio, no voiced prayers, no music, no recorded devotion, just a quietness to let the spirit of God enter my thoughts and meditating on His Word.
When Jesus needed to pray, He went to a quiet place and was quiet before His Father. Jesus knew the awesomeness of His Father. When the disciples were busy in the ministry and did not take time to eat, Jesus called them away for a time of prayer and quiet meditation so that they might be in the presence of the Heavenly Father in a “quiet time.”
I used to have my quiet time before I went to bed. But now I begin my day with time with God. Lately, I have been praying to God to remind me to turn to Him when the situations of the day get difficult and asking for an extra measure of grace and renewed strength. God will give us what we ask for if we make ourselves an open vessel to be filled with His godly qualities and His gracious blessings.
For someone who makes their living on their feet and talking I really have to work on this “quietness.” Maybe this is my focus in my Lenten journey. What is your focus for Lent? Can you be quiet and let God talk to you?
Take joy in the journey. 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.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Blessed Ash Wednesday! We went to Ash Wednesday service this evening. I love the Lenten journey. It is always a time to absolutely center myself on God and His work in my life. The study for the weeks of Lent is in prayer. I am looking forward to the study each week as we walk the Lenten journey.
Jonah 2:9 says, “I will sacrifice unto thee with a voice of thanksgiving…”
Lent is 40 days. Have you ever noticed that times of preparation seem too often times involve the number 40…forty days; forty years etc…Times of preparation are not always pleasant. They are sometimes downright difficult! But if God brings you to it then He will see you through it. Jonah was in the whale for 40 days, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and the nation of Israel wandered for 40 years.
The most interesting aspect of the jaunts in the wilderness is that these people were set apart for God’s purpose and after their 40-something experience they emerged prepared for the task God set before them. I think what all of these people learned in their wilderness experience was obedience and commitment. I am sure they griped, moaned and groaned (except Jesus). After all, how many of us say “I can’t wait to walk for 40 years in the desert without a compass or map and no food, while repeating snakes and scorpions are our friends, snakes and scorpions are our friends.” Or , “I have always wanted to spend time in the belly of a fish.” That would give a whole new meaning to bongo breath!!
The season of Lent is a time of sacrifice to reminding us of the sacrifice of Christ made for us. When we are in the wilderness what we have to sacrifice is our will. We will be asked to trust God and walk in obedience. Instead we usually wander about aimlessly and balk at what God has to say and try to walk the road alone and follow our own path. These efforts usually prove to be frustrating.
I am continuing to read the book Cast of Characters by Max Lucado. The subtitle is: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God. One of the quotes from the book is “God’s efforts are strongest when our efforts are useless.” When we begin to listen and follow God’s plan, then the road may not be easy, but it will smooth out because now because we have a clear direction, walking in obedience and are allowing God to be in control. And just maybe along the way we can learn to say thanks for the times of difficulty because the lessons we are learning are preparing us for whatever mission God is has planned for us later in this life. The apostle Paul was on a missionary trip to Spain and along the way he landed in a Roman prison. Instead of making it to Spain, Paul decided to write some letters. Think about it…
Take joy in the journey friends. 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.
PS Happening applications are due soon. Hurry!!
Jonah 2:9 says, “I will sacrifice unto thee with a voice of thanksgiving…”
Lent is 40 days. Have you ever noticed that times of preparation seem too often times involve the number 40…forty days; forty years etc…Times of preparation are not always pleasant. They are sometimes downright difficult! But if God brings you to it then He will see you through it. Jonah was in the whale for 40 days, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and the nation of Israel wandered for 40 years.
The most interesting aspect of the jaunts in the wilderness is that these people were set apart for God’s purpose and after their 40-something experience they emerged prepared for the task God set before them. I think what all of these people learned in their wilderness experience was obedience and commitment. I am sure they griped, moaned and groaned (except Jesus). After all, how many of us say “I can’t wait to walk for 40 years in the desert without a compass or map and no food, while repeating snakes and scorpions are our friends, snakes and scorpions are our friends.” Or , “I have always wanted to spend time in the belly of a fish.” That would give a whole new meaning to bongo breath!!
The season of Lent is a time of sacrifice to reminding us of the sacrifice of Christ made for us. When we are in the wilderness what we have to sacrifice is our will. We will be asked to trust God and walk in obedience. Instead we usually wander about aimlessly and balk at what God has to say and try to walk the road alone and follow our own path. These efforts usually prove to be frustrating.
I am continuing to read the book Cast of Characters by Max Lucado. The subtitle is: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God. One of the quotes from the book is “God’s efforts are strongest when our efforts are useless.” When we begin to listen and follow God’s plan, then the road may not be easy, but it will smooth out because now because we have a clear direction, walking in obedience and are allowing God to be in control. And just maybe along the way we can learn to say thanks for the times of difficulty because the lessons we are learning are preparing us for whatever mission God is has planned for us later in this life. The apostle Paul was on a missionary trip to Spain and along the way he landed in a Roman prison. Instead of making it to Spain, Paul decided to write some letters. Think about it…
Take joy in the journey friends. 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.
PS Happening applications are due soon. Hurry!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Happy Fat Tuesday!! (I ate chips and salsa at On the Border tonight—maybe I will swear off for Lent!) Yesterday was a waiver day for FWISD, so no students. I spent most of the weekend grading papers and getting them recorded. I was behind in both of those areas and needed some “catch up” time.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Have you ever created a mess? I mean the kind of mess that starts really small and grows because you didn’t clean as you went along. You are reading the words of the “queen.” I have a tendency to make messes and after completion of whatever project I am working on I don’t go back and clean up the mess, but go on to the next project. So finally it gets really bad and I don’t know where to begin to straighten up this mess. By then the thought of tackling the mess is so overwhelming that all I want to do is go to Starbucks, drink some coffee and hope the “maid” will come while I am gone.
God is the champion of helping us clean up our messes, our sins. The first thing we must do is confess our sins before Him. There is nothing we could say that God hasn’t heard before and nothing from which we are not given the gift of grace and forgiveness. After we confess then we must walk the road of repentance. In other words, it is time to wade through the mess and find the top of our desks, dressers, car seats, closets or our hearts and minds. You know the things that clutter our lives; unforgiveness, bitterness, self-pity, past hurts, grudges, lack of self-control, justification and my own personal recurring sin: my mouth. Sometimes the words that come out of my mouth are not very godly.
As most of you know I have my daily devotion as I drive to work. I say the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed and listen to a drive time devotion. But lately I have changed my sequence. I have begun each of my devotion times with confession. I have begun each prayer time with asking God to cleanse me of my sins (those I specifically confess and for those of which I have not confessed). His Word says that He will cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness; all things not of God. I ask God to forgive me and then fill me with His grace as one would fill an empty glass with water. Then I listen to my devotion, say the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed and proceed with my prayers until I arrive at school. Changing and having confession first has made a difference.
Asking God to fill my forgiven and freshly cleansed soul allows me to go before Him, as an empty vessel ready to receive His blessings and mission for the day. I am not bound by the clutter and mess at the beginning of the day. I am able to think more clearly and truly confess that “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday; the beginning of the season of Lent. The journey of Lent is supposed to be one of contemplation and preparation for Jesus’ last days on earth, His crucifixion and resurrection. As a preparation to walk this journey we have some choices. Traditionally, people deny themselves something during the season. Some people take on another activity or act of sacrificial service. I think for at least part of my Lenten walk I am going to continue to increase my prayer life through the lens of confession of my sins. If I add something else I will let you know.
Take joy in this Lenten journey. Worship and Imposition of Ashes is at 7:00 am, Noon and 7:00 pm tomorrow at Advent Lutheran Church. 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.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Have you ever created a mess? I mean the kind of mess that starts really small and grows because you didn’t clean as you went along. You are reading the words of the “queen.” I have a tendency to make messes and after completion of whatever project I am working on I don’t go back and clean up the mess, but go on to the next project. So finally it gets really bad and I don’t know where to begin to straighten up this mess. By then the thought of tackling the mess is so overwhelming that all I want to do is go to Starbucks, drink some coffee and hope the “maid” will come while I am gone.
God is the champion of helping us clean up our messes, our sins. The first thing we must do is confess our sins before Him. There is nothing we could say that God hasn’t heard before and nothing from which we are not given the gift of grace and forgiveness. After we confess then we must walk the road of repentance. In other words, it is time to wade through the mess and find the top of our desks, dressers, car seats, closets or our hearts and minds. You know the things that clutter our lives; unforgiveness, bitterness, self-pity, past hurts, grudges, lack of self-control, justification and my own personal recurring sin: my mouth. Sometimes the words that come out of my mouth are not very godly.
As most of you know I have my daily devotion as I drive to work. I say the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed and listen to a drive time devotion. But lately I have changed my sequence. I have begun each of my devotion times with confession. I have begun each prayer time with asking God to cleanse me of my sins (those I specifically confess and for those of which I have not confessed). His Word says that He will cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness; all things not of God. I ask God to forgive me and then fill me with His grace as one would fill an empty glass with water. Then I listen to my devotion, say the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed and proceed with my prayers until I arrive at school. Changing and having confession first has made a difference.
Asking God to fill my forgiven and freshly cleansed soul allows me to go before Him, as an empty vessel ready to receive His blessings and mission for the day. I am not bound by the clutter and mess at the beginning of the day. I am able to think more clearly and truly confess that “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday; the beginning of the season of Lent. The journey of Lent is supposed to be one of contemplation and preparation for Jesus’ last days on earth, His crucifixion and resurrection. As a preparation to walk this journey we have some choices. Traditionally, people deny themselves something during the season. Some people take on another activity or act of sacrificial service. I think for at least part of my Lenten walk I am going to continue to increase my prayer life through the lens of confession of my sins. If I add something else I will let you know.
Take joy in this Lenten journey. Worship and Imposition of Ashes is at 7:00 am, Noon and 7:00 pm tomorrow at Advent Lutheran Church. 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, February 22, 2009
Blessed Sunday to all!! Worship was so wonderful today. I made some connections between Elijah, Elisha and the transfiguration of Jesus. (It was one of those “got it” moments) Pastor Joel is amazing. The music was especially exciting today. We sang “Breathe.” “Breathe” was the last song Casey ever sang and he sang it with Bruce. I sang this song as I served communion today at the altar. I am not sure I said the words “The blood of Christ shed for you” each time I served the wine because I was so caught up in the words of the song. I find it so profound that at the time he sang with Bruce, Casey had one lung completely overtaken by cancer and the other one covered in all but about 20%. So I served with tears streaming down my face and thought so much about my son. I was sharing these feelings with Pastor Joel and we both agreed that Casey got to sing this song all the time. And I was once again assured that Casey is just fine and God holds him in His hand all the time.
Deuteronomy 7: 9 says, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”
God loves us so much that He sent His own son to die because of His love for us. Jesus died for our sin so we do not have to die in our sin. God loves us so much that He came to earth in the body of Jesus Christ so that His Son could stand in between us and the Father so when we go before God, we go transfigured because of our transformation by the love of God in Jesus Christ. God made His covenant of love with the nation of Israel and then offered us His love in Jesus to continue for a “thousand generations.” I think we are among the thousand generations.
God called Moses, Elijah and Jesus into a life of obedience. Jesus called Peter and John into a life of obedience. The mantle was passed down to Elisha by Elijah. The ministry was passed down by Jesus to Peter and John. And Peter and John passed down the ministry of reconciliation down to the remaining apostles and they in turn passed it on to the early church and, eventually, to us. Our challenge is to obediently pass along our lives of faith and God’s love onto the next generations.
As I prepare to be a spiritual director for the upcoming Happening Weekend, I am wrestling with this challenge. What will I do to further the kingdom of God in this group of teenagers? My own young adult children will be there in positions of leadership. In what ways will I show them the love of God and help them to understand how important it is to continue to grow in their faith? And in what ways will I let them know that the God who claims to be the God of their lives…is God? The same God of Elisha, Moses, Jesus, Peter and John is our God and …is God!
The Holy Scriptures say, “He is your God. We are profoundly and amazingly blessed.
Take joy in the journey. 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.
Deuteronomy 7: 9 says, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”
God loves us so much that He sent His own son to die because of His love for us. Jesus died for our sin so we do not have to die in our sin. God loves us so much that He came to earth in the body of Jesus Christ so that His Son could stand in between us and the Father so when we go before God, we go transfigured because of our transformation by the love of God in Jesus Christ. God made His covenant of love with the nation of Israel and then offered us His love in Jesus to continue for a “thousand generations.” I think we are among the thousand generations.
God called Moses, Elijah and Jesus into a life of obedience. Jesus called Peter and John into a life of obedience. The mantle was passed down to Elisha by Elijah. The ministry was passed down by Jesus to Peter and John. And Peter and John passed down the ministry of reconciliation down to the remaining apostles and they in turn passed it on to the early church and, eventually, to us. Our challenge is to obediently pass along our lives of faith and God’s love onto the next generations.
As I prepare to be a spiritual director for the upcoming Happening Weekend, I am wrestling with this challenge. What will I do to further the kingdom of God in this group of teenagers? My own young adult children will be there in positions of leadership. In what ways will I show them the love of God and help them to understand how important it is to continue to grow in their faith? And in what ways will I let them know that the God who claims to be the God of their lives…is God? The same God of Elisha, Moses, Jesus, Peter and John is our God and …is God!
The Holy Scriptures say, “He is your God. We are profoundly and amazingly blessed.
Take joy in the journey. 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.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Happy Saturday! I did several of my Saturday things on Friday night this week because I needed to get caught up on my grading and posting. I also picked up our taxes today. That means I can get started getting three FAFSA (financial aid) applications ready for the year 2009-2010 school year. There will be three of us in college next year. We are going to need all of the assistance we can get!!
Proud Mom and Dad moment!!! Geni has been invited to become a member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society. We are so excited and so very proud of her and her achievements at UNT. She is a bit nervous that she will not be able to keep up the GPA required to maintain her membership. We are encouraging her to work as hard as she can and continue to do her best. She has not decided to accept membership as yet and still has a window of time to make her decision. We are proud of her in whatever decision she makes.
Psalm 27:5 says, “For in the day of trouble he will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me…”
I love the feeling of safety. Each day when I have my prayer time I pray for the safety of Bruce, Geni, Travis, my parents and others. I place my hope in Christ that we will all come back together again at the end of the day (or with Geni, at the end of the week.) I sometimes worry that something will happen to Bruce, Geni or Travis and I will lose them as we lost Casey. I was talking to Bruce about this today and he, in his wisdom said, “Gaylene, stop worrying. Scripture says we are not supposed to worry. God holds Geni and Travis just as He holds Casey.” And of course Bruce was right.
When the children were babies and we would visit someone at their home, sometimes we would place them on a bed asleep. They would invariably wake up shortly in unfamiliar surroundings crying for the safety, familiarity and comfort of our arms. We finally figured out if we took a shirt out of the dirty clothes hamper and one of our jackets with us we could lay the shirt on the host’s bed and lay our jacket over the baby and they would sleep quietly and very peacefully surrounded by our scent surrounding them.
God came to earth and into our lives in the form of Jesus 2000 years ago. We are living in a time when Jesus no longer physically walks among us. God provided us with a familiar shirt and jacket to protect us, calm us and provide the security of His presence in our lives 24/7. He sent the Holy Spirit. God sent His love and eternal presence to remain with us always so we would always feel at home. We can always feel safe in the assurance of the love of God through Jesus because of the ever-present Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is within each of us who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Friends, let us go to the One who will keep us in safety and hide us in the day of trouble. Let us go to Jesus and pray His blanket of assurance and grace to cover us in the familiar surroundings of His love. See you in worship.
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.
PS Happening Team meeting tomorrow. Applications are due in by February 28. Hurry! Hurry! It is going to be an awesome weekend. gc
Proud Mom and Dad moment!!! Geni has been invited to become a member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society. We are so excited and so very proud of her and her achievements at UNT. She is a bit nervous that she will not be able to keep up the GPA required to maintain her membership. We are encouraging her to work as hard as she can and continue to do her best. She has not decided to accept membership as yet and still has a window of time to make her decision. We are proud of her in whatever decision she makes.
Psalm 27:5 says, “For in the day of trouble he will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me…”
I love the feeling of safety. Each day when I have my prayer time I pray for the safety of Bruce, Geni, Travis, my parents and others. I place my hope in Christ that we will all come back together again at the end of the day (or with Geni, at the end of the week.) I sometimes worry that something will happen to Bruce, Geni or Travis and I will lose them as we lost Casey. I was talking to Bruce about this today and he, in his wisdom said, “Gaylene, stop worrying. Scripture says we are not supposed to worry. God holds Geni and Travis just as He holds Casey.” And of course Bruce was right.
When the children were babies and we would visit someone at their home, sometimes we would place them on a bed asleep. They would invariably wake up shortly in unfamiliar surroundings crying for the safety, familiarity and comfort of our arms. We finally figured out if we took a shirt out of the dirty clothes hamper and one of our jackets with us we could lay the shirt on the host’s bed and lay our jacket over the baby and they would sleep quietly and very peacefully surrounded by our scent surrounding them.
God came to earth and into our lives in the form of Jesus 2000 years ago. We are living in a time when Jesus no longer physically walks among us. God provided us with a familiar shirt and jacket to protect us, calm us and provide the security of His presence in our lives 24/7. He sent the Holy Spirit. God sent His love and eternal presence to remain with us always so we would always feel at home. We can always feel safe in the assurance of the love of God through Jesus because of the ever-present Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is within each of us who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Friends, let us go to the One who will keep us in safety and hide us in the day of trouble. Let us go to Jesus and pray His blanket of assurance and grace to cover us in the familiar surroundings of His love. See you in worship.
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.
PS Happening Team meeting tomorrow. Applications are due in by February 28. Hurry! Hurry! It is going to be an awesome weekend. gc
Friday, February 20, 2009
Happy Friday!!!
Colossians 3: 8 and 10 say, “But now put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others and using evil words when you talk. You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God.”
I think I have shared about the class I am teaching this school year. This has been the most difficult class I have been presented with in many, many years. Six of these children have biblical names. In my classroom this year I have: Ezra, Genesis, Nahum, Ismael, Elijah and Leah. I thought at the beginning of the year that with all of these prophetic names that I was going to have a fairly well behaved class that would not take long to whip into shape and move them along quite nicely through the year. O-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h no-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-! We have spent 107 school days together and they still do not have their collective act together.
Consequently I pray for and about this class daily as well as praying for myself as their teacher. I have tried countless strategies, tactics, rewards, consequences, parent conferences and other opinions. As a result of their actions they have bad press throughout the building. Frustration has reached a boiling point and today we had the “come to Jesus” meeting.
I spent quite a bit of time in prayer this morning about this class and then it occurred to me that here I am, studying for the ministry, and the group I am working with is just like the world that God deals with every moment of every day. These children are stubborn, willful, back talking, untruthful at times and do the exact opposite of what I have asked them to do. The consequence of their actions is that they are not progressing as they should by their own volition. Their greatest hindrance is that they do not listen.
Then it really hit me. How much am I like the first graders I teach? I would love to tell you that I am not at times stubborn, willful, (I am not much of a back talker) but there are times I am not as honest with myself as I should be. And how does God deal with me? God is patient, kind, forgiving, merciful and never gives up on me.
Today after I had really reamed these children out I read this scripture and thought how true this scripture was for me today. I need to remember these are children who need to be loved and cared for as well as taught. I am God’s child and I need those same things. I deal with 19 six and seven year olds and God deals with billions and keeps us all straight in His mind and heart. I think God had His own”come to Jesus” meeting with me in the scripture lesson today. I need to remember as a child of God I need to be more patient and less frustrated because God deals patiently with me and never gives up. He is relentless in His efforts to work his will in my life and to help me to grow in His likeness.
I have approximately three more months to effect change in the lives of these children. I, too, must be relentless in my efforts to prepare these 19 children for second grade. My prayer for myself is that God will place in me a spirit of creative endurance. I am praying for God to transform me into the teacher these children need. I will claim these verses, take a deep breath and ask God to work His will. Thank you for letting me vent a bit tonight.
Take joy in the journey. 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.
PS Applications for Happening #39 (March 13-15)at Advent Lutheran Church (for 15-18 year olds)are available on the ntls(http://www.ntls.org/happening.htm)website or from any Happening Team member. This is an ecumenical spiritual renewal weekend.
Colossians 3: 8 and 10 say, “But now put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others and using evil words when you talk. You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God.”
I think I have shared about the class I am teaching this school year. This has been the most difficult class I have been presented with in many, many years. Six of these children have biblical names. In my classroom this year I have: Ezra, Genesis, Nahum, Ismael, Elijah and Leah. I thought at the beginning of the year that with all of these prophetic names that I was going to have a fairly well behaved class that would not take long to whip into shape and move them along quite nicely through the year. O-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h no-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-! We have spent 107 school days together and they still do not have their collective act together.
Consequently I pray for and about this class daily as well as praying for myself as their teacher. I have tried countless strategies, tactics, rewards, consequences, parent conferences and other opinions. As a result of their actions they have bad press throughout the building. Frustration has reached a boiling point and today we had the “come to Jesus” meeting.
I spent quite a bit of time in prayer this morning about this class and then it occurred to me that here I am, studying for the ministry, and the group I am working with is just like the world that God deals with every moment of every day. These children are stubborn, willful, back talking, untruthful at times and do the exact opposite of what I have asked them to do. The consequence of their actions is that they are not progressing as they should by their own volition. Their greatest hindrance is that they do not listen.
Then it really hit me. How much am I like the first graders I teach? I would love to tell you that I am not at times stubborn, willful, (I am not much of a back talker) but there are times I am not as honest with myself as I should be. And how does God deal with me? God is patient, kind, forgiving, merciful and never gives up on me.
Today after I had really reamed these children out I read this scripture and thought how true this scripture was for me today. I need to remember these are children who need to be loved and cared for as well as taught. I am God’s child and I need those same things. I deal with 19 six and seven year olds and God deals with billions and keeps us all straight in His mind and heart. I think God had His own”come to Jesus” meeting with me in the scripture lesson today. I need to remember as a child of God I need to be more patient and less frustrated because God deals patiently with me and never gives up. He is relentless in His efforts to work his will in my life and to help me to grow in His likeness.
I have approximately three more months to effect change in the lives of these children. I, too, must be relentless in my efforts to prepare these 19 children for second grade. My prayer for myself is that God will place in me a spirit of creative endurance. I am praying for God to transform me into the teacher these children need. I will claim these verses, take a deep breath and ask God to work His will. Thank you for letting me vent a bit tonight.
Take joy in the journey. 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.
PS Applications for Happening #39 (March 13-15)at Advent Lutheran Church (for 15-18 year olds)are available on the ntls(http://www.ntls.org/happening.htm)website or from any Happening Team member. This is an ecumenical spiritual renewal weekend.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Happy Thursday! Lamar is so much better and thank you all for your prayers. He looks a bit ragged, but he feels so much better.
Also, we have several friends who are without current employments but who have been employed all of their adult lives. Let us pray for all who are seeking employment and their families who are supporting them spiritually, emotionally and financially.
Lamentations 3: 22-23 says, “The Lord’s love never ends; His mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything—enough to give to every good work.”
Are these the most wonderful words of assurance you have ever heard or what?! I don’t know who needs to hear these words right now. Sometimes I need to hear these words each day. Each day is a brand new day. This is the cool part. God provides His love, His mercies and more blessings than we need. He did not say I will give you love, mercies and blessings if you go to church each week, or if you visit people in the hospital or if you help out at the local homeless shelter. The Word says, “The Lord’s love never ends. His mercies never end and His blessings are abundant.” The Word says He just gives us these gifts. All we have to do is make ourselves a receptacle to receive. We do not deserve these gifts. We cannot do anything to earn these blessings. We just have to be there to receive them.
So for all who are despairing, all who are seeking, all who are worried, remember how much God loves you. Remember His blessings and gifts are for all. Surrender yourself. Empty yourself and receive what God has to give to you, His child. And may your day be brighter in the knowledge that God’s love, mercies and blessings never end and they are for all. Let us pray for each other remembering that all of us are fighting some kind of battle.
Take joy in the journey. 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.
Also, we have several friends who are without current employments but who have been employed all of their adult lives. Let us pray for all who are seeking employment and their families who are supporting them spiritually, emotionally and financially.
Lamentations 3: 22-23 says, “The Lord’s love never ends; His mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything—enough to give to every good work.”
Are these the most wonderful words of assurance you have ever heard or what?! I don’t know who needs to hear these words right now. Sometimes I need to hear these words each day. Each day is a brand new day. This is the cool part. God provides His love, His mercies and more blessings than we need. He did not say I will give you love, mercies and blessings if you go to church each week, or if you visit people in the hospital or if you help out at the local homeless shelter. The Word says, “The Lord’s love never ends. His mercies never end and His blessings are abundant.” The Word says He just gives us these gifts. All we have to do is make ourselves a receptacle to receive. We do not deserve these gifts. We cannot do anything to earn these blessings. We just have to be there to receive them.
So for all who are despairing, all who are seeking, all who are worried, remember how much God loves you. Remember His blessings and gifts are for all. Surrender yourself. Empty yourself and receive what God has to give to you, His child. And may your day be brighter in the knowledge that God’s love, mercies and blessings never end and they are for all. Let us pray for each other remembering that all of us are fighting some kind of battle.
Take joy in the journey. 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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