Tag: faith

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Wisdom in Time

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

or take their names on my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have put the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

–Psalm 16

 

I have read this verse over and over for the past 10 years. It becomes clear at times, and at others, it is like reading a mystery. Slowly, He is making known my path in life; for each day, I’m blessed by not only confusing struggles, but minor delights for which I can smile.
Last week, an opportunity of magnificent proportion dropped into my lap. Now, it may not come to fruition, however, I can see that God really listens. He has been silent in areas of my life for over a decade, but behind the scenes, He’s preparing a great feast for me as I continue to walk with Him. Yes, I’ve stumbled and been disobedient at times, but He never leaves me and is so very patient. (Like any good parent).

 

Thank you Father for being my REAL DAD who LOVES ME no matter what.

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Faith: I’m out of the boat

What made Judah decline an eventually fall in 597–586 B.C? What made Israel lose herself before the capture and burning of Jerusalem? Selfishness. Idolatry. Pride. Eyes off God.

 

The storm rages around us. The storm continues, and yet, how can one have peace when chaos and confusion circumvent? Faith. Such an overused word; this word gets thrown around like other words such as ‘love’, ‘tolerance’, ‘happiness’. Faith has to be grounded in something; it’s only as strong as the “being” in whom it is grounded. If God is truly fighting for us, if He is really on our side, then what’ the danger in putting ourselves completely in His arms? Living by FAITH, means we may not have all the answers, but we accept the MYSTERIES of life, relying on Him.

 

This is from a chapter I just read in BECOMING REAL:

 

God is into us taking risks; not playing it safe. We have to let go of the boat and step off the dock. So we ask ourselves:
1. Am I playing it spiritually safe, or am I going to the place where I have to rely on God?

  1. Am I stuck in a rut, or am I focused on the frontier?
  2. Am I doing only the stuff I’m good at, or am I attempting more than I think I can accomplish?
  3. Am I indulging in myself, or am I walking in obedience?

 

(Becoming Real by Steven James p. 78)

 

AAH…the true test. Help me Jesus. Help me get out of the boat and let YOU have the lead.

 

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Before You Speak: THINK

Inspired by today’s message at church.

Before one opens his mouth to speak about another person, he should be mindful of what comes out. It’s interesting that in Proverbs (6:16-19), God puts that he hates six things and murder is equated to gossip. How can the tongue be as ferocious as our own hands? Because what we say can kill a spirit. Often, what we say is not even spoken TO the person, but is spoken ABOUT the person with unintentional malice.

Proverbs 6: 16-19: There are six things that the Lord hates; seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (GOSSIP!)

 

This week, let’s try to THINK before we speak about another person.

Are our words:
T: TRUE?
H: HONORABLE?
I: INSPIRATIONAL?

N: NECESSARY?
K: KIND?

If not, perhaps we should just pray for the person or speak to him/her in private if there exists any conflict.

It’s time to be a nicer people who uplift, encourage and edify each other.

 


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Time to look back at What I believe

LEADERSHIP CREED

 

I believe that character is more important than intelligence.

 

I believe the process of learning and growing is a development of integrity and beauty of character.

 

I believe in order to achieve success one must make mistakes along the journey.

 

I believe each individual has a star within which needs to be fostered.

 

I believe in high expectations for self and others, coupled with an appreciation for the diversity of strengths that individuals bring to a group.

 

I believe learning is a life long process and that one should be constantly renewing, refining and refreshing.

 

I believe in listening more than talking.

 

 

I believe greatness is achieved by gratitude, discipline, and choice;

not circumstance.

 

I believe life should be lived intentionally to find one’s gift, and helping others find their gift.

 

I believe in the empowerment of children to be independent, critical thinkers.

 

I believe life is 98% attitude and 2% circumstance.

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

Encourage everyone I face daily

Endeavor to facilitate a lifelong love of learning

Enrich others’ lives through my inspiration and experiences

 

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Salt Preserves, Balances and Seasons

Recently, I attended a “thank you” luncheon at my church. They just wanted to honor the educators and pray over us for the coming school year. What!? Yep! Pretty darn cool.
They gave us a small bottle of salt as a reminder to what we can be in others’ lives. Salt has many functions, and moreover it is a necessity in all of our lives.

First, it is a PRESERVATIVE

 

As an educator, I can pour into my students’ lives positive messages. However, I exist for one reason only; to preserve the grace and faithfulness of God.

 

Next, I want to be used to SEASON my classroom with God’s love and His grace. Being an example, as Christ was for me, is what my walk on this earth signifies.

 

However, salt has to be used in proper BALANCE. Too much, it causes piety. Too little, it may be thought as weakness. I see SALT as a BALANCE of grace and truth.

 

So, being salt and working with ONE LIFE AT A TIME; this is what Jesus did. He didn’t try to change people. He just loved one at a time; one life at a time.

 

He was interruptible. Isn’t it so true that being available is what makes one so attractive? I take time and I don’t rush through tasks… Relationships over task.

 

Maybe I can create inspiration; I can create WONDER in a child. He/she may be better because I loved on him/her. A prayer for the year.

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Old Commandment Never Old

Reading today in 1John, it is assumed that we know the “old” commandment. “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.” (1John 2:7). Before I can even move on to the next statement, I am distressed that I take this so lightly. If this is something that we have heard from the beginning, to love God and others, shouldn’t it be something we have mastered?

There is no cause for any “stumbling” or issue if I love my “brother.” Sure…no problem; Just love others and it will be a lighted path.

 

I pray for the ease of this commandment. No others are needed if I love God and others. That supersedes and abolishes the LAW because if this is the case, then the other commandments are satisfied.

 

Simple? Yes. Easy? No.

 

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Renew Your Mind

Transform; Renew

I finished my drawing! “Renew Your Mind”

 

Driven

Worth

Busy

Control

 

Apparently when talking to a friend, I used these words most often.

I’m seeing a theme!

This summer, it’s time to “settle my brain” and get back to the basics. This means, my bible, my journal, and THE BIG GUY. (Well, and my little guy, Coti)

 

She recommended I draw through my journal. I found this image and it struck me as symbolic of how I’d like my mind to be; full of seeds, buds, blossoms, and fully bloomed flowers. This all takes TIME and germination.

Here are the verses I’m focusing on:

 

Proverbs 29:11

A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works unto the Lord and your thoughts will be established.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.

Mark 12:30

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength:  this is the first commandment.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:16

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

II Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Philippians 2:4-6 

4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Philippians 4:6-8

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God

And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I Peter 1:13

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

II Peter 3:1b-2

1b Stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2. That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.

James 1:8

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.