What I know for sure.

I awoke this morning with the songs from last nights' Christmas musical ringing in my ears. I tried to sleep in but the body is accustomed to getting up at 5am, so that settled that.
The last few months have been really challenging for me on so many levels. I won't dwell on the negative in this blog. { I just heard the sigh of relief from some of you- :)} I am going to dwell on the positive and what I believe God has taught and reassured me about myself.
1. Like Jesus, I am no respecter of persons. I am not impressed by or swayed by titles or the amount of money a person has. I am not against titles or having money. I think titles and money shouldn't have people. Unfortunately, we live in a society where people are admired and looked up to based upon a title or how large their checkbook is. I have had the misfortune of dealing with some very unkind titled/wealthy people who because of their /position/possessions felt as though they are entitled to speak to and treat people in very disrespectful ways. Thankfully, I've have also seen and experienced the kindness of some titled/ generous people who understand that having a title/wealth means being a blessing to other people- and they are actually a blessing to other people! They help people from different ethnic groups and different social/economic states! What a great character trait one has when you are able to look past a person issues and skin color and just see the need!
2. I believe character is so important. Who we are when no one is watching is the sum total of our being. I was born and grew up mostly in the Southern United States. During my adolescent years, a person's word was considered their bond. I have grown up with and attended a Church with people who would rather lose everything than go back on their word. I am constantly praying to God to enable me to stay true to what I learned growing up and exhibit great character no matter what. Even if it means persecution and rejection. When I stand before God one day, I want to hear "Well done good and faithful servant." I personally believe the good and faithful means being so to God and what he requires for our life and not necessarily with all of peoples requests.
3. In Christianity, Grace and Love are keys to living this life successfully. During the last 2 years, I have had to the pleasure of seeing that with the music teacher at the school I work. Even more so this last few months and weeks with all the hard work she put into the Christmas musical. Working with 1st through 3rd graders weekly can be a great challenge. I greatly admire her! I realize so much why God put her in my life and in particular these last 2 school years. For that I am so thankful. The calmness, poise and grace she maintain during the most challenging of times is an inspiration to me. She's the real deal! Thank you for all you do and for the great christian example you've been to me these last school years. You will never know how much I have really needed to see that. My pastor's wife has the same ability - it is amazing!
4. I need to trust in God no matter what. God knew what he wanted me to learn this last two years. While I initially questioned my sanity in driving 56 miles a day to and from work, when I had the opportunity to remain at another school only 5 minutes from my home, I understand so much why it had to be. Had I not been obedient in this, I would have missed the great opportunity to get to know some of my third grade parents and students from this year and last year. -I am so thankful for the opportunity to have met you all. The gifts, text messages, phone calls and emails that you have given and are sending me even this year, are so thoughtful, unselfish and encouraging. I don't take anything you do for granted. I received a bag of avocados as a gift last night! Delicious! I adore you guys! To a very special family in particular- the convertible mustang you let me borrow for 2 months this year was so awesome! It was considerably kind and unselfish and I love you guys more than you know! To my special student in your household- I remember the deal we made a few weeks back- I hope you're keeping up your end! I know you can do it! I miss you this year but I hope you're is having a great time at your new school. If I hadn't come to this school, I would not have been challenged the way I have been and therefore I would have missed the opportunity to grow in my spiritual and maturity level in God.
5. To my church family and school family-Thank you so much to those of you have accepted me just as I am. I am not perfect- but your patience and kindness has meant more to me than you will ever know! As that song goes -'Just as I am, without one plea. But that thy blood was shed for me...'
School family- You saw my potential and you allowed me to adjust to the school culture. I know we all have changes to continue in our lives.. you didn't and haven't written me off and for that I am so thankful. Change is constant and how we act or react to it can have positive or adverse affects to our life. Thank you so much again for your patience! My daughter loves coming to school here!
Lastly, I've learned that no matter what happens.. my focus should always be on the One who died for me and has a purpose and plan for my life. Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite scripture! As I close out this year and get ready to enter the new year, I am so excited. There are great things waiting for me in 2010.

Leading through serving

Joseph was a great leader when Israel needed it most. Joseph was also a great servant. I think of his life. Being one of the twelve sons of Jacob- and quite obviously Jacob's favorite- we see that Joseph suffered much at this hands of his jealous brothers. Recapping the story- Joseph was put in a pit, then sold into slavery, falsely accused, put in prison, forgotten but then by God's great grace was put second in command in Egypt (Genesis 37-50). In each of the situations in Egypt, because of Joseph's servant heart, he was put in a position of Leadership and authority-even while he was in prison. Eventually Joseph was only second in command to Pharaoh and in the great position to help his family-who thought he was dead- during the great famine. Joseph is a great example of leading through serving. From all accounts in scripture, he kept a great attitude and always trusted God. I think of many now who will serve in "the church" unless it is a visible platform or directly under a Pastoral staff member. Serving and serving with the right attitude is a ministry unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:17 (New Living Translation)

¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

I am reminded to do everything and anything as ministry to the Lord. Our tests (serving) just may be a great testimony and an opportunity to do great things for those we love and other in the very near future. Remember-you have a purpose.

Pursued

We have a new addition to the family. A 7 month old Robo Dwarf hamster named Rhino. Rhino joined our family yesterday and was given to my daughter from a friend at church who is moving away within the next couple of months. Now the fun part. Yesterday-Rhino's first night with us, after a day of serving at church, then going for a late lunch and catching the movie 'Up", we came home to finish up some home repairs, clean and then rest. It is 10:15 pm and I hear my husband say "Oh no- you lost him!" I am in the bedroom watching TV and I immediately go to my daughter's bedroom door. She is looking distraught and her room looks as though her closet has vomited clothes everywhere. I asked her what happened. She goes on to explain that as she was holding her new pet, he jumped out of her hand and now she can't find him. I think- oh no- not a rodent loose in my house! I also think- oh no- a rodent loose in my house- our 3 year old cat Bella is going to have a snack! I immediately ask, "Where's Bella?" My daughter then proceed to tell me that she has locked Bella in the downstairs bathroom in order to prevent my last "oh no!" We then begin the daunting task of trying to find a 3 ounce brown and white hamster who has lightning speed -somewhere in my daughter's room. She mentioned that she saw him dart behind the Winnie the Pooh recliner - a cute little thing I purchased for her when she was 2 years old. However, when she lifted up the recliner, she didn't see him. Now this recliner is about 10 years old. I hadn't wanted to get rid of it due to sentimental reasons- yea right. I lifted it again, and of course- no sign of Rhino. We then painstakingly and systematically check every corner of her bedroom and closet. No Rhino. The thought then occurs to me- Bella. Let's use Bella to sniff out the rat- oh I mean- hamster. I go downstairs- release Bella from her dungeon and proceed to take her upstairs to my daughter's room. By this time, my husband has constructed a barricade in front of my daughter's door- primarily her shoes. I thought- good idea- so I added a few books to it to make sure the little darling doesn't get out and have the rest of my house to explore. Now back to Bella- now before you Peta people get all upset- the plan was to bring Bella in, let her help us in locating the hamster and interceding before dismemberment and feasting- in other words- before she ate the hamster. I would like to say Bella did a great job. I can't! Bella sniffed the cage, sniffed the table, sniffed the closet, sniffed the recliner- lingered there a little while- looks up at me as if to say- you're on you own and then carefully steps across the magnificently constructed barricade of shoes and goes back downstairs. Some help she turned out to be! I then decided to get online and do research about the hamster. I found out that they can be escape artist-no joke- and enjoy hiding out in furniture. Equipped with this new knowledge, I advised my daughter to turn out the light- by the way these little joys are also nocturnal- and listen for noise. I did notice that Bella spent some time sniffing around the Winnie the Pooh recliner so suggested my daughter sit near it and listen intently. She did so for about 10 minutes and then informed me that she thought she heard something. So- my husband and I both joined her on the floor, in the dark surrounding this recliner listening for our sweet little Rhino. After about 10 minutes, we all agreed that we could faintly hear some scratching noises coming from inside the recliner. I thought- God please let this animal be here. I really don't want to try to even sleep until we find this thing! We gently put the recliner on it's right side and began to cut the through the outer fabric covering. I had mixed emotions-one- maybe we will find him yea!- two-oh no I am destroying a cute little recliner that has been part of my child's early years- sniff. The first emotion won out! After cutting away portions of fabric, new little areas of the recliner were exposed. During the research online, I read that these little hamsters can some time get stuck in furniture and may not be able to escape. As I continued to cut away fabric, my daughter exclaimed excitedly- there he is- I see him! We couldn't get to him due to the amount of fabric and stuffing in the way. We gently turned the recliner on the other side and began to cut more fabric away. My husband said "Hey- I just saw him peek his head out of that little hole there!" I became even more determined and cut more fabric from that area. Suddenly out came- Rhino! I grabbed his cage and put it near the recliner. My daughter grabbed one of his little clear hamster hangouts from the cage. As she went to scoop him up in her hand, he jumped off the recliner and started for the door! Thank God for my husband's engineering- the "Great wall of Nike" prevented another escape. My daughter then covered him with the little hamster hangout and carefully scooped him up and put him in the cage. It was 12:30 am! As I melted on top my bed-exhausted and excited from finding him, I clearly heard this word. Pursued. I then thought of how we vehemently wanted to find this creature and how willing I was to destroy a piece of furniture-the recliner- to do so. It's kinda like the way we are pursued by God. He was willing to sacrifice His only Son in order for us to enjoy the gift of eternal life. He pursues us with a love that is so intense and magnificent. Even when we are doing things that could bring us not only spiritual but physical death-He pursues us. Before coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ- many are bound by drugs, abuse and lifestyles that can do great harm to the body. Rhino had no clue that his little act of defiance could have cost him his life-he could have been consumed by Bella. Are we doing things that could be keeping us from fully enjoying the life God has planned for us. Is it time for many of us to heed God's call on our life? He is pursuing us to give us life and a divine plan. Are you ready to surrender? Remember- you were created for a purpose.

Renewal

Are you familiar with the story of Paul? He was born Saul of Tarsus to Jewish parents who were Roman citizens. Saul was a Roman citizen through his parents. It has been written that Saul was a tentmaker or something similiar by trade but was educated by a religious sect known as the Pharisees. This group consisted primarily of middle class men. The Pharisees rival sect was the Sadducees. The Sadducees were mostly a conservative and aristocratic priestly class. It has been written that the Pharisees were more open to religious innovation than the Sadducees. It has also been written in the New Testament that the most vocal critics of Jesus was the Pharisees. Jesus had some choice descriptive words for the Pharisees (see Matthew 23:27 and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18). Saul became active in the violent persecution of Christians (see Acts 22: 3-5). However, due to a life changing, personal encounter with the Risen Savior on the road to Damascus, his life was transformed and renewed (See Acts 22: 6-13). He was renamed Paul. His encounter with Jesus, set his life on a new path. He dedicated the rest of his life to proclaiming Jesus as Savior.

Today I was reminded of Paul while studying scriptures. The scriptures that I meditated on was Romans 8:11-15. The Amplified version of Romans 8:11 reads, "And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, {then}, He who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, persishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you." Saul was a walking dead man, killing alive people-spiritually alive people. Saul was killing and persecuting people who had come to know Jesus and were therefore spiritually alive. He was blinded by religion and thought he was doing God's work by persecuting others. After his conversion, he too became spiritually alive and experienced a renewed sense of purpose and vision. Renewed is defined as to make new, restore to freshness, vigor or perfection, to regenerate-to make new spiritually. Through my study today, I began to realize how much God truly wants to restore and renew His Spirit living power in our lives. We must be willing to bring and leave things with Him that may be preventing the restoral process: hurts, rejection, pursuing our way instead of His way, seeing the jar as half empty instead of half full, and having a victim mentality- just to name a few. This Spirit is for us to live a victorious life now and everyday! Weathering each and every obstacle with God's grace and wisdom knowing that whatever comes, we have the Spirit of God within us helping us to overcome. Spend time with God today and ask Him for His renewing Spirit. Remember- you were created for a purpose!

Picture I took a year ago at camp in Southern California as we were going on a hike. God's artistry is phenomenal!

You have a purpose.

Have you ever been shopping or out in public and run into someone who definitely knew you but you can't quite remember their name? It can be a little ackward, especially if you don't want to offend that person by calling them the wrong name. It is so awesome to know that God knows each and everyone of us . The Bible even says that He knows the very number of hairs on each of our heads (Matthew 10:30). According to God's Word, we are all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:140). Being the true artist that God is, I am quite sure that great care and details went into your specific DNA design. Not only does God know each of us, but he has a specific plan for everyone as well. He especially designed you for a purpose and plan that He wants you to do for Him (Jeremiah 29:11). Do you know what the plan is that He has called you to do? Do you want to know God as intimately as He knows you? May I suggest taking some time to read His word, pray, ask God for wisdom, fellowship with other believers(find a church home where it is real and full of accountability) and asking Him to come into your heart if you haven't done so. Just say- Lord, come into my heart and make me a new creation in you (II Cor.5:17). He is waiting!