Right turn, Clyde

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. . . . As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

I can't even begin to tell you how many times in life I've been minding my own business and suddenly God says, "Right turn!" I'm always standing there with my mouth open going - "Why? I'm happy here." 

We, Dan and I, have been extremely blessed that in life God has always dealt with our "plot changes" in a very obvious "This is from me - follow my path" type of way. 

Got questions.org states, "If we try to understand God’s ways from earth looking up, we won’t find many answers. Instead, God left us a clue in the word higher. His ways are not merely different from ours, they are higher. Better. Superior. They exist on a grander scale."

At times stepping out has been scary, but each time I've rested on the belief that He sees far more than me!  

Since it's poetry month and this is one of my favorites, I thought I'd share. Because God has a unique plan for us all and there are going to be days you struggle to see. On those days remember - He sees a perfect plan!

"The Weaver"

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

– Corrie ten Boom

The No Good Very Bad Day

 "Oh Lord, you have searched me and know me." Psalm 139:1

    Still not over what I'm "making" cause yesterday it looked like a mess! I started my day wanting to be mindful of what I was "making." Oh the plans of this woman!

    I immediately locked myself out of my computer. I couldn't for the life of me get in, even after several attempts with a new password.

    My chair hits the ground every time I sat down (Hamby and Cat know how much I hate low chairs). Bless Holly she goes and finds a different one! But now I'm leery every time I move!

    I went to make copies and you guessed it - forgot my copier password. Which is my phone number! Holly said, "I can give you your copier code." I replied, "No." And texted Dan to give me needed info (an hour later).

    By lunch I WANTED to be left alone, but no, three students needed me. I explained I had nothing left to give!

    Then in the middle of 5th period one of my favs gets up in the middle of instruction, and says, "Hey, I need to make arrangements to get these checks to the bank. You don't mind if I text _____?" Which totally disrupts class. Added to a sassy 15 year old who totally disobeyed me!

    Nope, I don't mind at all! I'm thinking this day is going south minute by minute.

    And then I remembered the article!  I reread it. Bloom says, "Does this mean that all of us should be employed full-time by a Christian ministry? [obviously not me] By no means! Rather, it means that all of us should see all of life as a form of full-time Christian ministry, no matter what our profession is. [Lord, here I am wanting to be used and nothing is going right] For the Christian, there is no abiding sacred-secular distinction. All things are God’s (Romans 11:36), and we do all things for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)."

    All things are God's - even computers, copiers, chairs, and budding entrepreneurs who need a bank run!

    And in all the trials a kid who has refused to work for several months picked up a pencil and I found out one boy really likes poetry. Then a girl comes in and says, "I didn't make the cheerleading team, but its OK. I come to school because you're here."

     And then I breathe (through tears) and think - me too! Because in the middle of "making" I remembered - He is making me!

What are you making?

     Today I go back to work after spring break. There is a part of me excited to get there and see my students, and another part that knows I'll be struggling the next six weeks to get any work out of them. So I questioned what am I doing?

    In a 2015 article by Jon Bloom entitled "What Will You Leave Behind?" he quotes Dorothy Sayer, “What we make is more important than what we are, particularly if ‘making’ is our profession.” Bloom goes on to add, "God has bestowed on all humans the incredible privilege of being sub-creators. We all make things all the time. And our making is of great importance to God."

    My "making" - what I do - is important to God! Yes, teaching writing to a bunch of wild middle schoolers matters to God, especially if I make Jesus's priorities mine. "What did Jesus build to last? Only two things: his word (teaching) and his church (transformed, born-again people). That’s all Jesus left in the world when he left the world. He determined no other artifacts were worth preserving." (Bloom)

    Bloom ended his insightful essay with these words, "What you are is of eternal importance. And what you make reveals what you are. So make the priorities of all that you make to serve the priorities of your Maker. Make your making eternally durable (1 Corinthians 3:12–13) by making it serve the advancement of the word and the church."

        So as we wrap up the 4th Quarter, I pray that God will keep me mindful of what I'm "making" and help me not lose sight. And while I may never see accomplishments in this life, may I reap a bountiful harvest in the next.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace..." 1 Peter 4:10

God's Ear

 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:12

Years ago I went to a women's retreat that focused on prayer. I wish I could remember the title, but I'm stumped. However, the principles of prayer do not change.

When we pray we need to include four elements:

Adoration - praising God for who He is

Confession - confessing our sins (and yes, we all sin)

Thanksgiving - praising Him for all He does, will do, and has done

Supplication - petitioning Him for the needs of others and our own needs

May we be men and women of prayer.

Become a Life-long Learner

 Some people, I think, are given a propensity to learning. Yet others must work at it. I fall in the category of life-long learner. I love reading the latest research on reading and studying God's Word, both bring me pleasure.

In the book Habits of Grace the author shares five principles of life-long learning:

1.  Vary your sources and your seasons.

2.  Create space and redeem time.

3.  Mind your mindless moments

4.  Adapt to new media

5.  Embrace the identity of learner

Points 1, 2 and 4 have been something we've practiced all our lives.

For me the hardest thing to do is mind my mindless moments. I can waste valuable time vegging out. However, Dan's been on vacation this week and one thing I notice is we don't turn on the TV. We get up drink coffee and read till around 11am, then he goes and conquers a project. I envision this will be very similar to what retirement looks like for us. (So I think Dan makes me more accountable to not fall into #3)

Both of us have that given propensity to learn. We have never been afraid to challenge our beliefs and grow. Some of the saddest people I know will say, "I know what I believe and that is all I need to know." Giving yourself to learning more about Christ and our Christian walk is needful for growth and maturity. 

So what are you my friend?

What is on Your Heart Map?

 ...that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God. - Colossians 1:6

I'm reading a book called "Habits of Grace" by David Mathis. Today I read that there are 12 Bible verses that we should soak in. One of them being Colossians 1:6.

The author says, "The gospel is the fuel that awakens and energizes the human heart..."

This led me to think of "heart maps". As a writing teacher I understand that heart maps are a visual representation of what is on your mind. Then I questioned what does my spiritual heart have written on it? Can I separate my spiritual and human heart? I think not.

I want to hide in my heart God's Word. I am blessed to have recall of what I read and study. I'm very conscientious of the fact that God brings scripture to mind as needed.

Matthew Henry said, "The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it."

Is my life reflecting the Gospel in my heart?

Compliment

 This week I've had two compliments that have rocked my world.

One a colleague said, "I don't have you figured out you are a deep mystery."

The other Dan said, "Out of all the writers I read every day you are up there withe the top and always Gospel centered. '