Bumpy Monday - Pack Rat Traits (3/9/08)

On occasion, I loose sight of the penguin traits that I'd like to emulate and take on the incredible traits of a pack rat. Okay, often I do. I have many many boxes of children's school papers that I have kept. And, I've been culling the ones that have come home since 6th grade. So, I have all these boxes of papers in the attic that I should go through.

I also have just about every scrap paper on which I've written a reference to a verse. Now, some of them have other statements besides the verse address. But, many do not. Some of them are references from a sermon or lesson. I have no idea what that verse meant to me at the time I wrote it down. AUGH! It was a shiny button or trinket that caught my eye at the time. I carried it off to my nest and put it with the rest of the glittering objects.

I don't know if pack rats go back through their treasure but God calls me to do such a thing. He repeatedly tells me to remember His mighty works, to remember who He is, to remember what He has done for me. Today, I remember that He wrote my name in the book of life. He has removed my sin and remembers it no more. He has transformed my deceitful heart and given me a heart of life. God is awesome.

(Lord, thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for remembering my sin no more. Thank you for the only way to know you. Thank you for the wonderful treasure You give me through Your word. Thank you for the grace and mercy that You personally extended to me. Thank you also for the judgement. Thank you for the rules that keep me safe. Forgive me when I so bluntly ignore them. Help me to accept the necessary chastisement. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.)

Beginning a Treasured Year

Today begins a Treasured Year. Yes, I'm teaching a 5th grade class and our theme is "A Treasured Year". God has been faithful in providing for me. He's made it possible for this position. He's showing His control. It's an awesome thing.

I love 5th graders. They have a zest for life and learning that is contagious. It's incredible. We'll be learning about what real treasure is. We'll find out who has treasure and how to get more treasure. We'll be learning nautical terms, music, drama, visual arts, reading, math, science, and history. Oh, it will be exciting.

(Father God, thank you for the blessing and opportunity to teach. I stand amazed at your goodness, grace and mercy. You are an awesome God. I pray that you will watch over each child in class and grant me the ability to show them just a little bit of you. Thank you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

All or Nothing and Treasure

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:” (Exodus 19:5)

Okay, I got all excited about finishing my room for this academic year. I have this tendency to focus on the one thing that excites me and I put off doing everything else. So, my blog got ignored, again.

God is trying to teach me some balance. He's placed a faithful, loving, balanced man in my life. He is doing a good job of being an example that I can emulate. I just have to pay attention.

School starts next week. This year our theme is "A Treasured Year". We are exploring for treasure. We are defining treasure. We are sharing treasure. We are treasure. Yeee hawww!!

As we discover new treasure, I'll share bits and pieces along the way.

(Father God, bless this academic year with peace and wonder. Help us to find the treasure that You place value on. Help us to remove the things that are not True treasure. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's raining, AGAIN!  After a recent diagnosis of anemia, rain just isn't my favorite thing.  The doctor has prescribed time in the sun as part of the healing process.  Cloudy, rainy weather only aggravates my depression which is a symptom of the anemia.  It's a vicious spiral.  Without the sun, I get depressed.  When I get depressed, I want to hide in my cave with a gallon if ice cream.  A sure fire way of avoiding the sun which only makes me depressed.

So, when the rain started just a bit ago, I cleared away the remnants of my lunch and spoke with frustration.

"It's raining, again.  Ugh, I need the sun."  Immediately, I reflected that this statement is so true.  The rain does a good thing, it waters and cleans.  Just as storms in our life can be used to water and clean our soul.  But we need the Son.  Yes, NEED.  The Son is the only way.  

Without the Son in my life, I would be holed up in the cave of sin indulging in those things that are right in my own eyes.  I wouldn't be able to see the healing power that comes from the Son.

Ah, the rain is still coming down but now my sight is focused on the eternal Son.

(Father God, thank you for the earthly rain that brings reviving nourishment.  Thank you for the trials and storms that bring change to our spirits.  Thank you for the reminder that I need the sun and the Son.  Thank  you for the salvation that You offer so freely.  Thank you for the grace and mercy that I don't deserve.  Thank you.  Thank you.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Mary Kept

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  Luke 2:19.

After the angels announced the birth of Peace on earth and the shepards came to see the Saviour, it was told far and wide about this event.  These shepards just had to tell everyone about Jesus.  It was an exciting time for them.  But, Mary didn't tell.

This is the way I feel right now.  God had blessed me in a way that I wasn't expecting.  And, I'm keeping so much of it and pondering it in my heart.  I know this is an exciting time that others want to be a part of.  Yet, I want to savor this time with God.  Thanking Him for His provision. Praising Him for His faithfulness even when I waivered.  Rejoicing in His timing and handiwork. Thanking Him for the exercise of waiting.  Letting His grace and mercy fill every fiber of my being and soul.

(Father God, thank You for loving me beyond measure.  I thank You for the gift of salvation and the joy of it.  Forgive me when I lose sight of You.  Thank You for the reminders of how You work in my life even when I'm not looking.  Thank You for this unexpected place.  I am overwhelmed at the demonstrated love.  Oh Father, place Your protection around it.  Show Your grace, honor and glory through it.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Pack Rat Traits

On occasion, I loose sight of the penguin traits that I'd like to emulate and take on the incredible traits of a pack rat. Okay, often I do. I have many many boxes of children's school papers that I have kept. And, I've been culling the ones that have come home since 6th grade. So, I have all these boxes of papers in the attic that I should go through.

I also have just about every scrap paper on which I've written a reference to a verse. Now, some of them have other statements besides the verse address. But, many do not. Some of them are references from a sermon or lesson. I have no idea what that verse meant to me at the time I wrote it down. AUGH! It was a shiny button or trinket that caught my eye at the time. I carried it off to my nest and put it with the rest of the glittering objects.

I don't know if pack rats go back through their treasure but God calls me to do such a thing. He repeatedly tells me to remember His mighty works, to remember who He is, to remember what He has done for me. Today, I remember that He wrote my name in the book of life. He has removed my sin and remembers it no more. He has transformed my deceitful heart and given me a heart of life. God is awesome.

(Lord, thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for remembering my sin no more. Thank you for the only way to know you. Thank you for the wonderful treasure You give me through Your word. Thank you for the grace and mercy that You personally extended to me. Thank you also for the judgement. Thank you for the rules that keep me safe. Forgive me when I so bluntly ignore them. Help me to accept the necessary chastisement. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.)