I need to blog but I haven’t got any one particular subject to blog about! So here you go . . . .
Emma’s Perfect Timing - As I am cleaning up Lily, our puppy, Derek came over. He said “I want to ask you something, . . . just tell me the truth . . . Aren’t you just a little bit regretting getting another dog?”
Before I could even answer, my sidekick (Emma) says “Get ober it . . . .” (Get over it)
We both crack up and think how did she know?? She’s 2!!
Of course our laughing encouraged her to continue to say “Get ober it Daddy! Get ober it!”
(Derek was against getting Lily. Apparently Emma picked up on this! )
God’s Perfect Timing - One of my prayer requests for this week was grace and wisdom when dealing with discipline issues - w/my kids and those I teach. Well, the woman who prayed for me added patience. I almost elbowed her! (Sorry Heidi) I normally do not pray for patience or kindness. I’ve learned that when you do God WILL give you a time in the near future to practice!! But I am thankful for the prayer because I did need lots of patience Monday and I was prepared. God knew and that’s why He prompted her to pray for me!!
Now today, I am thinking about what I can organize. At lecture today, one of the principles was that God is a God of organization. He is not a God of Chaos. We’ve been studying the book of Numbers. All I can say is Wow! He took care of EVERY detail - who went where, who did what, how to communicate - even a cloud to follow - for 2-4 million people!!!
Michelle pointed out that you see it today when you look at the sunrise and sunset each day. You see it with the seasons and in the details of the seasons. You see it in the different species - ants, birds. God is organized and if we are to be like Him, we need to be organized too! We were challenged to apply this to our own lives. What one thing could we organize this week? A messy room. A meal together. Our schedule and making sure we spend time with God on a regular basis? How we plan and prepare to serve God?
Oh and God even told Aaron how to bless the Israelites. He thinks of everything!
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace.”
NUMBERS 6:24-26
Showing posts with label BSF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BSF. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
I'm Ready!
As I was leaving Beulah Missionary Church today, I noticed a sign that I hadn't seen before. Right before you leave the parking lot, they have a sign that says "YOU ARE ENTERING YOUR MISSION FIELD". (Or something similar, it's been a couple hours . . .) I thought it was very clever. Isn't it amazing how we can drive by something MANY times and never see it . . .but then our eyes are opened and we SEE. I love God!
And today my mission is to not lock Emma up in the little dog cage she is in right now. As I type this, she is playing inside Lily's cage of her own free will. It's just her size. Now why would I lock up one of God's precious little children? This one in particular has been naughty. She is not taking her nap and during the 5 minutes I stopped to check Face Book, she decided to pour the dog food into the dog water and feed the dogs by hand. This is just an example of the many things she does. She is BUSY!!
It's hard to be mad though. Especially when she is going around singing half the Bible verse she learned today: "He has done, He has done" she throws in a "the wonders" every couple times. The verse is "Remember the wonders He has done" 1 Chronicles 16:12
And today my mission is to not lock Emma up in the little dog cage she is in right now. As I type this, she is playing inside Lily's cage of her own free will. It's just her size. Now why would I lock up one of God's precious little children? This one in particular has been naughty. She is not taking her nap and during the 5 minutes I stopped to check Face Book, she decided to pour the dog food into the dog water and feed the dogs by hand. This is just an example of the many things she does. She is BUSY!!
It's hard to be mad though. Especially when she is going around singing half the Bible verse she learned today: "He has done, He has done" she throws in a "the wonders" every couple times. The verse is "Remember the wonders He has done" 1 Chronicles 16:12
Monday, January 5, 2009
Knowing God
I just wanted to share a bit about my lesson today. Today is Monday so my goal is to come home after the Bible Study Class I attend and prepare to lead those little ones on Tuesday. Part of that includes reading notes over the passages we have been studying the past week. Then tomorrow, after leading, I'll get to hear a wonderful, Spirit filled lecture over the same passages. So if I don't get it the first or second time there's still another chance!
We've been studying Moses. And in this section, Moses wants to know God.
"If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." Exodus 33:13
This is after Moses was on the mountain with God for 4o Days. Our little ant brains would think you might know someone pretty well, especially after being with them for 40 days non-stop at one time. And this was just one of the times Moses was with God.
Where am I going with this? Well, the notes talk a bit about knowing God. What does it mean to know God? It may mean simple awareness of a mere fact like knowing where someone lives. Another knowing is knowing about someone or some thing like describing a city or the latest scoop on a celebrity. And there's knowledge by experience. Maybe you lived in that city or knew that individual. But there's more. The notes direct us to this description - knowledge by which one is changed. Knowledge by which one is changed.
The notes also use a quote from a book by J.I. Packer. The book is called Knowing God. I actually bought this book awhile back after our Pastor had talked about it one Sunday. I may even still have it. Unfortunately, I never got through it. Here's the quote:
"Knowing God involves, first, listening to God's word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it, in application to oneself; second, noting God's nature and character, as His word and works reveal it; third, accepting His invitations, and doing what He commands; fourth, recognizing, and rejoicing in, the love that He has shown in thus approaching one and drawing one into this divine fellowship."
If we say we are Christians, we should always strive to "know God". I need to be praying "Teach me your ways O Lord so I may know you better."
Especially after the reminder this past week from Pastor Jim Cymbala's quote: "We are always either drawing nearer to God or falling away. There is no holding pattern."
We've been studying Moses. And in this section, Moses wants to know God.
"If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." Exodus 33:13
This is after Moses was on the mountain with God for 4o Days. Our little ant brains would think you might know someone pretty well, especially after being with them for 40 days non-stop at one time. And this was just one of the times Moses was with God.
Where am I going with this? Well, the notes talk a bit about knowing God. What does it mean to know God? It may mean simple awareness of a mere fact like knowing where someone lives. Another knowing is knowing about someone or some thing like describing a city or the latest scoop on a celebrity. And there's knowledge by experience. Maybe you lived in that city or knew that individual. But there's more. The notes direct us to this description - knowledge by which one is changed. Knowledge by which one is changed.
The notes also use a quote from a book by J.I. Packer. The book is called Knowing God. I actually bought this book awhile back after our Pastor had talked about it one Sunday. I may even still have it. Unfortunately, I never got through it. Here's the quote:
"Knowing God involves, first, listening to God's word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it, in application to oneself; second, noting God's nature and character, as His word and works reveal it; third, accepting His invitations, and doing what He commands; fourth, recognizing, and rejoicing in, the love that He has shown in thus approaching one and drawing one into this divine fellowship."
If we say we are Christians, we should always strive to "know God". I need to be praying "Teach me your ways O Lord so I may know you better."
Especially after the reminder this past week from Pastor Jim Cymbala's quote: "We are always either drawing nearer to God or falling away. There is no holding pattern."
Thursday, December 11, 2008
God does!
Okay, last post for today. I've had a couple on my mind to do and now that my headache is temporarily gone I'll get busy!
Some of you know I attend a bible study in Goshen. (BSF Bible Study Fellowship) After becoming a Christian, even though we started going to church I still had this hunger for more. You know how you may invite someone to something and they come up with excuses, say no thanks or look at you like you're crazy? Not me - finally someone asked me to BSF and I was so excited! I really didn't know much at all about the bible or how to even really study.
I blogged earlier a bit about BSF. Well, I am back in class and a leader for the 3/4's class. And after a 2 year prayer, there were finally enough leaders to open up the 2's class which Emma now attends. This is really awesome because Jesse never got to go. The day class only goes up to 5/6's and he was in Kindergarten. So I'm so excited to finally have a child in the program.
I go to class on Monday which is for leaders only so we're prepared to lead on Tuesday's. Emma goes and stays with 2 ladies while I'm in class. At first she was not happy about this but she now has a crush on Miss Ginger and goes willingly. Her class on Tuesday is another story! She still cries at first but eventually stops.
What I wanted to share is what she is learning . . . Later in the day after week two, I was asking her questions - What did you do? Did you hear a story? Did you sing? Then I thought of the main truth for that day which was "God always keeps His promises". So I said, "Emma, who always keeps His promises?" And her sweet little answer was, "God Does". How awesome is that?!!!
There are about 7 two year olds in a class learning God's truths each week. Even though there are MANY tears during those two hours, seeds are being planted. I appreciate those two brave ladies - Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Hess!! Emma knows that God always keeps His promises. She also sings "God is so Good" and "Trust and Obey".
I'm excited to see what she continues to learn. I know that our family has been very blessed since I started attending! So remember, when you're hesitant to invite someone to your church or even a bible study - remember my story! Because of my friends obedience, a family has been changed and a two year old is now singing praises to God!
And if any of you are looking for a study to start the new year, try BSF. I attend the Goshen/Elkhart Day Women's Class - Tuesday's from 9-11am. They will be having introduction classes on January 6th and 13th. It's held at the Beulah Missionary Church on Old CR 17 just off the Bypass. (There are also evening classes for Men, Women and School age children. The info is listed on the website.)
Some of you know I attend a bible study in Goshen. (BSF Bible Study Fellowship) After becoming a Christian, even though we started going to church I still had this hunger for more. You know how you may invite someone to something and they come up with excuses, say no thanks or look at you like you're crazy? Not me - finally someone asked me to BSF and I was so excited! I really didn't know much at all about the bible or how to even really study.
I blogged earlier a bit about BSF. Well, I am back in class and a leader for the 3/4's class. And after a 2 year prayer, there were finally enough leaders to open up the 2's class which Emma now attends. This is really awesome because Jesse never got to go. The day class only goes up to 5/6's and he was in Kindergarten. So I'm so excited to finally have a child in the program.
I go to class on Monday which is for leaders only so we're prepared to lead on Tuesday's. Emma goes and stays with 2 ladies while I'm in class. At first she was not happy about this but she now has a crush on Miss Ginger and goes willingly. Her class on Tuesday is another story! She still cries at first but eventually stops.
What I wanted to share is what she is learning . . . Later in the day after week two, I was asking her questions - What did you do? Did you hear a story? Did you sing? Then I thought of the main truth for that day which was "God always keeps His promises". So I said, "Emma, who always keeps His promises?" And her sweet little answer was, "God Does". How awesome is that?!!!
There are about 7 two year olds in a class learning God's truths each week. Even though there are MANY tears during those two hours, seeds are being planted. I appreciate those two brave ladies - Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Hess!! Emma knows that God always keeps His promises. She also sings "God is so Good" and "Trust and Obey".
I'm excited to see what she continues to learn. I know that our family has been very blessed since I started attending! So remember, when you're hesitant to invite someone to your church or even a bible study - remember my story! Because of my friends obedience, a family has been changed and a two year old is now singing praises to God!
And if any of you are looking for a study to start the new year, try BSF. I attend the Goshen/Elkhart Day Women's Class - Tuesday's from 9-11am. They will be having introduction classes on January 6th and 13th. It's held at the Beulah Missionary Church on Old CR 17 just off the Bypass. (There are also evening classes for Men, Women and School age children. The info is listed on the website.)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Great is thy Faithfulness!
Okay, it's 1:30 am. It may take me a while to pull this post together. I have a feeling it's going to be a long one. First, let me start by telling you why I'm awake this late and on the computer. No, I do not have a problem with secret chatting. I don't think I've even ever been in a chat room. I'm up because I feel great! Finally, I have relief from this headache!!
I have had a constant headache for years (no,not Jesse)!! Over the past year, I actually had a doctor "here me" and work with me on trying to get some relief. Not an easy process. First you keep a headache journal. When, where, and things you try. AND, did you know that there are many types of headache - tension, migraine, cluster, etc. Sometimes, I felt like I was making my head hurt because I was focusing on it too much or taking on the symptoms I was reading about.
So, over the past year I've been trying different preventative medicines. The one I was on the longest just seemed to help me sleep and gain weight. For a short period of time I actually stopped everything, drank more water and didn't seem to have any problems. But that ended and I can't seem to figure out how I did that. So I went back to searching for that right combination of drugs - with my doctor of course!
He gets mad because I wait too long when something hasn't been working. I think that's a mom thing. It has to be really annoying and constant for us to say "Hey, this isn't right, I better make an appointment." Am I right?? I think our tolerance of pain is higher than others. Anyways, he kept making me come back every two weeks this past couple months.
Through journaling and research online I figured out that the month of October and November I had a tension headache. I don't think I'm terribly stressed. A lot of it is probably from carrying around Emma and all our bags. Trying to get in and out in one trip! Not good. Plus I have terrible posture and our bed stinks! (Sorry Kathy Ireland) Oh and I don't think our pillows are too good either.
Now I know what a tension headache is. Through some adjusting done by the doctor on my neck and back and a daily dose of Verapamil, it's been easier to get relief with just plain old Tylenol. I had tried Verapamil before. I read online that this is a common choice to prevent headaches but it was given at a higher dose so that's what I'm trying now.
I still get other headaches. We've been waiting for me to get one of those while on Verapamil. And it came! Last Thursday - the back of my head hurt with a shooting pain to the front on the right side. I had a secret weapon. A sample of Treximet. I took it and I felt awful. I took the second pill and felt even worse. And these headaches don't come when you're just sitting at home with nothing to do! I think that was my busiest day last week. Then that night we were practicing songs for our Christmas Eve service. By morning, it seemed to be gone. So did it work? I don't know whether it was the Treximet or the sleep but I don't want to take that EVER again!!
This Tuesday, I had a doctor's appointment. Monday night, I started to get a headache. Not the tension but this was the top front section. It was still there Tuesday. The doctor did some adjusting because I was out of whack again. He wanted me to stick with the Verapamil. And he said he was going to prescribe Midrin for my secret weapon. This is basically what he said "Midrin's been around since Moses and boy did he need it with those Israelites". Now I found this comment extremely funny because that's what we're studying this year at BSF. Some might think this is a coincidence but I don't. I love God!!
I wasn't sure if I should try this Midrin for this particular headache or not. It's only supposed to work for migraines. But this is not the new super expensive $12 pill so it wouldn't hurt to try. That's another thing I love about my doctor - he always prescribes the cheap prescriptions!!! Anyways, Tuesday night I took it. He said it was one that I would take and then I could retake 2 more times if needed. So, I took one pill. I felt a little relief. I decided to take another in an hour. Better but not quite there so I took one more. Well then I just couldn't stay awake and Derek made me go to bed.
In the morning, I felt a little foggy. Wasn't quite sure if I still had the headache or not. After a few waking hours, I did! So, I thought, maybe this hadn't been a migrane. So I kept a detailed journal. First I tried 3 Tylenol. Then about 5 Motrin. At 5pm I tried 3 Excedrin. No luck. Still had it. So I thought I'd try this Midrin again. I took one and after awhile I felt some relief. Yeah!! So I took another one about an hour later. Feeling more relief each time. It wasn't till I thought "Well, I'll take one more just to make sure I get it" that I read the label. Take TWO pills at the onset of headache and then again if needed bla bla bla. I'd been taking one.
That's okay though. I'm excited to have some relief. Normally this headache could go on for WEEKS. I'm also excited that it was a migraine and that I know for sure. My experience of a migraine (from my younger days) was a headache so bad you almost threw up and had to lay down with a cold wash rag on your forehead, go to sleep and hope it was gone when you woke up. So I didn't think or wasn't sure what this was. It also helps me not to feel so guilty! With these headaches it seems like all I can manage to do to shower, get ready, take care of Emma. Just the absolute necessary. It makes me feel like a bum!! But to know I was able to do that with a migraine - wow! - that is a BIG accomplishment!
Back to why I'm awake! Little Emma just snuck into our room. She's been doing this nightly. She cries a little when she has to go to sleep in her bed but she does go and stays . . for awhile. We usually find her somewhere in our room in the early morning hours - on the chair, on the pillows on the floor or just plain on the floor. Mom said I used to do this. She would find me all over the place! I kind of remember doing it too. Anyways, Derek said it was my turn to put her back and honestly I was feeling great and kind of wanted to rock her and snuggle a bit.
In her room we have music playing for her. Today, I put in the BSF CD. We're on break now from class so I thought it'd be good in her room and help her to learn the hymns so she might sing in class. As we rocked I sang a bit in my head - it was on the part of the CD that played the music only - no words. I started thinking about my headache's, journaling, trial and error, the funny comment - just smiling as I was feeling this great relief. The next song to start was "Great is thy Faithfulness". Only, there were words. Not sure I had noticed that before. I noticed tonight because I know what song is first on the CD so I wasn't expecting any words yet. Such a simple hymn and God had my full attention! Great is thy faithfulness. He is faithful. He was even faithful to those Israelites - who didn't deserve a thing. But as I continue to study them, I'm just as bad yet He is faithful!!
I have had a constant headache for years (no,not Jesse)!! Over the past year, I actually had a doctor "here me" and work with me on trying to get some relief. Not an easy process. First you keep a headache journal. When, where, and things you try. AND, did you know that there are many types of headache - tension, migraine, cluster, etc. Sometimes, I felt like I was making my head hurt because I was focusing on it too much or taking on the symptoms I was reading about.
So, over the past year I've been trying different preventative medicines. The one I was on the longest just seemed to help me sleep and gain weight. For a short period of time I actually stopped everything, drank more water and didn't seem to have any problems. But that ended and I can't seem to figure out how I did that. So I went back to searching for that right combination of drugs - with my doctor of course!
He gets mad because I wait too long when something hasn't been working. I think that's a mom thing. It has to be really annoying and constant for us to say "Hey, this isn't right, I better make an appointment." Am I right?? I think our tolerance of pain is higher than others. Anyways, he kept making me come back every two weeks this past couple months.
Through journaling and research online I figured out that the month of October and November I had a tension headache. I don't think I'm terribly stressed. A lot of it is probably from carrying around Emma and all our bags. Trying to get in and out in one trip! Not good. Plus I have terrible posture and our bed stinks! (Sorry Kathy Ireland) Oh and I don't think our pillows are too good either.
Now I know what a tension headache is. Through some adjusting done by the doctor on my neck and back and a daily dose of Verapamil, it's been easier to get relief with just plain old Tylenol. I had tried Verapamil before. I read online that this is a common choice to prevent headaches but it was given at a higher dose so that's what I'm trying now.
I still get other headaches. We've been waiting for me to get one of those while on Verapamil. And it came! Last Thursday - the back of my head hurt with a shooting pain to the front on the right side. I had a secret weapon. A sample of Treximet. I took it and I felt awful. I took the second pill and felt even worse. And these headaches don't come when you're just sitting at home with nothing to do! I think that was my busiest day last week. Then that night we were practicing songs for our Christmas Eve service. By morning, it seemed to be gone. So did it work? I don't know whether it was the Treximet or the sleep but I don't want to take that EVER again!!
This Tuesday, I had a doctor's appointment. Monday night, I started to get a headache. Not the tension but this was the top front section. It was still there Tuesday. The doctor did some adjusting because I was out of whack again. He wanted me to stick with the Verapamil. And he said he was going to prescribe Midrin for my secret weapon. This is basically what he said "Midrin's been around since Moses and boy did he need it with those Israelites". Now I found this comment extremely funny because that's what we're studying this year at BSF. Some might think this is a coincidence but I don't. I love God!!
I wasn't sure if I should try this Midrin for this particular headache or not. It's only supposed to work for migraines. But this is not the new super expensive $12 pill so it wouldn't hurt to try. That's another thing I love about my doctor - he always prescribes the cheap prescriptions!!! Anyways, Tuesday night I took it. He said it was one that I would take and then I could retake 2 more times if needed. So, I took one pill. I felt a little relief. I decided to take another in an hour. Better but not quite there so I took one more. Well then I just couldn't stay awake and Derek made me go to bed.
In the morning, I felt a little foggy. Wasn't quite sure if I still had the headache or not. After a few waking hours, I did! So, I thought, maybe this hadn't been a migrane. So I kept a detailed journal. First I tried 3 Tylenol. Then about 5 Motrin. At 5pm I tried 3 Excedrin. No luck. Still had it. So I thought I'd try this Midrin again. I took one and after awhile I felt some relief. Yeah!! So I took another one about an hour later. Feeling more relief each time. It wasn't till I thought "Well, I'll take one more just to make sure I get it" that I read the label. Take TWO pills at the onset of headache and then again if needed bla bla bla. I'd been taking one.
That's okay though. I'm excited to have some relief. Normally this headache could go on for WEEKS. I'm also excited that it was a migraine and that I know for sure. My experience of a migraine (from my younger days) was a headache so bad you almost threw up and had to lay down with a cold wash rag on your forehead, go to sleep and hope it was gone when you woke up. So I didn't think or wasn't sure what this was. It also helps me not to feel so guilty! With these headaches it seems like all I can manage to do to shower, get ready, take care of Emma. Just the absolute necessary. It makes me feel like a bum!! But to know I was able to do that with a migraine - wow! - that is a BIG accomplishment!
Back to why I'm awake! Little Emma just snuck into our room. She's been doing this nightly. She cries a little when she has to go to sleep in her bed but she does go and stays . . for awhile. We usually find her somewhere in our room in the early morning hours - on the chair, on the pillows on the floor or just plain on the floor. Mom said I used to do this. She would find me all over the place! I kind of remember doing it too. Anyways, Derek said it was my turn to put her back and honestly I was feeling great and kind of wanted to rock her and snuggle a bit.
In her room we have music playing for her. Today, I put in the BSF CD. We're on break now from class so I thought it'd be good in her room and help her to learn the hymns so she might sing in class. As we rocked I sang a bit in my head - it was on the part of the CD that played the music only - no words. I started thinking about my headache's, journaling, trial and error, the funny comment - just smiling as I was feeling this great relief. The next song to start was "Great is thy Faithfulness". Only, there were words. Not sure I had noticed that before. I noticed tonight because I know what song is first on the CD so I wasn't expecting any words yet. Such a simple hymn and God had my full attention! Great is thy faithfulness. He is faithful. He was even faithful to those Israelites - who didn't deserve a thing. But as I continue to study them, I'm just as bad yet He is faithful!!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
10-14-08 Principles
Moses is a great study! Lecture was very encouraging to me this week. I wanted to share a part of it with you.
Exodus 5:1-21
Principle - We are to do what God has said and trust HIM for the outcome.
Exodus 5:22-23
Principle - We are to take our problems and questions straight to God.
Exodus 6:1 - 27
Principle - God wants us to do what He has said depending on Him.
Thank you Michelle for being a faithful servant of God. He speaks beautifully through you!!
Exodus 5:1-21
Principle - We are to do what God has said and trust HIM for the outcome.
Exodus 5:22-23
Principle - We are to take our problems and questions straight to God.
Exodus 6:1 - 27
Principle - God wants us to do what He has said depending on Him.
Thank you Michelle for being a faithful servant of God. He speaks beautifully through you!!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Apple
Last Sunday as I sat in church looking over the bulletin, I got excited! It was our turn to be on the list of “Prayer Families” for the week. First, let me give you the history on my understanding of the “Prayer Family”. As a new Christian, I truly had no idea what it was or meant besides praying. Later, I assumed that if you were listed, it was your duty to pray for everyone in the church that week. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to being on “the list”. That would be a big job! Finally, I found out that people were supposed to be praying for your family that week. Okay, this was much better!
So for YEARS, I thought our Pastor was so amazing! It seemed many times as we went through trials, he was so kind to put us down as one of the “Prayer Families” that week. His sermons seemed to speak directly to me as well. Again, YEARS, have gone by. One Sunday, I thanked him specifically for putting us on the list. His response was to thank God. Apparently, this list is alphabetical.
I now understand the list. Isn’t God awesome? (I still think my pastor is pretty awesome too.) But, there’s even MORE understanding I have to learn. Let’s go back to me being excited last Sunday . . . . . I was looking forward to the week. I was sharing with a friend on Monday that I was looking forward to my week because we were one of the “Prayer Families” and it’s always a good week. And she smiled and said, “Yes, and you know you’ll be prepared for whatever comes up.” UH OH! Never thought of it that way!! Thanks Michelle!
Tuesday morning my daughter and I headed out to start our day. Three minutes into our trip, I hit a deer. Long story short, the police officer had to finish this poor deer off right in front of us!! Emma heard the gunshot but thought it was a firework - THANK GOD. The officer wrote up a report and waited for someone to get the deer. I was able to go on my way BEFORE my son rode by on his bike and the school bus went by - THANK GOD. I can’t imagine how the kids would have teased him - “Hey Jesse, your mom killed a deer.” And, I was not hysterical - THANK GOD.
I was heading to my bible study. I blogged earlier that it was when I got there I learned of Lisa’s death. After this start to the day, I was able to enter the classroom with a smile and wait for the children to arrive - THANK GOD. If my friend had not pointed out that I would be “prepared“, I think that day and week would have gone much differently!!!
Later that morning as we listened to lecture, my co-leader ate an apple. It smelled SO good. She told me afterwards that it was a new apple and that it WAS so good. It was a Honey Crisp apple. I made a mental note to be sure and get some at the store. During this past week, I often thought about that apple. I actually craved it. We were out of apples at home so that made the craving even worse! I think I even told Derek about this apple.
By Friday, I still had not fed this apple craving of mine. I headed to a seminar in Chelsea, MI - wherever that was. I wasn’t driving and had no kids, what did I care? That night Kelsey and I , my comrade in direct sales, stayed at our division manager‘s home in Michigan. I had never been there. And it was the first time I had met Jan and her daughter, Christina. It was so homey! A farm that had been in their family for 150 years. Much better than a hotel! Anyways, as three of us (Kelsey, Christina & myself) stayed up late talking, Jan popped into the room and set a paper plate down on the bed. On that plate was an apple that had been cleaned and cut up ready to eat. Christina said, “Oh you have to try this. It’s so good. It’s a Honey Crisp apple” -THANKS GOD!!!! HE truly does give you the desires of your heart!!
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord,and He will give you the desires of your heart.
So for YEARS, I thought our Pastor was so amazing! It seemed many times as we went through trials, he was so kind to put us down as one of the “Prayer Families” that week. His sermons seemed to speak directly to me as well. Again, YEARS, have gone by. One Sunday, I thanked him specifically for putting us on the list. His response was to thank God. Apparently, this list is alphabetical.
I now understand the list. Isn’t God awesome? (I still think my pastor is pretty awesome too.) But, there’s even MORE understanding I have to learn. Let’s go back to me being excited last Sunday . . . . . I was looking forward to the week. I was sharing with a friend on Monday that I was looking forward to my week because we were one of the “Prayer Families” and it’s always a good week. And she smiled and said, “Yes, and you know you’ll be prepared for whatever comes up.” UH OH! Never thought of it that way!! Thanks Michelle!
Tuesday morning my daughter and I headed out to start our day. Three minutes into our trip, I hit a deer. Long story short, the police officer had to finish this poor deer off right in front of us!! Emma heard the gunshot but thought it was a firework - THANK GOD. The officer wrote up a report and waited for someone to get the deer. I was able to go on my way BEFORE my son rode by on his bike and the school bus went by - THANK GOD. I can’t imagine how the kids would have teased him - “Hey Jesse, your mom killed a deer.” And, I was not hysterical - THANK GOD.
I was heading to my bible study. I blogged earlier that it was when I got there I learned of Lisa’s death. After this start to the day, I was able to enter the classroom with a smile and wait for the children to arrive - THANK GOD. If my friend had not pointed out that I would be “prepared“, I think that day and week would have gone much differently!!!
Later that morning as we listened to lecture, my co-leader ate an apple. It smelled SO good. She told me afterwards that it was a new apple and that it WAS so good. It was a Honey Crisp apple. I made a mental note to be sure and get some at the store. During this past week, I often thought about that apple. I actually craved it. We were out of apples at home so that made the craving even worse! I think I even told Derek about this apple.
By Friday, I still had not fed this apple craving of mine. I headed to a seminar in Chelsea, MI - wherever that was. I wasn’t driving and had no kids, what did I care? That night Kelsey and I , my comrade in direct sales, stayed at our division manager‘s home in Michigan. I had never been there. And it was the first time I had met Jan and her daughter, Christina. It was so homey! A farm that had been in their family for 150 years. Much better than a hotel! Anyways, as three of us (Kelsey, Christina & myself) stayed up late talking, Jan popped into the room and set a paper plate down on the bed. On that plate was an apple that had been cleaned and cut up ready to eat. Christina said, “Oh you have to try this. It’s so good. It’s a Honey Crisp apple” -THANKS GOD!!!! HE truly does give you the desires of your heart!!
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord,and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Friday, October 10, 2008
"Who am I?"
“Who am I?” was the question that made me think of Lisa Monday night as I read my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) notes. This year we’re studying the life of Moses. The question asked us to give differences and similarities to our personal call and response to God’s work.
As I went through Moses’ “excuses”, I thought of the day Lisa came to my house. It was in 2003, I think. We had studied the book of John that year. My first bible study ever! Every Tuesday I went to Goshen and listened to Lisa’s lecture over what we had studied. She was the teaching leader that year.
By the end of John I had grown so much. God prompted someone to recommend me for leadership in the program. I know that Lisa had been praying for me. During our meeting she explained to me more about the role of leadership. I kept thinking AND saying “Me? Are you sure? What about my past?” and so on. Lisa lovingly assured me over and over.
I accepted God’s call and started training to be a leader in the Children’s Department. I learned that God doesn’t always call the equipped but he ALWAYS equips those He calls. I was looking forward to getting to know Lisa more that next year as we trekked through Israel & the Minor Prophets. I didn’t know then that God was calling her out of the BSF Ministry.
Living in her neighboring community, I often wondered what great things she was doing for God. I had heard she was actively involved at the WMC. And now I see that God DID continue to use her in BIG ways!! God truly looked at her Monday with joy and said “Well done my good and faithful servant!”
So back to the question . . . “Who am I?”
Exodus 3
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you. . . .
Exodus 4
1 But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? . . . .
10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” . . .
And the LORD said to me - “It’s okay, I’m putting you with the preschoolers, they won’t notice your new at this!” Seriously, because of that meeting with Lisa, I have continued my Christian training at BSF. After a “time-out” I’m back in the Children’s Department this year. It wasn’t until Tuesday morning at BSF that I heard Lisa had gone home to be with our LORD.
He must have started using her immediately because the Holy Spirit brought her to my mind that night and she was with HIM! Wow! I’m still in shock. I don’t know what’s going on but my answer these days is “Jesus is coming!“ Be prepared. If you learned anything from Lisa, let it be the peace and comfort of salvation.
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. - Romans 10:9-10
All that God asks us to do is to receive Him in our hearts. We are to turn from our sin and follow Him. We are to believe that Jesus is the Son of God in our hearts and confess it with our mouths.
As I went through Moses’ “excuses”, I thought of the day Lisa came to my house. It was in 2003, I think. We had studied the book of John that year. My first bible study ever! Every Tuesday I went to Goshen and listened to Lisa’s lecture over what we had studied. She was the teaching leader that year.
By the end of John I had grown so much. God prompted someone to recommend me for leadership in the program. I know that Lisa had been praying for me. During our meeting she explained to me more about the role of leadership. I kept thinking AND saying “Me? Are you sure? What about my past?” and so on. Lisa lovingly assured me over and over.
I accepted God’s call and started training to be a leader in the Children’s Department. I learned that God doesn’t always call the equipped but he ALWAYS equips those He calls. I was looking forward to getting to know Lisa more that next year as we trekked through Israel & the Minor Prophets. I didn’t know then that God was calling her out of the BSF Ministry.
Living in her neighboring community, I often wondered what great things she was doing for God. I had heard she was actively involved at the WMC. And now I see that God DID continue to use her in BIG ways!! God truly looked at her Monday with joy and said “Well done my good and faithful servant!”
So back to the question . . . “Who am I?”
Exodus 3
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you. . . .
Exodus 4
1 But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? . . . .
10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” . . .
And the LORD said to me - “It’s okay, I’m putting you with the preschoolers, they won’t notice your new at this!” Seriously, because of that meeting with Lisa, I have continued my Christian training at BSF. After a “time-out” I’m back in the Children’s Department this year. It wasn’t until Tuesday morning at BSF that I heard Lisa had gone home to be with our LORD.
He must have started using her immediately because the Holy Spirit brought her to my mind that night and she was with HIM! Wow! I’m still in shock. I don’t know what’s going on but my answer these days is “Jesus is coming!“ Be prepared. If you learned anything from Lisa, let it be the peace and comfort of salvation.
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. - Romans 10:9-10
All that God asks us to do is to receive Him in our hearts. We are to turn from our sin and follow Him. We are to believe that Jesus is the Son of God in our hearts and confess it with our mouths.
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