the most wonderful time...

This is truly my favorite time of year. I have so much to be thankful for. Add to that the great food, family time, and of course...finding some super deals on black friday! In addition to the Thanksgiving holiday and break from classes this week God has blessed me in many other ways.
My recent trip to Moody--I had a great time speaking with the women in chapel for two days as well as with the RA's. While in Chicago I also got to spend some really good time with friends--oh so many restaurants, oh so little time! One night we spent the evening just eating and talking while drinking some wonderful coffee. You know, there are times in life when you can just sense what you are doing is a little gift from God. That's how I felt. I am thankful.
I've been thinking about faith lately. What a topic. I think I will be thinking about that one the rest of my life. It seems like an elusive subject, but certainly it should be anything but. Jesus Himself emphasized those who had it and those who didn't. Possessing faith and having it grow is one of the most important foundations for our "faith" (see what I mean?!). If that is indeed true, why do we approach it as an untouchable? Certainly there must be something more. I'm not saying it is so deep that we can't understand it, in reality, I'm saying just the opposite. Faith is so basic we miss it many times. Faith is simply living my life as though I truly believe God is who He says and will do what He says. It includes my choices, my words, my thoughts, and is not dependent on my circumstances. A life of faith is not oblivious to its circumstances but lives settled in the midst of them.
This time of year it is not unusual to hear "its the most wonderful time of the year..." in the background. I hope you take some time to be thankful in this season.

looking back and ahead

Its been a little bit since my last post so I'll do a quick catch up. Two weeks ago was a heavy one. Two friends of mine had funerals for family members. As you may know, it is very sobering to think about death. Its interesting isn't it, that death makes us think about life. I desperately want my life to count for something, to communicate what is most important to those who are watching and to inspire others to do the same. When I'm done I want others to celebrate life...sure mine, but really I want them to celebrate the source of life in me...my Jesus! For all that to happen, I've got to live every day, one at a time, intentionally yielded and purposefully, allowing God to do HIS purpose in and through me.
On a completely different note, this past week I was able to spend a little time away with my parents who were vacationing in Florida. It was a welcomed refreshment and the weather was perfect...hot! Of course, being so warm for a few days has made it even colder here this week, but I have some good memories for sure. Among those memories will be the walks on the beach, watching the dolphins and just being.
The upcomig weeks will be spent trying to do more catching up, especially in the grading. I have to admit, grading is my least favorite thing about teaching. Its also time to begin looking ahead to next semester already...wow. Registration begins next week, this means textbook ordering,and syllabii revisions. These weeks before Thanksgiving will also provide a few speaking opportunities--a workshop at the Minister's Enrichment day hosted by Baptist Bible Seminary, and a couple days out at Moody Bible Institute. To add to the excitement of my time at Moody, I'll have a chance to reconnect with a couple friends who work out there.
In the meantime, there's much to be done. The first matter of business...is a good night's sleep.

a new view

...that's what I have this week. Its like the lady with the big hair that was sitting in front of you during the meeting has moved and now you can actually see what's going on. I kind of have that sense now that my grad online course is done. Several people have asked, "so, what are you going to do with all your spare time?" Ha! I have to smile at that. This class wasn't just filling my spare time. But now that its done, I can begin to work on those things I've put on the "to do when the class is over" list. That includes things like--hanging an interior door in my basement, caulking windows, even making some banana bread, and other home "stuff"; grading, course prep, more grading, and other teaching "stuff"...I think you get the idea. We all have those lists. My problem has always been that I want them done all at once...but up to this point in my life that has not happened. Getting things done is just process, like everything else in life. So, I suppose its time to enjoy the view.
This past weekend was a wonderful time in Bellfonte, PA with a group of women at First Baptist. We had a great time talking about Courageous Faith! Then on the way home I was able to enjoy dinner with some friends. I am so thankful that God places people along our traveling paths. What a blessing to enjoy the company of people with whom we have built friendships. Sometimes He takes us to them, and other times He allows them to travel back to us. Either way its not necessarily a new view, but it is a comfortable and certainly an enjoyable one!
I hope you are able to see whatever is in your line of vision today as just what God wants you to see--whether its people, tasks or events--be a participant and enjoy the view.

this is it!

I'm referring to this week. Its the final week of my online grad course. Whew. Just gonna do today, though, because if I look too far ahead I'll miss what needs to be cared for today. That's just me I suppose, but I don't want to get too excited about the end yet, gotta maintain you know, stay with the program and finish well. But in a way this really relates to life in general. My hope for the future should overwhelmingly (that's a strong word!) determine what I do now. It is my hope for my future that gives me perseverance, perspective and peace in my now.
Last week was a wonderful change of pace. We had our annual Bible Conference, which ended with the Alumni Celebrations on Friday and Homecoming on Saturday. My parents came to join me for the day. It was a very humbling and special privilege to be honored with an Alumni Outstanding Service award. There are certainly many who are more deserving than I, and it is hard to put into words the thoughts as I stood before those God has used to input into my life and bring me to this place to receive what I do not deserve. But for His grace in my life, only He knows where I would be.
Friday night we enjoyed the comedy of Michael Jr. I really enjoy laughing and it was great to sit and listen without concern if you should be listening or not. He was truly funny and we had a super time.
Saturday morning I drove to Mifflinburg and enjoyed a Ladies Conference with the women there at Calavary Baptist. God's grace was the topic and God's grace was evident as we learned together from Titus 2 and 3. I am thankful for their sweet spirits and encouragement.
That brings me to today. This morning our Wellspring class began looking at the 6th "What do you know" in our series. This week and next we will study Psalm 46 and look a little closer at the context of v. 10. God is present and His presence brings security for my unknowns.
This week, let's allow the truth of God's strong presence to permeate our reality...this is it!

midweek check

well...how's the power going? If knowledge exudes itself (is that the right word there?!) in thankfulness, what am I thankful for? I'm glad you asked, here are a few things that come to mind:

• fresh sheets, clean towels (that smell so nice!), a warm bed to climb into (though recently mine has been pretty cold--where did summer go?)
• family
• hope that rests in something and somone other than myself
• the process of learning
• little encouragements along the way
• heartfelt hugs

...and the list certainly could go on, but for tonight I'll just leave it at that. Don't forget to use your power this week!

knowledge is power!

This week...
-studying, reading, studying, an exam
-a Trustee dinner
-more reading and writing
-teaching
-speaking at the Heritage Ladies Retreat--and what a great time we had centered around the Word and a series entitled, Come As You Are. I spent Friday night and Saturday with a wonderful group of ladies as we thought through the concept of coming to God. Wow, there's so much to say, but one of the things I will remember are all the poses they came up with to communicate the idea of "come". It was inspiring.
-studying and preparing for the bible study class this morning
so...that was last week and this week started with the phrase, "knowledge is power". Ever heard it before? We are on week 4 of our series in our Wellspring Bible Study class entitled, "What do you know?" We are looking at some of the places in Scripture where God says, "know this..."
Psalm 100 is a "Psalm of Giving Thanks" and all centered on the knowledge that the LORD is God--He has made us and cares for us as our Shephard. That knowledge results in the power to respond to my circumstances with out loud, outpouring, and out in the open thanksgiving.
So, as we start the week...how about it? How about using the knowledge that the self-existant, covenant-keeping YAHWEH is God to help you respond with thanksgiving? We can start by just being intentionally thankful to God. What if God always treated us like we do children when they are given something--"What do you say?" Perhaps we have lost the art of being a grateful people, and perhaps it is because we have forgotten who it is that is REALLY in control.
I'm off to do more reading. Know this week that there is Someone in control and that He cares for you abundantly, no matter what your circumstances may seem to say about that. Know the LORD is God...and be thankful.

did you hear that?

...it was me sighing :) I'm up late studying for my OT exam...oh so much to know...oh so little time. How is it I should be able to cram 2000 years of history information into my brain in just these 4 weeks?! Needless to say, I can't "talk" long tonight, my notes are calling me. But I did want to mention something that happened this week.
Have you ever had a related thought that was so clear, it must have been God's Spirit making a connection? Well, this week was one of those "connections" for me. We finished studying the prophets this week and I have been struck with their consistency in following God's directives and allowing Him to work His plan. In the midst of all the reading I recalled how as a coach and teacher I have intentionally put players and students in positions for learning purposes. That "move" is usually accompanied with the statement, "It will be good for you." Well, there I was working my way through the prophets when the thought crossed my mind,...actually more like pitched a tent and camped out...that God was saying to me in the midst of my circumstances, "it will be good for you." Can't help but smirk at that. God is intentionally working on my behalf; and its always going to be good for me. It certainly was a welcomed reminder.
The other light bulb for me this week was that what we are going through is not always about us. We are so tuned in to our own spirituality and growth process sometimes that it can almost be selfish. The prophets followed God's instructions no matter what, but many times it really wasn't about them and their personal spiritual growth; it was God's way of communicating to those around them. When times are hard, or good for that matter, it may not always be about me—sometimes it is for the benefit of those watching.
all right...back to those prophets.