I start teaching Sunday School this Sunday. A class for Single Women. I'm excited, a little anxious, and overwhelmed that the Lord would allow me to teach. At the same time I'm nervous about always staying a step ahead of what will be going on in class. I've never been the one preparing the lesson before. I know it's a serious responsiblity. Pray for me that it wouldn't be me, but the Lord who speaks through me. That I would stay in His Word, be encouraged no matter who comes or doesn't come, and that we would allow Him to build our class according to His will.
Our first class is on "Living According to God's Truth." I'm just following curriculum, but it's a great place to start.
A word of warning:
"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement."
James 3.1
Friday, March 31, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
He Will Listen to You
- Glen Soderholm
When the weight of this world crashes down on you
God will listen to you
When the sky turns black and your thoughts turn blue
God will listen to you
He will listen to you, always listen to you
He understands how his children feel
God will listen to you
When the river of tears cannot be contained
God will listen to you
You’re like a drowning man in the pouring rain
God will listen to you
He will listen to you, always listen to you
He understands how his children feel
God will listen to you
When the light explodes in a world gone wrong
God will listen to you
When your heart beats strong with a grateful song
God will listen to you
He will listen to you, always listen to you
He understands how his children feel
God will listen to you
When the weight of this world crashes down on you
God will listen to you
When the sky turns black and your thoughts turn blue
God will listen to you
He will listen to you, always listen to you
He understands how his children feel
God will listen to you
When the river of tears cannot be contained
God will listen to you
You’re like a drowning man in the pouring rain
God will listen to you
He will listen to you, always listen to you
He understands how his children feel
God will listen to you
When the light explodes in a world gone wrong
God will listen to you
When your heart beats strong with a grateful song
God will listen to you
He will listen to you, always listen to you
He understands how his children feel
God will listen to you
Isn't There Some Misunderstanding?
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Hebrews 11.8-10
from "My Utmost for His Highest":
I may not understand what Jesus Christ says, but it is dangerous to say that therefore He was mistaken in what He said. It is never right to think that my obedience to a word of God will bring dishonour to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonour is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honour in place of what He is plainly impelling me to do is never right, although it may arise from a real desire to prevent Him being put to open shame. I know when the proposition comes from God because of its quiet
persistence: When I have to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate come in, I am bringing in an element that is not of God, and I come to the conclusion that the suggestion was not a right one. Many of us are loyal to our notions of Jesus Christ, but how many of us are loyal to Him?
Loyalty to Jesus means I have to step out where I do not see anything (cf.
Matt. 14:29); loyalty to my notions means that I clear the ground first by my intelligence. Faith is not intelligent understanding, faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way.
Are you debating whether to take a step in faith in Jesus or to wait until you can see how to do the thing yourself? Obey Him with glad reckless joy. When He says something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a conception of His honour which is not His honour. Are you loyal to Jesus or loyal to your notion of Him? Are you loyal to what He says, or are you trying to compromise with conceptions which never came from Him? "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it."
Hebrews 11.8-10
from "My Utmost for His Highest":
I may not understand what Jesus Christ says, but it is dangerous to say that therefore He was mistaken in what He said. It is never right to think that my obedience to a word of God will bring dishonour to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonour is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honour in place of what He is plainly impelling me to do is never right, although it may arise from a real desire to prevent Him being put to open shame. I know when the proposition comes from God because of its quiet
persistence: When I have to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate come in, I am bringing in an element that is not of God, and I come to the conclusion that the suggestion was not a right one. Many of us are loyal to our notions of Jesus Christ, but how many of us are loyal to Him?
Loyalty to Jesus means I have to step out where I do not see anything (cf.
Matt. 14:29); loyalty to my notions means that I clear the ground first by my intelligence. Faith is not intelligent understanding, faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way.
Are you debating whether to take a step in faith in Jesus or to wait until you can see how to do the thing yourself? Obey Him with glad reckless joy. When He says something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a conception of His honour which is not His honour. Are you loyal to Jesus or loyal to your notion of Him? Are you loyal to what He says, or are you trying to compromise with conceptions which never came from Him? "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it."
Monday, March 27, 2006
Desires
from "The Valley of Vision"
O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYER,
Teach me to pray.
I confess that in religious exercises the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed, that I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility, that I have often desired things which would have injured me, that I have depreciated some of my chief mercies, that I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears, that I am unfit to choose for myself, for it is not in me to direct my steps.
Let thy Spirit help my infirmities, for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things, then I shall know thou hearest me.
May I never be importunate for temporal blessings, but always refer them to they fatherly goodness, for thou knowest what I need before I ask; may I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers, or that I am rich unless rich toward thee, or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despoised and have thy blessing, rather than be successful in enterprise, or have more than my heart can wish, or be admired by my fellow-men, if thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexation of spirit, and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in they favour, image, presence, service.
O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYER,
Teach me to pray.
I confess that in religious exercises the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed, that I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility, that I have often desired things which would have injured me, that I have depreciated some of my chief mercies, that I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears, that I am unfit to choose for myself, for it is not in me to direct my steps.
Let thy Spirit help my infirmities, for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things, then I shall know thou hearest me.
May I never be importunate for temporal blessings, but always refer them to they fatherly goodness, for thou knowest what I need before I ask; may I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers, or that I am rich unless rich toward thee, or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despoised and have thy blessing, rather than be successful in enterprise, or have more than my heart can wish, or be admired by my fellow-men, if thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexation of spirit, and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in they favour, image, presence, service.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Reúnion
This past weekend I was BLESSED to be reunited with a group of people who were instrumental in my life as a college student in a way that I could not describe:
The Lakeview Collegiate Singers!
the crew from the first choir tour
me and Josie
It was an amazing weekend of singing, catching up, prayer, and praising Him.
me and Naomi
me and Adrianne
Several of the people I got to spend time with I thought I'd never see again.
me with Molly and Jess (2 of the girls I thought I'd never see again)
me and Christen
me and Leslie
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Are You Hungry?
This weekend was Disciple Now 2006. We had a great group of 9 girls and definitely had an unforgettable experience. Some highlights from the weekend:
checking out the swing set the boys set up on our cars
the group before all our hard work
we made so many interesting discoveries, we weren't quite sure what was next. . . a body??
those dirty gloves have to be proof that it was a dirty job
our favorite part of the day-planting flowers in the old "tohlits"
our trash pile-what an accomplishment
jump roping with one of our many discoveries
yes, that magazine is from the 1980's
pulling vines out of the trees
raking-how I spent my 4 hrs.
the whole group!
and time with Crystal and Nicki after
checking out the swing set the boys set up on our cars
the group before all our hard work
we made so many interesting discoveries, we weren't quite sure what was next. . . a body??
those dirty gloves have to be proof that it was a dirty job
our favorite part of the day-planting flowers in the old "tohlits"
our trash pile-what an accomplishment
jump roping with one of our many discoveries
yes, that magazine is from the 1980's
pulling vines out of the trees
raking-how I spent my 4 hrs.
the whole group!
and time with Crystal and Nicki after
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Nothing of Significance
I feel like nothing exciting has been going on. . . except for the fact that I woke up Sunday morning and decide to become a redhead. So far everyone loves it, and I'm enjoying not being blond for the first time in my life.
Other than that, no huge events. I am a leader for our High School DNow this weekend. I'm sure I'll learn more than the kids do and get no more than a few hours of sleep for the whole weekend. Hopefully lots of pictures will follow next week.
Also, the Lord has opened up an opportunity for me to teach. It was totally unexpected, but without a doubt directly from Him. I'll be teaching Single women. It's a huge ministry opportunity and it's been neat these last few months to see how the Lord has used me in ways I never thought He could.
Bulgari?? There's a group from my church heading to Bulgaria in October and I'm praying about being a part of that group. I want to be where He wants me.
Other than that, no huge events. I am a leader for our High School DNow this weekend. I'm sure I'll learn more than the kids do and get no more than a few hours of sleep for the whole weekend. Hopefully lots of pictures will follow next week.
Also, the Lord has opened up an opportunity for me to teach. It was totally unexpected, but without a doubt directly from Him. I'll be teaching Single women. It's a huge ministry opportunity and it's been neat these last few months to see how the Lord has used me in ways I never thought He could.
Bulgari?? There's a group from my church heading to Bulgaria in October and I'm praying about being a part of that group. I want to be where He wants me.
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