Well, it's nearing the end of the month and I found out some interesting news about the job I applied for. The principal of the school (whom I interviewed with) is on administrative leave. I don't know if that's temporary or permanent. I called the school and sent an e-mail to the interim principal, but have heard nothing...so I'm on hold. That's frustrating. However, this morning God sent me a little message through my "Bedside Blessings" book (which I keep at work and read each morning).
"God is in sovereign control. In the midst of those very circumstances
that today have you baffled, wondering what you're going to do, or
even how you're going to go on, you can rest assured that God's power
and sovereign control are already at work. God never knows frustration.
He never has to scratch His head, wondering what in the world He's
going to do next with people like us, or with the nations of this world"
It's awesome to know that God's at work and I don't have to worry!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Jim Sorenson
Jim was the first one to call me when I took charge of the Katrina family that our church adopted. I remember him saying that he and Kim wanted to help in any way that they could. As we spoke, he explained that he was recovering from cancer and wasn't able to work, so he had a lot of time on his hands.
He's struggled with the affects of cancer for 4 years. Yesterday his struggle ended. I will miss his sweet smile and sense of humor. I will miss his guitar on Sunday mornings. I will miss his constant words of encouragement. He never failed to greet me, hug me or grasp my hand, ask me how things were going...no matter what discomfort he may have been in. I rejoice that he is no longer in pain and that he is now with our Father.
Please pray for his wife (Kim) and his 2 daughters...one is 16 and the other is 11. Even with the assurance that Jim is in Heaven, it will be hard for them to adjust to his not being here.
He's struggled with the affects of cancer for 4 years. Yesterday his struggle ended. I will miss his sweet smile and sense of humor. I will miss his guitar on Sunday mornings. I will miss his constant words of encouragement. He never failed to greet me, hug me or grasp my hand, ask me how things were going...no matter what discomfort he may have been in. I rejoice that he is no longer in pain and that he is now with our Father.
Please pray for his wife (Kim) and his 2 daughters...one is 16 and the other is 11. Even with the assurance that Jim is in Heaven, it will be hard for them to adjust to his not being here.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Compassion
Yesterday our Pastor's daughter (Cambria) gave a little talk about the 30 Hour Famine project that the Youth Group is experiencing next weekend. She literally opened up her heart in front of the congregation. I don't remember all the facts she stated, but I was struck by her sincere COMPASSION for these people that we could (and do) easily forget.
God really used her to speak to me. I did get the message about the project, but more than that, He used Cambria to remind me that He wants me to have a heart like that. He wants us to give out of COMPASSION. He wants me to look at the people around me with COMPASSION. He wants me to live my life full of COMPASSION. He doesn't just want me to give a little money, or make a couple of sandwiches...He wants my heart full of COMPASSION for His people.
Cambria, thanks for letting God use you in such a powerful way.
God really used her to speak to me. I did get the message about the project, but more than that, He used Cambria to remind me that He wants me to have a heart like that. He wants us to give out of COMPASSION. He wants me to look at the people around me with COMPASSION. He wants me to live my life full of COMPASSION. He doesn't just want me to give a little money, or make a couple of sandwiches...He wants my heart full of COMPASSION for His people.
Cambria, thanks for letting God use you in such a powerful way.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Questions
After all these years of being a Christian, I still have lots and lots of questions. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about one particular question. I know that we are not to judge. I know that we are supposed to take the log out of our own eye before we worry about the splinter in someone else's. I know that we are to love as Christ loves. So, do we just open our arms to people and ignore what we believe to be sin?
As a Mom, it is my responsibility to help Zack grow into a decent and responsible adult. So, when I see him do something wrong I correct him. As a Christian, do I do the same with my Christian family? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to, nor do I, focus on the "sins" of others. I truly have enough of my own to deal with.
So, do we accept and ignore the sins of others? Homosexuality, living together without marriage, premarital sex, dependence on medication or alcohol, cheating on taxes, etc. When Jesus was on earth, he loved the outcasts...but what if Matthew had continued stealing from people and cheating them when he collected taxes? What if Mary Magdalene (thought to be a former prostitute) had continued taking clients? I know that He wouldn't have loved them less, but what would He have done?
I don't want to be a hinderance to someone growing in Christ. I don't want to be the reason they quit coming to church because they feel judged. So, what is the answer? What is my duty and responsibility?
I'd love your opinion.
As a Mom, it is my responsibility to help Zack grow into a decent and responsible adult. So, when I see him do something wrong I correct him. As a Christian, do I do the same with my Christian family? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to, nor do I, focus on the "sins" of others. I truly have enough of my own to deal with.
So, do we accept and ignore the sins of others? Homosexuality, living together without marriage, premarital sex, dependence on medication or alcohol, cheating on taxes, etc. When Jesus was on earth, he loved the outcasts...but what if Matthew had continued stealing from people and cheating them when he collected taxes? What if Mary Magdalene (thought to be a former prostitute) had continued taking clients? I know that He wouldn't have loved them less, but what would He have done?
I don't want to be a hinderance to someone growing in Christ. I don't want to be the reason they quit coming to church because they feel judged. So, what is the answer? What is my duty and responsibility?
I'd love your opinion.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
A Prayer
Father,
Yesterday changed the lives of many people. Over 30 families are now facing the loss of someone they loved. The lives of those who survived the trauma of the shootings will never be the same. Please touch them with Your healing hand. Comfort the families who lost someone. Spread Your peace and comfort over the campus.
I pray for those in the area who are serving You. Help them as they prepare to comfort and counsel those who will come to them. Help them as they share Your love and again, Your comfort. Give them extra money for coffee and other supplies. Give them the words that they need to comfort and help those who come to them.
I don't know how people survive without You. As long as You are part of my life, I don't have to live each day in fear. Thank You for that. I don't want to worry everytime Zack goes out the door. I know that You are holding him in Your hands.
You can take this situation and turn it into triumph. Please help me to open up my heart to ways I can share Your love and forgiveness with others.
Help me to live my life without regrets.
Yesterday changed the lives of many people. Over 30 families are now facing the loss of someone they loved. The lives of those who survived the trauma of the shootings will never be the same. Please touch them with Your healing hand. Comfort the families who lost someone. Spread Your peace and comfort over the campus.
I pray for those in the area who are serving You. Help them as they prepare to comfort and counsel those who will come to them. Help them as they share Your love and again, Your comfort. Give them extra money for coffee and other supplies. Give them the words that they need to comfort and help those who come to them.
I don't know how people survive without You. As long as You are part of my life, I don't have to live each day in fear. Thank You for that. I don't want to worry everytime Zack goes out the door. I know that You are holding him in Your hands.
You can take this situation and turn it into triumph. Please help me to open up my heart to ways I can share Your love and forgiveness with others.
Help me to live my life without regrets.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Tulips
On Saturday I went with friends (Jimi, Kyle, Cameo and James) to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. We started off in LaConner and after a nice time there, headed for a tulip farm.
I love this family. We really had such a good time. We laughed, we talked, we ate, we laughed some more and we enjoyed the beauty of the tulips and everything else that we saw.
The tulips reminded me of the verses in Luke that talk about the "lilies of the field" (I replaced lilies with tulips for the day). The scripture says that we are to look at the flowers and see how beautifully they are dressed. They don't have to work at their beauty or worry about it. If God provides so carefully for the lilies and the tulips, why do we worry? God will provide for His children.
I love this family. We really had such a good time. We laughed, we talked, we ate, we laughed some more and we enjoyed the beauty of the tulips and everything else that we saw.
The tulips reminded me of the verses in Luke that talk about the "lilies of the field" (I replaced lilies with tulips for the day). The scripture says that we are to look at the flowers and see how beautifully they are dressed. They don't have to work at their beauty or worry about it. If God provides so carefully for the lilies and the tulips, why do we worry? God will provide for His children.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Free speech
Wouldn't it be nice if people spent as much time watching what they say as they do objecting to what others say? Wouldn't it be nice if everyone only said "nice" things?
I have watched and listened to the "Imus" controversy this week. I have mixed feelings on the matter. On the one hand, it would be nice to live in a world where everyone just said nice things. On the other hand, our Constitution allows us freedom of speech. You can't go into a theater and yell "fire" because that could cause physical harm to others. You are allowed to say things that can hurt the feelings of others. I am certainly not condoning what Imus said, I am merely condoning his right to say it. Of course, CBS and MSNBC had the right to fire him for saying it...but did they fire him for what he said, or did they fire him because others used their freedom of speech to hit the stations where it hurt...the wallet?
Why does the public continue buying CD's which use the "N" word, the "f" word, talk about killing cops, shooting people, etc. etc. Why do the sponsors continue putting these "entertainers" on television and radio where our kids have access to what they say and do?
Why are news commentators, comedians, periodicals, etc. allowed to say hurtful and nasty things about the President of the United States? Why do sponsors continue allowing this constant disrespect of the most powerful world leader? or any other government institution, for that matter? (even if we disagree with the politics, the Bible tells us to pray for our leaders)
Why?? Because we live in the United States of America and our Constitution allows us freedom of speech. Sorry, Imus, guess you weren't included in that this week.
I have watched and listened to the "Imus" controversy this week. I have mixed feelings on the matter. On the one hand, it would be nice to live in a world where everyone just said nice things. On the other hand, our Constitution allows us freedom of speech. You can't go into a theater and yell "fire" because that could cause physical harm to others. You are allowed to say things that can hurt the feelings of others. I am certainly not condoning what Imus said, I am merely condoning his right to say it. Of course, CBS and MSNBC had the right to fire him for saying it...but did they fire him for what he said, or did they fire him because others used their freedom of speech to hit the stations where it hurt...the wallet?
Why does the public continue buying CD's which use the "N" word, the "f" word, talk about killing cops, shooting people, etc. etc. Why do the sponsors continue putting these "entertainers" on television and radio where our kids have access to what they say and do?
Why are news commentators, comedians, periodicals, etc. allowed to say hurtful and nasty things about the President of the United States? Why do sponsors continue allowing this constant disrespect of the most powerful world leader? or any other government institution, for that matter? (even if we disagree with the politics, the Bible tells us to pray for our leaders)
Why?? Because we live in the United States of America and our Constitution allows us freedom of speech. Sorry, Imus, guess you weren't included in that this week.
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