School is back in session. I find myself back at CRHS desperately trying to make it all work. I don't understand why God still has me there. The place is frustrating and this year having to teach in the Black Box full time is just making the situation more intense. It is hard to not allow a black cloud envelope me and taint everything. I pray and seek God every chance I get. Maybe this will finally be the last year there, or God will show me the beauty of the place and show me I am to stay. I keep feeling like I'm not supposed to be comfortable there, though. I keep feeling like my time at CRHS is drawing to a close.
The following is an excerpt from a devotional I read this morning. It seems to speak about exactly what I'm going through. I do know that God is in control and that He will make all things work together for His good.
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God does things that are incomprehensible to us. He is infinite and we are finite. He is the Creator and we are the creatures. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts (Isa. 55:9).
We must clearly understand this fact if we are going to have any peace of mind with regard to the everyday happenings of life and God's control over this universe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This excerpt is also perfect advice for everything right now...
Sometimes we are famished--confused, dry, upset by arguments and conflicting interpretations. To us the Savior says, "Come." If, without the solution to all our problems, we are willing simply to believe, He says, "Drink."
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
A prayer...
Lord, be my Sun and Shield. Shine on me, protect me as I seek to live and witness to your truth. Forgive your children (especially those of us who have never faced lions, fire, or sword because of our faith) for our fears of petty loss. Remind me that it is in losing myself that I find You.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
This is amazing...
While in Hollywood a number of years ago I watched an artist doing work like this. It was amazing and his work was beautiful.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
from John Piper's "Sermon on the Fall of Satan"
The Fall of Satan and the Victory of Christ
When Satan deceives Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, obviously he is already evil. So where did he come from? How could a perfect being have ever sinned? And why does God tolerate him? The biblical answer to these questions actually creates more questions.
What does the Bible say about God's power over Satan?
*Satan is the "ruler of this world," but God is in ultimate control. (Daniel 4:17, Psalm 33:10)
*Satan does what Jesus tells him to. (Mark 1:27)
*The suffering that Satan causes is willed by God. (1 Peter 5:8-9, 3:17)
*Even though Satan is a murderer, God is still in charge of life and death. (Deuteronomy 32:39, James 4:15, Job 1:21)
*Satan causes suffering with God's permission. (Job 1:12)
*Satan tempts with God's permission. (Luke 22:31-32)
*Satan blinds, but God has ultimate power to give sight. (2 Corinthians 4:4-6)
*The whole Bible shows that God is sovereign over Satan. Whatever Satan does, God has a purpose for. So even though we don't have details on the event itself, we can safely conclude that God had a reason for permitting Satan's fall. Everything that *Satan has done from his first sin until now is part of God's perfect plan. And this is true without God being a sinner.
How could the devil and all the terrible things he does be a part of a perfect plan? The answer is that the glory of Christ is seen more magnificently in this world than if Satan had been destroyed 30 seconds after he first sinned.
So then, how should we relate to evil?
8 things to do with evil:
1. Expect evil. “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
2. Endure evil. “Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7; cf. Mark 13:13).
3. Give thanks for the refining effect of evil that comes against you. “Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Romans 5:3-5).
4. Hate evil. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9).
5. Pray for escape from evil. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
6. Expose evil. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).
7. Overcome evil with good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
8. Resist evil. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
4 things to never do:
1. Never despair that this evil world is out of God's control. “[He] works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).
2. Never give in to the sense that because of random evil life is absurd and meaningless. “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Romans 11:33, 36).
3. Never yield to the thought that God sins, or is ever unjust or unrighteous in the way he governs the universe. “The Lord is righteous in all his ways.” (Psalm 145:17).
4. Never doubt that God is totally for you in Christ. If you trust him with your life, you are in Christ. Never doubt that all the evil that befalls you ”even if it takes your life” is God's loving, purifying, saving, fatherly discipline. It is not an expression of his punishment in wrath. That fell on Jesus Christ our substitute. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6).
When Satan deceives Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, obviously he is already evil. So where did he come from? How could a perfect being have ever sinned? And why does God tolerate him? The biblical answer to these questions actually creates more questions.
What does the Bible say about God's power over Satan?
*Satan is the "ruler of this world," but God is in ultimate control. (Daniel 4:17, Psalm 33:10)
*Satan does what Jesus tells him to. (Mark 1:27)
*The suffering that Satan causes is willed by God. (1 Peter 5:8-9, 3:17)
*Even though Satan is a murderer, God is still in charge of life and death. (Deuteronomy 32:39, James 4:15, Job 1:21)
*Satan causes suffering with God's permission. (Job 1:12)
*Satan tempts with God's permission. (Luke 22:31-32)
*Satan blinds, but God has ultimate power to give sight. (2 Corinthians 4:4-6)
*The whole Bible shows that God is sovereign over Satan. Whatever Satan does, God has a purpose for. So even though we don't have details on the event itself, we can safely conclude that God had a reason for permitting Satan's fall. Everything that *Satan has done from his first sin until now is part of God's perfect plan. And this is true without God being a sinner.
How could the devil and all the terrible things he does be a part of a perfect plan? The answer is that the glory of Christ is seen more magnificently in this world than if Satan had been destroyed 30 seconds after he first sinned.
So then, how should we relate to evil?
8 things to do with evil:
1. Expect evil. “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
2. Endure evil. “Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7; cf. Mark 13:13).
3. Give thanks for the refining effect of evil that comes against you. “Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Romans 5:3-5).
4. Hate evil. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9).
5. Pray for escape from evil. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
6. Expose evil. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).
7. Overcome evil with good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
8. Resist evil. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
4 things to never do:
1. Never despair that this evil world is out of God's control. “[He] works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).
2. Never give in to the sense that because of random evil life is absurd and meaningless. “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Romans 11:33, 36).
3. Never yield to the thought that God sins, or is ever unjust or unrighteous in the way he governs the universe. “The Lord is righteous in all his ways.” (Psalm 145:17).
4. Never doubt that God is totally for you in Christ. If you trust him with your life, you are in Christ. Never doubt that all the evil that befalls you ”even if it takes your life” is God's loving, purifying, saving, fatherly discipline. It is not an expression of his punishment in wrath. That fell on Jesus Christ our substitute. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6).
Sunday, August 12, 2007
As the new school year begins...
The new school year starts tomorrow. I am a little fearful of what this year may hold. There are so many things that seem to be going on. I am trusting God, though, in all things. With His armor, strength and protection I will make it though this year. Today's devotional is my prayer for the coming year.
Christ My Armor
When faced with threat of any sort of invasion or attack, whether from human or spiritual foes, it is quite natural to draw back, throw up my guard, attempt to defend myself. The Christian has a far better defense--"Let Christ Jesus Himself be the armor that you wear" (Rom 13:14 NEB). Let me take my stand in Him, come to my enemy without fear, responding only in the power and with the love of Christ.
Who can hurt me then? And what hostility on earth or in hell can destroy me? That person whom I most dread to see, let me meet him as Christ meets him. Let Christ meet him. He is my armor, I am hidden in Him. My weakness, my fear, my hostility will be covered by his strength, his courage, his love.
Christ My Armor
When faced with threat of any sort of invasion or attack, whether from human or spiritual foes, it is quite natural to draw back, throw up my guard, attempt to defend myself. The Christian has a far better defense--"Let Christ Jesus Himself be the armor that you wear" (Rom 13:14 NEB). Let me take my stand in Him, come to my enemy without fear, responding only in the power and with the love of Christ.
Who can hurt me then? And what hostility on earth or in hell can destroy me? That person whom I most dread to see, let me meet him as Christ meets him. Let Christ meet him. He is my armor, I am hidden in Him. My weakness, my fear, my hostility will be covered by his strength, his courage, his love.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
God does answer...
This morning I was trying to pray. Trying is the important word, here. It felt like my prayers were all over the map. I kept getting distracted and getting "off course". Back to school on Monday has got me a little out of sorts. In many ways, I didn't know if I would be back at CRHS this year. I don't understand some of the things that are happening there; however, if God wants me at CRHS, I will commit to making the best of the experience. He has lessons He wants me to learn. When it is His time, He will deliver me from the situation.
As I finished praying this morning and started moving around a bit. As God does so frequently, I found some answers in my e-mail. Excerpts from the e-mail devotionals follow.
** To the frantic question, What do we do now? there is a very simple reply: Pray and sing.
** The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
-Anonymous
**"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
Earnestness in prayer does not involve physical gestures but a condition of the heart and will with regard to the purposes of God.
Perhaps here we may learn to examine our own prayers. Since Elijah's prayer was motivated by his desire to see God honored, God answered His servant.
In writing concerning prayer James said, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (4:3). Right motives are essential if our prayers are to be answered.
"For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29).
As I finished praying this morning and started moving around a bit. As God does so frequently, I found some answers in my e-mail. Excerpts from the e-mail devotionals follow.
** To the frantic question, What do we do now? there is a very simple reply: Pray and sing.
** The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
-Anonymous
**"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
Earnestness in prayer does not involve physical gestures but a condition of the heart and will with regard to the purposes of God.
Perhaps here we may learn to examine our own prayers. Since Elijah's prayer was motivated by his desire to see God honored, God answered His servant.
In writing concerning prayer James said, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (4:3). Right motives are essential if our prayers are to be answered.
"For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29).
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
The answer is as easy as that...
Take Strength
These strong, simple words can be spiritual adrenaline for us when we need them. They were written by a man who knew what he was talking about, as he himself was in prison. He was writing to a young minister who was also suffering and evidently tempted by doubt, fear, even uncertainty of his call. The older man admonishes him very lovingly to take his share of suffering, take his share of hardship like a good soldier, and to take strength from the grace of God (2 Tm 2:1 NEB).
Where shall I ever find the strength I need to get through this experience, this ordeal, this day, this week? The answer is Take it! Take it from the grace which is ours already, in Christ Jesus.
"Here it is," He is saying, "Will you have some?"
"Yes, thank You, Lord. I'll take it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The answer is that easy..."take it".
I am concerned and a little stressed about the coming school year. There are so many things going on and it feels, already, that I am under the gun. However, I've come to realize that it is more important that I am "under the blood." God is in control and He knows all the stuff I'm dealing with. He knows the frustrations included in the situations. He knows, before it even happens, the difficulties I will face.
No matter what happens in the coming year...and for the rest of my life...all I must do is reach out and take the grace and strength God is offering. As the old Petra song says "...you see, Jesus and me, we are a majority and no matter how big the mountain it will have to go."
The mountain will go but I will remain...anchored to God.
These strong, simple words can be spiritual adrenaline for us when we need them. They were written by a man who knew what he was talking about, as he himself was in prison. He was writing to a young minister who was also suffering and evidently tempted by doubt, fear, even uncertainty of his call. The older man admonishes him very lovingly to take his share of suffering, take his share of hardship like a good soldier, and to take strength from the grace of God (2 Tm 2:1 NEB).
Where shall I ever find the strength I need to get through this experience, this ordeal, this day, this week? The answer is Take it! Take it from the grace which is ours already, in Christ Jesus.
"Here it is," He is saying, "Will you have some?"
"Yes, thank You, Lord. I'll take it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The answer is that easy..."take it".
I am concerned and a little stressed about the coming school year. There are so many things going on and it feels, already, that I am under the gun. However, I've come to realize that it is more important that I am "under the blood." God is in control and He knows all the stuff I'm dealing with. He knows the frustrations included in the situations. He knows, before it even happens, the difficulties I will face.
No matter what happens in the coming year...and for the rest of my life...all I must do is reach out and take the grace and strength God is offering. As the old Petra song says "...you see, Jesus and me, we are a majority and no matter how big the mountain it will have to go."
The mountain will go but I will remain...anchored to God.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Pop quizzes in life
Lately I've been posting quite a few Elizabeth Elliot devotions. It's not that I can't think these things for myself, it's more that she has said exactly what I was thinking, or that her words pointed out something that really struck me at the moment. I could paraphrase her words, and maybe sometimes I will; however, right now it seems that I could hardly say it any other way.
God is blessing me in so many ways. He is answering prayers. He is also teaching me. I don't know why I will be at CRHS this coming school year...I don't know how much longer God will have me there. He hasn't decided to let me in on those facts, instead He is asking me to trust Him...and so I shall. He is using this time to refine me and make me into the person He wants me to be. These times of growth and learning are never easy; however, it is never a situation that comes to stay ("And it came to pass..." 'It' never comes to stay, 'it' always comes to pass).
This is a time of 'quizzing' and with God's help it is a life quiz I will learn from, grow from and pass.
A Faith Untried
"A faith untried is no faith at all," someone has said. Today I declared my faith before a hundred women and came home to a startling piece of bad news. Hopes were dashed, plans ruined, over a seemingly trivial thing. We did not know what to do. "Trust me" is always the word at such a time. "But Lord, we did trust You. You answered us and everything was working so beautifully. Now this. What shall we do?" "Keep on trusting me. That is my assignment for you tonight. Commit your way to Me; trust in Me; stand still and see."
Why, of course, Lord! I see what You mean. How could I be sure I'm trusting You unless You keep giving me "pop quizzes"? These are the exams in the school of faith.
"More precious than perishable gold is faith which has stood the test. These trials come so that your faith may prove itself worthy" (1 Pt 1:7 NEB).
God is blessing me in so many ways. He is answering prayers. He is also teaching me. I don't know why I will be at CRHS this coming school year...I don't know how much longer God will have me there. He hasn't decided to let me in on those facts, instead He is asking me to trust Him...and so I shall. He is using this time to refine me and make me into the person He wants me to be. These times of growth and learning are never easy; however, it is never a situation that comes to stay ("And it came to pass..." 'It' never comes to stay, 'it' always comes to pass).
This is a time of 'quizzing' and with God's help it is a life quiz I will learn from, grow from and pass.
A Faith Untried
"A faith untried is no faith at all," someone has said. Today I declared my faith before a hundred women and came home to a startling piece of bad news. Hopes were dashed, plans ruined, over a seemingly trivial thing. We did not know what to do. "Trust me" is always the word at such a time. "But Lord, we did trust You. You answered us and everything was working so beautifully. Now this. What shall we do?" "Keep on trusting me. That is my assignment for you tonight. Commit your way to Me; trust in Me; stand still and see."
Why, of course, Lord! I see what You mean. How could I be sure I'm trusting You unless You keep giving me "pop quizzes"? These are the exams in the school of faith.
"More precious than perishable gold is faith which has stood the test. These trials come so that your faith may prove itself worthy" (1 Pt 1:7 NEB).
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Comfort in times of "need"...
Difficulties are Proof Contexts
Repeatedly I am asked variations of this question: Did the Lord comfort you or were you sometimes lonely or sad? It is not an either-or thing. If I had not been lonely and sad at times, how could I have needed, received, or appreciated comfort? It is the sick who need the physician, the thirsty who need water. This is why Paul not only did not deplore his weaknesses, he "gloried" in them, for they provided the very occasions for his appropriating divine help and strength.
It was in prison that Joseph knew the presence of the Lord.
It was in the lion's den that Daniel's faith was proved.
It was in the furnace that Daniel's three friends found themselves accompanied by a fourth.
We have plenty of "proof texts"--but in order to experience their truth we have to be placed in "proof contexts." The prison, the lion's den, the furnace are where we are shown the realities, incontestably and forever.
Repeatedly I am asked variations of this question: Did the Lord comfort you or were you sometimes lonely or sad? It is not an either-or thing. If I had not been lonely and sad at times, how could I have needed, received, or appreciated comfort? It is the sick who need the physician, the thirsty who need water. This is why Paul not only did not deplore his weaknesses, he "gloried" in them, for they provided the very occasions for his appropriating divine help and strength.
It was in prison that Joseph knew the presence of the Lord.
It was in the lion's den that Daniel's faith was proved.
It was in the furnace that Daniel's three friends found themselves accompanied by a fourth.
We have plenty of "proof texts"--but in order to experience their truth we have to be placed in "proof contexts." The prison, the lion's den, the furnace are where we are shown the realities, incontestably and forever.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Taken from a blog by John Piper...
The word “bridge” does not occur in the Bible. There may be two reasons. One is that God doesn’t build bridges, he divides seas. The other is that usually his people must pass through the deadly currents of suffering and death, not simply ride over them. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you” (Isaiah 43:2). They may drown you. But I will be with you in life and death.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Killed all day long. But not separated from Christ. We go through the river. Not over it. He went before us, crucified. He came out on the other side. He knows the way through. With him we will make it. That is the message we have for the precious sinners in the world. He died for your sins. He rose again. He saves all who trust him. We die, but because of him, we do not die.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm learning a lot about trusting God and relying on his grace. The lessons about resting in Him have also been a major theme as of late. There has been a lot, both good and bad going on; however, of this I am certain...God is in control. No matter what may occur, He will sustain.
In many ways, yesterday was a difficult day. I faced a giant in my life. There was peace in the situation, though. God carried me through. I don't know what the future may hold; however, it isn't in my hands and that is perfectly OK.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Killed all day long. But not separated from Christ. We go through the river. Not over it. He went before us, crucified. He came out on the other side. He knows the way through. With him we will make it. That is the message we have for the precious sinners in the world. He died for your sins. He rose again. He saves all who trust him. We die, but because of him, we do not die.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm learning a lot about trusting God and relying on his grace. The lessons about resting in Him have also been a major theme as of late. There has been a lot, both good and bad going on; however, of this I am certain...God is in control. No matter what may occur, He will sustain.
In many ways, yesterday was a difficult day. I faced a giant in my life. There was peace in the situation, though. God carried me through. I don't know what the future may hold; however, it isn't in my hands and that is perfectly OK.
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