Thought for the day...

A rumor will travel half way around the world before the truth can even put on its shoes.
~unknown

Does everything have to become a competition?

I saw this online today. I always liked 'rock, paper, scissors'. Why does everything have to become a competition and raised to a professional level?

Hundreds to compete for rock, paper, scissors title
By Martin RobertsFri Nov 10, 8:46 AM ET

Think rock, paper, scissors is a children's game? Think again.

Top players from around the globe will gather in Toronto this weekend to compete for a C$10,000 ($8,840) prize and the title of world champion.

More than 500 contestants, including national champions from Australia, Norway and New Zealand, are expected to attend.

Tournament organizer Graham Walker said players will have to steel themselves against psychological pressure as players typically form teams to rally each other.

"The team will surround the arena, provide moral support and usually try to intimidate the opponent," said Walker, who is also co-author of "The Official Rock Paper Scissors Guide."

The simple game is often used to make decisions and resolve basic conflicts.

Author Ian Fleming had his fictional secret agent James Bond play the game in Japan, in "You Only Live Twice."

Players smack their fists into their palms and count to three before making one of three hand signals: a fist (rock), flat hand (paper) or two fingers (scissors). Paper covers rock, scissors cut paper and rock breaks scissors.

Enthusiasts disagree about the history of the game, but it is believed to have been played for centuries in Japan.

The Paper Scissors Stone Club was founded in England in 1842 and provided an environment free from the long arm of the law where enthusiasts could come together and play for honor, according to the World RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Society Web page (www.worldrps.com).

In 1918, the name was changed to World RPS Club to reflect the growing international representation and its headquarters moved from London to Toronto. In 1925 its membership topped 10,000.

The world championships have been held since 2002.

Frustrated...

I am so frustrated. I don't know what to do...
I feel like I am doing more and more work but am accomplishing less and less. The school keeps adding work and expectations and it feels so huge. It is a burden so heavy.
Lord, help me...please.

November 2, 2006

I don't think I will forget that day any time soon.
I went to work with my head filled with all of the usual stress, ran long in rehearsal and missed my nail apt. (I still think Heidi left early, though). I went home early. Tom wasn't there and I didn't know where he was. It frustrated me some that he didn't leave a note (he ran an errand because he thought I was going to be late due to my nail apt). I fed Maggie and let her run around for a few minutes while I checked my e-mail. My intention was to let Anne out once Maggie had a few minutes. Tom got home in the interim. He was surprised to see me. He asked if I had fed Anne and I told him not yet but I was about to. He sat down next to me and said we needed to talk. He had been off all week and had been spending some extra time with little Anne. He told me she hadn't had that good of a week. She seemed to be slowing down. At that moment things ran slow. MY KITTY! She had been with me for 16 years. I adopted her when she was barely 2 months old and didn't weigh 2 pounds. She had been there through so much. She was there when the world fell apart. She was the source of so many stories and ideas. I still wanted to take more photos of her....to sit on the couch and cuddle her up while she purred.
He told me of how she seemed to be developing new problems. She had just stopped grooming...so strange for her, she was always such a princess. We went to her room and opened the door, she slowly made her way out. Maggie tried to greet her friend and we stopped her...she didn't understand, this was what she had always done. Anne tried to get back to her room for dinner...she could barely walk, her back legs kept giving out from under her. It broke my heart. I started to cry. Tom and I talked. We were going to wait until Friday, I was going to take the day off and we would take her. We talked a little more and I cried more...my heart was breaking. Then I knew I needed to call the vet. They were there and said to bring her in right away. I changed quickly and grabbed her blankets. Anne was silent, so unlike her-she always 'talked' during car rides...she did not like riding in a car at all. When we got to the vet, we were the only patients there (thank you Lord). When we walked in I started to cry. They were so kind. We went into an exam room (second one on the right) and talked to the assistant. We told him everything we could about her. I opened her kennel and she didn't even fuss, and I knew she was so sick. She didn't complain when I got her out and she just lay in her blanket on the exam table. She looked so sad...her fur was messy, eyes a little runny, ears needed cleaning, nails needed a trip, not saying anything. At the moment I thought of how I had planned to give her a bath and groom this weekend and the tears started again. The vet came in and checked her out. With him was the tech that had wrangled Anne during her check-up in July...the tech remembered my little fighter. Both of them were so kind and gentle. He told us it was her kidneys and that extreme measures would only buy us a little time. I knew I had to let her go...that if I truly loved her I would let her go. The Dr. and the tech left us with her to say good-bye and make final choices. I stroked her little face and paws. Tom and I talked to her. And I started to try to think of a house without her. The vet came back in and we talked a little more. He told us of the process, we talked about staying with her until 'the end'...we all agreed that it was probably best if we didn't...if we would have the last memory being while she was alive. (plus I don't think I could have handled to see them put a needle into her heart...she was so small that was the best way to administer the dose). I wrapped her in her baby blanket, kissed her one more time, took her tags off of her and let them take her. We hugged and I cried more (how many tears can there be???) and then we left...I cried or sat in silence all the way home. At home, Maggie knew there was something wrong. Where was her friend? I sat on the couch and tried to think. Tom gave me a small container of ice cream and I at the whole thing. Eventually, we went to bed.
My little girl is gone and it hurts. Someone once asked a minister if there were going to be animals in heaven. They responded that if animals would make heaven even better then they would be there (a paraphrase). Maybe one day I'll get to heaven and among those there to meet me will be a sweet little, grey and black tabby cat with big eyes who blessed my life for 16 years and left much sooner than I would like. Maybe right now there are angels rubbing her tummy and showing her the best spots for her to hide but still be able to watch everything. Maybe Tom's mom is in heaven and she will take care of her. All I know is that I'm not ready to have another cat...maybe not for a very long time.
Sept 11, 1990-Nov 2, 2006~Anne Shirley Tweeddale Tate...my cat, my little girl, my angel

Seeking God's peace in all circumstances

May my attitude be like that of the seventeen-year-old Lady Jane Grey, who prayed this prayer in her prison cell before she was beheaded in 1554:

O merciful God, be Thou unto me
A strong Tower of defence,
I humbly entreat Thee.
Give me grace to await Thy leisure,
And patiently to bear
What Thou doest unto me;
Nothing doubting or mistrusting
Thy goodness towards me;
For Thou knowest what is good for me
Better than I do.
Therefore do with me in all things
What Thou wilt;
Only arm me, I beseech Thee,
With Thine armor,
That I may stand fast;
Above all things taking to me
The shield of faith;
Praying always that I may
Refer myself wholly to Thy will,
Abiding Thy pleasure, and comforting myself
In those troubles which it shall please Thee
To send me, seeing such troubles are
Profitable for me; and I am
Assuredly persuaded that all Thou doest
Cannot but be well; and unto Thee
Be all honor and glory. Amen.

This made me laugh today...

How many forum members does it take to change a lightbulb?

1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed

14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently

7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs

1 to move it to the Lighting section

2 to argue then move it to the Electricals section

7 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs

5 to flame the spell checkers

3 to correct spelling/grammar flames

6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb" ... another 6 to condemn those 6 as stupid

2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is "lamp"

15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that "light bulb" is perfectly correct

19 to post that this forum is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a lightbulb forum

11 to defend the posting to this forum saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant to this forum

36 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique and what brands are faulty

7 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs

4 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL's

3 to post about links they found from the URL's that are relevant to this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group

13 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including all headers and signatures, and add "Me too"

5 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy

4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?"

13 to say "do a Google search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs"

1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again

If you watch this...prepare to smile :-)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

An earnest prayer for today...

"O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy, that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Tired and worn out...

I am tired, I have a headache and it is mid quarter in Citrus County. We are half way thought this quarter...1/8 of the way though this school year. I am finding it difficult to not be discouraged by things this year. It seems the load of expectations keeps getting greater and greater. I don't understand work for the sake of work. It seems some of the admin. want us to do things because it will make them look good not because it will help us as teachers or help the sudents or any combination of the two. The FCAT score has become the goal...the prize. One administrator in particular seems to be trying to make sure others take the blame for things they set into motion. The 9th grade academy seems to be a dismal failure at my school, other places make it work. Ours caters to the students and isn't helping them adjust to high school. Next year, as 10th graders, they will expect the same treatment...and so on and so on. Are we helping them or hurting them.
I want to be where God wants me to be. I know He never promised us an easy life and that challenges are a natural part of the walk BUT I feel so overwhelmed right now. This English class is a daily struggle. I try to find the joy and there are kids in the class I think I could like but 37 kids is just too many. So many are Failing the class because they just aren't doing the work!
I feel so overwhelmed by the whole thing. Why??? Why this? Why now??

A little life perspective

Every year, Beloit College releases its Mindset List to give a snapshot of the world view of the incoming freshmen class. The list for the Class of 2010:

1. The Soviet Union has never existed and therefore is about as scary as the student union.
2. They have known only two presidents.
3. For most of their lives, major U.S. airlines have been bankrupt.
4. Manuel Noriega has always been in jail in the U.S.
5. They have grown up getting lost in giant retail stores known as "big boxes."
6. There has always been one Germany.
7. They have never heard anyone actually "ring it up" on a cash register.
8. They are wireless, yet always connected.
9. A stained blue dress is as famous to their generation as a third-rate burglary was to their parents'.
10. Thanks to pervasive head phones in the back seat, parents have always been able to speak freely in the front.
11. A coffee has always taken longer to make than a milkshake.
12. Smoking has never been permitted on U.S. airlines.
13. Faux fur has always been a necessary element of style.
14. The Moral Majority has never needed an organization.
15. They have never had to distinguish between the St. Louis Cardinals baseball and football teams.
16. DNA fingerprinting has always been admissible evidence in court.
17. They grew up pushing their own miniature shopping carts in the supermarket.
18. They grew up with and have outgrown faxing as a means of communication.
19. "Google" has always been a verb.
20. Text messaging is their e-mail.
21. Milli Vanilli has never had anything to say.
22. Mr. Rogers, not Walter Cronkite, has always been the most trusted man in America.
23. Bar codes have always been on everything, from library cards and snail mail to retail items.
24. Madden has always been a game, not a Super Bowl-winning coach.
25. Phantom of the Opera has always been on Broadway.
26. "Boogers" candy has always been a favorite for grossing out parents.
27. There has never been a "sky hook" in the NBA.
28. Carbon copies are oddities found in their grandparents' attics.
29. Computerized player pianos have always been tinkling in the lobby.
30. Non-denominational mega-churches have always been the fastest growing religious organizations in the U.S.
31. They grew up in minivans.
32. Reality shows have always been on television.
33. They have no idea why we needed to ask "... Can we all get along?"
34. They have always known that "In the criminal justice system the people have been represented by two separate yet equally important groups."
35. Young women's fashions have never been concerned with where the waist is.
36. They have rarely mailed anything using a stamp.
37. Brides have always worn white for a first, second, or third wedding.
38. Being techno-savvy has always been inversely proportional to age.
39. "So" as in "Sooooo New York," has always been a drawn-out adjective modifying a proper noun, which in turn modifies something else.
40. Affluent troubled teens in Southern California have always been the subjects of television series.
41. They have always been able to watch wars and revolutions live on television.
42. Ken Burns has always been producing very long documentaries on PBS.
43. They are not aware that "flock of seagulls hair" has nothing to do with birds flying into it.
44. Retin-A has always made America look less wrinkled.
45. Green tea has always been marketed for health purposes.
46. Public school officials have always had the right to censor school newspapers.
47. Small, white holiday lights have always been in style.
48. Most of them have never had the chance to eat bad airline food.
49. They have always been searching for "Waldo."
50. The really rich have regularly expressed exuberance with outlandish birthday parties.
51. Michael Moore has always been showing up uninvited.
52. They never played the game of state license plates in the car.
53. They have always preferred going out in groups as opposed to dating.
54. There have always been live organ donors.
55. They have always had access to their own credit cards.
56. They have never put their money in a "Savings & Loan."
57. Sara Lee has always made underwear.
58. Bad behavior has always been getting captured on amateur videos.
59. Disneyland has always been in Europe and Asia.
60. They never saw Bernard Shaw on CNN.
61. Beach volleyball has always been a recognized sport.
62. Acura, Lexus and Infiniti have always been luxury cars of choice.
63. Television stations have never concluded the broadcast day with the national anthem.
64. LoJack transmitters have always been finding lost cars.
65. Diane Sawyer has always been live in Prime Time.
66. Dolphin-free canned tuna has always been on sale.
67. Disposable contact lenses have always been available.
68. "Outing" has always been a threat.
69. "Oh, The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss has always been the perfect graduation gift.
70. They have always "dissed" what they don't like.
71. The U.S. has always been studying global warming to confirm its existence.
72. Richard M. Daley has always been the Mayor of Chicago.
73. They grew up with virtual pets to feed, water, and play games with, lest they die.
74. Ringo Starr has always been clean and sober.
75. Professional athletes have always competed in the Olympics.

Useful Math Conversions...

1. Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter = Eskimo Pi

2. 2000 pounds of Chinese soup = Won ton

3. 1 millionth of a mouthwash = 1 microscope

4. Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement = 1 bananosecond

5. Weight an evangelist carries with God = 1 billigram

6. Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour = Knotfurlong

7. 16.5 feet in the Twilight Zone = 1 Rod Sterling

8. Half of a large intestine = 1 semicolon

9. 1,000,000 aches = 1 megahurtz

10. Basic unit of laryngitis = 1 hoarsepower

11. Shortest distance between two jokes = A straight line

12. 453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake

13. 1 million-million microphones = 1 megaphone

14. 2 million bicycles = 2 megacycles

15. 365.25 days = 1 unicycle

16. 2000 mockingbirds = 2 kilomockingbirds

17. 52 cards = 1 decacards

18. 1 kilogram of falling figs = 1 FigNewton

19. 1000 milliliters of wet socks = 1 literhosen

20. 1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche

21. 1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin

22. 10 rations = 1 decoration

23. 100 rations = 1 C-ration

24. 2 monograms = 1 diagram

25. 4 nickels = 2 paradigms

26. 2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University Hospital = 1 IV League

My "lament"

OK...so sometimes life isn't "fair".
I have been a fan of Rick Springfield since the 7th grade (no comment on how long ago that was). One of my best friends, Dwayne, got tickets for him and his wife to go see Rick Springfield in Atlanta this past weekend after we had finished classes in Tallahassee. On Friday Jenny and her sister went to Atlanta where they got to go to the sound check for the concert and meet Rick Springfield! On Saturday, Dwayne and his brother-in-law (Kevin) drove to meet their girls and go to the concert. They had backstage passes and everything! I just got the attached picture from Dwayne, Jenny sure looks happy!!! Dwayne said the concert was great. It started raining so a number of people left and the remaining crowd just had a blast. Rick moved out in the audience and got everyone involved.
ALSO...my brother and his wife are living in Edinburgh, Scotland right now. Every August they have a huge arts festival (the Shakespeare festival is just a small part of all of the festivities). So, I recently found out that Howard Jones (one of my all time favorite singers) is going to be a part of the festival in Edinburgh this year. My brother will be in the same city as Howard Jones!!
I, on the other hand, am stuck in this dinky town in north-central Florida. The best part of the last 3 days is that my 2nd summer of grad school is done and I've been able to get some sleep (since I was greatly deprived of that over the last 5 weeks). The worst part is that teachers start tomorrow and I really am not looking forward to being at CRHS this year. For whatever the reason God wants me there for at least another year. I just pray the year goes quietly and without any event.
I am glad my friends/family at getting these experiences, though...plus, my time will come;-)
Jenny and Rick Springfield

An honest prayer...

Lord, deliver me from the urge to open my mouth when I should shut it. Give me the wisdom to keep silence where silence is wise. Remind me that not everything needs to be said, and that there are very few things that need to be said by me.

How to Do the Job You Don't Really Want To Do (aka-what God taught me today)

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet

How to Do the Job You Don't Really Want To Do

Certain aspects of the job the Lord has given me to do are very easy to postpone. I make excuses, find other things that take precedence, and, when I finally get down to business to do it, it is not always with much grace. A new perspective has helped me recently:

The job has been given to me to do.
Therefore it is a gift.
Therefore it is a privilege.
Therefore it is an offering I may make to God.
Therefore it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him.
Therefore it is the route to sanctity.

Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God's way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness. The discipline of this job is, in fact, the chisel God has chosen to shape me with--into the image of Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for the work You have assigned me. I take it as your gift; I offer it back to you. With your help I will do it gladly, faithfully, and I will trust You to make me holy.

The Quiet of the Evening...

Today has been really quiet...boring, even. Tom is on mids right now so he leaves for work before 5 p.m. and will be home around 7-ish tomorrow morning and then has to sleep for most of the day. I haven't don't much today. I SHOULD have used the day to read several plays for one of my grad school classes; however, I didn't. I haven't done much of anything today and that may not be a bad thing.
Next Saturday I move to FSU for my second year of grad school. I'm a little nervous. I have NO idea how the classes are going to go. Michael's performance class has a monologue and directing assignment due the first week. (still haven't found a monologue, yet, or given much thought to the directing work) Page's Gender/Race/Performance class has an unusual reading list. I've purchased 10 of the books and we just got the rest of the reading list on Thursday. Ordered the remaining books from Barnes & Noble today and they should be here by Friday. (need to have the 10 titles I have read asap) Colleen's Creative Design class is an unknown right now. We had a posting on Blackboard about the class but some of the information was for when the class was offered last fall. They did quite a bit of work and had to do drawings and such. I'm glad I pulled out my pencils from 'Freehand Drawing I' and decided to bring them. If we don't end up needing them, no problem...they don't take up much room. I've barely starting packing...there is so much to do!!!
It looks like I'll be living in the same place as last year. It isn't a bad place. It is a little expensive but everything is included. I just hope any roommates there are decent. I wouldn't mind if a couple of them aren't there for most of the session, though. I guess if it gets too bad I can go to Strozer or give Dwayne a call. Worst case, I contact the floor RA and complain.
I still don't know anything about next year. Part of me just wants to quit CRHS and be done with it. I just don't know if that is what God wants me to do. I still have so much peace about leaving there and the thought of teaching there next year makes me ill. I haven't heard anything from CFCC, though. I figure I'll wait until the end of next week and I'll e-mail Dave Hartley again. I appreciate everyone praying about this whole thing. Right now I do know I want to go to CFCC and work as Mr. Hartley's assistant starting in August of this year. I know I have spent my fair share of time talking to God about all of this. I know I need to trust and wait on him...but, of course, I want the answers now. Anybody have any words of wisdom about this whole thing???

God is in control...

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture: Luke 23:47 

Responsible to Praise

We cannot always or even often control events, but we can control how we respond to them. When things happen which dismay or appall, we ought to look to God for his meaning, remembering that He is not taken by surprise nor can his purposes be thwarted in the end. What God looks for is those who will worship Him. Our look of inquiring trust glorifies Him.

One of the witnesses to the crucifixion was a military officer to whom the scene was surely not a novelty. He had seen plenty of criminals nailed up. But the response of this Man who hung there was of such an utterly different nature than that of the others that the centurion knew at once that He was innocent. His own response then, rather than one of despair that such a terrible injustice should take place, or of anger at God who might have prevented it, was praise (Lk 23:47 NEB).

This is our first responsibility: to glorify God. In the face of life's worst reversals and tragedies, the response of a faithful Christian is praise--not for the wrong itself certainly, but for who God is and for the ultimate assurance that there is a pattern being worked out for those who love Him.

It Is Well With My Soul...

I may not understand what is going on in my life right now; however, I do know that God is in control.
Wednesday I had to have an outpatient procedure. That morning, I awoke early. Unable to go back to sleep, I lay in bed, dozing and praying. In the stillness of the morning I became aware of a hymn playing over and over in my head...in my body...in my soul. It is well with my soul...all day that played inside of me. At times during the day I felt like the rest of the world had to hear the music it seemed so loud at times.
I am at a cross road. I am increasingly unhappy at CRHS. There are so many things going on there that are making it increasingly difficult to do my job. I believe God is leading me to leave and I have such a peace with the thought. It is interesting how He can make things happen. There is actual, literal revulsion in me at the thought of returning to CRHS for another year compared to peace and tranquility with leaving.
I am praying (and believing) that God will open a position at CFCC. Going there to work with Dave Hartley would be a dream come true. I am trusting that God will provide the job by August of this year. (There...I said it) Presently, a job doesn't exist; however, that doesn't mean God can't make one appear...true? Mr.Hartley and I have talked many times about how he needs an assistant and how I would love to work with him again. People there have talked about wanting me there.
As I wait for God to show Himself in amazing ways, and deliver this poor soul from Egypt, "It is well with my soul" will continue to play in my heart.

It Is Well with My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


“Praise the Lord, O my soul.” Psalm 146:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be
removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be
troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and
forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life
from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with
good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for
all that are oppressed.  Psalm 103: 1-6

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at
hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

What to do????

I am in the midst of a "life crisis". So much is going on and I hardly know where to start. I have a choice to make and I don't know what to do. The decision will have great impact on so many things. I see change coming and it is scary. God is moving in so many ways. I know He is in control (and thank goodness for that 'cause I'd probably make a mess of it all!) I am sure in the day's and weeks to come I will have more to say and the enigmatic quality of this post will become more clear. I do know if God wants me to continue on this path He will make all of the obstacles disappear. It will become clear the way He wants me to follow.
In the mean time, pray for me.

What God taugth me today...

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference: Exodus 18:13-27

Delegating Responsibility

As I have studied the Word of God concerning leadership, I have come to certain conclusions about spiritual principles of good leadership. These principles can be applied not only by leaders of organizations but by Sunday school teachers or by anyone with responsibility.

First, God uses people to do His work. When He has a job to do, He calls an individual to do it. Remember, however, that it took Moses a long time to become prepared for his task, and it sometimes takes leaders today a long time to be prepared for their tasks.

Second, when the task becomes too much for the one person God originally called, He calls others to work with the first individual.

Third, God holds the first individual responsible for the work done by the other individuals. This principle applies especially to the spiritual aspects of the work.

This principle was particularly evident in Moses' leadership. Even though responsibility and authority could be delegated to others, he was still directly responsible before God.

God knows what work He wants accomplished, and He gives individuals responsibilities in order to accomplish that work. The only way that God's work can be done effectively is for individual believers to know what God wants them to do.

"But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him" (1 Cor. 12:18).

Distractions to Prayer

As mentioned in a previous blog, I've been working on my prayer life. It is awesome how God knows what we need and then puts what we need in out path. I get several e-mail devotionals. I try to stop the chaos of my life when I discover them in my inbox and take the time to read and ponder over them for a minute or two. Sometimes I find myself looking at exactly what I need at that minute. I got this today and couldn't believe how this was the very thing I was struggling with. Last night it seemed like my mind was going in 100 different directions as I tried to pray. No matter what, it seemed that my prayers kept getting derailed. I was frustrated and didn't know what to do. I really needed the encouragement I found in my inbox when I got up this morning. All I can say is, "Isn't this just like God?"

Distractions to Prayer by Elizabeth Elliot

No one who has tried to pray for more than a few seconds at a time would claim that he is never distracted. It is astonishing to note how insistently and immediately irrelevant matters come to mind, noises occur, things to be attended to are remembered, people interrupt, and even physical discomforts or pains bother us which we had not noticed until we tried to pray. These things are, of course, the work of the master saboteur of souls, who knows how to render our spiritual machinery useless, by the loosening of the tiniest screw or the loss of the smallest nut.

Distractions can be useful. They provide constant reminders of our human weakness. We recognize in them how earthbound we are, and then how completely we must depend on the help of the Holy Spirit to pray in and through us. We are shown, by a thousand trivialities, how trivial are our concerns. The very effort to focus, even for a minute, on higher things, is foiled, and we see that prayer--the prerequisite for doing anything for God--cannot be done without Him. We are not, however, left to fend for ourselves.

"The Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness. For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words, and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well what he means, and that the pleas of the saints expressed by the Spirit are according to the mind of God" (Romans 8:26-27 JB).