Where Is My Hope?

Something was revealed to me last week. It has to do with hope. We all have hopes.
Hope can keep us going. Hope can lead to joy. Hope can keep us focused on the positive
side of life. But what about when our hopes are dashed? When they are taken away? Last
week we received some news regarding my husband's health that was not at all what we
expected. We had HOPE that he would be scheduled for a procedure that HOPEFULLY would
lead him on to healing. We had HOPE that the doctor would give us a date to look forward to
for that procedure. HOPE in a date, a doctor, and the human body to heal. But the news we got
did not include a date or a procedure, or the promise of healing. As we were processing this
new and startling information, it occurred to me all of our HOPE was in earthly things. Yes,
we still feel that God has His hand in all this and our faith remains strong, but our HOPE needed
to be focused on Christ; on His power, His mercies, His wisdom, and His healing. We
refocused our perception of the prognosis to include a view through this lens. Our HOPE is
JESUS no matter what our circumstances are. Our joy comes from Him and that never changes.
He is all we ever need. Merry Christmas and may His blessings of HOPE abound in your life
throughout the new year. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Salvation and Strength...It's December!

To say this is a busy season doesn't begin to cover what's really on our minds.
Time is precious, deadlines impose pressure, and demands are high from family,
friends, and work. Where does that leave us with regards to salvation and strength?
Isaiah 30:15 says, "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.' "
So there you have it! Even now, even during possibly the busiest season of our year,
these words are still true. God's sovereignty and promises don't stop, give out or end
just because we're busy. It is IN those promises, IN our repentance, IN quietness and
trust that we can get through whatever this or any season holds for us. Find a bit of
time for repentance...rest...quietness...and trust and let those be your focus this busy
season. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored as you walk in the Light of our
newborn Savior.

Decisions Decisions

Each year I choose a verse from Scripture that becomes something familiar to me as I
read it, reread it, even memorize it if I get ambitious. This verse becomes a source of
comfort and a familiar refuge whenever I need it. Often the verse makes itself known
to me as I'm studying or reading a devotion and the choice seems to be made for me.
This year I'm having difficulties; not because nothing is presenting itself to me but
because MANY verses are speaking to me. Here they are: From 2 Samuel 22:31: "As for
God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all those who
take refuge in Him." Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Then last but not least, 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, "Look to the Lord and his strength.
Seek his face always." The Lord is a shield. He gives us mercy and grace. We can tap
into his strength. All wonderful thoughts and promises. I want to claim every one of them!
Maybe this year I will have to have 3 verses. That will really tax my memorizing techniques!
Find what speaks to you for 2017. If it's not in the Bible, it's not worth remembering! Walk
in the Light this week as you are blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Our Constant God

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of
your heart." In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul writes, "...I have learned to be content what-
ever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through
him who gives me strength." In other words, our circumstances don't matter. This isn't
saying what's happening in our lives doesn't matter to God. Everything about us matters
to Him. What I believe it is saying is that our circumstances change but who we honor,
who we thank, who we praise never changes. We are to ALWAYS be thankful, ALWAYS
give God praise because just because our lives change, that has nothing to do with WHO
God is and what He does for us. He is ALWAYS good, ALWAYS forgiving, and ALWAYS
merciful. What comfort we have because of Him. Walk today blessed by the Lord and
highly favored. Our constant God is with us.

The Indescribable Gift

This is indeed the week we spend the most time considering thankfulness;
how thankful we are for family, home, health, friends, food, job....the list
goes on. But as Christians, we have been given the most "indescribable gift"
ever and it warrants our thanks every day of the year. 2 Corinthians 9:15 says,
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" By calling the gift "indescribable"
it describes the gift perfectly. Jesus. Given through grace to the undeserving.
It's hard to describe perfection. Not enough words, not enough time. Psalm 30:11-12
says, "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed
me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will
give you thanks forever." Let us not be silent this season as we lift our thanks for
all gifts, but especially the "indescribable" one. Be blessed by the Lord and highly
favored.

Leaves Like Blessings Fall

It's Saturday morning and as I sit and finish my coffee I am quietly appreciating the view from my window. It's nothing extraordinary; just a fenced yard, trees, and at least a million leaves. But what I'm enjoying about this view today is the way the leaves are falling. It's like they are being picked off the branches one by one and dropped carefully to the ground. There is no wind and yet they fall, as if  my eyes were watching in slow motion. It occurred to me that the Lord's blessings come to us much like the falling leaves. The Lord constantly and faithfully "drops" blessings on us until we, like my front yard, are covered in gifts from Him. On a windy day the leaves virtually rain down by the hundreds much like when we have "rainy days" in our lives, the blessings, the strength, the wisdom- everything we need, come to us and cover us. I will choose to see this as a season of blessing...regardless of the circumstances of my life. (I'm glad I don't have to rake all the blessings I get every day!) Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Devoted as a Dog

If you've ever owned a dog this may sound familiar. I don't own one right now but the six month old standard poodle puppy next door often stays with us while his people work during the day. This dog is one devoted animal. He is always at my feet. He follows me like a shadow. He waits for me. He wants to be where I am. If he or I wander away from each other, we both come looking for the other. With me near, he is calm, content, loving and peaceful. When he's not here, I miss him. And he's not even mine! I could be describing the Lord and me. I seek to be with Him and follow Him. I wait for Him. With Him near I can be calm and at peace. And He IS mine and I AM HIS! I love this little dog and he is truly devoted to me. How much more does my Heavenly Father love me...and I love Him. I will walk today as a devoted child of a loving Father. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

I'm Not Settling

We have a cat. He's not really OUR cat but belongs to my daughter and he temporarily shares
our house. Because my daughter is at work all day and I am home, he has decided I am his new
best friend. Every time I sit down he hops on my lap. If I'm not available he sits on my husband.
He does adapt. This morning I couldn't accommodate him so he settled for sleeping on  my
sweatshirt on the couch. Guess that was the closest he could get to the real me. He settled. What do we settle for in our lives? Do we always strive for the best? Do we always have to have the best?
I can settle for an off brand of soup or a cheaper grade of gasoline but some things I just will not
compromise. Like Jesus. He wants all of me and I want all of Him. Everything I do all day should
be dedicated to Him. He should be first in my thoughts and foremost in all my actions. I shouldn't
compromise my decisions, my attitude, or my heart. He is the one place I cannot afford to settle. I
pray you have the strength to settle for nothing less than Jesus today. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Can You Change Your Own Heart?

Is there something about you that you would like to change? We all have characteristics
that others would probably admire but we are all human as well and exhibit characteristics
we probably aren't proud of. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "The best way to acquire a virtue, is to
act like you already have it. It will change your heart." Think about it. If you need to adjust
your acceptance or even love for a certain student, what if you acted like you already DID love
him? The same could be said about a colleague, or a principal, or a parent. Acting like we
want to be, or feel, will change us until we really DO feel like our heart has been changed.
Jesus was able to love the sinners no matter who they were or what they had done. So we can
practice what He did the first time around and sooner or later, His love will fill our hearts so
we can love like He did. Let's try to act on C.S. Lewis' words this week as we model our
behavior after Jesus. I think both Lewis and Jesus got it right. Be blessed by the Lord and
highly favored.

Am I Being Fed?

I was not very attentive to filling the bird feeder last summer. I figured the birds would survive and in good weather they would find other food sources. But one day recently after I decided to fill the feeder, I sat back on the porch and watched and waited for them to return. They had stopped looking a long time ago and I began to wonder...Where are they? Will they come back to check my feeder?
It's free food. What are they waiting for? Don't they remember where I am? I really do love watching them and want to help care for them but I've been a bit lazy. Do you suppose the Lord ever feels like that? He sends His food to us daily in many different ways; Scripture, other believers, music, worship services, to say nothing of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Could He ask the same questions? Where are they? Free food. Free salvation. Nourishment. Don't they remember where I am? What are they waiting for? The one thing He will never say is, "I want to care for them but I've been a bit lazy." God is not lazy nor does He ever take a season off. Lamentations 3:22 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

We're All Called

There's a song by Hillsong called, "Oceans." You probably know it and maybe you are as moved as I am by its lyrics. Let me share some of the words to remind you or just to gift you with these ideas. "You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown, where feet may fail, and there I find You in the mystery, in oceans deep my faith will stand." Isn't that just what God does? He calls us. He calls us to the unknown. But it's not unknown to Him. So if He is the hand you are  holding, if He is your anchor, if He is your pilot, then you don't have to be afraid of the unknown. One of you knows where you're going! Yes, we will sometimes feel like we are in an ocean and it's all we can do to keep our "eyes above the waves" but as the song says, "Your grace abounds in deepest waters, your sovereign hand will be my guide...You've never failed and You won't start now." I pray your week gives you the faith to trust the One Who Holds You and you feel His presence every day. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Does It Really Matter What You Wear?

Usually I would answer, No. But in light of my thoughts today, my answer is, Yes.
In my classroom my kids would notice if I repeated an outfit during a week, new jewelry,
 or crazy socks I'd wear, just to entertain them! But I'm talking about what we can wear
for protection; things we should not leave home without. Last weekend we visited my
brother in law's church and he inspired me to give more thought to the Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-20 may not be new to you but as you read or reread it, you will see that
what we really need to be concerned about wearing is the "Belt of Truth, the Breastplate
of Righteousness, the Sandals of Readiness to Share the Gospel, the Shield of Faith, the
Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit." Wear all these and cover them with
prayer. Give thought as to how to make this armor evident each day to all those around
you.These are way better than crazy socks! Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

It Sets Handy

When I would ask my mother for something or wonder where something was, she would reply, "It sets handy." That meant it was right there, within reach or where I could see it easily. There is a verse I read this morning that reminded me of that. It is from Psalm 16:8. It says, "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." How  many times a day do I forget that the Lord "sets handy"? He is always right there, within reach, and although I can't see Him easily, the promise is that He IS there. And really, when I look for Him, I can find Him in many ways and many places. It would benefit me to remember that wherever I am, alone, or surrounded by a room full of students, the Lord, My Strength and My Rock, "sets handy." Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:2

What is This Day Really About?

How many times in a day do you look at the clock, a calendar, a schedule on the board, or respond to a bell or an announcement? I have to admit that even in retirement, I use my daily planner all the time. I check it first thing in the morning to see if there are appointments scheduled or just some free time. Then, being a teacher at heart, I enjoy checking off things as they are accomplished. But what is my day really about? How should it start? What's really important and will I get to it? Isn't each day a gift from the "Giver"? Isn't my purpose really to honor and glorify Him all through my day? What can I do today to serve Him, honor Him, and give Him glory? I need to remember that amidst all my responsibilities and busy schedule, the day, each day, is really about God. I trust Him with my schedule and everything on my list. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

                                                                      Huddle In

What do you "huddle in" around you? I used to have morning meetings when I was teaching. I would sit on my comfy chair while crossed legs and smiles  made a circle in front of me. (I would have been on the floor with them if I could have gotten up!) I loved "huddling" in with them. It felt like if we "huddled" closer, we were set apart and we belonged together; connected, like a family. I do that now, at home but I huddle in with my books and my writing and I have found that what I "huddle" with are the important things in my life. What do you "huddle" with? Do we bring Jesus into our "huddle"? Whatever we "huddle" with, Jesus will fit. We need to belong and be connected to Him above all. Read in John 15 about the vine that we, as branches, are connected to and how without that connection, we can do nothing. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

                                                            What's in a Name?
Quite possibly many of you learned some new names last week. The trick now is to remember them all. Your students have one name to remember but you...well you have many. Besides the Miss, Mrs., or Mr. you hear most often, do they sometimes call you "Teacher", or even "Mom", or I remember being called "Grandma" more than once. Early in my career I corrected many students every time they called me "Teacher", reminding them of my proper name. Then one day it occurred to me, I AM their teacher, and I love being their teacher, so who does it hurt if they call me that? Our Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have many names too. Think of as many as you can. (Father, Holy God, Redeemer, Savior, Rock, Refuge, Anchor, Comforter, and hundreds more.) I'm pretty sure we use different names to call on God depending on what's on our  mind or what we're asking for. I'm thinking because our God is so many things to us, we see Him in many roles and He delights in hearing from us when we call upon Him. Your students see you in many loving ways too. Enjoy being their Teacher this week. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

If you are a seasoned teacher, the past week may have seemed like very familiar repetition. You unpacked, arranged, and set up a room that would be welcoming to your students. If you are a new teacher, you did all that plus you were probably filled with a mixture of excitement and fear! Either way, I would invite you to do one more thing for your room. Invite the Holy Spirit to be a part of your preparation and eventually your life in that room. Invite Him to surround your students. Invite Him to hold you up. Invite Him to inspire you when you have no energy. Let Him guide your words and works and trust that you will feel His presence every day. I pray for God to reveal Himself to you from start to finish. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb