Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)


Long ago, I learned the above verse as a "Scripture Song". Lately, I've been singing this song A LOT!!!!! Learning to have a steadfast mind is difficult, isn't it? Just like many of my students who can't seem to focus and stay on task, I often find my mind running rampant - especially when I pray. I will start off praying, and then my mind goes off in all these other directions! Why? Does anyone else have this problem?

Since I haven't written in a while, I will share a few bullet point moments of what I've experienced the last few days...

• Our son David underwent a long week of testing to see what jobs he may be able to do. He has worked for Kroger's for over two years, but, for many reasons, it was time for a new working experience. Bill is at home now (no work for over a month!) and it was wonderful that he was able to drive David downtown morning and pick him up again in the afternoon. We will get the results of the testing in about two weeks. David has made GREAT strides in the past three years and so we are very curious to find out what the tests reveal.
  

• I have a new student named Cheryl. She is so full of the joy of the Lord and God is using her beautiful spirit to be a true blessing to me. She is going to college for the first time as a forty-something year old. Her goal is to become a teacher. Cheryl struggles with grammar and sentence structure and needs help to get ready for an English placement test. She is my last student on Mondays and as I enter her home oh-so-tired and weary, her warm and welcoming smile energizes me! Last Monday, she paid me an extra $10.00 and said, "I want you to have a special lunch tomorrow on me!" It doesn't take much, does it, to do small yet thoughtful things for others?

• Bill and I are studying The Sermon on the Mount. It's a wonderful learning time for us. I remember when I was a senior at Trinity, I was asked to give the very first chapel service of the year. For the service, I spoke about the very first beatitude. Blessed are the poor in spirit... I remember being struck by the fact that many people that day, hearing Jesus preach these words of hope, probably listened more intently when they heard the word "poor". Many people in the crowd were poor...a type of poor that is far removed from our idea of poverty. No government programs to help them out...no unemployment benefits, so social security...they were poor, poor, poor, with no hope. But what Jesus wants ALL of us to realize is the fact that we are all poor in spirit. The meaning of the word “poor” in Greek means one who has nothing and is completely empty. Was Jesus saying the economically poor are blessed? No, for there is no spirituality in poverty. Poverty in itself is not blessed, because the poor can be as arrogant and as ungodly and as lost as the rich. So what does it mean to be poor in spirit? It means that the poor are those who realize that they can never achieve salvation on their own and instead put their complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Sorry...enough preaching!
  
  
  And, speaking of Trinity, I will be flying up to Chicago on Thursday for a board meeting and homecoming events. The highlight of the trip, however, is spending some time with our daughter Elise.

Okay, that's a few of my highlights from my life...how are YOU?????

RATS! Time For Plan B

I just "googled" the words for the lyrics to the song that CeCe Winans made famous entitled "My Alabaster Box". Well, I found the lyrics all right, but I also found two blogs that already have the title I was hoping for - one is on Blogger and one is on Word Press. So much for THAT idea...

Meanwhile, here is a video that a church did...a live drama portraying the story from Luke 7.

Wandering and Wondering: Two Things I'm Very Good At!

So, today in church we were reading from Luke 8. My eyes wandered off to chapter 7. I was so touched my the woman that washed the feet of Jesus with her hair. When I read scripture accounts like that one, I always try to put myself into the picture. I try to figure out the emotions, the inner, unseen things that might have been going on... For example, what stirrings in her heart made this woman seek out Jesus? How did she feel when the others were so quick to brush her off and label her as "a sinner"? What did it feel like when Jesus looked at her and said, "Your sins have been forgiven."? I did listen to the sermon on Luke 8...but my encounter today with the woman from Luke 7 has captivated my heart.

It has left me wondering about the new blog I may write. It would be different in content from this blog. I told you before that I was toying with the idea of somehow incorporating my initials (JARS). I'm wondering about the name for the blog...maybe I should call it, MY ALABASTER JAR, in honor of the Luke 7 woman. Hmmm...

Russell Kelfer | Wait

Russell Kelfer Wait
For some reason, I can't cut and paste this poem. Anyway, if you click on the words above, it will direct you to a poem that pretty much summarizes where I am at the moment. We've all been in this situation. May the words bless your heart, as they did mine.

Waiting

No, dear ones, I haven't abandoned my blah,blah,blahing...I have been amazingly busy and just too tired to write. I have days when I begin teaching at 8 a.m. and never finish until 8:30 p.m.

While I am thankful for work, and while I LOVE my students, quite honestly, I'm finding it all a bit overwhelming at times.

Right now, Bill and I are in God's "Wating Room". If you've ever found yourself in a waiting room, it's not always the most fun place to be. For the first 30 minutes, one can be entertained by magazines, but then impatience sets in...

What "Wating Room" are we in and who/what are we aiting for? At this time, I won't go into all the details, but just know that Bill and I are facing some big decisions that need to be made.

Right now, I am thankful for a friend that has reminded me of this beautiful verse in Psalm 90;14: Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Oh Lord, once again, help me to wait patiently. But please do it gently. My heart is tender and fragile these days as I look to a future filled with uncertainties. I long to seek You in these days

of waiting. I long to have a joy-filled heart as I wait for You. Let me stand firmly, believe undoubtedly, trust unwaveringly, and know that You are the One who makes all things beautiful...IN YOUR TIME.

Abandoning Jars

WHEW!!!! Giant sigh!!! The past week has been a whirlwind! Elise and I set off for Michigan last Thursday afternoon - after I taught and had an ear appointment - after Elise packed her car to the brim with ALL of her earthly belongings. We sang, we laughed, and then we collapsed! It all caught up with us - all the busyness, all the emotions - and we found day two of our trip to be quite difficult. We were exhausted! Our attempts to get back on the road by 6 a.m. was an epic failure. To make a long story short, we made it to Grand Rapids on Saturday afternoon. We don't even know what state we slept in the last night on the road. Tomorrow I will try to post some pictures and share a bit of our adventure.

While I was in G.R. my granddaughter asked why my blog had such a funny name. That answer would also turn into a long story, so let me just tell you all that I have been wrestling with the direction my blog should take. And with that wrestling, a desire is beginning to surface...a desire to perhaps change the name of the blog. A desire to perhaps only write devotionals. Don't know yet, but just want you to know that something is brewing...

When I try to think of new names for the blog, I keep coming back to my initials: JARS

The verse about "jars of clay" has always been a very special verse to me, but, of course, that name is taken by a popular Christian singing group. I tried to think of an acronym for JARS such as, Joyful Albeit Restless Spirit ( that's more honest that saying I have a joyful and rested spirit because I can be VERY rest-LESS!!! I think David was was definitely referring to me in Psalm 23..."He makes me to lie down"!!!!!!)

Okay, so I have said ALL of the above to lead into this absolutely beautiful piece written by a fellow Christian blogger. She captures the words of my heart! She says what I wish I could express. I hope you will read this devotion. If you do, you will understand me better, understand the struggles of my heart, understand my desire to abandon my "jar" on many different levels.

Maybe you could read what she writes and comment on your thoughts: do you see this blog going in another direction? Do you have any ideas for a new title? Any comments will be appreciated and helpful!

Click on this address to go to the devotional:

http://www.ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/

Gotta Love Creative Women!

A woman after my own heart!!!

Happy Birthday, Blah Blah Blah Houston!!!!

Today my blog turns two! In anticipation of this special milestone, I took a trip down memory lane and re-read some of the old posts. It was fun to read some things that I completely
forgot about! It brought a smile to my face to re-live some fun moments that have happened over the last 730 days. And for all the frustrating, out-of-control days, it has been wonderful to see the MANY ways God has been faithful and unfailing in His provisions.

I'm thankful for this little window into my life. It started out as a therapeutic experiment that only a handful of friends and family followed. Most of my readers were from Michigan. I got excited if I had 15 people that read the blog.

Today, this little blog is read by people all over the world and averages eighty readers per day. That amazes me! I question why perfect strangers want to read about the average things that happen in my life. But I am thankful!!!

Thank you, faithful readers! And Happy Birthday to Blah Blah Blah Houston!

This video clearly expresses what the teaching vocation is all about. It beautifully expresses the special place a teacher has in her heart for each child that she teaches.

Skeletons

Monday was the first day of my school schedule for the 2010 - 2011 school year. Everyday is a different schedule with different students. I have to be sure to write out what the day will hold, or I get way too confused about where I am supposed to be!

I have a delightful blend of students from Kindergarten to adults, and I love the variety. Switching gears from The Cat in the Hat to helping with literary analysis certainly keeps me on my toes!

My morning homeschool students are learning about the glorious way God has designed our bodies. We began our study with the human skeleton and learning the major bones. They took notes, made a macaroni skeleton, and finished the week with a kit that I purchased for them that required them to assemble a plastic skeleton.

I wanted them to do as much of the project by themselves that they could, so I pretended to be busy grading their homework, while secretly watching them try to figure out which bone went where.

It was a disaster!!! It turned out to be way too frustrating. Once the clavicle fell off for the 15th time, I called it quits. I put the skeleton in a ziplock and asked Chris to take it home and see if his dad could help him put it together.

Around 7:30 in the evening, I received a text from Chris's mom. She said that the skeleton had turned into a family project. Haley, her daughter, was fascinated by the ribs. She counted all the ribs on the skeleton. She then proceeded to count each one of Chris' s ribs. She then assured her big brother that he had the correct number of ribs - not one was missing! To which Chris responded (in typical Chris fashion!), "Well, DUH!!!! God isn't going to leave out any ribs!"

And so my days proceed....from ribs, to objects of prepositions, to phonics, to mastering two digit multiplication. Life is good!

Finish Strong!

The little boy that I teach in the morning wore his camp shirt to school yesterday. On the back of the shirt was this Bible verse from II Timothy 4:7:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

I asked him about the camp, about the Bible verse, and if the campers memorized the verse. Yes, they did have to memorize the verse and right then and there he said the verse to me!

A friend sent me this video, so I sent it to my student. I thought it was a beautiful, heart-warming illustration of what Paul had in mind when he penned those words.

And so now, I share it with you...

Running The Race

Update and Cute Video

Here is a brief update via bullet points:

Summer is rapidly coming to an end. I will be resuming my school scedule next week. That means that this week is full of last minute cleaning, organizing, etc.

My knee still hurts.

Met wonderful students over the summer. Only one is moving away, and the rest have requested lessons to continue during the school year. I'm very thankful for each student that God sends my way. It is so evident to me that He has chosen (hand-picked!) each student for me. Each one He sends my way has been such a blessing to me in so many ways. They become friends as well as students and I have so much fun with each and every one!

Loved having Elise home for the summer. Loved being able to sing hymns in harmony with her and Bill in the car! Loved having her bring me iced tea from her work everyday! Loved watching old movies with her! Our plan is to drive up to Chicago (college) together and I will fly back to Houston. Anyone want to meet us in Chicago on the 29th and 30th??? A fun "Chicago time" is promised! Plus, you could help move stuff into a dorm! Any takers???

And last, but not least, I am thankful for friends and family that keep encouraging me. This has been a "bumpy" summer in may ways. It held many unexpected twists and turns. God has been so faithful. Many of you have been such an encouragement to me. Thank you. I am amazed at how many people read this little blog. Many I know, even more that I don't know! Thank you for reading. Here is a sweet little story for all of you...

Limping Through Life

Lego re-enactment of Jacob wrestling with God

Yesterday I went to the orthopedic doctor. He took x-rays and said my knee look good...thanks, doctor! Then he examined it (major OUCH!!!) and said I need an MRI. All that for the bargain price of $792.00. He thinks I have a torn meniscus. If that's what it is, I will probably need surgery. Nothing drastic...just a little out-patient procedure. I'm praying that the MRI will show that it is only a ligament that would heal on its own.

I woke up thinking about my knee, praying that I won't require surgery...way too expensive! And then my mind drifted off to Jacob. He wrestled with God and his hip was hurt. He limped the rest of his life. Found myself wondering if Jacob might have been a candidate for hip-replacement!

How About A Quiz?

Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards...they are the ones that care.

Thank You, God, for friends and family that make this journey of life more enjoyable!

Who Is Watching Out Your Window?

I really like this story...I hope you do, too!

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he couldn't hit any target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. On impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved!

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all--but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally replied, "Grandma , Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help, didn't you Johnny?" She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny helped Grandma.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he couldn't stand it any longer. He finally went to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make you her slave."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter:

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done--and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)--whatever it is, you should know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that if you claim Him as your Lord and Savior, He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make you his slave. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share this with a friend and always remember: God is at the window--and that makes you FREE!

Grief Observed

Elise is taking a biology class this summer. She works in the morning and goes to college from 5:30 - 10:00. Although it makes for a full day and even though she does NOT care for science (she just like her mother!), she has enjoyed getting to know the people in her class. Andrea has been her favorite. She is a 53 year old Black woman who keeps Elise constantly laughing. I know. Andrea called Elise last week and I heard them interact on the phone. They were like typical college girls, complaining about their assignment and gossiping about the "Mr. Mc Dreamy" that is in their class. When I asked Elise who it was that had her laughing non-stop, she told me about Andrea.

Last night the college security knocked on the classroom door and asked to see Andrea. They were there to deliver devastating news. News no one should ever have to hear. Not ever. But especially not in a hallway of a college.

They told Andrea that her 15 year old daughter commited suicide. Elise said she heard the cries of gut-wrenching anguish and ran to the hall to find out what had happened. Andrea was curled up on the floor. The sounds, Elise said, were sounds she never wants to hear again. Such raw pain. Such overwhelming grief.

It has made an impact on Elise. Just minutes before, they were laughing together at the lab table. And Andrea was talking about her daughter Katy. In an instant, in a breath, in a blink, life changed forever for her friend.

Lord, please be with Andrea. Wrap her in Your arms of love and hold her close.

Repairs

Car breaks down...you bring it to the shop.
Appliances break...you call the repair man.
But where do you go when your heart is shattered?

These last few months have been very difficult ones for me for reasons too numerous or too personal to write about here. Many days I have just been so jarred by life's circumstances and many days I have felt like just packing it in...feeling too wounded to face one more battle. Sometimes unseen wounds are the most devastating to handle. We look okay to everyone - can even fake it for awhile - but oh, the ache! I know you've felt like that too. It's part of life.

That's why I want to share this devotion with you that I read this morning. It was like applying the best, most comforting salve to my battered and bruised heart.

My child, all My children suffer "breakdowns" in their walls from one time or another. Those gaps in your armor where sin has broken through, those tears in your heart that thoughtless actions ripped away, those tornadoes that ripped through your life without warning - I've seen them all, My child. But I am the Repairer of Broken Walls - and that includes your heart. Restoration is my specialty. I'm always gentle but thorough. Give me your heart daily. I'll do the rest.

Oh, love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in Thee.

One Little "Did"

All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
Layin' in the sun,
Talkin' bout the things
They woulda-coulda-shoulda done...
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did.

I love this poem by Shel Silverstein. I've been thinking a lot lately about the topic of this poem, thanks to my brother-in-law, Harv. He wrote an equally magnificent poem on this topic, and together (Harv and I) are looking at the many ways our "woulda-coulda-shouldas" keep us locked to our past in unhealthy ways. Today, as I read more about Rahab in the novella by Francine Rivers, I began to think of the wonderful way she chose to make a break from her past. It was a purposeful, deliberate choice to do.

Rahab was from Jericho. She was a prostitute. She was a Canaanite. But when she met the two Jewish spies, none of that mattered. She took a huge leap of faith. She chose to sever her ties to her past when she dangled the scarlet cord from her window. She chose to follow God and His people. And because of that choice, she not only became the great-great-grandmother of King David, but she is listed as one of the great heroes of faith in Hebrews.

What would have happened if she let the moment pass? As the walls of Jericho fell, would her last thoughts been, "I should have listened"? Or "I would have chosen to forsake my past if I only had a little more time"? Or "I could have been enjoying life, but instead I'm lying here in the rubble of the wall!"

Praise God that she was a courageous woman of action. What about us? Somedays it's just so much easier to sit in the wading pool of regret, just wishing we would have made different choices, isn't it? How about making an "I DID" choice? Need a power verse for this mission? Try Joshua 1:9. Let me hear from you about your "I did" day, ok?

She Finally Bloomed!

It finally happened...Lois, the Corpse Flower, bloomed! All of Houston can finally breathe a deep, collective sigh of relief. Or not. Remember, this flower packs a wallop of a smell!

When Lois refused to bloom, the museum closed her to the public viewing for a little R and R. It worked, because this morning , there she was in all of her...um...punguntcy! (Did I just made up a new word? It didn't show up on spell check.)

The gift store was selling t-shirts that said, "My friend went to see the corpse flower and all I got was this stinkin' t-shirt!"

One sort of sad/funny story was reported in today's news. If you've ever been to the Houston Museum, you may have toured the butterfly center. It's gorgeous. Many people have social events and even weddings at the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Well, one bride booked the center a year ago and today was her wedding. Only problem being, the corpse flower is on exhibit in the Cockrell Center.Yup! That flower is right smack dab in the same place as the wedding! Can you even imagine having a wedding with the smell of dead flesh wafting through the air? (Ohhh, I can hear the pundits minds beginning to come alive!) Ah, life! Ya just have to laugh sometimes, don't ya??