Doors, Gates and Submissive Trust

Greetings Everybody,

It's been a very very very long time since I have written any entries.

God has been working on me because I showed some knowledge gaps 

about Doors and Gates and Submissive Trust.

So let's start this entry by talking about doors.

    I keep seeing doors that I want to go through.

I keep asking God to bless me and help me go through these doors.

So many job applications.

 So many days of hoping for job interviews that are never granted.

I have continued to teach.

For 25 years I have continued to teach.

And I reach kids that nobody else can reach.

I am fully aware that I am involved in a type of Mission Work within the walls of a Public School.

 But I am a tired little Missionary.

Not bitter.

Not diminished.

Still at the top of my "A Game" in the classroom.

But my heart is weary and I have been seeking the door that will lead me OUT.

 But the only door I can get into is a revolving door.

The ongoing cycle of applying for jobs that I am highly qualified for... but being invisible is shocking to me.

I have never EVER been an invisible person.

Yet, in this case...it's as if I am totally 100% invisible.

I have asked and asked God to bless me and make me visible again.

He has blessed me in every other way.

But I remain invisible.

Meanwhile for years now I have been trying to find the door that will lead me out of the classroom. 

I have been doggedly trying to find the right door.

Speaking of doors,  here are a few famous ones (Yes I know that this seems a little abrupt, but please keep reading.  I assure you that I will bring this all back together in a just a bit):

Perhaps you will recognize The English Prime Ministers door at #10 Downing Street?

Or the door of Mr. Sherlock Holmes of 221b Baker Street?

Don't forget about the door upon which Martin Luther nailed the 95 Thesis.

It seems that the world is just filled with doors.

And all of them represent a way in or a way out or sometimes both.

Doors are really kinda symbolic of our life journeys.

It's all about choosing of the right doors to go through.

Consider the lessons that C. S. Lewis taught us in The Chronicles of Narnia.
When Lucy went through the doorway of the wardrobe, she was trying to hide.
She thought she would enter and then come out without consequence.

But entering that doorway changed her.

She entered a place that defied logic because it was bigger on the inside that it was on the outside.

Those children learned about a power much greater than themselves.

They learned to trust that a higher power controls their circumstances.

I know all about that kind of door.
I know about THE DOOR.
I know about faith that defies logic because it is bigger on the inside that it is on the outside.
I know about a power much bigger than me.
I know to trust that Higher Power that controls my circumstances
THE Door is Jesus Christ.

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in
 and out and find pasture."  John 10:9

I entered into that Door a very very long ago.

Yet in sneaky way, the evil one whispered to my pride that THAT DOOR expected me to be self-reliant.
So I puffed myself up with pride and started filling out job applications without asking God if he was finished with me in the classroom yet. 

I started knocking on doors to get a job that would take me out of the classroom.
It has been a heartache and an exercise in frustration and disappointment.
The more doors I knocked on, the more options I saw.

I saw doors that I want to go through in order to make more money.

I saw doors I want to go through that would grant me more power or more fame or more visibility.

I have been knocking on all sorts of doors with no answer despite how faithfully I have knocked.

Stupidly and in frustration, I tried quoting scripture to God.

(As if I mentioned scripture it would snap Him to attention and He would grant me my request.)

I tried Luke 11:9

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." 

I quoted the scripture and then told Him that I believed that scripture, and then asked him to bring me to the door and open it for me.

He did not.

The more I claimed this scripture, and tried to show faith, the more invisible I have become.

In time God lead me to understand something about another type of doorway...a gate.
Take a look at Matthew 7:12-14

  "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." 

I thought, "Hmmm...it's not much of a door is it?"

And God whispered, "Did you notice that this gate is always open?"

Next I thought, "I can't take much with me if I go through that skinny opening."

And again God whispered, "Don't rely on yourself, I will supply all your needs."

And then I thought a whole lot of  thoughts:

                                Hmmm! So what's my lesson here?"                         

"Am I supposed to NOT apply for spiffy positions that I am more than qualified for?"

          "Am I supposed to give up on wanting to advance and make more money?"
"Am I supposed to surrender my pride?"  

           "God you KNOW what has happened to our finances!" 

        "God you gave me a good brain and a ton of skills that could be used in profitable ways." 

"Why do you want me to stay in the classroom where I don't get to use all that you have given me?"

And God whispered once more, "I will provide what you need."

Eventually the truth of what I needed to do dawned on me.

And that truth is counter intuitive to my All American Sense of Self-Reliance.

The truth is that I need to simply submit to God Almighty in this area. 

I need to stop applying for other jobs, because apparently He isn't finished with me in the classroom yet!

I need to trust Him. 

I need to praise Him. 

I need to write about Him again. 

And I need to confess right now to My Heavenly Father and to whomever is reading this

 that I have been angry at God about my not being able to advance professionally,

and that in some kind of twisted logic 

I stopped writing about His Love, Peace Grace and Mercy. 

That was a stupid thing to do, because writing about God is something that brings me great joy.

God, I am so sorry for trying to run my own life,

and find my own doors, 

and seek my own counsel,

and make my own way in this world.

I walked away from that kind of thinking a long time ago.

I entered into your household of faith through The Door of your son, Jesus Christ.

He is the only door I need.

When times got rough, I stopped trusting you.

I tried to find the door that would help us financially instead of simply asking you to help us.

I tried to do it on my own.
And I am not good enough, or big enough or smart enough to do this.
But You Are!

You have patiently shown my hard-headed, pride-filled self that I need to simply trust you.

Please forgive me for my pride and arrogant thoughts and actions.
Please forgive me for not holding fast to the knowledge that you will protect and provide for us.

Father, the lesson finally got through and  I now know what I need to do:

It's called Submissive Trust.

Lord, I believe that you are more than able to guide our future, our finances, our marriage, 

and every aspect of our lives.

.

Please help me in my moments of weakness.

 And Please give me the strength to fight the Evil One 

when he tries to whisper "Entitlement" to me.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"  Ephesians 3:20-21

In Him, 
Grace

A Tiger's Gotta Do What A Tiger's Gotta Do

Greetings Everybody,
I happened across something a few minutes ago that I just have to share with you.


Most of the time the photographs that I post are mine, but this one is not.


I'll give the credits for the pic in a minute, but for now...just take a look...

Have you ever felt like this???

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/animal-photos-of-the-week-slideshow/a-bengal-tiger-named-akasha-dives-into-the-water-after-a-piece-of-meat-at-six-flags-discovery-photo-1340312990.html

                                                Photo credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images on June 20, 2012

I certainly have!

Most often this occurs when I am hungry lol.

As it happens, this tiger was hungry too.
He dove in because he was going after a piece of meat that was chunked into that water.


He knew what he needed.
He knew what he wanted.
He knew that the only way to get it was to Jump In.
He knew that there could be No Holding Back.


He committed his whole self to the cause.


And if you look at his mouth, you will see that he was successful in his endeavor.
He received what he was hungry for.


Some of you may be wondering "What does this photo have to do with this Christian Teacher's Blog premis?"


lol...here ya go:


Are you familiar with this scripture?
"Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62


Now if we look at the verse just prior to that one we will see that Jesus said those words to a fellow who was not quite ready to completely commit to the cause.


Take a look at verse 61
"Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." "
Luke 9:61


Here's the connection between the photo of the Tiger in the water and Luke 9: 61-62.


1.  The Tiger was convicted to pursue what he needed in 
      order to live.
          -Are you convicted to pursue what you need for 
           Eternal Life?


2.  The Tiger was willing to completely "commit to the      
     cause" of getting what he needed to live.
          -Are you willing to completely "Commit to Cause of 
           Christ"?


3.  The Tiger once having realized how to access what he 
      needed to live, acted swiftly.
           -When you realized what you needed to gain 
            access to(Salvation), and how to get it (Baptism), 
            did you act swiftly in Faith?


Hopefully those 3 questions have lead you to mentally connect the actions of the Tiger to the concept of Christianity, but for many of you who are reading this, this may seem like a forced correlation.


For some people, the notion of Tigers correlating with Christians probably has some visual "dis-connects" to it.


Afterall, Tigers are aggressive and have teeth and claws.


And Christians are supposed to be meek and mild like Lambs and Doves right?


But let me ask you something else...


Does the Apostle Paul come across to you more as a Tiger or more as a Lamb?


Does the Apostle Peter come to you across more like a Tiger or more like a Lamb?


Do you see my point?


It's not that Christians don't possess the full complement of aggressive human tendencies...we do indeed have our "teeth and claws"...it's just that we are compelled to shut our mouths and velvet our claws in submission to Christ.  


But the Lord needs those who are willing to Commit to the Cause of Christ and Jump In To His Work with the Faith, Purpose and Dedication of Tigers.


The Lord desires us to do His Will and to Seek and Save The Lost.


And that work calls for strength, stamina and courage.


The World is Hungry for Christ.
And We Christians, who are called be Meek and Gentle still require the Strength, Stamina and Courage of Tigers.


Let us not put our hands to the plow and look back.


Committing ones self to the Cause of Christ is not a weak and passive thing.
We can not be lukewarm about it. Scripture talks about the penalty to those who are passive and uncommitted.

"So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:16


Clearly, if we accept Christ in baptism we are called to be people of Faith, Purpose and Action for Christ.


And so, in my own Cause for Christ... I write, teach and speak about The Lord.


And the lesson comes full circle right here.


This is the time for action:


1.  If you have not yet come to Christ, and have been sitting there hungry to know of Him...well perhaps it's time to learn more.



2.  But know this, once you understand what you need to  do There Can Be No Holding Back, because to do so is to   reject The Son of God and to reject The Son of God will lead to Eternal Damnation instead of Eternal Life.


     A.  God wants all men to be saved.


"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.? I Timothy 2:1-6 


      B.  There is a price to be paid for rejecting Jesus Christ, and that price is eternal damnation.


"And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."Matthew 25:46


3.  Christ died to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and he defeated death, and rose from the grave. He is ascended to Heaven and is even now preparing a place 
for you there.


"In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”John 14:2-3


4.  Will you accept his free gift of salvation, submit to Him in faith & be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins?


5.  If you are ready to Commit to Christ, here's how to do that:


"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38


Jesus will help you.


"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19


May His Blessings Be Upon You.


In Him,
Grace

What should I do?

Greetings Everybody,
This morning I want to discuss something that is on my heart.  


It has to do with deciding what to do about a situation...judging what is right to do...yes...this is about DISCERNMENT.


Here's the heart of the matter for me right now:
Sometimes I can not tell if God is leading me somewhere or if it is the evil one pretending to be God.


And this makes me second-guess myself sometimes. 


Sometimes I vacillate back and forth...should I do THIS thing or should it be THAT thing.


I pray for guidance and I pray for protection and I earnestly try to willingly & lovingly submit myself to HIS will in my life.


And I must say that MOST of the time I know exactly where I am in respect to His Will.


I know that because the Holy Spirit tweaks my heart a bit when I step out of His Will...and it causes me to want to get back on track.


Also, I know that I am filled with Joy when I am tuned in to what God wants me to do.


But the devil is so very sneaky sometimes.
And there are days when I can not easily discern if something is from God or from the evil one.


Jesus understood exactly how sneaky the devil is...he told his apostles...
" I  am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16


And the Apostle Peter wrote these words that are so very precious me...
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." I Peter 5:6-7


So here I am, trying to make decisions based on what I think GOD wants me to do.
But the evil one keeps putting up roadblocks.
He keeps tossing in bits of Pride and bits of Fear.


And what do we know about both of those things???


"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18


and 


"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." 
Isaiah 41:13


I know both of those scriptures and I claim them.
And I know that the New Testament tells us that we as Christians have the duty to discern wisely and to judge rightly.


"Do you not know that God's people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!  
1 Corinthians 6: 2-3


So here's what I know:
Pride issues are NOT from God.
Fear issues are NOT from God.
Those things are from the evil one.


Therefore, if I work through this thing spiritually and intellectually (yes you CAN do both of those things at once lol)...I find that my confusion is also NOT from God.


In the final analysis, all of my life decisions boil down to a few simple things found in Micah 6:8

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

There's my litmus test.

In all that I am contemplating doing:

Will I be able to

-act justly, 

-love mercy 

-and walk humbly with my God?

If the answer is NO...then I need to stop right there and go no further.

But If the answer is Yes to all 3 things, then I am free to move forward.

After that it is a matter of Faith

And a matter of God opening the doors he wants me to go through or closing them tight.

So there ya have it...

My internal monologue on "Discernment" as it applies to my ongoing life-decisions.

And all of that has lead me to this: Unless God intervenes in some way, it looks like tomorrow I will be applying for a an Administrative position at a Christian school.

And we will see what God has in store for me personally.

And we will see what God has in store for my hubby as well.

And we will see if God wants me to serve him in that capacity.

I am earnestly praying that He open the doors that He wants me to go through and that He close the ones that He does not want me to enter.

Father, Please:

Protect me/us,

Provide for me/us,

Prepare me/us, 

Purpose me/us,

and Position me/us.

In the meantime, and as we wait for His Will to be revealed in this matter...

"...But as for me and my household,we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

In Him

Grace

Cloud Watching: The Anti-Venom for Busy-Ness

Greetings Everybody, 
We have all looked up at the sky and seen clouds. 


Do you remember Elementary School and learning the types of clouds?


I Do: Stratus, Cumulus, Cirrus & Nimbus


And most us have at one time or another passed a pleasant bit of time watching those clouds.   


Please tell me that you have watched clouds before???  If you haven't, you might want to try it sometime.  It's very relaxing.


Most folks I know deal with stress , but lots of those same people refuse to take time to just be still and breathe.


Meditation is Good For The Body and The Soul


God even tells us to be still and contemplative.


"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalms 46:10


But alas, we resist.


These days it seems it's all about being busy.
As if being busy equals being successful.


But it doesn't.


Being busy sometimes causes us to lose touch with what is most important to us: Faith, Family and Friends.


I know a whole lot of people who would be a whole lot happier if they would just slow down and spend a little time being spiritually contemplative


 ...and then maybe look up and watch clouds.


A good dose of Cloud Watching might serve as a pretty good anti-venom for all that "Busy-Ness" that is poisoning our society.


Yeah clouds have fascinated me since I was a kid. 


Was it just ME...or did anybody else ever think that clouds were giant cotton balls in the sky?


Did Thunder also fascinate you guys?


As a little girl, I used to think that thunder was caused when one dark & angry cloud bumped into another dark & angry cloud.  


Not sure if somebody told me that, or I just "figured it out for myself".


Such is childhood...


Anyway, although I'm a grandmother now, clouds are still compelling to me. I can totally lose track of time while watching them.


This morning for example... I watched a particularly dark cloud display a sudden brilliance at the highest peak of its formation. 


It was almost as if Gods' Glory was shining through the top of the cloud...even in the midst of its' "blustering anger". 

And of course...the life lesson revealed itself to me: 

In the midst of our darkness, 

God is still there. 

His Glory is ALWAYS there and is ALWAYS shining.

If we want to see that glory though, it's important that we seek it by looking UPWARD rather than INWARD! :)

Perhaps instead of spending our time floating through life like clouds, 

bumping & thundering & "raining",

we should try to reflect some of His Glory for others to see.

God is closer than we think.

In Him,

Grace

Bare Trees, Human Hearts, and Faith: A Correlation

Greetings Everybody,

(fyi...This is going to be a LONG Post...just wanted to let you know that in advance:) )

It's January 16th, the month's half-gone...and the holidays good and truly behind us.

I said THAT in order to say THIS: In January people tend to focus on:

Reflection!

We are big on Reflecting on the previous year and Setting Goals for the coming year.

Lots of people clump such thinking under the category of New Years Resolutions.

But this post is NOT about Reflecting on
     New Years Resolutions
...it's wayyy deeper than that.

Instead...Let's talk about Trees.

      Correlations can be made between         Trees and "The Human Experience".

For Example:

1. Look at a bare tree in the winter.  No leaves.  Ever notice how the trunk of that 
    tree leads to big thick branches...then to smaller branches...and then even  
    smaller ones...and finally to twigs?

    Trees Really Are Masterfully Designed!

2.  Now let me ask you to compare that bare tree formation to your understanding of   
     the Human Circulatory System.  

     We start with the Heart with its Aortas & Ventricles and then eventually we move   
     on to the Arteries, Veins and Capillaries.

     Upon consideration, that system looks alot like this bare tree...doesn't it!

Let's continue talking about Trees...

3.  What you see ABOVE ground on a tree is mirrored BELOW ground on a tree.
     (Though we can not SEE all that support, we KNOW that those roots exist!)

     We also know that the circumference of a tree at its widest above ground...is 
     mirrored by the circumference of it's roots below ground. 

     Though The Support is Very Real we know that IT IS FELT, YET IS UNSEEN.

http://www.fotosearch.com/illustration/root.html

    Two Key Observations about Trees: 

- If the Roots fail to do their job, Trees die.

   - Trees can only grow bigger & stronger if the Roots grow deeper & fuller.

    

3.  We can learn alot of lessons about 
   "The Human Experience" from TREES.

4.  A tree is supported by its roots.
     Those roots supply nourishment.
     Those roots stabilize the tree against big winds and against the force of gravity.
     

     In a similar fashion...
     Humans are supported by a collection of Roots called FAMILY.

AND 

     We too are Masterfully Designed. 

     Afterall, we were created by God, in His image! 

    (see Genesis 1:26)

     Families feed us physically, mentally, psychologically, socially and spiritually.
     They help us grow.
     They stabilize us.
     They give us strength to draw from.
     They lift us up. They teach us. They protect us. They celebrate with us.
     They help us stand when things of this life would try to bring us down.
     
    Some of this support is quite visible, but the deepest aspect of Family Roots is not.  

    

It is Felt, Yet It Is Unseen.   

Correlations can be made between 

Trees and "The Christian Experience".

5.  A Christian is supported by Roots too. We have Spiritual Roots called FAITH.

     Because of Faith we are Baptized, for the remission of sins, and we receive the 
     gift of Salvation and the Holy Spirit

     Because of Faith live a different life than before baptism.

     By Faith we begin to sink our Spiritual Roots.

     We sink our Spiritual Roots and are fed by them when we Read Scripture, Pray, 
     Seek God's Will in our lives, Submit to His Will, Praise Him, Edify Each Other, 
     Bear One Another's Burdens, and Teach Others About God & His Son Jesus Christ.  

   We sink our spiritual roots and thus are fed:
...When we Visit the Sick and those in Prison,
...When we Support the Widows and Orphans,
...When we do The Right Thing when it would be easier to do the Wrong thing,
...When we Give of Our Time, Our Energy, and Even Our Money to help those in need.
...When we live like Jesus was right there with us, because we know His Spirit IS! 

Our Faith is Felt, Yet it is Unseen

And this is not works leading to faith...it's just the opposite

When the Human Heart/Mind is focused on Spiritual Matters, 

The Human Body Responds with Physical Actions/Deeds.

Where the Mind Goes the Body Follows. 

It's just that simple.

There are many ways to sink your Spiritual Roots. 

But it starts with that which is felt but unseen.

FAITH  

http://www.fotosearch.com/illustration/root.html

    

   Two Key Observations about "The Christian Experience":

  - If our Spiritual Roots fail to do their job our Faith dies.

   -We only grow bigger and stronger in Faith if our Spiritual Roots grow deeper 

   and fuller too.

Remember

itty bitty roots=itty bitty trees  

And

Itty Bitty Faith=Itty Bitty Christians.

    We have to develop our Spiritual Roots of Faith.   

    Because Our Spiritual Roots of Faith Support Us. 

    They give us strength to draw from.

    They lift us up. They teach us. They protect us. They celebrate with us.

    They help us stand when things of this life would try to bring us down.

    Some of The Christian Experience is obvious to all who observe it.

    But FAITH,  just like the roots of a tree, is invisible to the casual observer.

   

    It is Felt,Yet It Is Unseen.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

    Just like trees, The Faith of a Christian can only grow bigger and stronger if 

    our Spiritual Faith Roots grow deeper and fuller too.

    Spiritual Faith Roots supply Christians with Spiritual Nourishment.

    Our Spiritual Faith Roots stabilize us against the big winds of life and against Dark 

    Forces that (not unlike gravity) will try to bring us down.

 And now this topic comes full circle....

    Here is it, Mid January...the holidays are behind us...many of our New Years 
    Resolutions may already have been abandoned....

    But we still have time to Reflect.

   Did your Spiritual Faith Roots grow deeper and stronger this past year?
   Did you find you that you could cope with the things that tried to knock you down?
   Did you grow Spiritually bigger and stronger this past year?

   If YES...well done and Praise God!

   But If NO?

   If No, then Perhaps today you can sit down and ask God to help you.
   Perhaps you can SEEK HIS WILL in your life

Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

   Perhaps you can SUBMIT to HIS WILL in your life and PLANT yourself in The Word.

Psalms 1:3 "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."

   We are like trees... we are either spiritually growing or we are spiritually decaying.

   Which of those would YOU rather be doing?

   As for me, I Choose to be Growing In Christ.
  

   And I pray that you do too!

   In Him,
   Grace

..