Yesterday was Husband's birthday. It was also the day that we received 12+ inches of snow. Husband gets up at 2 AM everyday in order to get to work by 4 AM. The roads were not great when he went to work, but while he worked for the next 10 hours, the snow continued to fall fast and furious! By the time he was off, all the state crews had been pulled off the roads; it was just too snowy and windy to do any good. Poor Husband had to weather the storm sitting at work all by himself on his birthday! He finally made it home between 5 and 6 PM. What made matters worse was that when he got home he had to shovel the back driveway. I had shoveled the front driveway so that he could get the car in the garage, but it took me two hours!! I was so exhausted that I couldn't shovel the back driveway too.
On the bright side, we had celebrated his birthday on Sunday. It was a lot of fun. We went to a Chinese buffet and he opened his presents. My mom made him his favorite pie--french silk. If nothing else, this was definitely a birthday he will never forget!! Happy Birthday, Honey!!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I am a Trash Bag
I teach a high school Sunday School class in my church. We've been doing a study on Joyce Meyer's book, Battlefield of the Mind for Teens. This past Sunday, we were doing a lesson on how we blame others for our actions and how we fall into the trap of feeling sorry for ourselves so easily. As we were going through the lesson, God gave me this crazy illustration of how we are like garbage bags; namely GLAD Force Flex garbage bags. God definitely has a sense of humor!! It turns out that Sunday was just the tip of the iceberg. The more I thought about how we are like those trash bags, the more God showed me.
It’s such a tangible reminder of what God wants for us. The brand of Force Flex garbage bags is GLAD. Not only is GLAD the way that God desires for us to be able to live our lives, but GLAD is also an acronym for how he feels about us. God Loves, Adores, and Delights in us!! If you can remember nothing else, please, please, please remember how much your Father in Heaven loves you!!!!
The trash bags are white with “a unique diamond texture.” The Bible says that we have been washed whiter than snow. Isaiah 1:18b—Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Psalm 51:7—Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Rev. 3:4b-5—They will walk with Me dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out her name from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge her name before My Father and His angels. Rev.7:13-17—Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
When we ask God for forgiveness, He forgives and forgets. He does not hold our sin over our heads. When He looks at us, He sees us as pure white because of Jesus’ blood covering over us. Just like the garbage bag, God clothes us in a white robe. Just like the “unique diamond texture” of the bag, our robes have also been adorned with jewels. Isaiah 61:10—I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Glad’s website describes the bags as being stronger because they stretch. God does the same thing with us. He stretches our faith and refines us through the trials in our lives. Even though we may not always realize it at the time, when God has brought us through a trial, we have been made stronger. James 1:2-4—Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Zechariah 13:9—This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My Name and I will answer them; I will say, “They are My people,” and they will say, “The Lord is our God.” II Corinthians 12:9-10—My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Finally, the bags are tied together with a red drawstring. This string is the barrier that keeps the contents inside the bag separated from all of the things on the outside. The drawstring is located at the top of the bag, and is the bag’s security, just like the Blood of Jesus is our covering. It’s because of the Blood of the Lamb that we have the security of salvation. Christ’s blood is the barrier that separates us from all the gunk and garbage of the world. It’s the Blood of Jesus that holds our white robes “adorned with diamonds” in place over us.
So every time you see a garbage bag, remember all the wonderful things God has done for you. Remember that God Loves Adores and Delights in you. Remember that Jesus died for you so His Blood could be your protective covering. Remember that when you feel like you are being stretched to your limits and you feel like your world is ripping apart, that you have a God in Heaven who is giving you grace. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Just like the Force Flex that will not rip under pressure, God is giving you grace to uphold you and keep you from ripping under pressure too! God loves you SO MUCH!!!!
It’s such a tangible reminder of what God wants for us. The brand of Force Flex garbage bags is GLAD. Not only is GLAD the way that God desires for us to be able to live our lives, but GLAD is also an acronym for how he feels about us. God Loves, Adores, and Delights in us!! If you can remember nothing else, please, please, please remember how much your Father in Heaven loves you!!!!
The trash bags are white with “a unique diamond texture.” The Bible says that we have been washed whiter than snow. Isaiah 1:18b—Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Psalm 51:7—Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Rev. 3:4b-5—They will walk with Me dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out her name from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge her name before My Father and His angels. Rev.7:13-17—Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
When we ask God for forgiveness, He forgives and forgets. He does not hold our sin over our heads. When He looks at us, He sees us as pure white because of Jesus’ blood covering over us. Just like the garbage bag, God clothes us in a white robe. Just like the “unique diamond texture” of the bag, our robes have also been adorned with jewels. Isaiah 61:10—I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Glad’s website describes the bags as being stronger because they stretch. God does the same thing with us. He stretches our faith and refines us through the trials in our lives. Even though we may not always realize it at the time, when God has brought us through a trial, we have been made stronger. James 1:2-4—Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Zechariah 13:9—This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My Name and I will answer them; I will say, “They are My people,” and they will say, “The Lord is our God.” II Corinthians 12:9-10—My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Finally, the bags are tied together with a red drawstring. This string is the barrier that keeps the contents inside the bag separated from all of the things on the outside. The drawstring is located at the top of the bag, and is the bag’s security, just like the Blood of Jesus is our covering. It’s because of the Blood of the Lamb that we have the security of salvation. Christ’s blood is the barrier that separates us from all the gunk and garbage of the world. It’s the Blood of Jesus that holds our white robes “adorned with diamonds” in place over us.
So every time you see a garbage bag, remember all the wonderful things God has done for you. Remember that God Loves Adores and Delights in you. Remember that Jesus died for you so His Blood could be your protective covering. Remember that when you feel like you are being stretched to your limits and you feel like your world is ripping apart, that you have a God in Heaven who is giving you grace. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Just like the Force Flex that will not rip under pressure, God is giving you grace to uphold you and keep you from ripping under pressure too! God loves you SO MUCH!!!!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Refreshing Honesty
I have a little girl in my class who is always "in the know." She seems to make it her business to know everyone else's business. If ever I have a question of what's going on, she is always quick to fill me in. One day, we were all sitting up in front of the room on the carpet. My little "reporter" was turned around intently watching two boys behind her. When I asked her what she was doing, she replied quite honestly, "I am watching to see what they are doing so I can tell on them."
Beautiful Snow
Three days after Christmas we had the most beautiful snowfall! Husband's parents were supposed to come down for a visit that day, and it delayed them, but other than that, it was the perfect snowfall. It was the kind of snow that just made everything look like a Christmas card. It even packed nicely so the kids made a snowman. Husband shoveled, the kids played outside, and I took pictures (from inside where it was warm and dry!). 
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Glory
I went off the road this morning on the way to work. I hit a patch of ice on the Interstate, fish-tailed all over the road, and ended up about 35' down the ditch. The roads were terrible, every school around me was on a two hour late start (except, of course, the one I work at) and my daughter was home sick with strep throat. I should never have attempted to go to work. But I did. So, why the "Glory" title? I was really feeling horrible today, and rightly so. It was a horrible day! I still feel shaky and nauseous. But then I got to thinking.....am I going to be a victim or a victor? Am I going to give glory to the one who brought on the calamity, or am I going to give glory to the one who brought me through the calamity? And I made a choice. I will give glory to the One who brought me through the calamity.
I can certainly see how God was with me every step of the way. Why did He allow this to happen if He was right with me? I don't know. What I do know is that I was not harmed in any way. What I do know is that what Satan meant for bad, God can use for good. Romans 8:28 And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I am able to see God's hand protecting me. Don't get me wrong, I was SCARED! Like I said, I am still kind of shaky and it's been 13 hours since it happened. BUT, I will not wallow in self pity. I will celebrate the victory!
When I hit the ice, there were cars near me in front of me and behind me. I didn't hit any of them, and I was sliding all over the road. I went flying into the ditch, hit and took out one of those poles with the reflector on top, and yet didn't have so much as a bumped head or a scratch on me.
When I went off the road, I did not even need to call for help. There was a sheriff right behind me who saw the whole thing. He pulled over right behind me, and was out of his car before I was even out of mine. He was very nice, and never even questioned my speed or anything. (I wasn't going fast at all. I just hit a patch of ice and it sent me careening all over the road.) He had me get my things out of the car and drove me to a nearby Hardee's.
When I got into Hardee's and reached for my cell phone, I discovered that I must have left it in the car. I asked the lady at the counter if I could use their phone and she informed me that they did not have a public phone. This was the point that the tears almost came. I guess it was obvious by the look on my face that I was about to cry, so she asked, "What's wrong? Are you stranded or something?" When I said yes that my car was in the ditch about a mile up the road, she was like, "Oh, sorry. That's too bad." Helpful. Thanks. Anyway, I went to the back of the restaurant where the old guys were gathered drinking their coffee and asked if any of them had a phone I could borrow. One of them lent me his right away. Of course I was so flustered all of a sudden I couldn't remember if my work number was 319 or 391! The guy was so nice! He told me not to worry about it, just to dial 411 and let them dial it for me. I didn't have to do that, I finally remembered the right number, but just the fact that he was so kind really made me feel better. After I called work, let them know where I was, and had the arrangements made for my principal to come pick me up (yes, the principal drove 20 minutes to pick me up), the man offered to buy me some breakfast at Hardee's. I was too upset to eat, but again, the kindness this man showed me will always stick with me.
My principal was just glad to see that I wasn't hurt, and was very understanding. I work with a great bunch of people, and they were so nice to me all day. They gave me hugs, taught my class while I tried to get things in order, and let me borrow their cell phones to make calls to my husband, my mom (who was taking care of my daughter) and my insurance agent.
After school, I looked in the phone book for a towing company. There are literally two or three pages of towing companies. I wanted to call a few to get an idea of a price range, but I didn't have time to call 2 or 3 pages worth! I picked 4 and started calling. It seemed like it was going to cost me well over $100 just to get the car pulled up out of the ditch. More if I needed any other services. The fourth one I called said he's easily half the price of other towing companies. He charged $40 to come pull me out. A coincidence that his number was one of the four I wrote down? I don't think so! Unfortunately, my front passenger tire was flat, so he had to tow the car to a gas station. He only charged another $40 to tow it there. He took it to a place where he knew they wouldn't charge an arm and a leg to fix the tire if there was something wrong with it. The tire didn't have a hole in it, but it had been knocked off the rim a bit. The tire was fixed for $10.
While at the gas station, Husband and I searched the car for my missing cell phone. No cell phone. I felt sick as I thought that it must have fallen out into the snow when I got out of the car this morning. We took his truck back to the place where my car went in the ditch, and began to search. Husband thought we were crazy for even trying, but I told him, "I prayed we would find it." He called my phone, and we heard it ringing!! How it managed to stay in one piece while the car was towed out of the ditch, and still was working after being outside in the snow, in single digit temps all day long is nothing short of miraculous! My only explanation? Jesus loves me! :)
So on my way home, 12 hours after I left my house this morning, as I'm thinking what a horrible, rotten, no good, very bad day (just call me Alexander) I had today, I felt God speak to me and say, "But I was with you. I protected you. I gave you favor. Now what are going to choose? to give Me glory and be a victor, or overlook all of these things and be a victim?" It's kind of like the choice the Israelites had in Deuteronomy 30 I guess. Verses 19-20 say, "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
My mom was doing her devotions this morning and felt like God wanted her to give me some verses. II Corinthians 4: 7-15. It pretty much sums up my day.
But we have the treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
And finally, verse 17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
I can certainly see how God was with me every step of the way. Why did He allow this to happen if He was right with me? I don't know. What I do know is that I was not harmed in any way. What I do know is that what Satan meant for bad, God can use for good. Romans 8:28 And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I am able to see God's hand protecting me. Don't get me wrong, I was SCARED! Like I said, I am still kind of shaky and it's been 13 hours since it happened. BUT, I will not wallow in self pity. I will celebrate the victory!
When I hit the ice, there were cars near me in front of me and behind me. I didn't hit any of them, and I was sliding all over the road. I went flying into the ditch, hit and took out one of those poles with the reflector on top, and yet didn't have so much as a bumped head or a scratch on me.
When I went off the road, I did not even need to call for help. There was a sheriff right behind me who saw the whole thing. He pulled over right behind me, and was out of his car before I was even out of mine. He was very nice, and never even questioned my speed or anything. (I wasn't going fast at all. I just hit a patch of ice and it sent me careening all over the road.) He had me get my things out of the car and drove me to a nearby Hardee's.
When I got into Hardee's and reached for my cell phone, I discovered that I must have left it in the car. I asked the lady at the counter if I could use their phone and she informed me that they did not have a public phone. This was the point that the tears almost came. I guess it was obvious by the look on my face that I was about to cry, so she asked, "What's wrong? Are you stranded or something?" When I said yes that my car was in the ditch about a mile up the road, she was like, "Oh, sorry. That's too bad." Helpful. Thanks. Anyway, I went to the back of the restaurant where the old guys were gathered drinking their coffee and asked if any of them had a phone I could borrow. One of them lent me his right away. Of course I was so flustered all of a sudden I couldn't remember if my work number was 319 or 391! The guy was so nice! He told me not to worry about it, just to dial 411 and let them dial it for me. I didn't have to do that, I finally remembered the right number, but just the fact that he was so kind really made me feel better. After I called work, let them know where I was, and had the arrangements made for my principal to come pick me up (yes, the principal drove 20 minutes to pick me up), the man offered to buy me some breakfast at Hardee's. I was too upset to eat, but again, the kindness this man showed me will always stick with me.
My principal was just glad to see that I wasn't hurt, and was very understanding. I work with a great bunch of people, and they were so nice to me all day. They gave me hugs, taught my class while I tried to get things in order, and let me borrow their cell phones to make calls to my husband, my mom (who was taking care of my daughter) and my insurance agent.
After school, I looked in the phone book for a towing company. There are literally two or three pages of towing companies. I wanted to call a few to get an idea of a price range, but I didn't have time to call 2 or 3 pages worth! I picked 4 and started calling. It seemed like it was going to cost me well over $100 just to get the car pulled up out of the ditch. More if I needed any other services. The fourth one I called said he's easily half the price of other towing companies. He charged $40 to come pull me out. A coincidence that his number was one of the four I wrote down? I don't think so! Unfortunately, my front passenger tire was flat, so he had to tow the car to a gas station. He only charged another $40 to tow it there. He took it to a place where he knew they wouldn't charge an arm and a leg to fix the tire if there was something wrong with it. The tire didn't have a hole in it, but it had been knocked off the rim a bit. The tire was fixed for $10.
While at the gas station, Husband and I searched the car for my missing cell phone. No cell phone. I felt sick as I thought that it must have fallen out into the snow when I got out of the car this morning. We took his truck back to the place where my car went in the ditch, and began to search. Husband thought we were crazy for even trying, but I told him, "I prayed we would find it." He called my phone, and we heard it ringing!! How it managed to stay in one piece while the car was towed out of the ditch, and still was working after being outside in the snow, in single digit temps all day long is nothing short of miraculous! My only explanation? Jesus loves me! :)
So on my way home, 12 hours after I left my house this morning, as I'm thinking what a horrible, rotten, no good, very bad day (just call me Alexander) I had today, I felt God speak to me and say, "But I was with you. I protected you. I gave you favor. Now what are going to choose? to give Me glory and be a victor, or overlook all of these things and be a victim?" It's kind of like the choice the Israelites had in Deuteronomy 30 I guess. Verses 19-20 say, "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
My mom was doing her devotions this morning and felt like God wanted her to give me some verses. II Corinthians 4: 7-15. It pretty much sums up my day.
But we have the treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
And finally, verse 17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
My Kasey
One of my best friends has a little boy that is 2 1/2. He is SO adorable!! He and I are VERY good buds. I just LOVE him! I was over at his house briefly the other day, and he must not have realized that I had left. His mommy told me that some time later he went looking around the house and then said, "Where's my Kasey?!" Doesn't that just melt your heart?
Another day, his mommy and daddy were talking in one room while my buddy was playing in another room. My name entered the conversation, and he came running into the room asking, "Kasey?! Where Kasey?!"
Still another day, my little buddy was talking to another friend of his family. She asked him if he was her buddy. He answered, "No! I Kasey's buddy!" He's such a little cutie! Yes, he does have his Kasey wrapped around his little finger! But look at this face! How could I not be???
Another day, his mommy and daddy were talking in one room while my buddy was playing in another room. My name entered the conversation, and he came running into the room asking, "Kasey?! Where Kasey?!"
Still another day, my little buddy was talking to another friend of his family. She asked him if he was her buddy. He answered, "No! I Kasey's buddy!" He's such a little cutie! Yes, he does have his Kasey wrapped around his little finger! But look at this face! How could I not be???
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Cheap Entertainment
What do you get when you have 1 empty plastic bag, one glass with a few drips of milk left in the bottom, and two adorable kittens?
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