Learning to live for HIS glory

And as I immerse myself in lesson planning He speaks to my soul: " Don't miss this." The simple is profound! Who is Jesus? Why can I trust Jesus? Why do I need Jesus? How can Jesus help me when I mess up? What does Jesus want me to do? In the middle of these "Big questions,"  "Big answers" are true for me just as much as the 7-11 year olds I'll be teaching.  Jesus is God's Son, I can look up and ask for His help in ALL things because He's trustworthy always, His death and resurrection make it possible for me to be a part of God's family, He's gracious to forgive me & help me make a fresh start when I open up to Him about where I'm wrong, and He wants me to know and love Him and have a passion for sharing that love and knowledge with others! Friends, the gospel doesn't change ! "This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him....

Because in the middle of all this planning, I need refocusing. "Keeper of the Stars,    God of the Universe,       Doer of the Impossible,         God of the Ages,            Giver of Wisdom,               JESUS,                 My Savior,   All this belongs to You.  You are the One who gives wisdom.  All I am is Yours.  Be glorified in me~use my planning to fix my eyes on You.  Use these lessons to point kiddos eyes to You.   May Your gospel flow from my pen, my mouth, my heart.   Use this, Lord!  However You see fit.  Mostly though, just grace us with Your presence!  All is nothing if You do not show up.  Lord, let them forget me, "my lessons" . . . and remember YOU                       In Jesus name,    ...

Keep talking, Sweet, smooth, southern drawl. Keep talking, Don't melt my heart at all! Call me ma'am, I'll call you sir. Wait, You're just a boy, So maybe not . . . Don't leave, I like your company. Don't go, Just keep talking. Blonde hair, Blue eyes, Impish grin . . . Making me smile :) Purely for the fun of it...because I've got these two little southern boys as guests this week that keep coming to visit my office, getting coffee and bananas, calling me ma'am, and it's quite adorable!

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3) Gunmen, Bombings, People hacked to pieces, Images of blood, Buildings burned. "The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths." (Is. 59:8) Text messages. 3 hour phone calls. Tears. Silence. Song. "Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter." (Is. 59:14). Conversation in the chairs out back... Tears welling up. Heart weighed down, Too heavy. Wondering, God, WHY?! "They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice..." (Rom. 1:29) So much darkness, Evil at every turn. My heart weighs down To the point of breaking. I NEED Goodness, Love, Justice, Truth, Purity, So HUNGRY... I turn to One who is... GOOD. "For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His ...

Thick, black, utter darkness covers the land, threatening to choke out life itself.  The Savior of the world is hanging on a cross . . . about to breath His last breath?! How can this be?  Lord, this wasn’t the plan, was it?  Did the angels know, I wonder?  Or were they shaking their heads in sorrow?  Saying, “God, this looks REALLY bad . . .” Somehow I think the darkness that fell for the hours preceding Jesus’ death permeated more than just our physical world, but maybe it wasn’t as dark as it appeared . . . allow me to attempt to paint us a picture: Bloody, beaten, mangled…the body of God’s only Son hangs stretched upon roughhewn pieces of wood, held in place by nails that are more like iron stakes.  A crown woven out of cruel thorns sends streams of blood trickling down His face, from where the soldiers shoved it onto his skull just hours earlier.  A faithful few remain near the foot of His cross, wondering if this was all in vain; and t...

She sends me a short text today: "Psalm 16" So perfect . . . See, those words bring other words to mind. Words etched on my brain in indelible ink: "Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.' As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh ...

Life turning Life changing Changing direction Changing purpose Purpose for living Purpose in dying Dying to self Dying to live Live forever Live for Jesus Jesus Messiah Jesus gives life Life in death Life for all All who trust All who turn Turn to the Savior  Turn and trust Trust His life Trust His grace Grace to live Grace for sin Sin that destroys Sin that condemns Condemns our lives Condemns our hearts Hearts are turning Hearts are softening Softening to truth Softening to God God is molding God is changing Changing hearts Changing minds Minds surrender Minds now trust Trust in Jesus Trust His death Death for sinners Death to conquer Conquer the devil Conquer the grave Grave now empty Grave of joy Joy unending  Joy in Christ  Christ our Savior  Christ our Lord Lord  Savior