Goodbye Old, Hello New Year!

Endings make me sad. When I finish a good book, I often wish I was at the beginning again. When I leave my family after a visit, it makes me cry. The end of a year brings memories of the losses incurred. For example, during this past year I lost three dear loved ones. And many of the women in the class I teach lost their jobs.

But the year also contained much for which I am thankful. Though I lost my job last year (when the extension site at which I worked closed), my husband is still employed (Yea God). During the past twelve months, I have observed some of the women in my flock (i.e., the adult Sunday school class I teach) grow spiritually. God provided some adjunct teaching opportunities and also gave some success to my freelance writing efforts. And I finally reshelved all the books I used for my doctoral dissertation (probably TMI, but, nevertheless, no small feat).

The best part of endings is that they make way for beginnings. I am excited about the New Year, though I have no clue what God has planned. That used to really irritate me, but living in the Dark Night of the Soul has changed me. I am learning to wait on God. Patiently. Almost contentedly (God still has some work to do there). I'm planning to practice some new disciplines in the New Year, and trust God will bear fruit in my life in his timing.

How about you? Are you ready for a new beginning? Got any plans to change what needs to be changed in your life? Don't delay. The New Year is upon us!

Father, thank you for your faithfulness, presence, blessings, and loving kindness in the past year. Please continue to lead and guide us in the coming year, and help us to obediently follow your commands. In Jesus' name, amen.

Thanks Be to God for His Patience

Sometimes I wonder why the world doesn’t disintegrate due to the cruelty, cluelessness, and foolishness of its inhabitants (of which I am one).

This blog entry has gone through several iterations in which I have pointed my pen at others' recent foolish (and worse) escapades.

But then I read this in The Way of the Heart, by Henry Nouwen: "...the roots of all conflict, war, injustice, cruelty, hatred, jealousy, and envy are deeply anchored in our own heart" Ouch.

I do believe, if it weren’t for God the Father, in whom we “live and move and have our being,” Acts 17:28 NIV, and Jesus the Son, who sustains “all things by his powerful word,” Hebrews 1:3 NIV, that the world would fall apart in a minute (possibly led by me and my own foolishness). Thanks be to God for his care, compassion, and patience.

The Word Sower Sows Some Seeds

I sowed two kinds of seeds yesterday: the Word of God and grass seed. The text for the sowing of the Word was Mark 10:13-16, in which Jesus rebukes the disciples for rebuking the people who were bring their children to Jesus for a blessing. In the passage, Jesus says that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children. He continues: “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15 NIV).

After reading the passage, a discussion ensued in which we reflected on the difference between positive childlike characteristics (simple faith, trust, dependence, humility, receptivity, expectation, exuberance, obedience) and childlike behavior (selfishness, tantrums, lashing out in anger, and hiding).

We also discussed some hindrances to responding to God like a child (cluelessness, upbringing, prior experiences, and habits) and some reasons for childlike behavior (fear, rebelliousness, pride, and envy). Then we talked about why these might be ruling our lives, and how we might acquire the childlike characteristics that please God.

The grass seed was spread over the top soil in my back yard. While casting the seed on the ground, the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20) churned in my mind. In the parable, the sower casts seed on the ground and the resulting crops are, in part, dependent upon the type of soil into which the seed is cast. The sower obviously trusts that some will fall on good soil or he wouldn’t cast the seed. The sower is also dependent on God to produce the crop, as the sower has no control over the climate.

If the seed I sowed yesterday afternoon fell on good ground, we should see some grass in a few weeks. If the seed I sowed yesterday morning fell on good ground, it could produce some good spiritual growth in God's time. For the glory of God, may it be so in my life and in the lives of my students.

Long Time No Blog...

I don't know where to begin. I've neglected the blog for so long, and so much has transpired in the past six months. The big stuff has been the deaths of four family/extended family members and all the attendant turmoil that those experiences bring. I have no profound thoughts except to say" "Death stinks, but God is good." I could elaborate, but those of you who have experience in this realm know exactly what I mean.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't have some blog-worthy thought, opinion, or word of encouragement. At least I think it's blog-worthy. Ah, but there's the rub...is it really? And, as I argue with myself over the wisdom and usefulness of my blog (especially in light of the stellar blogs already available - say at http://blog.christianitytoday.com/giftedforleadership/ ) the day slips away (and then the month).

I've read that the ideal blogger blogs several times a day. Not going to happen. The conventional wisdom says the blogger should blog at least once per week. Used to do that. Could happen again. Barring more calamities on the immediate horizon.

So, today I'm just checking in to say "Howdy" and to declare that: "I'm sure glad God is in charge of the world" and that "I'm grateful for the great big gobs of help and comfort He has provided."

That's it for now...

Keep Growing!

Had dinner with a former student yesterday. What fun to re-connect, to hear how she is growing, and to listen to her dreams. Always full of curiosity, this woman reminded me why I love to teach. There is no greater joy than to watch the Lord pour himself into another person through me. I view myself as a vessel into which God may pour himself, and then I allow him to use me to impact the lives of others.

Watching the light bulb go on in one student's head or seeing a heart change through interaction in the classroom makes all the study and preparation worthwhile. And when a student continues the journey after she leaves the classroom, WOW! What God can do with a willing believer is awesome!

Where are you on your journey with the Lord? Are you curious about him and his work in the world? Do you continue to learn about him through his Word? Are you growing or stagnating? Do you talk to him? Ask him questions? Listen to his response?

My wish for you is that you would be like this dear student - a willing, seeking, sponge! Someone who is looking for the Lord, listening to his voice, growing in grace. Don't delay, God is waiting for you!

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).

Growing in the Knowledge of Christ

I spent the afternoon teaching a delightful group of students in the Ministry Leadership program at Cornerstone University. There’s nothing more invigorating than hanging around with people who want to learn. Busy with work, family, ministry, and homework for their classes, these students evidenced a deep desire to know and honor God. Full of life experiences (some of which they shared), great questions, and insightful comments, the students were a blessing to my heart. I pray God’s blessing on them as they seek to “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).