Wow, am I glad this week is over! It has been such a crazy, busy week going back to work. Despite having gone to work in my classroom for 3 days the week before, I still had so much work to do in order to prepare for students. I still have some work left and will need to go to my classroom this weekend to be ready for students on Monday morning. I brought stuff home to do as well. The beginning of the year is so busy, and I don't think people realize just how much work goes into it.
Yesterday was our "Rally Day" where parents and students come to see who they have and meet the teacher. I have to admit that I don't look forward to that hour (that usually turns into 1 1/2-2 hours). Don't get me wrong - I enjoy meeting people and my students. But I am an absolute nervous wreck about 20 minutes prior, because I get anxious. I don't do well in chaotic circumstances, and I do better when I can moderate better who to talk to and for how long. But when you have 4 or more people all wanting to meet you and talk to you - well, it doesn't really mesh with my personality. Fortunately, they came in small clusters, and I didn't have too many people at once in my room. So it was much more manageable! Though due to my introverted nature, after that hour or so, I am exhausted! I came home (after Happy Hour with coworkers!) and just sat in a vegetated state on my couch. I'm not kidding! And I replayed in my mind who I spoke to and what I said, and did I say something stupid, and did I answer their question well, . . . and on and on. It took awhile for my mind to shut off.
So this morning it was really nice to wake up slowly and then spend some time in quietness, reading from my Bible and journaling. I love the peace that comes from spending time with the Lord! It is one of those times that when I'm done, I don't feel like I haven't accomplished anything. I finish feeling refreshed and renewed. It is the best part of my day!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
New Furniture!
I was finally able to get new living room furniture. My old couch gave me 13 good years, but it was time to move on. I gave away the old couch and chair and then sat on my floor for a week while I awaited my new sofa and loveseat. It is so nice to have something I feel better about. I don't have to cover these with a sheet to keep off dog hair because they clean up so much easier! Yeah for microfiber! Anyhow, here is the old (with Dusty on it of course!) versus the new and improved living room!
Top - Old couch w/ Dusty on it ; Middle - New Sofa with Bookcase; Bottom - Loveseat side; yes, the wall needs more than a clock
Top - Old couch w/ Dusty on it ; Middle - New Sofa with Bookcase; Bottom - Loveseat side; yes, the wall needs more than a clock
Friday, August 15, 2008
Name of Jesus
You know how sometimes you get a thought that you have had a million times before? Well, this morning was one of those times for me. As I was praying and just talking to God, I was finishing with the standard closure of "in Jesus' name," and it was one of those times where the name of Jesus struck me as so beautiful.
Jesus' name is abused in our society a lot. It is used by people who don't even believe in what He did. He is even being used as a joke in the new movie "Hamlet 2" (I've seen commercials for it.) It is used as a curse or swear word when things don't go our way - where words like "shoot" or "darn" or Charlie Brown's "good grief" could easily be used. (which I prefer those words)
But the name of Jesus is so much more precious and sacred than that! It is a name that recognizes Him as the Son of God. His name is synonymous with perfect living and sacrifice. That name is the name we call on and believe in for our salvation!
How it must break God's heart to hear His Son's name abused and misused. This was His gift to His fallen creation, and it has been trampled on throughout the ages.
I have to ask myself: Do I take the name of Jesus for granted? Do I treat it with the care His name deserves? When I speak His name, am I saying it with honor?
There is a song by Paul Baloche titled "Your Name" that came to mind when I was thinking about that this morning. Some of the lyrics are:
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name
There is healing in Your Name
Salvation in Your Name,
There is Joy in Your Name
Jesus, in Your Name
Yes, Jesus, in Your Precious, Holy Name!
Jesus' name is abused in our society a lot. It is used by people who don't even believe in what He did. He is even being used as a joke in the new movie "Hamlet 2" (I've seen commercials for it.) It is used as a curse or swear word when things don't go our way - where words like "shoot" or "darn" or Charlie Brown's "good grief" could easily be used. (which I prefer those words)
But the name of Jesus is so much more precious and sacred than that! It is a name that recognizes Him as the Son of God. His name is synonymous with perfect living and sacrifice. That name is the name we call on and believe in for our salvation!
How it must break God's heart to hear His Son's name abused and misused. This was His gift to His fallen creation, and it has been trampled on throughout the ages.
I have to ask myself: Do I take the name of Jesus for granted? Do I treat it with the care His name deserves? When I speak His name, am I saying it with honor?
There is a song by Paul Baloche titled "Your Name" that came to mind when I was thinking about that this morning. Some of the lyrics are:
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name
There is healing in Your Name
Salvation in Your Name,
There is Joy in Your Name
Jesus, in Your Name
Yes, Jesus, in Your Precious, Holy Name!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
A New Lesson from Job
So I'm a day behind in my REAP for Bible study (REAP is an acronym for a Bible study method that our church has implemented). I read today from Job through Chapter 3, and as I was reading, verse 13 in chapter 2 really struck me. The reason it really stood out to me is because it says this: And they (Job's friends) sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
Why should this have attention drawn to it? For me it was because it made me stop and realize that we usually hear what terrible friends Job had. They said stupid things to him about why he was suffering, and what he must have done to deserve what he was going through. But this particular verse revealed to me that Job's friends started off well. How? Well, they came to him when they heard the suffering he was enduring. Don't friends that care do that? Not only did they come to him during his time of affliction, they also sat with him for 7 days and 7 nights - one full week. How long do we stay with a friend in their grief? To top it off, they didn't start offering him pat condolences and sympathy - they sat in silence with him. You know, sometimes the best thing to say is to say nothing at all. In fact, they didn't say anything until after Job.
So it made me wonder: why do these guys always get so much crap for saying the wrong things (which they did), but no credit for being there in the first place and sitting with Job for those 7 days and nights. How awkward was that for them? What did they do? Can you imagine sitting in silence with someone for a whole week? I honestly cannot.
It also made me think about how God is always with us - especially in our grief and when we don't necessarily "hear" Him. He is still there, even if He is silent. He hasn't gone anywhere. Sometimes it's nice to just know He's there. And our friends, too. Sometimes we don't need them to say anything to us - we just need them to be there. And listen when we are ready to speak.
Why should this have attention drawn to it? For me it was because it made me stop and realize that we usually hear what terrible friends Job had. They said stupid things to him about why he was suffering, and what he must have done to deserve what he was going through. But this particular verse revealed to me that Job's friends started off well. How? Well, they came to him when they heard the suffering he was enduring. Don't friends that care do that? Not only did they come to him during his time of affliction, they also sat with him for 7 days and 7 nights - one full week. How long do we stay with a friend in their grief? To top it off, they didn't start offering him pat condolences and sympathy - they sat in silence with him. You know, sometimes the best thing to say is to say nothing at all. In fact, they didn't say anything until after Job.
So it made me wonder: why do these guys always get so much crap for saying the wrong things (which they did), but no credit for being there in the first place and sitting with Job for those 7 days and nights. How awkward was that for them? What did they do? Can you imagine sitting in silence with someone for a whole week? I honestly cannot.
It also made me think about how God is always with us - especially in our grief and when we don't necessarily "hear" Him. He is still there, even if He is silent. He hasn't gone anywhere. Sometimes it's nice to just know He's there. And our friends, too. Sometimes we don't need them to say anything to us - we just need them to be there. And listen when we are ready to speak.
1st time Blogger
Alright, so I am a virgin blogger. This is my first blog ever, and I am not really sure what to say. I've always wondered who would really care what I have to say or think, but then I decided that somebody might - so here I am. I'm not exactly certain what will come of this, so just go with it.
I figure it will be a good way to share a little about the thoughts that run through my head, hence the name of the blog. Hopefully it's not too murky in there!
Hope you enjoy!
I figure it will be a good way to share a little about the thoughts that run through my head, hence the name of the blog. Hopefully it's not too murky in there!
Hope you enjoy!
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