I AM - Lesson 7

Join us once again at The Preacher's Wife for our weekly dose of bible study.

I like the verse before this "Who Am I" (I know, can't I just answer the questions!). God is sending Moses because of the "crying out" of His people. Moses is God's choice to answer these prayers, and as Lisa has mentioned, preparing Moses for 80 years...now on to my answers.

1. How would you answer the questions, "Who Am I?"

I have found a lot of my identity in my accomplishments - good grades in school, scholarships, ministry leadership positions, etc. I am a teacher and that often defines "who" I am when I get in a conversation. But that isn't "who" I am, that is what I do. My "career" is an easy topic.

The below verse was given to me by my Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship leader. She underlined the bolded section below.

Romans 14:7 For none of us lives to himself alone
and none of us dies to himself alone.
8If we live, we live to the Lord;
and if we die, we die to the Lord.
So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

I belong to the Lord! My stress level has decreased as I apply this scripture to my life and realize that my hope is not based on what I have done or even plan to do, but I am a child of the King. Period.


2. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt inadequate because of your lack of a 'tagline'?

I actually feel like I have the opposite problem. I usually feel more inadequate when I do have a "tagline". I always feel that I should know more or have more expertise, etc. I think that when I operate without expectations, I am going more with God's Will and know that it is not of my creation.


3. Do you have skills or position that you believe God could use mightily if only He would?

I think that I always have that position at home or at school. We all have power. Andy Stanley of North Point Community Church (he has some great online messages for free, click here for the link) had a sermon about power and giving it away. He describes how we need to leverage our power for others. I believe that we are all in a position of power and thus influence - I truly believe He will use me mightily.


4. Have you ever lost a position or station in life you believe could have 'helped God out' with something He has asked you to do? If you haven't lost out, do you perhaps feel you have to gain this in order to be useful to the Kingdom?

I have actually thought about working for a church, that I might be more effective there - if I only went to seminary. Yet, I keep hearing the voice of God say that he needs believers in the marketplace and not to hide in the church building. So, even though I don't have some great title of "Pastor", I know that I am in this place for a reason, even if I don't always see the outcome. This community needs the salt of the living God and I am trying to be that to my students in the public school setting.


5. How are you with your dialogue vs. doubt conversations with God? Which does God hear most from you?

I am thinking that I have more of a dialogue going with God then one about doubt. I am dong much better with my prayer requests - praying the "big" prayers.

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him
we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

6. Do you believe God's Wonders become more wonderful if they originate in the ordinary? Any Scripture references come to mind?

I still think that it is amazing that God chooses to spread His Word through us. He is full of opposites. Here are some verses that I thought of.

2 Cor. 12:9 But he said to me, "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. 10That 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.

Mark 9:23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”


Thanks for reading. Hope to see you all again next week!

Cyndee

Exciting Friday...

We had a pretty exciting Friday evening. This is the conversation that my husband and I had. We have decided that we can die and go to heaven, because we have seen everything...

Husband: "Hi, listen to this"

He sticks his phone out the window - kinda like that Domino's commercial on NASCAR.

Me: "It is noisy, why is that?"

Husband: " Not sure, I got in the truck and it sounds like something is wrong with the muffler. I am going to go get it checked out."

Me: " Okay, call me later if you need a ride."

He calls back, "You are not going to believe this."

Me: " Well, how much is it going to cost us? What is wrong with the truck anyway?"

Husband: " Someone has cut and stolen the catalytic converter. We can't drive the truck without it because it will cause the check engine light to go off and then we will have to get that fixed"

We were just amazed that this happened. After 10 years of using park and rides, this happens. We think that they stole it for the platinum metal used in the converter. Precious metals are big business - copper pipes have been stolen from abandoned houses in the city. We called the police and our insurance. It is just frustrating, because we have a deductible. This was an unexpected expense - especially prior to summer and our vacation time.

We always ask God "Why?" and then we remember "Why not?". We live in a sinful world with sinful people that desperately need Christ. It is hard to pray for those that hurt you, but it is the only thing we can do. How desperate are they that they steal? God help them!

Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

Friday Feast #145

Join us today at Friday Feast

Appetizer:

Name a sound you like to hear.

A quiet classroom at the end of a long school day. The feeling of a job well done and that you are following God's calling for your life.

Soup:

What is your favorite kind of cheese?

My favorite is a good aged swiss - usually can't afford the "good" stuff, but I enjoy it when I can get it.

Salad:

Do you sleep late on Saturday mornings? Why or why not?

No, but I would love to. I am a night person and would rather stay up late and get up late. I usually have to get up during swim/synchro season to get my daughter to practice by 7am. It is a great time to go grocery shopping - the stores are empty.

Main Course:

When was the last time you forgot something? What was it, and how long did it take to remember it?

Just yesterday actually. I forgot to pack a lunch to take to work - I woke up early to take the girl to a synchro competition and the bus left at 6:15am. I didn't remember until I got to work and went to grab my lunch and it wasn't in the car where I usually put it.

Dessert:

Fill in the blank:
I notice I am more tired when I don't exercise or move very much


Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

I Am - Lesson 6

This is Lesson 6 in the I AM study. Please join us at any time at The Preacher's Wife.

I get a daily devotional from John Fischer called "Catch of the Day". Last week he talked specifically about the whole burning bush scene. I thought that it might add to the study we were doing - so I have included a copy of it here or you can link to the full text here and read the comments.


Shoes off
by John Fischer

When God met Moses through a burning bush, He told him to take off his shoes because He was standing on holy ground. I've been thinking about that holy ground lately and wondering why God had Moses remove his shoes. In my research I came upon the teachings of a few rabbis whom I would assume have the inside track on the cultural meaning of this practice. I found there were not one, but a number of possible explanations.

One possibility is to symbolically remove the dust and dirt (contamination) from the world so as to enter the holy place. The priests in the temple remove their shoes in this manner. Another was the idea of humility. One rabbi remarked how Jews cover their heads as a sign of respect, but uncover their feet. That would seem to indicate to both humility and vulnerability.

Rabbi Yaacov Haber commented about that vulnerability. "With shoes, one can walk over stones, glass, water, even fire and not feel a thing. Without shoes, one can feel everything. Step on the slightest protrusion, even a little Lego, and the pain climbs right up the spine."

If you're going to be a leader... you must remove the insulation that you wear to protect yourself.... It will hurt but you must be able to feel every bump, every nick and cranny; you must be able to feel the pain. A person who is responsive to external conditions or stimulation is a person who will be susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others. It is this individual who can develop a meaningful relationship."

A s if this wasn't enough, there is still one more interpretation of the metaphor, and perhaps it is the most important. For Moses, the burning bush represented the presence of God. Today, the kingdom of God has come; His Holy Spirit is here; and thus the presence of God is everywhere. So Rabbi Melanie Aron can say, "The place upon which you are standing, that is the exact situation in which you find yourself, is a holy place. In whatever distracting and difficult situation you find yourself, there are opportunities for holiness."

1. How current is your God? Is he up to date on all your issues or do you have old hurts you still hold behind your back?

I think that for once I can say that my old issues are laid to rest in God's forgiving hands. Every once in awhile I am reminded of my past and must revisit to move forward. He leads me through the landmines of my life and allows me to see the truth and to be okay with that. My God is working today - presently and always.

2. Has the enemy ever told you there are situations that are 'old news' that are better left stuffed down? Or perhaps because they were so long ago they can't possibly be affecting you now?

As I have mentioned in other posts, I continue to deal with having a child out of wedlock. My husband and I have never been married without a child around. We talk about life after children (sort of - they never really leave). This particular "sin" will affect me my whole life.

I do my best when I am getting to know someone - like the women in this bible study - that I make that information part of my history. That I don't just skim over it as if it never happened. My husband and I are blessed to have broken the odds - and this is only because or our shared belief in Christ. We would definately be overwhelmed without His ongoing help. This was not in my plan, but God uses it to open up conversations and allow others to be real. Satan loves to have us hide, but speaking the truth - whether I like it or not - is very freeing.

Maybe I don't mind talking about it now because the results are good. I also know that certain things I must deal with in the company of really good friends. I don't ever want to be false, but I don't want to "throw my pearls before swine" either. There is always a balance.

3. In the matter of established authority, does God truly reign in your life? Where are you when He calls your name?

Most of the time, yes. God is the center of my life. Yet, I feel like I fill my life with busyness. I am working on not being busy just for something to do, but to be ready when He calls my name.

4. Do you ever feel God has forgotten you in your 'west side of the wilderness'?

Not anymore. It seems that it is usually me that has walked away from Him to be in that wilderness. God always finds me, but it is me that walked away in the first place, not God.

5. Have you ever experienced a time of cleansing where God has illuminated and rejuvenated you? If not, do you find you are in need of this now?

I think I have done that many times - times when I really felt the hand of God. And guess what? It usually occurred during the valleys of my life - when life was really hard. It isn't as monumental as when I was younger, but I still have times where I cry - literally cry - out to Jesus and thank him for "cleansing" me. It never gets old to be reminded of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

Hope you have a great week! I am going to go see what the rest of you said.

Cyndee

Awards for my girl

We attended an academic awards banquet for my daughter last night. She was late because of synchro - what else? We sat with a couple of her friends and her parents. It is always interesting to meet the parents of your daughters "friends" from school. We have a saying here at school - the apple doesn't usually fall far from the tree. These are good people, but the kids act just like the parents (as does my own daughter - quite the mirror to be looking into). Luckily, these are kids that are excelling in school and overall achieving.

We got home. My husband was with Eli at a baseball game so he missed the festivities (or the boredom). I am proud of her, but why can't it be more enjoyable? Yikes!

Husband: "So, did you get your award?"

Daughter: "I got a piece of paper."

To her this isn't much of a reward. She knows that in the long run it will help for college, etc. I am hoping that we can find something appropriate (that doesn't cost us a fortune) to recognize her great work in school.

Thanks for reading

Worth

"Until you settle the issue of your own worth,
it's impossible to bring holiness into anyone else's life.
Until you understand that your worth
is already determined by the fact of your birth,
everything else is an exercise in propping up a dying tree."

~ Carol Brazo ~
"No Ordinary Home"

When I first saw this quote, the word that stuck out to me was worth. I did a search on bible gateway for verses that included that word or a variation. Here is a sampling of some of the verses I found.

2 Kings 17
14 But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them. 16 They rejected all the commands of the Lord their God and made two calves from metal. They set up an Asherah pole and worshiped Baal and all the forces of heaven.

Acts 20
24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Romans 1
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.

Revelations 5

3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. 4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.

I found a trend. Only God is worthy. Our only real worth comes from Christ alone. So, until we can really grasp that we are valuable to God because we are, we are fighting a losing battle. It seems to me that is the meaning of propping up a dying tree. We aren't giving life to the tree, just helping the dead thing stand by doing things to feel worthy. Christ gives us life and our worth. I hope that you can spend sometime today celebrating what Christ has done.

Join us over at Fruit in Season with Christine and add your thoughts to the mix.

Thanks for reading

Cyndee

Amazing Grace

As I look back at my blog entries, it seems that I have portrayed my life before moving to Minnesota as less then attractive. My life in my mother's home was a struggle, yet as I look back on it now, I know that God has used all those tough and sometimes painful situations to make me more sensitive to those with the same struggles.

I wanted to take some time to thank my mom for the things that she did right and praise God for reaching down to us and saving us. Maybe we (my family) have been fighting many generations of sin, I don't know that - the Lord took my grandmother home when I was in high school - she was young, in her late 50's. My grandmother came into a serious relationship with Jesus in the last years of her life in a hospital bed. Who knows, maybe this is what she needed to find salvation - to be forced to be still without alcohol or cigarettes. She became devoted - having hours and hours of time to fill sitting in a hospital surviving on a respirator.

My Grandmother was not perfect. In fact, we joke in our house that she was married 7 times, twice to the same man, and would always have a clean pair of underwear and a toothbrush in her purse, because who knew where she would wake up in the morning. This was my heritage. So, I often consider it a miracle that I came to Christ at all. Then I step back and think that this was the kind of life that my mother had to live. It was so unstable - different men coming and going - digging for money to buy some food for dinner. How could my young 16 year old mom even have the skills to raise a kids and have a successful marriage? She really wasn't prepared.

With all this as background, this is what my mother did accomplish regardless of the tools that she started with.

My mother is faithful to her man. My parents did not divorce because of infidelity or even money problems (though we have always been poor). From what I can decipher, my mom wanted to go back to school. My dad wanted her to stay at home. So, my mom went to work instead. My dad was very jealous of anyone that even looked at my mom - I get my flirtatiousness naturally. It seems to me that he walked out on her because he didn't trust her. I think he was wrong. (I am an adult - I think I can say that now).

My mother has a great work ethic. She has worked very hard to provide for my siblings and I without asking the "government" for help. We didn't always have the best clothes, but we had clothes. We lived in some questionable rented housing, but we were never homeless. I learned how to work hard and pull my weight from my mother. I learned independence (this can be a bad thing sometimes too.)

My mother stressed the importance of education. She always had a desire to go back to school and be a lawyer or paralegal. She is intelligent and loves to learn. Our house was always full of books. The library was our favorite place to go. It was free and the knowledge was there for the taking. My mother and grandmother's thought was that if you can read you can learn to do anything - quilt, design landscapes, build a deck (I have used library books to learn how to do all these things). I have greatly benefited from her love of learning by going to college. I never would have gone without believing that it was valuable.

So, yes, I am thankful for growing up the way I did. I am thankful that the heritage that I can pass down will include Jesus as the center. It is His amazing grace that saved my grandmother, mom and myself from much worse fates. May His name be praised for further generations.

Thanks for reading.

Nothing new here

We are just plowing through the last few days of school - waiting for those summer days for sleeping in and playing in the lake. My son is doing a countdown - my daughter could stay in school all year. I think that she likes the social aspect of it all.

Last night I used my "go out to dinner" card and we went to Applebee's. Nothing fancy, just some time together as a family. Eli was reviewing his baseball game from the day before and Charity was talking about her boring science teacher and this kid she calls leopard (apparently his hair is intentionally died in spots). Oh, fun times in junior high-don't ever want to go back.

We were on our way home - slightly rushed since the kids wanted to go home.

My daughter climbs in the car and says, "Will you hurry home, I have to poop?"

So goes our evening out with the kids...

Thanks for reading

Cyndee

Painful truth

Some days are more tiring than others. Some days I actually have to do some teaching and other days it is more of a supervisory role. My husband and I like to go for walks after dinner now that the weather is nice. So, I told him my plan the other day

Me: "Are you ready to go for a walk?"

Husband: "Sure, what are you going to do after that?"

Me: " I am going to sit on the couch, watch tv and watch my butt get bigger"

He found this quite hilarious. The truth hurts sometimes.

Flawed people

"What makes life on this frightful sod so exquisite
is God's merciful propensity to perform divine tasks
amid deeply flawed people."
~ Beth Moore, LPM Blog ~

Laurel over at Laurel Wreath is hosting todays In "other" Words. Please join us!

I went to the original blog entry for "context" on this one. I know, that is just the way I am. Beth Moore has such great ways of saying things - I just know that there had to be more. These were the next two sentences after the above quote.

"To paint intricate colors on a torn-up canvass.
We can recognize a miracle when we see one because we know that,
for God to use us, redeem us, or complete one stinkin' thing of value in us,
it would have taken nothing less. That's what He calls getting the glory."

Doesn't it just amaze you that God uses you at all? It truly amazes me and excites me. It is easy for me to give God the glory for so much in my life, because of my flaws and sin. I have made poor choices about that led to sin and pain. Yet, somehow, I am blessed by God. The creator of the universe knows me personally - WOW!

I was blessed this past week by my daughter - very appropriate with Mother's Day and all. She was our miracle baby in that we almost placed her up for adoption. Her father and I were not married or planning on getting married at the time of her birth. God changed our hearts and we choose to raise our daughter together - whatever sacrifices that would mean. God choose to paint intricate colors on this torn up canvass of my life.

The below is a response that I got from her synchro coach - it just made me cry to think that I could have missed all of this...

Thank you for your comments. First of all, I am not sure if you know Alissa very well, but she is an outstanding athlete, leader, and person. She is going to be missed greatly next year by me and the team. Now you might be saying what does this have to do with Charity. Well, the coaches have talked many times about how Charity is the next Alissa. I have every confidence in Charity and that she will be great. She rises to challanges and always has a great attitude.

I would love to take credit for being the best mom in the world, but I just can't. God is in our midst doing "divine tasks". I hope you take some time and thank him for all that He has done for you!

Thanks for reading

Cyndee

I Am - Lesson 5

Here is the next installment of the I AM study being hosted by The Preacher's Wife. Feel free to join us at anytime. It has taken me a few days to process this one. I want to be truthful in my answers and yet not "spiritual". I am definitely learning tons from this study.

1. Have you ever found yourself 'in faith' yet bewildered or demoralized?


It seems that when I am most confident, I am the farthest from God. I knew that I was called to do ministry after college. I didn't know what. I felt called to Minnesota to perform the gospel in mime. Not very common and MN was a long distance from CO. I didn't know anyone - I walked off the plane not even knowing where I would sleep that night. So began the journey that lead me to my husband, family and home in MN. I left in faith but was not especially confident that I had made the right decision.

2. Do you consider yourself content? Would you describe it as Decidedly Content or Dreamily Content?

I can finally say that I am content by both definitions. It actually makes me nervous - I keep waiting for something bad to happen. I grew up in a single parent home of an alcoholic. Life as a child was never content - I lived in crisis most of the time. It has been a huge adjustment in my marriage to be content and not create that crisis. I am really more comfortable living in crisis instead of living a content life. Being able to say that I am content and enjoy being content is a huge step for me.

3. If you are not content, are there circumstances that keep you from this feeling?

To be decidedly content is a choice. I find that I have to distance myself from those that complain or find something wrong in every situation. I can get so bogged down in that. I can become such a complainer myself - especially if I contributed to the problem. Unconfessed sin. Wow - another place where confession is important.

4. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you looked back on a period of your Christian walk and believed a great opportunity passed you by?

It seems that I have moments like that in conversations. I struggle with sharing the truth of Christ, even when God opens that door. I feel like I miss our on many blessings by not sharing this.

5. Do you ever believe your faith was stronger in an earlier time in your Christianity and find yourself floundering now?

The older I get, the less I know. I think that I now realize how much I don't know about God. As a new believer, it was new and exciting. I was just so excited to be a believer. Now that I am farther in my journey, I feel like I have less knowledge then I should have. Am I wise like all those that came before me? Shouldn't I know so much more?

6. Can you recognize that this season may be one of great preparation instead of a period of "I Was"?

My pastor has talked about the "dash" of your life. From the date of birth to your date of death is a dash - his question is, "How are you using your dash?". I am hoping that God has more planned for me as I pass through the season's of my life. He always has a work for me to do - maybe I just need to recognize it as preparation for the next thing in my "dash".

Prom Picture

We got the official pictures back from prom - we got these taken for free! Part of the great bonus for chaperoning. The scanner made it a little grainy. Enjoy!

Cyndee

Broken Chords

"When God is involved,
anything can happen.
Be open and stay that way.
God has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations
out of broken chords."

~ Chuck Swindoll~

How open am I to having God be involved so that anything can happen? I must admit that I like to be in control - or seemingly. Truly, it is only God that can number our days and determine our paths. When I pause to think about that, my life becomes a lot less stressful.

I read these verses from Esther this morning:

4:12 When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai,
13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape.
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

I can either be open and see what God will do from the broken chords of my life, or God will use someone else to fulfill His purposes. What fun it will be to see the amazing things that He will do - personally, I don't want to miss out. How about you?

Cyndee

Mentos Video

We do a very small version of this in my chemistry class. I thought of this because The Preacher's Wife had some issues with rolaids and diet coke. Enjoy!

Cyndee

Weekend Reflection #6

Here are some images from our Weekend. Charity's big Synchro Show was this Saturday. She had some friends come over to "gel" their hair. It is unflavored gelatin that they put in their hair so keep it in place while they swim. It pretty much smells like wet dog! See this blog for the requirements to be a synchro mom.

Here she is all smiles and ready to perform! It is amazing what she can do with a pool and some music. I don't know where she gets her talent from because I don't even like to put my face in the water.
Here is a picture taken by my 7 year old at the end of the day. We (that is my husband, Roger) have been sitting in a hot pool room for 7 hours off and on - mostly on. I don't know if my behind can handle sitting on those hard bleachers much longer.

Charity was a real trooper - She started her day at 6:15 and we didn't leave the pool until after 10 pm. Her routines were wonderful for a second year swimmer. Great job Girl!

We rested on Sunday. Church had a great message which I might blog about later and we had some friends over for a BBQ. It was very windy - but the rain held off, so we actually ate on our deck.

Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

What is your inner color?

I found this at over at Ponderings of the Heart. I don't know that it fits me, but that is what the survey said! For you that know me - let me know what you think, then go take the survey yourself!

Your Inner Color is Green

Your Personality: You are a high acheiver who is very competitive. You're bound to reach your goals, no matter how lofty. You in Love: Picky with high standards, it's hard to find your match. You need someone as driven as you are! Your Career: You need a high profile, challenging career to satisfy you. Consider finance, sales, or running your own company.

What's Your Inner Color?

I AM - Lesson 4

Lisa, The Preacher's Wife, is hosting this study. Come along if you like, you can join at anytime.

1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?)

It seems like I have mini NLIP's all the time. I structure my life and expect things to go a certain way. For example, I planned a trip to the local museum and they were sold out on tickets that day. I kind of freak out a little when that happens - I am not especially adaptable sometimes.

For a bigger NLIP, like Moses, I thought that I was totally in control during college - I set goals and met them. Until God showed me that my goals did not match up with His plans and gifts. It switched my lifelong career goal from being a doctor to being a teacher.


2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain.

I have truly gotten better. I still sort of get angry and wonder what in the world is going on. I am working on trying to see God's purpose in it all, as well as holding my plans a little looser. I am much better now that I have kids - they are all about flexibility.


3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling?

I served with our high school ministry for two years, thinking that since I am a high school teacher that this would be a good match. It turns out that it really isn't. I don't know if it was an age thing or that I was wanting to focus more on God and less on fun. High schools just want fun sometimes and that has always been hard for me. I am serious a lot of the time. I so admire the blogs that can make fun of their foibles. Something that God is working on in me.

I don't know that I questioned God through this process, I just figured that I was there for a purpose, even if I didn't seem to see results and I discovered one area that wasn't a "great" fit for me.
4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans?

I have followed or been under leaders that later sinned greatly and fell out of leadership. I wonder if I was wise to have followed them? Was a learning what was biblical or was it tainted by their sin? I then wonder if I have not been in a leadership position because of who I was following? I trust the God of the Bible and try to verify teachings from man against the word of God, but sometimes I wonder....

5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free.

I guess that my biggest was a result of my sin. My husband and I had a child before we were married and planned on placing her for adoption. We weren't even thinking of marriage at the time. I had a plan - have the baby and go back to CO from MN. God had a better but more complicated plan which included a husband and baby. My career goals were my focus and not having a family.

It is amazing how God can and does take something that we are not even looking for and make them the best things in your life. I am so incredibly blessed that life did not work out how I envisioned so far.

6. Based on Moses' response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself?

I am hoping that my life is more God centered and that I am continually seeking Him. I have learned that MY plans are just suggestions and it is GOD'S plans that prevail.

Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

National Day of Prayer

Wendy over at MidWest Texan is hosting a prayer chain for the National Day of Prayer. I hope that you can pop over there and join in.

I often struggle with prayer requests - they can be so personal or impersonal. Here are a few of mine:

1. I am praying that my husband and I can find a way to gently quit our small group at church without hurting too many feelings. One of the other couples child needs more help than our group can provide. This couple really needs a group that can adequately support them and they child.

2. I keep praying for transformation in my daughters life - that she will grow in Christ through her teenage years. She knows Jesus as her savior, but as a mom, I know there is so much more.

3. Personally, pray that I will know where to serve best this summer and next fall with our church or else where. I know that it is more than a feeling, but I just haven't found my "sweet spot" - where I have no doubt that I belong.

4. Pray for our country, soldiers and decisions made by our President and legislators. Pray for wisdom.

Thanks!

Cyndee

Risk taker

I have noticed that my blog has become my source for my quiet times. It has been a place of reflection on God`s word. I am enjoying Christian Women's Online In Other Words on Tuesday and very much enjoying The Preacher's Wife blog bible study that she spends so much time on for us on Wednesdays. I am seeing the heart of women in ways that are amazing. I am inspired and challenged every time I choose to participate. This is a risk for me - having others see me when I am vulnerable in my writing.

But our 7 year old boy on the other hand is a risk taker in so many other ways! I got a call from the school nurse last Friday. "We were calling to let you know that your son and another boy had a collision on the play ground and he has a fat, bloody lip".

The good mom that I am says "Does he need stitches?".

"No, we just wanted you to know"

Okay then. My boy, like most I suppose, plays like there is no tomorrow. He runs full speed to the next thing. He slides as fast as he can and swings as high as he can. I truly love this about him.

So, along comes Monday. The nurse calls again. I am thinking, what did he run into now.

"Well", the nurse says, "he fell from the rings on the playground when some boy pushed him. He thinks he has a broken arm. Can you come get him?"

This is the phonecall that stresses out working moms and maybe all moms in general. I arrange for another teacher to cover my class and drive over. The arm isn't swollen and he isn't screaming his head off like the last two times he broke bones (I told you he was a risk taker). I am guessing it isn't broken, but I take him to the ER anyway - because my husband will just end up taking him anyway.

Diagnosis - not broken. He wants to play baseball, so this is good. A cast during baseball season on your throwing arm would not be fun. God is watching over us even when we don't acknowledge Him.

Thanks for reading!

Cyndee

Perserverance

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."
~ Charles Spurgeon ~

As always, I read before I type. I read in my devotional today about wisdom being the use of knowledge. I am continually inspired and encouraged by all of you that share, rejoice and persevere.

Here are my thoughts as I read today. Just think about all the planning of the snail (see this blog) and yet, I think about how God called each animal at just the right time. The snail was called long before the fastest animals because of how long she would have to travel. She started her journey years before other animals knew. The amazing thing to me is that God allowed enough time for the snail to get there. He knew - as He always does - how long it would take the slowest of His creatures to get there.

I think that is how it is for many of us in our journey with Christ. God knows how long it will take to reach the purpose He created us for. For some, our journey is slow, for others God seems to work at lightening speed. It reminded me of the below verse:

Galatians 6:9Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

God has no desire to lose relationship with a single person - and in my mind that is what hell is, total separation from God. He wants all of us with Him for eternity. So, even if I am Noah, I need to wait for God's timing, even if I am tired of the sin of this world (and my own) and wish for Jesus' return. I need to persevere and wait for the snail - for even the smallest of these is important to God.


Thanks to Iris over at Sting My Heart for hosting today's IOW. Check it out!

Thanks for reading

Cyndee