Behind

I am behind in my Scripture memorization but I will FiNiSh!

#4
2 Cornithians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!  NIV

#5
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is --his good, pleasing, and perfect will."  NIV

#6
Psalm 33:4 "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does."  NIV

I have witnessed God's miracles this week and was awestruck that God still listens to my same prayers year and a year.  One of my college friends came into town and I got to listen about her dad's redemption story.  I had tears in my eyes.  All of the little pieces that lead to him converting were God reminding him and my friend that, God has it and is under control.

Scripture Verse 3

Here is memory verse 3

Psalm 46:10 “He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” NIV

One of my ah-ha moments this week was LET GOD DO ALL THE WORK!  After all, He is the Creator of the Universe, why do I think I can do better than Him?!?  I need to sit, listen, and wait upon the Lord.

Halfway!

I am halfway done my first year of teaching!  It is flying by -- I hope I am teaching these sweet ones Math.

The best part of my job is that I absolutely love it!  My kids are my energy.  I am not really stressed or tired at the end of the day.  Isn't that crazy?  One of the most intense and important jobs and I feel at peace in the classroom.  Don't get me wrong -- there are days where the kids win and I lost control, but I get a new day each day.

God has me exactly where He wants me.   It is a good feeling!

My second memory verse is:  Isaiah 43:18, NIV "Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past."

January 1st Verse

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1 NIV


I am memorizing Scripture for 2013.  I joined Siesta 2013 (http://blog.lproof.org/2013/01/2013-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-1.html).  I am doing it this year:)

Listening

So, I spent my Monday doing nothing but listening to sermons and reading Hunger Games.  It was exactly what I needed.  I never sit at home and enjoy the stillness.  Whenever I am still, I tend to think through my life and it makes me nervous.  I know that God pushes me to do more but if I am busy, I can't right?!?  My New Year's resolution was to tell people, even if I had not spoken to them in a long while, that I thought of them and prayed for them.  Sometimes it is uncomfortable but always sparks good connection.  My friendships this year have suffered because of my crazy work load but others are flourished because God urged me to pray for them.  I am very glad that God is in charge of this crazy world because He puts people in my life exactly when I need it.

Words to Live By

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done; to bring justice and kindess to all our children and the poor.

Amen

What a powerful prayer!  I think that this sums up my entire adult life.  I love the people I serve so passionately because following Jesus means loving unconditionally and standing up for the voiceless.  I have learned over the last few weeks that people will think you are crazy, act like their racist behavior is no big deal, and pretend the world is not hurting.  It is not my place to rant and rave but it is my place to allow the Holy Spirit to use me to speak truth into people's lives.  People can't change without Jesus.  We are powerless without Him.

Laughter

Laughter and Good friends is really all you need when your life is not going the way you want it to.  I am trusting the God has a perfect plan for me and I just need to continue to be faithful.  However, I have days where I need a pick me up.  I probably stayed out too late this week but I met some pretty hilarious people.  Going to bars in the middle week is always fun for me.  It is not crowded and you get to have actual conversations with people instead of being packed into a bar.  I had some great laughs but I also realized that I am so grateful that I follow Jesus.  That I serve a God that believes in second chances and holds onto me no matter how much I try to wiggle out.  It is pretty incredible, isn't?  My week ended last night at church concert - Bebo Norman and Robbie Seay Band.  I have loved Bebo since my freshman year in college and I still love him.  His lyrics are powerful to me so now I am listening to him exclusively this weekend:)

Thanks to the many people I met this week - you helped me find joy when I was feeling discouraged!!