This semester I have all new classes and all new students. With that and the weather I felt like it was the beginning of the school year. I had the beginning of new semesters because I have to go back to being The Regulator, my least favorite role.
Now that I'm more organized things should go smoother. I'm trying a slightly different approach this semester taking into consideration some key things I learned about the way the students' home-lives. I think this will either be really successful or magnificent disaster!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Leaning In
Desire is the name of our new weekend series and it is off to an incredible start. The last few weeks I've had three different people tell me that they truly believe 2008 is going to be a great year. I actually laughed out loud when the first person said it. The last four years have been far from good.
Tonight Mark shared the dream he had for our church and the struggles and pain that came from desiring that dream. He touched on every question and doubt I've had in this journey using Luke 24:13-35. That passage makes more sense now than it ever has. These men were at the end of their rope and ready to throw in the towel. But they chose to lean into the Scriptures this random man shared with them and in the process found the very thing they desired, Christ.
When I reach the end of my rope I find it so hard to lean in and listen. I usually throw up my hands, tell God how angry and hurt I am and then eventually come back to the leaning in bit. How is 2008 going to be different? How is it going to be a good year? When I reach the end of my rope, I'll lean in a little harder and keep leaning in.
"The success you long for comes from God. You have to want it bad enough to say, "You are God and I am not." You have to want up there to come down here." Mark Beeson
God, it is a new year and honestly that scares me. It could just be another year of pain, but I'm choosing to make 2008 a year of leaning. This year I'm going to keep chasing after the passions you've given me. When I hit the bottom, I'll lean in further and listen to your voice, not the lies Satan shares. This year is YOURS!
Tonight Mark shared the dream he had for our church and the struggles and pain that came from desiring that dream. He touched on every question and doubt I've had in this journey using Luke 24:13-35. That passage makes more sense now than it ever has. These men were at the end of their rope and ready to throw in the towel. But they chose to lean into the Scriptures this random man shared with them and in the process found the very thing they desired, Christ.
When I reach the end of my rope I find it so hard to lean in and listen. I usually throw up my hands, tell God how angry and hurt I am and then eventually come back to the leaning in bit. How is 2008 going to be different? How is it going to be a good year? When I reach the end of my rope, I'll lean in a little harder and keep leaning in.
"The success you long for comes from God. You have to want it bad enough to say, "You are God and I am not." You have to want up there to come down here." Mark Beeson
God, it is a new year and honestly that scares me. It could just be another year of pain, but I'm choosing to make 2008 a year of leaning. This year I'm going to keep chasing after the passions you've given me. When I hit the bottom, I'll lean in further and listen to your voice, not the lies Satan shares. This year is YOURS!
Friday, January 04, 2008
Last Day of Freedom
Today I enjoyed my last day of Christmas break by doing no school work what so ever! I had lunch and spent part of the afternoon with some amazing friends and then made wheat-free brownies. This evening I went to see Sweeny Todd with my roommate and another camp friend.
Tomorrow it will be time to face reality and dive into the schoolwork again. I spent most of Thursday working on it so I just have a few more classes to finish grades for and some lesson plans to get ready for next week. Oh the joys of teaching. Say extra prayers for me next week. I’m seriously lacking motivation to go back to work.
Tomorrow it will be time to face reality and dive into the schoolwork again. I spent most of Thursday working on it so I just have a few more classes to finish grades for and some lesson plans to get ready for next week. Oh the joys of teaching. Say extra prayers for me next week. I’m seriously lacking motivation to go back to work.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
The Top Ten, Week 1
My friend, Jason, spoke at New Community tonight. He threw out all sorts of great thoughts and kicked the series off very well. Here are a few of the things I walked away with tonight.
The Journey – Jason Miller
Series: The Top Ten
-We are God’s monuments. We are created in his image and should be reflecting him. (Genesis 1:26-27)
-10 Commandments – this is what it looks like when you look like God
-The world needs to see that God’s holiness is holy. The world needs to see God’s light shine in the darkness. (I Peter 2:9-12)
-The world needs coaches and players, not referees who are impartial and don’t care who wins.
-And my favorite quote from the night: “Sometimes it is your current weakness that keeps you from seeing.”
The Journey – Jason Miller
Series: The Top Ten
-We are God’s monuments. We are created in his image and should be reflecting him. (Genesis 1:26-27)
-10 Commandments – this is what it looks like when you look like God
-The world needs to see that God’s holiness is holy. The world needs to see God’s light shine in the darkness. (I Peter 2:9-12)
-The world needs coaches and players, not referees who are impartial and don’t care who wins.
-And my favorite quote from the night: “Sometimes it is your current weakness that keeps you from seeing.”
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Welcome 2008!
Goodbye 2007, I won't miss you at all!
I spent the last few days hanging out at my friend Brooke’s house. They always have a big New Year’s Eve party every year and allowed me to join the fun this year. Brooke was telling several of us about a book she is reading about surprises from God. For 30 days, the author started each day by praying, “Surprise me God.” After a conversation about faith, trusting God and not being afraid we decided we would give it a shot.
So the month of January I’ll be praying for surprises, good or bad!
Other goals for the year:
-Send at least two encouraging notes to people every week.
-Make time to read five books by June. (This is VERY hard to do when you are a slow reader and a teacher!)
-JOURNAL! I’m so bad at that.
-Start the prayer wall again. I’m a slacker!
I spent the last few days hanging out at my friend Brooke’s house. They always have a big New Year’s Eve party every year and allowed me to join the fun this year. Brooke was telling several of us about a book she is reading about surprises from God. For 30 days, the author started each day by praying, “Surprise me God.” After a conversation about faith, trusting God and not being afraid we decided we would give it a shot.
So the month of January I’ll be praying for surprises, good or bad!
Other goals for the year:
-Send at least two encouraging notes to people every week.
-Make time to read five books by June. (This is VERY hard to do when you are a slow reader and a teacher!)
-JOURNAL! I’m so bad at that.
-Start the prayer wall again. I’m a slacker!
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