IN ME...BLESSINGS...HONOR... RESPECT...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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You may have come to this post today for the last post of the year... for the last discussion on what the Holy Spirit does... for the last picture hook of the week... for hearing what I have to say about the 10 windows of the soul...Sorry! Flexibility! Change of plans!

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I'd like to stretch out our discussion of "the windows of the soul" through part of January. So can you hang on and wait? Patience? Sure you can! I've got something really special that I want to share.
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Yesterday, Steve and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. Each year is a milestone for people as different as we are. The two of us were talking recently about our differences which have been accentuated the last several months. As you well know, differences often come to the forefront during times of stress. Oh, we have had more intense stress in our marriage, it's just that this time has been a little different. Three people in the house... two sick for an extended period of time... the one who is well (me) tries to spin too many plates... Maybe you get the picture...
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On the Smalley/Trent "animal personality" chart, I am a lion and Steve is a golden retriever. We have different animal names for ourselves. I am an elephant and he is a bear. How can two such animals live together and still be a blessing to each other? I am here to say... only by the Holy Spirit of God abiding in them and working through them. So, if you have time, you may read the animal descriptions of the two that I have compiled from internet research or just skip down to the end and read part of what the bear shared with the elephant yesterday.
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Patti, the elephant:

• HABITAT AND RANGE: can live on the plains and in the mountains up to 15, 000 feet... many live on parks and reserves
• DIET: eats lots of vegetables; drinks lots of water
• LIFE SPAN 65 to 70 years in the wild; 70 to 80 years when domesticated; their life span depends on their teeth - once their last set of teeth wear out, they can no longer eat and they die
• REPRODUCTION: most give birth during the rainy season
• COMMUNICATION: use several types of sounds to communicate: 1) rumbling - a deep growling sound, most of which is below the range of human hearing; 2) a variety of screams and trumpets used to frighten and intimidate predators as well as communicate alarm...also for greeting
• SENSES: keen senses of hearing and smell; weak eyesight
• SIZE: big and tall
• OTHER PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: use trunk to dig
• SOCIABILITY: families are made up of sisters and their offspring often living in groups of 9-11; a mature adult female dominates family groups; related family groups are part of larger herds that move and feed together
• THINKING: well developed brains and great memories
• ROLE: Often pave the way for others to follow; they can lead a procession of animals stomping down the brush with their feet or removing trees/branches that are in the way with their trunks

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Steve, the brown bear:

• HABITAT AND RANGE: prefer to live in cooler climates and will migrate away from the heat; can be found on the plains, in the forests, the tundra, and in sub-alpine mountain areas
• DIET: carnivores who eat berries and vegetation
• LIFE SPAN: 20-25 years
• REPRODUCTION: monogamous
• COMMUNICATION: is complicated, sometimes misunderstood, and primarily through body language: 1) sitting down indicates disinterest or lack of concern for onlookers; 2) standing on hind legs generally an indication of curiosity or interest in whatever it may have noticed, not an act of aggression; 3) when threatened or apprehensive, the typical response would be the popping its jaw, slapping the ground, or expelling air loudly; 4) when afraid, the bear chomps or clacks teeth which is often misunderstood by other animals as getting ready to be aggresive; 5) loud roars are usually a warning that they want to protect their territory, not that they want to be an aggressor; 6) bears often "purr" when comfortable or warm much like a cat
• SENSES: great eyesight and keen sense of smell; strong instinct for food -can be easily trapped when humans put out food; a common saying among forest rangers is, "a fed bear is a dead bear"
• SIZE: big and tall
• OTHER PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: long claws for great digging ability; strong teeth and jaws that are almost incapable of breaking large bones; long thick fur; although they usually move slow and leisurely, they are able to run fast and swim well
• SOCIABILITY: shy; mostly solitary; can be easily frightened; small families; may gather in large numbers at food sources; not a full hibernator, the brown bear likes to "den" in a protected spot such as a cave, crevice, or hollow log in the winter
• THINKING: curious and intelligent; "complex and fascinating animal deserving of great respect"
• ROLE: quiet protector; no other animal will be a predator on a brown bear other than a tiger or another bear

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Yesterday, on our 36th wedding anniversary, the bear wrote a full page typewritten letter to the elephant. A few excerpts from that Holy Spirit led letter are as follows:

• Besides giving my life to Jesus, marrying you is the best thing I’ve ever done.
• You’ve made me a better person. You’ve opened my eyes to what it looks like to give of oneself for the betterment of others.
• You are the kinkeeper of our family. Our children and their spiritual health are at the forefront of your mind and top of your prayer list.
• We’ve faced some pretty tough times together over the last three and ½ decades, but what we have discovered again and again is the solid truth of 1 John 4:4 – “Greater is He in us than he that is in the world.” God created His children to be “overcomers,” and by His grace, we have been – together!
• Our marriage has not been perfect – NO SURPRISE – there are no perfect marriages. However, our marriage has tested and challenged our individual growth to the point that we are better individuals because we are married, first to Christ, then one another.
• You deserve the best husband I can be. Please forgive me when I’m not and praise God when I succeed.
• Next to Jesus, I love you more than anyone and anything!
• Happy 36th anniversary! God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
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Father God, thank you for my husband, the Spirit-led, steel and velvet, brown bear. Thank you for blessing me with this man who I so honor and respect. I praise you for Steve Sikes! I honor the differences! Because of Jesus, we are husband and wife!

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IN ME... DARKNESS???

WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY

(and a little more)


For God, who said,

"Let light shine out of darkness,"

made his light shine in our hearts

to give us the light

of the knowledge

of the glory of God

in the face of Christ."

2 Corinthians 4:6

1. On Sunday, I used the mirror - looking in it and seeing the glory of Jesus.
   
2. On Monday, I used Thomas Kinkaide, The Painter of Light, and his house paintings to remind us that God is THE PAINTER OF LIGHT and we are a house of God...
   
3. Yesterday, I used an earthen vessel... a piece of pottery...jars of clay... to remind us to pour ourselves out and let Jesus fill us up...
   
4. Today, I'd like to revisit the Thomas Kinkaide house and move in a little closer to look at the windows...

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I'm not sure when I first heard this story... whether it was when I first met Thomas Kinkaide about 10 years ago when I had a booth at the Christian Bookseller's Association market right next to his... or maybe it was through some reading I've done on Thomas and his works... or possibly just reading on one of his calendars... whenever it was, it was confirmed in part last week when I watched a TV movie about him..

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Thomas may have lived in a neighborhood much like mine where many of the homes had lights in the windows like this one.

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He said that as a teen, when he would head home after dusk, he would pass all these homes with the lights on and he could see mothers, fathers, and children inside. Yet, when he arrived at his home, there was no light on there. Living in a single parent home, his mother had to work long hours and he and his brother would arrive home before she did. His loss of not seeing his mom and light shining through the windows are part of his gift of a deeper appreciation for light that he has given to the world.

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Darkness? A dark house? A darkened window? Fear of not seeing? The unknown? Evil? All the forces of darkness?

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On Sunday, my very wonderful husband (who today I have been married to for 36 years full of love, faith, and hope...) looked at 10 windows of the soul. To look inside these windows there is darkness... unless light permeates the darkness...

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1. The window of SECLUSION
2. The window of SUFFERING
3. The window of SILENCE
4. The window of being STRETCHED
5. The window of being SLANDERED
6. The window of being SURPRISED
7. The window of being SECOND
8. The window of being SATURATED WITH BLESSINGS
9. The window of SIN
10. The window of SPIRITS

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Join me tomorrow as we look at how LIGHT and permeate the darkness in each of these areas.

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In the meantime, I'll be spending the day celebrating my 36th wedding anniversary!

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Blessings...

IN ME...POURED OUT AND FILLED UP...

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I am so thankful for God's Holy Spirit Who teaches and transforms as I learn to abide in Him. Over 2009, we have covered several themes on this blog. We began the year with discussions of the BeAttitudes and being "poured out". In the summer we looked a the Woman of Proverbs 31 and at Taming Our Tongues. This fall, I have shared scriptures and thoughts on things that the Holy Spirit of God does. These have not been exhaustive studies, but hopefully have planted enough seeds in your heart that will continue to grow and blossom.
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I am so thankful that Jesus taught in visuals. So, let's do what Jesus would do and this week as we end the year, let's finish with some powerful visuals:

1. On Sunday, we used the mirror - looking in it and seeing the glory of Jesus.
2. On Monday, we used Thomas Kinkaide, The Painter of Light, and his houses paintings to remind us that God is THE PAINTER OF LIGHT and we are a house of God...
3. Today, I'd like to use an earthen vessel... a piece of pottery...jars of clay...

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I am so thankful for friends who encourage me to keep teaching! If you follow this blog, you know about my "jars of clay" collection. On my birthday this month, my friend Alana stopped by with this clay pitcher and a note:

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Yes! I am a teacher and "being a poured out jar of clay" is something I teach a lot about. Yet, the Holy Spirit continues to teach me daily that I certainly have not "arrived" at learning this concept.

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On a shelf in our dining room sit two wedding goblets representing Steve and me. Three of my clay jars symbolize that I want the Holy Spirit to continue to fill me up with: HOPE...PRAYERS...COMPASSION...
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Tomorrow will be the 36th anniversary of the day Steve and I were married. Some of those anniversaries have been more memorable than others. Several of our anniversaries we spent at Youth in Action in Kansas City. This is the week for Youth in Action in multiple cities across this nation. Young people gather to be taught and encourged to love and serve our LORD.
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Eleven years ago this week, Steve and I were speakers at the Kansas City Youth in Action on our 25th anniversary. So, the next year we declined an invitation to return in order to celebrate in a different way. The coordinators would not take "no" for an answer. After we finally agreed, prepared, traveled, and arrived at Embassy Suites, we were shocked to find that they had reserved the Penthouse Suite for us and on the bed was a basket of goodies and the two goblets that are shown in the picture below. As these goblets sit on our dining room shelf, they remind me of a time when we chose to pour out our desires for the greater good and we were blessed many times over because of it.
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These jars of clay remind me that I must pour Patti out so that the Holy Spirit of God can fill me with compassion, peace, grace, and a Christ-like attitude.
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One of my favorite scriptures is 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

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"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (jars of clay),

that the surpassing greatness of the power

may be of God and not from ourselves;

• we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
• perplexed, but not despairing;
• persecuted, but not forsaken;
• struck down, but not destroyed;

always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,

that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."

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I am so thankful for my husband, Steve, who once again has helped me think in spiritual instead of earthly terms. His actions and words led me to revisit this concept of being poured out at least twice in the last week:

1. On Christmas day, we decided to make it low key... relax, watch movies, I would keep working on my grades, and Steve and the girls would make Christmas dinner. Of course, that is no small feat for a man who had knee surgery in November and then his "back went out." So, hobbling around with a cane, my husband also made me my favorite homemade pecan pie (from scratch). What a surprise! It was not easy! He sacrificed pain and did it out of His love for me! It was soooo yummy!
2. On Sunday, in his sermon, Steve shared 10 "Windows of the Soul" that we can choose to board up and not let "light" out or we can allow God's light to shine through. I will share these 10 windows tomorrow and Thursday.

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On FB yesterday, several of my friends made comments about tough stuff that is happening in their lives. One friend came home from Christmas vacation to find her refrigerator had quit working and she had lost the food in it. Another, is experiencing broken pipes and water damage on 3 levels of their home. Yet, another, had her two elementary school boys involved in their second car wreck of this year - very traumatic. Then, there is my friend who has been caring for her chronically ill daughter and mother...and now today she's at the hospital with her grandfather who is having surgery on an aortic aneurysm. One of my friends articulated it well on her status... "on the front lines, fighting the minions of Satan..."

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QUESTION: How do any of us survive difficult circumstances day in and day out?

ANSWER: The power is from God! GOD IN ME! We have to pour ourselves out so He can fill us up with His transforming power ...

• His mercy
• His grace
• His patience
• His kindness
• His joy
• His gentleness
• His faith
• His goodness
• His peace
• His self control
• His love
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  And, as said so clearly on Sunday, "Each of us must look at our circumstances as Paul did, through 'gospel glasses', in order for the revelation of the God of the gospel to be made through each of us!"

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"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

Matthew 5

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IN ME...LIGHT..

MEDITATION MONDAY

Yesterday, we listened to a powerful sermon by Steve as he spoke from Romans on "The Revelation of the God of the Gospel through you!" As I sit here with my notes in front of me, reflecting on this powerful lesson, I am also thinking about what is best to share with you. I have decided to share it , over the next few days, in small parts throughout the remainder of this year. Today, please do as much of these 3 things as you can:

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1. Read yesterday's short post.


2. As we prepare to leave 2009 and enter 2010, ponder with me the final scripture that Steve shared with us yesterday after he said, "Thomas Kinkaide is not the painter of light - GOD IS!!!! Romans 13:11-14
   "And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.


3. I want to encourage you to take some time this week to listen to Steve's sermon from yesterday by clicking on the sidebar on the Steve's sermons link.

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IN ME...TRANSFORMATION..

SUNDAY IN THE SON

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Thomas Kinkaide is known as "The Painter of Light". He sees a dark home and he wants to paint it with light shining from the inside out.
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Father God is and was THE PAINTER OF LIGHT. He sees a dark soul and He wants to paint it with His LIGHT shining from the inside out.
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Let's spend the rest of this year finishing up talking about "what the Holy Spirit does" by looking at how the Holy Spirit transforms people. After reading the following scripture you might answer this question, "Mirror, mirror on the wall do you see Jesus in me at all?"
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"But we all, with unveiled face

beholding as in a mirror

the glory of the Lord,

are being transformed

into the same image

from glory to glory,

just as from the Lord,

the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:18

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IN ME...CHRIST...

"It is a trustworthy statement,

deserving full acceptance,

that Christ Jesus came into the world

to save sinners,

among whom I am foremost of all.

And yet for this reason I found mercy,

in order that in me as the foremost,

Jesus Christ might demonstrate

His perfect patience,

as an example for those

who would believe in Him

for eternal life.

Now to the King

eternal,

immortal,

invisible,

the only God,

be honor and glory

forever and ever.

Amen. "

1 Timothy 1:15-17

IN ME...IT'S ABOUT THE CROSS...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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Acts 4:8-12

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,

said to them,

"Rulers and elders of the people...

if we are on trial today for

let it be known to all of you,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,

whom you crucified,

whom God raised from the dead — ...

... "He is the stone which was rejected by you,

the builders,

but which became the very corner stone.

"And there is salvation in no one else;

for there is no other name under heaven

that has been given among men,

by which we must be saved."

IN ME... ABIDING...

WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY

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I have been struck over the last few days with the words that I shared on Monday of Charles Stanley, from his book, THE WONDERFUL SPIRIT FILLED LIFE. Steve and I have read some of Charles writings together and we've been focusing on the word ABIDE. As we look at the Word of God today, let;s see how the word ABIDE connects with the idea of God living within a christian:

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• John 14:16-18 "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you."
• John 15:4-6 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. "
• 1 John 3:8-10 "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious..."
• 1 John 3:24 "And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."
• 1 John 4:15-16 "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
• 2 John 2-3 "...for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."
• 2 John 8-9 "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son."

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IN ME...JOY

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Another thing that the Holy Spirit does is REJOICE! Christians who live by the Spirit know this JOY. It reminds me of the passage in Luke 10:21...

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"At that time Jesus,

full of joy through the Holy Spirit,

said, "I praise you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because you have hidden these things

from the wise and learned,

and revealed them to little children.

Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."

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This time of the year is a time of great REJOICING, for many reasons. For today, I'll say that this "transformed mom" is full of JOY as she witnesses children who are growing in Him! I see Him in our youngest daughter, Crystal, who we picked up from the airport last night. I waited at Southwest baggage claim 3 at one part of the Philly airport while she was at Southwest baggage claim 3 at another part.

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I had scheduled her plane trip home for the wrong date and her response was, "That's okay, Mom, I"ll take one for the team!"

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There's a problem with her room right now, so she has to sleep on the couch for a couple nights, "No worries, Mom! It's fine!"

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Joy springs from a thankful heart as I give praise to Who it is due. Thank you Holy Spirit for abiding in our daughter Crystal. Those who know her see JOY when around her.

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Crystal in the basket with the kittens and her older 3 siblings:

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Crystal all grown up and surrounded by some of the many children who love her so much:

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Crystal hanging with a few of her cousins...

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Crystal as youth intern this past summer with a few of her teen girlfriends....

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Crystal with her favorite niece, Chloe....

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Crystal, I'm so thankful you are home for 3 weeks! I love your JOY! I see Jesus in you!

IN ME... SAP....

MEDITATION MONDAY

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Yesterday, I shared with you a scripture and the lyrics to our theme song. Today, I'll just share a question and some simple words that are life changing.

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QUESTION: Why do we put so much effort into setting goals to love more... have more patience... have more self control... all those qualities that are a part of the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT?

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SIMPLE WORDS... LIFE CHANGING THOUGHT:

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The Vine is Christ.

I am the branch.

The Holy Spirit is the sap

that runs from the vine into the branch.

The branch lives, grows, and bears fruit

not by struggles and effort but simply by abiding.

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Words by Charles Stanley

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IN ME...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

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Galatians 2:19-20

"I have been crucified with Christ;

and it is no longer I who live,

but Christ lives in me;

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me,

and delivered Himself up for me."

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Unlike "the norm" on this blog, we have had the same theme song for several months now. Have you learned the words yet? If not, here they are again for your encouragement:

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IN ME

By: Casting Crowns

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If you asked me to leap

Out of my boat on the crashing waves...

If you ask me to go

Preach to a lost world that Jesus saves...

I'll go, but I cannot go alone...

'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own.

But the power of Christ in me

makes me strong...makes me strong.

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'Cause when I'm weak,

You make me strong

When I'm blind

You shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that you want me

So I'll stand on Your Truth,

and I'll fight with Your Strength

Until You bring the victory,

by the power of Christ in me

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If you ask me to run

And carry your light into foreign land

If you ask me to fight

Deliver your people from satan's hand

I'll go, but I cannot go alone

'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own

But the power of Christ in me makes me strong

Makes me strong

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'Cause when I'm weak,

You make me strong

When I'm blind

You shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that You want me

So I'll stand on Your Truth,

and I'll fight with Your Strength

Until You bring the victory,

by the power of Christ in me

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To reach out with Your hands

To learn through Your eyes

To love with the love of a savior

To feel with Your heart

and to think with Your mind

I'd give my last breath for Your glory

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'Cause when I'm weak,

You make me strong

When I'm blind

You shine Your light on me'

Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

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When I'm weak,

You make me strong

When I'm blind

You shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

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How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that You want me

So I'll stand on Your Truth,

and I'll fight with Your Strength

Until You bring the victory,

by the power of Christ in me

The power of Christ in me

The power of Christ in me

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IN ME...UNDERSTANDING...

God says to "Get wisdom! Get understanding!"

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This week I've talked briefly about the importance of the Holy Spirit being our teacher. Here are a few random thoughts for ...

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KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up! Must Do!

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1. In the field of education, I understand that there are different paradigms for "thinking" / "learning" / "intelligence". One of my favorite's is that of Dr. Mary Meeker called STRUCTURE OF INTELLECT. She put forth that true learning begins with COMPREHENSION or COGNITION (understanding). Understanding comes to people in different ways:

• Figural: Hands on or picture form
  
• Symbols: 1.2.3.4. or ABC or some logical representation


• Semantics: words - written/spoken language

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Then, once it is understood, then and only then should what is understood be placed in the memory bank for use. My understanding of teaching/learning grew by leaps and bounds after I understood STRUCTURE OF INTELLECT and put it in my MEMORY to be used.

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2. In the area of GOD, I understand some very basic things after reading this verse in Romans 1:20:

"For since the creation of the world

God's invisible qualities

-His eternal power and divine nature-

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse."

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Yesterday, as I drove down toward the South Jersey shore, for my last student teacher visit of the semester, God once again helped me understand His invisible qualities, eternal power, and divine nature - .

Then, after my visit, I took a different route through the South Jersey countryside and was amazed how just a few hours before the sky had looked so different and just a few weeks before these trees were spectacular in color... yet, again another understanding of His invisible qualities, eternal power, and divine nature - .

Last night, as all of South Jersey seemed focused on the impending big snow storm, the traffic was bumper to bumper to head for grocery stores, malls, and gas stations to "prepare for the worst"... Ahhh, once again, God teaches us to understand about His invisible qualities, eternal power, and divine nature - Although, we could not see, we knew that the storm was coming because of God's consistent laws of nature... His nature...

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This morning the predicted 10 to 16 inches began to fall around 3 a.m. We woke up to this and once again, we understand His invisible qualities, eternal power, and divine nature -
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• Straight out our front door...

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• Out our front door and to the left...

• Out our front door and to the right...

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• Today we have a warm home, food, each other, and a cozy fireplace as we prepare for our kids and one special grandbaby to be home over the holidays... God continues to help me grow in my understanding of Him and His invisible qualities, eternal power, and divine nature. May God give us all UNDERSTANDING of how incredibly good He really is... .

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IN ME... THE HEART OF A TEACHER...

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The Holy Spirit lives inside of a christian!

The Holy Spirit teaches a christian!

The Holy Spirit is a teacher!

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I want to have the heart of a teacher like the Holy Spirit!

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A mother is a teacher!

A christian mother is a teacher!

A christian mother is a transformed teacher!

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I showed this video as the final video of the semester in each of my four classes at the university this past week. It was powerful! I saw young men cry!

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I hope this video causes you to ponder your role as teacher of your children.

May it cause you to think...

to pray...

to ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how...

to have the heart of a teacher!

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CLICK LINK BELOW TO WATCH VIDEO:

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http://www.heartofateachermovie.com/

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IN ME... I AM WHAT I PLANT OR ALLOW TO BE PLANTED...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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I forgot! Oh, my, it's been a busy fall! I forgot to plant my tulip bulbs for spring! Is it too late? I'll need to check that out today. I've focused so much on being a "teacher" that I forgot to be a "farmer". What was I thinking? I've invisioned my dream of many more tulips in my yard. What happened to my planning and preparation for that dream? My kitchen is already full of tulips (and watermelons). I just want some real ones outside. I love tulips!
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You know, teaching and farming are very similar. This is the week that I ask my students to reflect on their semester. Do they know more than they did when beginning the semester? What life strategies can they take from my class to make it practical?
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It reminds me of one of the video clips I saw recently from Simple Truths! It makes me wonder if there are other things that I've forgotten to plant or teach. Hmmm.... it's getting close to the first of a new year. It's about time to reflect on the whole year and dream of years to come. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the most important planting has already been done for me...
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The Holy Spirit of God lives in me! The question is now, "Am I allowing Him to TEACH ME?"
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Watch this brief video from Simple Truths and then join me in the next few days to discuss this subject a little more...it'll be transforming...
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http://www.simpletruths.tv/store/movies.php?movie=TSSC
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IN ME... TEACHING...

WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY

Earlier this week I shared with you about looking at God through "Gospel Glasses". When I look at these glasses I also think of "teacher". My eyes are tired! I've been up all night. This is finals week. I meet with 3 classes for the final time today as "their teacher". I have poured myself into these classes, yet I'm already looking at how I can do it different next semester so that my students will learn a little more... a little better... Why? Because as I've been up tonight grading papers, I see that there are things that my students have not totally grasped. It makes me sad. I am certainly not the perfect teacher!

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The Holy Spirit is the perfect teacher! He teaches through the Word... both the written Word (The Bible) and THE WORD "that became flesh and dwelt among us" (JESUS CHRIST). Are you letting God's Spirit teach you? You have the perfect teacher at your disposal! He's waiting! He longs to teach you! Jesus told the apostles this:

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"Luke 12:11-12

"When you are brought before synagogues,

rulers and authorities,

do not worry about how you will

defend yourselves or what you will say,

12 for the Holy Spirit will teach

you at that time what you should say."

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I want to be immersed in THE WORD so much that I can allow the Holy Spirit to teach me like Timothy was taught, so that I might be...

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"...ready in season and out of season;

reprove,

rebuke,

exhort,

with great patience and instruction."

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IN ME..THE DESIRE AND NEED TO FELLOWSHIP...

Sunday, Steve challenged us to see God through the eyes of the gospel or through "Gospel Glasses".

As I pondered on the things Steve talked about on Sunday and meditated on them yesterday in my "Meditation Monday" post, my mind went to Acts 2:38-42 and I thought of how thankful I am that the "first century family of God" is seen again in God's church family here in Souh Jersey. I'm so thankful that I have the pictures from the last week to show some of the ways that we live out these verses.
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Grandma Katherine shows off sinless baby Adalyn...

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• Rashad realizes his need for forgiveness and cleansing for his sins. Kareem prepares to baptize Rashad.
  

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• Acts 2 says, "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."
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• Rashad's family and extended christian family rejoice!
  
  
  
  




• 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
  42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

I am so thankful for the group of believers who study, pray, and fellowship together. It's about walking the walk of Christ and encouraging each other to do so! Here is just that happening with the elders / preachers and their wives this past week!

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IN ME...A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD...

MEDITATION MONDAY

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HAVE YOU KEPT THE SAME VIEW OF GOD ALL THESE YEARS OR HAS IT CHANGED? .... That was one of Steve's questions to our congregation yesterday morning.
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Steve has been down and out for week's since having knee surgery and then his "back went out." He has spent a lot of time the last few weeks reading Romans. So, in his first sermon back yesterday, Steve shared that this time that God had him flat on his back was a time of transforming his view of God. Steve shared with us the following five views of God. Can you relate to any?

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1. The Disciplinarian God (viewing God through rules/the law)


2. The God like us (loves what we love; wants what we want; sees life like we see life)


3. The God like our heroes of faith (parents, mentors, teachers, etc.)


4. The Transactional God (Contractual God; I do good and He blesses/protects me)


5. The God of the Gospel!
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Romans 1:16-17 says, " For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

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Yesterday, in our Life Groups we discussed Steve's sermon, the above, and the following:

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1. Paul declared that the Gospel revealed (discloses/unveils) the righteousness of God


2. At one time, Saul viewed God through the Law; Paul viewed God through what?


3. Why do you believe Paul MAJORED in UNVEILING GOD to the Roman brethren?
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Discuss any or all of the following scenarios:
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• Someone viewing God through ongoing tragedy/suffering in their family’s life.


• Someone viewing God through times of feeling abandoned & unprotected.


• Someone viewing God through their own eyes, own feelings, own lusts and desires.


• SOMEONE VIEWING GOD THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (Death, Burial, Resurrection)!
  

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TAKE A LOOK IN & THROUGH THE GOSPEL AND SHARE WHAT YOU SEE ABOUT GOD:

• How does the Gospel reveal the righteousness of God? (Rom 1:17; 3:21-26


• How does the Gospel reveal the wrath of God? (Romans 1:18; 5:8-11)


• How does the Gospel reveal the grace of God? (Romans 3:21-26; 5:15)


• How does the Gospel reveal the love of God? (Romans 8:35-39)


• How does the Gospel reveal the goodness and severity of God? (Romans 11:22


• How does the Gospel reveal the mercy and wisdom of God? (Romans 11:30-36)
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You can find Steve's updated sermons link on the right sidebar. As you think and meditate on these scriptures / questions. Feel free to listen and be challenged by his sermon.

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