Something Bigger

This past week our community suffered the loss of two young ladies.  Such sadness.

Every cup, though, is either half empty...or half full. I want to focus on the half full one, for through these gatherings, I have spent some time with former students and peers and have been gently reminded that family is family...no matter how many weeks, months, or years may pass between each visit.

A common thread through the conversations I have had with these former students has been inviting them to church.  Three for three...none currently attend church on a regular basis.  I feel that pull...you know...that tug, a vision that my "kids" will one day go to church with me...or somewhere, for fellowship is just so important.

Today, in Sunday School, we studied Nehemiah 11, where once the wall was rebuilt around Jerusalem, Nehemiah's next pull, his next tug was to bring the people back into the walls.  As the commentator noted, the people did not resist, for they seemed to realize they were a part of something bigger.

We, too are a part of something bigger.

Following one of the two funerals I attended last week, I noted a post to one of the young lady's mother.  The writer shared that following the funeral, she left and went to her jail ministry, where she shared the testimony of this family and of the young lady Rachel, where two of those ladies in jail gave their lives to Jesus Christ.  Yes, we are a part of something bigger.  Praise God!

Nehemiah was a part of something bigger.  He was a vessel heeding God's calling, restoring fellowship within the walls of Jerusalem, bringing the people together for praise and worship.

I have just a touch of Nehemiah's dream, his calling.  Do you?

1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

SSMT: Verse 2

As I visited several blogs I follow (Feedly is an awesome Reader), this scripture chose me for the next two weeks or so for Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture Memory Team:

The scripture's background refers to when God was sending the plagues up0n Pharaoh and the people, to when God was reminding Moses that He could have totally wiped out the Israelites, also, but, no, there was a plan...a plan that included you and me.

Aren't you thankful?

Sometimes, in our day-to-day lives, when we want to question, "Why me, Lord?", this scripture contains the words upon which to rest.

Just last week in one of my classes and then later with my colleagues, I shared that when I obtained my master's degree in secondary administration and curriculum, I felt driven, led...a God-chosen decision...to obtain that particular master's degree.  Since then, though, every time I have applied for any administrative or curriculum position, I have never been selected.  Not once.  None.  I remain in the classroom; this is my 24th year, 15 years after earning and receiving that degree.

Could it be that I obtained that degree to be able to give that very testimony?

For then, I had to finish it.  Still, deep in my soul, when I get very still and listen, I still feel that affirmation that I (or we...yes, a God-led decision) made the right degree choice.  Yes, the peace returns even now.  I pray that in that setting of education that the testimony built within my narrative spoke to even just one person.

If I travel back to Moses' time, I just have to think that he must have thought a time...or two...or three..."Why me, Lord?"  Think about all that he went through...a man, a stutterer, lacking confidence, dealing with an upset King and a group of excited people (at first), then a group of very discontented people. Very irritated at times, they were.

Please don't take this wrong, for I love...dearly...the Bible, but many of the narratives leave out some of the human details what Moses (and others) went through to obtain their mighty testimonies.  Yes, I am looking forward to having the time to sit and listen to all these great heroes and heroines stories!  Won't that be fun!

At 24 years in education, my career is more than half completed.  I want Exodus 9:16 fulfilled within me:  that His Purpose, His Power, His Name Proclaimed be fulfilled through me, that I be at Peace with His Decisions for me, that, while I may knock on doors, that He open only that keep me in His Perfect Will.

Would love to hear to hear from you...where are you in this journey of life to remain in His Perfect Will?

Blessings to you today!

Chronological Read: Thoughts about Noah

Below are the comments I posted for today's Bible read:

One year on the boat! That's quite a long time. I had not noticed that length of time before.

It will be interesting one day in Heaven to hear the story of that time. 

This reminds me of the song..."Sometimes, He calms the storm...sometimes, He calms me." I imagine there was quite a time when those outside wanted in...very desperately; but God had shut them in. Surely, He calmed those inside. I know I sure appreciate when He calms me during my storms.

I also thought it was interesting how the animals came to Noah. Just a gentle reminder that when we have so much going on in our lives, God takes care of details. He is ever mindful.

It has rained and rained here in Arkansas. What a great reminder this read is that He reigns...but will never rain again as He did then.  As Joanne Weaver commented, His Mercy, though, is tremendous, for His heart must be breaking when He looks at our world's condition.

It's not too late to join in the read-along and enjoy the comments here.

Study, Obey, Teach

My first scripture to memorize for Beth Moore's SSMT is Ezra 7:10 -

Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Now read with your name substituted -

Now Tammy had determined in her heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Arkansas.

Yes, that speaks to me.

• Study
• Obey
• Teach 

This scripture also popped off the screen last evening as I was looking up a chronological version of the Bible for possible purchase in my read-along for Joanne Weaver's Challenge to read the Bible in chronological order in one year.  Here, I found a site with support materials for this challenge (some resources are free; some are not).  In the writer's bio, he used the above scripture.

What does this mean?  Nothing to no one but myself...just caused my spirit to quicken a bit.  More like a spiritual pat on the back of confirmation of my first scripture choice.  Ahhhh...thank you, Lord.

This scripture is also the Memory Verse in our Sunday School literature for next week.  It almost feels like cheating to use one for another study.  Wait!  Any way we learn scripture is pure honesty...no cheating here!  

This may be the method I use throughout the year;  I'll just wait and see what scriptures He provides through the Sunday School studies and what scriptures speak to me through the chronological read.  I just know that my life is busy, and if I may merge these studies, I will focus more and learn more.

What is this scripture saying thus far to me?

• Study:  I want to complete this read of the Bible.  Never have I read the entire Bible.  I have been all over it; just not a complete read.  Yes, I write that with shame.  (NOTE:  Completer is my one word for the My One Word Challenge.)  As a growing Christian, I am more convinced than ever that IN His Word is where I need to be.
• Obey:  All of it.  There are places in my life where I need to be a better Christian.  I am certain that through these studies and focuses that He is going to continue to speak to me about those particular places!  He is just that kind of God!
• Teach:  Besides two classes at church, I want to partake in teaching my daughter more, the children in our church more, my grandgirls more, me more.  Just more.

How are you studying or learning the Bible more this year?

Blessings as you read.

SSMT 2015: The Year Has Arrived

It's back!  Beth Moore's 2015 Siesta Scripture Memory Team Challenge...the instructions are here.

The goal?  Learn a new scripture every other week OR 24 scriptures in twelve months.  Yes.

Interested?  Read the instructions and prepare for a journey that begins January 1.

You will be blessed.  Amen.

Good Gracious! Be Like Him!

These dates  at the right sum up my life!  Two weeks late!

I printed this study before November 10, laid it aside with good intentions (of course), and, well, here I am!

If I focus on two scriptures a day, I can still finish before the end of the week of Thanksgiving...sounds like a good plan (hopefully, obtainable!).  What I truly love about Love God Greatly's plans?  When I get up early, spend that 15-20 minutes with God.  My days, weeks are just even more blessed!

Here Goes...

Week 1:  Day 1

Read Psalm 145: 3-8 and SOAP Psalm 145:8 (not sure what SOAP is?  Read on...I am completing an example of one!)

Write out the Scripture passage for the day.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love.

How beautiful is that!

Write down 1 or 2 Observations from the passage.

1. Gracious is one of my words I used in one of my goals for this study.  Wow!  Yes, dear Lord, you have my attention!  I took a moment to consult my Webster app and found these obsolete/archaic (really!?) definitions of gracious:
• Godly and pleasing, acceptable...ahhhh...yes!
2. All of these words from the scripture...gracious, compassion, love...and especially, slow to anger...all are characteristics of which I should have and and need much more!  Yes.  I. Really. Do.

Write down 1-2 Applications from the passage.

I like the second part best.  At first, I thought, "Oooohh, that's kinda negative in such a positive verse.  Slow.  Anger.  No, slowness in relation to anger is soooo positive.  Being slow to anger in a "hot" situation would abundantly express one's graciousness in such a time.  

Such times as...

• when technology refuses to work quickly when I so need it to at church.
• when students who just "rub" me the wrong way are creating friction in overdrive.
• when close family members don't move quick enough or have the same kind of want-to that I have for all my many projects and tasks...family members that are the most precious people to me.

Pray over what you have learned from today's passage.

Dear Lord, please help me...bring this scripture of You to my remembrance in situations when I am just too quick to anger.  May I instead slow down, breathe, think of you, and be just be gracious...as You would be. Thank you.

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Want to do as I did...print your booklet and get ready for the next study?  Here's a link to The Road to Christmas.  I am excited about this one, as I have always wanted to learn more about Advent and to participate in such a study.  Yay!  Join us!

Joseph, the Step-dad?

This week, as I have continued Karen Kingsbury's The Family of God, I have spent some time thinking about Joseph and the man of God he was.

I am sure you know the history, but please consider...

...your betrothed is pregnant...surely, the only answer is that she has been unfaithful.

...love her?  divorce her? 

...support her?  be a step-dad? 

...finding confirmation in meeting Anna and Simeon. 

...becoming the protector...the father-figure... 

...listening to your son Jesus say he has been about his "father's" business, knowing he is not referring to you...

Seeing these events through the eyes of Joseph has been interesting, soul-touching, maybe life-changing?  For I, too, have been in the step position.  Looking back, I wished I had studied Joseph about ten years ago.

Considering the roles of men and women during that time, Joseph's being the head of the house-hold remained even more significant, for he insulated Mary from what could have been a death warrant, a stoning, a harsh way to die. Instead, he heeded the voice of the angel, he followed his heart, he loved her...and Jesus as his own.

Karen Kingsbury's liberty with the story-telling of Joseph is so endearing.  I love the orchids.  The artistic renditions of the story are beautiful.

Yesterday, my daughter returned from an outing declaring, "I don't know why, but it's beginning to feel like Christmas."  Maybe the cooler air?  The falling leaves?  The candles burning, sending out fall scents?  For me, it's diving into these stories of the family of Jesus.

Yes, please consider remaining close to the real reason for the season.  Enjoy a blessed fall and Christmas season. Aren't you glad we are a part of that family, also?