Jesus Did

 My week in comments (and observations) as said by others and myself:

• Asking who would like to serve our mission field…and witnessing the outpouring.
• Yes, I like seeing a junior so happy she just begins to skip down the hallway. Go, girl, go!
• “Listen. You are sounding like a teenager. You need to stop,” say I to that teenager standing in front of me imitating me!
• “Mrs. Gillmore, you sound happier. You are talking more.”
• What? More? Hummm…not sure that is possible?!
• Victoria Covington’s book is on pre-sale…and I am told I am in it. What?!?
• “Julia and I were talking about you singing in the hallway…and right then you began to sing, and we could hear you through door.” (Speaking of the ?!?)
• “Keep selling that Kool-aid.”
• “Mrs. Gillmore, are you in here singing to yourself?” (No…there’s a kiddo with me who I had just greeted.)
• “How about Gillmore Brownies?” (As part of a reward for scoring high on the ACT in March.) Alright then. Note to self: Buy stock in brownie mix!
• Teachers like to read. But…I read the most!
• “I’ll do that Wal-mart pick up for you.”
• Asking some to bring a dessert…and seeing the table is spread with more than enough. Of course.
• Gathering at the table is important. (Jesus did.)
• Dessert Buffets bring people together.
• “You are all unique. You all have a gift.”
• “He is at a 2.75.” - “But…everyone deserves three strikes.” (I am learning to appreciate a good baseball metaphor…and just maybe this time we will get a homerun…or, at least, make it to base!)
• Singing to Cadence one day and being told she cannot find her singing voice…then, being sung back to from my favorite Cadence in the whole wide world a day later. The music is in there.
• And…as I noted to my two passengers, my favorite part of a funeral is the drive to the burial…as car after car stops and pays that final respect to a life lived here. This one in particular would have been 95 next week and was a World War II veteran and whose family adopted me many years ago, further proving to me that not all family has to be blood related. Glad I shared those sentiments recently to him…for one is not guaranteed tomorrow. Yes, I am very glad I like to talk.

#MusicIsGoodForYou

#OneCanTalkTooMuch?!

#IEnjoyBoth!

Just Plan to Read!

 I began using this chronological Bible reading plan several years ago.  What a blessing this has been in my life...and what a learning experience.

Seriously, I would not know the Bible as much as I do without this guide on the side...and because I purchased a study Bible once upon a time.  Then, another.  Then, maybe a few more...until I also had a chronological study bible to go alont with the above reading plan.

I truly value this hard copy of this reading plan as this reflects that journey over the years, on I so encourage you to begin.  Today, yes, would be a good day!

My One Word: Intentional

Choosing One Word has been such a means to spiritual growth for me.  Oh, the power of One Word!  This word journey I began in 2011, with that list growing and nurturing...

• 2011:  Peace
• 2012:  Quiet
• 2013;  Fit
• 2014:  Smile
• 2015:  Complete
• 2016:  All
• 2017:  Diligent
• 2018:  Less
• 2019:  Birth
• 2020:  Restore
• 2021:  Ponder
• 2022:  Knowledge

This year, I have chosen...or shall I say...a word has chosen me:  intentioal.  With that word in mind, I have decided to, also, use this year to not leave my other words behind.  I am creating a journal (the hard copy kind!) with a doublepage spread for each word and plan to add notes and testimonies for each word throughout 2023.  Why?  Not sure...I just "feel" to do so...yes, that nudging.

May we pause and reflect on 2022's word:  Knowledge

• I knew this was a strange word for me, for, as a teacher, I am always learning (as we all should be).  Learn I have, though, as this year began with all my classes having new curriculums!  Wow!
• Life, also, taught me more lessons, most of which, at the time, I really just did not want to learn!  But...that's life!  In all areas of my life...family, work, and church, yes, I had lessons to learn.
• This I know...raising kids is just so much easier when they are younger.
• This I know...family gatherings are imporant.
• This I know...church can be place where people do not like you.
• This I know...studying the Bible always leads to more knowledge.
• This I know...teaching to students who want to learn needs to be my focus.
• Am I smarter now?  Hummm...still not smart enough.  Just another reason I need a doublepage spread for the word knowledge in My One Word journal.  As a matter of fact, I may need to give each word more than just the two pages!

Looking Ahead:  with intention

• This word grabbed my attention while studying Kristi McLelland's The Gospel on the Ground (learning so much knowledge from her!).  From that point on, no other word would suffice.
• What are my intentions?  At this precise second, I want to focus more on intentionally completing what I find important, for instance, writing here and in my journal (that I have never consistently kept).  I, also, hope to be intentional with completing house work, grading papers, reading books, all of which seem to pile up quickly if I am not careful.
• Be present in the moment by listening more, talking less, being visible where I should and need to be.

I hope you choose One Word...or that you allow One Word to choose you.  Then, watch for that word.  Listen for that word.  This word will find you, shift your thinking, encourage you to grow.

May your One Word Journey begin now.

Planning Ahead...for the Increase

One of my reads for 2022 has been Christmas Next Door, a collection of four short stories of intertwined characters, a read I meant to complete in 2021...but...just so many books!  (This book I gave as a Christmas present this past year....need to buy more to give for next year!)

Now, I am glad I waited, for here is one of the nuggets I gleaned from these stories:  each Christmas the town put together Christmas baskets...and each year that number grew.  This reminded me much of Samaritan Shoeboxes, for which I began collecting items throughout the year...yet we only filled two boxes, probably our family's smallest number ever.  Shame on me.

Based on the encouragement from this book, I plan to increase that number.  What if throughout 2022, I picked up twelve items for twelve months.  Not an amount that would break the budget.  So doable.  And!?  What an increase!

From what book have you gleaned an idea?  Please share!

Reading the Bible: Chronologically

Today, I began reading the Bible again using a chronological plan located here that I discovered several years ago.  Well, seven years ago, to be exact.  How do I know?  

• 2015:  Old Testament
• 2016:  New Testament
• 2017:  Old and New
• 2018:  Old and New
• 2019/2020:  Old/New
• 2021:  Old and New

According to this math?  2022 will encourage my reading the Bible chronologically for the sixth time.

Why again?  I have learned so much history and so much Bible.  Just that repetition is powerful.  AND...even though I have now read the entire Bible a few times, I will find myself thinking, "I don't remember that...at all."  Just revelation...as needed.  Yes, just another way that God speaks to me.  Therefore, I must keep reading...and re-reading!  Yes!

I recommend this plan to any and all who will listen, for the journey has been the reason that I have learned much of what I know about the Bible...yet I have so much to still learn.  So much.

This is not a slow read, as 3-4 chapters need to be read each day, consistently, to achieve reading the entire Bible in a year.  But...this does not have to be a reader's only way to study.  Focus on a verse.  Also, slowly read and study a book of the Bible.  Or reading just the Old or New Testament throughout a year.  But...I need this chronological read again as I need to continue to learn the history...of what happened to whom...and when...and how that affected those before and after.  Just.  So.  Interesting!

No matter the method...just keep reading!

My One Word: Ponder and...?

 I began choosing One Word in 2012...and what an amazing journey this has been. 

This year's word was ponder, with my theme scripture being Luke 2:19.  A quiet, calm, reflective word, this one stayed with me.  Yes, I should have pondered more!  I am learning though that sometimes less is more.  I just need to keep practicing this!

I have known 2022's word since October:  knowledge.  This seems quite the strange word for me, as I am in year 31 of teaching and have shared much knowledge (hopefully).  Where will this word take me?  I shall continue to share knowledge...and I will continue to learn.

This year's theme scripture is Colossians 1:10: "so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..."  

Growing in the knowledge of God:  Yes.  Please, Lord.

Here's a quick recap of my previous words:

• 2011:  Peace
• 2012:  Quiet
• 2013;  Fit
• 2014:  Smile
• 2015:  Complete
• 2016:  All
• 2017:  Diligent
• 2018:  Less
• 2019:  Birth
• 2020:  Restore
• 2021:  Ponder
• 2022:  Knowledge

I am looking forward to my continued journeys with all twelve words...for I do not want to leave any of them behind...and with an increased focus on knowledge.  

Here's to 2022...

Part of the Lord’s Army

The walls of Jericho fell! That’s right! Hands in the air! Success! (See Joshua 5.)

But first...

Joshua recognized and honored the “commander of the Lord’s Army.”

But first...

The fighting men had to march...without saying one word. Not. One. Word. For seven days. On the seventh day...they marched seven times. Not one word. 

But first...

The priests had to carry the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant.

But first...

The priests had to blow the trumpets. Not just any instruments. Those used in religious festivals. Reminder: this is the Lord’s battle. 

But first...

The people had to shout. As loud as they could. 

What does this mean to me? To you? The Lord leads and fights our battles...but...He expects us to follow orders, also. Had the above instructions not been followed, would the walls have fallen?

I know...I understand...I do...you have walls that are 25 feet high and 20 feet thick...just as those around Jericho were. Totally insurmountable. Nothing is going through them. 

Then, the Lord activates His Army...and those walls will fall. 

But first...

I have to recognize and honor the commander of the Lord’s Army. 

But first...

Sometimes...I have to be very quiet. Very.  

Sometimes...for days. 

But first...I have to march...for however long it takes. 

But first...

I have to be in The Word. 

Then...the shouting begins!

Hands in the air! Your victory is coming!

PS...still with me? REMEMBER...this battle began days before they crossed that river when two spies had an encounter with Rahab...a woman...an ancestor to Jesus...only one of two women mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews. 

PS...when those walls fell? Those spies kept their promise and rescued Rahab...and her entire family! Keep claiming your family!