Tag: Christianity

Teachers Are Amazing People 🍎

Teachers are some of the first people we meet in life that have a significant impact on us. I admire them for the contributions and sacrifices they make everyday. I know that for them to do what they do, they must care deeply about others. I still remember the names of most of my teachers from grade school. To me, teachers are hero’s.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of joining The Teachers Ministry at church. The purpose of the ministry is to encourage teachers by showing them appreciation throughout the school year. (Below are two pictures from a recent event we had at the school.) One of the best parts of the ministry is the prayer box, where teachers are free to leave prayer requests so that we can pray for their needs. The leader of the ministry is a retired teacher who taught elementary school, and it’s been a blessing working with her.

Please remember to pray for the strength of our teachers as they begin this new school year. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 NIV, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”

Prayer Box
Grab and Go Snacks

I wanted to acknowledge some of my fellow bloggers who I know are teachers or retired teachers, and share their post related to the joys of teaching. Thank you for all you do, or have done, to help others through your gift of teaching. You are truly making a difference in ways you may never know. (If you work or have worked as a teacher or teacher’s aide in any capacity feel free to let me know in the comments.)

🍎Matt @ Jesusluvsall – teaches English to adult students from many different countries. By doing this he is empowering them to have more success in America. https://jesusluvsall.wordpress.com/2019/09/03/back-to-school/

🍏Jacquie @ Joy Cottage – teaches God Word through mentoring and counseling youth. She is working to win youth for Jesus. https://joycottage.blog/2019/06/26/youth-teens-are-so-capable/

🍎Deborah @ Great is God’s Faithfulness – teaches Pre-K students as a teachers aide and often shares some of the cutest stories. http://greatisgodsfaithfulness.blog/2019/07/27/was-that-jesus-on-the-phone/

🍏Big Sky Buckeye is a retired teacher who wrote a poem called Back to School. https://bigskybuckeye.com/2019/08/10/back-to-school/

🍎Grace and Pink is an elementary school teacher who shared her story about an epiphany she had while teaching one day. https://graceandpink.home.blog/2019/04/07/epiphany/

🍏Untangling Life’s Web teaches young children and also uses her blog as a platform to teach lessons. https://untanglinglifesweb.wordpress.com/2019/07/16/easy-goal-setting-tips-and-activities-for-children/

Photo By: Monkey Business Images

At The Cross Of Jesus Christ

John 8:36 NLT, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

I awaken this morning reminded of what a privilege it is that we can lay our burdens at the foot of the cross. There is rest in Jesus. He takes care of us and will provide all we need. Thinking about His goodness makes me smile. His love brings hope, even in the situations that seem the most hopeless.

There is freedom in Jesus. Freedom from the grasp of sin and shame. Freedom from hurt and pain. Freedom from the lies of the enemy. In Jesus we have freedom to be all that we were created to be. We are free to walk in His truth and light. We are free to say no to the wicked ways of the world.

We are free to be confident in who He is and who we are in Him. The cross where He suffered and died represents freedom. In Him we have abundant life that far surpasses anything the world could ever offer us.

Photo by: Aaron Burden

My favorite hymn is called, “At The Cross” by Isaac Watts.

A few of the words are….“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.”

Be blessed and have a wonderful Sunday. In Jesus Christ you are free!

Pray And Wait Expectantly!

Psalm 5:2-3 NIV, “Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

When I read these verses it always stands out to me that the Psalmist waited expectantly. He knew that God heard his voice and that He would answer. He had faith and he had hope. It’s the same for us. We should pray and then wait expectantly. When we cry out to our God, He hears our prayers and will answer us.

Photo By: Torsten Kellermann

Every new day that God allows us to see, is a new chance for us to know Him more and experience His goodness. It reminds me of a song we used to sing at church when I was little, “Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Everyday with Jesus, I love Him more and more.”

Jesus is our living hope, who made everything possible. He will never fail us. Never stop praying. Never stop believing. Never stop expecting. God hears you.

Jesus Will Light Your Path

Psalm 37:23 NLT, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Last week I stopped by the leasing office at my apartment complex, and turned in my notice to vacate. When I informed the leasing consultant that I would be moving out of state, she asked me where I was going. When I told her Virginia, she immediately perked up and said that she knew a couple that had moved there recently. She said they are a really nice Christian couple, and that the wife is the sister of her pastor. Then after that, she begin to share their story with me.

She told me about Alex, the twenty-one year old son of this couple, who was killed in a motorcycle accident two years ago. He was thrown from his bike and died instantly due to head injuries. She showed me the last picture that Alex had taken with his family before his death.

Alex had always dreamed of living in Virginia. So when he lost his life, his parents and his younger sibling, packed their bags, said goodbye to Florida and moved to Virginia. His parents said that life was short and this was what Alex always wanted, so making the move to Virginia was their way of making his dream come true.

Photo By: Khanh Le

Hearing this story brought tears to my eyes, and the leasing consultant said retelling it gave her goose bumps. Not only had this family lost Alex, but Alex’s Dad was also a cancer survivor. Although their story is one of unimaginable loss, it’s also one of triumph, because I’m sure this family understands what it means to make everyday count. They know first hand how brief our days here on Earth can be. I thanked the leasing consultant for sharing this story with me. It was a vast reminder not to take life for granted.

After I left the leasing office, I couldn’t help but wonder what God has in mind for Alex’s family. I believe He will use their testimony to touch many souls. Hearing their story of faith and perseverance in the midst of tragedy brought me joy.

Jesus always has a way of shining light in the midst of darkness. We just have to be willing to open our eyes to see it, like Alex’s family did. We may not always understand all of God’s plans for our lives, but if we keep obeying Him, He will reveal truth to us. No matter how dark a situation may seem, we can trust Jesus to light our path.

Sunshine Blogger Award – 8

Thank you little sister Herry @ herrychiccounsels for nominating me for this Sunshine Blogger Award. Your blog is a reminder of God’s goodness and an encouragement to me and others. ❤️💕❤️

Check out HCCounsels and you will be truly inspired! 🤗

Here are Herry’s Questions for me:

1. Are you an owl or a lark? (stay up late or early riser)

I’m a lark

2. What do you do for fun?

I enjoy trying new restaurants. I also like occasionally riding bikes on the beach.

3. What are your spiritual gifts?

I believe the gift of encouragement is something I have.

4. Have you made Jesus the Lord of your life? If so, how did it happen?

Yes I did when I was 9 years old at a Wednesday night prayer meeting. I can still remember that night clearly.

5. Do you have a life verse? If so, what is it, and why?

My favorite bible verse has always been John 3:16. It’s also the first verse I memorized.

6. What is your favorite characteristic about yourself?

I’m a pretty calm person and I really like that.

7. What is one valuable lesson you have learned in life?

Don’t just follow the crowd because God has a unique plan for everyone.

8. When did you know you wanted to become a writer?

I’ve enjoyed writing for awhile. I first started doing it in 2008 for a couple of years then stopped. But I started this blog in 2017.

9. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

I only recently found out about the ambivert, and I believe that’s what I am.

10. Do you dread or look forward to your birthday?

I’m always thankful to see another year so in that case I look forward to it.

11. Which do you prefer: city or country, fried or baked, sweet or salty, book or movie, drive or fly, cook or takeout?

City, baked, sweet, movie, fly, takeout

I nominate the following bloggers. Looking forward to hearing from you if you choose to participate. 🤗

http://gaillovesgod.blog

http://nodebtbutlove.com

https://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca

http://theexcellentwoman.blog

My questions to my nominees are below:

1. Are you an owl or a lark? (stay up late or early riser)

2. What do you do for fun?

3.What do you love most about knowing Jesus?

4. What is your favorite characteristic about yourself?

5. What is a place you would like to visit?

6. What is an important lesson you’ve learned in life?

7. What is a fear that you have learned to overcome?

8. What is your favorite food?

9. Do you have siblings? If so how many?

10. What topic do you feel is the least discussed but the one most needed to be discussed?

11. Why did you start your blog?

Gossip Betrays Trust

Proverbs 11:13 NIV, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

God knows all there is to know about us, but He doesn’t go around revealing everything to everyone. We can trust Him. Loyal, trustworthy people are a reflection of God’s love. People who can be trusted to keep information confidential, without giving in to the temptation to gossip and spread rumors are people of integrity.

Photo by: Kristina Flour

People of integrity understand that time spent gossiping about others is time that can be spent praying for them instead. They use wisdom when it comes to speaking about others because they know what and what not to say. They also know who and who not to say it to.

Being a trustworthy, gossip-free person is a true sign of maturity in Christ. He will strengthen us to stay away from pointless, destructive conversations about others. Love seeks to build people up and not tear them down.

James 1:26 NLT, “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”

Don’t Withhold Good

Proverbs 3:27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.”

Yesterday morning I was reading Proverbs chapter 3. Verse 27 kept jumping out at me. I kept thinking to myself that if everyone lived by this, the world would be a much better place. It’s pretty easy to withhold good from others because we live in an age that reinforces, ”looking out for number 1” all of the time. Of course we need balance and it is important to take care of ourselves. But what would happen if everyone made an attempt to regularly think of the needs of others, and help them whenever possible?

The closer we get to Jesus, the more compassionate and loving we become toward others. He helps us to look beyond the surface and see the true need. He helps us to let go of the fear of lack, and give when it is in our power to do so.

There is so much more to giving than just money, a simple compliment can make someone smile. There is one greeter at church who always gives hugs. Many Sunday mornings I was thankful for her hug. Handshakes are good, but hugs are awesome! Even in my own life, I’m asking God to help me not to withhold good from others. No matter how small the deed may seem, if we’re lead to give, we must obey God and give.

We serve a God who gives of Himself freely everyday. As His representatives, we have the privilege of doing the same. Learning to let God be our standard instead of the world, will open up a whole new sea of opportunities to give of ourselves that we never even knew existed.