22 2 / 2012
Public Education
After sitting in 4 hours of meetings at my current teaching location I am fully convinced that public education is a broken system being repaired by feeble placebos, splints, stints and bandaids.
Public educators are required by law to leave no child behind and make sure all students in their classes receive a free and appropriate education. We have to teach all the blueberries, not just the select and premium blueberries.
I realize the rant. I offer no solutions except to try my best to love each student who crosses my path with the love of Jesus. (and some days it’s tough love…really tough live disguised as a cranky, loud woman who doesn’t feel like anyone appreciates the effort;)
09 12 / 2011
"All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them."
21 11 / 2011
Be Practical
I love when God reveals new insight to me about me and others. I’ve been studying Psalm and Proverbs together via #ThankfulThirty with Holly Furtick. It’s in a nice little printable chart for my type A personality friends and you can check it off as you read, or highlight it like me. Yes, believe it or not I have some anal retentive ways.
Psalm this morning seemed to resound…”trust me, lean on me, I know life might appear to be handing you difficulties or challenges, but I’m God. There’s nothing I can’t handle. I’m your refuge.” That’s what I received this morning and what a timely word. I’m thankful.
So I have to be practical. I love to dream, but I also love to be real. I asked the Lord, “Great Word straight from heaven today, but what does that look like? What do I need to do?” I know the Lord loves me, and He knows just what I need. He gave me a practical list. It’s an easy list that real people can use. We can probably use it everyday. I like lists…I don’t necessarily have to check them off as done though, I’m not that kind of girl.
Practical List for Everyday Trusting
1. Talk to God
He’s the God of the Universe, Creator; and yet He’s interested in a conversation with you. It not some over spiritualized concept, but a simple conversation. He already knows us, so talk.
2. Read scripture
Make time for the Bible. It’s our instruction manuel for life. Memorize it. Take notes. Hang it up where you can see it.
3. Be thankful
Tell God you are thankful. Make a list. Tell others what you’re thankful for too.
4. Be glad.
If God is for you, who can be against you? Really! Smile and show others you’re glad. Stop being a sour puss, be full of joy and laugh a lot everyday.
I tried to keep it simple. I know there are deep spiritual principles behind the 4 points, but being practical about trusting God is an everyday endeavor.
11 11 / 2011
I love to check out God’s artistic flair. Some days it’s what keeps me going. I know that He paints a new sunset and sunrise everyday and sometimes I feel like it’s just for me. He speaks to me, letting me know He’s got this. My life is not my own, it is His. And yet He loves me enough to bless me with His creations. He gives me grace to choose Him day after day.
07 11 / 2011
SHIFT
Sometimes when a shift in thinking and life happens we forget to record it. In these last few months I’ve been shifting all over the place! One of my recent shifts is a part time teaching position at a middle school. *Insert deep sigh here. It’s money in the bank and it’s the middle school Bailey attends so I can keep an eye on her. And I know God put me there so I should be jumping up and down with joy…I’m trying. When their assistant principal pursued me, I didn’t want to listen. Shift: when I left MO, I was finished with teaching in the public schools. I’m still ready to cash in the retirement for Evolve Church to get off the ground. My prayer was if you want me there, I’ll be offered the position, if you don’t want me there I won’t get it. I got it, so God is in it. Well Shift.
I think my spirit shift comes when I think one thing and God does another. I’m trying to recover from a major physical shift of moving almost 900 miles away from my family and home and then to create a home for my husband and kids. So I shift my expectations. Another major shift, I’m from Stoutland, Missouri population 212. I now reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico population over 545,000 and is the 6th fastest growing city in America. Crazy Shift.
In all the shifting, I have a tendency to lose sight of my real purpose. Am I truly bringing glory to God? That goes back to an everyday day item. (Go back and read some my “Everyday” posts) Everyday is a shift. I wake up and choose to be satisfied with what God is doing in my life. Oh I dream big! And I’m full of expectation for the future. BUT I want my shift to coincide with God’s big picture. God is the Shift.
