Opinions of a Lowly One

"Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:43:09 -0600

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”

- Mother Teresa

Public Education

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:29:13 -0700

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;)

Sunday morning silliness.

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:25:45 -0700

Sunday morning silliness.

Most days I feel small.

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:09:10 -0700

Most days I feel small.

These mountains I live under…inspire.

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:18:01 -0700

These mountains I live under…inspire.

Rick only made his side of the bed. Weird? Yes. And funny too.

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:43:33 -0700

Rick only made his side of the bed. Weird? Yes. And funny too.

"All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them."

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:19:40 -0700

“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.”

- Walt Disney

"The lowly will possess the land and will live in prosperity."

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:41:46 -0700

“The lowly will possess the land and will live in prosperity.”

- Psalm 37:11

Be Practical

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:24:47 -0700

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.

I love to check out God’s artistic flair. Some days...

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:16:04 -0700

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.

SHIFT

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:43:56 -0700

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.

Soup

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:49:54 -0600

I like soup.

Look at these pretty girls! Somedays it’s hard to believe...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:23:00 -0600

Look at these pretty girls! Somedays it’s hard to believe they could be smiling this close to one another. Always reminding them we are on the same team.

This Day

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:18:01 -0600

We were up before the sun today for a new outing in a new land: Balloon Fiesta 2011. We picked Terry and Vicki up from their hotel at 4:20am and headed to Alameda, ready for our brisk morning outside. Surprised by how many others were awake, we chatted, laughed and soaked up the family time.

We were joined by David and Tess shortly after sunrise. We dined on vendor breakfast burritos, coffee and donuts. An electric and nostalgic atmosphere pervaded the grounds as the colorful hundreds rose and floated above our heads.

The clouds and frost on the Sandias added to our awe. It was a perfect morning in Albuquerque. Mornings like today add to my faith, add to my hope and add to my love. And confirms in my spirit the need for Jesus all over the world. I watched thousands of people today gathered for balloon watching, and yes, I had a wonderful time. But how much more should be made of Jesus? I want to live my life to make Him famous.

Hebrews

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:26:17 -0600

12:1-4 MSG

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed!

These words follow the great faith chapter of Hebrews. Be encouraged friends. We can never quit. When we want to, think of Jesus. Read His story again and again.

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that’s all."

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:22:43 -0600

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that’s all.”

- ~ Oscar Wilde

Looking at my precious 3 and thinking about them and their lives...

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:36:14 -0600

Looking at my precious 3 and thinking about them and their lives ahead. The Sandias in the background and how I pray for them; that mountains are not circled and are easily stepped over.

Humble Pie

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:32:19 -0600

God opposes the proud. I know that if God is for me then who can stand against me. I definitely want Him on my side. Even when being meek means I have to eat my words, Humility hurts. It cuts a person off at the knee and brings one low. Being humble is an art. A humble person is not arrogant or full of themselves. Modesty surrounds them.

Humility also brings benefits. Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand and He will lift you up in His time. Cast all your worries on Him because He cares for you.

Super Star

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:29:49 -0600

Super Star

"A friendship that can end never really began."

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:49:01 -0600

“A friendship that can end never really began.”

- Publilius Syrus