There is little point to this particular entry, but . . .
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, F153 that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens - wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. 6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9 It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God? 11 But all of you are kindlers of fire, lighters of firebrands. F154 Walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled! This is what you shall have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.
I am going to work on memorizing these verses . . .today I was ass't minister @ church and we had a baptism!!! I love baptisms and it was fun to be able to stand up there and see it up close. It is such a happy event, the newest of the family of God, and yet a very serious day, a promise made, like a wedding...
The above passage from Isaiah was the first lesson for today, and it really spoke to me. I was given blessings for ministry, and I'm going to follow those through to the best of my ability.
Pastor's sermon was especially good - it was clear cut and visceral reaction to the gospel which was relatable. (Mark 9:41-50) 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. 42 "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, F80 it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, F81 to the unquenchable fire. F82 44 F142 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. F83 , F84 46 F12 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, F85 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. 49 "For everyone will be salted with fire. F86 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? F87 Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
I feel like lately I've been making myself stumble, not through any one way, but just not bearing the name of Christ as I'd like to... sometimes it is hard living in a secular world, but that 's such a cop-out. Seeing that baptism today, having a great Sunday school class, and letting myself slow down and feel the love around me is refreshing to my faith.
Peace be to you.
Amen.
Safety in Numbers . . .
We feel more safe when the multitude around us affirm and approve our work, our daily existence. In many ways I feel more "safe" in staying at school next year, but this is a contrived safety. I have to say, I am having a great year teaching. It's not that I don't have any frustrating students or classes, it's just great to be in a brand new school, have a great rapport with students who I have again, and be on a largely positive staff. Part of me would really like to stay and especially see certain kids through till graduation. But it does not feel like my call. I do not feel fully satisfied in it. I want to share my faith with these kids, I want to tell them why I treat them as I do . . . I want to invite them to CTK. . .
So I should be planning my sunday school lesson right now, but it's mostly done.
Safety in Numbers. . .
Where do I feel most safe? In this statement:
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
I do believe in what I teach, but not enough to make it my life, my call. I love doing it . . . But I do believe through prayer and people and events God has put in my life that I am called to ministry. What is safety? This is the verse that comes to mind - I used to use it prayerfully the summers that I worked @ CFLC.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Numbers 6:24 - The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you, the Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace. the Aaronic blessing...
safety in numbers. And yet safety is not what we seek in following the Christian lifestyle, although we have the assurance of resurrection with Christ... I seek to lose my "life" - to be ultimately unsafe - and follow my call . . . in slowly coming to terms with the seriousness of the decision, of the allowing my heart to follow this call, it takes a little getting used to, the idea of handing over the "control" we think we have over our lives, which we don't even have to begin with... creation is amazing - the God-given gift of diversity, complexity, and love!
Happy Sunday!
