Just when I think I can't do one more day of substitute teaching, something happens that reminds of why I do what I do. Currently I am doing a long-term position in one of the resource rooms. If you don't know what that is, it is the room that caters to the 'special needs' students; formerly known as 'mentally retarded/developmentally disabled' (MRDD); formerly known as some other acronym before that one; and I'm quite sure there have been other equally confusing acronyms. Presently the room I am in is known as 'PRRB' (primary resource room b-I have no idea what the 'b' stands for). The label changes happen over time due to negative connotations that become associated with the particular name. This kind of thing happens all the time in many areas. And believe me-it can get ridiculous. When children are divided into small groups, they are not called 'A' group, 'B' group, and 'C' group. Oh no-that could make a 'C' group child feel like they are just not as good as an 'A' group child, even though the letter names are simply used as a way of labeling the groups-NOT the abilities. So, we might give them names of animals instead. 'Bears', 'Turtles', and 'Rabbits'. Wait a minute-that's not going to work either. The 'Turtles' will think they are SLOWER than the other two groups. See what I mean? I've often thought, can't we just come up with names and not read anything into them. The kids don't seem to pay any attention as to whether they are 'A, B, C' or 'X, Y, Z'. But I digress.

Getting back to my classroom-you can rename this class all you want; load it down with initials, but it won't matter. The students will always know that they are 'different'. There is something about them that doesn't 'fit' into the other classes-and that knowledge does not come from the label on the classroom door.

Today I was working with my second and third graders while my first graders were at recess with the 'regular' two first grade classes. When they returned, Tyler was in tears (he's very tender hearted.) As he wiped his eyes and nose with his handkerchief (yes, you read that right-sweet little cotton handkerchief), he sputtered words which I knew I needed to attempt to understand and interpret. I stopped what I was doing with the rest of the class, and we listened to Tyler. Long story short-he never got chosen to be 'it' in the game. I talked with him and with the class about how disappointing that can be and how much that can hurt; but we do need to remember that we will probably not be chosen when we want to be, and it really is not up to us. We share, take turns, blah, blah, blah. It will happen. We need to be good team players no matter what. Well-then the rest of the class shared that 'no', it will not happen. They never get chosen by the students. When they shared this, they didn't share it with anger, bitterness, or even sadness. They shared it as if they simply accepted it as 'the way it is-normal'. My heart broke for them. I didn't want to dishonor their schoolmates-especially not having experienced any of this first hand, so I talked with them about the possibility that the children were not being mean or intentional about not choosing them. Could it be that the children simply don't think about choosing them because they are not around my students much during the day? Could it be that it has nothing to do with 'liking them or NOT liking them'? Yes, they agreed with my ideas. I did too! I firmly want to believe that while, yes, there are some students who intentionally and deliberately mistreat and bully others; most DON'T. We also talked about really being aware of how it feels when you believe you have been left out, mistreated, bullied, etc-whether or not it is intentional. Use those feelings to remind you NOT to treat others in that same way.

In the midst of this chit-chat, they also shared that when they are chosen to do anything, they are chosen last. I could tell that was a bummer to all of them, and they really don't see any possibility of change. I sat myself down on one of the desks-felt like I was closer to them-and said, "Do you know what the Bible tells us?" And then I paraphrased (very loosely I am sure, but I just wanted them to get it!!), "God tells us that if you feel like you are always last, someday He is going to make you FIRST! Isn't that good news?!" Wow-the smiles, the light in their eyes, and even a renewed sense of 'okay, let's get back to work now!' was priceless. I just wanted to cry-and hug them-and kiss them-and take them all home with me. (Okay, honestly-I'd want to return them a few minutes later! Not because of who they are, but just because I'm TIRED at the end of the school day!!)

I felt energized-by them-by their sweet honesty and vulnerability. I felt energized-by God-as He equipped me to give them what they needed in such a moment. I hope I never get so bogged down by the 'paper pushing predicament' of being a school teacher nowadays, that I ignore-or don't even notice-those teachable moments that build into a child's character and wisdom; and then take full advantage of them. "Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your gentle reminder of why I do what I do. Please, please, please help me to LOVE these children as You do. Help me, no matter HOW I am feeling, to treat each day as an opportunity to invest in them rather than to simply be in the classroom with them."

Thanks for allowing me to share my experience. You are most gracious for reading about it!

Thanks for reading,

Libby

Labels: Libby

I work for a homecare company, so I spend most of my day on the phone talking to hospitals, physician's offices, and elderly patients. There are several of us in a small area, and it's not too hard to overhear my coworkers on the phone, like the conversation (or one side of it) I heard the other day.

"You can't hear me? Well, the volume on my phone is all the way up." (Speaks louder) "You still can't hear me?" (Now, practically shouting) "I'm sorry ma'am, I can't talk any louder. Do you think you could turn your TV down?"

We all couldn't help but crack up. I've been there too. Having to speak as loud as you possibly can to someone who has kids screaming or the TV blaring in the background as they continue to ask, "What? What did you say?" All the while I'm thinking, Why in the world did you call me if you're too distracted to talk?

How many times have I done that to God? Called on His name, asked Him for wisdom or guidance or help, at the same time having a thousand other things going on in the background and wondering why I can't get an answer from Him.

Maybe He's talking and I'm just drowning Him out by so much other noise in my life that He can't be heard.

Because I know the truth. I know what His Word promises, that if anyone asks for wisdom He gives freely. That He hears every word I say, He knows what's on my heart. That He answers prayer. That He loves me so much that He wants to be a part of and the center of everything I do and say and everything I am.

So why is it that when I don't hear from Him I blame Him? Is God, after gazillions of years of being faithful and true and perfect, suddenly going to mess it up when it comes to answering me? Do I somehow really believe that God answers every other person but me? Maybe I need to use the old breakup clich�, "It's not You, it's me." It's not You, God, who's not paying attention, it's me. It's not You God who's got so much else going on that You're ignoring me, it's me who's ignoring You. It's me who's not quieting down the distractions enough to focus on You.

And if I turn down the TV I might just realize that He's been speaking the whole time.

Emily

Labels: Emily

Surface,

I just wanted to remind you that you are penetrable. But the thicker you are, the more frustrated I become. When it comes to picking my battles, I have a hard time not picking you. But- it seems sometimes that is the wisest thing to do. It seems intimacy does not always win.
In some cases, it seems intimacy does not even have a chance. All I want is to know people and glorify God in my loving of them. Tell me, what is wrong with that? Why do you inflict the ones I love with indifference towards me? Couldn't you at least have enough decency to stay out of my home life?
You know what, I will just approach you with a sharper sword next time.

Watch your back.
Em

Labels: Em's Journal

I love reading what my friends are writing. Yet every once in a while I find they've written about ME! Hey guys, that was not in the job description! I'm a wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, employee, and ministry partner - not an example for you to write about!

But perhaps it is in our job description when we look in God's word about the example we are to set. "Be careful how you live, not as fools, but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days; don't act thoughtlessly but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians 5:15) No, it doesn't say "because your actions will be written up in devotional form by your friends" but the warning to be careful is there because others are watching, whether we realize it or not!

My friend Becki was watching and listening one day recently as my radio pals and I interviewed Jocelyn Hamsher about her newly published Bible Study "Meet Me At The Well" for the Circle of Friends radio program. You can read about that day in Becki's February 5th devotional entitled "God Is". Becky writes about how Joc turned the tables on us and asked each one of us the question "How did you see God as a child?"

When Jocelyn spoke those words a visual immediately popped into my mind. It was God's hand, His finger was pointing at me, and I was in trouble. Yes, the God of my childhood was all about catching me doing wrong - again. He was the God of judgment.

I'm thankful Joc didn't stop there; she proceeded to ask the next question, "How do you see God today?" And you want to know something really neat? The God I know today doesn't point and shake His finger at me accusingly. Instead He turns His hand palm up and beckons me with that same finger. "Come" He says. He is the God of all grace.

Sometimes He wants me to come because He needs to teach me, to show me how can I do things differently, His way. His hand of correction is still there, it is just tempered, in my heart, by His mercy, His grace, His great love for His child - me!

Sometimes He wants me to come simply because He knows I am so weary I cannot go on. He wants to give me rest.

Sometimes He wants to point me toward another one of His children. He asks me to be His arms, His hands, His feet.

Whatever it is He wants for me, in me, from me, He wants it for my good, and for His glory.

My friend Lisa recently recorded a song simply named "Come" (Clay Heathcock (c) 2002 Feet of Clay) It is on a companion CD to Meet Me At The Well, the book that Virelle Kidder has written, as well as the companion Bible Study we were interviewing Jocelyn about.

The lyrics are:

"Come - All who are thirsty come

Come - All who are thirsty come

Come - All who are thirsty come

Come where waters flow - come

Come - All who are weary come

Come - All who are weary come

Come - All who are weary come

Come that you may rest - come

Come and know unfailing love

Come and find shelter and shade

The Lord is my strength and my song

Come and bow down

Come - All who are lonely come

Come - All who are lonely come

Come - All who are lonely come

Come into His arms - come

Come and know unfailing love

Come and find shelter and shade

The Lord is my strength and my song

Come and bow down

Come and bow down"

That's it, He simply beckons us to come. He does the rest, and gives us His rest in the process.

Living Water, for all of us who are thirsty, lonely; His word promises rest for our souls, unfailing love, shelter, shade, strength, a song. He delights in us! And He is FOR us!

What a good God we serve!

Until next time,

Beth

Labels: Beth

Don't you love how children seem to throw themselves into everything they do?

Their wonder of discovery of new things never fails to delight me.

Jesus calls us to come to Him as a child, to welcome the kingdom of God with childlike exuberance and faith. (Luke 18:17)

Have you run to your Father lately and danced in His presence?

Have you embraced the sheer joy of all that He gives us through His Son Jesus?

Maybe it's time you did.

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

I want to be here. Warm tropical breezes, waves caressing my bare feet, squinting at the gorgeous sky as the sun sets slowly over the water.

Instead I am wiping up melted snow and mud on my kitchen floor that has been tracked in from outside. I'm throwing on another sweatshirt and huddling under blankets. Scraping ice off the windshield and digging out from several feet of snow.

Winter has settled in. Spring and Summer are mists of a leftover right-before-waking dream. Even shutting off the alarm and snuggling back under my covers doesn't work to bring back my wonderful illusion of playing in the waves and relaxing on a beach somewhere.

Isn't that just life - with all it's inconveniences and uncomfortable elements? But if I'm focusing on the negatives, I may be missing the beauty of this season of my life. Truly.

Recently as I got out of bed much too early one morning (you can read about my aversion to early mornings here and here) I was grumbling not just about getting up before daylight, but leaving my nice cozy bed to shovel snow. Gritting my teeth, I went outside and got to work.

But when I paused for a break and actually looked around me I was halted by more than my bursting lungs and panting breath. It was beautiful. So serene and quiet. No one was moving on the streets and everything was blanketed in a beautiful down quilt of snow. And then I heard them -

A family of birds were lifting their song to the skies. It sounded like spring! In the midst of winter? Yes! Hope can be found in every circumstance of life because of the One who is our Hope.

God gives us great blessings each day. We just have to look for them. In the meantime, I'm headed back to my nice comfy bed to dream of warm tropical breezes - with birds singing somewhere in the background.

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

I read this story and it touched me so much I had to share it. Jenny Simmons is the lead singer of Addison Road, whose songs include "Hope Now" and "What Do I Know of Holy." You can check out her blog at www.jennysimmons.com. Her story reminded me that I need to live outside of my comfortable little box, look around me, and show God's love to others even when it doesn't seem safe. It's a little long, but definitely worth the read.

"A month ago I saw a homeless man in the busy, business-professional, restaurant laden area of my town. Since I am not actually in Dallas, it is a rare occasion that you see someone who is truly desolate just sitting in the parking lot of our suburban oasis. But there he was. Ryan and I thought he was dead. And honestly, we drove right past him at first. Along with all the other cars and people. There were men in suits and ties, soccer moms with minivans full of children, and groups of girlfriends who were shopping the strip mall behind us, and we all drove right by him.

He had the darkest black skin I have ever seen. He was slumped over in a wheelchair with his head flung over to the side. He was right in the middle of the Chick-Fil-A parking lot at the height of the busy lunch hour.

It didn't even occur to me to stop, we just did what everyone else did, we swerved around him.

And he did not move. To the world, this man was invisible. And by all appearances, he may have very well been in dead.

STOP

It only took a few seconds for God to speak sternly to me. "Open your eyes Jenny. What is wrong with you? He is a human. He is my child. Will you not even stop to check on him? How can you swerve around him like that? As if he is a fire hydrant or a dead animal in the road. Turn around. Take care of him. He is mine."

But God... Ryan and I have to meet the band in ten minutes at the church. We have a flight to catch. We have gear to take out of the trailer and merchandise to pack. We have a concert. Plus, seriously, he looks dead. He looks scary. He's right in the middle of the freaking parking lot... I might get hit by a car. And Annie is in the car. What if he has a gun? What if he jumps into the car? My stomach is churning just thinking about him sitting there. I can't turn around. He shouldn't be in the parking lot anyways.

My excuses were impressive. Legitimate. Numerous.

But God's voice was clear. Go back. Not optional. I shouldn't even have to tell you. STOP.

I told Ryan we needed to turn around. He said he knew. I got out of the car and for the first time in a very long time I was scared of a person. This man scared me.

"Sir? Sir? Are you OK? Sir, are you trying to get somewhere? Can I help you?"

He looked up. His eyes were drowning in a pool of tears and yellow poison. I have never seen a man as sick as this.

"I'm trying to get to the bus stop. I'm sick, I must have passed out. I'm sorry."

I could hear the shame in his very tired voice. I asked him if I could push him out of the road and asked where he'd like to go. He pointed to a parking spot away from people in the Blockbuster parking lot. I asked what he needed. Food? A ride? I kneeled down so I could look into his sick eyes. He did not scare me anymore. I felt a deep love for him.

He said he simply needed me to pray for him. "Just pray for me, that's all."

I can pray for you, but what about food? Do you need some food? Water? In my mind, prayer was not enough.

I went and got our Chick-Fil-A out of the car and he began to devour it. He told me he was homeless and on dialysis. He lost his job when his kidney's stopped working. Shortly after, he couldn't afford rent anymore and before he knew it, he was out on the streets. He spoke with simplicity. He was kind. Tender. Well spoken. Straight-forward and honest. He made me laugh when he said that downtown Dallas was too ghetto for he and his two best homeless buddies. So they bus out to the suburbs and spend their days in the parking lots of Starbucks and Barnes and Noble. That is, the days he is not in the hospital. He tells me his bus route and exactly how he gets to the hospital from where we are standing. He tells me the homeless shelters that he prefers. He has no family in town. They do not know he is sick and he says they can't help him anyways, they have all wasted their lives away.

"Just remember me and pray for me when you think about it. My name is Dexter."

"I'm Jenny."

You are my Friend Now

I grab both of his dirty hands. His fingernails are long and curled backwards. His hands are surprisingly soft. I tell Dexter that I live nearby and my church is nearby and that I will pray for him, remember him, and check on him. I hold his hands the entire time that I tell Jesus how I don't understand suffering, but that I know we never walk through it alone. I tell him I thankful for my new friend. I beg for healing, provision, and a chance to start over again. I feel Dexter's tears hit my hands. Ryan honks and motions for me to come on, we are going to miss our flight. I tell Dexter I am going to be gone for four weeks but that I will look for him as soon as I get home. He says thank you. And I leave.

I do not stop thinking about him for days. I ask Ryan if we can bring him home if we ever see him again. If we can drop Annie off with a friend, have some men from the church come over, and let him shower and rest in our house. Ryan says he thinks that would be OK. This is not the answer I expected from him. I am blown away at his compassion and conviction. We leave and spend weeks on the road and I ask my friends to please keep an eye out for him. No one sees him though.

I am only home three days throughout the entire month and search for him each time I am back. But I never find him. My prayers become fervent. God please let him be OK. Please let me see him again. I put a blanket in my car and hope that I will be able to give it to him next time. But next time comes and I don't find him. The month gets more intense and I forget about him.

Yesterday

We are running errands. Annie is fussy in the backseat. Ryan is exhausted and has to go get a rental van and trailer. I am trying to thaw out after a horrifically cold photo shoot the day before that left me feeling like I had pneumonia. We are driving by the bank and out of nowhere, in his spot behind the dumpster, there he is. Dexter.

I had forgotten about him. I forgot to be looking. I forgot to pray for him. My heart drops to my stomach. I feel sick. For so long I prayed for him and hoped to find him... but not today.

Seriously, this guy pops up at all the wrong times.

But I am his friend. I cannot drive by and pretend I don't see him (though I really want to) There he is, in his wheelchair, in the Chick-Fil-A parking lot.

Dangit, I am not in the mood to help. To befriend. To love. To give. Neither is Ryan this time. But we have to stop, we know we do.

And deep down I want to stop, but mainly I am afraid. What do I do with him now? Do I bring him to a shelter? Do I rescue him from the streets? What would Jesus do? What is best for him? A million questions rush my mind. I am really not sure what's next in our relationship. Do I simple say, "Yo Dexter! What's up my friend? Need food?" Or, "Hey, Dexter, you're still homeless. Awesome. I still have plenty of money." Do I take him home and give him Annie's bedroom or pretend that he doesn't have needs?

There is no handbook for this. There is just the command to love and take care of the poor. The orphaned. The widowed. And though I'm not sure if he is a widow, he is for sure poor and orphaned. Still, I have no idea what I am supposed to do. I just know I have to do something.

We stop

"Hey, do you remember me?"

"I'm sure I do."

"My name is Jenny. You're Dexter, right?"

His eyes well up with tears. "Yeah, that's my name. You know my name so I am sure that I know you." And he smiled.

I handed him the blanket that had been in the car for him and he wrapped it around his shoulders. I told him that the last time I had seen him he was very sick and I was so worried about him. I told him that I had been praying for him and looking for him. I told him he was a tricky little booger to find. And he laughed. I asked how he was feeling and how his treatments were going. "Dexter, what do you need today? Right now, what do you need?" He said the blanket that I brought him was perfect and that he could use some chicken nuggets. And of course, I can just pray for him, he says.

God gave me that question, it just came out. What do you need today? Because really, today is all I can really handle.

Ryan and I went through McDonald's and Ryan insisted we buy him a gift card. This makes Dexter smile. "Thank you so much, so much. Now I don't have to worry about meals right after dialysis. There's a MickeyD's right across the street." He tells me the shelters he's been staying in this week since it has been very cold. Last night he spent the night at the public hospital hoping to get some pain medication. He never got it, but at least it was warm inside. I asked him if Tylenol would help. He says he can only take one if he is in a lot of pain, but that it might be nice to have just in case.

I tell him I will be back. Ryan said we could give him our home phone number. "Dexter, if you need somebody you call us. Deal? If you need help, need a ride, if something happens, you call us. We will come if we are home. Understand? Deal?" He says deal and smiles his beautiful smile. In my mother voice I reiterate, "I'm not kidding, you will call me if you need anything, right? If we can be there for you?"

I get in the car and my heart aches.

Who holds his hand when he goes in for dialysis? Who remembers his birthday? Who brings him soup and puts him to bed when his stomach hurts so bad that he collapses in his wheelchair in the parking lot? Who tells him they love him and tells him to keep fighting? Who does he call friend?

Oh God be near to the lonely. To the broken hearted. Be the father to the fatherless. Whisper into my friend's ear when he walks through hell without a single person knowing his name.

A Small Move

Ryan and I left. I went home, left Annie in the car, and stocked up as much stuff as I could find for him at the apartment. Some of Ryan's socks. A pair of ski gloves (yeah, um, whoever we borrowed them from... you won't be getting those back). Tylenol. And three instant heat packs that my mom puts in our stockings for Christmas. And I wondered what on earth I would do with those things!?! I got a big sweater and a sleeping bag and a hat. I drove back to the McDonald's and he was gone. My heart sunk. This man is toying with my emotions. And my schedule. I feel annoyed at myself for caring, for getting so involved. Am I doing the wrong thing?

Annie and I went grocery shopping and on the way back, there he was, waiting for the bus. here we go again. He told me he was in the bathroom earlier and that my trip to the grocery store must have been perfectly planned so that I could meet him at the right moment. I showed him what I brought from the house and asked what he wanted and what he didn't want. His answer was anything that could fit in his backpack, otherwise, it would get stolen. He asked me if I had a few minutes so I could help him put the things in his backpack. This is a very small move, I realize, but it was a move. And right now I feel like God keeps asking me to take these baby steps into other people's lives.

His Story

I felt guilty, but I rejoiced in seeing a bag full of prescriptions with his name on them.

In my cynical world I was still conducting my own background search and trying to fish out the truth about this man and his life. Why? He is not a beggar. He has never asked me for any money. I am the one that stopped and asked him to talk to me in the first place. And he barely took my food the first time I offered it to him. He has only asked for prayer and chicken nuggets. He is not holding a sign, panhandling, doing anything illegal, or taking advantage of anyone. He is just trying to stay alive. Why is it any of my business to try and figure out if his name is really Dexter? Or if he really is on dialysis? Why do I not trust him? Why do I think it is important to make sure he is not lying to me? What is it about us that we feel like people somehow have to deserve our compassion and live up to our litmus test of poverty before we give them the help they need? I was disappointed at my skepticism.

Healthy caution is the result of living in a broken world. But sometimes we have to throw caution to the wind and just love. So what if his name wasn't really Dexter? What if he did something bad or made poor choices and that's why he is here? Would I withhold the socks and Tylenol and chicken nuggets? I am ashamed at the judgment I pour onto people.

I crammed the socks, hat, heat pads, and medicine into his backpack. We chatted for a few minutes like normal adults. As if I was not driving away to a warm house and he to a homeless shelter. I looked deep into his eyes and told him that I was so happy I got to see him today. He shook his head. I felt weird about leaving him like that, homeless and all. But I felt at peace.

Ryan and I cannot rescue Dexter.

Dexter is a grown man who must figure things out and make those huge decisions for himself. But Ryan and I have learned from Dexter that we can be a part of his story even if we aren't playing a huge role. We can just be there. Be his friend. Bring chicken nuggets. Find him in his posh parking lot watching the people pass him by. Hold his hands and pray with him. Get the Tylenol out of the drawer at home and meet a few of his small needs. We can do that much...

And for now, when I least expect it, God is asking me to open my eyes, stop being so consumed with my own world, follow his quiet promptings, and just do something. He is asking me to jump into other people's stories. And he is teaching me how to do that through a man named Dexter." (Jenny Simmons www.jennysimmons.com)

Emily

Labels: Emily

Lord,

Thank you for building doors in the walls that surround me. Thank you for making some of them big enough for me to see. Thank you for opening them. Thank you for pushing me until I fall through them. Thank you for closing them behind me. Thank you for making walls and not making ceilings. Thank you for the infinite opportunity for hope and revelry. Thank you for letting light in where I am. Someday these walls will tumble, and I won't need doors. But for now, I am thankful for all the things I need, and all the struggles I pass through to get them. Because they are all found in you, and reaching You is worth any stretch. I love needing you. I love that you are everything you promised. You could be any kind of God you want. You're God. But you are a God of hope... and faithfulness... and doors... and many other things.
You made everything perfectly. Even my flaws- with which I am falling fast in love.

I love you most,
Em

Labels: Em's Journal

Living life in a circle of friends; what does is really mean?

It probably means different things to different people at different times in their lives.

For one gal I know living life in a circle of friends - specifically college friends - meant being accepted when they wanted to accept her; and being rejected when they didn't want her around.

For that young woman her "circle of friends" was a bad example of how to love well, yet it was a good example of how NOT to treat your friends. It was also a catalyst for change in the young woman's life - proving once again that good things can come from bad circumstances.

For one college gal life in her circle of friends is wonderful. Another has told me she travels to a neighboring college each weekend to find a circle of friends that she feels able to be herself in.

For a dear friend it meant being loved and accepted as long as she was a part of the circle; but when life took her along a different path the parting left her feeling forgotten and abandoned.

For a former high school classmate it means spreading the "glue" of friendship frequently to keep the circle from falling apart.

For me it means having friends to do life with, to minister with, to laugh with, to pray with, to give love to, and to be loved by.

What about you? No doubt you have a circle of friends.

Is it a big circle, or a small one? Is a deep circle, or a shallow one? Is it filled with friends from the past, only new friends, or a mix of both? Is it full of family members - or not so much!

Each one of these components tells us a lot about ourselves, and much about our friends.

One of the best books I have read regarding healthy relationships is the book "Boundaries" by John Townsend and Henry Cloud. Honoring healthy boundaries is the foundation of healthy relationships. The book helped me to see where I was healthy and where I wasn't - 'cause lets face it, a circle of friends is as healthy, or unhealthy, as the friends who make up the circle and I am one of those friends!

I didn't set out to mention The Big 3 in this blog, but I find myself right back there again.

Your friendships are probably about as healthy as you are. So how are you doing - physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

Are you being intentional about getting and/or staying healthy? Are you in need of a little spiritual refreshment?

I want to take this opportunity to personally invite you to the 5^th annual Circle of Friends women's conference, "Meet Me at the Well", Saturday, February 27th, 2010, in Wooster, Ohio. Featured speaker is nationally known writer and conference speaker, Virelle Kidder. (You might have heard of her, I've mentioned her a time or two - or three - in Confessions of a Peace Lover.)

The doors open at 7:30am, conference starts at 9am and the day ends at 4pm. Tickets are only $10 and include a continental breakfast along with a wonderful day of encouragement, worship, and being together in a great circle of friends! Tickets can be ordered here on the web-site or from the COF office at 330-852-0000.

Maybe you and your "circle" should plan to come? Or perhaps you just need a day "alone in a crowd" to refresh and renew your spirit. Wherever you find yourself please know we would LOVE to have you join our circle of friends as we meet our Savior at the well!

The Well

(recorded by Lisa Troyer, Meet Me At the Well; The Well - Jeremy Johnson and Michael Boggs (c) 2010 McKinney Music, Inc. (BMI) Upsurge Music L.L.C. a division of Amplify Music Group, L.L.C. ASCAP (admin. by LifeWay Worship)

"Are you thirsty? Are you searching?

Are you longing, for His mercy?

Come To The Well; Drink living water

Come and be filled with the love of the Father

Wherever you are, wherever you've been,

Come to the well; never thirst again

Bring your worries, all your hurting

To the place where Grace is flowing

Come as you are, as you are, come"

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

As a part of Circle of Friends Marketplace Ministry Pastor Bruce Hamsher teaches character development classes to area businesses. The other day I had a unique opportunity to participate in a drama at one of his leadership seminars.

The skit involved three women discussing their everyday lives. I got to play the obnoxious one - you know, the whiner and complainer. I even got a laugh when I complained about how the people of the church were always criticizing each other and talking behind each other's back. (I was obviously leading the way there!)

I joked later that I was 'type-cast' - but the uncomfortable truth is - it was an easy part to play because I've been there, done that. It was way too familiar to me because I have been in that situation again and again.

Whether it's listening to others complain or even taking part in conversations that drag others down, I have seen the effects of criticism and complaining. I've even talked about it in a prior blog 'Toxic Waste'. Once you start down that path it's a slippery slope - everything goes down hill from there!

The thing that struck me about it was how comfortable I felt - how easily the words rolled off my tongue - how quickly I slipped into the role I was playing. Like I wasn't even acting!

Just shows you how quickly we can get off track and veer onto our own railway line - usually ending in a dead end or worse - remember the old cartoons where the tracks went straight over the edge of a cliff...

I am reminded of Jeremiah 21:9 where the prophet proclaimed, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"

It is a constant fight against my old nature to be shaped and molded into His image.

Time to find a new character to play.

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

Did you know that they have actually done research to prove that dogs really do look like their owners?

Really.

It's out of the University of California, and they say it can only be proven with purebreds.

If you're interested in the scientific data you can read about it in the journal Psychological Science.

In order to discover if this phenomenon were true, they approached random dog owners in several parks and took pictures of the owners with two dogs, one of which was their own.

Then 'judges' looked at the photos and matched the owners with their dogs.

And voila! The judges made a majority of matches.

The study out of California concluded that "it does appear that people want a creature like themselves."

All this fascinating reading made me think of how God created us 'in His image' (Gen. 1:27) and that His desire is that we are 'conformed to the image of His Son' (Romans 8:29).

And it made me wonder, do I look like my Master?

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

When I was in high school my family made what seemed like an everyday, ordinary trip to our little grocery store. My dad and brother hopped out to run in and get whatever it was that we needed. My mom and I were waiting in the backseat, chatting, when suddenly she screamed, flailed around trying to unbuckle, and dove head first into the front seat. The only intelligible words I could understand were "WE"RE MOVING!!!!" as I stared bewildered at her behind and feet in the air, hand desperately reaching for the brake pedal.

It is truly a sight I will never forget, and every time I do remember it I can't help but chuckle. When the laughter died down I realized that the car beside us had slowly pulled forward, but what she had seen was our car moving backwards, causing her insane behavior.

Sometimes we see things that just simply aren't there. We perceive things wrong. We believe that what we believe is reality instead of focusing on the one thing that really matters - truth.

If you've spent any time in this culture and speaking to the people who are soaked in it you may have heard this statement before, "That may be true for you, but it's not for me." The world today is living as if truth is relative and that you can make your own truth. What they see or what they believe is what they define as truth.

But we know better, don't we? We have the truth - Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life as He says He is in John 14:6. We know the words of our God are truth. "I, the Lord, speak the truth. I declare what is right." Isaiah 45:19. He is truth, He defines what is truth. And what we may think or believe can't change that.

Living that way, speaking God's truth and standing up for His Word, is not an easy thing to do. God's truth can be harsh, it can be offensive, it can make people mad. It's much more tempting to agree with the world when faced with situations where speaking the truth makes you unpopular or not very well liked. But it's not our words, it's God's words, which are the only ones that really matter.

So when facing a culture that believes truth is determined by what they believe and not what God says, we have to remember that there's a reason that we're told to "stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist" in Ephesians 6:14. It's part of our spiritual armor because we are in a battle.

One that can only be won - with Truth.

Emily

Labels: Emily

Dear Hope,
Thanks for coming back.

Labels: Em's Journal

Calling all Tuscarawas and surrounding county Prom-age girls and their moms! Monday, February 15, Safe Kids Tuscarawas is sponsoring a Prom Showcase and Dress Resale Event at the Dover Alliance Church from 4 to 7 pm. The night promises to be a great time for all who attend! For more information call 330-339-2337.

And while you're there stop by the GIRLFriends table and say "HI" to the Director of the Circle of Friends ministry to teens, Denise Anderson!

When I look back on friendships that God has brought into my life thru the years I am so thankful that Denise is one that He has blessed me with in the past decade. She is the motivating force behind the GIRLFriends ministry. Denise has a passion for young people that is contagious, uplifting, and inspirational! Between our two families we have 11 children - she has four daughters and two sons, I have four daughters and one son.

Now, do the math for just a minute, we each have four daughters, that's a total of eight girls, they all either have gone, are going, or will be going to high school someday. That's a minimum of SIXTEEN proms (providing they only go as juniors and seniors) and once we get them thru high school we're looking at the possibility of eight weddings!

We are all about resale events! And when you combine one with an event that features cost-saving prom night ideas as well as tips to encourage girls in the journey thru the teenage years it was a no-brainer when asked if GIRLFriends would like to participate.

Thank you Safe Kids Tuscarawas for sponsoring this annual event!

Until next time,

Beth

Labels: Beth

You've seen the commercial that asks, "What's in your wallet?" that leads us all to believe that only that specific credit card will fulfill all our needs and bring happiness and prosperity to our lives. There's so much wrong with that thinking that I won't even go there! But it reminded me of a conversation I had recently.

My friends and I were discussing the power of the tongue. James warns us that such a little member of the body holds the power of life and death - that it is full of 'deadly poison'. With it we praise God, then curse people - whom He made in His image. He also warns us that praises and curses coming from the same mouth just shouldn't be!

Probably for most of us struggling with our tongues isn't a new concept - but our conversation went beyond restraining the spark that can grow to a wildfire. We have to get to 'the heart of the matter'. In Mt. 12:34 Jesus tells us that. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

What comes out of our mouths - what our tongues speak - is exactly what is in our hearts and minds.

So, what's overflowing out of your heart? Fear, insecurity, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness - any of these things can cause us to speak what James calls 'evil' - negative speech, criticism, cursing, lies, off-color jokes and innuendos.

Our conclusion was that it takes discipline to tame the tongue - a discipline of looking at what's in our hearts and recognizing the root of our problem. In order to speak life and not destruction we must do what Phil 4:8,9 tells us -to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - whatever is excellent or praiseworthy.

In other words, if I find myself being critical of others, I need to check my heart attitude and see what's lingering there. Once I recognize and confess the root issue, I have to discipline myself to speak what's right and admirable instead of criticizing. It's a re-training - first of the heart and mind and then of the tongue.

Struggling with your tongue? Join me each day and say with the psalmist:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart. Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Ps 19:14

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

Making corrections-don't you just hate that?! It can seem so time consuming. I do substitute teaching, and one of the things I tell the students (okay, maybe I nag them) is that one of the best ways to learn is to learn how to make 'intentional' corrections. Having to correct one's mistakes is often a way of 'cementing' what is right instead of simply leaving it wrong and hoping you remember to get it right the next time. I deal with making corrections daily in many areas but one in particular is with my insulin pump.

When I first received the pump I immediately developed a 'love/hate' relationship with it. I loved the fact that I would (hopefully) have better control over type 1 diabetes, but I hated the fact that I needed to have the pump at all. I am dependent upon it doing what it was designed to do, and I truly am thankful for the genius minds that developed such technology! One of the great advantages of the pump is that it has a 'correction' button...isn't that GREAT! When my blood glucose level is too high, all I have to do is enter the level into the pump, push the correction button, and TA-DA!!-the pump releases just the right amount of insulin to make the adjustment.

Wow, can you imagine if 'life' had correction buttons that worked that way?! You spent more than your paycheck - push that correction button, and your cash flow just increased. You accidentally ran out of gas (how does anyone 'accidentally' run out of gas anyway?) - push the magic button, and fresh fuel flows into your gas tank. You accidentally eat an entire bag of potato chips (YES, it is possible to do that 'accidentally', I am quite sure!) - press that button, and the correct number of calories to be burned is immediately extracted from your body! How about if you verbally spouted off some of that toxic waste about which Missy blogged - push the correction button, and those words of poison are turned into words of wisdom. This imaginary list of possibilities is endless!!

But here's the rub of reality: If I only rely on pushing that correction button on my insulin pump WITHOUT disciplining myself to make the necessary lifestyle changes so that I don't need to press that button so often, it won't take long before my entire body is in trouble. Relying on external corrections without making necessary internal changes is what I would call 'couch potato corrections '- and it's not very smart. It can even be dangerous. With diabetes, that kind of mentality can lead to problems that sneak up on me - little by little; maybe even without much notice until the complications become overwhelming and even irreversible. If I choose to see the correction button as a 'quick fix' instead of a chastisement that compels me to make a change in ME rather than in my insulin pump alone, then all I will eventually accomplish is ignoring what is really happening inside my body to the extent that it could be a very present danger. Hmmm - not much different than other 'quick fixes'.

Let's take a look at some possibilities. Spending more than your paycheck? Quick fix - simply use a credit card to 'buy' you more time. Bad idea - been there, done that, still paying for it! Is habitual gluttony or unhealthy food choices a problem? Quick fix - enjoy it, and then do some extra exercise! Okay, you might feel justified on the outside, but even with exercise, the ongoing problem of gluttony/unhealthy food choices causes internal problems which will still sneak up on you. Whatever the area is that begs for correction, without the necessary accompanying internal changes, we are destined to suffer the consequences. Recognizing and admitting areas in need of correction is a great place to begin. That is the 'external'. However, all of this must be accompanied by an ongoing and intentional process of repentance - which literally means to turn and go the other way. That is the 'internal'. I need to CHOOSE to turn away from foods that negatively affect me. I need to CHOOSE to exercise properly. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Here's a cool thought - wouldn't it be nice if Jesus functioned as our 'correction button'? WOW!! He does - and He doesn't! He brings ultimate correction to us by the forgiving of our sins and by His work of cleansing us from ALL unrighteousness. He is truly the only One who can do all of that. But, if He made the ongoing, daily corrections in us without our active participation and cooperation - as if He were waving a magic wand, what would we learn? How would we truly mature? Most importantly - how would we become more Christ-like? All of that would simply be 'couch potato corrections' - unhealthy! Dealing well with tough situations that require corrections is really an EASY choice - yes, an easy choice with perhaps difficult and disciplined follow-up. The 'choice' itself can certainly be easy. It's the work that goes along with that choice that is the hard part! As with anything though, the more we work at it, the easier it becomes - and the stronger we become. When we choose to do the work, then we are truly making corrections that will stick, because we are making them from the inside out.

So, I am going to choose well; and I am going to start-tomorrow!! (Just kidding!)

Thanks for reading,

Libby

Labels: Libby

There's no use crying over spilled milk, huh?

I beg to differ. Actually this morning, I was literally crying over spilled milk. Not just milk, the most perfectly made glass of chocolate milk. That is like gold, people. Chocolatey enough, but not so sweet you can't drink it. Not an easy thing to do. And there it was, all over my counter, running down my cabinets, and puddled on my kitchen floor. Not only that, but the heavy glass managed to find its way smack dab onto my big toe.

And yes, there were tears. My toe was throbbing, I was fighting off two very eager to help dogs licking at my feet, my toast was getting cold, and I was running late for work.

But here I am, two hours later. The milk is cleaned up, my toe is perfectly fine, and I discovered that toast can be microwaved and still be tasty.

I really, really want to cry over spilled milk when it happens. Take my husband's car for instance. The summer we were married, two and a half years ago, the transmission went out. So we charged, we borrowed, we scraped, and pulled together a ton of money to get it up and running. And it breaks down this week. The transmission is shot.

So here we are looking at putting another significant chunk of change into a car that shouldn't have broken down in the first place.and now in the second place. Debating whether that's the wise thing to do, considering buying a new car while trying to get out of debt. Looking at all those zeros and wondering how long it will take to pay them all down if we proceed. And hating that for the third time in our less than three year marriage we have to shell out big bucks to get our cars running.

But you know what? It's spilled milk. It's life. It happens. Milk spills, cars break down, things don't quite work out how you plan. And I can either spend my time drying off my tears or I can thank God that now is the time that Uncle Sam decides to give me back some of my money and that He's providing the means to fix the car. That He's given my husband and I jobs that provide stable income to continue to pay down the other debts that we still have. That we have people who love us and are helping us out with transportation while we wait to get our car back.

Because in the end it's just a car. It's just money. It's just spilled milk. It doesn't really matter in the big picture. When Paul tells us in Colossians to set our mind on things above and not on earthly things it means exactly that. Don't worry about the car or the money. It's earthly. It's not going to last. It's temporal. It's fleeting. As big and huge of a deal that it feels like in my own life right now, it's simply spilled milk and it simply doesn't matter.

After all, when you serve the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, why would you ever cry over spilled milk?

Emily

Labels: Emily

Protection,
There are so many things I do not understand- what I want versus what I should ask for, what is acceptable to ask for, whether I should ask for anything at all.
Remembering God's faithfulness makes my stomach turn when I ask for you. To ask for you feels too much like asking for Comfort...which strikes me as a worldly pursuit. Because of this, I am never comfortable when I call on you. Ironic? As I said, there is a lot I do not understand.
Until wisdom guides me to a proper relationship with you, I will stand back and let Christ lead you to me when necessary. I'm sorry for my apprehension, as I know you only have the best intentions.
-Em

Labels: Em's Journal

Welcome to February! The past two weeks we have looked at two of the big three health issues that impact our lives - that of physical and emotional health. This week let's take a look at our spiritual health, where it's at, and where it's going. If we are not intentional about the direction we are traveling there is a very good chance we will end up someplace we never intended to be!
Recently I read the book "I Am Not, But I Know I AM" by Louie Giglio. The first paragraph of the book says: "Life is the tale of two stories-one finite and frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one - the story of us - is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story - and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can - blinds us to the massive God Story that surrounds us on every side."

Those words stopped me in my tracks. Am I absorbed in my story to the point that I am missing out on God's story that is taking place all around me? Or am I being intentional about looking for His story in the daily occurrences of my life? Where is my focus?

Honestly, I think most of us know better than to think our story is THE story, but the way we live our lives, the busy-ness that keeps us from God's very best, is the tell-tale sign that we think our stuff, our business and our busy-ness, is THE story. Quite frankly, if we are not taking time to include God in our day we are living our lives for ourselves.

As followers of Christ, as children of God, as His people living out our lives in the place that He has allowed us to be for such a time as this, we need to make every effort to see less of ourselves, and more of Him. Louie Giglio writes: "The way we figure it, the world doesn't need more stars - that is, not if the story we are a part of already has one. So if there really is just one Star, our challenge is not so much to shun the spotlight as it is to redirect any bright light that comes our way onto Him. Success would mean people loving Him more than any of us, clamoring for His touch more than ours."

I think most of us would say that is our goal - less of me, more of Him; light shining on Him, not myself. Yet again I would ask, are we being intentional about saturating our hearts, our lives, our days, with Him, so that when people see us what they really see is an overflow of Him? Or is He getting what is left of our day or our week, after all the other stuff of life has been taken care of?

Simply put, do you read God's word when you have time, or do you MAKE time to read God's word? The same question can be asked of intentional prayer time. Is it prayer on the run, or a time of being still before God? If we don't make time in our lives to be still before our Lord our words may say "less of me, more of Him" but our lives say "there's so much of me I don't have time for Him."

Without healthy growth in our lives we will be so stuck in our own story that His-story will be secondary. And that is not where we want to be, and it is not where God wants us to be.

Ask yourself: "Is God first in my life, or does He simply get what's left - if there's anything left?" Be honest in your answer. You know the truth; no excuses need to be given when answering yourself! Either God IS an intentional part of your day, or He is not. If you recognize the need for change ask an accountability partner to hold you to account in that area. And if you are on track have them keep asking the questions of accountability in order to continue on the path of healthiness!

And while the best time and place to get spiritually healthy is in an intimate, intentional, daily time with God, emotional AND physical healthiness can often be achieved in brisk walks with a friend!

Until next time.

Beth

Labels: Beth

• What hair color do they put on the driver's license of a bald guy?
• Does fuzzy logic tickle?
• If I'm unique, doesn't that make me like everyone else?
• If a tin whistle is made from tin - what is a foghorn made out of?
• Do Lipton Tea Company employees get coffee breaks?
• Is there another word for synonym?
• Where do forest rangers go to get away from it all?
• Isn't it scary that doctors call what they do "practice"?
• Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
• Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
• Would a wingless fly be called a 'walk'?
• Is it possible to be totally partial?
• Shouldn't the word abbreviation be shorter?
• If a book about failures doesn't sell, is it a success?
• Do they use sterilized needles for lethal injections?
• Can you be a closet claustrophobic?

All kidding aside, there are tough questions in life that just can't be answered this side of heaven. When I look beyond my own telescoped vision of my own life and see the great big world out there - I only have more questions. Questions I don't have the answers to - like what about the people of Haiti who are suffering? Or children, women - around the world who are starving or being abused? With free will comes great responsibility - just ask Eve! (I think I'll have my own questions for her when I get to heaven.) Okay, so I can't say I wouldn't have made a better choice. My own life proves that.

Recently I had a discussion with a friend about this very thing - how can a good God let bad things happen? Her response was that we often blame God for things He never caused, and fail to thank Him for all the good He brings into our lives. A little lopsided, isn't it? The Bible says the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45). The Message puts it this way: "This is what God does. He gives his best-the sun to warm and the rain to nourish-to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty."

God created the perfect world, gave man a choice to live in it or not, and when sin entered the idyllic garden God created - it messed everything up! And still, God chooses to give us good things. James tells us that 'every good and perfect gift' comes from God.

So my questions - and yours - may not be answered this side of eternity. But we can trust in a good and loving God who is there through every difficult challenge of our life - and brings good things from it. That's just the kind of God He is!

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy