HIs Word Sunday

Well, I'm not sure if you've heard on Facebook... but I wanted just to thank everyone again for praying for me regarding my last Certification Exam!  I passed with flying colors!!!

I have a few more supplemental certification tests I'll be taking in the upcoming months - but they are just add-ons - not requirements.  Those are now in my rearview mirror.  Thank you so much for being an integral part of this incredible new journey with me!!

So often in scripture my eyes go to the words of encouragement, promises, blessings - but this morning, I couldn't get away from a word of warning.

I've always told those that I mentor, if you see something in a passage over and over - take note of it.  The Lord used those same words, repeatedly for a reason.  It's just like when I repeat things to my own children, or in my classroom - I want to make sure they really "get it!"

Today in my One Year Bible I saw this verse over and over:

Exodus 8: 19 (ESV)

But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, 

and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he did not listen.  I firmly believe that God allows us to experience the good and the bad of life to keep us close to Him.  To keep our hearts tuned to His ways and not our own.

My prayer this morning is that I would not ever get to a point in my life where my heart becomes hardened to the ways & instruction of the Lord.  I don't ever want the Lord to become just another mundane exercise of my day.  I want my heart to be alive for Him.

I missed the Friday song on my blog this week.  I didn't even realize it until yesterday!!!  So today I thought I would combine God's Word with a song.

I hope you a very wonderful worship experience today with the Lord - as He keeps your heart alive for Him!

His Word Sunday

Why do we doubt?

This morning I read a very familiar passage from my One Year Bible.

One that typically I would just skim over as, "Oh, I already know this story - nothing new to see here."  But the Lord wanted me to be reminded of a simple yet profound truth.

He's right here with me - and there's no reason to doubt.

Picture just for a moment, what your life would look like if you got to take walks with the Lord Himself!  As the day's drama arose, you could just look over at Him... and He would give you that reassuring look that spoke volumes to you -  that everything would be okay and not to worry.

Sounds comforting doesn't it?!  Peter and the boys got to experience that very thing - and yet they still let the day's drama affect them.

Check this out...

Matthew 14:28-33 (ESV)

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  

He said, "Come."  So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.  

But when he saw the wind he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

He's still right here with me - as He was with Peter.  Maybe not where I can touch Him - but human touch certainly does not limit my God from saving me from the wind and waves that I experience.

Oh that my faith with increase and my doubt would decrease.  This is my prayer today!

Carry me

Here I am again.... Friday.  It seems that my precious blog and I have been rather distant lately.  You'll understand why here in a bit.

My days and weeks have just been absolutely crazy!  I'm working on 3 major certification tests:

1.  PPR - I don't really know what this is.  What I do know is that I must take a content test and a regular school and class management test.  This is the second part to achieving my full certification.

2.  ESL - English as a Second Language

3.  GT - Gifted and Talented

The PPR exam is next Tuesday - Yikes!  The ESL is in February and the GT, I'm taking in 5 parts - one part every month until May.

In addition to this... we've had the Academic Decathlon, official observations for my certification, a bible conference at church, and a youth retreat where I was a leader.

Oh yeah... not to mention just being a regular Mom to my very patient and forgiving kiddos.

Whew!  The only way all of this is even humanly possible is if Jesus carries me every day through all this good and tiring stuff.

That's why when I heard this song on the radio, I quickly hit Shazam on my phone!  It totally describes how I live every day - all because Jesus carries me!  Have an awesome Friday!

His Word Sunday

Wow!  What a weekend!  Starting on Thursday night, with a kickoff concert, I've been a leader for a Youth Retreat called Disciple Now (D-Now) at my church.

My group was 8th grade girls.  I love them all so much!  We started Thursday with me trying to remember their names... and now I'm hugging them and telling them I love them!

I read a verse this morning - a prayer really - spoken by Jacob that voiced my heart this morning.

Genesis 55:9-10 (ESV)

And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham 

and God my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, 

'Return to your country and to your kindred, 

that I may do you good,' 

I am not worthy of the least of all the 

deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness 

that You have shown to Your servant." 

Lord, I am so honored and blessed to be a part of such a wonderful weekend!  Thanks God for letting me be in Your service!

All that I've been up to now...

No, I have not abandoned my blog - I'm a leader at a Youth Retreat this weekend.  Every available moment, I've been prepping for this awesome event!

This has been a super eventful week.  I've felt like I had several things going at one time.  I love them all and want to succeed and make God proud of all He's brought my way.

I heard this song in the quietness of my classroom and couldn't wait to share it with you!

Some of my favorite lines involve heaven!  One day I'll get to enter His chamber and I'll be able to dance at His feet!  What a day that will be!

I also really love this line, "All that I've been up to now belongs to You."

"Lord, I give You all that I've been, all that I'm planning for tomorrow - I give You today!  It all belongs to You.  I pray that Your hand be upon it all.  I love You!" - Your servant, Penny

Blessed

A day to work in my classroom - a chance to work with my Science team - Friday... what a wonderful combination!

I'm really looking forward to today!  My Mom is providing lunch for my team at school and I'm preparing for 4 new classes that will start on Monday.

All week as I've been grading finals and cleaning out the past semester I've been listening to Pandora in my classroom.  I like to have it on softer music so I can really concentrate.

This song came on and I almost did a double take - wondering somehow did God put John on my Pandora - just for me.  As I looked to see who the artist was - I found that I was not going crazy.  (always good)  It was Third Day.  Many folks used to tell John he had a very similar sound to them.

The song is super familiar - but I hope you can take time to sit back and let God remind you of how great He is.

In addition to that - as I started my One Year Bible this January... God showed me that He wants to me see just how many verses begin with, "Blessed..." - so I'm keeping a track of them, while I read them.

We truly are a blessed people to be able to have a relationship with our Creator!  It is the most important thing in my life!  And THIS is my story - and THIS is my song!

Enjoy your Friday!

His Word Sunday

Today in my Sunday School class I'm teaching about the gift that we're all about to unwrap... the gift of living in 2012.  Yes, LIFE truly is a gift.

Some gifts come with instruction manuals.  Most of which none of want to read - we just want to get to the goods of the gift!!!

However, I'll be using this verse as one of my instructions for this new year.

Proverbs 1:5

Let the wise hear and increase in learning 

and the one who understands obtain guidance.

From my own journal this morning...

1.  Hear - Lord give me ears to hear your instructions for every step You want me to take this new year.

2.  Increase in Learning - Lord I want to read more this new year and not waste time in front of the TV.

3.  Understanding & Guidance - Lord, first I want to gain understanding for the things You want me to understand and then seek Your guidance instead of doing things my way.

Have a great Sunday unwrapping your new 2012 gift!