As a career teacher, this Scripture means a lot to me. I remember fondly the teachers in elementary and high school who touched my life and influenced me to become the person that I have become. There was the seventh grade teacher who understood that I had physical limitations and allowed me to stay in and sit with her during recess. My favorite memory is of my high school Spanish teacher who knew how shy I was; nevertheless, she challenged me daily to write on the board and explain my answers to the class. Now, of course, I was not the only one who was required to do that, but I seemed to be the one that she added encouraging words each time I was successful. She nominated me to go to a special school one summer for those who were talented in foreign languages. I will always remember my beloved Sra. Mary Smith, mostly because I emulated her my whole adult life, becoming a demanding and loving Spanish teacher. I have a framed needlepoint picture from one of my students that says, “A good teacher teaches from the heart.” That is what I learned from Sra. Smith and what I tried hard to do during my entire career.

Now that I am an adult, I am still learning, so I still have teachers. One is my pastor at my church, from whom I learn new things to reflect on weekly. I also learn from my children and grandchildren; in their innocence and love, they teach me to be young and innocent again, expecting the best from everyone whom I meet. But, most importantly, after I became a Christian in 1973, the Holy Spirit came to live within me and to teach me God’s truth. When I begin to stray from the path He wants me on, I hear his voice gently prodding me to go the right way. He teaches me daily as I read the Word. I don’t have my own interpretation of what the Bible is saying to me because I depend on the Holy Spirit to help me to apply God’s Word to me and my life. All that He teaches me is truthful and draws me closer to Christ. After all, that is the purpose of my life, to draw closer to Christ and then to tell others about my experiences so that they too, hopefully, can get closer to the Great Teacher.

So, think about your teachers. Appreciate them for what they poured into your life. Then, realize that God pours His Spirit into your life daily if you will allow Him to do so. He wants to teach you; his desire is for you to grow closer to Christ by learning His truths. Just accept the teaching of the Holy Spirit. That’s all…listen and apply His truth to your life. You will never be the same once the Holy Spirit becomes your teacher!

I am not a documentary type viewer at all!  I like to be entertained when I watch movies and not think too much, like the Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel.    But today, our “Fun Bunch” at church (the group for those of us over 55) had lunch together and then watched “Monumental”, a documentary by Kirk Cameron.  It was awesome!  The message was spot on and absolutely necessary for those of us who are losing hope for our nation.  We are a lost people because we have lost our moral compass.  The United States of America was founded on the faith of our fathers. All of the things that our children have been taught in school about the pilgrims and the founding of our nation leave out the faith that our nation was based on.  I needed this movie today.  You just really have to watch it for yourselves.  It will make you think about your beliefs and your legacy. 

We who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior will escape the coming judgment of God and we have already escaped the trap that is sin in our lives.  Are you shouting for joy yet?  You should be, because without salvation, you continue in sin, and that is all that you can teach your children and grandchildren—your sinful lifestyle.  But once you are a Christian, your life is based on faith and that is what you teach your children and grandchildren.  That is what our mission is…to share our faith with others. After all, Jesus said,, “Go!”  

Right now we are in a world that is full of sin, but we are the victors and can look forward to a final victory, i.e. a new heavens and a new earth, with the whole world filled with the righteousness of God.  Hallelujah!  No more sin!  No more temptation!  No more evil in the world and on the nightly news!  I leave you with the good news that victory is ours and our children’s, all those for whom we care and want to see them in Heaven with us.  Faith is sometimes hard because it’s believing when you can’t see it.  I’ve never seen the wind, but I know it exists because I hear it and can see the leaves blow from the trees.  Likewise, I have never seen God, but He manifests Himself daily to me, encouraging me to continue in the work that He has given me to do until He calls me home.  Today, He encouraged me with a DVD shown at church.  “MONUMENTAL” is a movie that you will not want to miss if you need encouragement about what is going on in our world, or it you need to give encouragement to others and don’t quite know how or where to begin.  Check it out!  “MONUMENTAL” is a movie to be cherished because it makes you focus on your roots and your legacy, before God calls you home.  Blessings and prayers from my house to yours.  

November 28, 2018

Thank you to Gail at  gaillovesgod.blog for nominating me for this award.  She has been so kind and encouraging to me that she epitomizes kindness and the love of God.  So, thank you, Gail!

RULES FOR THIS AWARD:  

My paragraph about a RAK that happened recently:

Last week I had an appointment with my nephrologist, which is a kidney specialist.  I started seeing her about five or six years ago when my kidney function decreased and my primary care doctor was concerned since I only have one kidney (I was born with one).  Anyway, Dr. Kinsel had just had tests run and discovered that my one kidney is smaller than a normal one, so she wanted me to follow up with my endocrinologist to make sure that I don’t overwhelm my kidney with calcium but that I get enough for my bones.  Anyway, this week has been a struggle to contact my arthritis doctor and have labs sent and my nephrologist to have the lab work sent that she had done.  I called my endocrinologist numerous times, chatting with one receptionist or another about whether my test results had arrived at their office yet.  Finally, Diane said that she would take care of making sure that my results get there and then call me to set up the appointment with my endo.  If you know anything about doctor’s offices these days, you know that they don’t normally go out of their way to be helpful because they have  so many people to take care of and it must be overwhelming at times.  Not only has Diane gone out of the way to get my test results, she has assured me that she will take care of all the details on her end, including the necessary appointment at the office closest to me.  Ta-dah!  I can now relax in the knowledge that she is taking care of things for me.  Isn’t that what Jesus does for us?  He gives us rest…no matter what we are going through.  I must admit that I was already upset about the news of a small kidney, so to have a receptionist be so kind and understanding went way beyond the pale for me.  I hope that everyone who reads this will lift up a prayer of thanksgiving for Diane and people like her that add a little kindness to the day and a smile to the lips!  

My nominees are the following people who have encouraged me big ways and little and I know that anything that they write about kindness will encourage you:

Tosin at aletheasmind.wordpress.com

Brenda at becominghistapestry.com

Bruce at brucesbible.website

If anyone else has had a random act of kindness happen to them or you have done one, feel free to participate.  Let’s share the love and let people know that God still works on earth though His people!  

God continues to tell me during my devotions that He is still working on me.  This song expresses well what the end result will be; I am and will be a masterpiece for him.  Recently one of my former students traveled to Paris and was able to view the “Mona Lisa,” a masterpiece from the hands of the artist Da Vinci.  When she posted the picture online, I was amazed at the skill of this master artist.  How much more should I be in awe at the work of God in me?  Lately, He has been speaking to me about humility in my life.  Honestly, I grew up proud of my academic achievements and all that I was able to accomplish.  This was due in no small measure to a mother who expected me to always come home with all A’s on my report card, even if I had no clue how to do the math problems.  With some very astute tutoring, I was able to pass algebra with a C, that later became a B, but I just couldn’t do that math as well as my mom expected me to.  I had to ask for help from others, a humbling experience for someone who was a “scholar.”  (That was according to my classmates.) But it wasn’t true humility because I was still proud of everything else.  I didn’t meet true humility until the night I was saved; I read the Book of John and saw for myself the sacrifice of Jesus and how unworthy I was of His blood being shed for me.  That changed my life for all time.  Yes, God is still working on me; there are many times when I put myself first and think of how much better I could have done things.  But I always come back to the fact that I am a sinnner saved by grace, nothing more and nothing less.

At the right time, God will lift me up.  I don’t have to go around “tooting my own horn” and telling everyone how they should do things my way because it it better.

I love this quotation from C.S. Lewis because it tells me that it is okay to think well of myself.  After all, I am God’s creation, a Child of the KIng.  But my main focus in my life should be on others, not myself.  Have you thought of someone else today?  I am trying hard to do an act of kindness daily, not so that I can brag later about what a good person I am, but so that I can give glory to God for helping me to help others.  Are you learning humility or another characteristic that God wants to perfect in you?  Are you also becoming His “Masterpiece”?  That and all that God has for you is my prayer for you today.  God bless you for reading this post!  

This was an outstanding, make-you-feel-good Christmas story that includes a child who needs a family and acceptance for her affliction.  There is also the man and woman who have a broken relationship and who need to forgive.  Donna VanLiere’s books are a mainstay that start my Christmas season each year, and I highly recommend this clean read to those who want to start their holiday with a tingly feeling that God is alive and well and working in the hearts of people.  I fell in love with the town, its traditions and its people, especially since the author made me feel as if I were right there with them.  

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I checked a copy of this book out from my public library on the Overdrive App.  I was not required to write a positive review, so the opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”