Fire-Alarms.

I am not a morning person by any means... actually, I would say that I am the COMPLETE opposite of morning person. My brain does not turn on for at least an hour. My conversations are none existent or fuzzy, I drop things, spill my coffee, cereal and milk. Needless to say it takes me a good while to be alert. I may appear awake on the outside, but I am definitely not!

This year, my conference at school is during second period... about 8:15 in the morning. This is perfect for me because it's right about the time that I really start to wake up (yes my brain is pretty much half asleep for my first period class) :) Just as my first period kids are walking out the door, my coffee starts to kick in and I am left in my quiet, empty class. I turn on the lamp, open the blinds to my windows, turn off the lights and relish in the fact that I get an hour alone in silence! Mostly I use this time to journal and do my quiet time. I work hard during the day to finish my paper work and grading so that this time is free to me. I LOVE this time; I look forward to it.

Today was one of those days when I needed my time with God. I have been so busy, that I could not wait for the peace that comes from time with Him. I shut the door, turned off my computer monitor, opened my journal and Bible, put my pen to the paper to start writing and then... the fire alarm went off. SERIOUSLY!?! Could I just get ONE moment!?! One moment without noise, rushing, chaos, one moment of peace! Right then I knew what God was saying, sometimes life can be one big FIRE ALARM. Distraction after distraction, to draw us away from what is important.

A couple of years ago I read the book Captivating. It talked about how we have to fight for our intimacy with God. There are always going to be a million other things we can do or occupy our time with but our relationship with God must come first and we MUST find a way to place it in that first place spot. It may mean turning off the cell phone, the computer, the TV, locking the door, waking up early, staying up a little later.

Finding this time is not always easy!! There have been times when I have sat in my car before a meeting or appointment because it was the only time I had that day and the only quiet place I could find to spend time with God. The more aware I become of distractions the better I can fend them off. One small distraction that I had to get through was something as simple as my mind drifting off to what else I need to get finished for the day. I have learned to always have my planner, or an extra piece of paper by me so that I can write it down, get it off my mind and move on with my time with God.

My pastor during college said that when he was in college his only time with God was in the morning. You can imagine how well went over with a college kid! He would fall back asleep every morning that he tried to wake up and sit on the couch to spend time with God. He finally came up with a system, he would set out his running shoes beside the bed so that when he woke up he put on his shoes and clothes and walked out the door. He walked while he prayed, he fought for that intimacy with God.

While we can spend time in prayer with God all throughout the day, Jesus understood the value of time spent alone with God. This time gives us strength, power, peace, wisdom, and encouragement. Jesus set aside time to get alone away from all the distractions and pray. Mark 1:35 states

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

What is being a fire-alarm or distraction in your ability to spend time with God? We are always going to have schedules and agendas; busy lives that demand our time and attention but I truly believe that we can ask God to open our eyes to the distractions around us. I believe He will show us a way and a time to get away and spend time with Him.

Be blessed!

Journal-love.

I wanted to share a little something about one of my favorite things. Almost every day I write in my journal. I have been doing this for years now and I look forward to picking out a new journal (or planner) as much as most girls like picking out a new pair of shoes.... they are equal in my book. To be honest, sometimes the journal even ranks over the shoes :)

I take my time picking out the journal and there are a few requirements:

Must have small spaces between lines, or no lines at all.
Must be able to open up all the way, so my hand doesn't run into the other side of the page
Must not be too small... that's just annoying
Must not be too big... as equally annoying because then the time between journals is too far apart!
Must be simple not bulky.

I am sure there are more, but I will spare you those, you get the gist. The journal does not separate itself from my Bible. They are a pair. I think I have finally found journal-love with a red 8x5-ish Moleskin journal (they come in black too). These can be found at Barnes and Noble and are a fair price for the awesomeness they bring :)

I write because it helps me reflect. I write what I am afraid to say outloud. I write to organize, to prioritize. I write these letters to God because it helps me to connect to Him. They are my prayers, thoughts, hopes, desires, hurts, confusions... you name it, it's in there.  I write to remember. When my hands put a verse on paper, it sinks in just a little deeper. Sometimes, I write something that I didn't even realize I was feeling or thinking. Sometimes I write about a situation and the answer seems so clear once it's on the page.

Proverbs 20:5 says

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

Journaling helps me draw out my own heart. Each journal entry starts off with the date and each one is a letter to God. A real letter. It doesn't sound over spiritual. It sounds like a conversation that I would have with any other person. The only difference is, it is me, completely as I am. When I am writing these prayers on paper to the Lord , there is no shame, or judgement, or worry that I can't confide in him. He has become my best friend, I have complete trust and confidence in Him and I can be completely myself because I know His love for me. No one has read my journals except for the Lord or on rare occassions, me reading it to someone else.

Journaling helps me figure out the deep waters. When there is so much on my mind that I am no good to any conversation, I get away and put it all on paper and talk to God. The verse says that a person's heart is deep waters and that a person of insight draws them out. Journaling is an intentional act that brings clarity to the deep waters of my heart.

Romans 12: 2 says:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

My quiet time with the Lord, happens most frequently with me sitting down with my Bible and my journal. It is transforming me. I truly believe that a person who spends time with God will be transformed. They will be different. Writing my prayers and the scriptures that God gives me helps me dig out the water and transform.

In teaching, we say writing something, is like reading it five times... I don't know who made that up or the statistics! But I like it :) In a technology age where everything is computerized I still find it comforting to write out my words and thoughts on paper. I have tried switching to journaling on the computer and it's just not the same! If God speaks to me in the middle of my day, sure I might put it onto my notes section on my phone, but when I get home I pull up that note section and put it in my journal!

As I said earlier, this is one of my favorite things. I am not sure it is for everyone, I am not saying it is an absolute must have to change or grow in your walk with God. To each his own :) But I am saying it has been one of the things that has helped me SO much in my relationship with God. If you are looking to switch up your devotional time, or going through a lot and can't sort it all out, or maybe there are some deep waters you need to sort through, I would suggest grabbing a note pad and pen and writing to God. It might be as small as writing a verse that you like on a note card and taping it to your mirror or computer. Who knows, you might find journal-love.

Have a wonderful day!

God IS working.

There are so many people in my life right now who are waiting. Waiting for something to fall through or open up. Waiting for news, finances, relief and peace. They feel they are at a stand still, as if the world is holding its breath.

Romans 8:28 says:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Reading this scripture reminded me that God IS working.

I can't even imagine how God works. How he orchestrates our lives in the sweetest way, but he does. He plans it out perfect. He is working. Not only is he working, but he is working GOOD for those who love him.

I am a habitual list-maker. I love my planner Monday through Friday and sometimes Saturday... if I haven't already made a list for Saturday. ;) I would LOVE to see God's planner for me... time-lines make me happy. But since for the most part I can't "time-line" out my life. At a certain point I just have to start saying this verse to myself. God works things for my good. I don't know when this will end, I don't know how this is going to go, I am not sure what will be next, but I do KNOW that God is working it for my good. And the end result will be good.

Think of yourself when you are working. I know when I am working hard I am focused and determined, maybe even a little more quiet than usual. If I am working on something for someone that I love dearly. I try to be very diligent, making sure it’s the best.

Matthew 7:11 says:

If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven, perfect as He is, give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking him!

I am so imperfect and still, I strive to give good things to those that I love. How much more is an amazing, perfect and Holy God, who loves us more than we can even comprehend, going to want and be ABLE to give good, good things to us. I truly believe that God wants better for us, than we could even hope to want for ourselves! He gives things on such a deeper level than we ever could.

A gift like peace through a hard time, patience when you can't wait any more, strength when you feel like the slightest thing will knock you down, provision when you can't see where it will come from. These are just a glimpse at the good things that God has for you, for us. 

I wrote this post as a reminder for myself. God is working good for me! I pray that if you are without hope this week, you don't know when or how, or can't see what is going to happen next, that you will cling to this verse this week. God is working good things for those who love Him. God is working good things for you.

Searching for a Dwelling Place.

This morning God led me to Psalm 84:

"How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns and even faints,
For the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh cry out
for the living God."

I like to remember that God is a King and a Lord and that we are His people. I like to remember that I am a servant of the Lord God, that he is my King, that he calls me his daughter. I can't even fathom what the courts of the Lord look like, but I would be bold enough to say that they are glorious, full of peace, praise and reverence. Psalm 84 goes on to say:

Even the sparrow has found a home,
   and the swallow a nest for herself,
   where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
   LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
   they are ever praising you.
 ⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
   whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
   they make it a place of springs;
   the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength,
   till each appears before God in Zion.
 ⁸ Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
   listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield, O God;
   look with favor on your anointed one.
 ¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
   than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
   the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
   from those whose walk is blameless.
 ¹² LORD Almighty,
   blessed is the one who trusts in you.

After reading this, I want to be in God's dwelling place. This place of favor and strength. This place where I find a home and shield where I go from strength to strength. A place where I am ever-praising God for his greatness. I could go for that.

The word dwell means to live as a resident and reside. Where do you consider to be your dwelling place? I think of mine as my quiet apartment, in the middle of the trees, with the trails outside. I busy myself all day long. I rush, rush, rush, get home, drop my bags, inhale deeply and let myself settle in. At times, even my home is not a place of rest... it is another to-do list, more homework, paying bills, cleaning. The in-and-out every day stuff.

Now I am not sure about your dwelling place, but it sounds like God's place has quite a few advantages over my own.

Tyler and I are currently looking at new apartments. On our hunt we consider all factors. The amenities, the extras, the garage, the pool, the ceiling height, ohhh crown molding! Wow, a coffee bar, a nice work out facility. :) It's kind of funny to think of how much each detail matters. Then I think of God's amenities at his house. Peace, favor, protection, praise, happiness, good things, strength... ummmm YES PLEASE. Show me where to sign up! I think that in my search for a new apartment God reminded me of all the perks of his dwelling place.

Sometimes, we allow our hearts and thoughts to dwell other places. In worry, fear, doubt, a situation or conversation. I will go ahead and say that I am by no means innocent of this! There have definitely been times that I have thought, "You know what? I think I will pack up my bags and move into worrying about this now. I think I will become a temporary resident of worry!"  But the dwelling place of the Lord is where we are meant to be. It is where we renew our strength, hope and peace. The sweetness of God's dwelling place is that it is accessible all day, every day. When our dwelling place is with the Lord in his presence, we do not ever have to leave his peace.

How do we dwell in God's place when there are so many things that pull us in other directions? We do this through prayer. It doesn't have to be out loud or twenty minutes long, though it can be. God knows our heart and hears our thoughts. He hears the quiet prayers through out the day. The one sentence plea, the murmurs. He hears you. When we pray, we can choose His place over any other and we get all the "amenities" from being in His dwelling place. Along with the best part, a closer relationship with Him.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and choose God's dwelling place!

The Little Things

Last week my students had to write an essay over the following prompt:

Write an essay about the value of the little things in life.

They sat there dismayed because they couldn't think of any little things that they valued. Wow! It shocked me that we had to talk through some of the little things around them that make their life more easy or enjoyable. We talked about laughing, spending time with friends and family. Parents who serve them by doing their laundry, making their meals, hugging them hello. We talked about a compliment, a surprise, and even a smile. They began writing and 40 minutes later the bell rang; there was a flurry of activity, backpacks zipping, desks moving, papers being stacked on my desk, kids walking in, walking out, asking if they could take it for homework and then there was silence. And I sat at my desk, in the silence of my second period conference, thinking about the value of the little things.

I thought of all the little things that I had been giving my attention to and I asked God to forgive me for all the times I passed up the little things without noticing their value and for giving so much attention to all the LITTLE things that get under my skin, that in the big picture, don't matter!  I wish I could just say that this is a just a problem of the new generation of teenagers! lol But I know deep down that it's not and that I often times forget how sweet the small things are. I also asked him to open my eyes to life's blessings and renew my thankfulness for them. I have always liked little things, I think everyone does. The small note, a good song on the radio, a friendly smile, the sun shining. I hope and pray we are keeping the value of the small things.

When my dad became sick with cancer, my perspective completely changed. I was so overwhelmed and thankful for the small things. I was thankful he was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked downstairs, I was thankful that I saw him at church and got to give him a hug good morning. I valued each and every small thing because it was precious.

Since last week, I am trying to take some time to dwell on the sweet little things that God brings to my life. It might be a co-worker who is always positive, a family member who helps, a friend who listens, a spouse who gives. And taking time to be thankful for them. Let's move our focus from the little things that try to trip us up, to the little things that speed us along.

The link to the song below is one of my recent favorites! I am definitely humored by it because it is about life's little annoyances and letting God use them to teach us, help us grow and then getting over it and remembering how BIG we're blessed! I am a little dramatic... ;) so my favorite line is "it's not the end of the world!"

Love you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqdA8LHN7I&feature=fvwrel

watch her live here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HteoxWzAT8