I can't seem to catch a break.

Scripture: Psalm 34:19

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Observation

There are so many things in this world that trouble the righteous.  Sickness, anxiety, job security, and money troubles are all things people have to face.  We are blessed that we have a Lord who comes to the rescue EVERY time.

Application:

Where do I start!  This year alone I have been punched in the face by a student, drug my muffler around for a couple days, had no power in my classroom for 2 days, had the stomach flu and gotten my phone stolen.  Not to mention my daily struggle of thinking about the family I may never get to have.  I face so many troubles I am utterly exhausted. Just yesterday I asked Tom (through my sobs), "Is it too much to ask to have one good week?"  I can't seem to catch a break. 

Even though I may have troubles too overwhelming for me to bear they are not too burdensome for God.  God will rescue me if I let Him.  He will take my burdens from me and give the peace only He can give.  Whatever my trouble God can calm my fears.  Whether it is frustration with fighting students, a broken down car, teaching without technology, falling behind at work due to a sickness, having my phone stolen by a student, or even my fears about our family; God will come to my rescue.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being with me through all of my troubles.  Thank You for coming to my rescue. Thank You for the peace that You have given. Please continue to guide me through my troubles and give me peace. 

Amen

Daily Fears

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:17

Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.

Observation:

This world has a lot of things we fear.  Here we can lose so much.  This can cause us to be dismayed.  But God tells us to go out against them.  We should face our fears.  We do not need to fear because God is always with us!

Application:

In this world Tom and I have had to face our greatest fear. We lost our two sons before we even got to raise them.  We wanted to stay home and never go out in the world again.  But we have a God of mercy and compassion who is holding our sons until we meet again.  Tom and I know that God will give us a family in His time.  we do not have to fear or be dismayed because God is with us.   

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being with me to face my daily fears.  Please make each day a reminder of Your power. 

Amen.

My Pursuit of Godliness

During the Lenten season in church our sermon series is called "Disciplined by Grace."  Today pastor spoke about journaling being a spiritual practice that helps pursue godliness in our lives.  "Journaling creates the opportunity to combine Bible Study, Prayer, the practice of Spiritual Disciplines, along with our thoughts and feelings of everyday life."

 I believe that God has called me to this spiritual practice in order to further pursue godliness.  But rather than do this in private, with no accountability, I have decided to journal on this blog.  I have tried journaling in the past and I only did it a few times before I stopped all together.  I want to be held accountable for my journaling.  I know I have a busy schedule and will not be able to journal daily, but my hope is to do it a few times a week.  I will post the new blog on Facebook for everyone to read and enjoy.  Now, if I do not post for a while I need my friends and family to hold me accountable.  I need you to remind me when you see me about missing a post, or send me a text or even a Facebook message.  I hope that this will help me in my faithfulness of journaling. 

Pastor gave an easy outline to follow for journaling and that is how I would like to start.  He gave the SOAP Method.  SOAP stands for scripture, observation, application, and prayer.  I will be following this simple outline in most of my blog posts.  There may be days when I have other things to say and use a different format or I might find a different way works better for me, but to start I will use SOAP.  So here goes...

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 

Observation:

WOW!  I love scripture that praises God!!  This verse reminds us of the compassion and comfort given by God.  Not only does God give comfort, but he is "the God of all comfort, who comfort us in all our troubles."  It is nice to know that in any trouble big or small we WILL receive comfort from God.  Now, since we have been comforted by "the God of all comfort," we are able to comfort others in their time of trouble.  Knowing how God comforts us, we can comfort others.

Application:

I know the application of this verse all too well.  For the past two and a half years God has been giving me daily comfort.  Every day I wake up without my two sons is another day I need comforting from God.  God is the only one who brings me enough comfort to even bring me to peace.  This peace passes all understanding.  Now, with the comfort and peace God has compassionately given, I can show others the comfort he give in their time of trouble.  What an amazing Father!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your daily comfort.  Thank You for the peace that passes all understanding.  Thank You for showing me that I can now show others the comfort You have shown me. Please continue to comfort me until the day we meet face to face.

Amen