Heart Choices: 2012-08-26 -->

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Dealing With Change


It's Five Minute Friday.  I am linking up with Lisa-Jo of The Gypsy Mama.

We write for five minutes flat on a word given to us by Lisa-Jo.  The word for today is ...CHANGE.

GO

Change is something I've always disliked.  I like my life to be predictable.  I am very loyal.  I have friends I've known since childhood.  I love to set up my daily schedule and stick to it.  This has worked well for me in so many areas of my life. But over the years, I've learned a valuable lesson.

Change is inevitable.  

Life happens.  I don't always get to stick to my schedule.  Other people don't always react the way I anticipate or expect.  I need to be flexible.  I don't always get to plan out everything.

In the midst of many life changes, I've learned that God is trustworthy and faithful.  When I lean on Him, I don't need to fear change.  He is with me and promises to never leave me.

Change is an opportunity to trust God.  

When major life changes were thrust upon me:

  • God used many people who ministered to me and came alongside of me.
  • I learned the power of prayer.
  • I learned to read the Scriptures for wisdom and comfort.
  • I learned that this world is uncertain and ever changing.
  • I learned to have an eternal perspective as I keep my eyes on Jesus.
  • I had to return to the work force.
  • I found such joy when I got to work with little children.
  • I made many new friends in a job I never thought I'd be doing.

I'm learning that nothing is certain in this life.  Change is inevitable.

But God never changes.

I can count on that and that is good enough for me.

STOP

How about you?  How do you deal with change?


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

What We Do Flows Out of Who We Are


Today I'm hosting "In Other Words Tuesday".  I got to chose our quote for today.

I invite you to write a blog post on this quote.  Add the direct URL link below.  I would love to visit you and read your post.  If you prefer, feel free to add your thoughts in the comments.  I love to read them all.

So, here's our quote:

"What we do as followers of Christ flows out of who we are in Christ."                         Scott Savage, Minister to Young Adults, North Phoenix Baptist Church

My salvation isn't based on works.  I can't do enough good deeds to earn myself a place in heaven.


I see many people who are trying to do many good things.  They become so busy volunteering and never say no.

But consider this.  God sees everything we do.  He also looks into our hearts and knows the motive behind all we do.

Are you doing things for recognition?  Are you doing things because it's expected of you?  Or are you doing things out of love?

Ephesians 2:10 goes on to say that we were created to do good works.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, God has prepared good works for me to do.

I don't know about you but when I really think about and consider what Jesus did for me on the Cross ... I'm overwhelmed.

Jesus was humiliated and treated so unfairly.  He could have called on a legion of angels to rescue Him and take Him down from the Cross.  But He didn't.  Because He loved you and me, He endured the humiliation and torture on the Cross.

Jesus died so my sins could be forgiven and I could have peace with God.  But I had to receive that salvation as a gift.  I didn't earn it.  I didn't deserve it.  I received it with gratitude.  How amazing is that?

In response:
  • I yield to His leadership.  
  • I am no longer my own boss.  
  • I read my Bible daily.  
  • I pray. 
  • I listen for His soft voice (not audible).  
  • I respond in obedience.  
Now I can't say I do this without fail.  I still slip up and indulge my flesh at times.  But how thankful I am for His mercy and forgiveness.

How can I not desire to serve Him in any way He asks of me?

But how do I know the works He has planned for me to do?

I believe the secret is found in John 15:5:


The real secret is ...abiding.

When I abide in Him, I will bear fruit.  I don't have to struggle to bear fruit.  It's a byproduct of remaining in the Vine.  

An orange tree doesn't produce figs.  It yields oranges if it's watered properly.

As I stay connected to Him, He will prompt me.  

I have a choice.  Will I respond in obedience?

I remember who I am in Christ?  Here are just a few:
  • I am God's child.
  • I am a light to the world.
  • I am free from condemnation.
  • I am a temple of the Holy Spirit.
For a more complete list, you can access Dr. Neil Anderson's PDF here.

I encourage you to share your thoughts and link up today.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Counting Sweet Blessings



There's something so special between a mother and her daughter.  I see that when I look at this photo of my niece Kristin with her four month old daughter Kenzie.  There is such a sweetness about this photo.


Kenzie looks so secure and happy in her mama's arms.  Isn't that how it should be?


I couldn't resist sharing this one of Kenzie touching her toes.  She's growing so fast.

Before I know it, she will be wearing shoes like the ones in our Pre-K 3 class.  Don't you love the pink sneakers the girls love to wear?


Of course, we need to teach them how to sit so they will listen carefully.  Criss cross applesauce, hands in your lap.  However, they need lots of reminders at the beginning of the school year.  It seemed like Heidi and I just got finished teaching and polishing off last year's class and now we start all over again.  :)


I'm so thankful for the rain we've received in the Phoenix area.  I had to take photos of the rain, of course.


I was stopped at a traffic light when I took this photo; no worries.  And check out the pond that formed at our school from one day of rain.


#501 Seeing lots of photos of Kenzie Lee as she grows daily
#502 Thankful for Facebook as I live in Phoenix and Kristin and Kenzie live in Florida
#503 A new batch of three year old children to teach
#504 Observing the children as they learn the routines
#505 Walking in line to art, PE, and Spanish class with 18 three year olds who forget to look at the head in front of them
#506 Seeing the smiles and waves of the children from last year's class
#507 Laughing as four year old Aadarsh asked me if I was still 10 years old.  When I said no, he excitedly shouted "you must be 11, just like my brother!"
#508 Running into four year old Bella and her mom at the grocery store
#509 Now every time I see Bella she holds up her fingers as she counts how many times she's seen me each day
#510 Three year old Melika introduced me to her mother saying "Miss Debbie, her name is Mommy"
#511 Much needed rain in Phoenix
#512 The sound of the rain on our roof that doesn't leak :)
#513 A wonderful sermon on Sunday at church
#514 Praying with a friend who is going through hard times
#515 Sharing the wonderful news that my friend Elaine just published her second book "Beyond Cancer's Scars: Laying Claim to a Stronger Spirit" (you must check out the promotional video)

I'm smiling as I'm writing this post.  How cool is that?  Not too long ago I was going through such a difficult and uncertain time in my life and ...now I'm able to smile.

God is so good and God is so faithful.

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience as we count our every day blessings on Multitudes on Mondays.



Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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