Delays (Part 3) and THE AYE-AYE

I love this determined little animal found in Madagascar! The Aye-Aye is a relative of the lemur, but has an amazing distinctive feature about him that sets him apart from the lemur: he has a long middle finger with a very sharp claw. The nocturnal Aye-Aye will sleep all day hidden in a sphere-like nest so that he can stay up all night "tapping." He taps on trees and listens for wood-boring insects behind the bark because his ears are incredibly sensitive. He taps, listens, and waits. When he decides that he has located one of these insects, he digs him out with the same middle finger. Lots of work, yes, but very worth it! Although he loves digging out coconut flesh and devouring the tasty fruit, these insects are his favorite!

Rehash on the last couple of blogs:

1. Delays never come at a good time.
2. Delays can appear suddenly.

NEW ONE! Delays make you appreciate things once you get them.

Our city (Ocala) is doing all kinds of construction on various roads, and some of them have been long-term. Anyone who attends our church/school and has to take this road named Baseline will understand the concept. EVERYONE has to take BASELINE if you live in a large segment of Ocala. It has been under construction not for days, weeks, months, but now for years. It can be frustrating and dangerous; people have incidents of "road rage" while driving certain stretches of that road. BUT everyone will agree with this: when the construction is done, it will be ONE nice highway.

Ecclesiastes 7:8, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

It is true! The end of things are wonderful! We love reaching the end of a marathon, pulling a beautifully-cooked roast out of the oven, or finishing a well-written book. There is satisfaction in completing a project that has taken months but the time spent with family was worth it.

But what about those pesky times where there is a delay? Even though you know the outcome will be wonderful eventually, it is inconvenient and aggravating. This is what I encountered this morning on my way to my Saturday job. Signs warned me that there was a lane merge ahead, and the light, Saturday morning traffic began to slow up as two lanes merged into one. The anxiety feelings hit me as I began to wonder WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SO IMPORTANT for them to merge lanes at a very inconvenient spot? (There is my impatience again.) As we all traveled in one lane for about 1/4 of a mile, the "issue" finally appeared. The city was kindly fixing a pot hole to save us from accidents, causing further delays. I sighed, felt regret for being aggravated, and then smiled because I knew the Lord was teaching me again to be patient.

I learned 3 things this morning:

1. The delay was short this time, and I should thank God for the short interruptions in life. Maybe if we thanked Him more, He wouldn't have to allow things to enter our lives to remind us to love Him.

2. This delay was a good thing, and I'm grateful that the street crews scrunched us for a while in order to make a rough spot better. I need to thank God for the little interruptions in my life.
"Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day."

3. When I came out of the lane merge and traffic started to move again, I was thankful for the smooth driving and pleasant travel. We all know that there are times when life is too much to handle (like in my Delays Part 2). The tearful moments when the breath has been sucked right out of us. Thank Him for the peace you have right now because we know the potholes aren't always found before we hit them.

Some of you may be in a BIG delay or the dreaded DETOUR in your life right now. Share what works for you practically, and if you are a Christian, encourage us with what God has done for you. Write me: brasil_girl37@yahoo.com. We can learn from you.

Have a good day!
Stephanie

Delays (Part 2)

Delay: a holdup; a detainment; a wait

Do you know that moment when you are driving along to work, singing, drinking your flavor of caffeine for the moment, happily gloating in the fact that you are on time.......and WHAM! Traffic stops. There's no warning and no signs to give you time to think over a possible delay. No time to come up with a "new path"---just a SUDDEN STOP. Been there? Lights ahead are flashing red and blue, indicating emergency vehicles are at the scene of an accident. You should be concerned for the people or animals involved in the wreck, but, unfortunately, the first thought that fills your head (at least what usually fills mine) is, "Great. Now I'm going to be late."
You have the decision to follow the orders of the aggravated police personnel standing in the middle of the road with his neon orange wand motioning you to STOP and wait, OR you can take the DETOUR offered. What do you do? If you STOP and WAIT, you are going to lose time. If you TAKE THE DETOUR, you just might have to lose even more time---or worse---you may have to go back to where you started.

You do NOT want to hear frivolity from a DJ on a radio station giving you immature words, "Traffic is a mess, but don't worry! We'll be with you all the way!" What you want to hear is the guy in the helicopter above the scene giving you a new route--a way around the chaos--so that you won't be stuck there forever.

Whether it's a pothole that appears suddenly in the road, causing a flat tire in your car or an unexpected accident that ALWAYS appears suddenly, it IS a delay.

We have them in life--those "potholes" of life. They are delays that are unexpected, unwanted, and not fun. The kind that put you on the bottom of the shower floor in tears because you don't know which way to turn. They are ugly delays that seem to make your life stop. We all have had them, and if you haven't, you will. Fortunately, I went to college and learned under a great woman of God who had cancer while she taught us. We watched her LIVE the verses that I'm going to share with you.

Maybe you awakened to find that you have cancer like two of my very good friends are experiencing right now. Unexpected. Where did that come from? What did they do to deserve that? Nothing. It is a delay that could be permanent with which God has entrusted them. He trusts them to walk through the trial to teach others.

Perhaps you received a phone call that your job had just been terminated. You had no warning; there was nothing you could have done. Purely, the circumstances were beyond your control. But, what now? Do you really have to start a whole new career? A new job? In this economy?

Maybe you had a tragedy, and suddenly your current goals were crushed, causing you to go back to square one and draw a new game plan. Disappointment can be one of the worse feelings in the world

You might have heard those awful words come out of your mate's mouth that he/she doesn't love you anymore. You've been chosen over. It was horribly unexpected and dreaded. It was that moment you thought, "This happens to other people, not me." Devastation and a sick heart filled your very being as the devil made you feel like you weren't enough for your lover, and your life seemed to stop. It had to be the heartbreak of the lowest kind.

You've been betrayed by your closest of friends. You were suddenly and without warning a leftover, a gossipped-about loner who didn't see it coming.

Well, take a deep breath, and first realize that these delays aren't roads that suddenly drop off into the ocean. They are just painful delays that God allows. Maybe they are actually full-fledged detours and you DO have to start all over with a new job, a new mate, or a new game plan. We have all been there. If you are on the "other side" of the tragedy, don't be quiet and hide how to help others. Speak up, share with the hurting, and use God's Word to help someone. We have a cutting edge on the Devil---we have the Word of God and Jesus Christ Himself to give us hope, guidance, and peace when we relinquish the delay to Him. NOT easy to do, but we CAN through Christ.

1. God never gives us more than we can handle.

2. He gives us the grace to walk through anything. He IS that reporter in the helicopter ABOVE the situation and is looking down giving instructions.

3. Every day, there are mercies anew. Look for them.

4. Look for the spiritual friend who has gone through it and made it. They are life changers, and you need them. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

IPeter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he carethfor you."

Psalm 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

Ruth 2:12 "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

II Samuel 22:31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried : he is a buckler to all them that trust in him."

Psalm 52:8 "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever."

II Kings 20:5 "Turn again , and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD."

Job 16:20 "My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God."

Psalm 6:6 "I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim ; I water my couch with my tears."

Psalm 126:5 "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."

Psalm 18:6 "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."

Psalm 19:3 "There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."

I love this last verse the most of all. No matter what language we speak or pray in, God understands. There is not a human who can help your "delay" like our Holy God and His Word. Draw nigh to Him.

Lastly, I have friends who have gone through every one of these delays above. Do you think that if I need a hand they will understand? Absolutely. God can give you that Christian friend, but even if He doesn't, He is enough.

Have a great day!
Stephanie

Delays (Part 1) - Never Come At A Good Time

The Leafy Sea Dragon

Looks cool, huh? Almost not real! He is a relative of the sea horse and eats on "sea lice." (Just thought that this would make your day.) He is found only in Australian waters, and is now protected by Australian law. The sea dragon doesn't use those leaves to help him move, he uses them to help him hide. After all, he only grows to be about a foot and a half. The sea dragon uses the water to glide him because he enjoys tumbling gracefully through the water, and doesn't ever seem to be in any hurry at all. It takes a strong lens to even see an eye blink.

Ha! Doesn't sound like our lives at all! After all, we live in the land of the free, the home of the brave, and the world of FAST FOOD and DRIVE THRUS.

Ten or eleven years ago, I heard a sermon by Daniel Hawtree Jr. entitled "Delays In Life." This was back when wireless internet was slowly creeping into our homes---regular homes with regular pocketbooks. Everyone was excited to try it, but there were a lot of kinks and tweaks to iron out. Daniel was single at the time but still in evangelism. He was at a hotel one night in some random city trying to check his email, and the signal was down. He made a sermon on his frustration with the internet, and ended up laughing about his anxiety with something completely out of his control. I'll never forget it.

Delay by definition means: a holdup, a wait, a detention, a detainment.

When I think of the word "delay," I think of having to wait or I picture a long line of traffic. Certainly nothing pleasant comes to mind. That's just exactly it, delays never come at a good time. None of us like to wait. We live in a "microwave generation" where we want to be able to just pop our problem into life's microwave, and get it answered RIGHT NOW. Gone are the days of waiting and praying for God's answers like George Mueller and J. Frank Norris preached in their days. We want God to answer our request, solve our dilemmas, and give us our needs---by the end of lunch, please. We use Psalm 70:5 to our full advantage. "But I am poor and needy; make HASTE unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying."

Sometimes delays save us from a tragedy, but that is another blog for another day. Right now we are focusing on the fact that delays are NEVER FUN.

At school, I'm one of those teachers who does not like interruptions. I study and prepare to deliver the goods all by the end of the class hour. DO NOT interrupt my teaching because I cannot get through my agenda. How dare there be a fire drill or a Code Red? What were they thinking calling ANOTHER chapel day that is going to cut into my schedule? And, oh PUH-LEASE, don't even think of giving us more announcements over the intercom at the end of the hour!!!!  I'm exaggerating a little here, but to the extent that the internet frustrated Daniel on his preaching trip, teachers hate interruptions in the middle of their lesson because there goes the attention spans of the minds we had in the palm of our hands. So, some days I have to just say (literally) to myself, "Stephanie, chill out." When Bertha (the momma hamster in our room) "throws up" on someone's desk in the middle of a great discussion on bird feathers, I have to "chill out."  When Carmela (the rabbit) wee wees on the same kid for 3 days in a row while giving test notes and we have to stop and clean up the mess, I have to smile and breathe very deeply. After all, I DID agree to let the kids hold the animals while I teach if they behave. I made a mental decision years ago when I taught my first three years in the school basement and counted how many mice we had caught in the traps the night before (it was fun), that seeing young people happy and learning was far more important than making them learn just because I COULD. Sometimes delays in the agenda happen. It is what we do at the moment of the delay that makes all the difference.

So, we are at the moment of delay. Now what? Well, our greatest example is Jesus Christ, right? Let's look at a couple of times when there was worry and stress and delay in his life.

The disciples were beside themselves with anxiety because there was no food to feed the thousands that had been following Jesus. The disciples said (please imagine intense, whiny voices here):

"And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, THIS is a desert place, and the time is NOW PAST; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, (whiny voices again) We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me." 

Notice that Jesus didn't just make the miracle happen in the baskets. He could have. I believe that He wanted the disciples (even more than the people) to SEE that he was still going to provide the food in a miraculous way, but in HIS way and HIS time. Maybe God gives us delays so that we can SEE Him work in our lives and grow patience in us instead of us just expecting Him to fix it immediately.

Peter, the king of impulse, wanted to protect Jesus all the time. This Jesus whom He had followed and given up a career for---He meant everything to Peter. When Peter was flailing out at sea trying to TRUST, it was Jesus who told Him to keep his eyes on HIM to not sink. Peter learned to listen to Jesus when he was facing death, so it was natural for Peter to want to protect Christ when He was in danger. On impulse, he pulled out his sword and cut off the servant's ear when they laid hold on Jesus. But Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 26:52-54, and it was all about trusting in the moment of delay.

"Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?"

Jesus meant....look guys, this has to happen. Don't you think that I can call out to God and HE can deliver me IMMEDIATELY? But prophecy has to be fulfilled. This has to happen.

Why do we think that God doesn't have a plan for us? If God is in control, then He allows the delay. Look for the positive, look for the illustration that you can use ten years down the road, and chill out. It is in those moments that you can really make a difference in someone's life. Most of the time, the delay is according to some time schedule we made; therefore, we put the pressure on ourselves from the very beginning. Smile, and do what Marlene Evans used to teach us in college to do when we had a hold-up--REJOICE IN THE LORD. We can't be as carefree as the sea dragon, but we can trust while we are at a standstill that God has a reason. We can either choose to enjoy gliding through the water eating the "sea lice" that God has brought into our lives, or we can fume and flail---and end up still waiting anyway.

I will remember my own words tomorrow when one of my classroom critters has an accident in the middle of my lesson!

Have a good day!

Perfect Peace

A small bird protected in the storm

Peace isn't when everything is going right.

Peace is when you know you are going to be alright when everything around you isn't.

Have you ever seen so many despondent people in the world? It seems everyone is always running, buying happiness, escaping to vacations to get away from the stress that is inevitable......the chaos is a madness that never stops. Yet, one would think that with the newest phones, lightning- speed communication, and virtual toys, we'd all be happier. People are still searching for peace, even Christians who know where to find it.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

Recently in a service in our church, we had several song specials that revolved around rest and peace. Our Music Director is very organized; he wants to know what everyone is singing/playing (instrumentally) ahead of time so that there are no conflicts. However, I am very sure that he does not dictate to our vocalists what they should sing; he allows the Holy Spirit to do that. So, when I began to realize there was a theme, I started writing down the names of the songs and began mulling over a new thought for a Bible lesson on trust.

In my digging, I found a definition that became the core of my new study.
HAVEN: A place of safety; a refuge; a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions.

We all desire to be safe. Safe from harm; safe from problems; safe from mean people; safe from the devil....safe from the STORMS of life. How do we find refuge from a storm? We seek out a haven, a place of safety.  BUT, sometimes when there is no haven immediately available, we have to ride out the storm. And to ride out the storm, we need an anchor. Yes, Jesus Christ is our haven of rest. But, sometimes, He wants to prove Himself to us through the storm, so now, He becomes our anchor.

In researching anchors these past two days, I have found that there are dozens of types of anchors. This is interesting to me because I found that an anchor is not JUST needed for the ships of the sea! Let me share with you.

ANCHOR:
1. A device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom .
Sounds like the anchor we first think of.  In reading about storms, I've found that it is best to ride into the storm, allowing the anchor to just slow the whole thing down. However, one needs the right anchor and enough rope and lots of patience.
How terrible to be in a storm that life throws at us and not have the right anchor. Christian, our primary anchor isn't to be another human, it is to be Jesus.
But let's say that we ARE leaning on Christ, but our relationship is not solid. We have drifted away from HIM, and our rope, our lifeline is lacking strength. It has lost length or has become frayed and useless. We have to keep our relationship with Christ tough, and to be patient with what He wants us to learn.

2. a reliable or principal support
I love this. RELIABLE. Christian friends can be wonderful supporters in times of trouble; I try to "be there" for my friends too. But we are still only flesh. People will let you down, but our God will NEVER let you down.
3. something that serves to hold an object firmly
4. the member of a team (as a relay team) that competes last
Oh, to be the "anchor" in someone's life., pointing them to Jesus Christ! Or better yet, to be the one who throws out the lifeline to the overboard Christian in times of trouble!
5. a fixed object (as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured
Piton: a spike, wedge, or peg that is driven into a rock or ice surface as a support (as for a mountain climber)
Jesus Christ is always the same, always there.  "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." He IS that piton that helps you "anchor" yourself firmly --- and you can be someone else's PITON as they get back to Jesus.

Three Observations I've made:
1.  When in a storm of life, Stay Still.
Psalm 6:10 -  "Be still , and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. "

"Don't make a decision when your decision-maker is broken."

- Dr. Jack Hyles

"When the believer is faced with a decision regarding a questionable matter, he should never proceed unless he has complete peace about it. If there is nothing wrong with it, then God is able to give complete peace."

-Dr. Curtis Hutson

"There cannot be any peace where there is uncertainty." -

 D.L. Moody

"The reward that outdoes all others is the peace of knowing that you did right."

- Dr. Jack Hyles

2.  Before the storm hits, PREPARE for it, and REMEMBER the other storms in which Jesus proved Himself to be your anchor.

Remember when the disciples were complaining in Mark 8? They had just seen a young girl healed of a devil and four thousand people fed from just a few fish and bread loaves, but they were still complaining. Why? They forgot the goodness of the Lord . Jesus said to them, "Having eyes see ye not? and  having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?"  Mark 8:18  How quickly we forget. Don't forget. Go back and remember, and stayed prayed up. Prepare your heart.

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

 - George Washington

3.  Realize that just because Christ is our anchor, it doesn't mean that you won't get wet or thrown about in the storm. He goes through the storm with us, riding the waves of life and guiding our ships to safety. It just takes time and patience.

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." Psalm 27:5

"If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you know what His will is."

- Amy Carmichael

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To end my study, I've chosen a few special quotes from unique people whose lives have proven that they trusted God in the storm.

"In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms," (Deuteronomy 33:27) full of support, provision, comfort and strength."

- Oswald Chambers (traveled the world preaching the gospel only to die  in 1917 of appendicitis because he refused to use a bed needed by wounded soldiers)

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"If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble."

-Thomas Watson ( a Puritan preacher who died while praying in secret)

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"Were our spirits hardy we would be able to meet the most disturbing situation with peace and rest."

- Watchman Nee (imprisoned in China for his faith until his death in 1972)

Love, Stephanie

Start Again, Don't Start Over. January 1, 2012

THE BALD EAGLE

2012--a new year brings new resolutions, new goals, and yes, even new failures. But we can learn from mistakes of the past and new ones we know we will inevitably make.

Isn't it fun to water a very dried-up plant that you think has seen its last day of sunshine, only to find that a little water brings new life? It is at this moment that we are thankful we didn't throw something away that just needed a little attention. Thank goodness Jesus didn't throw me away for a better Christian. He takes me with my mistakes and failures and keeps renewing me.

There is a difference in picking up something again that you started at some point in time and just plain old STARTING OVER. Sometimes it is best to tear something down and just begin from scratch, but more times than not, picking up where we left off is all that is needed. Fear of failure keeps us from starting again.

This year, make a goal to pick up the odd pieces and get your life back on track.

My 7th graders and I began studying birds at the end of last semester, and soon we will continue our study. It is interesting to watch videos of eagles in flight. We watched eagles lock talons and fight in complete circles in the sky as well as spot fish high above the water and swoop to make their catch without ever looking down.

I have made some observations about eagles recently, and combined with God's Word, there are some amazing truths regarding new beginnings of old, left behind stuff.

1.  A bald eagle really isn't bald. Many believe that the Europeans named them bald because they saw the white cap--and, to them, "bald" meant "white." **Although, I noticed that in Micah 1:16, the eagle is referred to as bald. According to Wesley's Notes, this is the species being represented. This is definitely before the Europeans came to America! =) 

"Make thee bald , and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee."

2.  Eagles mate for life. Great huh? However, it has been documented that eagles will assume a new mate if something happens to the old one because they realize that life must go on. Eagles don't quit and give up.

3.  Eagles will remain on the same perch for hours. They don't give up, and they wait it out when protecting their young. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

4.  Eagles live on every continent but Antarctica. However, half of the 70,000 eagles living in North America reside in Alaska. Why? Fewer people and lots of coastline loaded with fresh fish and tons of trees!

5.  The male eagle chooses his home before he mates, never leaving this home. The parents will expand the nest actually--a little bit every year. They only move if the nest gets destroyed, but when they do move, they choose a nearby location. Nests can weigh up to 2 tons, by the way. Eagles are family birds even though they are definitely predators.









6.  A unique fact about the eagle is his eyelids. They have upper and lower eyelids, but the lower eyelid is bigger. He actually blinks "up." They have a third eyelid like other birds that even cats and a few digging animals have. But for the eagle, this membrane that sweeps from side to side constantly moisturizing and cleaning his eyes is instrumental in his survival. His keen and perceptive sight puts him in a whole other class of the raptors.

7.  Female eagles will lay 1-3 eggs, but usually only 1 eaglet will make it to maturity. The parents share in the responsibility  of feeding the eaglets, sometimes up to 5 kills per day.

8.  After 10-12 weeks, eaglets are encouraged to  leave the nest, but the "pushing" starts weeks before. The parents provide a soft, secure nest for their babies with daily food, but after a while they begin bringing food near the nest but not inside the nest. This is to show the eagles that they will need to get out of the nest in order to enjoy some chum. Also, they little by little pull out the soft lining within the sticks of the nest to where the nest begins to get a little uncomfortable. Cries of the eaglets are ignored, and soon the eaglet is encouraged to meet the world on his own. The mother eagle takes her time in teaching her eaglet though; it is not a one day "kicking out the nest" situation. She actually will do what a hummingbird does......flaps her wings in a hovering position for a short time for demonstration.
"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:" Deuteronomy 32:11

God uses circumstances in our lives to grow us. If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you will agree. It is when we get comfortable in our current situations that we begin to not depend on Him for our needs. So, in order to get us back on track, He may begin to make our worlds a little uncomfortable, reminding us that a better Christian life is available out there, but changes must be made. However, God doesn't throw us away, nor does He throw us out on our own. He loves us. He made us with a purpose--to glorify Him. He wants us to succeed. Don't listen to the devil's lies that you are worthless, stained, and cannot be used by God. You don't have to start all over again--just get started. Again.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run , and not be weary ; and they shall walk , and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Have a good day! Love, Stephanie

The Armadillo

The American Armadillo

Cute little thing, right? WRONG. The armadillo is a nuisance. He digs holes and destroys beautiful yards and the best of landscapes. He is mostly blind which means he meanders aimlessly through a yard, stopping wherever he chooses to leave a mess behind for someone else to clean up.
Armadillos don't just live in the States, there is a smaller version of them down in South America where they originated, and they also live in Mexico. Whereas our breed has 9 bands, the S.A. armadillo only has 3 which makes it convenient to roll into a little ball when in danger.

None of them can see very well, and they will flat run into things when in a hurry. They root in shady areas for insects and worms where the soil is moist, hunting earthworms in particular, and use their long tongues to slurp them up. The aggravating part that drives homeowners crazy is that they love to dig. Some holes (dens) that they dig are about a foot or two deep, but some have been found up to 20 feet deep. This is when they begin to annoy Floridians, in particular, because all kinds of OTHER animals can hide in holes that deep, and unwanted critters can fill a yard fast. Our armadillos out here in my neck of the woods seem to travel in twos, exasperating all efforts to keep a pretty lawn.
A female armadillo will always have 4 babies, and they are born with their eyes open. I must admit that they are cute when they are tiny, but before long, they grow up to be diggers.

Armadillos also bleed incessantly when pierced. It is disgusting. They will jump 3-4 feet in the air when they are hurt, and the blood just spurts everywhere. It is almost comical to see them hurl themselves in the air in exaggeration.
See, there is nothing cute about them!
In Psalm 57 we read of David who is once again pouring his heart out to God. David many times went straight to God when facing temptation or when his life was in danger, and it is an excellent example for us to follow. In this chapter David is obviously being pursued. He speaks in verses 4-6 of being "among the lions", giving descriptions of men with teeth that tear and tongues as sharp swords. He describes a net that has been designed to catch him and a hole that is prepared just for him. However, he adds that this hole, in turn, captured the enemy.

⁴My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
⁵Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
⁶They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.

Remember the story where Saul and his armies were pursuing David, yet the Philistines were indeed hunting down Saul? The very cave where Saul just knew he had David captured, he was, in fact, delivered into the hands of David.  God took care of His own, and in a moment of sure defeat, He proved himself mighty to David again as He had done many times before.

Sometimes when the "teeth" of the world tear into our belief in Creation by the One true God or tongues slash our faith in salvation through Christ alone, we get discouraged thinking no one will believe ever again. Yet, in many of our churches we ARE seeing people come to Christ. I have a preacher friend who has not missed one day in well over a thousand days in leading someone to Christ. It is a personal goal of his, and he asks God for a soul every day. Our job is to have faith and share what Christ did for us on the cross. He does the rest.
Sometimes when the sharp swords people use as tongues threaten to tear our reputations, we have to remember that God always wins. It was David's faith that God would deliver him that saw him through the constant fear of losing his life. Why should we be any different? Do you have an armadillo in your life who is constantly digging a hole for you to fall in? Do you have someone who is cute on the outside but they leave a bumpy wake everywhere they go, and sometimes the mess is yours to clean up? Well, to remove an armadillo the proper way, the advice given everywhere is to call a pest control to "re place" them somewhere else. Yes, we could just pick up a shotgun and take care of it ourselves, and I'm sure many who live out in the sticks do. However, the city people have to do it the right way, and not take matters into their own hands lest there be a fine.  So, to "remove" your armadillo in your life, you call God in to fix the problem. We can't just eliminate people who are mean, although it does pass through our minds---I know it has mine MANY times. But that would throw us into the same category as the enemy, wouldn't it? God wouldn't get the glory.
Let's trust God and set the example for those watching us just like David did for us. God thought it important enough that He not only included David's story in the Bible, but he gave us the Psalm that shows David looked to HIM for deliverance.
Have a great day in the Lord!

The Urubu

Urubu in Brazil

Similar to our American Black Vulture

There is an old saying that originates from an Indian proverb, "Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins." Or if you live in South America, "Never judge a man until you have walked 2 moons in his moccasins."  Of course, this reminds us to be aware of a man's circumstances and to consider what he is going through before proposing our simple opinions and fixes. Some of us just offer our "unasked for" opinions anyway, and it gets us into trouble even when we HAVE walked those 2 moons. Like vultures who seize upon something wounded or dead with a purpose, we attack situations with our "cure". How different is God when we are in need....we receive his healing balm and calming words from His Word.

I've learned that I can never go wrong with offering someone Scripture when words fail me. The Word of God is often like restorative ointment to a hurting soul, supplying true peace and comfort, especially when I'm asking the Lord for the right words to say to someone who feels pure despondence. Psalm 147 provides the reader with promise by reminding us that God is in control of all things.

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

"He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."

"He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry."

"He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in his mercy."

While visiting my sister's town in northern Brazil for several summers, I witnessed a couple of funerals.  Their observances are a little more involved time-wise than our services but a lot more simple. It is a common practice in this particular town that the body is laid out on a table or in front of the wooden house for a few days before the actual ceremony. Once the day of the funeral arrives, the body is loaded onto a wagon or the back of a truck and the procession of people to walk behind the cart begins. I was very thankful that my sister encouraged me to attend because with each step I felt as though I was walking in the mourner's shoes. There is time to think of the death and what the person meant to the church, their family, and to the community. The process after the eulogy (and, in our case, a sermon by my brother-in-law) is always long and involved, for the digging of the grave and lowering of the body and pouring of cement over the wooden box is done in front of all attendees. This particular town's cemetary has an endless supply of under-nourished dogs who are always close by, often growling because they are irritated and hungry. It is unsettling but expected. Salt is poured around the burial plot to keep the flies away since the body has somewhat decayed already. And, of course, the udubu are ever lurking in the trees above and in the street curbs, looking for the yuck to devour. You can see how devastating and dark death is to these simple people unless they have the hope of Heaven. Thank the Lord for Mark and Sheri's influence in the town; they brought the light of salvation and the hope of Heaven to many who were believing in shallow prayers to a statue that was taking them straight to hell.

I've learned that it is when I view someone's needs through the Lord's eyes and not my own that I am able to help them in the long run. Like a typical funeral in northern Brazil, many lives are lived out of tradition with no hope of eternity. People with heavy hearts need balm not an udubu. They don't need bandaids of shallow words that cover a wound for the moment, they need salve that heals from the inside out. The only way to truly know the words that our Lord might say is to get them straight from Him. We have to read the Word, ask Him for wisdom, and like Jesus did, walk in people's steps, living where they live, reaching them where they are. If Mark had ignored the call and never sold everything that he and Sheri had and not moved to another continent to share Christ, some of the people they reached might still be in spiritual darkness.

For all of us, we have our own circles of life and people for whom we are responsible to encourage and help without attacking and offering spurts of our own sentiments and assumptions. Give the truth, yes, but in love.

Eleanor Roosevelt said it best. "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." As Christians, may we all be the kinds of friends who leave a definite mark on people's lives for the good and for eternity because we walk in Christ.

When the pirahnas bite, remind yourself that you matter to God.

Small Pirahna, Brazil

One of my favorite memories in all of my trips to Brazil is fishing in the Rio Negro. Fishing is one of my favorite pasttimes, especially in the summer. However, for the people of Brazil, it is a MAJOR source of income, food, and survival. Brazilians don't casually fish; they fish with a purpose. There is a means to an end, and it is found on the end of a fishing pole.

Pirahna fishing was a new one for me, and I learned that one way to call them to the top of the water is to slap the water repeatedly. I guess we could have thrown a bucket of blood into the water to call them as well, but it would have been a nasty frenzy. :) They don't attack and eat every living thing that dips a toe into the water, but I wasn't ready to risk jumping in the river to find out if that whole theory was true or not either.

BUT, one thing I found true about every pirahna we caught: they had teeth. Didn't matter the size of the pirahna, there were always sharp teeth. My sister once told me that in her town women who gossipped or were after your husband were often called a slang word that meant pirahna. Basically, a human pirahna or a pirahna fish have the same thing in common: they rip, tear, cause pain, and leave scars.

Have you ever felt like you do not matter to anyone? Have you ever felt like you are insignificant and unimportant and your ideas are dumb? Have you ever had a co-worker cut you down to where you doubted your own abilities? Have you ever had your child speak to you disrespectfully and cause pain that you didn't know you were able to feel? Have you ever felt such despair over someone's words that you sat on the bottom of the shower floor and cried until you couldn't?  Have you ever had the love of your life speak demeaning words to you that cut right to the bone? Have you ever had someone make fun of your child because they didn't understand the whole situation?

Well, until you can say yes to one of these or something similar, you may not know the damage of what someone's words can do to the soul. When we experience the cut, the tear, the pain--we get to experience just a little of how Jesus must have felt on our Earth. The Bible tells us that he was despised and rejected, and I imagine that many times it was in the form of WORDS.

Friend, take a moment and read Psalm 64. The first 6 verses explain how the "pirahnas" devise ways to hurt with their bite. But the next 2 verses tell us that God shall shoot at them with an arrow and they will make their own tongues cut themselves. It ends with "the righteous shall be glad in the Lord..." Encourage yourself in the Lord, immerse yourself in the WORD of God, and surround yourself with positive people when you are verbally attacked.

I am currently reading EMBRACING THE WORLD by Mary Ray, wife of Dr. James Ray, former director of BIMI. She gave me a copy of her book at our recent Missions Conference, and I'm amazed to read of how God is using the "little, insignificant people" who used to not matter but now matter a great deal to a WHOLE lot of people. When we are talking about someone's eternal soul, suddenly the "little people" become really important to the lost person who is now rejoicing that he has a place in heaven!

David Livingstone, missionary to Africa in the 1800's once said, "I will place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ." Don't let the "temporaries" of this world shake your faith. You matter to Him. God has a purpose for your life. If you aren't in His will, then get in the Word and get in God's face and ask Him. If you are in His will and just going through the fire because of other people's evil words or demises, encourage yourself in the Lord, and don't see your value in what you possess. Look at the whole picture. If you are reaching people for Christ, if you are living your life to please the Lord, if you are an encourager in the things of right--you matter.

By the way, the pirahnas didn't stay around when we ran out of bait. Don't give the pirahnas in your life any bait, and they will get lost eventually. =)

Have a good day!

Changes

The American Bullfrog

These days my life consists of buying enough air fresheners to cover animal smells in the Science Lab. It seems to be always on my mind. Or keeping antibacterial liquid to clean little junior-high hands after Bertha, Charlie, Carmela and the tadpoles leave their marks. But I wouldn't trade it because those hands represent our future, my future, and I have a small time slot in this life to enjoy my BIG opportunity to be their teacher. I happen to be one of those weird people who absolutely love teaching junior highers.

It would be a perfect world if EVERYONE enjoyed their current job, but we all know that this isn't the case. Sometimes we are at a job until we "find our niche in life." Sometimes a job is used as a stepping stone to THE job. Sometimes we just do the best we can because we need gas in the car. These days, we can find a little of ALL of that in our churches, circles of friends, etc, BUT the key as a Christian is contentment.

Last night we had a LUAU for the ladies of our church, and I sat and chatted with a former teacher of our school who is semi-retired but still comes around now and again to substitute for us. I listened to her stories of people who filled my past, people who at some point were an influence on my life when I was a kid. This woman taught school all those years while rearing her own children, and made such a difference. How does someone teach 6th graders for SO LONG and not tire out? Contentment.

The American bullfrog is just plain gross. I really can't believe that the 8 tadpoles in my room will turn out to look like that ugly picture up top. I'm not sure how I will fake the kids out in my Science classes and hold the things, but I'll have to find the nerve. Even though they are yucky looking, though, we all are anticipating the "change" because the development has been really fun. We have watched those back legs form, then the knees, now the indentions for front legs. It's coming.  But I have enjoyed studying the frog for a little more than just his "change." He is a content creature.

Bullfrogs adapt well to whatever environment they find themselves in. Scientists believe that one reason this is true is because of where they came from, meaning: they swam with fish and other aquatic life in their first "round of life" and learned to work under new circumstances that they carry the same habits into their second "round of life." Oh, that we would do that as Christians.

One of my mentors used to tell her students and workers who helped her, "Never forget where you came from." That means, don't forget that you were poor once you get rich and have pocket money. Help others financially. Don't forget that you were unsaved and on your way to hell before Christ richly saved you. Live your life for Him in gratitude. Don't forget that you used to "need" when you are now filled. Reach out and be a need-filler.  Don't forget that you wanted whatever you NOW have so badly. Be satisfied. Adapt. Make it.

My parents have been married 46 years. I can truly say that it is because they have learned to be content. They just deal with life. I've learned so much from them. We all admire people who are "in it for the long haul." It's Scriptural, Jesus did it, and one day in Heaven we will see just how important it is for us to be satisfied NOW with what God threw in our paths as we are constantly pushing ourselves to do more for Him.

PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13

¹¹Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

 ¹²I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
 ¹³I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Smokey and Forgiveness

Smokey's stitches



Yesterday I picked up my cat from my vet, took one look at her incision, and knew what my next Bible lesson would be. Forgiveness.

About a week or so ago, Smokey came home with some marks on her, like animal bites. The next day she began chewing her fur around the marks, and I began to see the nicks and cuts more clearly. For a few days she kept the chewing up, and licked those places raw. At that point, I knew it was time for the vet. Sure enough, she had been attacked by an animal in the woods around my house, and would need all kinds of shots and medicine. The doctor called me within an hour of dropping Smokey off and suggested surgery. They went in and took out all the damaged, infected tissue from the 9 bites, and stitched her up. Within 36 hours, I had my Smokey back. She isn't happy with the e-collar, but I've found that PetSmart offers a soft version of one. She has to wear it for 2 weeks, so I might as well help her to enjoy it.

However, when you look at Smokey now, you don't notice her beautiful gray and white fur, her half-tail that usually gets a comment from visitors, or even how she smiles when she looks up at you. Not anymore. You see the stitches, the scar. Fortunately, the stitches will come out in a couple of weeks, the incision will heal, and the fur will grow back. But the scar will always be there.

In the Bible, David tells us in Psalm 103 that God loves us and is merciful to us if we fear Him. He remembers that we are just human and that we are going to make mistakes. Once we confess our faults, He forgives our sins and remembers them no more. Specifically we are told in 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

I often tell teenagers that God is a GOD of second chances. He does forgive, but we should be thankful to have a scar of our sin to remind us just exactly what He did for us. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing. To forgive someone relieves burdens and cleanses the soul. But to BE FORGIVEN is like new life. It is a new start with God, a person who has forgiven you, or a situation for which you finally forgive yourself. Stop dwelling on the mistake, but focus on the healing that has been done. The scar will eventually become faint. The pain is tough now; you may feel as though you just want to die. Sometimes the pain is caused from others who are careless and scar you. But trust God that He doesn't allow anything randomly. Everything we go through as a Christian has a purpose. Maybe it is to get your focus back on God. Maybe it is to know the pain of someone else so you have compassion. Maybe it is to grow you and humble you as far as patience with other people is concerned.

One time I had a heartache and Ms. Belinda stayed up all night with me. We sat outside on an Indiana winter evening for hours swinging and talking about trials that God sees us through. She told me that it would get easier, and that I would eventually get through it, but to never, ever forget what the pain felt like. Basically she meant, don't forget the scar of hurt. I have used that situation literally hundreds of times in these past 15 years.
I've never worried about forgetting. I've never forgotten.The owner of a scar NEVER forgets where the scar is.
Forgive, and move on. Allow yourself to be forgiven. Keep  your scars.

God bless.

My Smokey and Criticism

Smokey, napping on her bed



My cat, Smokey, has been in "cat trauma" in the last couple of weeks. I'm not sure what is going on with her, but she has about licked off half of the fur on her side. She is 11 years old and was earlier diagnosed with some kind of cat mental disorder. She is strange, but she is beautiful. In my rumblings on the internet searching for an answer to her behavior, I stumbled across some information that has helped me understand my Smokey more....and understand critical people.

Cats can become depressed. We all know that. When there is a change in their environment--or another pet is introduced into his environment--it can throw them into a depression. There are little pet daycares out there to help our animals in these situations.

Also, aromatherapy is recommended, especially if your cat has been sleeping too much. A vitamin B shot will benefit him as well. The idea is to diagnose his problem, and jump on it.

"Ahhh," I thought, "her condition needs to be diagnosed."

As Christians, we are going to have dilemmas and trials come our way. When we get into sin and it starts to show up in our lives, we MUST deal with it or it grows. Bro. Hyles used to tell us, "The church is like a hospital. Hearing the preaching from the Word of God by God's man gives the cure, but it is up to you to accept the medicine and use it."

Some medicine that I learned in 1989 from my 3rd favorite preacher in the world, Bro. Jack Schaap, has OFTEN helped me when criticized. It was given in church, we took it, applied it, and it worked. From time to time, I pull out this "medicine bottle" when criticized, and trust my God that He is in control.

"What To Do When You Are Criticized" by Jack Schaap

1,  Read Psalms and Proverbs daily.

2.  Read I Peter and II Peter each evening. (I don't know why the evening.)

3.  Memorize Romans 6 and Romans 8, and personalize them.

4.  Go to sleep quoting Scripture or reliving Bible stories.

5.  Read biographies of great Christians.

Christian, hang in there. God always wins.

My newest angel

Hebrews 13:1-2 states, "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have enterained angels unawares."

One of my favorite classes of the day is Bible with my 7th graders. I enjoy teaching them some new things as well as the well-known stories of the Bible. However, I go to my pastor often.....and the head Bible teacher too........when I have Bible questions. So, saying that, I understand that my angel stories may seem a little far-fetched for the average ear. However, I am as sure as I have ever been of my 4 experiences with humans who came into my presence for a short time who seemed to have never existed. They were just regular moments when I had a small window of opportunity to show kindness. My mom says that I've had 5 angel moments, but my memory of the experience other than the woman speaking several languages is vague. But I CAN tell of the four that I am 100% sure about.

In the 70's, I attended a Christian school about an hour away from where I lived. My mom taught and coached there, so we commuted the hour daily. We had to travel Paynes Prairie on I-75, and back then that was snake-inhabited. One day my mom had a flat tire just leaving Paynes Prairie heading towards Ocala. It was already late afternoon, and a man on a tractor was mowing the grass on the side of the interstate. He stopped, helped us with our dilemma, got back on the tractor and went on over the hill. He never said a word. We loaded back up, got back on the interstate, and got ready to wave at the tractor man. As you can probably guess, there was no tractor mowing. We believe that God protected us from harm that day.

In 84 or 85, our family was having Sunday dinner. Our doorbell rang, and my mom went to answer the door. Well, out here, the houses are so far apart, people don't walk from one house to the other---they drive. An old man with an accent was at the door and had an old bag or something like that. He asked for food. My dad wasn't too happy, but my mom made him a plate and told him that he would have to eat outside. He did. He sat under a tree, and ate the food. Of course we kept creeping up to the window to watch him because it was so bizarre. When he was finished, he brought the plate and glass up to our porch and began to walk backwards down our driveway to the road. Our driveway is lengthy, and he never stumbled. When he got to the road he turned around normal and started walking. And, as I'm sure you are wondering, we did go try to find him a few minutes later when we realized that we may have just have an opportunity to be kind to one of God's own. He was gone.

One of my favorite memories of working with Miss Hibbard at City Baptist was helping out with the Afternoon Program on Sundays. One Sunday in '97 we were in a dilemma. I forget if it was a banquet or what, but she sent me on a dead run to the Sav-a-Lot just down from the church to get whatever food we needed immediately. Back then there were only 2 registers in that store, and it was frustrating if you were in a long line. I was in a hurry, of course, and it was for Miss Hibbard---so I was even more anxious, so anxious that I became rude. This old woman in front of me made us wait because she didn't have enough money. Here I was in my suit tapping my shoe like I was some queen, angry on the inside at this person who had no money. I still remember how aggravated I was, and it was wrong. Finally, I just told her that I would give her the money she needed if she would just get out of the way. I paid for my stuff and she was standing outside and asked me for a ride. I told her no. She said, "Please." I was so mean and told her that she would have to sit in the back seat. She did. All the streets in that section of Hammond were one way (not sure if they still are), and so OF COURSE her house was inconvenient to get to. I caught her looking at me in the mirror and she spoke to me in some language that I didn't recognize. I didn't say anything. Then she spoke to me in Spanish. I said, "Lady, I only speak English." She told me that I looked spanish and thought that she would try me. She was so kind. I hate that I was mean. Then she told me that she spoke 5 languages. I still didn't say anything. So, by now, I was really late, so I just dropped her off at the end of the street so that I wouldn't have to drive around the block. She told me that her yellow house was only 4 or 5 houses down and that it wouldn't be a long walk. When I got back to City Baptist and dropped off the food, I began to feel really badly, and I went back. The street is only a stone's throw from the school anyway. The only yellow house on that street was boarded up. I knew that day that I had failed profusely when God had given me an opportunity to show kindness.

Today, as I pulled into CVS, I actually had to stop as an old black woman was crossing one side of the parking lot to the other. She almost looked lost, and she was leaning like she was looking to see if someone was in the 2 cars parked in the front. I parked, finished a text to my friend, and opened my car door. She was standing right by my car. Instead of being angry or scared, I actually felt tenderness for the old woman. She was in a long skirt and wore beautiful makeup. I'd put her at about 75 or 80. Her eyeshadow was exquisite, and her lipstick was orange like old-lady lipstick. But her eyes were twinkling and youthful. She actually had sparkling eyeliner which is very odd for an 80 year-old woman. She asked me for 2 specific items. I told her that I didn't have them but that I would buy them inside if she needed them. She only repeated her request and thanked me. She had an accent but I can't place the accent, I just know that she was very kind.

I remember passing a CVS worker outside the store as I went inside. I bought my 2 items and her 2 requested items and walked outside just a few minutes later to 4 cars but no black woman. I went to the sides of the store, and looked across the empty lot separating CVS and Dunkin Donuts thinking maybe she started walking down the hill to the houses on the next street. When I didn't see her, I walked back inside the store to see if she had come looking for me. Didn't see her inside, so I just chalked it up to the fact that maybe someone else had met her need. But something made me ask the CVS guy who was still outside if he had seen her. He said that he had never seen me talking to an old woman when I got out of my car which is impossible because he watched me walked in. I described her, and he said that he never saw that woman. I knew then. I just smiled and said, "Nevermind."

I don't think it was what I was buying her that makes me smile. I believe that I had an opportunity to show the love of Christ through something very small. Thankfully, I had the money to grant her request, and, praise the Lord, I was kind.

But you know, we have daily opportunities to be kind to people in our own homes, our classrooms, our churches, our offices, etc. It's a huge lesson for me. Mrs. Cowling used to tell us in college, "Why do we wait for company to come to bring out our China?" Our families and friends ought to be worth it to give them our "China days" every now and then--just BECAUSE.

When life gets too noisy, think of the Albatross

The Albatross

In college I had a lady professor for English, but she taught us way outside of the classroom. She rode the buses with us in our ministry, prepared us to go soulwinning, worked alongside us in the  youth department showing us how to reach the toughest of Chicago teenagers, and taught me to love to sing even though I'm not good at it. She didn't just tell us how to do things, she showed us. I will never be the teacher Mrs. Belinda was to me and still IS to others at Hyles-Anderson, but she has given hundreds of us an example to follow.

                                  Mrs. Belinda and Bob on their wedding day.

The albatross has the largest wingspan (up to 11 ft) of any bird in the world, and the Andean Condor (a predator) is not far behind him. They mostly live out on the waters of the vast ocean, taking breaks on small islands when necessary. Researching them, I found that many of them are also equatorial as well as traveling as north as Alaska on the West coast and Maine on the East. Their wings are so large, they can soar and glide for hours  on ocean winds without flapping or stopping to take a rest.

This reminds me of my God. He never gets tired; never needs a rest from me or the troubles of this world; never needs to turn around and start over. He has all things under control. Mrs. Belinda gave us many lessons that have stayed with me, namely to always be listening to God's still small voice. I'm stuck right now on Psalm 91. What an amazing chapter.

Psalm 91 teaches us to trust in our God so fully that we are completely covered by His feathers and hidden under His wings. What a safe place to be. The only way to acquire this kind of closeness is to do what verse 1 promises: dwell with Him in the secret place. We can only achieve this when we do what Mrs. Belinda used to teach us, and that is to turn down the noise, tune out the world, and listen to God's still small voice. It is so worth it.

One more thing. The albatross lives a long life. He chooses one mate and shares the responsibility of their one egg, and makes his nest where he was hatched! That's amazing that of all the miles an albatross travels, he finds his way back to his roots to begin his new life.

 I'm so glad that I'm important enough to God that He doesn't turn His back on me. He carries me through the tough times, and protects me when the enemy attacks. Like verse 15 says, he hears me when I call upon Him. It's a promise.

Missionaries,Tadpoles,and Axolotls

The Mexican Axolotl

Looks like a fish/lizard, doesn't it? It is neither.....this cute, little pink thing is an amphibian. He can't really be called a true salamander because he resides in water most of the time. The Mexican Axolotl (ox-so-low-tal) is an overgrown amphibian larva that rarely, if never develops enough to live only on land. He is only found in a handful of small lakes in the Axolotl region. I understand (now) how several lakes can be connected to ONE since my travels to San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala. All the towns in this region surround one lake, Lake Atlitlan, but several waters are connected to her via canals and hold the same water life.

The axolotl can also regenerate body parts--TOO cool--and keeps PINK gills that are almost like feathers. Ahh, my kind of amphibian. Scientists come from all over to study this one amazing feat.

The Mills family in my church just dropped off 9 huge tadpoles to my science lab from their nearby pond. A couple of the tadpoles already have small feet, so (hopefully) we won't have to wait as long this time to see bullfrogs develop. Kids love to see things grow and "morph" into new life---caterpillars are always a big hit at our school in the Elementary and Junior high.

But as I researched this Mexican Axolotl with my tadpoles in mind, I realized that there is always an exception in Science. GOD. God created this salamander to just be different and regenerate himself yet only live in one part of the world. To be studied for the amazing little things that he possesses, things that separate him from other salamanders and allow him to NOT be called a lizard, reptile, frog or fish. He is his own kind.

To me, that is a missionary. Missionaries are of their own kind. No, they aren't weird, although they might eat strange foods or learn to dress in different cultures. They might learn new languages and live in unique places, but they aren't weird--they are special. Like the scientists study the axolotls, we read with vengeance the stories of the old missionaries who broke the way for the gospel to enter various parts of the world, amazed at their tenacity. They are special.

We just ended our Missions Conference at our church which is a very BIG deal at Central Baptist, Ocala. We featured Dr. James Ray, former general director of BIMI, and he warmed our hearts every night last week with stories of all of the places he has visited and still plans to visit in the world. I'm in the middle of reading his wife's book, Embracing the World, which gives details about BIMI and all of the people the missionaries are reaching with the gospel. However, a highlight of missions conference is when we get to meet the latest crew of missionaries on deputation as well as some who fly just to be with us for the week. I always have a big hole in my heart the week after they leave, and this week is no different.

This morning, though, I realized that we had greatness in our presence last week, yes, but that I shouldn't be sad and miss them. God has led them on to another place to share their work as they slowly work up their percentage goal before they can get to their country of choice. We had them in our little world for a short time, and hopefully we didn't let the moment pass by to give them our love and support and cash to get them on to the next step.

Missionaries are unique, like the axolotls. The axolotls don't breathe in the same way as other salamanders, nor do our missionaries "make their living" in the same way. They depend on us to give them needs. The axolotls reside in one region, happy to stay right there and feed on what the lake provides. Missionaries choose their land to love, and are happy to serve without a whole lot of "hooplah" and praise.

So let me tie this together.

Our head Bible teacher at OCA gave us a verse in teacher's devotions a few weeks ago: Ruth 2:12. Ruth had already impressed Boaz at this point with her diligence and loyalty to Naomi. He was now giving her permission to go behind his workers and gather what she could to take home. Ruth was pretty amazed at this man showing such kindness, perhaps because she had faced a lot of unkindness and disappointment like we all do. She asked Boaz why was he being so generous and sweet to her. He answered that he had noticed her hard work, her loyalty, her strength to leave her home to help Naomi when she had lost her OWN husband. Then he says these amazing words in verse 12: "The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

For the missionaries, God is going to bless them because HE has noticed their hard work and dedication if done in His will. So many of my missionary friends are struggling with LOTS of issues, and I don't say that lightly. To them, I say keep going. God is proud of you, He promises to take care of you, and we notice. You are the special ones doing what the rest of us can't. I admire you greatly.

For me, this verse will help me to cope with my sister and her family leaving in just 97 days. They still need support, but they stepped out on faith and secured the dates, trusting in God to supply the last 8% needed in these few days before heading to Brazil. No, we don't want them to leave. Yes, we do count it a privilege to be a part of helping the "special breeds" get to their land to which they have been called with ONE purpose in mind---to spread the gospel of Christ.

Maybe today you are feeling a little "not very special". Maybe you feel like God doesn't seem to care about your situation. Maybe people have been unkind and have hurt you too deeply for you to deal with. Just remember that God does notice. There is a blessing for those who work hard and do right with the right motives and with God's will in mind.

Hang in there. You have your own pink gills that someone else is watching.

Baleen and Gossiping

Baleen plates in Baleen whales

The 7th graders and I discussed two groups of whales one day this week, most specifically baleen whales. We also had a big 'ole talk about gossiping, and I'm very proud of a few of them who are sincerely trying to make a change in their spreading of rumors. I hope that the few things we learned and how they apply to God's Word will encourage you.

Baleen whales have a unique feature: baleen. Baleen is sometimes referred to as whalebone, but it looks like combs covering the mouth. The purpose is to siphon food from the water the whales inhale. Whales eat pretty much anything that swims in their way since they are so overwhelmingly huge. (They are already 3 tons when they are born, and will grow to 25 tons the following year!)

I don't know about you, but I'm constantly having to "filter" out the bad and consider what needs to be kept as good in my line of work as a teacher. Daily, several times a day, I beg God to seal my mouth when I need to just shut up and listen. However, that depends a LOT on what I decide to "keep" when listening. It's all relative.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:7, "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge." We are supposed to walk with God enough to have discernment when we hear someone who is not wise, and then to get out of their fellowship. But if we aren't in His Word, we won't have that discernment.

Have you ever been around someone who is constantly negative? Or maybe someone who always has unkind things to say about EVERYTHING? It can be so exhausting, can't it! Get away from them. Do the opposite--surround yourself with people who are positive and who uplift your soul instead of weighing you down. It is my job to protect what may come out of my mouth later by protecting NOW what I'm hearing. The only way to do that SUCCESSFULLY is to be immersed in God's Word.

Proverbs 16:28 says, "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends." Gossiping and a critical spirit can damage the immediate for the hearer but also incur severe loss of a happy soul down the road, including friendships.
Ask yourself: "Do I avoid those who are critical?" I know that I want my friends to have a comrad who will keep their secrets, fill their ears with positive, encouraging words, and give them food to keep--not junk that has to be filtered.

In the last day I have had 3 friends receive very difficult news in 3 different circumstances. In each case, they are people who use the baleen in the Christian life and  choose to surround themselves with positive people, and I think that it has made all the difference in how they have handled their life-altering revelations. I really do. I'm amazed at their testimonies of endurance, and I have utmost admiration for their lives that give God all the glory no matter what. It doesn't happen by accident. We have to guard our ears from hearing things that our spirit is telling us will encumber us.
Have a blessed day!