#blessingsinthestorm

Together as a community we have been on what seems to be on a long journey with no end in sight. So many are working long hours and risking their lives to keep us educated, safe, fed, and healthy while others are unable to work and struggling to stay afloat. I encourage the weary to give your burdens to God. In Matt 11:28 – 30 we read; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.

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#courage #waterwalkinggirls

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Just 3 weeks ago our high school baseball season was kicked off by hosting the IP Classic and my daughter was practicing for her ballet recital. I was gearing up to begin the busiest few months of our family’s lives. Looking at my full calendar was overwhelming. I had begun getting into the mindset needed to meet our schedule by planning meals a week ahead and making all the plans necessary to be sure everyone was where they needed to be at the right times. At work I was looking ahead at the coming weeks and all the standards I would need to be sure to teach. Just 3 weeks ago. My how things have changed in just 3 weeks.

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#genuinedevotion 
Maybe this time of Social Distancing is a time to find genuine devotion. In the 58th chapter of Isaiah, the New English Translation it is titled, “The Lord Desires Genuine Devotion”. He really doesn’t ask much in return for Jesus’s death on the cross for our sins. Fasting for lent is an opportunity to give God our genuine devotion.

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#renew #waterwalkinggirls

“Elijah challenged the people: ‘How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!’” 1 Kings 18:21 MSG

Today I challenge you to remember your conversion experience. Recall the moment you first accepted Christ into your heart. Then remember how excited and on fire you were in the days to follow. For those of us that grew up in the church and have a more gradual experience, remember when you first fell in love and the excitement you felt. You probably wanted to spend every waking hour with your new love and your enthusiasm drove your actions. I want you to ponder those feelings for a few minutes and really recollect all the emotions you felt.

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#Inadequatetoabundant
Daily I practice journaling my 5 gratitude’s and my 10 dreams. Since October 2019, one of my journaled dreams was to become a 240 position at GCSD. I couldn’t fathom how quickly God was working behind the scenes, making a way for me. Isa 43:19 NIV “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”.

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#lent2020 #waterwalkinggirls
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
For the last two weeks Julie and I have offered our thoughts and feelings about Lent. Last Friday Julie shared that she has been led to give up coffee which is an item that she loves. I too felt this year I needed to give up something that was big so that I could really sacrifice and be intentional about this time of Lent. I had prayed and had tossed around some possibilities but hadn’t for sure settled on my item until Tuesday morning when I was writing and came across the thoughts about Lent from catholicspirit.com: “When we come forward to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday we are saying that we are sorry for our sins, and that we want to use the season of Lent to correct our faults, purify our hearts, control our desires, and grow in holiness so we will be prepared to celebrate Easter with great joy.”

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#aseasontohydrate

Lent, a time of fasting, a time of self-denial, a time of renewal, a time for your soul to become hydrated, a time to draw closer to God.

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