Thoughts Along the Journey

I don't think any kid ever wrote a "what I want to be when I grow up" school report entitled, "I Want to Be a Brick". At least I hope not! Read this Scripture, though. "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2:5) We are all part of this "building" God is making. With Christ as the Head, we are all part. Right now, I'm praying about what my part in the local body of believers should be. Where do I fit in? What place does God want me to step into? Where can He best use the gifts He has given me? I can't just warm a pew. It's not part of the deal. If a brick or stone decides to jump out of place in the wall of a building, there can be some serious consequences! If I decide, as one of the "bricks" in this building called the Church, to just step aside and let everyone else fill the places of ministry, the...

You can check out my new blog, called Ramblings of a Freckled Mom . Something different , anyway. (Which describes me pretty well, now that I think about it!) :o)

If you're wondering about the title, refer to the earlier post "What's In a Name?" I hope I'm not alone in having one of those moments (hours, days, weeks...) when I feel like I've blown it. I mean, in every area of life-responsibility God has given me, I have just made a mess of things: as a mom, as a teacher, as a wife, as a woman...the list could go on, but why bother. My impatience, anger, words, actions--none of them have been in the "What Would Jesus Do" category! The "stuff" of life has really gotten me down today. So, I'm sorry this post is such a downer. You can pray for me. I know this "funk" won't last. It sure is a bummer while it continues, though. Maybe you can give me some sage bits of advice on how to go on from here.

I think the shootings in Virginia have made many in our country (and probably other countries) take a long, hard look at how precious life is. And how quickly it can end. None of those young people expected Monday to be their last day. It makes me ponder ways I can make my life count every day and every moment--a life of no regrets. After I finished my post yesterday, I blog hopped a little. I found the blog of a new mom in England, who is struggling to know how to raise her new little son in the right ways (schedule or no schedule, snack or no snack, etc.). It was refreshing to read about a new little life. One full of all the possibilities of the years ahead. Then today, the front page of our paper had two great stories. One dealt with a man being freed from jail, after serving 16 years for a crime he did not participate in. The other story was of the U. S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the ban on partial-birth abortion. Both spoke to me of life. The man who is now free ...

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15) If you read my blog on any semi-regular basis, you have probably noticed that I haven't said a single word about the shootings at Virginia Tech. It is not due to my lack of care or concern. It is simply because I'm still trying to process it all. How can our little hearts and minds wrap themselves around a tragedy so immense? It has affected me somewhat the same way 9/11 did: shock, grief, confusion, and a strong desire to pray, pray, and pray some more. The verse I quoted above is actually in the context of the Christian community, and how we should relate to one another. I don't feel I'm doing the verse any injustice, though, by using it to refer to this situation, as well as any other time we need to minister to those who are hurting. How will the world know we are His disciples, unless we walk in His love and show it to those who need it most? It is not the time for us to stan...

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write:...'I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead.' " (Revelation 3:1a, 2) The church in Sardis had the right name. Everyone thought they were full of life. But, through the Spirit, John wrote to them the truth of how God saw them: dead. Ouch. There is a man mentioned in Acts that had a name, too. (I know that sounds funny, but read on.) "Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet." (Acts 4:36-37) You have to admit that Joseph is a great name. It means "He adds". The first reference to this name is seen in Genesis. (30:24) Rachel's firstborn son. And, of course, it was the name of our Lord's earthly father. That name carries some honor, I would say. The apostles saw something more ...

My two kiddos have created their own blogs. They are really "into" it! They make sure they post something every day. They respond to comments. The truly beautiful thing about it? They're honing their writing skills and having fun. Imagine that: education that's fun! They have inspired me to be more diligent with my own blog, while at the same time limiting my time to do that! Oh, well. They're enjoying it.