HAVE YOU EVER…made a new year’s resolution?

I know you have.  I didn’t do any research, but I’m guessing that 98% of people in the United States have at one time or another made the resolution to exercise more or lose weight.  You have, right?  You say to yourself, “I’m going to be healthier this year.”

My Mom is addicted to Dr. Oz.  Many of the people in my family; including myself, are hypochondriacs.  I wish I had time to watch shows like Dr. Oz.  Then I wish I had the money to try all of his healthy ideas.  I’m not bashing Dr. Oz.  I think he is cute and doing a great job.  I’m just not a follower.

I am a follower of Christ.  You can’t always tell.  I’m working on it.  I want to be a more positive person – on fire for God!  Don’t you think that will make me healthier?

1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do it with gentleness and respect.”

I am honestly scared to say it.  Even so, my new year’s resolution is this verse.  I want people to see something in me and ask about it.  I want to be prepared to share God’s amazing love with them.  And I promise to pray about the gentleness and respect part too.

You may not think so, but this is big!  God is bigger!  I know he will have plans for me this year.

HAVE YOU EVER…made a new year’s resolution?

Psalm 40:5, Colossians 4:5-6

HAVE YOU EVER...sung "This Little Light of Mine"?

You know the phrase.  That’s an oldie but a goodie.  I hear it from my fellow teachers when I sing “old” Bible songs with my preschoolers like “This Little Light of Mine”.  Kids don’t know these songs anymore.  In the same way, my favorite book is the hymnal.  I see the value in those “old” songs with words that sometimes don’t make much sense.  I know that many of the composers used God’s word to motivate them or even use them as the lyrics of these songs. 

Did you know that even King Herod of Matthew 2 believed in the Bible?  He trusted that the “old” scrolls were true.  His chief priests and teachers of the law had a job for a reason.  When the magi showed up looking all fancy and threatening, he went straight to the Old Testament.

One of the ways I teach my kids the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament is that the stories of Jesus are in the New Testament.  The Old Testament is still very relevant.  The Old Testament told us Jesus was coming.  He would be the Prince of Peace.  He would be born in Bethlehem. 

I think we need to slow down and stop flying through all aspects of our life.  Everything is changing and updating.  This doesn’t mean that the “old” stuff is not worthwhile.  I know you can see the importance of the Old Testament.  What else have you placed aside because it is “old”?

HAVE YOU EVER…studied the Old Testament?

Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2

HAVE YOU EVER...been a perfectionist?

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12

Paul wrote this.  I have always liked this verse.  It is a great charge in which to strive.  Paul was writing to Timothy.  Timothy’s spiritual growth and teaching abilities were being questioned.  He says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.”  Timothy was probably in his 30’s.  I’m in my 30’s but I don’t feel young.  These were different times.  Nowadays, if you are not a millionaire by 25 you are a complete failure.  Well, I’m not a millionaire, but I’m a parent.  I am blessed. 

Paul felt like a father figure to Timothy and he had faith in him.  The second part of Timothy 4:12 shows great character.  Paul wanted Timothy to be an example.  As a parent, you want your kid to be a good example.  That is a major responsibility for you and your child.

I’m a perfectionist and it has rubbed off onto my children.  If they can’t do it right, I want to do it for them.  They compete with each other in the same way.  By doing this, I have discovered a problem.  When it is crunch time, they have no problem solving skills.  I am enabling them.  Paul didn’t enable Timothy.  He let him go and do it on his own.  We know Timothy didn’t always get it right.  No one does. 

I have been trying to let my kids make as many decisions on their own as much as possible.  I have even let them really fall a few times.  I know letting someone fall sounds cruel.  I don’t mean you literally watch someone fall when you could have helped them.  I mean let them mess up or make a mistake.  They can learn something.  Anyway, God is in complete control – not us. 

HAVE YOU EVER…let someone fall?

Psalm 127:3, Ephesians 6:1-4

HAVE YOU EVER...needed something?

I have days where I just feel blah.  I'm not tired.  I'm not hungry or thirsty.  I'm not mad or sad.  I just need "something."  Days like this can be discouraging.  I feel like Satan uses them to attack ALL of my thoughts.

I can encourage you by saying that on days like this, I can open my Bible and God quickly comforts me.  Today, my Bible just fell open to Psalm 23.  I enjoy the thought of the LORD being my shepherd.  The best care taker ever.

As a mom and a preschool teacher, I picture the phrase "herding cattle" all of the time.  But here in Psalm 23, I picture the perfect meadow with shade trees and a stream.  This shepherd has complete control over his sheep.  They love him.  They appreciate him.  He is a shepherd king ruling righteously over my life.  I can dwell with him anytime I feel blah.

Have you ever felt blah?


Isaiah 49:10, Revelation 7:17

HAVE YOU EVER...not been able to sleep?

This happens to anyone who is a worrier.  I'm guilty of that, but I am talking about insomnia.  What happens to me is that I wake up 3 or 4 nights in a row at the exact same time.  Then I lie awake for a couple of hours staring at the ceiling.  I don't have anything on my mind except sleep, but it ain't happenin'!  

To be honest what I have discovered is that this happens when God wants to talk to me.  When I either didn't have a good week of Bible study or I've just been avoiding him all together.  You know what I'm talking about.  You are busy with life.  You go to bed crabby.  You're lacking in real prayer time.  

So...do I get up and do something about it?  Seldom.  It usually takes a few days of walking around like a zombie, getting nothing done for me to have my a-ha moment.  A SPEND SOME QUALITY TIME WITH GOD A-HA MOMENT!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  Psalm 1:2

Have you ever needed quality time with God?


Joshua 1:8, Romans 7:22

HAVE YOU EVER...written a blog?

I haven't.  I don't even read them much.  Strike that.  I don't want to start off by lying.  I am a teacher and I do have to write a short blog once a month for school.  That doesn't really count.  If you asked anyone that knew me, I am not techno savvy in any way.  Computers hate me.  Even so, I have felt like lately I have something to say...BUT I want to be kept accountable.  

God has been doing big things in my spiritual life lately.  Mainly because I have been really into his word.  Not just reading it; memorizing it.  I love it.  I want to be in a Bible drill.  I love God's word.  I want to get more comfortable really sharing it, but I have doubts.  

James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."  I know my mouth is always deceiving me.  I do not have a tight rein on my tongue.  It is shameful.  I want to work on this. 

 James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says."  DO WHAT IT SAYS!

Have you ever considered reining in your tongue?


Psalm 141:3, 1 Peter 3:10