Category Archives: GENERAL INTEREST

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My Daily Time in the Word

Devotional Time in the Past

For many years I have had a devotional time. When I was working it was quite different from today. I would like to share with you what my times were like during the years I was teaching. Even those years I had some variety, but I was consistent and regarded the time I spent as critical to my teaching success and also to my role as a parent. When I went through my divorce it was a necessary part of my day. I couldn’t have made it very well without it.

I got up before the children and spent 30 minutes with the Lord. I usually read a Psalm and prayed. I prayed for the day, for myself, the children, and the troubles and pressures I was facing. Then I would make their breakfast and wake the kids up while I also got dressed and ready for the day. Sometimes I didn’t get my devotional in and those days did not go as well. The mornings were very busy for me. Although before my husband left the family, the days went better because he could help get the children to school.

I would have my meaningful devotions after I got home. I would read My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and then read a chapter or more from the bible. Then I would spend some time in prayer. My devotions became more meaningful as I grew more in my faith and also grew deeper as a Christian. The years of my divorce and also when my ex sought my daughter in court were the years when my time with the Lord was especially dear and meaningful. I really don’t believe I could have made it without Him. I was a mess and yet I had to keep moving forward for the kids. It was pretty rough and tough. At work I kept it to myself because I knew my emotions would fall apart should I mention it.

So, basically, my devotions were not that much different than yours. I read a devotional, I read the bible and I prayed. In my walk with God there were some changes. The older I got, the more changes I experienced. The more difficult my life became, the closer I grew to God. It was a natural thing. I grew as God took me along with Him. During the difficult days when the divorce came, I leaned heavy on my times with God. He gets the credit for bringing me along. I couldn’t have done it without him.

Devotional Time in the Present

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that my devotionals are different now and that I had not been able to have good devotionals for a few months. Thankfully, that has changed now!!! But my devotions are different. God is taking me in a different direction now. I don’t quite understand why, but I am fine with how they are going. Let me try to explain…I am reading many books consistently, and reading five chapters and one Psalm in the bible. I am absorbing, which means, I am thinking more quietly over what God shows me.

I have the time, in fact, much time to ponder what I am reading. It is like an adventure in reading, thinking, contemplating and gaining what God has for me. I’m going slow but since I am going quickly through the New Testament, I see the story as it occurs…more and more lively than it used to be. The reading in the bible is becoming more accessible as I take on the different books. I’m reading and pondering, considering and thinking while the stories come alive in glorious ways.

Besides the bible portions I am also reading seven books, a chapter per day, to quicken my mind. Why am I reading so many books at the same time? It challenges me. It causes me to pause and consider what each author is saying. It makes me uncomfortable at times. It helps me. Except for one book, the other ones are familiar but very good, regardless. I want God to teach me, and that is what He is doing.

My Devotional Time Speaks Now

I want to learn from God more than anything else. God teaches us when we are willing to learn. Sometimes He waits for us to be ready. I miss my former book dinner ladies (we met for 20 years!) for we took the time to read and discuss the books we read. I miss the come and go of discussion. God is teaching me in a new and casual way. We have to be willing and able to do what He wants us to do.

And maybe God wants us to go in a different direction>>> come along now >>> try this ??? and we try something new to us that is rich in a spectacular way. Yes, what I am doing now takes a bit of time, but I have lots of time now.

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Charlie Kirk, Life and Death

We’ve had a few days to absorb, re-adjust, think, and grieve these past few days but that doesn’t make it any easier. Your mind goes a lot of different directions as you try to make sense of a senseless tragedy. I feel for his family; wife, children, mother, father and others. You can’t make it make sense. You really and truly can’t. There are so few who are willing to address the crowd like he did. Unafraid. Resolute. Thankful. Joyful. The real deal. Yes, that is what he was.

We choose life. He chose life. His wife chooses life. Why?

Life matters. Your life matters. My life matters. We all matter to God. We means everyone. Every single one matters. Everyone is important to God. Charlie Kirk understood that. His wife understood that. He showed that their life meant something important to God. For you see that without God we are missing the most important of all things: that Jesus Christ died for ALL of us. But He didn’t stay dead: no, no. He rose: He came to life for all of us. He is alive in Heaven for us.

We can believe in Him. He invites us come.

You see, we are given a choice. We can be His children, as Charlie was. We can believe. We can accept Him. Christ died for your sins. Why? So we can be His children. So He can redeem our lives. Our lives become holy, ordained, precious, Godly, grace-filled, beautiful, lovely, forgiven (!), grace-endued, faith filled, peace-filled and spiritual. Why? We believe: we accept: we change: we seek that which is good: we grab that which is good: we are thankful: we hope: we praise: we love: we keep the faith. Yes, we (those who are like the Lord that they follow) are His.

This is real stuff; very, very real.

If you haven’t invited Jesus into your life, now is a great time to do so. He makes all the difference in the way you will live. His life in you is Christ’s life in you. Your values change. Your goals will change. What you want in life will change. God makes a difference. How much it will cost you depends of your willingness and your circumstances. God looks down from heaven and gives you strength. He will help you. He will keep you. He is able to do above what we ask or think. God IS ABLE.

In Remembrance:

  • Thank you for Charlie Kirk.
  • Thank you for his family and for being with them.
  • Thank you that your word (the Bible) has power.
  • Thank you for the gift of salvation.
  • Thank you for the many new converts.
  • Thank you for the many supporters everywhere.
  • Thank you for the goodness, grace, and help with all things.