A Stra-a-a-nge Way

For the past several months I have taken on a ministry of providing a Sabbath meal every week for an elderly couple who are no longer able to attend church or do many of their other normal activities. She is 87 years old.

So every Sabbath morning I cook their meal and deliver it before going to church. I am humbled at the lady’s child-like faith! She tells people “Cynthia is going to bring my food”!! It appears that I cannot desist from doing this!!

But delivering the meal takes me away from my usual route to get to church – and I have to be early since the Sabbath School falls under my portfolio. This new route is dreaded because of its normal traffic congestion. But the amazing thing is that in the months I have been doing this ministry and taking this route, the roads have always had veery little traffic, and I have NEVER BEEN LATE for Sabbath School..... 

Str-a-a-a-nge mysterious ways of the Lord…..

SS Thoughts #3: Banished Words

Early this year the Internet published a list of 12 words that have been banished for 2015. This included “foodie” (an expert on food/food addict/glutton); "bae" (as in "I love you bae"); “skill set” (particular talents or abilities - why not use skills by itself?); and any word that has -nation added to it, e.g. Packer-nation and Brewer-nation.  To continue using these words is unfashionable.

The article led me to consider some words that as Christians, we should banish permanently from our vocabulary. Here are a few:

·      Weak – “We are strong in the Lord and His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10)

·      Afraid – “Surely He is with us always, even to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20)

·      Worried – “You cannot add even a single hour to your life by worrying” (Matt. 6:27)

The challenge last week was for SS members to compile their own list of 10-12 words, with a Bible reference to support each one. An incentive was offered for the first youth and adult to hand in their list on the following Sabbath (today).

Hmmmm…… Disappointing response….. Only ONE list was proffered, and without ANY supporting Bible references. Made me wonder how well we are anchoring ourselves in God and His Word in these faith-challenging times......

SS Thoughts: Follow up to "What's In Your Hand?"

A pastor friend observed that It is good to be willing to use our talents for God. However we are sinful and we fail. A higher level is when we resolve to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and place our lives completely in His hands. Thus we are standing in Christ with our talents in our hands.

SS Thoughts: What's In Your Hand?

(A serious question - my challenge to the Sabbath School today 01/03/2015 - illustrated with relevant props)

In my hand a basketball is worth about $25            

           In Lebron James’ hand it is probably worth $25,000,000

In my hand a football is maybe worth $50                 

            In the hands of Peyton Manning it could be worth $50,000,000

In my hand a stick is just a stick                                           

            In Moses’ hand it could part the Red Sea and lead the Israelites out of bondage and toward the Promised Land.

In my hands a slingshot is a toy                          

            In David’s hands it could kill Goliath and thereby defeat a whole army of Philistines

In my hands a hammer and nails could hang a picture                    

            In Jesus’ hands they could give eternal life.

                       

What’s in your hand? God has given you gifts. Won’t you use them for Him? Do not let Him have to raise up stones to do what He has asked us to do.

Some Thoughts:

School:
Finally finished with my graduate course in Online Instructional Design. Thank God.
Grateful for the wonderful, Christian, caring facilitators I have had at HFU.
Still completely fascinated with the online learning environment (LE) and its possibilities.
Hoping to be able to work in this LE, where I can use the skills/knowledge I've acquired.

Church:
Accepted another 2-year stint as Head Sabbath School Superintendent. Mercy!!

Work:
Not excited about the Face-To-Face LE anymore.
Wanting to work elsewhere, but accepting the possibilities of incorporating online instructional methodologies and technologies into the FTF classroom.

Reflections-2012

School 1 – FTF

·       Less interested than previously!! Ready to leave – though there are still a few nice students I’ll miss

·       A little concerned for the students I’ll leave, but then again life moves on.

School 2 – Online

ü  Rigorous – so much reading; demanding only my best - but still basically loving it!!

ü  Great facilitators; interesting courses; a really fascinating direction for learning; global friends

§  Not so good – feelings of isolation; intermittent interactions with classmates; self-doubts; not being sure of the direction I’m headed

Church

§  I work so hard in church! What an oxymoron – isn’t the Sabbath meant to be a day of rest? What a laugh!!!

§  Amazing though.  Despite some opposition from a few diehards, the Sabbath School seems to be headed in a good new direction!!! My colleagues seem to be excited to be working on my team!! The teachers have a-l-l-l consented to continue teaching!!! New persons have agreed to teach!! And no one has complained (yet) about being shifted around a little bit here and there!!!

§  Thank you God!!!

Personal

Ø  A little older. 

Ø  A lot wiser, stronger and fearless maybe?  Thank you HFU!!

Ø  Some personal hurts.  (But we live in an imperfect world – we all have hurts)

Ø  Some good things to pray for and look forward to this year

Ø  It’s all life, and I’ll live it the best I can.

Apologies

Oops!!!  Looks like I'm not honoring my promise.   Sorrrry..... I've been e-x-t-r-m-e-l-y busy. Will write soon.