Reloading and Beginning anew

The Lord makes ALL things new, all creation, and as the new school year begins, I feel as if the cycle is beginning again and the Lord has made everything better, in His time.   The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is His Faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh every morning.  I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in HIM!  The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.  So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.  And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of His discipline.   Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last.  Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies.    For NO ONE  is abandoned by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his Unfailing Love.  For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.  Lamentations 3:22 to 33 .   In a time of great despair and desolation, the prophet Jeremiah looked up and saw God's promise of deliverance-- His unending mercy and grace offered to even the worst of sinners.  The Lord is restorer and provider.  He is the potter, we are the vessels of clay, to be molded, to be tested, and refined by His burning fire.  Are we strong enough?  Or will we knuckle under the pressure? He gives us the power to succeed when all else fails. So will we surrender our wills to HIS and acknowledge that His ways are Higher?  What is mysterious and uncertain to us is clear and simple in His eyes.  And in every tragedy, there is a gem of truth; a lesson to be learned. 

I recently experienced the joys and travails of owning and driving my own vehicle.  With increased freedom comes increased responsibility.  Last week, I experienced in succession first a flat tire, then car repair issues (which lasted 3 days), then a car accident. (God must be telling me something! )  I was backing out of Raley's parking lot when another car suddenly backed into my car from the opposite parking side.  The damage to the car door was medial, but the insurance matters and headaches involved reminded me once again the dire consequences of human error.  Human error as in, the other car wasn't looking in back of them when they backed out and they turned their car directly into mine.  But I also feel as if God had hinted to me prior to my driving that day to take a friend with me, but I didn't understand and failed to heed the warning.  When I was backing out, I was alone- and the other car struck my passenger side door while I was checking for cars in back of me. The Lord is good in all things.  This matter is yet unresolved, but I pray for peace from God concerning this issue and may His will be done.  

About faith and forgiveness

The Lord closes doors and opens new ones.  He gives us gifts and talents, but it is up to us to utilize them.  The book of James says that Faith without action is dead.  "What good is it, dear brothers if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?  Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Goodbye, and have a good day; stay warm and eat well" - but you don't give that person any food or clothing, What good does that do?    So you see, faith by itself is not enough.  Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead, and useless.  Now some may argue, "some people have faith; others have good deeds. "  But I say, How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."  You say you have faith, for you believe there is one God.  Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and tremble.  How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good works is useless? (James, 2:14-20) 

    If we love the Lord, we must be ready for His call.  We need to be mentally and physically ready.  So that when He tells us to go, we can take action.  A good brother at church yesterday night provided a good analogy.  You can pray and believe that you can cross the street.  BUT you can pray all you want but you still won't cross the street until you STEP out in faith.  Faith requires action.  All the prayers in the world will not transport you across the street.  Without true belief enforced by action, it's just empty words.  But God can strengthen your determination to get there on your own two feet. Assuming you can walk.  That's what He gave them to you for! :)   In Luke 8:43-48 NLT, there was a woman who suffered from continuous bleeding  for twelve years.  She believed that if she could just touch Jesus' robe, she would be healed.  This woman had believed that Jesus could cure her, and her action of touching the robe was the demonstration of her faith-- with glorious results-- The Lord Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace."  Sooooo.  How to have faith?  One must be willing and trust in God to help him/her to do what they thought was impossible.  Then ACT.  And do it!  No sluggards need apply. As Yoda would say, "Do, or do not. There is no try."  To grow in faith requires hard work.  It requires risk.  It requires determination.   (If you fail, get up and keep doing it until you succeed. )  It takes a willingness (choosing) to place God's will over our own, take up our cross and follow after Christ.  Jesus says to follow him, leave everything behind (family, possessions, worldly cares and concerns) and gaze at Him.  HE will lead, if we let Him. 

Any relationship requires risk.  Between God and man, man is acting upon his faith that God's goodness and God's love will cleanse and forgive all his sins.  Between parents and children- parents have to be able to have faith in the child's ability to take care of themselves before they let them go.   Between man and woman, there are a several things.  For it to last, both people have to be determined and cooperate together.  Faith in God and faith in each other, with love and trust are the glues that hold a marriage together.  As faith involves action from both people, we must continue to do things for one another out of love and continue to build trust.  People fail.  They are not perfect. But that should never be held against them.  Love the sinner, hate the sin... Forgive others their faults and forgive yourself, confessing to the Lord. Then, you'll have a clear conscience and God's peace will be with you.

Finding Shelter in the Storm

The Lord is gracious in all things.  The strike ended, after two weeks off and work resumed as normal.  As of today,  I just survived my first IEP  (Individual Educational Plan) meeting that involved attorneys.  The IEP lasted the entire day pretty much-- 4 hours long!!!  The preparation work was an entire year in the making but it was really the last 3 weeks where I started to feel the heat of pressure! :(   I was sooooo nervous!   Praise the Lord.  In the midst of troubles and trials from all sides-   He truly is my hiding place- when I couldn't sleep, when I was freaking out over this whole thing, God was always there to turn to for comfort.  To Be Still and Know that HE is God.   There was a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that kept popping into my head called "Hiding Place"   And whenever I started to get a headache, or feel overwhelmed, that song would come to me and I would feel at peace.  It is the strangest thing.  Also, I thank those of you that have been praying for me.   I have not been myself due to the stress of this meeting, and I kind of cocooned myself away from contacts so I could focus on this thing.  But God led me through and I can finally rest a little. :)  Below are the lyrics to "Hiding Place" as best my memory recalls.   I especially liked the second stanza.

In the distance I can see the storm clouds coming my way,

And I need to find a shelter, before it starts to rain,

So I turn and run to youuu LORD, you're the only place to go,

Where unfailing love surrounds me, when I need it most

CHORUS: 

You're my Hiding Place,  Safe in your embrace, I'm protected--- from the storm that rages

When the waters rise,  then I run to hide---  Lord in you, I find -- My Hiding Place

I'm NOT asking you to take away my troubles LORD,

For it's through this stormy weather-- that I learn to trust you more

So I turn and run to youuuu  LORD, for I have come to know

Your unfailing love surrounds me, when I need it most

BRIDGE:  

LORD let the people seek you--- while you may be found

For YOU'RE our only refuge--- when the rain comes pouring down! (repeat chorus)

Drivers beware!

Attention all you drivers and pedestrians out there!  There is a new terror on the roads. That's right!  After 13 years of resisting and hiding behind my disability, I finally got my driver's license! (as of 5 hours ago and only by the grace of God.)  Mwahahahaha!  But don't worry!  I'll be sure to let you know when I'm on the road so that you guys can all steer clear! ;0)  

Strikes, IEPs, stress, stress, stress... thank god for vacation

Wow, a month has gone by... so quickly.    Hayward teachers are on strike 'cuz the district refuses to provide raises needed to keep up with escalating living, gas, and medical costs.  It's sad that it will take a strike for administrators to return to the table and renegotiate contracts.  We're unhappy over the fact that it has to be this way... the kids are the ones who are taking it the hardest.  I heard that some kindergarteners were crying over being apart from their teacher.   Pray that God will allow the administrators to come to their senses. Education is important and they need to help provide for the teachers who teach future generations.  

    In the meantime, I'm optimistically preparing for an IEP that is scheduled to happen next Wednesday after break.  I'm hoping that I will not need to reschedule.  I know that the Lord has a schedule for what will occur.