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Saturday, October 30, 2010

A Story For You II

Names have been changed to protect the innocent for this is a true story.

Vern gleefully rubbed his little hands together. The room was empty, and from looks of it, it had been for the last two nights. He could tell that it was a bedroom, medium in size, and his keen nose told him that there was something of value to him. His search of the floor got him nothing, so he climbed up the dresser in hopes of finding something to allay the growls coming from his stomach. A nut! In his haste to get to it, Vern knocked over several things and a book of sorts left a bump on his head before it hit the ground.

There was a mesh bag around the nut, but that didn't stop Vern. He just used his teeth to gnaw an opening. At last, the treasure was his. It looked a little different...gold in color and smelled quite foreign. Ah well, those were the best kinds of nuts in his thinking. He could not have known that Spice had given the nut to Fluffy--the owner of the room--as a birthday present just six months before. Finding his hands quite full with the rather large nut, Vern crept of to his secret passageway to eat in peace.

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With such good luck from the night before, Vern found himself once more in The Room. Tonight he would venture further than just along the wall, he felt free and powerful today--Lady Luck was surely smiling on him when he found this warm, comfortable room. Especially when his brothers were freezing in the outdoors, trying to scrounge for food, while watching out for Tootsie, the cat. Vern hadn't yet told them of his find; he wanted to enjoy it for a couple more days.

Vern crossed the room over to the bed. Feeling tired and cold, Vern decided to take a nap in the bed before looking for more food. Vern's eyes popped open; what had woken him up? There it was again. Someone was coming in the door! He held his breath and burrowed deeper in the covers with only his eyes peeking through. A Human came through the door--he was done for! His body began shaking as the Human rushed about in the room. She seemed in a great hurry, grabbing things before sailing out the door once more. He strained his ears and heard the pounding of feet on stairs and doors closing. The silence was unnerving. That was a close call! The incident pushed Vern out of bed and scurrying towards the trash can. He would get his meal and than leave the room! No telling when the Human would be back today! It was better for him to come at night than risk things during the day no matter how quiet The Room was.

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A Story For You I

Prologue

It was all clear. I heard no signs of movement; all was silent. I crept as softly as I could towards the door. Sniffing the air, I was delighted to learn that I would eat well tonight. The past couple nights had been terrible for scrounging. It was very dark, but I was accustomed to working with very little light.

There, up ahead I could see the outline of my prize. Holding my breath, I reached out to get a foothold when I was blinded by light. Pandemonium broke loose as I heard screams and yelling; I scurried to get away. In my blinded haste I ran forward instead of back to my hiding spot. A broom came crashing down so close to me--I had to get away! I wanted to let them know that I was just hungry--needed something to eat and then I would be on my way. Oh, my tail! My eyes now focusing, I scurried back to my hiding spot under the pipes.

That was close--too close. I would have to find a different place to get my supper. I could have died out there. I packed my meager belongings and said farewell to the rest of the colony I was a part of. I was striking out on my own.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Giving Thanks III

When your heart is heavy and you have the blues, a sure way to change how you feel is to count your blessings and thank God for what He has done. In this you can be sure of God's love for you.

Count Your Blessings

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done;
Count your many blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Giving Thanks II

Today I'm thankful for,

*21* My good health--as I hear all the coughs and sniffles in my classroom and the rest of the school...

*22* Last night's sermon on faith

*23* My new running shoes that I got for a really good price =)

*24* Impromptu Hugs and "I love you" from my students

*25* I got to talk to my mom on Friday

*26* I got my voice back!

*27* My friend, KB, got a job

*28* God's mercies are new every morning

*29*  Tape players!

*30* That  I live in a small town

*31* It's Monday! A brand new start to a brand new week.

*32* We got our school yearbooks today....for last year :) What fun memories!

*33* Peach yogurt...mmmm....

*34* The warm sun on my back as I write lesson plans and grade papers

*35* I was able to skype Dave and Theresa--first time talking/seeing them since their wedding in May.

*36* Pumpkin Spice candle

*37* Different colored chalk to brighten up my chalkboard :)

*38* Crunch of leaves under my feet

*39* The sky lit up with a million twinkling stars

*40* God's goodness to me each day

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Prices

In my devotions this week, I read Matthew 26 and verses 14-16 caught my eye. I have been contemplating them, and I still cannot get my brain wrapped around them.

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Do you know what the price of slaves were in Bible times? 30 pieces of silver. JESUS was sold for the price of a SLAVE. Although God in the flesh, the high priests and Judas probably haggled over His worth. They deemed His life to be no more worthy than that of a slave. He who owns the cattle on a thousand hills; He who left all of Heaven's glory; He who is MORE worthy than words can describe: was sold for 30 pieces of silver. Do you realize, truly realize, just how much Jesus loves you? Do you realize what He went through so that He could redeem your soul and mine? To be thought as a "nobody" when He was the greatest "Somebody"; To be stripped of dignity...He went through that and so much more; for me. For you.

 As I was reading, a song that two dear ladies would sing in my childhood church came to mind. Unfortunately, I remember only the chorus, and even then, I think I'm missing a couple lines. Still, the message is there.

Thirty pieces of silver, was the price they paid.
Thirty pieces of silver, just the price of a slave.
And I know just how much He loved me--
By the price He paid.

Here is a rendition I found online:

Tis a sad but true story


From the Bible it came

And it tells us how Judas

Sold the Savior in shame

He planned with the council

Of high priest that day

30 pieces of silver

Was the price they would pay



30 pieces of silver

30 shekels of shame

Was the price paid for Jesus

On the cross he was slain

Betrayed and forsaken

Unloved and unclaimed

In anger they pierced him

But he died not in VAIN

Twas on there on the hillside

The multitude came

And found our dear Savior

Then took him away

They bruised Him and mocked Him

Thorns were crowned around his head

And his garment of purple

Showed the blood stains of red



Far off in the mountains with his face towards the sun

Judas begged mercy for what he had done

He gave back the silver

For his heart filled with strife

Then there in the mountain he took his own life 

Monday, October 11, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Being that today was Thanksgiving--Canadian style-- and the American Thanksgiving is not till almost the end of November, I've dubbed Mondays as "Giving Thanks" days. Things I'm thankful for...big, life changing things like my salvation.....and little things like sun-kissed days during the fall season and I can swing out on the porch :). Some things will be accompanied with stories and some will just be lists. Perhaps too, I'll go back to it and post a completely new post on some things....ya never know....

Today, I'm thankful for:

*1* My Salvation
*2* God's Word
*3* My parents
*4* My crazy brothers and sisters
*5* Friends back in Canada
*6* Friends in the United States
*7* Salome and her family in Switzerland
*8* Bethel Baptist Church
*9* Fairhaven Baptist Church
*10* Fairhaven Baptist College
*11* My students
*12* My church, New Hope Baptist Church
*13* Music
*14* Books
*15* My teachers I had growing up
*16* Chocolate Chip Cookies
*17* Fall
*18* Warm bed to sleep in
*19* Teaching
*20* Every breath I take

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sunday Muses

Sunday School. What a great place to learn the truths of God's Word.

This morning, during our 2 & 3 year old Sunday School class, we started off as always with some rousing children's songs. One of the songs we sang was "O Be Careful", beginning with ours ears. As I was leading the children, I stopped within my self and listened to the words. Really listened.

O be careful little ears what you hear (wiggle, wiggle :)

What do I allow myself to listen to?

O be careful little ears what you hear (wiggle, wiggle)

Do I listen to what is good and pure?

For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love--

Am I mindful of my Heavenly Father watching over me and seeing everything I put my ears out for? Am I obstinate in areas where I do need to listen; do I have radar ears for that which is not necessary?

So be careful little ears what you hear (wiggle, wiggle)

What goes into my ears?

O be careful little eyes what you see (blink, blink)

My eyes, one of the gateways to the mind...

O be careful little eyes what you see (blink, blink)

What do I willfully allow them to see?

For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love--

Words and images--displeasing to my God-- that will forever be imprinted upon my mind?

So be careful little eyes what you see (blink, blink)

Oh Father! Guard my eyes!

O be careful little mouth what you say (shhh)

How do I use my tongue? Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!



O be careful little mouth what you say (shhh)

Do I praise God? Ps 71:24a My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long:

For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love--

Do I use my tongue in a wise or foolish way? Pr 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

So be careful little mouth what you say (shhh)

Which one portrays me?

Pr 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. 

OR

 Pr 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

O be careful little hands what you do (clap, clap)
O be careful little hands what you do (clap, clap)

Ps 18:20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Are my hands clean? Do I use my hands to minister or to tear?

For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love--

Ps. 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

Ps 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.

So be careful little hands what you do (clap, clap)

O be careful little feet where you go (tip-toe)

Ps 119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

O be careful little feet where you go (tip-toe)
 
Pr 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Are my feet ones  "that be swift in running to mischief"?
 
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love--

Do I run to bring good  news? Bad news?

So be careful little feet where you go (tip-toe)

Ps 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.


Are you careful with what goes into your mind through your eyes and ears? Do you guard your mouth and make sure what comes out is pleasing to the Lord? Your hands and feet....do they do your Heavenly Father's bidding?

So much truth, packed in a little song.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

We wish you a...

These past couple of days, I've had Christmas songs going through my head. I suppose it doesn't help that some of our church members have been picking them for "Favorites Night" or that my friend, Jimmy Dean, has singing turrets that involve the beloved songs of the Christmas season. And then, on Thursday, one of the things we did on our school field trip to the Pumpkin Patch was riding a wagon pulled by a tractor. Right, it has nothing to do with snow or thoughts of Christmas, but guess what song was being sung by us? Jingle Bells. I guess it just comes from not knowing any 'fall' songs...or we just can't wait for Christmas to come :) I normally wait until after Thanksgiving before breaking out all the Christmas CD's and music...but, Christmas should be celebrated year round, don't you think? Besides, two weeks isn't that early...but, I suppose I shall try to contain myself until after Monday, October 11...Thanksgiving Day--Canadian style ;)

I'll leave you with this song till then....


Believe it or not Jingle Bells, one of the most famous American Christmas songs, was originally written for Thanksgiving! The author and composer of Jingle Bells was a minister called James Pierpoint who composed the song in 1857 for children celebrating his Boston Sunday School Thanksgiving. The song was so popular that it was repeated at Christmas, and indeed Jingle Bells has been reprised ever since. The essence of a traditional Christmas is captured in the lyrics of Jingle Bells and the sound effects using the bells have become synonymous with the arrival of sleigh bells to the delight of children of all ages!



Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way--Hahaha!

Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh yeah!