What's Your Excuse?

What's your excuse?



Moses had plenty of them. He claimed to be a nobody. The Lord convinced him that he was a leader to free the people. And look what happened.



Peter was with Jesus during His ministry. Yet when asked if he knew Jesus, Peter disowned our Lord not once, not twice, but three times. God forgave him. He went on to preach on the day of Pentecost. Many were baptized.



Saul plotted evil things against Christians. He persecuted them. Yet while traveling down a road with plans of evil, God softened his heart. There went Saul's excuse.



I know I am not worthy. I sin. I want to hide in shame. I am stubborn.



But if God can take these people with all of their faults and imperfections and mold them into people with hearts on fire with His love, God can do the same for me.



If I just let Him.



No excuses.



I know I am not worthy--but He died for me anyway.



I know I sin--but He has forgiven me.



I know I have struggled with a hardened heart at times--but He has softened it with His love.



I am all out of excuses. Whatever excuse I think I have for not trusting God, for not living a life of service for Him, was taken care of years ago--on a cross!

Motivating Teachers

Our lawmakers seem to be looking for ways to cut costs. Consider the move to base tenure on test scores.

Huh?

If students aren't motivated to learn, why punish a teacher. If the only influence on our children is teachers, ten I would consider agreeing. And if all teachers did was teach, then maybe. But neither is true.

Children are caught in a tug-a-war and used as pawns in families. It's not that they crave attention, they need it. Some come to school with little support and much stress. Is it any wonder that they are distracted during an "optimal" learning part of the day?

Teachers are caught in a tug-a-war, as well. Teachers have to be bookkeepers, conflict resolution specialists and still be motivated after a parent has chewed them out for not giving a child individual attention in a too-crowded classroom. They have to keep problem children away from everyone in class and have enough time during the day to complete the paperwork required.

Teachers must look at the hurt in children's eyes. They have to see the scars on the bodies of children and wipe away the tears from a life that seems to not give even the smallest child a break.

One cannot expect all students to be motivated to learn. And if we cannot motivate our children to learn, then we cannot hold teachers responsible.

Threatening the paycheck for not motivating students is not the answer. If our children are to be motivated to learn, then we must motivate the teachers to teach.

One does not wound the heart of the education system without the whole system being affected.

I urge you to take action. Call your lawmaker and...

Don't wait for Teacher's Appreciation Day--

Thank your child's teacher.

Reflections On The Old and New

I didn't do it!

I didn't make a list of resolutions for 2010 to break.

It stresses me too much. I am just truly thankful that I made it through 2009.

With its bumpy roads (mostly bumpy roads), there is a part of me that screams just get through it in 2010.

With that in mind, here is a list of what I learned in 2009 and my goal in 2010:

• Whatever happens, its good to have friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and a family to help you through it.
• The quickest way to forget your problems is to walk into a room of two-year-olds and ask for a hug (it works every time).
• If you want to really feel closer to Christ, teach others to love Christ.
• The only way I am going to finish writing my book is to sit down in the chair and do nothing but write it.
• A new coat of paint gives a room a new beginning and countless possibilities.
• If you don't go to exercise class for a couple of days, your body feels very stiff.
• No matter how full I am from a meal, I still want the chocolate.

My goal in 2010 - To smile and laugh more and no matter what happens to lean on Jesus.

Have a great new year.

What's At Your Convenient Store?

"Excuse me, dear, I have to run to the nearest convenient store and get a bathroom scale."

It sounds ridiculous, I agree. But I was at a small convenient store, and yes, there near the front of the store was a display with digital bathroom scales for sale.

Now I admit that I am an illogical logical person, but a bathroom scale?

I understand food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other seemingly strange items. At least, I can justify a sudden need for those things.

But a bathroom scale? It's not like I am going to get ready for bed and suddenly have such an urge to weigh that I have to rush to the nearest convenient store for a bathroom scale. Nor am I likely to want to pay a little extra for the "convenience" of weighing so quickly.

I stood staring at the display in bewilderment while waiting to pay for my purchase. Days have passed, and I still think of the bathroom scales sitting on the display near the register trying to capture the attention of a desperate customer or impulse buyer.

I can't help but wonder if I have been so unobservant that I have missed items such as these at convenient stores? Are there other items for sale at them that have little to do with the immediate needs in our daily lives?

So, I ask you. What is the strangest thing that you have seen sold at a convenient store ?

His Child

The Bible tells us in Mark 10:14 "...Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them..." I learned this verse very early. I colored several pictures throughout my early years that showed Jesus with his arms outstretched and children running to Him. I grew in faith with that verse in the back of my mind.

As an adult I see other things in that verse that bring me comfort.

The children wanted to come to Jesus. It was the adults that were standing in their way. The children wanted Jesus. They wanted Jesus to know them. But the adults discouraged them. Oh, I know they had their reasons. But they missed a major point in Jesus' teaching--the gospel is for all. Jesus came to earth for everyone--man, woman and child.

I find enormous comfort in the fact that no matter what anyone else wanted, Jesus wanted the children to come to Him.

The Bible tells us in John 3:17 that Jesus wants us to be saved. He didn't come to the world to exclude but to include. He wants everyone. I draw much comfort in knowing that however messed up I am and whatever I do that Jesus wants me to come to Him no matter who or what is in the way. He wants me to draw closer to Him.

Finally, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, has more than enough love to reach everyone. He shows no preference but calls us all. His example of perfect love shows me that when it comes to His love, it is never divided between His people, but multiplied for them.

I thank God that in reaching out for the children that He wants me no matter what and that I can still get to him no matter what the obstacle. I pray that I do not stand in the way of any child of any age that wants to come to Jesus, but will do what I can to help them get to Him.

And I thank God that He calls me His child!

Ideas Flowing for the Flu?

The flu struck our house like dust bunnies under the bed. The hardest part is knowing what to do once you feel better yet still "quarantined." You may not feel like reading or writing. Television becomes boring after a while. You really want to be productive, and you want to be with your family. You walk the floors. You eat because that's all you feel like doing.

So what do we do to keep the flu from flowing and ourselves from going crazy.

Below are just a few ideas--some especially for children.

• Paint your fingernails and toenails a wild and crazy color. Mine are teal at the moment. My husband says that it is a good thing we are stuck in the house and no one can see them. But I kind of like them. So don't be surprised if you see me next time with orange or teal or purple polish or a combination of them all.
• Fix your hair in a different way. Parting it on the other side is a start. Remember it is only temporary. Of course, you have to feel well enough to wash any goo or "purple" from your hair once you have experimented.
• Stack the antibacterial gel bottles in a design or like building blocks. This works good with engineers who are sick.
• Text your kids/parents funny messages to cheer them and you.
• Make up limericks about the flu and you. You can even set them to music.
• Carry a pocket size recorder around with you to tape thoughts, reminders, and messages to friends and family.
• While laying in bed, think of the funniest thing that ever happened to you. Write it down, record it or tell a loved one. It will cheer you. And you never know, it could be the idea that sparks the next best seller.
• Play soothing music..
• Bark or imitate an animal singing your favorite song (This comes after the sore throat has left).

I hope these tips will prove helpful to you and help you conquer whatever ails you.

Paula

P.S. I might look a little different next time you see me. How long does it take purple to come out of your hair?

Seth - Who?

He was Adam and Eve's other son. After the "fight" with Cain and Abel, Eve bore another son. You might be thinking, "Seth, what did he do?"

It was the story of his brothers that is taught to our children at a very early age.

But Seth...Seth who?

There are two memorable things about the story of Seth. The Bible tells us that after Seth was born, people began to call on the Lord. The neatest thing about Seth is that it is through his seed that Jesus is born--not his other brothers.

So what does this tell me about my children? People--teachers, parents and friends--sometimes give the gifted or the problem child more attention. If the child is no problem, if the child is just ordinary, he can be neglected or ignored.

But big things come from the child that is just ordinary.

Children may not have a behavior problem. They may not be gifted. But they are children. We may not see their name in the paper. They may not be the greatest athlete. They may be quiet. They may be the last one picked for the team. They may sit on the back row. But they still need a front place in our hearts.

Their minds can be shaped. They can make a difference.

Just look at Seth-God had a purpose for him.