Deep Thotz, by me.

[poemofhis]

Sometimes I find myself going 75 mph in a no vehicle zone neglecting the joys of life. I worry about tomorrow SO MUCH I constantly and continuously neglect today and that my friend is the ONE thing that I plan to CHANGE.

Like. 5 minutes ago even. <smile>
 

I took a long swim this morning and it was so relaxing. It gave me time to consider the smell of the roses. That sweet beautiful fragrance that I've been missing so much lately even when they are in clear view. Yes. I just want to stop....and smell the roses. Speaking of, I heard this amazing quote in the movie "The Lakehouse" last week it went like this:

"I love the smell of flowers before I can see them."

Did that just make you smile after you read it? I'm smiling. That quote reminds me of God. Unseen but you know He's there. I have so much going on in my life and so many changes right now. I can't see Him but I know He's there. I know, that I know, that I know that part but I think what I need to comprehend the most is the joy in the fragrance of His presence.

Simply knowing, is not enough

[nChrist]

Amen PoemOfHis!

Beautiful - Thank You!

I told you in another area of the forum that I would love to see you do some inspirational writing for Christians, and now I see that you already have. This made me think of the words "fragrance" and "aroma" used in the Bible, and I couldn't remember where. I was specifically interested in the New Testament because of the gift of our Precious Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. I found these pretty quickly and thought you might enjoy them.

John 12:3  Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

2Co 2:15  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

These portions of Scripture lead to many other portions of Scripture that are just as beautiful. There are also many contrasts and comparisons for a very pleasant Bible study.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Colossians 1:13-14 NASB  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

[Rookieupgrade1]

I think that many (myself included) are so busy in our "spiritual" lives that we don't take time to enjoy our spiritual lives.

example.

I know a guy (me ) that would run from one brothers house to anouther to help with this project and that project, to bible study anouther night, then to youth group, then to worship practice then to more houses to help, try to fit some time in for house work and then.....................................completely neglect my wife and my spirtiual walk with the risen Lord.


I have slowed WAY down since.

If we neglect the joy of the Lord......its not joyfull anymore (DANGER will Robinson DANGER) The enemy uses all things to his advantage, and or busy lives can be one. I personally really need to take time to enjoy His creation, and revel in His presence.

G

[poemofhis]

When a woman goes shopping she'll walk around. Looking. Picking things up. Putting things down. Then a sales person will come by and ask, "Can I help you with something?" and she'll say, "No, I'm just looking." Then the sales person won't be satsified with that answer so they'll ask again, "Well, what are you looking for?" and the woman will say, "I'll know it when I see it."

Now, I'm not a big shopper but there is much to be said about this.

Our walk with God is much like shopping. We know we're looking for something but we don't always know exactly what it is. Sometimes it's not clear to us until it's right there in front of our face. Make sense? God takes us out of the familiar place and puts us into the unfamiliar - a lot - He expects us to just walk and trust Him to get us where He desires us to be; much like Abraham. Abraham new he was going somewhere and he knew that he would know where he was supposed to be when he got there. An "A-HA" moment of sorts. The important thing to do is to trust that as you walk with God He leads and guides, He provides and He opens the door for you. Sounds idealistic huh? But, doesn't God work that way? He doesn't always tell us when where and how to get there and all the details but then all of the sudden out of nowhere you just KNOW "This is God, this is what He wants, THIS IS IT!" - you know what I'm talking about? Ever have one of those moments?

I had an interview this morning. It went well. It was one of those three panel things. You know. Where they sit you in the middle of this huge room and make you so nervous you want to pee your pants. Yeah. One of those.

 

I kept wondering, "Will they hire me, what if, what next, what then." Then I prayed and as I was praying I was like, "Lord, I don't know what you're thinking but all I'm doing is following your lead. I am content with however you answer me." At one time anxiety would overcome me but I am learning more and more to believe that He has plans for me and a hope for my future. To TRUST Him. Completely. I still worry but not half as much as I use to and that means a great deal to me. I'm no where near where I need to be with Him but I am certainly growing. It's a relationship. My relationship with Him is growing. We're learning more about each other. Ok, I take that back. HE KNOWS ME WELL but  I am learning more about Him and more about myself. My strengths. My weaknesses. It's pretty amazing...

So. Recap of what I learned today:

I don't know the answers. I don't know the details but I KNOW that I'll KNOW IT when I SEE it.

[poemofhis]

For whatever reason I am sitting at my desk contemplating going to church. I know I love the Lord but it seems I struggle with wanting to be amidst fellowship of believers. I think a lot of it has to do with me not trusting people. But what does that have to do with anything? I can trust and spend time with many Christians online but there are few of them in my life that are on fire for God. Isn't that weird? Isn't it even more weird how the closer you get to God the more you contend with your flesh?

<grin>

Paul put it nicely:

"I do not understand what I am doing because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it but the sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do but I practice everything contrary that I do not want to do." - Romans 7

Haha. I chuckle everytime I read that. See? See what happens when you draw near to God? You start to question, "Why the crap did I just do that?"

Well I'm having a why the crap morning. Why the crap am I avoiding going to church? Why the crap am I sitting here still in my pajamas staring at the clock knowing I need to go. Knowing I feel PULLED to go. Ok. Ok. Ok. So, as I am just now working through this "I want to but I'm not" phase I just came across something in the word I thought I'd share:

"They spent their time learning the apostles teaching, sharing, breaking bread, and praying together. The apostles were doing many miracles and signs and everyone felt great respect for God. All the believers were together and shared everything. They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it. The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers."
 - Acts 2:42-47

Welp. I hate it when He does that. Sort of. My flesh hates it. <grin> At the same time... I love it when He speaks to me. Paul really did know what he was talking about.

And on that note... I'm headed to church.

[Shammu]

Welp. I hate it when He does that. Sort of. My flesh hates it. <grin> At the same time... I love it when He speaks to me. Paul really did know what he was talking about.

And on that note... I'm headed to church.

[Rookieupgrade1]

Good for you sister, I go, if it is physically possible. I even plan vacations around worship, not to look good, I miss my brothers and sisters too much if I miss a sunday. In that, not haveing to work weekends any longer is a blessing.

Praying for guidance as always..........

G

[poemofhis]

I met someone last year. I came to love him in so many ways.

He was a substitute teacher at the time and lately God is speaking so much to me about "being a substitute". When I met him I had no idea what God would do or even if God was in it but I do know that God does use every single situation - for the good - to those who love Him and in this case, this substitute, was my blessing.

For months he shared his experiences in the classroom with me and I was part of  his life when he got his first full time teaching position. For the most part during that period I knew God was calling me to teach but I wasn't completely persuaded. Spending time with this person helped me to grow in so many ways and here I am a year later - a substitute teacher pursuing my licensure.

The story is long and I don't really feel the need to share all of the details but he and I are no longer friends really, at least, I think that's what I'm supposed to think - or receive - and too it's probably for the best. My first thoughts at the irony of "being a substitute" reflected on him and how I was a "substitute" in his life to the woman he truly desired. To other friends that he would keep, maintain. I was a momentary replacement for someone else who would "get the job". That saddened me. It hurt my heart. But God has recently had a talk with me about this...

Last week I taught my first class. Me. A substitute teacher. To some the job may seem like nothing but to me it means the world because I can see God moving in my life where I've never seen Him before and I feel this incredible desire to learn more than I ever have.   

When I got home from teaching last week all I could think about was how I affected each child that day. Every action. Every remark. Every helpful hint or tactic I used. Everything went through my mind. I remember falling asleep that night thinking of how I could do better the following day. I kept thinking of the time I had with them and how to use it wisely. When I teach I am learning and eventually I will be pursuing a job so this experience is amazing but what I can't seem to get past is how being in the classroom reminds me that there is more to life than "me". Then I think of God and I think of how He has more planned for me than I have planned for myself and once again - He's proving that to me.

What I think God is showing me is that at some time in our lives we're all substitutes. We are all part of a "temporary" plan that we take part of briefly and then we move on ahead in another direction. At first glimpse I think the heart, my heart especially, desires to embrace what is temporary when it simply cannot stay. That's painful. That pain is something we've all experienced but I think what God is showing me and what I am learning as I teach, as I clearly understand that I am a "substitute" - is that sometimes the moments are "brief" but the important thing to do is to fill that spot, fill that absence, with 100% of everything you have inside of you. Then at the end of the day when that task is over you move on not feeling temporary. You move on feeling content that you made a difference somehow and in some way and you keep on trying to do better each time.

Our walk with God is much like becoming a teacher. There is much to learn. There is much to teach. Like students, so many people will pass in and out of our lives - quickly - and the moments we spend teaching and learning - together - can be fleeting or forever. We can choose to be a substitute - a person who temporarily takes place in someones life who leaves an imprint on their heart, mind and walk or a person who temporarily takes place in someones life and wastes the call, gifts and time that God has given.

I'll close with this:

When I met my friend I met a substitute and then I became one. No matter how it played out or what happened or how negative or positive it was being a substitute is NEVER a bad thing. Being a part of someone's life even if for a moment - in my opinion is a gift given by the hand of God and for those brief moments, those temporary seasons, I am thankful.

[nChrist]

Hello PoemOfHis,

Sister, my wife started out as a substitute school teacher, and that's what led to a permanent position the next school year. She's now been a teacher since 1976, and she's thinking about retirement. I would say that this is one of the most important jobs in the world. I realize that I'm biased because the only true love of my life is a teacher, but I'll still say that teaching children is a critical career, one that effects the lives of every child. I also know that it's a difficult challenge and the pay is insufficient, but the satisfaction my wife has in impacting the lives of children is also a big pay check. So, this is a labor of love, and there's much more involved than just dollar signs on a pay check. I think that it's unfair that teachers get paid so little, but the school systems won't ever be able to pay for the love that most teachers have in teaching our children.

By the way, I'm extremely proud to be married to a career teacher. She's spent most of her career in teaching kindergarten and first grade, and I know that she's had a very rewarding and satisfying career. I would also say that being happy in what you do is more important than the amount of money you make. I had a like career as a police officer, so we've never had much money. BUT, we've both been happy and we would both do the same thing again if we had it to do over. I must also say that we've both only been married once, and that was to each other. It's even possible that our joy in serving others ended up in us loving each other more. CHRIST was also the head of our home, so we've been very happy.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Proverbs 24:3-4 NASB  By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.