Can't Give When You Can't Receive

   Romans 12:10-11

Love one another warmly as Christian brothers and sisters, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the lord with a heart full of devotion.

John 1:16New Living Translation (NLT)

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

 
          Is this what I need to learn now? Is receive? Receiving is a really hard thing for me to do especially since I have a giving heart. That is the nice way to look at it and say it. I am also stubborn too but that is not the point of this entry. I would not just say I have a giving heart but a mission heart too when you really get down to it. This kind of heart can be so tiring if you don't be careful with it. Is there something for me to receive from some people? Missions? Love? Confidence? Hope?
         I picked out a couple of verse. One has the word "receive" in it and the other one tells how to receive things back. It tells us what to give and it isn't all that hard but sometimes being humans we can make it into more then it needs to be, especially in this material world.
          You can get so busy giving time or resources that you have that you forget about yourself. In today's world money is everything so in a way that giving heart worries about money, which is never good. With a giving heart, you just want to give and give no matter your own life or how you are like at living life.
          I have been guilty of giving my time too much and learned how to deal with that. Now I think God is trying to teach me to receive from others the resources that they give me. What is the most important earthly thing then money? When you have to learn to receive money from someone, then at least for me, I can receive anything. When you look at it, too, money and love can, kind of, go on the same page.
         While I am learning to receive money, since I am low on it, God is showing me the way to receive His Love and others' love and things. We have been talking a lot about marriage and singleness at church lately and for some reason the word "receiving" is being the word in my life with it. That word is a word we need to learn in both situation. I honestly think that every women needs to learn the real meaning of refieve. Our role in life and marriage is to be the giving and nurturing one and of course there is nothing wrong with that. There are times in life where we run out of all that energy to give that we need to receive for a little bit too. We so easily forget that because it isn't in our nature to do. We give love to those around us. Receiving can look hard to us and believe it or not make us look weak.

            Men, on the other hand, is the other way around I think. They are made to receive things but it is hard for them to give things. You can see that two ways in a daily life of a man. They receive money for their family, even if they don't like the job they are working. They receive things from the wife because she cares too much. They are the head of the household so they need to provide and receive things for everyone else. They feel important when they receive things. Therefore, they receive respect. They are always pictured as the strong people of the household so giving can look a little weak to them too. 

            There is a fine line between those to things but each person has to find the balance between each of them. You, at least, have to know what it feels like and how to do it. You need to give and take a little. That is one reason that a woman needs a man. We can look at Genesis and see it there too. God gave the animals to Adam so he received the animals. Yet, God saw Adam needed a helper so God gave Adam a women named Eve. Eve was there to help him and take care of him. She was there to give. 

             So let's learn to give an receive and maybe our lives will be a little bit easier. Don't you think so?

Full Days Out

          Full Days Out is what my job calls a day where the children are out of school but the club goes on all day. We had three of those this past week and I am glad we did. I got to know some of the of my children better because I was someone they could talk to. Their best friends or teachers weren't there. I got a lot of drawings too that week.

         I will write about how the days went. During those three days, there were two schools together in one school building but my school had to be the one that moved to another school. It wasn't bad but it was hard. We didn't have the supplies that we needed or could use because we could only the main things like the walkie talkies and baskets to put their backpacks in. We need bring some art to do but it was just paper of stencils for those 3 days. We also brought some toy buckets but we couldn't change them out everyday like we could have at our own spot. We had to be moved out of our own school because the AC was getting fixed over the break. That was what it was a Fall break for the students and teachers. We only had 3 places we could use and that was in the gym, cafe, and outside. They did have a pretty decent sized playground though and a lot of things to do on it.
         I will write out a couple of my memorable moments here. The first memorable moment was when one of my little boys found out that I like and am able to shoot baskets. We talked about how I use to play it with my little brother. He also told me why some of the other boys in the group didn't like me. He also told me that they thought the way I talked was funny. After all of that, though, he told me I was a great teacher. He even made me a Halloween card to take home with me saying that on it.
           The second memorable was when I was talking to a girl of mine with another teacher. I was also sitting with her and drawing with her while talking. She really opened up to me. She talked about her mom and the cancer that she has along with her grandma. The day I was talking to her her grandma was having surgery done. You could tell that it was bothering her that day. She was very emotional off and on that day. I asked her "You know I am here if you need to talk." She said, "Yes". She also drew me a picture of me as a bear.
         To me, I got to know the kids more and I liked that part about it. I got to play and draw with them. I got to talk with them and they had to talk to me. Some of their friends weren't there so they had nowhere else to turn but a teacher. I don't know if I could do a full week just yet because I was bored by the last day last week and that "break" was only three days. I also got two other drawings just because from two other girls on the last day of break. 

         I loved those 3 full days because I felt like I got to know the children better and understand them better too. I feel like we can have fun now and I can joke around with them to make their day. I have been doing that a lot this week so far.
          
         

Singleness in Community

Live as You Are Called

17 And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches.

18-19 Were you Jewish at the time God called you? Don’t try to remove the evidence. Were you non-Jewish at the time of your call? Don’t become a Jew. Being Jewish isn’t the point. The really important thing is obeying God’s call, following his commands.

20-22 Stay where you were when God called your name. Were you a slave? Slavery is no roadblock to obeying and believing. I don’t mean you’re stuck and can’t leave. If you have a chance at freedom, go ahead and take it. I’m simply trying to point out that under your new Master you’re going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you’ll experience a delightful “enslavement to God” you would never have dreamed of.

23-24 All of you, slave and free both, were once held hostage in a sinful society. Then a huge sum was paid out for your ransom. So please don’t, out of old habit, slip back into being or doing what everyone else tells you. Friends, stay where you were called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with him at your side.

-1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (MSG)


1. What is the first principle that he gives about how believes should live?

      Don't be wishing that you were somewhere else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and love and obey and believe right where you are.

2. What does it mean to remain in condition in which we were called? What are some ways you have done that in your life?

        It means to stay there and use our gifts that God has given us in the spot where we are now. I have stayed with my passion for as long as I can remember, even when I get made fun of for it. I also have used it when times have been hard on me like switching jobs. I have tried to be positive through all things, no matter the situation.

3. We often talk about how Jesus changes our life when we become His followers. What are some life changes that you think Paul would counsel against for believers? What reasons does he give for this?

         Being slaves, being a Jew or a non-Jew. Don't try to remove things that you are already. Don't become something that you aren't. The important thing is that you follow God. Don't slip back into old habits.
        The reasons for these are following God and His calling for you, God could lead you to things that you could never think of, and God defines you life.

        
The Unmarried and the Widowed

25-28 The Master did not give explicit direction regarding virgins, but as one much experienced in the mercy of the Master and loyal to him all the way, you can trust my counsel. Because of the current pressures on us from all sides, I think it would probably be best to stay just as you are. Are you married? Stay married. Are you unmarried? Don’t get married. But there’s certainly no sin in getting married, whether you’re a virgin or not. All I am saying is that when you marry, you take on additional stress in an already stressful time, and I want to spare you if possible.

29-31 I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple—in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.

32-35 I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you’re unmarried, you’re free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I’m trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions.

36-38 If a man has a woman friend to whom he is loyal but never intended to marry, having decided to serve God as a “single,” and then changes his mind, deciding he should marry her, he should go ahead and marry. It’s no sin; it’s not even a “step down” from celibacy, as some say. On the other hand, if a man is comfortable in his decision for a single life in service to God and it’s entirely his own conviction and not imposed on him by others, he ought to stick with it. Marriage is spiritually and morally right and not inferior to singleness in any way, although as I indicated earlier, because of the times we live in, I do have pastoral reasons for encouraging singleness.

39-40 A wife must stay with her husband as long as he lives. If he dies, she is free to marry anyone she chooses. She will, of course, want to marry a believer and have the blessing of the Master. By now you know that I think she’ll be better off staying single. The Master, in my opinion, thinks so, too.

-1 Corinthians 7:25-40 (MSG)

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.- (ESV)

1. What does verse 26 means?

          It means that whenever  and however you are in the present time that you should stay there.

2. What advantages does Paul say singleness offers to the followers of Jesus? What advantages does marriage offer the the followers of Jesus?

          Singleness advantages: Free from anxieties, Live with God and follow Him, Think about how to be holy in body and Spirit, and can do things for God, You can focus more on Him because you don't have other things taking that time away from you. You get to spend more time with God.

          Marriage advantages: You have someone to work along side while you two bring God the Glory that He deserves. You have someone to care for and nurture you.

3. How would you respond to someone who says this passage teaches that living single is a sign of greater spiritual maturity and that marriage is only for those who have no self-control?

           I would respond by saying, "Both singleness and marriage has its own ups and downs. One might be harder then the other but it just depends on the person God made you to be. Marriage isn't about having no self-control at all but it is about how you use that self-control for God's Kingdom and where He wants you to be."
Then I would on about stories of the single people I know in my life that as made a difference in my life and other peoples' lives too.

4. How would you counsel someone (single or married) who says that their present marital status is a hindrance to their following Christ?

         I would remind them that God has them where they are now for a purpose. They just need to find it. God has a purpose for both the married and the singles. He knows what each one of us can handle at a time and He knows our future so let Him handle things in His own Way. Each one of us grows in different ways and at different times. I would give them different ideas on how they could serve Christ with their present marital status and again tell them stories of people, both ways, that have made a difference in my life. I would also tell them that their status is not a hindrance because if you look hard enough you can find ways to serve Christ in any way and through any situation.



         My Own Side Note: These verses really had an impact on me during the sermon. So much of an impact that I realized how I was treating my single friends and how wrong I was because of that. I also noticed that I have been focusing a lot on marriage and my married friends that I really couldn't see my single friends for the way they truly are and what they are truly doing for Christ. These verses impacted my life so much that I want to focus more on being single and doing things for God that way. To be honest, my mission heart came back to me on the way home from church and was driving home crying every now and then. That is how hard it got to me. I have heard these verses over and over but I think it was just the way that they were said last night that really hit me hard. I felt appreciated and I wanted my other friends to feel the same way so after I got home from church, I thanked them too from the heart. I just pray that they know it was from the heart and nothing more. 

Love Towards One Another

Hebrews 10:24-25New International Version (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


          I love this verse because it is a good reminder of how to act like a person. It calms me down and reminds me that whatever I say can be good or bad. It makes me watch my language, even good language. We need spur one another on towards love and good deeds. We need to encourage them in what they are doing and in their passions. That is the part that I love the most. Yes, we need to also meet together and the more we do that the better, especially as Christians.
         You can see things in person that you can't over the phone or computer like the actions they are doing but if we can't get together that doesn't mean that we need to stop being encouraging and loving to the people we care about. If you know them good enough,  you won't want to meet as often. It is just hard to do it by phone and computer. We just need to get into the habit of doing it in anyway we can, whether it is one or two ways.
        I also love the phase, "Let us consider how we may........" because it is thought provoking. "Consider" is another word for "think". Let us think about how we may........,right? It also means to reflect on and contemplate on. It just shows us that we need time to think about what we need to say or do next and see if it is the right thing. I admit that I have been known to do and say things before I stop and think about the meaning or the problems that it might cause. When I do that, things just get worse and never turn out the way I want them too.
        There are times that I get so mad because someone has done or said something to me that I didn't like and I wrote back or talked to them when I was mad and it didn't end on a good note. Then I go back the next day and think about what I said and I regret it most of the time. I have learned from a lot of mistakes, most from high school, but even some after college that I need to let a day pass or just maybe hours pass and then if I still feel like I should say or do something then I do it. I calm down and think about how it would help this person if I did this or say this.
             I want to be able to help people and lift them up in a good way, not a bad way. Times are going to get harder and the harder that get the more we need brothers and sisters in Christ to be there along side use encouraging us onwards. We need to stick with loving on people like Christ do because what better way to show people Christ then in that way. We are need to stay in good deeds because not staying there can go down the road really fast. Even though, Christ says, "good deeds are not the main things in life, they do help, even if it is very little."
           Not to put me on the spot or anything but it feels pretty good for me when people say that they love my encouragement and that I am so supportive of them and what they are doing. It just lets me know that I am making a difference by just doing the little thing like encouraging or supporting them, even if I do it just by showing that I have belief in them or way down the other end to where I am buying things from them and supporting them money wise.
           I know we should do those things because we care about the person and that God wants us to and not care what the other person thinks but sometimes it is nice to get encouragement back from them too. If you know what I mean. 

Preschool to 3rd grade

         My dream every time I have younger children is to see them later in life when they are bigger. I have had the privilege to do that with one of my very first kiddos I had in Bentonville. She was in preschool at the first place I taught and now she is in 3rd grade at the place I am at now. It took her a little while to recognize me and to make the connection but when she finally did she asked if I use to be her teacher and I said yes. It made me feel so good.
         It was strange too because I didn't start out with her group when I first started the job. I started out with the Kindergarten group but then we had to change things up a bit because of some changes so I thought I might take the chance and try to older children. I thought it would be a nice break from the younger children for a little while and it has been a nice break. Just knowing that I have that girl in the group make all the difference. I did ask her mom before she realized she knew me if she went to the preschool that rI use to teach just to make sure and she said yes and she seemed to remember me.
         The little girl had gotten a lot more taller and prettier but that she the only thing that has changed about here. Her face and hair hasn't changed a bit and neither has her smile. I saw all of that and I knew right away it was my little girl from preschool. I did have to figure out the math and little things just make sure but it was right. She would have been in the 3 or 4 years old class when I was teaching there because it has been 5 years since I taught there. It took me awhile to recognize her dad but her mom I remember from the preschool too.
         It is just fun to think that I have a second chance and more of a chance with this little girl then any of the other teachers do. It is not often at all that you get to have that with a child. Most of the time you just have to trust that you gave them all they need and that the Lord will take care of them. It is funny because she still wears clothes like she use to back in the day. They are of course in style for her age but there is always some glitter on them or it is a dress. She was always a girl with the glittery clothes on.
         Her personality has no changed a bit either. She is still the talkative and always smiling type of girl that I knew and Loved. She always had this get up and get going type of personality when she was small and I hope she never loses that even in her older years. She can do a lot with that personality if she keeps it like she has so far. 'She has a hard time listening now just here and there but what do you expect from a 3rd grader. I mean really. :) It is really just her bubbly personality! :) I like said before it is just amazing to see her now and for a whole other year and maybe two. Who knows if I am going to change school next year. For her sake, I hope not because having her two years in a row would be amazing for me.
         Seeing her that long in an actual school would be really neat! She would be the first child and maybe only child I got to do that with. A miracle if I can do that and then they can move me somewhere else after that year is over. Lol! All I can do about it is pray about it, right? God knows what is best for me. It does mean a lot when I think about how I have impacted her life before now. Now it is just a blessing to be in her life again. It just shows me that maybe the children I do come in connection with will do good in life. It shows me that working at the shelter might done some good. I really wish I could see those children again like I seen this girl.
         It also show me that what you teach them in preschool really does make a connection somehow and helps them grow up into the child and person that they were meant to be. I needed to see someone from my earlier job after the job that I just had and the comments that were made towards me there. I might not have any children of my own yet and might never but that doesn't mean, that if I can with the right things and situations, I will care for a child any other way but to my best abality. They are all my own children and I try to treat them like they are.
         God has given me this mission and purpose for my life and in all situations and jobs I will use it for His Glory.  It could be working at preschools, children's shelters, after school clubs, or my own children some day but whatever it is it is all for His Glory, not my own.

Self Control and Money

      I said this once and I will say it again. When you do not have the money to randomly spend, it is then that you want to spend it. I am going through that right now. With all this moving and starting a new job, I am low on money and have to watch it carefully. It is teaching me more self control and patience. 
       Money can be a stressor too even when you are single. Sometimes I think it is harder because you have no one to talk money with. No one to remind you, "hey, we don't have enough money for that." You think since it is just you then you can spend it on anything for you. You forget about the big things you have to pay for yourself and when switching jobs yourself that is the worst. I think that is the best way you can learn self control.
        I have had to hold myself back from buying things that were fun things and even some needs. I had to buy cheap food and not go too far because I am trying to save gas. The hardest part is driving by Starbucks and not buying coffee. That is a lot of self control for me right there for the people that really know me well.
         It is teaching me a lot of patience too. Self control equals patience. I like that saying because it is true and I'm learning that right now too. Self control teaches patience because you really have to have some control to have patience. I mean it is like saying "I want coffee now" or "I want that dress now" but you know you don't have the money so you wait patiently until you get enough money to buy it. It could be a long while and the dress could be gone by then but then that means you can spend the money on something else that you needed more or save it for something else better in the long run. I have had to be patience and wait for some things. It stinks when you notice what you need or want now when you don't have the money to spend it.
       It is also showing and making me think about really starting a budget. I have thought about things, new things, that I need to get but I have to start budgeting for. I have always tried to do the fancy way of budgeting and I have had different people show me different ways but I just can't seem to stick with it by myself or get the hang of it. I might have to do budgeting the old way and that is on a piece of paper and with a pen. I was even thinking of maybe taking the famous budgeting classes in the Winter if my church are offering those classes again. I never wanted to or never thought I need to but right now it looks like I need them. 

         I am just getting at the age where I need to throw in buying some new clothes every now and then and that is a big thing I am going to add to my budget. I haven't brought myself any new clothes since college so it has been about 6 years. I am almost 30 and will be in two years so I don't want to dress like I'm 21 when "I am actually 30. I need a new closet full of clothes. It also came to mind because I have been gaining weight of the years as I get older too. I don't do the walking everyday like I did when I was in college. 

        I have also realized that I need to be healthier instead of non health. I do buy a lot of candy and pop when I am stress so I need another goal set in place that I can think of instead of food like getting new clothes. Something that I can use and have for a little while instead of eating it and it is gone that day. I am just getting to that age where I will need the money for more important things in life like a house of my own someday or even a pet of some kind. I don't need to be wasting it all on sweets and coffee. Hopefully, with my job now I will be okay with that because it isn't as stressful as some of my other jobs were. I can already tell that I am starting to hold back on those things. 

          Even that right there is a different kind of self control because I know I need to be eating healthier for my body so I'm doing a favor for my whole body and for my money issue. I really feel like God is using this hard time with switching jobs to really show me what is important. I will be honest. I was a shopper when I was younger because I would get money as gifts from my grandparents every year and of course I would save a little up every year. If not, I got what I needed from using their money they gave me instead of what I had in the bank so that money was never touched. 

         All this to say that it is just hard growing up. You need more things and that is something that I didn't even think about when I picked my degree or career. Being a teacher, preschool or other, just makes it that much harder to live on your own. Yet you can see that I do it for the children and the love I get and not because of the money. I can live simple and that doesn't bother me at all. I don't care what I look like as along as I don't look like I am dirt poor. It is just money in my pocket for a little while while my purpose is changing the lives of children one way or the other. 

All About Weakness in Romans

-Romans 8:26b- "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

-Romans 8:1-"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

-Romans 8:9a-"You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you."

-Romans 8:31b- "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

-Romans 8:37- "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

        These are just some few verses of weakness that I came across in the Bible. I looked these verses up probably about a month ago when I felt like I was at my weakest spot. I needed some encouragement about how weakness could be good for you and I found these verses that helped. These 5 verses helped me realize that being weak is a good thing because it can only show God stronger in my life. I feel like that is what happened through everything that I went through. I am happy with where I am now and I wouldn't change anything for anything else. I need this moment in my life where I can just be myself and away from everything. Learning about the importance of life with God by my side and just have a chance to listen to Him and no one else. 
        Not that I don't like to get advice from other people but no matter how smart we think our friends or other people are there is always a time where we just need to get away and focus on God and sometime even ask God what He thinks with the advice given to us by humans because we are all sinful. No one knows life's plan expect for God Himself. The 1st verse just reminds me that when we are at our weakness point the Holy Spirit will intercede for us especially when we don't know how or what to pray about. When things just are so confusing and you can't pick a job or a place to live the Holy Spirit is there to help you along the way. 
       The 2nd verse reminds me that no matter what we do wrong there is no condemnation for us that are in Christ. Now that doesn't mean we can go do whatever whenever but it means if we do pick the wrong thing or action then God will be there to redirect us in the long or short run. The 3rd verse just reminds me that we are in the realm of the Holy Spirit and it is Him who have control over us. We are not controlled by our flesh once we belong to God. 
       The 4th verse reminds me that no matter what happens in our life God is for us. He is never against us. The things that happen, that weak spot we are in, they are happening because of a purpose that God has for us. We are just learning and growing through those things so we can be the best at God's plan for us when we get there. I know for me know it is about making choices on my own. Getting use and loving the youth that I am in charge of now. Older youth. I'm also learning to wait for God's best and how to handle money more carefully. Also, that money isn't the most important thing in the world. Would you believe me ever thinking that? I am finding out I have and it is a hard thing for me right now to get over. 
        I have the 5th verse because it reminds me that with God's help we can get through anything. We are conquers of God and we can get through anything. We have God on our side to help us through the hardest times in life. To get through that fight or the disagreement or conflict that we are having with satan, our flesh, or with friends and family or even with random people. We are conquers because God loves us enough to be by our sides and help us through the though things. He doesn't want his children to get hurt in any way unless it is for some kind of discipline but even then He will be watching over you and pull you out of it when He thinks it is time. 
       There are a lot more verses in the Bible about the weaknesses we have and go through but these are just some I found right off the bat. I know there is a lot of verses about bing anxious, thinking negative thoughts, and so on just to name a few weaknesses. Then there is that story about Paul and the thorn in his side and God says My Grace is Sufficient for you. I love that story and verse too. My challenge to whoever is reading this: How many verses can you find that are about human weaknesses and God being there for us. I would like to get some comments with verses back on this entry if some people are up for it.