Point Me to the Truth

It was just brought to my attention that the FedEx logo has an arrow in it. I have seen that logo a million times and never EVER noticed the arrow. How can something be so obvious and so hard to see at the same time. Go look up FedEx and check out their logo. (I was sorta afraid to post it as I think I need permission....) Anyway, the point it there is an arrow and now when I look at it now all I see is the arrow.

It is much like my conversion to Christianity. I had a Bible, I had read the Bible but I never saw the truth that was there until the Holy Spirit pointed it out to me. All along the truth of who Jesus was/is was not hidden. It was right there in front of me, but I could not see it. The Lord in his mercy pointed it out to me and I am forever grateful and amazed.

Now I entertain the idea that as I read scripture there are truths right in front of me that are not illuminated to me, but I am trusting the Lord to give me the light and the illumination. Sometimes we don't have the understanding we want, but I believe He provides the understanding we need. There is a lot in this world I don't understand, but I know there is not one thing the Lord doesn't "get". So I will look to him and pray for understanding about so many things which baffle me.

Trust Him. It sounds so easy....it is not the snap it appears to be because we are naturally skeptical. But I do know I can trust Him with my past, with my future here and with my eternity. Remembering He loved me enough to show me the arrow .....to point me to the truth makes me understand how trustworthy He is and I must remind myself of that often.

If you don't know Him as Lord, ask Him to show you the arrow .....to show you the truth. I trust He will do just that. Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given to you.

The Torch has Passed.

I was watching Rick Warren on the telly this evening and it occurred to me he has taken over the role Billy Graham has had since the 50's.....our national pastor. I think they both have different missions, but I do think the media will go to Rick Warren for the same reasons they have gone to Billy Graham for years. In times of national tragedy we (America) look for a spiritual perspective. Now it appears it will be Rick Warren. The torch has been passed.

Now I don't know a lot about Rick Warren or exactly what he believes. From what I have heard him say he is a Bible believing Christian just as Billy Graham was a Bible believing Christian. I didn't always agree with everything that came out of Billy Graham's mouth nor will I probably agree by every word from Rick Warren, I expect we agree on the basics and the essentials.

Below is the the inaugural invocation he gave. I thought it was very good.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.
History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

2 Mins to Dreamland

I have two minutes until I am suppose to be asleep...so this is going to be quick. I am getting up at 6 AM after sleeping until 8 AM or later for the last two weeks. It has been a wonderful last two weeks. I got a chance to walk the dog, read, eat and sleep pretty much when I wanted.

The only down side to the whole holiday was our team, Penn State, lost at the Rose Bowl. I must admit I had some fear when I heard they were going to have to face off against USC, but I stayed positive right up until two minutes before the end of the fourth.

Tomorrow I will be teaching seventh graders to read a Ruston map. It actually sounds like a lot of fun. I sure hope they think it is as fun as I do. We will tackle The World Atlas next visit.

It is going to be a long stretch until spring break as it is at the end of April this year, rather than the beginning....so pray for all of us. Even though my favorite age group is junior high kids cuz they are so enthusiastic, I could swear some days that same enthusiasm is literally sucking the life out my bones, bless their hearts. :-)

Also, Happy Birthday to little sister, Julie. She hits the big 5-0 today! I remember when they brought her home from the hospital. I was three...nearly four, but it is still very vivid. I guess it is because I got to hold her. They put me in the swivel rocker and put her in my arms. Wow! It didn't last too long, but I thought I might break her. Hahaha...but she is tough. Gotta be to teach kindergarten for 20+ years! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Julio!

Oh btw...went to see The Curious Tale of Benjamin Button tonight and liked it. I think it was worth the time. I don't think it was as great as Forest Gump, but I liked it because it presents some interesting life truths. Check it out if you are able.

A New, Fresh Year

Yesterday I told some friends I really have not felt like writing blogs lately. It has been a year since I started this blog...and maybe I am just a bit burned out. Although I have not written every day, I have tried to keep up fairly regularly.... but I am going to give it a try. I am a bit rusty.

Today is the first day of 2009....sorta unbelievable that we are this far into the 21st century already. It doesn't seem all that long we were hearing all the Y2k hype. Time really does fly by waaaayyyy to quickly. This week I have been moving some of our old videos to DVD and seeing these old tapes have made me very aware of the passage of time. Jim and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve. Next year will be 30....that just seems impossible. It seems more like 10 years ago ....not 29!!!!

I am going to pray that time will slow down a bit this year. I am also planning to do a better job of using my time wisely....planning better. I think I decide to do this every year.....but as I look back I actually have had good years and bad years in that area. I am going to write plans on the calender more this year....that seems to help and I am going to try to do a better job anticipating what needs to be done. I also want to spend more time in God's word....not reading about it as I sometimes do, but actually reading the Bible. The word of God is Spirit and it fortifies the spiritual man. I just do better the more time I spend in His Word. I know that and yet I don't always do it.....crazy!

2009 is the beginning of Jim's second year to be retired. It has not been bad having him at home. I admit I was worried, but it is good to have him at home. A big help to me, plus I didn't realize how lonely it was around our house until he was home all the time....so that was a blessing. I don't spend near as many school days there until 5:00 and 5:30 like I used to do.

Another reason I like to get home from school is Sophie....she is our "new" bichon frise. I am going to quit calling her our puppy as we have had her one year now. (So she is not really new anymore.) Jim tells me she some how knows the time and starts watching out the window for me and I have to say it is great coming home to this little white fur ball that blitzes past me when I come in the house. She is funny and Jim and I spend a lot of time laughing at her antics. She will be having some surgery this year and I am praying it is successful and she won't forget how to blitz after her recovery is over.

This year will be extremely special because Josh and Randi are going to become parents. I am praying for a safe pregnancy, an easy delivery, and a healthy baby. We will be arranging our summer so we can be present for this blessed event. It is the beginning of a whole new chapter for Josh and Randi, but also for us. Having grand children isn't new to us, but having one close enough to see on a regular basis is....that is very exciting. Yes, 2009 will be very exciting.

I am praying for all those I love that 2009 will be a good year for them also. I think of the Irish Blessing from St. Patrick:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rains fall soft upon your fields,

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

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Now my thoughts are on the Rose Bowl. We Pennsylvanians are big Penn State fans and we know USC is a great team, but this Penn State team has proven itself to be a great team as well, so ......we shall see. It will probably be a day of nail biting and angst.