Joyful about 2014.2015

My year is just about to start.. . and I am excited ... happy for so many reasons. 

September marks the beginning of 2014-2015. 
A brand new year that I have placed in God's hands. 
This year's class is going to keep me on my toes and I am looking forward to it.

Some more daily blessings. 

1. Falling leaves. 
Some on my lawn actually CHANGING COLOR already. 
The true mark of the season soon arriving.

2. More Bethel Music - This is what You Do. 

and 3. Rend Collective - Joy

Let me be singing when the evening comes

i can't even chose a couple of lyrics to highlight as my favorite.
for different reasons, every few lines hit my heart.
in the best way.
very. best.

Rend Collective has created a breath.taking version of this song. 
What a blessing.





lyrics.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

still my song will sing Your praise unending

I have so much to write about.

So many things to share about the start of school.

So i'll start slow.

.with just one song.

be on the look out for new posts coming soon.

This song has been on repeat in my car.

i start the day off with it.

and end with it on my ride home.

.The LYRICS. help to direct me where i should be .focused.

i could listen to it for several more weeks.  

morning and evening 

Upon. Jesus

my mom loved this song.
it came to mean a lot to me in the past few years.
the lyrics so simple.
so .powerful.

have Your way

I'm beyond happy this has become part of the regular rotation during worship at my church. 

I don't need to tell you why, just listen. 

i can't really explain it?

there's so much i want to say in response to this:
but i know i will not be able to formulate all of those thoughts in logical way.
i think this is one of those videos you need to watch for yourself. and mull over. let settle:

i've watched it so many times in the past.
and several times recently.

this is something that i struggle with still.
a bit. maybe more than a bit.
i will admit.
sometimes, i wonder why others are healed and not my mom who struggled for years and years.
she, who had So much faith.

but i know that so many people came to see Jesus through her in those struggles.
people who may never have met Him.
i'm not saying He caused anything.
maybe allowed_
but i know, and I've seen in many cases in my life that He is able to work good out of bad,
really, really bad.

and in most cases, I can't seem to understand why one thing happens over the other. I may never.

*hit stop button when video is complete 
- or channel will keep playing "Rattlesnake in a Cooler" video-

love me.

heard this on the way to work today. 
walked into the office all red.eyed.


it's beyond beautiful. 
i would suggest hitting play and then minimizing the window to JUST hear the lyrics. 
Sometimes I find the videos distracting. 


hope you enjoy it as much as i do: 


surely hit my heart. 
hard.

out of the crowds

just this one.

if i could praise GOD with just one worship song,
only one.
it would be this one.
i've posted it before.
maybe even
twice
but
this
makes me feel not so alone.
and know without a doubt _that just like He has promised, He is ALWAYS with me.
and will be faithful in guiding me.

He answered.

i'm His

someone asked me the other day what type of church i attended. .

i find that question awkward to answer.
awkward_ is not even the the right word _. 

it's like people want a response, so they can fit you into a proper place in their religious puzzle. 

are you "christian"? catholic? non-denominational? 

it's sad when you think about it. 

when the truth comes down to it..

in the long and short of it .. ...OR...   the short and long of it.. it makes NO difference.
NONE at all. 

and that's how i responded to this person's question. 

"The church i attend is presbyterian, but i don't place myself in any category."

"i'm a child of God."

and those were my exact words. 

it's funny. how people can get so caught up with all the classifications and titles. they forget that it's all about a relationship.
it's all between you and Him. 

it's about love. 

simply falling in love with Him.

pete wilson's plan

If you haven't gotten your hands on a copy of Pete Wilson's book Plan B, head over amazon and find yourself a copy quickly. i mean really quickly. ok?

just do it... 

you'll see why... 

we'll talk later.. when i'm finished in a day or so. 

i just started tonight.

page 22 

Now, I would never wish this on you, 

but there will be a moment in your life 

when you feel like everything you have is starting to slip away. 

You will be tempted to run, but I pray instead you will persevere. 

Because no matter how things seem, God is still with you. 

And things will turn around, one way or another. 

Maybe not the way you planned. 

Maybe not the way you assumed God would handle it. 

Maybe not even the way you hope. 

But you will see God's hand at work - if not in your circumstances, 

then certainly in your heart. 

whole foods grass

whole foods has a fun section of jewelry made from around the world, hand woven clothing, inspirational artwork, cards and magnets. I'm big on the last two. I collect cards in general. Have almost an armoire full of cards that i have stashed away over the years that touch my heart. this spot or that, of my sappy 31 year.old one.

i have used but just a few of these paper gems.. . after all, it's rare to find a well written and illustrated card. so... i buy them when i see them. even if they are $3.95. that's really besides the point. even if i need that money for milk, right?

i bought this magnet a while back...

perfect. isn't it?

doesn't it make you smile.
and your heart just.. .   [sigh]]]]  ]

there are days when i feel like i'm that little blade of grass.. you too?

the Source

This is an illustration of a series and parallel circuit.

In a series circuit_ one bulb is connected to another bulb _  which is connected to another bulb, which eventually down the road, is connected to the battery. .The power source. Problem is - if one of those bulbs is a dud, you're done for… no juice is getting through.

In a parallel series, each bulb is connected directly to the battery. It doesn’t have to go through another set of bulbs to make its way.  Each one has a direct connection to the source.

In the process of making this complicated science more real to my students today, I asked them, can you think of any real life examples of series and parallel connections?  - 

Where the best relationship... . is a direct connection to the power Source? 

It's funny when I stand up in the front of the classroom and words start spilling out of mouth, light bulbs literally start going off. It happens quite often. Part of the reason I started to blog, I’m thinking.

they came up with some great ideas: {ignoring the fact, that biblical truths are slappin' me in the face}

1. dominoes: one goes down. they all go down = series. 

2. the next was a good one for a parallel circuit. A plane engine. If the first one dies, you have another one to back it up. Aren’t they smart??? I assured them,  this was why they should never be worried on a plane.. even though I’m still a 10% nervous flier..

this lesson got me thinking…. am I more connected to God through Christian books, devotionals, blogs and fellow believers {other ‘light bulbs’} all which eventually link up to the Source…. or am I, on a DAILY BASIS directly linked to the Source? through prayer and worship, thanksgiving?

There's no wonder a bulb will shine brighter when it is lit with a parallel circuit rather than a series circuit. 

He is brightest Light.

Science thought for the day: 

Do I make an effort every day... . even throughout the day... .. to restart my circuit with CHRIST at the center?

a bruised tongue and brand new car

it’s been a while.

funny how blogging can become such a routine part of your life_ that you miss it.

Today was the first day back in my classroom after almost a week’s absence. Nothing like seeing your students’ smiling faces when they realize you are back. That feels good. Feels great actually.

Let me rewind for you.. several years ago I was diagnosed with epilepsy. Had my first seizure on an airplane. Couldn’t choose a better spot, or so my brain thought..  until last Monday.. while in NYC’s Daniel. A restaurant where footstools are set out for your purse.

The last thing I remember is choosing my dessert.. and the next, a face – an EMT in a New York City emergency room - posing questions I couldn’t understand. The next three days are all a blur. All, but the security of my best friend, my sister, Allison who never left my side and sang Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus as an iv was administered. This hymn has the ability to slow my pulse… and has been used at times when panic all but overcomes my body.

After my release from the hospital, I spent the next few days at my parents’ house, who nursed this little girl ... back to health.
Bruised tongue and all.

I will admit there was a day or so in there, at 22 Lewis, when I was sassy and felt like the only safe haven was under the covers.. but now.. whether it be my own naivety or just plain silliness, I can’t help but Know..  with an assurance that this is already worked out for my own good. License gone for who knows how long. Brand new car going to waste in the parking lot. I don’t mind. In fact, I feel good. And I thank God for this past week.

miseries to melodies

someone special this past week reminded me of amy grant_ talking about her popular song, Thy Word. one of her best.

then today as i was driving home, i heard her voice on the radio, singing a new song.

[written by Sarah Hart]

We pour out our miseries, God just hears melodies.. .

'better than a hallelujah.'

yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!

Isaiah 30.18

the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 145: 18.19

What can stand against?

my church is pretty blessed when it comes to our worship team, not to mention that the leader sounds exactly like Chris Tomlin... . and can play the piano, leaving the congregation in awe. I'm sure we will be singing this in the next few weeks. I've already had it on repeat in my apartment for hours.

Awesome in power _ our God!

God, you are HIGHER than any other... .

And if our God is for us,

then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us,

then what could stand against?

Let's start our day tomorrow with that thought.

What could stand against?

No weapon formed.

None.

when i look into the mountains,

I love I love.. .