A Slower Paced Morning

It's been a busy week of a combination of late nights or early mornings to do school work so this morning I decided that I would stay home from the Women's Fellowship meeting. There should be a district meeting, but the location is hard to get to so I gave myself permission to stay home.

I did a little school work, but then made a big batch of baking powder biscuits. Soon I have to go grocery shopping so I can come home and make some brownies for Nat's class to sell at his soccer game. (The 9th grade class is the only class that gets to sell refreshments at games. Each class in HS has different fundraiser opportunities.)

I have 't had much time and energy to do baking these past few weeks, so I don't mind doing a little baking today. I always make plenty so we can have some to enjoy too. Later in the week I have to make and decorate cupcakes for Annette's class who are making lunches to sell to elementary students and then treats for others to buy too.

I haven't even done much shopping these past weeks, so the list is a little long today. I usually try to make supper on Saturdays since my sister-in-law often is busy with school and practice for Sunday worship music, but lately I haven't even been able to do that. Today I hope to buy some cheese and make pizza. I made it several times before school started, but not at all this past month, so it should taste good. Of course that means I may not be able to watch all of Nat's game...and lately he's been making his goal in the 2nd half so I've been missing it!

I have to brag about my kids for a minute. Nat is only a freshman, but has had a great beginning to his high school career with a goal in almost every game. Annette's progress report showed her determination to do better this year is paying off in her improved grades and Dan is showing progress in his reading and memory verse efforts! I love seeing my kids do well!

As for Amson and I, we both stay busy with work commitments. I've been trying hard to keep a positive attitude with my two most challenging group of students. I've realized the class atmosphere deteriorates even faster when I get all stressed out and upset.

This year I've been trying to spend more time on lesson planning and classroom management. Organization is not my strong point, but at least I feel things are going better overall so I'm encouraged to keep up the effort!

Well, it's time to get moving. One of my students needs to get into the classroom this morning so I agreed to stop before going shopping. That means I need to hit the showers...once the bathroom is empty! I'm thankful I can even go shopping today. We had some concerns yesterday with possible tensions related to this YouTube video that the Muslims have been protesting, but thankfully there haven't been any outbreaks of violence here in Jos so we can go about our plans for shopping, soccer games, etc.

I guess my slow paced morning has finished, but it was nice while it lasted!

Faith in Christ

It has been a few weeks since I last posted. School work and meetings, family needs, and Internet issues has made it hard to find the time. Even so, life is going well. We've had a month of school already and progress reports just went out. The kids and I have settled into our routines and are trying to keep up with all our challenges.

Nigeria too has stayed calm. We thank God for that! Our church attendance is even back to where it was two years ago.

This is the 6th Biblical Truths. We had seven of us at Bible Study yesterday as we shared the study below. We shared how it is a challenge to understand the difference of doing good works and being kind to others as a way of showing our thankfulness to God for his love to us. We also discussed how it can be a challenge to hear God in the midst of our busy lives.

We have just two more Biblical Truths to study and then we will begin to study the lives of Christians in the past.

   Faith in Christ                                                           Romans 3:21-24, Romans 8:5-8

Of all the Biblical Truths, this is one that Lutherans should understand most. Martin Luther, like so many others, tried to earn his way into God’s favor. Over time, he realized that his own sinful nature always got in the way of his efforts.

This is the same for so many of us. We try to do what is right, we try to do good and be good, to think kind thoughts, to be there for our family, friends, and church members, but somehow something keeps us from putting God’s will ahead of our own. It’s hard when we try to do what is right and then someone near us does something or says something that just isn’t right or fair and we get annoyed or even angry. Sometimes it’s hard not to lash out with words meant to hurt. But then we have to pick up the pieces and no matter how hard we try or how much it makes sense in the world’s view, defending ourselves with the intent to put others down is just not right in God’s eyes.

Like Luther, we have to understand that if we try to work out our faith with our minds and our wills, it won’t work. We will always fall short. The only answer is to surrender to Christ and put our faith and trust in Him. That’s not to say God’s way will always make sense; often it doesn’t from our human perspective. But trusting with our heart, mind, and soul, even when it seems crazy or impossible, is what Christ wants. We have to come to the point of letting go and letting God take charge of our lives.

How do we do this? We study the word, we study the lives of Christians before us or around us, and we live one day at a time trusting God’s will above our own. We put our dreams to His test and study His ways so that we can understand His direction better. We come to Him in prayer, communicating our desires to Him and weighing them against Jesus’ words in the scripture and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Those two things, God’s Word and Prayer, are what can make all the difference.

By ourselves, we just can’t do it, but by trusting God’s love at all times, trusting His forgiveness when we stumble or fall, and being open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we read His Word and come to Him in Prayer means that God’s salvation is a sure thing. Through faith in God and His promises we can stand firm no matter what storms come our way.

The Holy Spirit is God and Empowerer

Philippians 4:8      Matthew 28:19-20             

 Knowing God has many facets. We know him as the Creator, we know of him as our Father, and we know He both sent his Son and Lives in the Son. In the same manner He comes to us in the form of the Holy Spirit. God as the Holy Spirit is the 5^th Spiritual Truth.

I’ve read that some say the Holy Spirit comes to us at the moment of salvation, but I don’t think the Holy Spirit is bound by our lack of awareness or full acceptance of God. I believe the Holy Spirit draws us to God even before we realize how much we need God. The Holy Spirit is like a prompter in a great play called Life. The Holy Spirit prompts us and draws us closer to God by showing us our emptiness. Often, before we even understand our need for God, the Holy Spirit reveals to us a hole that wealth, career success, popularity or even human love cannot fill.

Once we recognize our desire to claim God as our life’s priority, the Holy Spirit takes on a new role in our lives. As God’s child we are challenged to put Him first and measure everything in our lives against what is right and pure. When we are tempted to put something, someone, or some way before God, the Holy Spirit convicts of our sin and provides us with the tools and courage to take correction.

 The primary tool we have is God’s Word but He also works in the lives of others as His clouds of witnesses to encourage those seeking, but falling short. The more we claim the Truth of the Holy Spirit, the more we truly in God’s image. In God’s shadow the Holy Spirit prompts and guides us so that our faith can grow and mature until the day God returns. Seek the Holy Spirit as you claim this fifth Spiritual Truth to empower you to live for God.

Jesus is God and Savior

While growing up I often heard people say that if all of the Bible was lost except for John 3:16, there would still be enough to grasp God’s great love for us. From a human perspective it makes no sense for God to create a great world, have sin enter into it and then to send his only son back to that same world through an unbelievable birth, only for Jesus to die for everyone else in this world who in no way deserve God’s love.

.On top of that, Jesus was perfect!

I don’t know about you, but I get angry when I think I am being falsely accused of something and would be even madder if I was then wrongly punished too. Even worse, is when I learn someone has wrongly accused one of my children of something! Yet, that is exactly what happened with Jesus and God.

God allowed his son to suffer for us all and Jesus accepted the judgment without trying to run from it. Sure, we read in the gospel texts that Jesus struggled with the burden but he didn’t fight it! To our human ears, this makes no sense and I can only begin to understand any of it by recognizing God’s and Jesus’ actions as a sign of great love. A Father’s Love .

Not everyone has experienced a Father’s Love, but God’s love is that of a perfect Father, one is always there when we fall, make a mistake, seek forgiveness for being mean, selfish, or narrow-minded. He is always waiting to receive us back when we think we can run from him for a little while. When we are cold or lonely, he is always there to comfort us and provide encouragement.

This forth Biblical Truth states that to seek God and claim his love, we must also accept the story of Jesus and every detail of his life as Truth. To know God, we must know Jesus.

Biblical Truths: Created in God's Image

It's Friday night as I write, fellowship is tomorrow. I'm enjoying the challenge of examining these Biblical Truths, but I have a hard time keeping it simple. I hope my examples help the women to understand the point.

As God’s creations we are created to glorify God. Many believe that we are God’s most important creation, that’s why he gave us the command to care for His world. Before we can fully enjoy and embrace our relationship with God we must confess our sin and understand that we are born with a sinful nature.

In today’s world this emphasis on sin is not an easy one to accept. Many people in the West believe “if it feels good, it must be right” or that everyone’s views should be accepted, though less and less time is given to the Christian view since it places God before anyone or anything.

I think one of the best things about living in an African culture is that African society has a better understanding of the importance of God and the need to keep God as a priority. Granted, equal time is often given to the Islamic tradition and the materialistic emphasis of developed nations is threatening Africa too, but at least respect is still usually given to God and His role in our life.

In the Lutheran faith, the Apostle’s Creed acknowledges our need for the “forgiveness of sin”. As Lutherans we understand that we are not perfect and that sin separates us from God’s love. Some people don’t like to admit sin dominates our human life, but it’s an easy concept for me to accept. If you consider a new baby and watch it during its early hours, days, and months you will notice how quickly even a newborn begins grabbing for whatever is in its reach and crying when it doesn’t get what it wants. From the beginning, we want to be #1 and dominate everyone’s attention. But its only through admitting our wrongdoing that we can find forgiveness.

Like a child, adults too always want more; more food, more power, more toys, etc. It isn’t until we realize that only God’s love will ever fully satisfy us that we can be content with the blessings God brings into our lives. We should also understand that God placed us here on earth with others and He calls us to live in community. Together we worship God and encourage one another in our walk with Him.  By placing Him before all and seeking His will, we slowly reflect His image in our lives and all we do. This third Biblical Truth challenges us to seek Him above all, in spite of our human nature to put ourselves first.

Biblical Authority: The Bible as God's Word

Yesterday was our Women Fellowship Bible Study. We had eleven for the first time. Two of our older members came for the first time and one woman brought her daughter. It was good to share our observations about the Bible and the role it plays in our lives.

I continue to be wonderfully challenged as I write a devotions each week. This is especially true as I report back to school at the end of next week. I pray I can keep the momentum with the writing; classes start on August 8th. Even though the break was quite uneventful, it was  restful time. My goals for the break were reached and I've come to enjoy my almost daily walk/jog, or Nigels, as we call the path at school.

Now as I head back for a new school year I pray that I can begin the year excited for the new challenges and my new students. It will be a heavy year as I may have five classes and five preps, but I'm excited to teach African History again and look forward to the others as well.

We pray for continued peace in Jos journey mercies as staff and students return.

The Bible as God's Word

Matthew 24:35     John 17:17       Ephesians 6:17   Colossians 3:16

Have you ever thought about how the Bible came to be? How it has the Old and New Testaments and that it has so many authors? Have you ever read the Old Testament and noticed that it sometimes talks about Jesus’ coming and how the prophetic words came true?

I admit, I take the Bible too much for granted, but when I pause to wonder how men of ancient days recorded the Israelites’ history, and added their prophecies, praises, and brought their concerns to God, I am in awe of how it all came to be. The details added in the New Testament are also amazing. As one of my favorite authors wrote, the story of Jesus and the details recorded by the disciples are just too amazing, unbelievable and even funny at times. Today if someone tried to write such an account, they would have a terrible time finding someone to publish the story.

Nonetheless, as we understand how the Bible was divinely inspired by God and as he inspired a variety of authors over many years, it truly is amazing! We should never doubt the power of the Holy Spirit in our own lives if we believe the Bible to be God’s word. As Christians, we are called to believe in the Word of God. It may not be necessary to agree on exactly who wrote every book or exactly when they were each written, but the essence of the books should not be doubted, this is the second most important Biblical Truth.

For us today, the Bible offers guidance in matters of life and faith. With it, and with our acceptance of it, God can work in our lives to restore us into His image. As we open His Word, we should pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding so that we might be drawn closer to him in both our hearts and minds and all that we do.

Another Day

It's a Saturday as I write this. Kauna, my sister-in-law that lives with us, and I just returned from our Women Fellowship Bible Study. We were four when we started today, then one came mid-way, and another came at the very end. Whether they come, or they have other engagements I try to get a study paper to them. Today we read "Seeking God".

I was reminded that not all children are blessed with parents who are Christians or who are concerned for them to develop a relationship with God. One woman mentioned how she had to find God as an adult because her father had no concern for religion and her mother only went to church on Sunday. As one who was brought up in the church I realize that fewer and fewer children are brought up to have concern for God. Perhaps some parents are even criticized for raising children to believe there is only one God.

I saw on Facebook and the news that the Muslims have begun the Ramadan season. Last night I was prompted to send a greeting to a family from school that I have had much contact with over the past years. Even though we may not believe in the same God, I still sent them a message hoping for a peaceful Ramadan season and I pray that they might enter into a time of personal growth.

Over the years, one element of my faith that has become more important is the awareness that God can work in more ways than I can imagine. He can work in the lives of the women I fellowship with, with friends I see during the week, in the lives of my students who enter my classroom, and in the lives of my family as we interact at home or through the internet. If we are open to God working in us and through us in any way, then we become God's tool.

Soon my summer holiday will end and I will head back to school for another academic year, less than two weeks before I report and less than three before classes resume! As I prepare for the new year I pray that students will not only be ready to learn, but that they also feel free to express themselves in my classroom and that they might see God in my life. That is my prayer every day; may you too be open to God both revealing himself to you and that others might see him in you. Have a great day!