Power to Learn

I look back over my many years and realize that I have sold myself short on many occasions. I have told myself and others "I can't" when the truth was I really gave up too soon. I gave up on math, history, memorization, writing, and other efforts.

I learned from my son, Joseph, that I could learn algebra. Homeschooling him in math made me learn, even though he seemed to already know how to do it. I learned from him that I could figure it out. I am still not fast or always right but I understand the concepts.

I gave up on history until I began to study the bible. Reading the history of God's people lit a fire inside me to understand the story of mankind. I still get mixed up on dates, but I am learning new stories from around the world and of influential people. I find I understand what is happening now when I know what has happened in the past. Here is a secret I've found: People have not changed much. Our world has changed with inventions but people seem to still struggle with the same issues.

Memorization was never something I excelled in, but remembering God's word is important to me so I have learned to put the word into my mind and heart. I have not succeeded in memorizing chapters or books, but the treasures I have gathered in my storehouse are so helpful in my prayer life and my walk of faith.

I never thought I was a writer. I loved to write but, I only recently have called myself an author and poet. I continue to learn and grow in this field and may never become an expert. I can do better and so I will keep trying.

These little stories illustrate the power we have to learn. Self-education should be part of our education plan for all students. In fact, I believe each student has as their main job to self-educate with the help of good mentors to lead and guide, not force feed. Learning is a lifetime endeavor. When we teach children that they are to only know or seek to learn what is presented to them we take away the joy of learning.

My parents instilled in us a love of learning. I purposefully tried to do the same in my children. I hope my children are doing the same for my grandchildren.

I believe God wants us to love learning as well. He gave us curiosity and imagination. We only need to supply the self-discipline and the awe from all we discover.

Creator God, Giver of all that amazes and intrigues us, You are to be praised for Your work of creation. Forgive us when we sell ourselves short and fail to see the wonders You placed here for our delight and pleasure. Thank You for not being boring. Thank You for expanding our knowledge every day! Help us to use the gifts of curiosity and imagination so we might discover Your creation and in the process more of You and ourselves. Amen.

Why Write?

For weeks I have asked myself the question, "Why write?" A battle is raging inside of me, and I am ready to find peace.

I believe the battle is being waged by spiritual forces coming against my thoughts and desires. The enemy would like very much to stop the good work that is being done through my words. Even now I hear his whisper telling me "If there is any good." He lies,accuses, and makes me distrust the only One with which I can trust my life, my work and my purpose.

I confess that I have fallen into his sly trap for far too long. I want to be strong and resist, but it is so easy to believe that my thoughts and ramblings have no value. It is true that without the Spirit of God working in me my words are blots on a page. There are times when I write for my own satisfaction, my own glory, and with my own feeble earth-bound thoughts. But many times I begin to write with earth-bound thoughts and discover the Spirit rise up and carry my words to higher places. That is why I write!

My shield of faith is "And the Lord said to me, 'Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others." Habakkuk 2:2 TLB

Creator God, Father of The Word and source of my words, forgive me for allowing the enemy to steal Your glory. forgive me for letting him take away my purpose. Thank You for calling me to write for Your purpose. Teach me to listen to Your voice and silence the enemy for Your sake! I write for You and that fills my heart.

Mission Statement

Years ago I wrote a mission statement stating the following:

My Mission is to communicate God's truth to families in creative ways;
To put aside my wisdom, strength, and riches so I may understand and know the Lord God of kindness, justice, and righteousness, and to build my family on that understanding and knowledge;
To write in order to strengthen, support, encourage, and celebrate family relationships in loving one another.

Recently, I have rewritten my mission statement, simplifying so that my focus is clear and precise.

MY MISSION:
To communicate God's truth to families, helping to strengthen, encourage, and celebrate their relationships with God and others in inspirational and creative ways through writing and speaking.

Father in Heaven, you alone know the purpose and plan for my life. You reveal it to me through Your word, Your, Spirit and Your people. This statement that I have made is only a glimpse of what You have for me. You continually open my eyes to what You call me to do. I want to be faithful to You and Your calling. If I am amiss in my vision correct me. Set me on the straight and narrow path to complete the work you have for me to do!

Reading Between the Lines

I write my blog in cryptic words. There are mysteries behind my writings. Though I try to give you readings that will make you think, I most often have something going on in my life that triggers the subject. I don't write about myself. I write for you. My life is hidden so that you can see yourself in the message.

Do you read between the lines? Do you glimpse a little bit of my life when you read my words? If you don't that is fine. I really do have YOU in mind when I write. If you do find yourself reading between the lines you might want to say a prayer for me. I can always use the prayers that offer blessings.

Thanks for reading and praying. I'm praying for you as I write! We have made a circle of prayer.