Re-enter/Reset

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the home security monitoring stations? 

Do you wonder if they catch on that you must have forgotten something as you re-enter/reset your system just moments after ‘signing out’? Do you think they make guesses as to what it was that you forgot?

I admit, I think that often…as I often have to re-enter/reset.  And, yes, sometimes it is re-enter/reset more than once as I try to leave the house!

I wonder if the crew makes ‘bets’ as to who observes the most resets each morning? 

That made me think about our need  to re-enter/reset for our other HMS-our HEART Monitoring System.

We are ready to leave and face the day. We have had our morning devotional time. We have prayed and asked God to please ‘place one hand on our shoulder and the other over our mouth.’

We have left with our Heart Monitoring System turned on. But...it isn’t too long afterwards when we forget to guard our tongue, or we forget to ‘Be ye kind’, or we forget to…you know…as the list goes on and on. We forget something and have to re-enter/reset.

Let's consider our home monitoring system. How many resets are allowed per day? The number is limitless. All they are interested in is making sure we reset each time we re-enter. (I learned that lesson the hard way once!)

Now, consider our Heart Monitoring System.  How many resets are allowed per day? The answer is the same. The number is limitless as long as we reset each time. 1 John 1:9 states, 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins….” 

That is our reset code.

Does God need to guess about what we may have forgotten? No,… because He KNOWS!

Does God need to wonder when we are going to ‘do’ our first reset? No,… because He KNOWS!

Does God laugh and make light of our daily resets? No,...because He CARES!

Matter of fact, He cares so much that He reminds us to reset! I sure wish our home monitoring system had reminded me that day when the sheriff showed up at our home, and our daughter (last on the list to be contacted) got the call that our alarm was going off when no one else could be reached!  BTW: It was my phone that I re-entered for and gave up looking for it.

Remember to reset!

Debbie

Just What are Increased Talents?

 It’s ‘funny’…I guess I should say pretty amazing…how God takes His Word from a sermon three weeks ago and whacks  you over the head with it (lovingly, of course) right when you need it! 

The stewardship parable in Matthew 25:14ff has always been a confusing parable to me. Even though the ‘talents’ referred to in this passage refer to a monetary unit of exchange, it can be compared to being given a specific responsibility or resource.  I understood how to invest money, but how does one invest responsibilities…add more responsibilities?  

Our pastor spoke on this topic three weeks ago to begin our annual Stewardship Month at church. Each week since, he has reviewed and reiterated that main point in the following manner. “When you stand before the Lord with what He has given you, will you be able to present it back to Him in a ‘better’ condition”?  

Or, as described in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary, have I developed the resources God has entrusted to me?

Suddenly it made sense. It is not a matter of developing or creating MORE talents/gifts or responsibilities, but improving upon and developing the ones we have been given and using what has been bestowed upon us more effectively.

I was pretty pleased with myself for saying, “Now I get it!” But I didn’t apply it till last Sunday morning…(Yes, I had to fight to keep myself from thinking this through during the sermon!)

God blessed me with the desire and the ability to teach from my early toddler/preschool years of teaching my baby dolls. My mom always said that she knew I would be a teacher from the time I was three years old. 

I’ve developed that ‘talent’ by continually increasing my education through special high school classes, college, numerous seminars and conferences, and a post-grad degree. I have had many years of experience in a variety of venues and opportunities.  Yep, I have improved upon that God-given responsibility/talent throughout my life…and continue to use that talent to minister to and teach others.

But...

I also recognize that I have had a desire (and, I feel) a talent for writing since my high school journalism days (see archives…January 2011-blog #1). I’ve realized that a God-given desire/talent actually means a God-given responsibility...

So...

What have I done to improve upon and use that  ‘talent’ more effectively?  Not much. I’ve practiced with it. I’ve used it-tentatively.  But, have I really put enough into improving and/or developing that responsibility to deem it more effective? Will I be able to present this ‘talent’ back to the Lord in a ‘better’ condition?

Even though I am sharing these thoughts for you to consider in your life, I’m beginning to think that I am secretly writing to myself! 

Ok, Debbie…what ARE you going to do about it?    

   

I am challenging myself to be accountable and keep you informed about the developmental steps along my journey.

What about you?  Do you have some God-given interests/talentsor responsibilities that you need to start developing…before the Master returns? 

Time to start developing…

Debbie

Remembering Past Goals

 I'm back! A new part-time job that took a lot of full-time to get started kept me away for awhile. But, as you will see, I am ready to get back at it!

Two weeks ago our son was sharing with us about his next goal at his workplace. He had been made aware of an opening that interested him. He immediately began asking questions as to how he could prepare himself for that position should it come open again in the future. He is already working towards those requirements.

I expressed to him how proud I was that he continued to have a goal for his next stage in life.  He, my husband, and I talked about how important that was and how everyone should have a next step goal.

I got to thinking about myself. Do I have a next step goal? What could it be? From the position I am in currently, the next career step would involve full-time. That doesn’t interest me at all. The next educational step would involve a PhD or DRE….sorry, but that doesn’t excite me either. So, I was left with….Is there a next step? You mean,  there is no goal? That sounds so counter-productive considering our family conversation.

As I was getting ready for work a couple of days ago, I had a random (God-given) thought about one of the blog posts I wrote a few years ago. I was reminded that it had been awhile since I have written (I haven’t written much since I began my part-time teaching). I had thought about it, but a topic never seemed to come to mind.

After reviewing this particular post, I remembered how much I love writing and how I had once considered having one of my blog series published. How could I have forgotten about that? Then it hit me…..that had once been my next step goal, and when I reached a next step (back to teaching), I neglected to move writing to my next, next step.

I do have a next step goal. But, I need to start working towards it. So, this post is my next post. Now I just need to take those steps, as my son did, to start preparing to reach that next level.  I plan to start looking into the publication process and taking specific, well-placed steps towards that goal.

Prayers appreciated!

Debbie

With Confidence.....Make sure to finish your sentence!

I've been busy….exhibiting confidence…. 

The semester has begun, and I am teaching a couple of ministry and Education classes at Baptist Bible College. I remember back in September when I was approached about teaching these classes…My response was...Me? Is there a ‘curriculum’ the previous teacher used? NO? You mean I have to develop the course as well? ME? Are you sure? Swallow…gulp..swallow.

Well, I am doing it... and enjoying it…and am comfortable with it….

So let’s go back to our initial CONFIDENCE post. Our emphasis was on the main definition of confidence…“The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something, -a firm trust.”

As a result of this early study on the word confidence, I have now become very conscientious about not using the word confidence in the following manner:

I have confidence!

     He played with confidence. 

          She taught with confidence.

Here’s my thought:

Remember in school when our teachers emphasized not ending a sentence with a preposition? I remember whenever I asked my mom where something was at, (sidenote: You wouldn’t believe the ‘argument’ I had with spellcheck to keep this sentence!) she always responded…'behind the at'. A preposition should always be used in a prepositional phrase—which means a preposition should never end a sentence. 

For example, 'Who are you writing this to?'….should be worded, “to whom are you writing?”

What are you looking for?…could be better written as, “Are you looking for anything in particular?”

I am sure you remember all going through all that in your high school or college English classes! Sometimes the sentence sounds strange when writing it correctly!

In much the same way, I have decided that it is also improper to end a sentence with the word confidence. Since confidence is based on a trust placed in someone or something, that someone or something should follow the word confidence in your sentence.

The salesperson should state, “I have confidence in this wonderful product!”

As mentioned in previous posts, the athlete should state, “I have confidence in my teammates!”

     ….He was confident in his training.

         ….She was confident in her research.

OR …I am confident in the One who has given me the abilities and talents to do what He has planned for me… 

As a result, there should be no more…

You want ME to….? Are you sure? Swallow…gulp..swallow.

I am confident of this very thing…He that has begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).  He has prepared me to perform His plan….Wow!~ the confidence that should  exude  from that thought!

With confidence, (in the One who has….)

Debbie