Bud, the outcast

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

Not only was he new to our school, but he was quite different.  Bud's willful personality wasn't welcomed by all he met.  He was lanky, sneaky and defiant. He was escorted off the grounds several times, only to return later to the rolling eyes at school. I liked Bud for who he was... until he bit me, then i too became leery.  Clearly, school was not the right place for Bud, the orange cat.  But for the two-legged "cats" prowling on the grounds, school is a must. 

Schools, clubs and organizations are composed of people from all walks of life - each possessing an assorted bag of life experiences, producing the unique one-of-a-kind person they are. And unless our bag-of-experiences is identical to theirs,we might fall short in understanding and caring for them as God wishes.

Lord, help me to keep an open mind and heart with all i come in contact with today.  Their are reasons why we are different, and it's okay.  I don't have to know nor understand.  You have asked me to just accept them as they are, as You have me, so to bring honor to You.  And that, my Father, is good enough.

Love your Buds, as He loves us.

have a kind-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

"Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13



Lord, i have because You provide.  Help me to share as freely with others as You do with me.

did you make it?

"On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:11

In early 1990 a small group of Texas teenagers felt strongly compelled by God to pray for their friends.  They drove to three different schools and prayed for the friends, schools ad leaders around the flagpoles.  Later on that year in September, over 45,000 students in 4 states stepped up to the challenge they made to others to pray.  Now, more that 3 million students/people in over 20 countries participate and pray at schools on what has become to be known as "See You at the Pole" day.

Isn't it amazing what obedience to our Father does?!  One can witness the results of prayers for our school everyday.  God is so faithful, even when we are not.  If you haven't prayed yet, it's not too late.  Whether at school around the flagpole or in your heart, join the others right now in prayer.  May the power of the prayers of many cover our schools and all involved in the care of our children with favor, blessings, protection and guidance.  By the way, YOU have already been prayed for today!   Go about your day with the confidence that God is with you.

have a prayer-filled "See You at the Pole" day!

veneal

loser? never!

"... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us..."  Romans 5:3-5

We are only a loser when we quit believing and quit trying.  As long as we do not quit, we are a winner.

have a hope-filled day!
veneal

going home... now

"... devote yourselves to prayer" 1 Corinthians 7:5

"It's been that kind of morning?" asked Mrs. Patty.  How did she know??  Was it my wet hair, my sweater half on or the wild look in my eye that told of my frantic morning? Whatever tipped her, she was right.  I needed to pull my frazzled self together, because the day's schedule promised to be long and explosive.  My most pressing question was where to start?  I just wanted to go home... so i did.

When overwhelmed with life, there is one place of comfort and safety we can always retreat.  Home... the home of our heart and soul.  The very place Jesus went when He needed comfort, strength to continue, or peace.  We can go home at any time or any place, when we stop and pray to our Father.  Because home is where the heart is... and as believers, our heart belongs to and is with God.

have a prayer-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ JOY

"YOU are a chosen people... a people belonging to God... called out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Don't live in the misery of what was, but live in the joy of what will be!
CHOOSE JOY, EVERYDAY! 

TODAY is a present from God, open it with a smile!!

wear your whites!

"And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8

Labor Day is over and the temperature has dropped... can we still wear white?  Sure!  Ms. Post might disagree, but it's bound to be 95 degrees somewhere on the wonderful earth, and that's good enough for me.  Truly, i've caused the fashion police to shutter for years over my choices. 

Sometimes it's necessary to look beyond our immediate surroundings for answers.  And sometimes we need to be a rebel and to step outside of what the world tells us.  When we answer to a higher calling, we can be assured we are dressed exactly the way God intends.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

I think i'll continue to wear my whites as a sign of surrendering my all to God.  What are you going to do with your whites?

have a surrendering-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ hope

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  
Romans 15:13

a true know-it-all

"I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me." Isaiah 49:15-16

Her request had slipped my mind.  But flipping a paper over, i spotted a number written on my palm - triggering my memory.  Mrs. Terry wanted to check out a book, and i was not at my regular station.  With pen in hand, i wrote the barcode for the book on my palm to remind me of her need later.  And it worked.

Have you made any requests to our Father lately?  Do you feel He has forgotten you, possibly dealing with more pressing issues?  Rest assured, He has not!  He is concerned and aware of every detail in our life. He knows all of our worries, fears, doubts, hurts, embarrassments, etc.  Our Father intently watches over us as if we are His one and only child.  To Him, there is not a more pressing issue than you.  We are engraved on His palms and His heart for eternity.

have a grate-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

"Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."

Proverbs 20:15


You, my friend, are of great value.

what a stink!

"He guide the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. "  Psalm 25:9

Wanting new library books, Meg frowned at the checkout counter when i told her she still had two books out.  Her checkout privileges were on hold until she could return them. One book left at home, "Stink!", summed up her feelings. The next day she returned with a big smile on her face and the overdue books.

Stinking messes... they happen.  Fortunately, most can be cleaned up by taking corrective action on our own or with guidance from God. The only time the stink gets worse is when we do nothing and just sit in it. 

So, let's move!  And let the sweetness of our Father override and carry us through any stink in our life.  Trust and know He has a wonderful plan for our life.

have a sweet-filled day!
veneal

just suppose...

"...encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone... always try to be kind..." 1 Thessalonians 5:14,15

Just suppose....

the first smile of their day came from your face

patience to teach a new skill came from your heart

words of encouragement came only from your lips

guidance to complete a task came from your hands  

compassion for their hurt came from your soul

the only tears cried for their pain fell from your eyes

Would it really make a difference?  YOU are making a bigger impact than you could ever imagine.

Random acts of kindness build a mighty fortress for our Father!! And, brings others to Him.

have a kind-filled day!

veneal

a Mighty Word

Jesus said...
"Go and make disciples of all nations..."  Matthew 28:18

Does that mean, of all...
countries
states
cities
neighborhoods
work places, and even
class rooms

Absolutely!

Surely if we are the hands, feet and heart of Jesus, others will see Him and want Him too.  It's easiest to make disciples, when we are one.

have a show and tell-filled day!

a real push

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."  Galatians 6:10

 

Morning drop-off traffic stalled when a parent's car died turning into the  school's driveway, blocking the entrance.  I sat watching the driver and 2 school employees push the car into the parking lot.  Their struggle grew as the driveway's incline grew.  I had two choices... continue watching or help them push.  The decision was easy, the push a little harder.  But others and myself had much to gain by lending a helping hand.

 

The right choice is not always the easiest one or the one we planned to make.  Yet, by giving ourselves to others in need, we become the hands of God.  Thanks be to all the helping hands in schools and elsewhere.  Let God be glorified in all we do.

 

have a hands-on filled day!

veneal

a Mighty Word on 9/11

Jesus said…
“Peace I leave with you; My Peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27


A godly peace is everlasting built on one solid foundation... Jesus Christ.
A worldly peace is one built on constantly shifting, sinking sands.

Choose God, and be filled with His Peace through all things.

have a peace-filled day!
veneal

ruff trouble

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

A new library book, "Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School", was definitely in trouble.  But as i saw it, the title was wrong -- the trouble in front of me wasn't from a school, but a home. Hannah took the book home to read.  And, her pup devoured it... tearing it to shreds. A more accurate title for the book now is Hannah and Puppy N. Trouble at Home... and parent pays the fine.

Troubles, we all have them... at home, at school, at work, at church.  No one is immune.  The important question is how we handle trouble when it does come our way.  Like the child who left the book on the floor with her puppy, we too have a Parent we can confide in with the truth.  A Parent who is able, willing and eager to come to our aid.

Thank You, Father, for loving and caring for us in the good times and in our times of trouble... even when our actions or words are the actual source of our trouble and pain.  How blessed we are to call You, Father!

have a thank-filled day!
veneal

a bucket case

Jesus said...
"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."  Matthew 12:34

I love bulletin boards as school.  They are full of wonderful ideas and truths.  For example, last week i spotted a colorful display of buckets on the wall, proclaiming,"WE ARE BUCKET FILLERS".  Sweet kindergarteners' notes attached to the board claimed the promise to fill someone else's bucket by helping, sharing and giving.  A beautiful lesson and reminder for all ages.

Lord, what am i putting in the bucket (or heart) of others with my words and actions?  Help me to remember whatever is filling up my heart is what will be flowing out on others.

have a heart-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

"...encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." 1 Thessalonians 5:14




Strong orders of kindness reaping strong results in God's glory.

the honeymoon's over...

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:12

There's nothing like a wedding and the sweet honeymoon that follows.  The excitement, joy and happiness are incredible. Everyone and everything is perfect. Then, BAM! reality strikes, and the true work begins.  The start of a new school year is the same.... our "wedding and honeymoon" is over.
  

As we plod forward through the highs and the lows this school year, let us always remember to keep our face turned towards our Father.  There our joy and peace can be constant because of His unending love for us.  Through Him and by Him we are able to have the right spirit and heart to serve others in His Holy Name.  Yes, the honeymoon is over, but the joy and rewards of building wonderful, everlasting relationships in the classroom is just beginning.  Give thanks, and celebrate with gladness!

have a joy‑filled day!

veneal

A Mighty Starry Word

"... for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..."  Philippians 2:13-15

It's said most everyone will experience five minutes of fame or stardom on earth.  As a believer in Christ, though, you have the opportunity to shine like a star every day.  Live as you believe, my sisters and brothers, and His Light within you will reflect an eternal stardom -- possessing the power to draw others to His Mighty Love and salvation.  You are His star; and you are His hope for others to witness.

have a star-filled day!
veneal

p. s. more help in the classroom

"...for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever! Amen" Romans 11:36

Have you gotten the book yet? My friend, Dalene Parker, wrote
and published "Christian Teachers in Public Schools" last spring. Great
insight, encouragement and guidance for any teacher!  A must read for all Christian teachers.

Dalene included one of my Salt Shaker devotions at the end of each chapter.  Get a peek into the book and "meet" Dalene on Monday, September 3rd!  She is going to be a guest on the "Your Carolina" show Labor Day.  Tune in locally in the Upstate at 10am on WSPA, channel 7. And i hear Dalene is taking a guest with her for the show.  Hmmm. 

Have a wonderful, restful Labor Day weekend.  And I'll see and chat with you
soon!

Have a peace-filled weekend!
veneal