if you gonna throw rocks...

put your heart in it, and throw some or all of these...

It will be one of the most powerful and positive parts of  your soul showing up in the life of anyone in your path.

Aim high and hit many.

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:31

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

an unsettling day

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 27:8

Sundays... they are usually my favorite days.   Time to pray, sing and join others in worship at church, and then time to unwind, rest and refresh for the week ahead.  But yesterday the latter segment of my day was jolted with troubling events.

It started with the discovery of a dead squirrel.  Evidently he crashed through the grill of the car and judging by his stiff look and obnoxious smell, he had been there at least a week.  Then we progressed to a swarm of over a thousand honeybees that targeted and took over a tree in our yard. Next a long, dark friend was found slithering in our arbor.  Really?

Yet, even amidst all these unwanted disruptions, we ended up with an extra sweet day.

The beekeeper we contacted came in the evening to take the bees.  Not only did we learned a lot of fascinating facts about honeybees but she gifted us with a jar of honey, as well as grits and cornmeal she and her husband grow, grind and sale.  Wow! Talk about hidden treasures in hardships, our cup is overflowing with a new friendship along with some of our most favorite foods, made right here in Pauline, SC.

So, the next time you say, "Really? what else can happen?"...  may an unexpected golden nugget surface and help make sense of it all.  May we remember though, we don't have to wait to see the nugget, we just need to TRUST HIM.

God has a plan, and it is good.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

a needed nudge

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

"Stop pushing me!"

But Tommy had good reason for his action. The teacher had come to pick up her class from library, and Sally was turned around facing the back of the line chatting with her friend.  After patiently waiting, for about 4 seconds, Tommy nudged her.  Sally was too comfortable doing the wrong thing and needed a push in the right direction.

It's easy to get distracted and turned around in the wrong direction.  Instead of building others up, shredding them to bits can be easier and more satisfying at the moment.  And gossip as opposed to prayer, can be the quickest words to trickle from our eager lips.

Lord, when i am turned around pleasing myself and others before You, let something or someone nudge me back in the right direction.  I want to serve and bring glory to you first.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love an do like we believe it,

veneal

an unlikely response

 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10: 25

Spring break is over, and we are back to our daily duties.  While checking books out to a student yesterday, i was reminded not all feel the same about returning to school.  

When i asked Melia about her Break, she admitted she cried Sunday.  I told her, "I understand; i had a hard time coming back too."

"No, that wasn't why i cried," she replied. "I was crying because i was excited about coming back to school and seeing my friends!"  

Wow, i didn't see that coming. Her greatest joy was getting back together with friends.

Oh, how i love a surprising breath of fresh air! May we enjoy, encourage and strengthen each other as we reunite too. Thank You, Father, for unexpected smiles and nudges.  

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

we got this

 "...REJOICE that your names are written in heaven."  Luke 10:20

Tuesday morning... dreary weather, early waking hours, and a return to lesson plans.  Were you ready for it?  After a week off for Spring break, obnoxious alarms reminded all there is more work to do.  But don't despair, smile!  Because a longer break is coming soon!

Just reflecting back on the week before Spring Break solidifies the fact we can do this.  Five incredible performances of "Matilda" that week, involving close to half the student body, is all the proof we need.  If we can survive that we have the magic to finish the year strong.

Through music, sermons, the Word, and other believers we get glimpses and reminders of heaven here on earth.  Those times are true magical gifts providing hope, encouragement, and an assurance that God has so much more in store for us.  But for now, we still have work to do.  We are called to be Jesus with skin on.  

May the Light of our Father keep shining in us and guiding others to the final curtain call of the glorious, heavenly end.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

comma power

 Jesus said...

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

How was your comma?  Or in other words, how was your Spring Break? According to the dictionary, a comma is a break; a punctuation mark that represents a slight pause.  

According to the Word, it is a break in life; a pause in an ever turning and hectic world filled with obligations, schedules and activities; a time of rest.  A moment of rest with Him can provide the fuel needed to keep going, especially during hard times. 

Hopefully, Spring Break provided the restful comma you needed.  Yet for some, the comma was scratched out, and life kept moving full speed ahead with unexpected sadness, loss, hurt and confusion.  And for you, my friends, i am praying God's protection over you to include an extra layer of comfort and peace as we return to finish out the school year.

Do you need a comma now?  Sometimes God interjects a comma in our life to slow us down, to refocus and rest in Him.  I think you will agree a break is better than a breakdown.  When we use commas in sentences, the sentences provide clarity and important detail before we reach the end.  Do you think that can be true regarding life too?  Listen, Jesus calls us to Him to get needed REST.  And that Truth ends with a period, not a comma.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live, love, do and REST like we believe it,
veneal

the morning after... new life

"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

It's the day after Easter, and it's still a good day!  Don't let those doubts and fears seep back into your victorious soul.

Father, i am reminded you are among the living, not the dead.  May our lives reflect we believe that. You are reason enough for every day to be called Good.  Thank You for saving me.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal