The perfect teacher

My pastor made a statement during the message this Sunday. He said that God was unlike the "traditional" teacher in that first HE tests us, then HE teaches us. This stuck with me, and I began to reflect on just how true that is. In the school system, we are first taught and then tested on the material. God does the opposite. He presents us with situations and trials to test us, to test our faith. It is what we do in those times that we are taught the lessons that HE has in store for us. Now, I don't know about you, but I learn so much better from actual life experience then from a book. I love that we can learn so much through life and through HIS teachings. The bible is our "textbook" and is never out of print or out of date. We can look to it for answers, questions or reflection.
Lord, thank you for being our ultimate and most perfect teacher. Help us to be good students and to seek your word, your truth and your love more everyday....

The Good Samaritan in modern day

First....a little background. This devotion came to me as a newsletter from my dear friend Corrie who is currently serving as directors of an orphanage in Nicaragua. Their ministry is a powerful one, and God continues to show them and teach them some pretty awesome things on a daily basis. Here is her story:

“I Am My Brother’s Keeper”

“Is he okay?” Chris hit the breaks and looked at me shocked. “Who?” I asked. “The guy on
the side of the highway, he is just lying there!” Chris pulled the truck over and we rolled
closer to a dark form sprawled out on the shoulder of the busiest highway in Nicaragua. “Do
you think, well, is he drunk?” I leaned forward straining to see him. Chris lowered his voice
and said; “he may be … dead?” He went to a whisper on the last word. My eyes bugged out
and my jaw dropped as I turned and looked at the body on the road as Chris got out of the
truck. Tractor trailers screamed by and the force of their passing made us shake. I turned the
hazard lights on as I watch Chris cautiously approach the body while the children and I
prayed. I saw some movement and was so relieved. One after another I watched vehicles of
all types pass by while Chris tried to waive down help. “Good thing he wore his red shirt today.”
I was thinking to myself. A couple of vehicles slowed down to look but kept on driving.
Finally, two trucks pulled over. I saw a lot of talk, pointing, and waiving. The man driving
the truck looked Chris up and down then threw his hands up and waived over his shoulder
as he walked off. Chris then talked to the other people. The same result, they left.
Chris came over and got the cell phone. I shoved a water bottle and some cash out the window
as I learned that the young man was hit by a car as he was walking down the side of the
road, 2-hours earlier! The impact sent him into the ditch and he had managed to crawl to the
shoulder for help before he collapsed. He was lying face up on the dark pavement for hours as
the heat of the Nicaraguan sun bore down on him. He was in shock, to say the least. He regained
consciousness and Chris helped him to his feet. He staggered a couple of steps back
and then clutched his left side in pain. From the looks of him he was about nineteen. Per his
request, we put him on a bus to go to the hospital that he had a card for (providing him with
free government health coverage). He assured us that the hospital was next to his house and
that once he got there he would be okay, and then thanked Chris profusely.

Afterwards, Chris sat down in the truck and blew out a long slow breath. “Can you believe
it? A guy was lying on the North Highway, on a Sunday afternoon, for 2-hours, in 90 degree
heat, and NO ONE stopped to help him! I could not even get someone to pull over and when I
finally did, all they could say is; “he is not my responsibility.” He shook his head in disbelief
as we headed toward home. “Daddy, why wouldn’t anyone help? Doesn’t anyone care here
in Nicaragua?” Erica was fighting tears while Stanton wanted to call the police and hunt
down who hit him. “Baby, it is not just here in Nicaragua, it is the world. Remember the
good Samaritan? It was on a day like today, people coming and going. Some even passed
the wounded man on their way to church, yet no one would stop, look, and care enough to
make a change except the good Samaritan. You know, I am not arrogant enough to think that
I can change the world, but we all can do something about the guy right in front of us!” It
struck me as I looked in the back seat at the children who were quietly each in their own little
world pondering what had just happened. But we can change the world, if each of us would
just help the guy right in front of us. I Am My Brother’s Keeper. ~Corrie Harris

www.NicaVFN.com

The Holy Alphabet

I got this in one of my morning devotions and had to share.....

Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!*
*Author Unknown

Just Because

Well, it's happened. I got sick. With this hot one day, cold and rainy the next day weather, it was inevitable I guess. Now, it's human nature to want to be "babied" when you are sick, but when you are a mother, that's just out of the question especially when your children are also sick, which mine are. Usually, the scenario goes like this....me being "babied" means I get to have a 5 minute rest on the couch with little hands poking and prodding me the whole time.
A couple of hours ago, I got a very sweet call from my husband. One of those "just because" calls that are few and far between. He called to tell me how much he loves and appreciates me and all that I do for our family. He also said how sad he was to know that I was sick at home and he had to be at work and school today. He said he was going to try to come home early tonight and really baby me. HOW SWEET IS THAT???? I think after 5 years of marriage, we are finally starting to really understand each other's love languages. Mine is words of affirmation, and his is Acts of Service. I love him more today then I did the day I married him!