Solid Theology in a song

There are so many songs out there claiming to be praise and worship music. But then you are singing something and you might ask yourself "Am I singing of God's praises or of something that just promotes humanity?"

I came across Sovereign Grace Music a few years ago and was surprised at the richness and depth of theology they sing.

I heard this song today at church and was not surprised that it was a Sovereign Grace Music song.

This song is called "Alive" and it expresses salvation's truth.

Be Blessed.

The fun has ARRIVED!

So my room is ready to rock and roll with my Magnificent Seven kiddos for a Fun-tastic year of 3rd grade together. It started out like this

and after several days of rearranging and getting my bearings.....the finished product is.....

I am having a lot of fun getting to know my new room and the new gadgets I get to use. I am so thankful for a helpful staff that never gets tired of my countless questions. At the pre-field orientation I spent 2 weeks at this summer, one thing was said that I find VERY true now. Learning a new culture makes you feel like a toddler. I have felt that way so many times. I am so grateful for the grace given me here.

The kids arrived on Monday, and we had a nice LONG recess Monday afternoon- Haha....We had a half day. Tuesday and Wednesday were nice full days. Thanks to a Korean holiday, we have Thursday off!

I have 7 sweet kids that have made me smile down to my toes in the short time I've spent with them. One of my girls, when asked if she liked reading, says, "No, I don't like reading. I LOVE READING!"

One thing I have come to love about Korea is the constant reminder of Psalm 121. There are mountains in sight everywhere I have been over the last 2 1/2 weeks. I love the reminder that my eyes have to be on Christ.

 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

 My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

 He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

 indeed, he who watches over Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

 the sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore.

DRUM ROLL........

SCHOOL STARTS MONDAY! WOOHOO! It's REALLY here!

The classroom is coming along. So much better than what it started out as. The end is truly better than the beginning.

Pictures to come!

R2

Week 1

I am in Korea. I am IN Korea. I AM IN KOREA!!!!
This was the progression of my thoughts upon landing last Saturday afternoon. In between thoughts of, "Oh my word, I'm tired" and "Its 2 am to me; 4 pm here" this was volleying back and forth in my head.
The flight to Seoul was long. 14 hours is a long time on a plane, but God blessed me with the ability to lay down and stretch out on the plane. I was the only one on my row and had PLENTY of leg room to myself! I am a huge fan of Korean Air!

The ride to what will be my home for the next two years was about an hour long, but the closer we got, the more I was longing for bed. Jetlag was not something I was looking forward to. But, I'd get to experience a worship service as one of my first experiences in Korea.

The past week has been full of a lot of everything-information, places, faces, foods, you name it.
One thing I needed to learn was the neighborhood. The school is about a five minute walk from my apartment.

These top 2 pictures are of one of the shady sidewalks I take to school. The bottom photo shows one of the growing rose bushes held up with a pink ribbon. Several along the road were held up to the gate behind it by a pink ribbon. Just thought it was interesting. :)

My classroom was one of the things that was a big questionmark to me. What would be waiting for me? Did I bring enough to get a new year started? How am I going to do this?
Well, little did I know what was waiting for me...

This picture does not do it justice. My needs were met and continue to be met as the days have gone by and I've gotten to dig through this abundance. God is good!

School starts August 12. My room does not look like the above anymore. :) Pray for me as I go through the second week of orientation and adjusting to the routines and procedures of a new school. There has been aa tremendous amount of support and encouragement. I feel the sense of family very strongly. One of my favorite things so far has been to sing songs of worship with the faculty and staff to start the day.

I am very excited to meet my students next weekend at the back to school picnic. Please pray with me as a new year starts for a good start. Pray that God would remind me daily of my purpose and focus.

More to come later!

C.T. Studd poem

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
 Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
 Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
 Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
 Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
                                                    by C.T. Studd

I will trust YOU

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you" Matthew 6:33 gets quoted so quickly so frequently and yet I forget its meaning so much of the time.
Jesus spent a good part of Matthew 6 talking about worry. We worry in such a knee-jerk reaction to the issues of our lives.

No matter what "IT" is, worry is not supposed to be in the mindset of the believer. I find myself caught up in worry here and there with so many unknown factors about moving overseas. There is a fear that I will be boarding the plane to leave when something will come to mind that I have not taken care of yet. And that stresses me out just thinking of something catching me off guard!

Whatever it is-the long flight, the extra baggage fees, the language issues, culture shock, etc...I CAN NOT WORRY about it. That is only going to distance my mind from God and focus on the problem.
I must trust Him. He knows what He's doing; what's going on; what's coming up. He's got it in His hands. That Sunday school song can't be just a song from way back when. "He's got the whole world in his hands" has to be my song of remembering the good things my God has done.

I recently heard a Christian radio station DJ remind their listeners about worry: "Don't stress about it; God's got this"   In the simplicity of that statement, Matthew 6:33 came to mind. Jesus said in another part of that chapter, "Which of you by thinking about it can add one inch to his height?" Jesus knows our ploys in worry; we need to know that there is nothing positive going to come from it.
All a good worry session does is to provide an income for the makers of heartburn and indigestion meds.

"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6