"Seasons of Life"

Tonight I'll begin teaching ladies' Bible class after taking the summer off. This new semester will be called "Seasons of Life".  There are many different age groups in the class, from mid-20's to 80's, so these lessons will be geared to learn from each of these "seasons".

It's fitting that this new class corresponds with the beginning of my very favorite time of year: September, October, November, and December.  I love this season!

The scripture basis for the class will be this:

 "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5

There was a time when I was one of the youngest women in the class.  Not so anymore!  Now I'm middle-aged, so am teaching the younger ones, but also still learning from the older ones.  This passage is so good.  Women learn from one another and that's what I want this new class to be about - sharing and learning from each other.

This new season of life I'm in, with two children gone and two still at home is weird.  It's great to be able to have the youngest two and spend time just with them, but the house is quieter, less messy (Even though the youngest two say they are the messiest and it will be messy!  Truthfully, I'm the messiest of them all!), and just different.  Sitting at our huge dining table that seats 10 is just different with four.  It's weird, but we will get used to it soon.

With each season of life, we have different ways that we can serve God.  That will be another aspect of ladies' class this semester.  When all of our children were young, I felt like I wasn't doing anything for others because I didn't have the time.  Now that it's less busy, I can make meals for others, visit others, and do more "work" for the Lord.  But I truly was working for Him when the kids were little.  They were my work!  And the two here at home now are still my work.  Too many stop this work as the last one or two are left at home.  The youngest can be neglected and spoiled in a way, left to do for himself/herself.  I want to make sure that doesn't happen with ours.  He'll need just as much guidance and supervision as the others have had - maybe more.

So what season of life are you in? Which has been your favorite?  Which has been your least favorite?  Reflect on those questions today.  Take the time to share with someone else about your season of life.  It's quite possible that something you have gone through and share will be something they needed to hear.  

JESUS IS THE REASON...

..for EVERY season!

Revised edition of previous post. Original post published in December 2009.

The above title and following statement has been on my mind for the past few days and also the following scripture had come to mind:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17

So, it was interesting when the preacher this morning used these same scriptures as the basis for his sermon.  Of course we know that Christmas is recognized as the celebration of the birth of Jesus, but do we always think about the fact that Jesus is the reason for EVERY season? 

The Bible actually never says when our Savior was born.  Some have speculated on his actual birthdate, but it's ranged from the fall months to the spring months.  So, in other words, no one is really sure!  But, at least during this season of Christmas, more people have their focus on Him.  We must use this time to remind them of the fact that this little sweet baby grew up and taught the world about His purpose and His Father's plan.  This man went to the cross and died to be the Savior of all who will obey Him and His Father.  We must remind people to not put the baby Savior back in a box on December 26 and just forget about Him the rest of the year. Use this special time of year to share Jesus with others in a way that they might not have ever heard!

So about Jesus' birth date.  Does it matter when He was born?  Does it matter if we know the exact date  Apparently not, or the Bible would tell us "when".  However, it does matter what we do with Jesus.  Do we only let Him be the reason for the Christmas season, or do we make Him a part of every season of the year?  He should be the reason and the hope for every day of our lives.

In Genesis 1:26, God says, "Let us make man in our image..."  Who is the "our" in this verse?  God himself, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  John 1:1-3 also tells how Jesus (the Word) was with God in the beginning:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

Jesus has always been and will always be the reason for every season.  Without Him there would be no hope of any season.  Let's all do our best to recognize that fact each and every day.
 
Have a great weekend everyone!

Chronicles of Biscuit - Changing Seasons

Today I was at the school around lunch time.  Biscuit's (nickname of our youngest child, Tyler) 1st grade class was going into the cafeteria to eat lunch, but his teacher saw me and came back to talk to me.  It's always scary when she starts any conversation with the words, "I've got to tell you what Tyler said yesterday!"  I told her I was scared (laughingly), but she assured me it was a cute story and that it would be a great blog post!

The 1st grade has been studying seasons.  She was asking the class what season came next and Tyler raised his hand.  She called on him and he answered:  "Baseball!"  He reasoned that after that it's football, then basketball, etc.  She's told me before that if she could make every subject relate to sports he would be happy and eager to learn!

Today was a beautiful, almost 60 degree and sunny day in southwest Oklahoma.  It actually made me think that springtime is near.  But, Sunday there were snow flurries and more are expected some time next week.  Seasons change.  Weather changes - sometimes from day to day.

While scientists and politicians debate about global warming and climate changes, I'm amazed that so much money is spent on research in this area.  In fact, the Bible verifies the fact that it is God who is control of all of this - changing of the seasons and any variations in the seasons.  All over the country billions and billions of dollars could be saved if everyone believed these verses in God's Word:

As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night

will never cease."

Genesis 8:22

 

The day is yours, and yours also the night;

you established the sun and moon.

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;

you made both summer and winter.

Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD,

how foolish people have reviled your name.

Psalm 74:16-18

So, you see, there is proof of the seasons....not baseball season, like Biscuit thought was coming next, but the seasons in nature which were created in the beginning...by God.

Springtime!

I don't know why I didn't notice it before. Each year it catches me by surprise. Today I was straightening up the living room and happened to look out the back French doors when I saw several green-leafed trees in the distance among the bare-branched trees. Driving down Broadway street in Tipton, you can see white blooms on the trees and daffodils are in bloom at my in-law's house. Springtime is almost here!

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

New life can be seen in nature all around us at this time of year. When we become Christians, we too walk in newness of life.

Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature:
old things are passed away;
behold all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Have a great day!