Education for Eternity

Friday.....the day every working person looks forward to; the day the work- week ends and the weekend begins. Today was a good Friday. During the second half of the day the entire student body participated in a field day. Praise the Lord, we had a clear and sunny day to play. One of the benefits of having a small school is the ability to get everyone together at the same time. We were able to create teams with kids from K5 to 12th grade on them. I love watching the junior and senior high students step into the leadership roles and come alongside the younger students during the games. Our students at LBA have awesome school spirit. I praise God for the safe, godly environment in which our students receive a well- rounded, Bible- based education. And I am blessed to be part of the ministry of LBA.

Moses Stood Up

By faith Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. (Hebrews 11:25) He chose suffering. No one in their right mind should choose suffering. But Moses had a mind guided by God; guided by faith. Choosing to stand alongside other believers and suffer is a hard choice. Right now there are things in life that I would much rather focus on;, things that are nothing but passing pleasures. When people are remembering me at my funeral some day, I pray they will be quoting this verse about me. "Lindsey (or mom, grandma, etc.) made an evident choice in life. She chose to stand by God's people to serve and suffer and to ignore the passing pleasures of sin." I know that won't be true of my entire life. Goodness, I have given in to the passing pleasures of sin more times than I care to recount. But that was then, and from now on I have the opportunity to make this verse true about my life. Probably the most significant word in this verse is the word "chose." Moses made a definite choice. He didn't wait around to decide what felt right, he chose to do what was right. Choosing God's way isn't always going to feel right or good, but if it truly is God's way it will be both right and good. For that I sing His praises. I have to make choices, big ones. By faith I want to choose to suffer with God's people...I want to choose to do things God's way. How sad for my life to be filled with things that won't last, things that will burn up when I stand before God. What are you choosing for your life? Are you choosing to suffer, or to sin? As a word of encouragement if you are struggling with this choice, Romans 8:18 says "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which will be revealed in us."

See My Lake

Last night I took a walk on the beach and the pier. I always find that to be incredibly relaxing. It was a bit breezy and cool, but not unbearable. The sky was clear; a perfect night for pictures. Here are some that I took. Maybe when you see how beautiful it is here you will come and visit!!

Have Mercy!

Mom's in the hospital again for her heart. This time we came to Mercy. Everyone says it's better than NOCH. Aunt Lynda (RN) works here; so does my cousin Jeff (Dr.). They ended up admitting her and we will probably be here all weekend. Oy! Family has been up to visit, of course. We stick together through thick and thin...and in our family it's usually pretty thick! Pray for us.....Thanks!

Answered Prayer

This story is a few months old, but in light of my upcoming trip I wanted to share it with everyone. Last year the car I had been driving died. It was a little red Neon that belonged to my parents. "The little flying red tomato" served me well during college, but I guess the trips back and forth to Wisco. were just to much for her. So for many months I prayed and looked and looked and prayed for a new car. I decided to pray specifically. I prayed for low(or decent) mileage, clean and nice looking, a Cd player, and something within my price range. I found several cars that would have been sufficient, but none of the vehicles were exactly what I was praying for. God can provide anything, so I didn't want to limit Him. I said "No" to everything that did not fit my prayer request. Finally, at the end of August, I spotted a little black Focus not too far from my house on Beacon Blvd. I talked TAD into taking me to look at it. It was a practically-brand-new-looking 2001 Ford Focus hatchback. Low miles, in my price range, super clean and nice, and a Cd player! I knew immediately that this was what I had been praying for. TAD went with me again to test drive it, and I bought it on September 1. I am so grateful for the car God has provided me, and I tell this story any chance I get.

This summer my "little cricket", as I like to call her, will take mom and me on our road trip south and west. I have no doubt that she will get us there and back with no trouble at all. And being such a small car, she gets pretty good gas mileage too!

Making Plans

The whole point of my road trip this summer is to not have a set schedule. I want to go at my own pace, see the things I want to see, and get to San Diego whenever I get there! Mom wholeheartedly agrees. However, there are a few things that we actually plan to do/see on the way there, while we are there, and on the way home. Here is a list of a few of the things we are going to do/see and links so you can check them out for yourself!

the Gateway Arch (St. Louis) www.gatewayarch.com
Mud Island River Park (Memphis) www.mudisland.com
Beale Street (Memphis) www.bealestreet.com
Balboa Park (San Diego) www.balboapark.com
the San Diego Zoo www.sandiegozoo.org
The Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum (San Diego) www.midway.org
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona, of course) www.grand.canyon.national-park.com

Random Thoughts

It's been a while since I have shared my thoughts here. Not many people read this blog though so I don't know if it matters too much really. Having this blog has made me realize how unexciting my life is. Don't get me wrong...I am incredibly busy and blessed. Every night of the week I am off doing something, and I house/dog/kid sit just about every other week it seems. I think the thing is that every week is the same. Nothing really changes. But that's ok. I like my life. It does seem too easy though. Since I work with other believers, I rarely have opportunity to mingle with unbelievers and be challenged in my faith. I have been hearing about believers in other countries, other situations, who are losing their lives or at least facing grave danger because of their open faith. My life is safe, comfortable, and totally risk- free. If I really lived like Christ could return at any moment, I don't think my life would be so sweet and easy. On the flip side of all this I am grateful for safety, freedoms, plenty of food and clothing (and I do mean plenty! You should see my cupboards and my closet). But how can I step out and take some risks? Sitting around and waiting for risks to come to me...well, that's just silly. This summer I am going to let God change my life. In my lovely, wonderful world God can make a difference in me if I let Him. It seems to me that when a person opens their schedule, wallet, etc. to God and asks Him to do with it as He pleases, He is more than happy to oblige! That right there is risky business. One must count the cost of service to Christ because to go back on one's commitment....oh, that's bad. Am I ready to pay the price? To take up my cross and truly follow Christ as I ought? I guess we'll find out.