What I learned on House Mountain

After church on Sunday, Thomas and I decided to enjoy the beautiful day by going to House Mountain. The next day was Labor Day so we felt we had a little extra time. I knew my kids had gone there with the youth group. It turned out to be a very interesting day with some important object lessons for me.

We began our hike - there was a steep way and an easier way that made a loop. Our plan was to take the easier trail up the mountain and then the steeper, sunnier one down. It turned out that the easy trail was actually a hard trail because of all the obstacles. Our first one was a big tree that had fallen on others, so instead of stepping over one tree you had to climb up on top of several trees, being careful for them not to move. It was about 4 feet off the ground so missing one would have caused a broken leg or ankle. But that turned out to be the easiest obstacle.

The trail continued but it was not well marked. We got to this one place where the trail forked - this happened a lot on this hike. It looked like the fork to the right just went straight up and then disappeared. The fork going straight seemed to be the trail because you could see where it went. So we went on that trail. It just got harder and harder. We had to climb up short hills, but it was very steep and the trail was very sandy, so your foot would easily slip. We got to another down tree, waist high, too high to step over but to low to go under. We could see the horizon so it looked like we were on the way up. It finally just got more and more slippery but you could still see that there was a path. We didn't want to turn back, but finally we were so scared and had almost fallen down the trail several times. We also noticed that we had not seen any people for a while. We decided that we must have gotten off the trail somehow. We couldn't figure where, we had been following the blue trail blazes on trees. We also knew that we would have to go back over all the dangerous places we had climbed. After we passed the most dangerous places we ran into another couple. I usually don't stop to talk to people on a trail, but this time I warned them about our experiences. It was good to have someone else there. They decided to turn back with us. After a really rather short distance we saw a split in the trail, that we recognized as the one that looked like it went straight up. From this direction we could see the trail and then we saw the blaze on the tree where someone had added a little arrow, but the arrow was confusing. This is where we missed the trail.

Now here is the lesson. We were actually lost, on the wrong trail, or what in reality wasn't a trail. It had seemed so right. And the other couple had made the same mistake. Our life journey can sometimes be like this. We are so sure we are right and doing the right thing but can be so lost, so on the wrong trail. We should have turned back way sooner. The signs were there now that we look back - no people, many obstacles, no trail markings, but we kept going on in our own power. We didn't even know we were lost. This is what happens when we try to go through life on our own power. We figured that we went about an hour following the wrong trail, 30 minutes each way. It took us that long to realize something was wrong. But I think God sends us people along the way to get us back when we are lost. People that will help us question about the rightness of the trail. Just like the couple on the trail today.

The whole time we were lost and didn't know it, I wasn't scared that we were lost. I was scared that we were going to fall down the mountain. We did have a cell phone and good coverage. Being lost didn't scare me, it didn't even enter my mind. We knew we just had to retrace our steps, but it was the danger of the steps that was caused me to be afraid.

Another interesting thing, is that right when we met Mike and Peggy, the other couple who were also lost, Meredith called on our cell phone. I knew she had been on the trail several times when she was in high school, and I had just thought about calling her. She said it was a steep trail but did not ever remember it being as dangerous as the trail we were on. I think this let me know for sure that we were on the wrong trail.

So the four of now got back to the split in the trail where we took the wrong turn. Now we could see the trail and there was a little arrow added to the blue blaze. We just missed that before because the trail up looked so wrong and the wrong trail looked so right. So we continued on the right trail instead of going back down to our car. It was a shame to get that far and not get to the top. We also felt much more secure with another couple - 4 instead of 2. Yet another lesson. God made us to help each other. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12.

We continued on to the top. It was a hard climb and there were still some slick spots, but they were easier to navigate now that we knew we were on the right trail. There were also more people that we passed along the way to let us know we were on the right trail. The view from the top was wonderful.

We decided to also go back the easy trail, since it was hard enough, even though it was much longer then the steep trail. We made it back, safe, but dirty and dusty from the trail. The first thing I did at the bottom was to stop and get the dirt off my shoes and the rocks out. We told our traveling companions good by and went into Knoxville for supper at Panera bread and of course a coke Icee on the way home. We were exhausted. Thomas went straight to the chair. I went straight to the shower to wash off my dirty shoes and feet. As I rinsed the grime off I thought of the Uncommon Woman book we are reading in my Sunday school class and the image she used of the dirt that must have been in the pan as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. For you see I had on my Keen sandals and that is why my feet were so dirty. The disciples feet must have been that way too for they wore sandals. I thought again how dirty that water must have been and how wonderful it was to have clean feet and shoes. Jesus does the same for us. He washes our feet and makes us clean. What an act of love and how good it feels to be clean.

So now I am sitting in my sunroom, listening to the wonderful hymn arrangements from the Our Daily Bread CDs and just enjoying so much being safe and quiet and still. God has given me so many beautiful gifts today - this beautiful day with clear, blue skies and temperatures in the upper 70's and lower 80's, the beautiful view from the top of the mountain, traveling companions, and my wonderful Thomas.

Thank you, Father, for the lessons of today, keep them in my memory as pictures of your grace and care.

September 1 Memory Verse

This was not the verse that I had on my list. Dr. Osborne used it in chapel this morning and I really liked it. I think it will be a good one for the start of the semester.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Memory Verse for 8/15

As I face a new school year, I have chosen this verse to remind me how blessed I am and also why I have been blessed. God has given me a job to do and he has promised to give me all that I need.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Catching Up Again on Memory Verses

I seem to be having trouble keeping up with posting my memory verses. I have still kept adding them, but I haven't always posted them. Now that I can blog from my iPad and I don't have to get out my computer, maybe I can do a better job of keeping up.

July 1
I chose this one because it is my Mother's favorite verse.
Numbers 6: 24-26
The LORD bless you
and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '


July 15
I don't remember know exactly how I found this verse. I just knew it fit where I am right now as soon as i read it. I like the idea of running free in the path of God's commands, I want to do this as I face a new school year. I want to be free of stress and worry of being good enough and this will only happen when I run in the path of his commands.

Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

August 1
I decided I would focus on this very familiar verse to make sure that I have them un my head, I was reminded again of them in the podcast I have been listening to from Charles Swindoll.

Ephesians 2: 8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

A special place

I have been meaning to write this post since I got back from Fall Creek Falls. I just love that place. When I look back over my blog I see how many times I have talked about it or posted pictures of it. I don't really know why this place is so special to me, it just is.

I think of this place all the time. I can close my eyes and see it like I was there. I feel what it is like to ride my bike from the campground and then head down toward the hill to the lake. This is the place I think of first. I see every part of the road and feel when it gets flat right before I go down the big hill. I can see so many parts, all the trails, the campground, the way to the inn, Piney Falls, the big falls, the cascades, cane creek, the George hole. I can see it in different seasons - fall, spring, and summer. I have never been there in the deep of winter. I love to be there one day when there is snow. I see people that I have spent time with there - the children, mom and dad, the Davenports, Clark and Shirley the most, even the regulars from different places, like Curtis and Gertude.

The interesting thing about this place is that it only brings me happiness. I don't think that I have ever had a bad day there, even the rain and storms are not that bad.

Thank you God for this beautiful place and for showing it to me.

After a wedding

We are back from Nashville where we attended the wedding of Matt and Meredith's friends, Aaron and Deborah. Matt was a groomsmen in the wedding and Aaron will be a groomsman in Matt's wedding. It was interesting to see how Buck did the service. It made me wonder what Meredith's and Matt's service will be like.

Buck did a good job of explaining how marriage is a metaphor of the Christian life. He used the passage from Ephesians 5. It made me think about that passage again. I used to kind of bristle at that passage. I think that was when I focused on ly on the submitting. The more I think about it, what I was bristling against I think was the way the passage has been used by some men to repress women and treat them as objects. When I think about our marriage I think I have submitted to Thomas. It has not been hard to do that because how much Thomas loves me. I know that he would never ask me to do anything or even do anything that he thought would hurt me, for he loves me so much. I know he loves me and is so unselfish. I guess there have been times when I have been selfish and thought of my self first, but I think that most of the time I have submitted to him not because he makes me or I have to but because I know he loves me and wants what is best for me. Maybe, after all this time, I am really beginning how beautiful this passage really is. It also makes me so very grateful for Thomas who has done what this passage tells husbands to do for so mant

New iPad

This is my first post from my new ipad. It is an anniversary present from my wonderful husband. We waited for a month for tax free day. We were at the Apple store by 7:45 and waited in line for 2 hours. I was about the tenth person inline, but by the time the store opened the line was back to the food court.

I had the most interesting experience while waiting in line. I had brought my computer and some work because I knew that I would be there for awhile, but I never even got it out. I started a conversation with the man in front of me. He was an older gentleman. I don't remember now what started the conversation, but somehow we got to talking about education. I talked about what I have been reading about teaching the digital generation. We talked about a lot of other things. He had traveled a lot and it was so fascinatiing. Turns out he was on the state board of education.

I have now had the iPad for 3 days and I think the only time I have turned it off is when I have gone to bed. I love reading books on it. I have the iwork apps and I have typed my journal, created keynote presentations, and looked at my edtech goals and objectives spreadsheet.

I got the wireless keyboard and I just love it. I think I will only use my laptop to update and backup my iPad. I also got a camera connection kit but was disappointed in that when I found out that I could not connect my Flip video camera. The error message said it took too much power. I am not sure why I would need this to connect my still camera, although this worked fine. I guess if I were traveling it would be good to have a place to backup your photos. I may take this accessory back.

I guess I could go on and on about how much I will use this thing, but I will quite. For as wonderful as a new toy is, the people in my life are much more wonderful. . . more about that in the next post.

Memory Verses - Catching Up

I have really gotten behind on posting my memory verses. It has been a hectic time for summer. We spent 10 days camping and I spent a week at a conference. We also did a lot of wedding things. I have still been working on my memory verses, I just haven't posted them.

June 1
I finished out the Beatitudes for this date:
Matthew 5: 10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

June 15
As I was looking for a verse to memorize this time, I came across this verse. It is a common verse, like the Beatitudes but it is something that I need to remember as I spend my summer getting ready for next year.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

Graduation

Meredith graduated from Mercer Summa Cum Laude with University honors. We are so proud of her. This graduation was double special because we now have our future son in law graduating. We are very proud of Matt, too. We are so blessed to have such a fine young man love our daughter. We just enjoy being with them both so much.

Graduations are both happy and sad. There were some tears as we left Macon on Sunday morning, leaving David down there now without Meredith or Matt. I know he is happy there, but it is very far away. And all our trips down there will be different without a reason to go to Mercer. Saturday night after all the festivities Thomas and I took a walk around campus and remembered all the places where we had been with our children, dorms, plays, classrooms. Mercer has been a very good place for our children.

I will post one picture we took after graduation. We took almost the same one with David 2 years ago. (We didn't have Matt, then and David had on the robe.)

May 15 Bible Verse

I know it is quite a bit passed May 15, but things were a little busy on the 15th. Meredith and her finance, Matt, were graduating from Mercer. We were there for graduation. I will post about that in another post.

I am continuing on with the Beautitudes this time. I am adding the next three.

Matthew 5: 7-9, TNIV

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.

And now from the Message, which gives you something to really think about these very familiar verses:

You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full' you will find yourselves cared for.

You're blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

May 1 Memory Verse

It is interesting how God puts his word in our paths. In all of the devotions and things I am studying the Beatitudes have been the focus. They are a very familiar scripture but I haven't ever really memorized them. I have decided to make them my scripture for the next month. Today I will begin with the first 4 of them. I will memorize them from the TNIV, but this is one place where "The Message" really makes you think about what Jesus is saying. I have put The Message version following the TNIV version.

Matthew 5: 3-6, TNIV

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.

Matthew 5: 3-6, The Message

You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourself proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink and the best meal you'll ever eat.

Seeing God

These words come from Dr. Swindoll's book on Jesus.

As long as we hold onto our own desires and remain fixed on having our own way, we will be unable to see God, even if He were standing right before our eyes.

When writing about the disciples on the road to Emmaus Swindoll says

Once the disciplies were opened to divine perspective, Jesus became invisible to their physical eyes. They had gained insight that trancended the need for sight.

April 15 Memory Verse

April 15 Memory Verse

I chose this one to help on my journey to let go of "trying to earn it" tendency that I have. I want so much to just accept God's love, submit to that love, follow God the way he wants in his time and in his strength.

2 Corinthians 1: 21-22
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

April 1 Memory Verse

I chose this verse for my daughter and my future son-in-law.

Philippians 1: 9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Easter

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross,
the grave
the skies

Alleluia!

My daugher is engaged!!!

My beautiful daughter is engaged to a very fine young man. I have prayed for a very long time that my children will find someone that will be their life partner. My marriage has been so wonderful. I am so truly blessed with a wonderful family.

Matt came to see us almost 2 weeks ago to ask for our blessing and we have been so excited. It has been a very hard secret to keep. But when she called last night and she said, "Mom" and the tears came, it was a truly wonderful moment. She was so surprised and so happy.

New Memory Verse

I have really gotten behind in posting my memory verse for the 15th. We were on spring break that week. Of course we were camping at Fall Creek Falls with limited internet connection. My mom also had knee replacement surgery at a special clinic in Columbus, GA that week so we made a trip down there. I returned to two days of school before I left to take the Alpha Chi students to convention in Little Rock.

So here is my verse. I chose it for several reasons. It is from a psalm written by Moses. In the verses I have chosen, Moses requests that we be satisfied with God's love each morning. This is so what I want, only to find satisfaction in God's love. I also like the last verse that asks for God to establish the work of our hands. This what I want also, that my work would find favor in his sight.

Psalm 90: 14-17
¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

¹⁵ Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

¹⁶ May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

¹⁷ May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

March 1 Memory Verse

It is time again for a new memory verse. I choose this one for several reasons: 1) I am ready to move away from Isaiah for a little while and back to the New Testament; 2) It is mid-term and both faculty and students are going to be a little stressed, so this verse is a good reminder of who we are serving; 3)I am struggling with being overwhelmed with work and I think one reason may be that I am trying to please man rather than the Lord;.4)I am trying to figure out the paradox of doing your best and accepting the grace of God rather than trying to be good enough.

Colossians 3: 23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

New iPhone

So maybe one reason that I haven't posted so much is that I finally got my new iPhone. I love it. I was able to move all my Olive Tree Bible software from my old Palm without having to buy anything new. I love this new version. I know that there are free Bible apps but I have used this one for a long time with my Palm. I have 6 of my most favorite versions, 3 commentaries, 1 dictionaries, and several free books by Andrew Murray. I love using it. I can find things so much faster. On this version you can also highlight and then categorize your highlights, so I have highlighted all my verses. I guess I sound like an advertisement, but I love this thing. The reader software is free and then you buy the books you want. Most commentaries and study bibles that I have purchased are about $25 to $35 dollars.

I have also found a flash card program that will let me put my verses on flash cards. This is so much fun for a techie like me. I also got a pair of Bose in ear headphones. I have tried several kinds before but finally I found these that are wonderful. Thank you Thomas for my iPhone.

I think the phone part also works. Since I added a texting plan and I am not a big talker on the phone except to my family, I have hardly used it. I don't have to even worry about turning it off in the basement since I can connect to the wireless.

Off to curves this Saturday morning - with my iPhone which fits in my wallet!

Latest Memory Challenge - A little late

I have neglected my blog posting lately. It seems that all I am posting are my Bible verses. I need to get back into blogging at least every once and awhile. Right now I still need to post my verse for 2/15. I also need to send it to my students, haven't done that yet.

For my verse this time I am going to continue from Isaiah 61 with verse 4. It is going along with the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore that I am still doing.

Isaiah 61:4
⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

Memory Challenge - continued

Last weekend was a very special time. I did learn a lot about myself. The messages Beth gave us were about Psalm 119 - with 176 verses. The thing that I learned that spoke to me was that the person who wrote this was a very real person. He didn't always have the perfect relationship with God. There were times he seemed a little mad that God had not taken care of the bad people. But then he would turn right around and acknowledge God. He was consumed by a desire to know God's word and he always made it back to that desire.

I have decided that I want to always continue this discipline of memorizing God's word. I know that only a few people read this blog but I would love for anyone who does come across this will take this challenge with me and post the scriptures that you will memorize.

My scripture for 2/15 - yes I am posting a day early - is a continuation of the verses from last time that go with the Bible Study I am doing.

With school starting the week of 1/15, I just realized that I never posted that one, so I am going to post it as one long verse here.

Isaiah 61: 1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[a]

² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called mighty oaks,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Siesta Memory Challenge Celebration

Tomorrow is the big day!! I can not wait. I am going to Houston to be with Beth Moore and 500 other bloggers who have taken the Siesta Memory Challenge this year. Last year Beth challenged us to join her memorizing a new scripture on the 1st and 15th of each month. I have posted my verses on the blog everytime. Beth has planned this wonderful time of Bible study at her church, just for us. I am so excited about going!

I made a little movie of my Bible verses and posted it on an earlier post.

Please pray for safe travel for everyone. I am sure that this will be one very special time.

Prayer for My Students

As I begin a new semester I decided that I would write a prayer for my students.

Dear Lord,
We have come to the beginning of a new semester. Thank you for NEW! Helpf us to leave old ways behind as we continue our journey towards you.

Help us to become a community of learners, seeking to live out our witness to you through care and concern for our classmates. Help us to remember that the way we treat others is more important than any grade or favorable evaluation.

As we go through the semester and times get hard and pressures build, help us to remember to trust you to give us the strength we need. Help us to accept and truly understand what Paul wrote to the persecuted church at Phillipi - I can do all things through him who gives me strength - and claim this promise and give you the glory.

Thank you for your amazing love for us. May we show that love to each other this semester.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Amen

Siesta Memory Challenge - January 1

I am not sure if Beth Moore is going to continue the Bible verse memory challenge, but I have decided that I will continue to do it. I hope that my family and friends that read my blog every once in a while will also take a memory challenge and will post your verses with me.

I selected my first passage for two reasons. It is a familiar passage. This Christmas season my husband has had two surgeries within two weeks. We spent two nights and three days in the hospital, including Christmas Eve and part of Christmas Day. So this passage talks about how God heals your diseases. The second reason is that I am a little overwhelmed by next semester. There is an amazing about of work that I see ahead of me and this passage talks about having renewed youth like the eagle's and having our desires satisfies with good things.

Psalm 103:1-5
Of David.

1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.