Everyone has one -- and they all sm- well, I'll let you finish that.
And that's about how I feel lately. Like if someone else tells me what they think about something I do, feel, celebrate, eat, wear - or what my child wears, I think I will scream.
If I get another email about why you don't celebrate Halloween or have another person tell me that they're shocked my 4-year old daughter chose to dress up as a little orange, purple, & black witch*, I might cough in your face (incidentally, I'm also a little sick).
I always told my 3rd graders, "MYOB" (mind your own beeswax) & maybe I should bring the phrase back?
So, let's dig into it. Convictions that is. And talk about whom should be convicting whom. And how everyone has a line they don't cross (conviction) & how finding one other person to perfectly share your convictions is about like finding 2 matching snowflakes. As close as Jeff & I are to being one person, we don't even share the same convictions. And while I have lots of "easy-to-measure" convictions (legalism?), I fall short in lots of internal ways (perfectionism, judgementalism, impatience, over-sensitivity, unreachably expectantivism - I know, not a word). I will do some things that you won't do. You will do some things that I won't do. We all have dirt under our rugs somewhere --- some people sweep it further, others don't. God sees the dirt. Some other people see the dirt. And some people have such perfect rugs (the ones with gold tassels) that no one even suspects a fleck of dust lays under there. But it's there.
I just think it's extremely interesting that some people are so proud of their convictions that they want to share them with as many people as they can. Even more interesting when they share them with others who share the same convictions.
What if one day I 'decided' that the color blue was un-Christlike. And so, I got all the things out of my house that were blue. And then I blogged & sent out emails that were about the evils of the color blue. And that's about how I feel about some of the things people tell me they THINK are wrong. I'm like, "good for you that you are being proactive about something in your life that you think is unhealthy for your walk with Christ." But I'm also thinking that I don't see a thing wrong with blue & even after going back into the word & researching 'blue', I don't find anything that convicts me about that color.
I honestly am not bothered after someone passes judgement about a conviction I don't share. I just figure that I just need to pray for them, that they'll feel bad about being judgemental.
Maybe I should send out a mass email about that.
Just kidding.
*Just so we're clear, only one person said something.
Showing posts with label oh excuse me-did I just thump you with my bible?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oh excuse me-did I just thump you with my bible?. Show all posts
10.21.2008
8.11.2008
Decisions Made
I get questioned, from a lot of people who seem surprised at some of the decisions we made, as a conservative Christian family.
As a matter of fact, far before we were a family unit, while I was still single, I was asked a lot -- what I would do with a Christian Education.
"Oh, you aren't teaching at a Christian school?"
"No, I'm continuing my education, to be certified for public school."
"Hmm..."
And I promised God, that if I would find favor in Him, I would not disappoint Him.
I hope I never did. I certainly was forthright about my beliefs, and tried as best as I could, to be a positive (non-nerdy) Christian influence/role model/example, for my students, most of whom were telling me on a regular basis that they wished they went to church every Sunday.
Before Christmas break, I read the story of the nativity. A little girl approached me afterward & asked if it was true. I asked her had she ever heard the story? And she said that she had not.
Wow.
And then, the questions again, when we had our own two. Would we homeschool? No we decided (actually w/o ever talking about it). Please understand, if circumstances forced us to, we'd take a different approach to the question.
I pray that Flynn & Gabe will be salt & light. That they'll be a light unable to be hidden. That their strong stance will be even stronger among those who don't stand along side them.
Will Flynn & Gabe go to Christian schools? At this point, no. I realize a million things could change in the next 12 mos (one of them being me being hired by a private school - which would be tough considering I haven't applied at any). Again, w/ the salt & light.
I just asked myself (yes, I talk to myself) if I've said negative things about homeschooling. I couldn't recall a time when I had. Although I strongly believe some parents are very ill-equipped to h.s. (just as some teachers should have travelled down a different career path); so, I say that to say, I don't think this is a dislike against HS'ing. But rather, a decision made for our family.
Should conservative Christian teachers stick to conservative Christian schools??
As a matter of fact, far before we were a family unit, while I was still single, I was asked a lot -- what I would do with a Christian Education.
"Oh, you aren't teaching at a Christian school?"
"No, I'm continuing my education, to be certified for public school."
"Hmm..."
As a strong-minded, spirited & spirit-filled young Christian -- I was happy to take the 'salt & light' stand. Afterall, how bright would my candle be in a room full of other candles?...
And I promised God, that if I would find favor in Him, I would not disappoint Him.
I hope I never did. I certainly was forthright about my beliefs, and tried as best as I could, to be a positive (non-nerdy) Christian influence/role model/example, for my students, most of whom were telling me on a regular basis that they wished they went to church every Sunday.
Before Christmas break, I read the story of the nativity. A little girl approached me afterward & asked if it was true. I asked her had she ever heard the story? And she said that she had not.
Wow.
And then, the questions again, when we had our own two. Would we homeschool? No we decided (actually w/o ever talking about it). Please understand, if circumstances forced us to, we'd take a different approach to the question.
I pray that Flynn & Gabe will be salt & light. That they'll be a light unable to be hidden. That their strong stance will be even stronger among those who don't stand along side them.
Will Flynn & Gabe go to Christian schools? At this point, no. I realize a million things could change in the next 12 mos (one of them being me being hired by a private school - which would be tough considering I haven't applied at any). Again, w/ the salt & light.
I just asked myself (yes, I talk to myself) if I've said negative things about homeschooling. I couldn't recall a time when I had. Although I strongly believe some parents are very ill-equipped to h.s. (just as some teachers should have travelled down a different career path); so, I say that to say, I don't think this is a dislike against HS'ing. But rather, a decision made for our family.
Should conservative Christian teachers stick to conservative Christian schools??
More Summer Fun.... SIX FLAGS (and other middle of the night ramblings)
I have no clue who Flynn is waving to.
Again with the waving.
And this photo, you can see Nessa, FJ, & Gabe (2nd to the last row...in front of the lady whom I hope wore some great deodorant).
This photo makes me laugh...and not just because it's 2:30 am. But because Flynn decided to get brave & raise her arms (or arm?). And honestly, could her little arm be any stiffer in this photo?
I was glad when Nessa took Flynn's hat off during this ride. Photos you didn't see (because they weren't taken, that would mean someone else actually used the camera other than me, which rarely happens), included a situation in the little kid hot air balloon ride. The others were riding roller coasters while me & my two decided to ride one of the few we can ride together. While the hot air balloon started spinning, Flynn's hat blew off.
OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. You wouldn't thought she'd been told that the park was closing in 10 seconds. She was traumatized.
But, nothin' a quick CURIOUS GEORGE & THE MAN WITH THE YELLOW HAT reference couldn't fix. Luckily, we'd read a book about the MWTYH's hat flying off while on a roller coaster. And I did that thing that only moms can do, where I convinced her that the irony was hilarious.
But she still bolted like lightning to save her once-white bucket hat...once the ride had "come to a complete stop".
The highlight of the park visit...the giant ferris wheel which we've been riding for years. Can you tell, this was cutting into Gabe's nap time? (shortly after this, we rode the train, then Gabe, Papa, & I left, for Gabe to take a nap)
Papa, FJ, & Nessa take in the sights. Flynn happily sported her new bucket hat (which by the way was a 97 cent steal at Old Navy). Just pretend her shirt doesn't have melted popsicle on the front.
*****************************
And so.... today officially concludes our somewhat carefree summer. Daddy goes 'back to school' tomorrow -- beginning a week of soccer try-outs & practices; meetings; open house; & getting his classroom ready to go.
Flynn starts another year of dance. And Gabe, well, he starts another season of sticking around Momma while Sissy does all her 'stuff'. I plan to pursue enrolling him in "Tuesday School" & will bug the Y here in town again, to see if they changed their mind (again) about not offering tumbling. There's not much more for a 3 year old boy.
This week also holds a fun day in store: Gabe's 3rd Birthday Party. This one is a FRIENDS birthday party. He invited his good buddies & will enjoy the morning playing with trains & eating cupcakes.
Marking the end of the carefree season, we all took a monumental day-of-rest nap. Mine was an attempt to rid myself of a 20-hour headache. Flynn's was to sleep off a horrible (filled w/ night terrors & awakenings) sleepless night. And Gabe's was to do what he does best, sleep. Daddy just fit in there with us. To make sure us girls didn't roll off the bed I guess?
As to my plans to return to the classroom this fall? Well, apparently God had other plans. I'm not going to lie & say I haven't fought frustration the past couple of weeks. But ultimately, I have peace about the situation. Knowing that everything is indeed out of my hands - but it's all in his hands.
One of my favorite verses....a verse I would read to my buddy Zach, when I would visit him in the hospital, reminds me that no matter how I might feel about the situation, doesn't change the fact that God ultimately has my best interest. He already knows what I'll be doing this school year...and how we'll pay our bills or spend our time.
One of my favorite verses....a verse I would read to my buddy Zach, when I would visit him in the hospital, reminds me that no matter how I might feel about the situation, doesn't change the fact that God ultimately has my best interest. He already knows what I'll be doing this school year...and how we'll pay our bills or spend our time.
Here's what it says,
"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jeremiah 29:11
When I got my teaching job, fresh out of college (was offered the position before I had graduated), it was pretty unbelievable. I didn't even interview. It was the easiest thing I'd ever (or didn't really do) done. One of those situations where you go, "Okay God, thanks."
And look... I ended up falling in love with my hot hubs. So, God knew exactly what He was doing (not that He ever doesn't). And really, if God wanted to, He'd snap His big powerful fingers & I'd get a call from a district. He already has our story written. And toward the end of each chapter, I look back & realize, "Ahh, hmm, that's why God did [that] & [that] & [that]" or "No wonder that didn't work out."
It's kinda great to be friends with a God like that. He's got your back.
Peace.
5.15.2008
Grace
This is an excerpt from Children's Ministry magazine & it's about the things that really matter when you're teaching a lesson to your kids.
I thought this was definitely worth blogging:
"....That's why grace is amazing. It's undeserved, unbelievable, and unfathomable. It flies in the face of justice. It dances on the graves of death. Grace enters the messy and murky. It's also our deepest spiritual need. We all hunger for grace."
Sure, probably the most popular hymn, or even song across the board for that matter - is AMAZING GRACE. But, I still don't think we talk about, think about, concentrate on grace near enough.
The more I read about it, or learn about it, the more the Holy Spirit reveals about it to me, the more I realize how much grace associates with sin. I mean, you can't have grace without it...what would you have to be graceful about?
And sometimes I think that's why lots of churches don't talk about it enough.
But they should. I'm a sinner. You're a sinner. And if you think you're not, you've got a lot to learn. I screw up all the time. All. the. time. And I have to rely on that grace every minute of the day. In every aspect of myself. In my marriage, my motherhood, my family, my friendship, my profession, & most importantly, my relationship with Christ.
I love that hot hubby & I were both brought up with a strong faith. We each brought to our relationship a strong love for God, a loyalty to Him, & a drive to pay homage to Him.
And you always want more for your kids, you want better... And I think what I would sprinkle into the mix of our faith(s) is grace. That no matter what we've done or not done in our lives, our pasts.... no matter how we screwed up yesterday, or this morning.... that it doesn't matter. He's not going to bless us less...or more.... His love is unchanging.
He's ours.
We're His.
I thought this was definitely worth blogging:
"....That's why grace is amazing. It's undeserved, unbelievable, and unfathomable. It flies in the face of justice. It dances on the graves of death. Grace enters the messy and murky. It's also our deepest spiritual need. We all hunger for grace."
Sure, probably the most popular hymn, or even song across the board for that matter - is AMAZING GRACE. But, I still don't think we talk about, think about, concentrate on grace near enough.
The more I read about it, or learn about it, the more the Holy Spirit reveals about it to me, the more I realize how much grace associates with sin. I mean, you can't have grace without it...what would you have to be graceful about?
And sometimes I think that's why lots of churches don't talk about it enough.
But they should. I'm a sinner. You're a sinner. And if you think you're not, you've got a lot to learn. I screw up all the time. All. the. time. And I have to rely on that grace every minute of the day. In every aspect of myself. In my marriage, my motherhood, my family, my friendship, my profession, & most importantly, my relationship with Christ.
I love that hot hubby & I were both brought up with a strong faith. We each brought to our relationship a strong love for God, a loyalty to Him, & a drive to pay homage to Him.
And you always want more for your kids, you want better... And I think what I would sprinkle into the mix of our faith(s) is grace. That no matter what we've done or not done in our lives, our pasts.... no matter how we screwed up yesterday, or this morning.... that it doesn't matter. He's not going to bless us less...or more.... His love is unchanging.
He's ours.
We're His.
4.07.2008
More on Oprah, Views: Christian vs New Age
I completely stole this from crosswalk.com.
Just thought it was interesting the way it was broken down.
What's Bothering Oprah, Eckhart Tolle and Today’s New Age Thinkers
Frank Pastore
"The Frank Pastore Show," KKLA, Los Angeles
March 28, 2008
I have a few questions—but they are not about whether Oprah Winfrey, Eckhart Tolle or Marianne Williamson are good, smart and nice people. I’m sure they are. My concern is about the ideas they hold—since good, smart, nice people can hold false beliefs and be wrong about all kinds of things. Sometimes, even the most important things.
I have questions about their worldview.
A worldview is made up of the answers we give to life’s most fundamental and profound questions. It includes the answers we give to questions of philosophy, religion, ethics and theology. And they are questions that have been asked and answered by every culture in world history.
When comparing and contrasting religions, worldview categories are the most basic level of inquiry.
If you know a person’s worldview, you know a whole lot about them. Oftentimes, you even know more about their thinking processes than they do.
Right now, Oprah is co-teaching an online class with author Eckhart Tolle, based upon her current Book of the Month, his “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.” And, Oprah’s promoting a daily radio show on her XM channel featuring Marianne Williamson teaching from “A Course in Miracles.”
Both Tolle and Williamson are New Age thinkers. Oprah says she’s a Christian—arguing that she can reconcile “her” Christianity with what they’re teaching. If she’s a Christian, she’s an ignorant one, because Christianity is incompatible with New Age thought.
Here’s how the two opposing worldviews, Christianity (C), and New Age (NA), answer some of the most basic worldview questions. The New Age answers are ones that would be commonly held, though certainly not universal, as the belief system is loose, eclectic and unique to each individual adherent.
1. Why is there something rather than nothing?
Christianity (C): God created the universe at the moment of the beginning of time, matter and space. Big Bang cosmology and all modern science affirms this.
New Age (NA): The universe is beginning-less, endless, eternal.
2. Does God exist?—and is He personal?
C: Yes, God is personal, and the Bible teaches God is three persons sharing one essence, what Christians refer to as the Trinity. More specifically, God is tri-personal.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, God is an impersonal force that exhaustively fills every atom of the eternal universe: All is God, God is all, God is all of us and God is each of us. No, there is no personal creator called God who is outside of time, matter and space.
3. Who am I?
C: A creation of God.
NA: God.
4. How did I get here?
C: God created man with moral freedom and invited him to join the presence of the Trinity. But man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God, and now only through the work of the incarnate God and second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, can that severed relationship be restored.
NA: Through the infinite process of karma. As God, you are eternal, and have been reincarnating from object to object for trillions of years, and when you ultimately achieve enlightenment, and remember that you are God, you will then lose your individual sense of self and consciousness and become One with the One. (Remember, there is no personal God. God is a force. You must return to being a force.)
5. Why am I here?
C: The Westminster Catechism answers this question beautifully: The chief end of man is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” I am called to make a decision with eternal consequences: either accept or reject God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. I am also called to help others make a correct choice; to advance the true, the good, and the beautiful; to fight evil and injustice; to work with God at reconciling the world to Himself.
NA: To pay off previous karmic debt gathered over trillions of years.
6. What is the meaning of life?
C: To glorify God.
NA: To achieve enlightenment.
7. What is the true, the good, and the beautiful?
C: God—and his goodness can be seen through his creation.
NA: Since there is no distinction between creator and creation, there can be no distinctions between true-false, good-bad, right-wrong, ugly-beautiful, or pain-pleasure.
8. What is the best life?
C: A life in the full presence of God.
NA: The life immediately before enlightenment, since you will no longer exist as a person once you remember you are God.
9. Who is the best man?
C: Jesus Christ, the Man who never sinned.
NA: “Best” is a nonsensical moral category.
10. Why is there evil, pain, suffering, and injustice?
C: The Fall. Man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God and these are the consequences.
NA: People are paying off their karmic debt. As God, we are responsible for the reality we create for ourselves through our thinking and choices. If we are suffering, it is because we are choosing to suffer. If we think differently we can alter the external world and create our own reality.
11. Why do bad things happen to good people?
C: We live in a fallen world with moral freedom. Evil and sin exist. Men hurt themselves intentionally and accidentally. Our hope is only in God who is able to bring good out of evil.
NA: Karma.
Karma and reincarnation have all kinds of fatal logical problems. Who started karma and reincarnation and why? Who decides what behavior gets rewarded and what gets punished, especially since there are no moral categories? How can there be a “who” to all this when God is a “what,” an impersonal force like gravity? How can an impersonal force help you in your relationships, heal your hurts, illnesses and wounds, help with your addictions and bad habits, lead you to confront social evils, poverty, crime, corruption, broken families, broken hearts?
12. Will good or evil ultimately triumph?
C: The resurrection of Jesus proves that good ultimately triumphs over evil.
NA: These are only apparent moral categories, they don’t really exist.
13. Is there life after death?
C: Yes! In either heaven or hell. Our destination is based on our response to the person and work of Christ.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, in that you may have trillions of more reincarnated bodies to inhabit as you pay off your karmic debt before reaching enlightenment. No, in that once you’re enlightened, you will cease to exist, since you will have remembered you’re really an impersonal force that New Age thinkers call “God.”
The New Age Movement is intellectually and spiritually bankrupt. But, it is making Tolle and Williamson—and especially Oprah—a whole bunch of money.
Frank Pastore is host of “The Frank Pastore Show,” recognized by the National Religious Broadcasters as Talk Show Host of the Year in 2006. His program is heard on KKLA in Los Angeles 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact Frank at Frank@kkla.com.
Just thought it was interesting the way it was broken down.
What's Bothering Oprah, Eckhart Tolle and Today’s New Age Thinkers
Frank Pastore
"The Frank Pastore Show," KKLA, Los Angeles
March 28, 2008
I have a few questions—but they are not about whether Oprah Winfrey, Eckhart Tolle or Marianne Williamson are good, smart and nice people. I’m sure they are. My concern is about the ideas they hold—since good, smart, nice people can hold false beliefs and be wrong about all kinds of things. Sometimes, even the most important things.
I have questions about their worldview.
A worldview is made up of the answers we give to life’s most fundamental and profound questions. It includes the answers we give to questions of philosophy, religion, ethics and theology. And they are questions that have been asked and answered by every culture in world history.
When comparing and contrasting religions, worldview categories are the most basic level of inquiry.
If you know a person’s worldview, you know a whole lot about them. Oftentimes, you even know more about their thinking processes than they do.
Right now, Oprah is co-teaching an online class with author Eckhart Tolle, based upon her current Book of the Month, his “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.” And, Oprah’s promoting a daily radio show on her XM channel featuring Marianne Williamson teaching from “A Course in Miracles.”
Both Tolle and Williamson are New Age thinkers. Oprah says she’s a Christian—arguing that she can reconcile “her” Christianity with what they’re teaching. If she’s a Christian, she’s an ignorant one, because Christianity is incompatible with New Age thought.
Here’s how the two opposing worldviews, Christianity (C), and New Age (NA), answer some of the most basic worldview questions. The New Age answers are ones that would be commonly held, though certainly not universal, as the belief system is loose, eclectic and unique to each individual adherent.
1. Why is there something rather than nothing?
Christianity (C): God created the universe at the moment of the beginning of time, matter and space. Big Bang cosmology and all modern science affirms this.
New Age (NA): The universe is beginning-less, endless, eternal.
2. Does God exist?—and is He personal?
C: Yes, God is personal, and the Bible teaches God is three persons sharing one essence, what Christians refer to as the Trinity. More specifically, God is tri-personal.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, God is an impersonal force that exhaustively fills every atom of the eternal universe: All is God, God is all, God is all of us and God is each of us. No, there is no personal creator called God who is outside of time, matter and space.
3. Who am I?
C: A creation of God.
NA: God.
4. How did I get here?
C: God created man with moral freedom and invited him to join the presence of the Trinity. But man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God, and now only through the work of the incarnate God and second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, can that severed relationship be restored.
NA: Through the infinite process of karma. As God, you are eternal, and have been reincarnating from object to object for trillions of years, and when you ultimately achieve enlightenment, and remember that you are God, you will then lose your individual sense of self and consciousness and become One with the One. (Remember, there is no personal God. God is a force. You must return to being a force.)
5. Why am I here?
C: The Westminster Catechism answers this question beautifully: The chief end of man is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” I am called to make a decision with eternal consequences: either accept or reject God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. I am also called to help others make a correct choice; to advance the true, the good, and the beautiful; to fight evil and injustice; to work with God at reconciling the world to Himself.
NA: To pay off previous karmic debt gathered over trillions of years.
6. What is the meaning of life?
C: To glorify God.
NA: To achieve enlightenment.
7. What is the true, the good, and the beautiful?
C: God—and his goodness can be seen through his creation.
NA: Since there is no distinction between creator and creation, there can be no distinctions between true-false, good-bad, right-wrong, ugly-beautiful, or pain-pleasure.
8. What is the best life?
C: A life in the full presence of God.
NA: The life immediately before enlightenment, since you will no longer exist as a person once you remember you are God.
9. Who is the best man?
C: Jesus Christ, the Man who never sinned.
NA: “Best” is a nonsensical moral category.
10. Why is there evil, pain, suffering, and injustice?
C: The Fall. Man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God and these are the consequences.
NA: People are paying off their karmic debt. As God, we are responsible for the reality we create for ourselves through our thinking and choices. If we are suffering, it is because we are choosing to suffer. If we think differently we can alter the external world and create our own reality.
11. Why do bad things happen to good people?
C: We live in a fallen world with moral freedom. Evil and sin exist. Men hurt themselves intentionally and accidentally. Our hope is only in God who is able to bring good out of evil.
NA: Karma.
Karma and reincarnation have all kinds of fatal logical problems. Who started karma and reincarnation and why? Who decides what behavior gets rewarded and what gets punished, especially since there are no moral categories? How can there be a “who” to all this when God is a “what,” an impersonal force like gravity? How can an impersonal force help you in your relationships, heal your hurts, illnesses and wounds, help with your addictions and bad habits, lead you to confront social evils, poverty, crime, corruption, broken families, broken hearts?
12. Will good or evil ultimately triumph?
C: The resurrection of Jesus proves that good ultimately triumphs over evil.
NA: These are only apparent moral categories, they don’t really exist.
13. Is there life after death?
C: Yes! In either heaven or hell. Our destination is based on our response to the person and work of Christ.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, in that you may have trillions of more reincarnated bodies to inhabit as you pay off your karmic debt before reaching enlightenment. No, in that once you’re enlightened, you will cease to exist, since you will have remembered you’re really an impersonal force that New Age thinkers call “God.”
The New Age Movement is intellectually and spiritually bankrupt. But, it is making Tolle and Williamson—and especially Oprah—a whole bunch of money.
Frank Pastore is host of “The Frank Pastore Show,” recognized by the National Religious Broadcasters as Talk Show Host of the Year in 2006. His program is heard on KKLA in Los Angeles 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact Frank at Frank@kkla.com.
4.04.2008
My Journey, The Packets
Okay, I think this is part 3 of my journey ... you know, the one where I leave my babies & go back to teaching full time.
I've done much since last posting about this but NOTHING really has transpired.
I've sunk approx 5 hours into this process. And am hoping it pays off big.
For those not real familiar with the getting-hired-to-teach process, you must have a FILE established at each desired district. The file usually consists of your resume, your references (their minimum set amount), at least 3 letters of recommendation (one being from your former principal), your transcripts, & your certificate.
Just getting those things together, making the adequate amount of copies, & mailing those out, THAT'S a job in & of itself.
THEN... (and I did this very first thing), you must have an online application on a site called MOREAP.net (for MO). It's an online database of all teachers looking for employment. Administrators can go there to access & pull off your info, print it out, etc. Also, some districts (seeminly 'belonging' to REAP or who have registered with them) can put a post that they're hiring for a particular position, so I've checked this daily.
To fill out the info questions, the essay questions, your preferred methodology, etc., takes close to an hour.
It would be great if all districts used it & didn't have their own cotton-picking applications.
But they do.
Three of the districts I'm interested in have their own PAPER applications that you must either pick up from their C.O. or print from their website. Each of those took about 30 mins to complete.
Then, about three districts have their own online application with similar questions, that you must fill out.
There's also a gallup "Teacher Insight" test you must take online. It takes over half an hour & three of the districts required I go to their website & complete that.
And all that is just the paper part.
I haven't even begun calling & harrassing people yet.
Since I know several teachers & the inside & how this all works, I'm all too familiar that it's just a crap shoot. You can't just create a teaching job for someone. A district might think I'm the 'cat's pajamas' but unless they have an opening, my file will just sit in their HR dept for the next year.
I hope my timing was perfect though, as my last batch went out yesterday & usually districts require their teachers to return contracts the 2nd week in April.
Then there's the knowledge that I might not be hired 'til the first day of school, like Jeff was. Or the second week of school, like my friend Amy. Both whom are awesome teachers and LOVE their jobs & districts.
So I have to be content & learn patience if that's how things go for me. Not an easy pill to swallow when you're trying to decide on care for your kids or have a garage full of boxes of teaching 'stuff', just screaming to be put back into a class.
I've said this before, I am NOT not not not a laid back person (I wish I was!). I do not, never have, sat back & let life happen. If it doesn't happen or quick enough, I jump in & turn the wheels to speed the process.
This process has no wheels for me to turn. I literally am helpless & have no control. What a lesson for me to learn.
A lesson about not only patience (which I don't have), but trust. Trusting God
Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
& learning to wait.
Psalm 62:5 "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him."
I've done much since last posting about this but NOTHING really has transpired.
I've sunk approx 5 hours into this process. And am hoping it pays off big.
For those not real familiar with the getting-hired-to-teach process, you must have a FILE established at each desired district. The file usually consists of your resume, your references (their minimum set amount), at least 3 letters of recommendation (one being from your former principal), your transcripts, & your certificate.
Just getting those things together, making the adequate amount of copies, & mailing those out, THAT'S a job in & of itself.
THEN... (and I did this very first thing), you must have an online application on a site called MOREAP.net (for MO). It's an online database of all teachers looking for employment. Administrators can go there to access & pull off your info, print it out, etc. Also, some districts (seeminly 'belonging' to REAP or who have registered with them) can put a post that they're hiring for a particular position, so I've checked this daily.
To fill out the info questions, the essay questions, your preferred methodology, etc., takes close to an hour.
It would be great if all districts used it & didn't have their own cotton-picking applications.
But they do.
Three of the districts I'm interested in have their own PAPER applications that you must either pick up from their C.O. or print from their website. Each of those took about 30 mins to complete.
Then, about three districts have their own online application with similar questions, that you must fill out.
There's also a gallup "Teacher Insight" test you must take online. It takes over half an hour & three of the districts required I go to their website & complete that.
And all that is just the paper part.
I haven't even begun calling & harrassing people yet.
Since I know several teachers & the inside & how this all works, I'm all too familiar that it's just a crap shoot. You can't just create a teaching job for someone. A district might think I'm the 'cat's pajamas' but unless they have an opening, my file will just sit in their HR dept for the next year.
I hope my timing was perfect though, as my last batch went out yesterday & usually districts require their teachers to return contracts the 2nd week in April.
Then there's the knowledge that I might not be hired 'til the first day of school, like Jeff was. Or the second week of school, like my friend Amy. Both whom are awesome teachers and LOVE their jobs & districts.
So I have to be content & learn patience if that's how things go for me. Not an easy pill to swallow when you're trying to decide on care for your kids or have a garage full of boxes of teaching 'stuff', just screaming to be put back into a class.
I've said this before, I am NOT not not not a laid back person (I wish I was!). I do not, never have, sat back & let life happen. If it doesn't happen or quick enough, I jump in & turn the wheels to speed the process.
This process has no wheels for me to turn. I literally am helpless & have no control. What a lesson for me to learn.
A lesson about not only patience (which I don't have), but trust. Trusting God
Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
& learning to wait.
Psalm 62:5 "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him."
4.03.2008
3.04.2008
"Oprah and Friends" to teach course on New Age Christ
I'm one of the many who are awed by Oprah's generosity & warmed by her giving. But I'm neither warmed nor awed by this latest blow to the very foundation my beliefs are built upon.
It seems Christ is being redefined & reinvented, (basically blasphemed). It's scary to me as I know how influencial Oprah is, with millions (of watchers & dollars!).
I also realize how easy it is to buy into something like this. It's appealing. I mean, no sin? no satan? Wouldn't that be great?! An end to thinking that Jesus died for us for our sins? Who wouldn't like to live the rest of their lives ignoring the idea that someone did so much for us?!
I'm sure a lot of people will follow the idea that there are generally no rules. An intrinsic belief system of sorts. I mean I'm all for relying on your own convictions but belief in a system without the true foundation of Christ is complete false beliefs.
I also know that someone wanting to sneak into your house isn't going to knock the door down & yell & growl & scare you. They will come when you least expect, they will be quiet. They might even knock on your door & sweet talk you into letting them come into your livingroom.
And if you're wanting to convince someone of something, your best bet is to appear as if you have his or her best interest.
I don't let much get my feathers get ruffled when it comes to my faith. But when Jesus died for all of us...and then someone is wanting to use that, turn it upside down, and convince us to not build our basis on it, well, that kinda ticks me off.
Apparently this Helen Schucman heard voices back in the 60s (who didn't hear voices back in the 60s?!). She dubbed this voice as Jesus (I won't poke fun at that particular point, as I do believe Jesus speaks to some). Apparently Jesus 'spoke' to her & asked her to write down each things He said. At which point she created her book, Miracles.
I got this info in an email but never believe everything I get in my inbox (otherwise I'd be posting about how I won THREE lotteries in ONE day! The Nigerian lottery & others!). So I did my own research.
Here's my sources:
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm
I got this info in an email but never believe everything I get in my inbox (otherwise I'd be posting about how I won THREE lotteries in ONE day! The Nigerian lottery & others!). So I did my own research.
Here's my sources:
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm
Here's what a I read:
Oprah Winfrey, beginning January 1, 2008, on her daily radio
Program will offer a year-long course on the New Age Christ , in a
Lesson a day and completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in
Miracles "Workbook."
Listeners will be encouraged to buy A Course in Miracles for
The year-long course, and an audio version, recited by Richard (John Boy Walton) Thomas will be available on compact disc.
Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined
Spiritual mindset-a New Age worldview that include the beliefs that
There is no sin, no evil, no devil. A Course in Miracles teaches its
Students to rethink everything they believe about God and life, and,
Bluntly states: "This is a course in mind training" and is dedicated to
"thought reversal."
The Course in Miracles -in reality-is the truth of the Bible
Turned upside down.
Oprah told her television audience that Williamson's book, A
Course in Miracles was one of her favorite books, and that she had
Already bought a thousand copies and would be handing them out to
Everyone in her studio audience. Oprah's endorsement skyrocketed
Williamson's book to the top of the New York Times bestseller list .
A Course in Miracles is allegedly a "new revelation" from
"Jesus" to help humanity work through these troubled times. This
"Jesus"-who bears no doctrinal resemblance to the Bible's Jesus
Christ-began delivering channeled teachings in 1965 to a Columbia
University Professor of Medical Psychology, Helen Schucman.
One day Schucman heard an "inner voice" stating, "This is a
Course in miracles. Please take notes." For seven years she diligently
Took spiritual dictation from this voice that described himself as
"Jesus."
Here are some quotes from the "Jesus" voice of A Course in Miracles :
· "There is no sin . . . "
· A "slain Christ has no meaning."
· "The journey to the cross should be the last '
Useless journey."
· "Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the
Old rugged cross.'"
· "The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol...
It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names
Of all the gods to which you pray."
· "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
· "The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need
Learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of
Salvation."
Popular author Wayne Dyer told his PBS television audience that
The "brilliant writing" of A Course in Miracles would produce more
Peace in the world.
The Course in Miracles-based book, Forgiveness, continues to be
Sold in Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral bookstore as Schuller
Prepares to host a January 17-19, 2008, "Rethink Conference" at his
Crystal Cathedral.
It's interesting that our generation is catching a glimpse at the 'end times' (the last days).
Program will offer a year-long course on the New Age Christ , in a
Lesson a day and completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in
Miracles "Workbook."
Listeners will be encouraged to buy A Course in Miracles for
The year-long course, and an audio version, recited by Richard (John Boy Walton) Thomas will be available on compact disc.
Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined
Spiritual mindset-a New Age worldview that include the beliefs that
There is no sin, no evil, no devil. A Course in Miracles teaches its
Students to rethink everything they believe about God and life, and,
Bluntly states: "This is a course in mind training" and is dedicated to
"thought reversal."
The Course in Miracles -in reality-is the truth of the Bible
Turned upside down.
Oprah told her television audience that Williamson's book, A
Course in Miracles was one of her favorite books, and that she had
Already bought a thousand copies and would be handing them out to
Everyone in her studio audience. Oprah's endorsement skyrocketed
Williamson's book to the top of the New York Times bestseller list .
A Course in Miracles is allegedly a "new revelation" from
"Jesus" to help humanity work through these troubled times. This
"Jesus"-who bears no doctrinal resemblance to the Bible's Jesus
Christ-began delivering channeled teachings in 1965 to a Columbia
University Professor of Medical Psychology, Helen Schucman.
One day Schucman heard an "inner voice" stating, "This is a
Course in miracles. Please take notes." For seven years she diligently
Took spiritual dictation from this voice that described himself as
"Jesus."
Here are some quotes from the "Jesus" voice of A Course in Miracles :
· "There is no sin . . . "
· A "slain Christ has no meaning."
· "The journey to the cross should be the last '
Useless journey."
· "Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the
Old rugged cross.'"
· "The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol...
It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names
Of all the gods to which you pray."
· "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
· "The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need
Learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of
Salvation."
Popular author Wayne Dyer told his PBS television audience that
The "brilliant writing" of A Course in Miracles would produce more
Peace in the world.
The Course in Miracles-based book, Forgiveness, continues to be
Sold in Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral bookstore as Schuller
Prepares to host a January 17-19, 2008, "Rethink Conference" at his
Crystal Cathedral.
It's interesting that our generation is catching a glimpse at the 'end times' (the last days).
Read 2 Timothy 3:
Godlessness in the Last Days
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.
1.07.2008
LUV
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
That scripture was provided by my verse o' the day on my side bar...
over there (imagine arrow).
I've been thinking lots. About my personality. My demeanor (sometimes vicious if I may confess).
The fact that I've always prided myself on my honesty, frankness, crudeness, (do I have to keep going?).
First of all, it's not that great to be prideful about anything...but especially those things. yikes.
What must I give up, for God to work in my life?
Read yesterday's post. I was angry. I wanted revenge. Granted, my feelings were valid, and I felt responsibility for my family, but why couldn't I just go to sleep & let it go?
Do I love enough? Let me say, my life oozes with love. I don't need to mention again how much I love my husband. And I love my kids so much it hurts. And you wouldn't believe how much I love all children. The kids at church, I'd do anything for.
And I love food too, in case you hadn't noticed.
But do I live a life of love?
Do I? Really?
So, do I show love everywhere I go? All the time? To everyone? EveryONE?
I think what I make the mistake of doing, pretty commonly actually, is pick & choose what I want to obey out of the bible. You know, the easy ones, like not killing people (altho I considered it yesterday morning, see previous post), and going to church (kinda my job), oh yah-and the one about not fornicating -- I don't do that. But what about the hard ones... like loving. Oh boy, just talking about the changes I need to make ... I'm starting to squint my left eye up like a pirate.
But self, this is not optional.
And if there was one thing that Jesus did all the time, to everyone, all of the time, it was love.
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