Indifference

Most of us have things that we are very passionate about - meaning we feel strongly, strongly enough to take action, spend time, and even try to engage others. And then, there are those things that we consider unimportant, immaterial, nonessential, or simply just not 'my cup of tea'.
I just finished reading again the Gospel of John. Jesus was very passionate about who He was, what his calling was and what he expected from us. HE made statements that only God could make in his declarations of who he was and his purpose in coming to earth. No one could ever claim that Jesus was a good man, a wise teacher, etc. and not take seriously his claims. Near the end of the Gospel he asks a most serious question of Peter 3 times: " Do you love me? " No sitting on the fence here.
He already knows the answer, but asks 3 times so that Peter would remember the question, questions his own response, and be moved to take a stand.
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever." Why so much indifference on our part? As we near the Easter season, may we become passionate about our faith.

It's Official

I am officially disabled. My application was approved by the insuranced company and I'm now just waiting to hear from Social Security. Sometimes I don't know how I feel about that. Physically I know that I could no longer function working and trying to manage my health. But, I guess I must honestly say I miss teaching working with students. I don't miss the paperwork and mundane record keeping. I read passages and I think, "Oh, that would be an excellent reading selection for my 8th graders," or, "That would give students a great opportunity to think,". How thankful I am that I did have the opportunity to go back to teaching after getting our family started here (I taught here for 12 years) and even more thankful now that I worked in a situation where the compensation even now is adequate to meet our needs. God has been faithful. Even when I was busy with the four children and couldn't teach, He provided me with such great job experiences such as working in the public library. Each job I had, I knew was a provision from His hand. So, my chilren, as you go through times of looking for a job, considering a new job, contemplating those changes that are often necessary, don't be afraid to ask for God's leading, DESIRE His leading, because then you will have peace of mind. But, you must be strong enough to then live and do what He also asks of you.

It

"This is my box..."

winner of previous post - Miguel. Answer was Ghandi. His is an amazing story of how someone can find their 'voice' and become a leader. In honor of Ghandi Miguel will receive some Indian tea.
Now for a new post. No quiz this time.
Three times now I have seen the operetta "Amahl and the Night Visitors" - a great Christmas story. One of the three wise men carries his 'box' and my favorite song in the entire production is his as he shows his box of things to the boy Amahl. He sings, "This is my box; This is my box; I never travel without my box."
Valerie has a favorite box here at our house, her box of hair ribbons and barrettes. So we started singing the song with her and she, of course, picked it up immediately. As is my custom, we have to change the words. So we put in others - "This is my bike, this is my bike...etc.
But NOW I have a box. However, this box is one that I cannot travel with. So again, I have to vary the lyrics of the song. "This is my box; this is my box; I cannot travel with this box."
My box? It is a huge bin that has in it my different photo albums, journals, newsarticles, etc. My memories and perhaps as you might say the story of my life and my family. I can't possibly take it to Bolivia, but it will be placed somewhere so that someday we can open it and remember. There is, by the way, the carefully and lovingly put together work that Grandma Coates produced, "As I Remember." I re-read that this week and I always discover some new piece of the puzzle that is the Coates/Clayton family. In going through our things I do know that one of
my children did not take with them their copy that Grandma gave them on Christmas and so I have it. Please let me know if that is you and I'll get it to you. It has some wonderful stories in it that I'm sure you won't want to lose.

Guess Who?

Ive been reading a wonderful collection of short biographies of famous people. Many I knew in name, but really didn't know to value or appreciate their true significance.. Here is a short intro bio of a significant world leader. See if you can guess who it is. A prize will be sent to the first one who gets it right.
He was a shy and awkward child, the youngest of four children of a middle-class family. He was an English-educated lawyer who according to my source, "practicing a profession without the necessary skills to impress anyone as an advocate or, for that matter, to make any impression at all." His shyness was so extreme that in his first disastrous court appearance he couldn't open his mouth to argue his case. Poor prospects for success. He dressed as a successful lawyer, but was not by any means.

i'll post the answer in my next blog.

Joseph Campbell

The following quote by Joseph Campbell was included on SVRC's monthly newsletter. I found it quite provocative and thought I would share it:

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."

So often we dwell on our flaws, what we wish could or would happen or what we wish we could do. This quote just blows all that away! Celebrate who you are; enjoy being you.

Before writing this entry I was curious as to who Joseph Campbell was. I searched on Wikipedia and found some interesting information. He is considered one of the most famous autodidacts (self-educated) even though he holds several degrees and titles. He developed a systematic program of reading nine hours a day. In fact, instead of getting a phd., he went into the woods to read for five years. (Miguel,don't take this as an example!) Boy, I need a system like that. With all the time I have on my hands right now, I am sometimes at a loss for something significant to do and yet when I have something to do, I avoid it by just wandering around in the house and calling it cleaning!