Teaching is a wonderful gift. Those who teach as a professional (or even homeschool) should be most honored. They establish our next generation like this very old tree, resistant to drought and disease.

Paul started the letter to Titus with an exhortation to silence “empty talkers and deceivers.” No doubt, there were some in the early church who failed to produce the fruit of a good life and instead wanted to prey on others (those with generous hearts) to their own advantage. #shamefulgain

While the majority of people in the church developed themselves and their walk with God to bless others, there were a few (even today) who look for the silver spoon.

How can we have discernment between those who are working their hearts out and those who are “working the crowd?”

I believe it used to be much easier to know people’s character. In today’s culture of mega-churches, we are at a disadvantage and must trust those in leadership. Can we know that those in charge are truly “practicing” good character qualities?

As we walk by faith, the fruit of those around us can be recognized (or not). Most importantly, when we see the fruit of our lives blessing others with a desire for honest improvement, we are properly humbled.

See the passage from I Corinthians below. Surprisingly, God chooses “foolish” things. But they are only foolish in the eyes of our “worldly” economy. -Teresa

#JesusourSavior #Hisglory #shinesthrough #the-weak #valuabletoHim

Titus 1:10-16 (ESV)

¹⁰ For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.^[h]11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. ¹² One of the Cretans,^[i] a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”^[j]13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

I Corinthians 1:24-31 (KJV)

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

During the huge waves of a storm, who brings peace?

God is awesome, mighty and feared. His work brings awestruck wonder.

Yes, He is faithful!!

More than anything else, God’s faithfulness teaches us WHO we can trust.

My dad used to advise us, when we were kids, “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see!” (When it comes to mankind and the world)

Those things that God accomplishes, however, have always been nothing short of miraculous. #ChristJesusourbridegroom

People may fall short: companies fail employees, employees fail companies but what never fails is God’s faithfulness.

When my husband and I were engaged and planning our wedding, my dad was laid off (along with many other employees of the largest industry in our region).

Although my husband and I (as college students) had to pay for our wedding photographer, bouquets, invitations and clothes…our families and church community provided so much more toward our beautiful celebration. #food #wildlilacs #fountaincake #musicians #venue #rehearsaldinner #candidphotos #lovelygifts

We were blessed by all those who showed up from out of town, all the people who provided lodging for our guests (especially my mom who worked wonders) and the meaningful spiritual fellowship that occurred that weekend. #priceless- Teresa

Here are a few old photos/ memories

Psalm 89:5-9 (ESV)

⁵ Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
    your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
⁶ For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
    Who among the heavenly beings^[b] is like the Lord,
⁷ a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
    and awesome above all who are around him?
⁸ O Lord God of hosts,
    who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
    with your faithfulness all around you?
⁹ You rule the raging of the sea;
    when its waves rise, you still them.

During my time in MN, I was encouraged by the many prayers of family and friends. Not only was I juggling my own needs but also the physical and psychological needs of mom. Those who are caregivers understand the weight of wanting to deliver reasonably on “their wishes” but staying in our own lane of health (by not overdoing it).

In helping the weak, we can see our own weakness reflected. Patience is key! When the challenges begin to block God’s love in our hearts, we must “let go and let God” have His way.

It’s not easy to see our loved ones choose paths that are hard. On the other hand, God is still there in the midst of even that.

Taking it one step further (to those in the world), how can we seek to do good for those who dish out evil? It means we are not bound up by revenge. Rejoicing under dire circumstances means we are trusting the ONE to whom our ceaseless prayers are directed. #grateful

It’s not the circumstances we find ourselves in that teach about God’s love but our heart’s response to those circumstances.

By holding fast to those things that are good, we can discern truth from the deceiver’s flute trying desperately to allure us from it.

I am grateful for each of our children as they speak truth even when my ideals want to draw a bold line. My ideals try separating out what “should be” from my what “should not be”. #wealwaysdoithisway

Holding fast to good means that we are not blocking God from having space in our own hearts. – Teresa #Hiswayisbest

1 Thessalonians 5:4-20 (ESV)

¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,^[b] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

Paul struggles for the new believers to be rooted and grounded in the love of God.

Why is this the basis of our faith? Without Christ Jesus the Lord, we would have no truly accurate picture of God’s love on earth.

Every other man, woman or child gives a flawed performance.

Truly, we have been forgiven but have we forgotten the sinful nature by refusing to cling to it?

Freedom means literally to be set free. That must occur at the deepest level of our identity.

I’ve been enjoying the Power of the Rings season 2 this month. As a fan of Tolkien, I find those who produced this series have done a great job (although a bit gory at times).

The symbolic “Lord” of the Rings, truly is a deceiver. How often do we fall prey to the lies? Even the youngest, the strongest and the bravest learned through the struggle that it was worthwhile to cling to the truth.

“God loves you” is the truth! Don’t forget His amazing gift to mankind. -Teresa

Colossians 2:1-6 (ESV)

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Alive in Christ

⁶ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.