Monthly Archives: February 2014

Not Just Reading Glasses…

February 26, 2014Christ's rest, Discouraged Christian, Hope, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, TroublesAbba, Christ, Christian encouragement, Christian life, encouragement, encouragement in Christ, God's peace, spiritual encouragementT.W. Allgaier

It used to just be reading glasses…

Do you like to read? I must say it is one of my favorite past times…but usually it is late at night and I fall asleep before I get through three pages! But I still enjoy reading anything put in front of me.

There in lies the problem. When I turned 40 my arms simply were not long enough. As time went on, I transferred from just reading glasses to the tri focal version. And at 53, they are the first thing I grab in the morning. They certainly amplify the words, and quite frankly, everything else I lay eyes on! All these things appear larger than they really are…but they indeed are true in image and focus.

I am so grateful for the ability to actually see better. Looking through these glasses really gives me perspective of what I am looking at.

I contend that the Father gives us His eyes if we allow Him to do so. If we see personal problems and issues of this world through His eyes, somehow they become so much clearer. They don’t go away, and we still might not understand. But I have found that I can deal with personal problems with much different “vision”.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus gets it folks. When no one else understands, He does. He sees it with clarity, and although we may not really understand, we can always trust Him. I know from experience.

So I need my glasses. I am grateful with the “clarity” in which I now see…trust me, they help in many ways…..

Blessings dear ones…

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible*

Behavior-Respect=Lack of Discipline

February 26, 2014homeschooling, Love one another, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, teachers, Uncategorizedbehavior in children, christian encouragement for moms, discipline, discipline children, encouragement for teachers, first year teachers, homeschooling mom, raising children, respect, student behavior, Teaching, teaching position, unconditional love for childrenT.W. Allgaier

An Observed Formula

As a former teacher and mom of adult children, I have made a number of observations. I cannot say that they are correct, nor can I claim any scientific evidence. But it is was I have observed…my formula so to speak.

Behavior-Respect=Lack of Discipline

Behavior is defined as “the manner of conducting oneself” (Merriam-Webster) Respect is defined “a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, etc.” and “a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way” (Merriam-Webster). Discipline is defined as “control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior” or “a way of behaving that shows a willingness to obey rules or orders”.(Merriam-Webster)

How interesting. Could it be that simple?

The manner of conducting oneself, without the feeling of value leads to lack of behaving in a way that shows a willingness to obey rules?

Yep. I think it is.

If we don’t teach our children how to have respect for themselves and others, they will have no reason to follow any rules. What does it really matter to them? I am mindful of Mark 12:30-31, when Jesus was responding to a question by one of the “teachers of the law” when he asked what the greatest commandments was, and Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”

Hopefully we teach our children to love their neighbors, but do we teach them to love their neighbor as they do themselves? Now I am not talking about the way some might do…the child can do no wrong, I am talking about respect and love. Teaching your child their value…..that God has a plan for them. How their lives are so important and they count for something. How Jesus loves them “without condition”.

I have seen both sides of that pendulum. Children who are given no respect at home, practically raising themselves, and don’t understand what it means to love others and put their needs first. They are kids for heaven’s sake, and yet the needs of those raising them comes first. I have seen it folks, firsthand and it is sad. How can a child dealing with those issues be full of respect for others and be disciplined at the same time?

Most of the issues I dealt with at school involved a lack of respect for themselves, friends and those in authority. I get it. But dealing with those behaviors while trying to educate is not always a happy mix. (But that is another blog!)

At any rate, I feel as though I am rambling, and I most likely am…but it breaks my heart. Our children, the children that are growing up around us…are they taught or given unconditional love? Can we as teachers, parents, friends…give it? Does it mean allowing a child to do what he wants when he wants it? Is our society disrespectful in general? What can we do?

I don’t have all the answers and will never pretend to have them. But the one thing I know for sure is that we must love. We must teach our children the true meaning of unconditional love. Then we must surrender to the Lord Jesus and allow Him to love others through us. How you teach that is up to you and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I spent much of my day teaching and demanding respect. But my students knew that I loved them. They knew that they were important to me. They knew that the discipline (to train, to teach, to educate..Strongs) was because of the love I had for them, due to the unconditional love shown me through Christ. The children were not the reason I stopped teaching..although having my proverbial “hands tied” did contribute … (But that too is another blog)

So what is the answer? Jesus. Knowing who He really is…having an intimate relationship with Him and not making it about “rules and regulations” Without the love, rules and regulations will just lead to rebellion. (But that is another blog too!!)

I hope that I have given you some things to ponder. I would love to hear your thoughts on my observed formula! And it appears as though I have three more blogs to write….education and dealing with discipline issues….teachers leaving the field…rules and regulations without relationship…..hmmmmmm…..

Blessings dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

CORD=HOPE

February 24, 2014Christ's rest, Discouraged Christian, Freedom in Christ, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, TroublesAbba, Christ, Christian encouragement, Christian life, encouragement in Christ, Hope, hope in Christ, problems, PsalmsT.W. Allgaier

A cord, an attachment….

When you think of a cord, what comes to mind? Is it a telephone cord? (Then you are my age). Could it be a computer cord? (You might be in your 30’s). How about the cord to charge your iPhone? (You are much younger).

What do all these cords have in common? What is their purpose? What do each of them do? They attach to something! The telephone, the computer and the iPhone. All are attached to the power source with a cord. Here is where it gets good.

“Find rest , O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5.

The word “hope” in this verse is “tiquah”, which literally means “a cord, as an attachment.” (Strongs) So our “CORD” or “HOPE” must be attached to GOD alone! A cord is strong. If we hang onto any thing else, it is like hanging on with a thin string.

There seem to be so many people right now without “hope”. They are “hopeless”. But friends, if we have Jesus Christ, we have HOPE. We are attached with a cord to HIM.

My song, or the song that the Father has used in my life for years is “In Christ Alone”.(Shawn Craig and Donald A. Koch, 1991) The words in that song have ministered to me in so many crisis in my life. It would play on the radio at just the right time…always. Micheal English,(http://www.michaelenglishmusic.com) my all time favorite artist, sings it best…

“In Christ alone will I glory …Though I could pride myself in battles won. For I’ve been blessed beyond measure and by His strength alone I’ll overcome. Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands, But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand.
[chorus]In Christ alone …I place my trust ..And find my glory in the power of the cross …In every victory …Let it be said of me …My source of strength, My source of hope ….Is Christ alone
In Christ alone do I glory ..For only by His grace I am redeemed. For only His tender mercy, could reach beyond my weakness to my need. And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more, and to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord!

Dear friends, our attachment is strong, our cord will hold. Our HOPE is in Christ.

Blessings dear ones,

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9