Coming to a Blog Near You....Soon!

Even though I'm not exactly sure that anyone other than my Aunt Suzie and Mom actually read my blog (I like to pretend the whole world wants to know about my life), I just wanted to let you know that I'll be back this week!

Upcoming Attractions:
1. More names for God...even though I haven't been blogging, I'm loving Knowing God by Name
2. My birthday blog post!! I am so blessed and spent a week celebrating with wonderful friends and family
3. Monkey C Monkey Run 5K and details of my attempt to become a world class runner...I haven't earned my Prefontaines yet, but I'm working on it
4. Football season...even though I do not enjoy temperatures below 72 degrees, I LOVE football season!
5. Lasagna Recipe...so simple, so delicious!
6. Pictures of my classroom!

I just love a To Do list!

Day 4: Rishon Va-Acharon – “The First and the Last”

God is the first and the last. He is bigger, greater, and beyond everything else that exists. He’s infinite.

Infinite – without limits; exceedingly great in excellence; timeless

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. Psalm 90:2, 4

“Ah! Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17

God is infinite in time. He exists “from everlasting to everlasting.” Ps. 90:2. He exists outside the constraints of time. God created time and He is Lord over it. “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8. He is at the beginning of all things and at their end. God sees time in the terms of eternity. His plans have a timeline based on eternity. I cannot fully understand God’s plan and God’s timing because my finite mind cannot imagine time in the way He knows it.

This lesson found a very special place in my heart this week. I am getting very close to my 30th (or 29th, part deaux) birthday. Ten years ago I had a list of all the things that I was going to accomplish by the time I turned……30…… I knew I would be married, not living in Birmingham, and working in Special Education, plus several other “to do” items. Well, I’m working in Special Education (which I love with all my heart), living in Birmingham and no, I’m not married. My plans are just that, my plans. Are they, in and of themselves, bad? Nope! Does that mean that the things are my list or in my plans aren’t going to happen? Of course not! However, I have learned over the years, that my ultimate plan is just to live each day seeking after Him, looking for Him at work around me, and being confident in the knowledge that God is greater than my plans and the time constraints that I know. God has plans and a timeline far greater than mine. When I was 12 years old, I gave him my heart and now today, less than a week away from being…..30…..He still holds my heart. His plans are perfect, and His ways are great. He has always been, and He always will be, from everlasting to everlasting.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

Day 3: Adonai -- "Lord"

The best way to describe the name Adonai is “My Great Master.” God is Lord of all lords, Master of all masters. His name, Adonai, conveys the idea of His absolute authority and right to rule. He is the Great Master – the one to whom all honor, respect, allegiance, and obedience are due. Adonai personalizes the relationship to being just The Great Master to My Great Master. He is my Master and I am His servant.

When most people think about the master-servant relationship, there is a tendency to focus on the role of the servant primarily. However, when I focus on the Master’s role in my life, I cannot help but serve Him…..You are my Master; I have no good apart from you. Psalm 16:2

1. Adonai loosens my bonds (Ps. 116:16)
2. Adonai daily bears my burdens (Ps. 68:19)
3. Adonai is good to me and forgives me (Ps. 86:4-5)
4. Adonai is merciful and gracious to me (Ps. 86:15)
5. Adonai is abounding in love and faithfulness toward me (Ps. 86:15)
6. Adonai gives His strength to me (Ps. 86:16)
7. Adonai accomplishes for me (Isaiah 26:12-13)
8. Adonai is my helper and upholds my life (Ps. 54:4)
9. Adonai makes me glad (Ps. 86:4)

Knowing the greatness, kindness, and compassion of my Master, Adonai, I cannot help but want to serve Him with all of my llife.