Divine Intervention? Relay Race!

Call me crazy, but I actually intend to keep anywhere from three to eight young people entertained this morning by teaching (or I should say learning right along with them) about the old testament of the Bible while their parents reflect on their relationships with God upstairs.  I can only figure that this is what God wants me to teach as I certainly wouldn't have self-selected the topic and deemed it a hit with young teenagers.  But God always amazes me.

Two weeks ago, before my visit to ER via ambulance (prognosis?  renal lesion, fatty liver, hiatal hernia - go see your regular doc who will send you to have a gall bladder ultrasound and then will want you to set up an appointment with a urologist. Urologist?  Aren't I a little young to begin visiting doctors who focus on pee? - But I digress).  Anyway, two weeks ago, I taught the kids about the authors of the Bible.  I really didn't think this would be a hit, and, indeed, the lesson was taking a major nosedive with my four rather rambunctous boys when it struck me - Relay Race.  Whether it be divine intervention or simply sixteen years of teaching or both, the idea saved the lesson. 

The church has a huge basement, so I sent the young men trekking off the the far off end with a single pen and explained that they would need to run up to the table, write one name of an author we had discussed, then run back to their partner who would take the pen, race back to the table, and write another name.  They would continue this process until one minute was up.  They willingly participated when I started the clock.

I must admit to you (God already knows) that I don't think I stopped them after a single minute.  I may have had them running full speed for three minutes or so...and we did this four times as my prize was a single stick of gum for each of the winners, an easy way to bribe kids into working with and not against you every time.  (Hint: don't hand out Big Red...many don't like it, but they love all the fruit gums.  Also, make sure the gum is sugar free since so many  kids wear braces)

The kicker?  They absolutely loved the day, telling their parents between gasps that this was one of the greatest day in the history of Bethesda Church's Sunday School.  Who knew?

So, today we will focus on the books of the old testament.  I have a plan, but like two weeks ago, will be listening to God for ideas to make the lesson mean more to my kids.  Divine Intervention is a powerful thing!

Trash Talk is No Longer a Panacea


God has definitely been giving me ample opportunity to check my tongue at the door these past few weeks, and I have a hunch He will give me many more opportunities to get it right in the coming days, weeks, months, and years because I know I still haven't yet learned not to trash talk others when I feel maligned.  It is hard for me to write this, and definitely not something I am proud of owning up to, yet I am beginning to see that when I feel someone has hurt me, my first tendency is to walk away wounded and slander them until the cows come home to any willing, or not so willing listener/victim.  A much more mature reaction would be to shut my mouth, think about my response for a day or so, and either say something if it was really all that necessary to do, or forgive as Jesus would have.  Sheesh, what a tall order!  

It used to be so much fun to rip people up one side and down the other before I was saved.  I felt validated.  Justified.  Vindicated.  I have done this for years.  I think I developed this passive/aggressive behavior as a child.  It was a ways to cope with my father, who at that time, was not one who wanted me to be honest when I felt hurt.  It was much easier to talk bad about him to others who would commiserate and feel my pain.  In my eyes, I was that martyr who put up with so much. 

Later in life, it was easy to practice that same pattern if a co-worker, friend, student, or boss hurt my feelings.  Trash talk them and lower them below my stature.  This made me feel better about myself in some way, as if their actions weren't as hurtful because I had verbally torn them down and they were not nearly as important to me; therefore, they couldn't hurt me.  Also, I didn't have to be mature and confront them with my feelings.  It felt a little weird when I had to talk to them again, but I was able to live with that.

Now, when I behave this way, I still feel validation, justification, and vindication - for a much shorter time - then I feel convicted (not in a guilt ridden way, in a God cuffing me up side the head in a "What are you doing?  Is this agape love?" sort of way).  I no longer feel vindication, but instead I feel remorse as I think about how wronged Jesus was each day by human beings, and yet he still gave his own life so I could make stupid mistakes like these and still be forgiven.  Now, instead of justification, I realize that this is one of the behaviors I often ridiculed self-proclaimed Christians for was a big reason I stayed away from God so long.  Finally, I feel humility as I realize much God must love us to have given his Son up for us because he knew we would keep being knotheads!  How he continues to love me is beyond me, yet he just does.  How unbelievably amazing.  I pray that God continues to remind me with taps on my consciense and pangs in my heart whenever I fall into this old, rather destructive habit.  I would prefer to be proud of my actions, not feel crappy about them! 

I have actually refrained from this behavior a couple of times, and while it doesn't give me the immediate rush of unloading my hurt and "getting even", I do feel good about the fact I exhibited self-control. Regardless of how many times I low it, I will keep working on this, for if I do, I am sure to improve in this area.  It's that or say ouch a lot as God puts me in check.  Those who don't learn are destined to repeat the same behavior.  I am choosing to act differently!

Unity

Focus on My Grace,

                      My Forgiveness,

                            My Agape.

                                                               focus on my fallability,

                                                                                    my temper,

                                                                                          my jealousy.

Choose My Path,

                   My Righteousness,

                          My Way

                                surrender my plans,

                                                     my arrogance,

                                                                    my will.

                         Freedom is your gift,

                         Peace your reward,

                         Serenity your prize.

                                      my life - my gift to you,

                                      my soul surrendered,

                                      my faith offered up willingly.

                                              

                                          Follow Me.  guide me.

                                                       Unity

                                                  

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