Guest Blogger: Stephanie Kitts - part 2

                                         PATIENCE  -part 2 of 2

The Word uses the analogy of sowing and reaping the harvest in regard to the virtue of patience.  In fact we’re in a season now that’s considered harvest for certain crops I’d like you to use that incredible imagination that God has given you to get a mental image of the setting I’m going to share. As I’m sharing this, I’d like for you to search your own memory bank for your own taste memory similar to this one . . .

When I was younger my father loved to grow fruit trees. In our backyard at different times we had red and yellow apple trees,  a pear tree,  peach trees, a pecan tree, a cherry tree (which the birds would eat before we did –the pie pans and the plastic snake in the tree didn’t help much!) a Chinese pear tree, and grape vines.  But the tree I remember the most was a peach tree in the far corner of the yard –it was greatly valued by all because it was a white peach tree.  For those of you who haven’t experienced a white peach – it’s as close to fruit heaven as you can get (Yes, there will be white peaches in heaven!)

I once heard a man share his vision of heaven and the fragrant flower he encountered there.  It smelled like a magnolia, he remembered. (Heaven must be like Georgia. . . So, I guess there must be white peaches there too!)  The flesh of this peach is a creamy white and the center is an extremely bright neon pink and the taste of it when fully ripe is so incredibly juicy and sweet you never forget it . Sometimes as kids we’d be a little hasty and you know,  just try one, fully knowing that it probably wasn’t ripe, but maybe wishing would make it so.  A peach that’s not ripe is green and hard, and not sweet or juicy at all . . .it’s extremely disappointing.   If you knew what it’s supposed to taste like you wouldn’t really want to eat this peach when it’s not ripe. (I heard a Dr. once say that eating unripe food actually produced toxins in the body!) Consider the example that you thought about .  It’s not just the visual memory that persuades you to wait – it’s the taste memory that gives you the patience to wait. It’s because you have the memory and experience of how good a ripe one is that you can wait. Because you know how good it will be. . .We each need to have a revelation of how good it will be.  We need to ask the Spirit to specifically give us a revelation of how good it is going to be- so we can wait with patience and even joy!(see Isaiah 64:4 . . . God has prepared it for those who wait,..but he’s also revealed it to us by His spirit.)

So like a kid you’re standing there looking at that peach tree. What do you do?  Go do something else.  Go play!  Don’t stand there looking at the tree!  You’ve got stuff to do!- Anyway it’s for an appointed time, an appointed season.  When the time is right God will tell you and bring you back . .and it will be ready .  When it’s ready  - you will be ready.  Dressed appropriately for the season, ready for the gift, picking the fruit that’s totally ripe – that’s totally ready.  And you’ll enjoy its fruit and thank God that you waited. 

James5:7-8 “The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the Earth (What is the fruit he’s talking about here ? . .family members, souls)  and hath long patience for it until he receives the early and latter rain.  So be ye also patient . . establish your hearts.”

As teachers we need “long patience” and “established hearts” with many of our students.  I think about my beginning readers, and how much patience we both exercise in this process.  Just as I encourage every little effort and success made by a child, God is even more patient and encouraging toward His children and our feeble attempts at learning and doing His will. He has extreme patience with us. Therefore, we should have extreme patience for Him and respect for His plan!  

If you think, “Well, God’s not telling me enough right now.”  Realize that if He told you the exact date something was going to happen- you’d probably freak out! (You know anticipation is a very difficult emotion to live with!)  God gave me this analogy:  It’s like a parent wanting to share something incredible or wonderful with their child (Ex. a favorite movie or book -like the Wizard of Oz)  It’s a wonderful thing but the child really isn’t ready or quite old enough for it. . .they don’t have the maturity necessary to enjoy or appreciate it in all its aspects, but the parent does it anyway, and the child is terrorized!  I think it’s like this with the Lord, like a natural parent He so much wants to share the awesome things He has planned for us- the upcoming blessings and incredible experiences –(this is what prophecy is all about,) but if he shares too much –He runs the risk of freaking us out.  If He shares too little – he knows we’re wondering if he’s even aware of our situation and does he even care. It’s a rather difficult dilemma he has.

But don’t worry  . . .be patient through each season, and enjoy the journey- everything will occur in good time, . . all in good time. All you need is just a little patience.

S. Kitts © 2016

I hope you have enjoyed this message from our guest blogger Stephanie Kitts, Title I Reading Specialist in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. 

Guest Blogger: Ms. Stephanie Kitts -part 1

                                                                    PATIENCE    -part 1 of 2                                                                                                                                                                                              

Is your answer from God taking too long?

Do you have a dream or a longing you want to see fulfilled?

Do you have a promise that hasn’t come to pass yet?

 . . .  then you have need of PATIENCE.

PATIENCE – What is it? Why is it crucial? And . . .  how do you get it?

Galatians 5 :22-23  But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (or patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, (or humility), temperance (or self-control): against such there is no law.

We refer to these “fruits” as virtues that the Spirit works in our lives. Patience is a virtue just as love is a virtue, so both are necessary to develop.  In our instant society however, patience is not always seen as a virtue. The sooner the better is the way the world operates. So why should we desire to wait patiently . . Why is it so crucial?    James1:2-4 – gives us a reason  . . .

Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your

faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  

Wanting nothing . . .

                

      I once saw a little pin in a catalog   -  “Settle for more!”  That’s what James is asking us to do here. . . Settle for more.  God is promising us inner satisfaction if we forego our quick fixes.  Take a minute and ask yourself the question– “What exactly am I waiting for?  Think of the two or three issues that you need patience for.  I’m believing that God is going to give you insight as I share this word for how to develop the patience necessary for these issues, and also give you practical ideas for any actions that you are to take.

So, why do we have such a problem with patiently waiting?  Mainly, because we’re believing a bunch of lies. At a minimum, believing a lie can put a real damper on your day, but at a maximum  it could totally ruin your life. We believe lies like:

If that dream or work is going to happen at all it’s entirely dependent upon me.     - (It’s not.)    or . You can’t be really happy unless you have that person, thing or circumstance in your life right now    - (Actually, you can.)    or  . . .Your desire for that need is more important than living out God’s intended purpose and plan for your life.     -   (It isn’t.)  

If anything, in God’s economy, your destiny and purpose in life is ultimately greater than your desire for whatever . . . (fill in the blank here).  There are certain instances in the Word where this idea is apparent. Not until the person actually came into their exact position or destiny did God give them  influence, or a spouse, or divine favor, or the ability to exercise certain gifts. (Think of Joseph or Daniel.) 

Sometimes the enemy tells us . . . You know it’s totally up to you to take charge of your life and get exactly what you need to make things happen.    (It’s not- it’s up to God to take care of you and to provide what you actually need.)  He may also whisper . . .There isn’t really a divine order or timing to most things- maybe for some things but not usually, so if you  hesitate you lose out.  (Ecclesiastes says there is a time and purpose to everything under Heaven. . . not just for some things but for everything.  He may also state the ultimate lie -Waiting will ultimately result in loss   -   (It won’t.)   According to Lamentations 3:25  The Lord is good to them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.   And  Luke 8:15  But on good ground are they, which having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.

 

We have to learn to counter the lies with the Word of God.

When you feel a little impatient take a look at a few passages in the word that reflect someone’s lack of patience . . .

1)   Genesis – 11:31  (Remember, they settled there – they should have gone on but they didn’t want to wait – they ultimately settled for less. . . )

2)  Esau handing over his birthright

There are some things in life that you won’t get without extreme patience.  You might get what others might consider “good”  but you won’t get the ultimate God has for you.  Meditate a little while on James 1:2-4 “Let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.” The end result of waiting for God’s timing  will be more than you could have ever considered, asked for or imagined. I think God said that because He endowed us with incredible imaginations and yet He can surpass even that!

                                                                   -S. Kitts © 2016

This is only the first part of a two part message by Title I Reading Specialist, Stephanie Kitts, from Dinwiddie County Public Schools in Virginia.

Please log back in tomorrow for part two of her message on Patience. Until then, please enjoy our weekly song, "Wait on the Lord" by Donnie McClurkin and Karen Clark Sheard

Guest Blogger: Dr. Dalene V. Parker

This blog post was originally posted on April 15, 2015 on WordDoctor13.com and is being submitted with permission on behalf of Dr. Dalene Parker.  Please enjoy! 

Lean and Clean

Lately I've been impressed to set and pursue goals differently--measured not by checklists or due dates, but by words.  Powerful words.  Basically, I choose a word which represents a quality I REALLY NEED in my life and then begin to think of each day's activities and choices in terms of whether or not they move me away or toward that quality in my life.  

            For example, a few years back, I really needed BALANCE in my life (Still do, at times).  It is easy to mire up in what others perceive or even push to be my priorities. I find that by seeking FIRST God's wisdom and direction for each day, He provides a beautiful balance where all mental, physical, and emotional needs are met and strength is sufficient.  Even if chaos ensues, calm reigns.  

            CONSISTENCY is the next quality I chose to pursue.  Although I definitely don't have that one down yet, I am moving in that direction.  I want to be consistent in preparing meaningful lessons, being on time, providing nutritious meals, exercising regularly, treating others fairly, staying on budget, meaning what I say, and keeping commitments.  Whoa!   Not even close to possible for my "sidetrack" self without His grace and the mentors He provides along the way.

            For this season, the words LEAN and CLEAN have become my mantra.  Used as verbs, they remind me to take care of my body and declutter my schedule as well as my work and home environment.  I also need to LEAN on my Strong Rock for stability and my closest friends for support.  Priscilla Shirer's Bible study called Breathe convicted me of the need to CLEAN the clutter from my classroom, my car, my basement, and my calendar.  She advocates a "Sabbath" mindset which means we set boundaries, leave margin in our lives, and move away from overdoing.  This requires trusting the Lord of the Sabbath to provide for us the "manna" we need as we rest in Him.  

            It may take years for me to see these quality words fully activated, but His Word reminds me that "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1 :6). I'm leaning on that promise today.  How about you?

-Dr. Dalene Parker

I hope you have enjoyed this week's guest blogger, Dr. Dalene Parker.  Dr. Parker is a National Board Certified Teacher, teaches English, Creative Writing, Journalism, and Public Speaking to high school students. She delights in encouraging and assisting teen writers with publishing their work.  Dalene’s passion for biblical literacy fuels her desire to use God’s Word as a way of optimizing life, work, and relationships. Author of Christian Teachers in Public Schools and numerous faith-based magazine articles, Dalene lives in South Carolina with her family. She and co-author Linda Gilden look forward to the release of their new book Words to Live By (Worthy Publishing/July 12, 2016).

I encourage you to have a blessed week.  Do as Dr. Dalene suggests. Choose a word to set your mind on becoming.  Philippians 4:8 tells us what things on which we are to meditate and 2 Peter 1:5 admonishes us to multiply in the mindset of God so that we can increase in His knowledge.  The Holy Spirit will lead you to the word you need.  Just ask and become!

Please enjoy this week's song, I Am by Eddie James.  Knowing who Jesus is can better help you realize who you are and who you need to become.  Also, click back on our Resource page at the top and view the weekly video.  Pastor Mike Ashcroft shares with us how to develop your one word.

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Guest Blogger: Mrs. Tonya Fields-Hines

God is a Healer

December 19, 2014… 7:30am.

I'd just completed my shower.  As I dried myself off, I felt a strange knot in my right breast. I asked my husband if he could feel it. His confirmation sent a nervous feeling over my body.

I spent my Christmas holiday with the chance of cancer hanging over me. The day after Christmas, my mother overheard me making my appointment for the mammogram.  I had to break down and tell her what was going on. My secret was out.

On December 31, 2014, I had my mammogram done.  It came back abnormal, and they also were concerned with my left breast. I immediately began praying. I returned on January 6, 2015, and was told it was cancer in my right breast and I needed a biopsy for my left breast to be sure.

My lumpectomy was done on January 7, 2015. I was found to have Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my right breast. The lump in my left breast was benign. After getting over being told, "You have cancer", I began to lean totally on God and resist temptation to worry. My family truly rallied around me. 

Since I am on a member of the Leadership Team at work, my circle is very small.  I chose only to share my health crisis with them.  However, once the staff found out, they were all very supportive.  It was rewarding to know just how much they cared.  

I worked consistently from January through May through five different surgeries and procedures, one of which was a lymph node procedure that was done in February.  It was then that I learned  the cancer had not spread!  Praise be to God! That was confirmation that I was going to be alright.

.Because of my age (42), I had to endure four months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation.  I thought I’d be able to push through it until the end of the school year, but sadly I could not.  Chemotherapy was a beast and I resolved that it’d be best for me to stay home.  Thankfully, my treatments were completed on November the 13th. 

 I am truly a blessed girl.  My faith and trust in God got me through.  Although, I've been back at work full time for three months now, I do try to take it easy. I listen to my body and God. So if I need to rest, I rest because I want to be here a loooong time. My hair has returned (with a curly soft texture….smile) and I'm going to continue to the fight and know that I'm still here for a reason.  OH BLESS GOD!

Yes, this experience has brought me closer to the Lord and my family. It even strengthened my 20 year marriage. I'm cancer free and ready for whatever God has in store for me. If it's to minister through song, His word, or my testimony, I just want to tell of the second chance that I was given. 

Through it all, I have learned to trust in Jesus. I have learned to trust in God.

Tonya Fields-Hines is an educator of seventeen years who has taught as a classroom teacher and specialist.  She is currently the math specialist for Park View Elementary in Portsmouth, Va.  Tonya is married and has twin daughters who are high school freshman.  She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. 

Did you enjoy Tonya's testimony?  Are you struggling with health issues of your own or know someone who is?  Please take the time to read, meditate and believe in these healing scriptures and share with someone else.  

Isaiah 53: 4-5

Isaiah 41: 10

James 5:14

Matthew 11: 28

Philippians 4: 19

Proverbs 4: 20-22

Exodus 15: 26

Exodus 23:25

Psalm 103: 2-4

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Please enjoy this week's song which is a testament to Tonya's testimony of healing.    Like and share this on Facebook with an educator who needs to be reminded of the healing power of Jesus.

Guest Blogger: Dr. Shauna Mayo

Being Satisfied Where You Are

-Dr. Shauna Mayo

            Any person who has strived to be successful in their career also looks for opportunities for advancement. I am no different in that I, too, want to advance in the field of education. A few years ago, I learned a valuable lesson from God through an experience that taught me to be satisfied where I am until He tells me it’s time to move.

          About four years ago, an opening became available in my school that would have allowed me to advance into an administrative position. I thought that I was prepared for this advancement. I had completed my doctorate degree. I was knowledgeable about administrative duties because I had served in the position of the Elementary Summer School Coordinator. I had established a positive working relationship with the person whom I would be working with every day. I was READY!! Interview day came and went and I never received a phone call. I later learned that the position went to someone else who I knew well, but whom I never expected would obtain the job. When I tell you I was HURT, I cannot begin explain how I felt.

         I began to question myself. What did I say wrong in the interview? Was I too nervous? Why did that person get selected? Was it because of friendship? All of these were questions that I asked myself. When it was time to return to work for the new school year, my wounds were still open and when people would say that they knew I would get the job that just made matters even worst. It was hard for me to be positive. I wanted to be the best teacher for my students, but for a long time every day was a struggle. One day, the realization came to me that it was not my time. There was more that God wanted me to learn. It’s as if He spoke to me and said that He knew what was best for me and right now this was not it. After this revelation, I began to return to what I would call my “normal” self and began to settle into what was a good school year.

      What did I learned from this experience, you may ask. Well, I learned that it was not in my time. Things happen in God’s time no matter how badly we may want them to happen right now. It’s unfortunate that we have become a right now generation. Sometimes, it seems that not only do we lose patience with ourselves, we lose it with God.  We may obtain all of the degrees in the world and make all of the right connections, but if it’s not your time, then it’s just not your time. My reasons for seeking that position were for my own self-satisfaction and my own aspirations. I was looking for everyone to say how fast I had progressed in education, in spite of being in the field for a relatively short time. Isaiah 55:8 states “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” This tells us that what we want and what God wants for us are not the same. It also lets me know that God only wants the best for me and all of us, His children.

      What are you aspiring for today? Have you experienced disappointment? Is it for your own personal satisfaction?  Well, please know that it’s okay to want the desires of our heart. God tells us that. However, He also reminds us in Proverbs 3:6 to “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” When we put God first, He makes everything else possible. I was not doing that. I was looking at the outward appearance of what this job would bring me. We have to learn to look for the lesson in each experience in our lives, good or bad. Sure, we are going to feel disappointment at time in certain situations because we are human. But, we do not have to dwell in that disappointment. Always know that your better is coming.

        Today, I have moved to a different position and I must say that obtaining the position was not difficult. I know that for now, this is where God wants me to me because I still have some things to learn. When I have learned those lessons, He will allow me to be moved to my next place. The same holds true for you. I encourage you to be happy where you are. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Use the gifts that God has given to you to make others better when you leave them than when you found them. Be satisfied and continue to praise God in all that happens.

About the author:

Dr. Shauna Mayo is a Title I Instructional Specialist for Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Petersburg, VA. She is also a U.S. Army Veteran, retiring after 21 years of military service. She is married and has 2 daughters. Dr. Mayo attends Tabernacle Baptist Church where she is a Deaconess and an Usher. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., through Alpha Omega Zeta Chapter in Petersburg. She loves reading cozy mysteries, her family, and quiet time to mediate on God's word.

Thanks for reading this inspirational message from our guest blogger.  Please share this with a colleague who may need to hear this heartening word.   

Please enjoy the weekly song, “Born for This” by Stephanie Mills.