Praise Him in the mornin'...

For some reason I have a kids' church song in my head. For those of you raised in Sunday School is goes like this: Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him in the morning... Praise Him in the noontime... praise Him when the sun goes down." Anyway... I thought, there's no better way to start off a Friday (and really, I need something good... I am looking & feeling rough this morning!) than to Praise Him! So, though rough moments have been trying to get me down lately, I'm going to Praise! And here are a few reaons:

1)My Mom's been sick for a few months now and the docs haven't been able to figure out why. Well, this week they finally diagnosed her with breast cancer (she's had it before) but this time is way different than before. She just has to take a hormone pill and she'll be fine! Considering all the other things it could have been, I'm thankful that this was the diagnosis. No chemo or radiation this time. And she'll come home soon from the hospital. Hooray!

2)Through random circumstances, I googled an old college friend of mine and found his sight with some pictures. I decided to email him and see what he was up to. Well, one of the things he said was, "I'm growing like a weed spiritually. I'm not the same guy you used to know." Praise the Lord! Now this fellow was a nice guy before, but well... let's just say we lived different lifestyles. Lately I've become aware of friends who have turned away from God after college, and I've been discouraged, but I rejoiced last night in hearing that another friend who seemed far away is so in love with the Father now! My prayers 6 years ago were answered (and I wasn't even aware!). (and if you're the guy I'm writing this about, I hope you don't mind me writing it, but I'm excited! hehe)

3)I've found a gym in Sanford that I really like, and I'm really enjoying it! I seem to be getting back on track with health matters, and that's always a good thing. :)

4)Next week are teacher workdays on Monday and Tuesday, and I have taken them off so that I can be in Durham helping with a Spring break program for Hispanic kids. I am so excited to be able to be a part of reaching out to the Durham community!

Wow... I'm going to be late for work, so I'll have to write more later!

in Him-
Bonnie B.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Take my hand, Lord!

I am one who loves a good image… a metaphor. When pastors use images in their sermons, I really get (and remember!) the point. I remembered one last night and wanted to share it, because it really captures the place in my life that I am at right now. Now, I don’t tend to be one who stresses uncontrollably over my future and what’s happening in my life. But I do get a bit anxious at times, which usually just results in researching jobs and places to live on the internet for a few hours at a time. (nothing too big!) Last night I ended up discovering a website about Head Start and More at Four programs in Durham, and I got really excited about the prospect of moving to Durham next year. When I finally pulled myself away from my computer and went to bed, I kept thinking about it. I thought to myself, “there are so many different ways I could go right now, so many different options. I feel like it is God’s will for me to relocate to Durham, but how do I know whether it is really God’s will or just me imprinting my desires onto ‘God’s Will’?” Then the image came to mind. A few weeks ago JD (my pastor) was talking about his little girl learning to walk. At the learning-to-walk stage, he would hold onto her hand to make sure she didn’t fall. It was her feet taking the steps, but ultimately he was deciding where she would go by guiding her movement. He was actually using that as an image of how the authors of the Bible wrote the Bible, but it spoke a lot to me about living life with Christ in control. Yes, my feet may be hitting the ground, but it is His mighty hands that are guiding my tiny feet. He knows exactly where’s He’s taking me, and it’s my job just to keep moving and sensing where He’d have me go. It’s so reassuring to know that He is in control!

(from “Just Enough Light for the Step I’m on : Book of Prayers” by Stormie Omartian

“Lord, I don’t want to take one step without You. I reach up for your hand and ask that You lead me in Your way. Thank You that no matter where I am right now, even if I have gotten way off course, in this moment, as I put my hand in Yours, You will make a path from where I am to where I need to be. And You will lead me on it. I love that Your grace abounds to me in that way. Keep me on the path You have for me and take me where You want me to go. I commit this day to walking with You.”

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forever more.
-Psalm 16:11-