Contempor-vant

 

They call this produced church, or, as the video says, "Contmporvant" (contemporary and relevant at the same time).  Apparently this is THE way to "do" worship is most contemporary churches.  I know that we just don't fit this mold.  Watching this video made me kinda laugh and cry at the same time.  I laughed because of the truth of what I say and cry for the same reason.  I don't want "church" like this.  And, to be honest, I don't know how many people actually want this in a worship service.  What happened to the genuine, the real, the heartfelt... the normal?  While I think we should do all things in an excellent way and strive to present our best to the Lord there are times I long for a service with an out of tune piano and singing heartfelt hymns and choruses followed by teaching from the Bible and practical application for today.  I long for a place where people love each other, where they spend time in the study of God's Word, where they pray for and with each other.... a place where people are real and normal.  

Who can really measure up to the standard presented in this video?   Where is the place for normal pastors and worship leaders? 

I guess we just don't fit.

And I was doing so well writing on here every few days.
I'm in the middle of my third week of  teaching High School French.  So far so good.  But, I've never been more tired than I am right now.  (except maybe when my kids were babies... and that was a long time ago)
I feel bad for every wrong impression I've had of public school teachers. (Okay, and I may have judged them too.)   I have worked in the public school system for a number of years already, but as an assistant.  There is SO much more work as a teacher.  I work on lessons plans every night and will be grading quizzes and homework this weekend.
Teachers are vastly underpaid.

Aside from that:
I'm learning that I need the Lord's help every. single. day.   He helps me, inspires me, strengthens me, gives me wisdom, helps me stay calm.  He is good and His faithful love endures forever!
He has given me this job and I rely on Him to do with me as He chooses where He has placed me.

Oh la la!

I had NO idea there would be so much paper work!
My goal for this first week of school is to survive.  I've made it through today.  Thank God it's a short week.  Now to get geared up for tomorrow and Friday!

Today I finished setting up my classroom!  My room is ready... now I need to get ME ready.  School starts in  5 days!

All I Need

Back to school week.  We have done some shopping... gotten clothes, pencils, paper, etc.  We're getting ready for school to start.  Michael is getting ready to move to Ohio for school.  Joseph is getting ready to move back there for a third year.  Debra is getting ready to start at C.O.S.  Lots of changes, lots of preparations.
It's important to have all we need to be prepared for the task ahead.  I'm getting ready.
How wonderful to have all the resources I need!
This past week I spent much time with my best friend, Debby, who teaches French at Black Forest Academy in Germany.  She helped me sort out some things for this coming school year, she gave me lots of tips on things and she corrected my French on occasion (which needs lots of correction!).  Her help was invaluable!
This week I am attending training sessions for "Cooperative Learning" and "Engagement".  This is so good, and will also be very helpful.
I have lists and lists of Internet resources, more than I will ever be able to use.
I will have the help of colleagues, administrators, staff and the support of friends and family.  I have a TON of resources.  It's great!
As Debby reminded me this past week, even with all the tools I have... all the help, all the resources, my sufficiency in not in all these things.  My sufficiency is in Christ!
How wonderful to know that He knows all things.  He knows my students.  He knows me.  He created our brains, our bodies, the languages we speak.  He gave wisdom and skill to people way smarter than me to help me.   The source of life is GOD.  The source of all wisdom is Christ.  When I have Christ, I have all I need!
 “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Colossians 2:3

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

You shall not pass!

If you do not study....
You shall not pass!
Yep, this is going in my classroom!