Miss Mark in the Classroom's January 2008 Archives

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January 28, 2008

Community and Peace

Day one of school started today!! I'm excited to get back to a routine! As I have struggled in my life, and am struggle with am struggling with anxiety quite a bit lately, I have a deeper appreciation for the body of Christ.

When I'm doing "better" I think that if I tell people I'm struggling I'll be shamed and told to snap out of it plus I feel guilt about being the reciever of kindness. Instead, as I have told my brothers and sisters about my struggles I have received large amounts of hugs, looks of sympathy, prayers, words of comfort, and caring guidance. Oh the the hands and feet of Jesus! I have been well loved!

I praise God for the body of believers- we are created for community and I'm so thankful! Thank you!!

NACR Daily Meditation for Monday, Jan 28, 2008

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:7

Sometimes it feels like our hearts are breaking.

And sometimes we worry that we will lose our minds.

Both our hearts and our minds need protection.

When we let go of the defenses that have protected us for so long, and we
allow ourselves to be honest and vulnerable, it sometimes feels like we
will 'come apart'. In these moments can find courage in God's promise of
protection. God's peace can guard our breaking hearts and our troubled minds.

Notice that God's guardianship of our heart and mind is 'in Christ Jesus'.
It is in Jesus that we see most clearly that God is 'for' us. God can be
trusted to guard us because God cares about us. It is in Jesus that we see
most clearly that God understands the dangers to our hearts and minds. God
can be trusted to guard us because God knows from personal experience the
dangers we face. It is in Jesus that we see most clearly God's power. God
can be trusted to guard our hearts and minds because God has the resources
to do what needs to be done.

The peace of God is not a 'blissed out' euphoria that helps us minimize
or ignore our problems. God's peace does not participate in denial. This
peace is not another Novocain, another 'fix' to alter our mood. It is the
gentle guard that protects us so that we can face reality. It is the security
that comes from knowing that God pays attention, that we are not forgotten,
that God is with us, that we are loved.

Guard my breaking heart today, Lord.
Guard my troubled mind.
Let your peace do its work in me, Lord.
because I am in danger and I need your protection.
Guard me with your peace today.
Guard my heart and mind.
Amen.

Posted by Miss Mark at 5:35 PM | Comments (1)

January 20, 2008

Struggle�anxiety�doubt�unbelief�

God�s word speaks to all these things and I�m grateful, for I am sick and needy but he is mighty, good, and strong.

Matthew 9: 12-13
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Psalm 70:5
Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

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Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Mark 8: 23 � 24
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What a mighty God we serve!

"None but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good."

Posted by Miss Mark at 6:45 PM | Comments (4)