Hot and sultry

We arrived in Spain last night at 6.20. Matt dived in Nanny's pool for 20 mins, then quick shower and we were out to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary! When we left at 10.40 it was still so warm outside!!! The temperature didn't drop below 25 degrees all night!

This is a beautiful country but I'm glad I live in England!

Wherever I am, I know I am with God. His Holy Spirit is with me to touch and guide me through each day.

I have two weeks to relax, study and spend precious time with mum and Matt. I thank God that he cares for my well-being!

Time to organise my thoughts

I nearly didn't make it to Bible week. The day before I'd been told something which really hurt. I had a small voice in my head telling me I was an impossible case, that no way could God sort me out! I spoke to a friend who encouraged me that God was working in my life and the next day we set of for Bible week.

During the worship of the first meeting God told me I am a new creation! He has already dealt with all my issues, I just need to take hold of all he has for me. From then on God just worked wonderfully.

The main message I got from the week was that we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. If we keep looking at him we are able to block out all our worries. Seeing Jesus as Lord, in all his glory, how can we help but worship him by living pure lives?

There is so much more to say, but today I fly out to Spain to stay with my mum for 2 weeks. So yesterday and today have been and will be pretty hectic. Thankfully, technology has reached the mountainside where mum lives and I will be able to add my thoughts over the next few days whilst I avoid the heat of the day!

Back

Returned from a fantastic week away, catching up with old friends, making a few new ones and being totally inspired by God's word!

Hope you haven't missed me so much you'll forget to check in again...

not blogging

holiday coming up, won't be able to blog

see you on my return

A WOW moment!

One thing I've found with sessions on how to teach is a common aim of getting the kids to achieve a WOW moment!

I had one today!

Wow moments are those rare and exciting times when suddenly the light bulb lights up in your head and you realise something you hadnt seen before.

Today's WOW was about pi. That odd little shape that we use to help us determine the circumference and area of a circle. I've finally found out where it comes from! It's the ratio of the circumference (the outside) of a circle to the diameter (the line that cuts the circle in half). I never knew that before!

So what? It's just such a magical number! It has never been finally solved, it can be expressed as a fraction 22/7 but even that's only an approximation. What amazes me about pi is that even with our great technology we cannot find the end to the decimal part of pi. We are just as accurate in our findings as the Egyptians and other ancient civilisations that used it all those thousands of years ago. How someone came across this fact about the relationship of the circumference and diameter I'll probably never know.

Some people use all these ancient facts to prove that God doesn't exist. In my mind I can only see more evidence of an amazing creator God. He likes order and system. He plans and he creates. His world is full of pattern and blending of colours and shapes. Studying Maths this week and the tremendous links between the many areas of maths is just one more pointer for me of God's creativity.

22/7? Why such odd numbers and why such an amazing link? A circle is always a circle, the circumference is always 22/7ths of the diameter.

Take time to look at God's world and see an amazing mind behind all the creation, the creation that includes me and you!

Technology is a wonderful thing!

Here I am, sitting in a class room in Bath uni with my school laptop wirelessly connected to the Internet!

It's been a mind-boggling morning but we've been given some tasks to do on the OU computers which I've done and now we're just chilling for a few minutes before lunch.

We're having a really good time seeing what and how others tackle problems and the whole group is working really well together. We've even been praised by the tutors for our team work and sensitivity to each other's abilities.

Anyway, it's lunchtime!! Soup and sandwiches.

It's been so long!

It's been an exhausting few days here in Bath. Lectures started at 4.30 on Saturday evening and we enjoy 7 and a half hours everyday of maths problems! It's fascinating to see how different people attack the different problems and the sharing is extremely educational.

On my drive down here I stopped for a bite to eat and to read the booklet I was supposed to read before arriving... (Well I did read it before I arrived!). On the first page was a list of assumptions that are being made about education.

Education is more than information. Education can be considered in six inter-related levels.

1. Information - basic facts and procedures
2. Knowledge - a merging of experience and information that suggests a need for relevance, interest and context.
3. Intelligence - this is cultivated when one interacts with knowledge by breaking it down and linking it together, and when one calls upon intuition.
4. Understanding - both the head and the heart are needed as understanding focuses on both community and the individual.
5. Wisdom - when understanding is complemented by ethics.
6. The possibility of transformation or change, which is a key goal of education.

(Tobin Hart, 2001, From Information to Transformation: education for the evolution of consciousness)

I thought about some of the things Matthew had been saying the previous week about how we can know about Jesus but until we come to a revelation about WHO he is and meet him as a person, we can't actually KNOW JESUS.

Looking through the list I could see how our lives can change as our education about God and Jesus develops beyond just a the information, as knowledge merges experience, as intellect is cultivated by breaking down what we know and linking it with intuition (to me this makes me think of God's call on our lives - when he is speaking to us and we gain insight into his nature and persona), Understanding when the head and the heart work together to appreciate what is going on.

Wisdom! When understanding is COMPLEMENTED by ethics! Or in the case of christians, when understanding is complemented by the Word of God.

Finally, the possibility(?) of change! How can we not change the way we live when we have allowed these different facets of education to determine how we see and interact with God?

If we read the Bible, are we being educated by it? Or are we just reading it as a good read? Are we ultimately allowing it to change our way of life?

I have to dash off, no time to speeel checkm or proff read! ( ;-) ). Another 7 hours of learning about maths education for me! Brain addled person signing off!

The end has come

Today is my last day of school for this year. Although the school still has another week to run, I have to go off to Bath uni tomorrow for an Open University residential school.

This last year has gone so quickly and I really feel I've achieved much in some areas of my work, in others there is a LOT that still needs improving on and a lot more that just needs to be learnt for the first time.

Life is full of learning. We can never know everything. Even if we have been in our job for 30 years, with all the changes the world is bringing, there are always new things to learn!

My new laptop? Well, I'm good on a pc! The new laptop has XP, so many new things to learn. New courses to teach next year, which means I have to learn the new skills to pass them on next year!

New words from God? ALWAYS!! I'm still amazed at how often we can read a verse and suddenly after many years it takes on new meaning according to how God is dealing with our lives at the present times.

His words are a lamp to our feet, to guide us through all the dealings of the day.

In The Message it states

I inherited your book on living; it's mine forever-

what a gift! And how happy it makes me!

(Psalm 119: 112)

So much learning! but so worth it!

New Toy!

Picked up a new laptop at school today!!! heehee sadly as yet I can't connect it to the Internet at home.. that's a challenge for Ian, but as I want to take it away at the weekend, I guess it will have to wait until I return from Spain. Or maybe I'll just use Mum's pc when in Spain.

Anyway, lots to learn!!! All these new games and programs for school!!

IT's hot!

and everything is crashing!!

I'd just finished writing today's blog when the pc crashed!!

Oh well... It may be the heat. The school was running it's final dress rehearsal for Grease yesterday and the mikes gave out! The heat in the hall was so oppressive!

On Friday we have Sports Day. We don't want rain... but then, I reckon this heat would be unbearable and a health risk to some of our kids (and staff!).

We are such a grumbling nation about the weather! We should enjoy the variety and learn to live with all it's variations.

Please can we have air-conditioning in schools???? ( ooh and decent heating for the winter!)

A good day

Psalm 119: 96 states:

I see the limits to everything human,

but the horizons can't contain your commands.

How often do we limit God? I know I do! I've been stuck with the thought that this is as good as I get... I'll forever contain all my faults.

But God's word states in Phil 1:6:

that he who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

God is never going to stop working on me. I am NOT too difficult a task for him to solve! In fact, who am I that I consider myself too big a problem for God?? What a cheek I have!

God will complete all he has promised in me. Not only that, but whatever MY interpretation of perfection is, it has a limit. Provision, joy, healing. Everything blessing God has in store for me is not limited by my vision. God's plan is measureless, limitless, prefection beyond any perfection I could imagine! His plans for me are more than I could ever imagine. His patience with me is more than I could ever deserve.

Thank God that his provision is not limited by my faith or anything else I can imagine or desire.

My God WILL complete his work in me.

My God WILL provide immeasurably more than I can imagine.

My God will surround me with a love so overwhelming I could never fully appreciate it's power or strength.

My God is MY God and I will praise his name!

I've got a confession to make!

Jesus is the rock on which I stand!

I've been wallowing in the intensity of my life the past few days and allowing myself to be overcome by it all. As a result, instead of getting something done, I'm getting NOTHING done!

In fact, it gets worse! Because I'm getting nothing done.. I've less time to get done all those things I need to do!

This morning I went to church and wished I hadnt bothered. I just cried for the first part of the worship until God reminded me that he's been telling me that all he wants is my worship. So I prayed for peace in my heart and slowly stood up to sing. The song we sang touched my heart and became a positive confession. I wanted to go to the front and just speak out the words so that others would hear the words of my confession.

I will bless the Lord forever

I will trust him at all times.

He has delivered me from all fear

He has set my feet upon the rock.

I will not be moved!

And I'll say of the Lord

You are my strength

My shield, my portion, deliverer

My shelter, strong tower

My very present help in time of need.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

There's none I desire besides you.

You have made me glad

And I'll say of the Lord

You are my strength
My shield, my portion, deliverer
My shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need.

Other people stood up and spoke and then Matthew Ling began to preach about the Confession of the Disciple!

So once again I say:

Jesus is my rock!

My strength and my portion.

He is all I need.

Jesus is the Son of God

the one in whom I believe!

Be controversial!!

I just want to say, to anyone who would like to pass an comment, good or otherwise, about anything I've written...

Just go ahead! Be anonymous if you wish, but let's get some conversation going and challenge the cobwebs in our minds!

A few years back I was studying an Open University course about Small Talk. The course was called Object Orientated Programming. I hadn't a clue what it was about and in the forums people kept talking about OOP. I thought they were discussing their mistakes...

One day I sent in a posting asking what OOP was! Imagine my embarassment when it was pointed out that OOP was the abbreviation for the type of programming I was learning!! I was SO glad there were miles of land and Internet connections between myself and my fellow students!

A week later I received an email from a fellow student thanking me for asking the question. He too was new to programming and was getting bogged down by the technical jargon. Like me, he had found it impossible to see the obvious.

I learned a big lesson during that course... never be afraid to ask a question. There are probably others out there wondering exactly the same and not having the courage to ask.

So if you feel you want to pass a comment, disagree, agree, encourage or rebuke, please feel free. I'm open to constructive criticism as I know I have a lot to learn.

Let's join together to discuss this life God has so richly blessed us with!

Breakfast at Tiffany's?

Or breakfast with the family?

Our cell group leaders moved into a bigger house in the winter and we've been hinting about how good it would be to spend some time on their decking in the sunshine!

Today we met as a family of cell members for breakfast. The food was great. The sun was oh so warm!!! The conversation was relaxed! What a wonderful way to start the weekend, with friends and food!

Tired - I need eagles wings

Yesterday was a good day. It's left me tired and weary though.

Today I'm struggling to keep going and I wish I'd stayed in bed. My free periods have been taken with covering an unsettled year 7 group TWICE!!! Not sure who feels most hard done to!

I need a quiet 5 minutes to sit and draw on God's strength, but it's hard to find when I'm surrounded by 24 chatty children aged 11 - 12.

Big School

Today our future year 7's come for their induction. Life is about to bring big changes for them. Until now, education has meant one teacher, one room for the majority of their lessons. From September they will be moving around a large group of buildings, coming across many new characters, new teachers and even new subjects as they integrate into secondary school.

Inducation isnt so much a trial period as a sample of things to come. Today my job changes too - just for the day - my job is to spend a WHOLE day with one group of students! The opposite of what they will be experiencing from September! I've never really spent a whole day with one class, but it gives me an opprtunity to get to know my new form.

Today can be seen as either a scary experience or an opportunity to experience new things.

I'm looking forward to the new challenge.

Wonderful

Sometimes when I struggle in life,

I remember - God created me.

Sometimes when I condemn myself,

I remember - God created me.

Sometimes when I think I fail,

I remember He who died for me.

Then I need to remember that

It is Christ who lives in me.

I cannot condemn my Saviour King

I owe Him everything

I cannot lay blame at Jesus my Lord,

If I believe in His word.

My life is complete, through all that I know

Of my awesome, Father God.

So now I will praise and sing for joy

For his wonderful creation - ME!

I had a tough day at school yesterday. Period 1 got off to a bad start and it was hard to get a grip afterwards. The comforting thing is that most other teachers struggled with the students yesterday. So I wasn't alone. Unfortunately, I was the first teacher to experience the volatile anger of a new student. He stood up in anger and towered over me and I thought "gulp - shouldnt have challenged him!" Somehow I just went into automatic and stood quietly before him. He swore, threw books across the desk and stormed out of the room kicking and hitting anything he passed. The whole class were shaken by his sudden change and it took me 10 minutes to get them back on task.

At lunchtime I found him in the canteen and calmly walked up to him. Quietly explaining my rules for the classroom we came to an understanding that next lesson is a new start. How can I hold a grudge against him, when God never holds one?

Not only am I God's creation, but Christ lives in me. I am a child of the living God, I am filled with His Holy Spirit and have been given everything I need to accomplish the tasks set before me.

My job is not to condemn these young lives, but to set an example of forgiveness and love. It's a tough job - but somebody has to do it! I'm so glad I have Christ to help me in the task he has set before me and he hasnt just left me to do the job alone!

Teach me

Psalm 119: 66

Teach me knowledge and good judgment,

for I believe in your commands.

I've got so much to learn, so many new things to discover.

More importantly, I've still got a lot of old lessons to learn! How often do we hear the same message again and again? I'm not talking about years apart, but within the space of a couple of weeks or months different people say the same thing. When God has a lesson to teach us, he uses many different people and many different ways to show us, to teach us, to guide us.

One of the greatest ways to learn is by following an example. We use the phrase "Do as I say, not as I do", yet a far more powerful tool when teaching is "Do as I DO!"

After years of guiding his people, God sent the perfect example of how we should live in his son Jesus. Yet today I look at God's own example of teaching. He was patient with his pupils, he gave many examples, reworded his teachings in case anyone missed the meaning first time around. He used visual examples, a variety of teachers (prophets, kings, leaders) and finally the ultimate example.

Today as I head off to school, I ask for God to teach me. Using his Holy Spirit to guide me and give me wisdom and knowledge as I touch the lives of these children in the job he has given me to do. He knows I need his help, I just need to ask him, he will not fail me!

So to a good day at school, using his power to do his will! What an awesome thought! I don't have to go it alone!!!

Church in the Park

Today we were able to have a lie in.. Church was in the park (at 2pm not 10.0am)... the sun shone...hundreds enjoyed the afternoon.

Tomorrow I'll have a lobster arm!!! I sat with my left side to the sun and am now feeling very warm along my left arm! When we left home, the sun didn't seem that strong, and the forecast wasn't that great. We went unprepared.

How often do we go about our lives unprepared for what may happen?

Now I know that we can't be prepared for every eventuality, but there are some things we can easily prepare for. In the UK, that means that if there's an event in the park, an umbrella would be advisable if the forecast says sun, and sun cream if the forecast says rain. Today I was only prepared for a warm day, no waterproof, or umbrella, no sun cream.

Nevermind.. we all had a fantastic day, great company, great fun and a barbecue afterwards at a friend's house.

Church was different today!

Creation Day

Today I've got costumes to make for the school play.

In my usual style, I've left everything late. So this weekend I need to sew and sew. I have other things I need to do too, but this weekend it's sewing that must take priority.

I know the costumes will be good, but I'm putting a lot of stress on the drama teacher with my laise faire attitude (as my mum calls it). Apart from a negative attitude as a failing, my other greatest failing is leaving things to the last minute. I know I'll get the job done, and generally to a good standard (if it's one of my skills) but am I being fair to others?

I'm being encouraged to bless others. Using my skills as a seamstress will bless the drama production, but I need to sit back and think about my attitude to HOW I use my skills. They are to BLESS not STRESS the production!

I've just spent a few minutes looking on the BibleGateway website for God's word on work and Proverbs looks like a good place for me to sit and study God's wisdom about our attitude to work. I'll let you know what I find....

Coffee and Cake

Last night, Jacqueline and I met for a time of sharing on part of Psalm 119. We drove out to the new Borders (book and media shop) and sat in Starbucks (ooh all this advertising!! am I on commission???).

Mmmm white chocolate and strawberry muffins!!!

We chatted about what we'd learned and life in general for 1 1/2 hours! I was surprised when the announcement came over the tannoy that it was 9.30!

So after 64 verses of Psalm 119, what have we learned?

The psalmist loves God's word. He longs for it day and night, delights in God's laws. Knowing God brings him security, preserves his days, brings joy, peace and blessings.

72 Your law is more valuable to me

than millions in gold and silver!

Is that true in your life?