God Has Commissioned Me To My Next Assignment ~ So I Am Reporting For Duty!

I am tremendously excited to share that God finally revealed where He would have me to work next. Six days ago I was interviewed to teach fourth grade at a Christian school and soon thereafter I was hired for the job. For the past few days I have been designing learning centers and bulletin boards, typing up lesson plans, and setting up the classroom. I had forgotten how much work there was involved in teaching school. I feel so blessed to be given this wonderful opportunity and frankly it has been more fun than work!

Last week I reflected upon my experience of working in a worldly environment and what a glorious experience it was. The job I am entering is such a stark difference to what I have left behind. And I needed to see that stark difference ~ so that it will be a constant reminder of what life is like with Christ and what life is like without Him. I, me, Cathryn Glass, needs that reminder so that I won't forget. I need to remember that God sent His Son to the cross FOR ALL PEOPLE. That God wants me to have a heart for the down and out. That not everyone has the means to send their children to a Christian school ~ and that beyond those school doors is another world that needs my compassion and love and concern for their souls ~ for their lives ~ for their welfare.

I won't forget God. I am eternally grateful for my experience ~ of walking the trenches with the lost and dying ~ of literally rubbing shoulders with them. I won't forget........ I promise. Oh mighty God may I be used in whatever capacity you place me in. For there are lost and dying souls - even in a Christian school.

"Where ya been livin'~ under a rock?"

One of my colleagues at my summer job asked me this very question just a few nights ago? And I pretty much had to answer "Yes, I guess I have been." I'm nearly 52 years old and have spent the past 30 years raising and home schooling my daughters, going to church, spending lots of time at home, and directing a local home school group. It wasn't until I began working this job about two months ago that I quickly came to realize that I truly had been living under a rock.

I cannot say that I have regrets in protecting my daughters and guiding them along in life until they were ready to step out on their own. I wouldn't trade the opportunity to homeschool and be a stay-at-home mom for anything in the world. It has been the most rewarding of experiences. And while I didn't make a paycheck with this job ~the dividends are out of this world. The Lord has blessed me with three daughters that love the Lord and are serving Him. Yep, I guess you could say I was living snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug under that rock. But you know I'm finding out that I was a bit too snug under that rug, or rock, or whatever it was I was hiding under. The past nine weeks I have worked in a secular job and I have come face-to-face with a folk that have certainly not been living under any rocks. I have most definitely had a crash course in the life of this world and what I have seen and heard has broken my heart. So my regret is that I never stopped along the way to pay attention ~ to truly pay attention to these folk who are living each day for the moment with drugs and alcohol and sex, for a multitude of folk who don't know Christ as their Savior, for some who don't even believe there is a God.

I have never in my life worked with such a large concentration of people who are not Christians. Truly the fields are white unto the harvest (Luke 10:2). And this is a perfect example of the magnitude of the mission field right here in America ~ right here in Kentucky ~ right here in my hometown. Many nights it was truly overwhelming as I would interact with individuals who had no hope of an eternity with Christ - but rather their language was peppered with every curse word imaginable; and their accounts of their lives depicted alcohol and drug use and repeated sexual activity outside of marriage.

At first I was so taken aback I was actually disgusted. But God began to burden my heart that He had put me in this job for this very reason. I began to really pray for these people around me and asked God to give me an opportunity to share His son. Might I say that this is one of the best summers of my whole life. I had the opportunity to pray with one lady, to witness to others, and I even had the chance to defend my all mighty God and Savior to an agnostic. By the end of the evening she promised that she would accept my challenge ~ "to pray and ask God to reveal himself to her as she was reading the Bible."

How in this world could a job ridden with so much heathen conversation and behavior be such a blessing to my heart and soul? My God cares enough about me that He allowed me this blessed opportunity to see folk who are in the trenches of life ~ and I will be forever grateful. What a heart he has given me for the drug dealer and the drug taker, for those abandoned by their families, for those who have lived on the street at times, and for those who believe in and practice soothsaying (the Bible's phrase for fortune telling).

I can no longer live under a rock. God has opened my eyes to just how bad this world really is ~ for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required (Luke 12:48b). Frankly I don't know what God wants me to do now with all of this valuable information but He wants me to do something. The job concluded this evening and I drove home in sobs as I recounted name after name to our Lord - begging Him to bring an increase to the seeds that were planted. Because I love these men and women and I want them to have the Christ in their heart that I have in mine. And maybe just maybe God's reason was simply that I get out from under the rock and have my eyes open to things going on around me. Because there is a bruised and abused and hurting people that desperately need the Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus for one of the greatest opportunities of my life.

My Friend Ann ~ Once Was Lost But Now She's Found

Our life is a tale that is told (Psalm 90:9). Nothing is an accident. Nothing is a coincidence. Almighty God is in complete control. He knows each chapter, each paragraph, each word, each letter of our lives. As we are journeying through our book of life it is often difficult to understand why certain things happen. I often have to remind myself that God is the author of my life, He wrote the book, He knows the ending, and He is going to see me through.

About three months ago it was needful for me to step away from my dream job. I believe with all my heart that God led me to that position. It was a ministry job in a Christian school and it was a pure joy to go everyday and serve the Lord. It was not my decision to step away - but rather it was God's. And while I was completely accepting of it, it was difficult to let go and say goodbye. Many folk in this life are not blessed enough to work at a job that they absolutely love. For me ~ this was that job. I can look back on those few months and see God's hand in my life ~ I can look upon those things accomplished for that institution and though it was only for a season ~ God's will was clearly executed.

Over a month ago, I was contacted to do some summer work for a telemarketing company - not exactly my cup of tea. I'm gonna be honest with you - I did not want to do it. I wanted my old job back. Even with that attitude, I felt a great peace in proceeding forward with this summer job. Last night I had the blessing to lead a fellow worker to the cross. I had been praying and hoping for an opportunity since the day I had met her. She was such a troubled person. It was hard to fathom that so many things could have gone wrong in just one person's life. Oh, how I wanted to tell her the GOOD NEWS but the door was never quite open - it simply wasn't God's timing.

And, then, just when I least expected it God opened the door as if to say, "It is time." The phone system had malfunctioned and no one was taking calls; the first crew of workers had left for the night. I turned to chat with this dear individual and there she sat in tears. God had softened her heart and I had the highest of honors to tell her about my Lord.

If I had to leave my dream job in order to be a part of this miracle ~ I would do it all over again without hesitation. This job will soon be finished and I know I will look back on it as one of the greatest summers ever. Why? Because my friend once was lost and now is found. And someday I will spend an eternity with her. I give all praise to God for this glorious opportunity. Yep, it's been a good summer.

The Treasures of Darkness

In 2004, a van holding five individuals from Crown Bible College was hit head on. "With not even a moment's notice, not even a split second to adjust, a tractor-trailer truck crashed at a high speed into the front of the van on the driver's side. Workers on the scene said it was like a plane crash. The impact was so great, it drove the van back. It tore the trailer loose. The cab came off the truck. The engine came out of the truck and went through the van. At the moment of impact, every person in that van was killed." The gas tanks in the tractor-trailer exploded. It was reported that the impact of the explosion threw the driver down the road like a rocket.

The pastor of Temple Baptist Church took on the grueling job of calling each family to let them know that their child had entered eternity earlier that day. Pastor Sexton was deeply warmed by God's grace through it all. The mothers and fathers of these college students kept thanking the pastor for all that the college and church had done for their children. One parent said, "We sent you everything we had. They were good before they got there, but they were better because they had been there."

At the scene of the accident, investigators worked for six hours trying to understand what had happened. The highway was scorched and burned and the van was reduced to nothing more than a small piece of metal. Reporters and firemen were quoted as saying "they had never seen anything like this in all their years." One emergency worker said, "There is nothing left. The van is just a piece of metal. Everything is gone ~ except for one thing that I cannot explain. There is a music CD that did not burn." Pastor Sexton shared that he didn't know why it didn't burn. It was plastic but it didn't burn. And the title of the CD...... God Makes No Mistakes.

Now I don't know about you but that is a very profound statement by our Lord and God. In a moment, Christ took five wonderful Christians home to be with Him. And on that burned and scorched roadway was found nothing more than a plastic CD bearing God's special message to those who would grieve such a loss ~ that He makes no mistakes.

When troubles and hardships come our way, when we suddenly get bad news, when the raging waters of life threaten to pull us under ~ we feel we can't go on. We can't understand what is happening. Friend, we will never understand all of God's ways, but we can be rest assured that He does not make any mistakes.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements, and His ways past finding out."

Excerpts taken from The Treasures of Darkness

Dad's Brownies - It's Not What You Think!

As I have been revisiting blogs I haven't been to in months, I came across a story entitled "Dad's Brownies." I had wanted to direct you to her blog so you could take a look at it - the story is so profound - but I am having trouble finding it. So I located the same story at another website and have provided that link here (Dad's Brownies). It is well worth the read. I read it to my girls and now when we talk about certain movies or TV shows I just remind them of the brownie story.

Have You Ever Spoken Against God And Made Him Angry?

I have been saved for more than half my life and I don't know that I have ever thought too much about whether I had made God mad or not. I know I have saddened him with poor decisions and choices, but I just don't know that I have pondered on Him being "angry" with ~ much less feeling as if I have spoken against Him at any time. I certainly haven't equated myself with the Children of Israel who couldn't seem to be pleased no matter what God did for them.

As I was reading Psalm 78 this morning, I was reminded of some of those great and mighty things that God had done for the Children of Israel. God showed that mightiness ~ from the many plagues He "bestowed" upon Pharoah and his people ~ to the great miracles He performed again and again to provide and protect His chosen as they wandered aimlessly. Verses 19-22 say Yea, they spoke against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed, can he give bread also? Can he provide flesh for his people? Therefore the Lord heard this and was wroth; so a fire was kindled against Jacob and anger also came up against Israel. Because they believed not in God and trusted not in his salvation.

At that moment the Holy Spirit began to work upon my heart. With shame I remembered many wonderful blessings that had occurred over the past few months and still unbelief would say "But can God do this over here? Can God do that over there? I know He has moved in such a mighty way but is He gonna keep doing it? Is He going to take care of me and my girls? Is He going to provide for our needs? Indeed, with shame, I began to ponder how all of this doubting had made my Lord and Savior feel.

When we doubt God ~ for any reason ~ it is wrong and it is sin. I supposed that just made Him sad when I did that. And I do think that it saddens Him but the fact that He becomes angry with our unbelief just makes it all the more profound that we must avoid doubting. We must trust that He has His children's best interests at heart ~ no matter how black the storm clouds are ~ He is watching each step, each move, each moment and that is greater and more wonderful than anything any human can do for us here on earth. He has our back. I don't know about you but I don't want to hurt Him simply because the circumstances of life can ~ at times ~ loom pretty big before my eyes. For greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Oh Mighty and Gracious Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for my unbelief. Forgive me for complaining and doubting that you do have my best interest at heart. Forgive me for not believing that You've had my back the whole time.

Avoid Footholds In Your Life

I love God's Word so much. I am thankful that He left His Words for us so that we could read them again and again and again. I have to admit that some books of the Bible are easier for me to read and understand than others. I Peter is one of my many favorites. Peter was writing to various churches in Asian Minor where Gentiles were experiencing religious persecution. In chapter 2 he writes about our duty in living a holy life.

Often I reiterate to my daughters the importance of living a holy life. We have to be so very careful about what we allow to enter our eyes and our ears as well as what we allow to leave our lips. Verse 11 of this chapter says "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." I've tried to pound this into my daughter's heads that if they allow even the slightest foothold satan will get into their lives and 'war against their soul.'

A foothold can come by watching something ungodly on TV or the internet. The TV has very few wholesome shows ~ unless you are watching old reruns of something. Sexual sin is woven through out many TV offerings ~ even the commercials. As for the internet, I've come to appreciate its abilities, and my "pat answer" to a question that I don't know the answer to is most often "google it". BUT it has tremendous capabilities of being a very dangerous device. I've seen many a man fall prey to the internet ~ more folk than I even care to think about.

Footholds can also come in what we listen to. Sometimes I hear lyrics to some songs I used to listen to back in the 70's and 80's and I'm embarrassed that I had even listened to them. And yet that doesn't compare to much of the music on the market today. Lyrics are laden with sex, filthy wording, and 'fleshly lusts.' I constantly monitor what my daughters are listening to ~ to make sure that they are not allowing a foothold for satan to get in.

Have you ever watched or listened to something that you knew you shouldn't have? I know I certainly have. At one point in my life I was addicted to soap operas for over 12 years. There are things in my mind that will be there for the rest of my life ~ things which warred against my soul when I was viewing them. I'm not proud of it ~ and I have paid a price for that sin ~ but it serves as a constant reminder to me to protect my "eye gates" and strive daily to only let those things enter that glorify God.

Folk, God calls us to be holy BECAUSE He is holy. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, A PECULIAR PEOPLE (I Peter 2:9a). We are simply strangers and pilgrims in this land ~ awaiting our Lord's return. Let's strive every moment to be holy ~ not just for our own sakes ~ but for others who are watching us live our lives. You maybe the only Christian someone knows.

We Stand Tallest and Strongest On Our Knees

In the past ten months my life has changed drastically. I've gone from teaching in the homeschool class room full time to teaching in the Christian school classroom part time. I've returned to my hometown after 31 years ~ leaving a multitude of friendship and support behind. Jobs are slim in this part of the state ~ which contrasts greatly with the area I moved from. Life is certainly simpler here ~ any type of extensive shopping or entertainment is 100 miles away in any direction. :) Yet I suppose the greatest change of all is that I am now a single parent. It isn't a choice that I made but I am coming to accept it ~ knowing that God, my Father, will watch over me and the girls and that in the end all things will work out according to His perfect will.

I stepped away from blogging simply because life became so much more hectic ~ there just didn't seem to be the time to sit down and write what God was laying on my heartS~ much to my shame. School is out and I now have more time to devote to "I Am Redeemed By The Blood of the Lamb." My goal is to keep writing ~ even after school resumes in the fall ~ at least that is my goal. :)

This morning I was under the weather and unable to attend church so I decided to listen to one of my all-time favorite preachers on the internet ~ Dr. Charles Stanley. I am so glad that I didn't go to church today! The blessing that I received through Dr. Stanley is exactly what God wanted me to hear. The sermon was entitled "Standing Tall and Strong Through Prayer." Dr. Stanley said, "When we are willing to seek Him earnestly and bow in reference we can experience God's power for daily living. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees."

I'm a bit arthritic in both knees but I got a couple of pillows and put them on the floor beside my bed and gingerly dropped down to pray to my God. I know that God hears our prayers if we can't get on our knees but this morning it seemed important that I place body into the most humbling position that I could as I cried out to Him. I recommitted my life to Christ ~ surrendering my will ~ and asking Him to show me His perfect will. I appreciate your alls prayers as I am treading through a land of all new territory ~ after being married for 28 years and staying home to keep our children and the home. But I am believing that He is going to show me exactly what He wants me to do. It's good be back blogging again!