Saturday, February 25, 2023

Shingles journey in pictures


So here is the timeline:

November 2018 my shoulder blade burned and itched. My doctor sent me to get an allergy test,  but I was negative for everything.

December 2018 the burning sensation moved to the base of my neck. No rash or anything, but just a headaches that would not go away. 

January 2019 the bumps started out small so I thought I had broken out in acne or I had an allergic reaction, but as the month went on the small bumps just spread. My eyes were getting sensitive to light and it felt like bugs were moving under my skin.

February 2019 I woke to what felt like a dagger being plunged in my eye. I was diagnosed with shingles and sent immediately to the eye doctor who had to numb my eye to even hold my eyelid open to look at the back of my eye.

Happy Valentine's Day you have shingles. Start of the long road to fight for my eyesight and the beginning of terminal nerve damage.

Hard to describe the pain and itch. I once explained that is was like having fire ants trying to bury their way out of your body while bees are stinging the skin from the outside. I couldn't open my eye and when light even came in contact with my closed eye I was sure a fire poker was being shoved into my retina. 

---here is the thing the doctor couldn't prescribe me narcotics due to all the abuses so I was given Ibuprofen that didn't touch the pain. The antivirals made me feel so sick. All you want to do is sleep but the pain is searing and as the skin dried out the incessant itching began. 

March 2019 I was plunged into darkness. It was my cave days. Even the TV light hurt so I didn't watch, but just listened. All you can do is lay in the dark in hopes the throbbing would cease.

--I had to go to the eye doctor everyday for 4 weeks-the drive was horrendous as any light even with my eyelids covered, double towels around my face, eye patch, but nothing worked. I only had a reprieve when I got to the doctor's office and they had eye numbing drops.

***side note they knew I was coming and they shut off the lights in the office. Rushed me to the back where the hall lights were off to a very back dark office. He wore a little light on his forehead. Excellent care and he sure had a poker face all those weeks. 

April 2019 Shingles virus died off, office visits moved to once a week, and the journey to healing began so I figured it had to be better soon.

May 2019 Office visits moved to twice a month The itch was so bad I had scratched a bald spot on the top of my head. I had cut my hair so short because anything touched that spot would start a scratching frenzy. My should itched so I had cut grooves in my back that are now scars that will not tan. I can tell I took out chunks of skin at the height of this very evil neuropathy. 

June 2019 Office visits moved to every 3 months. I finally decided to make myself move. Those anti-vials and non-movement for so long I could barely walk around my dining table. The sunlight would make my eye water so I still couldn't drive myself anywhere. I pushed myself to go outside in sunlight as it was time to regain strength back in my eye and body. 

Summer 2019 I walked around the block. Each day I walked just a little further until by the end of the summer I was back to walking 2 miles and my eye stopped watering. Full sunlight didn't seem so bad. 

By January 2020 I finally hit 10,000 steps. It was such an accomplishment as it took me a year to gain the strength I had before shingles hit. I pushed to jog to get my cardio back-my lungs wanted to burst even with a little speed. 

By February 2020 I had to work on the muscles of my face-my left side drooped so each morning even though that nerve along the left side of my face burned and itched I kept up with exercising. It is like you have to retrain your nerve to not fire or pulse in response to touch or movement. It just an overly strange virus that leaves so many with disabilities inside the body so when the skin heals all seems good on the outside but there is a daily battle going on inside.

2020-2021 I just change my whole lifestyle. Diet, vitamins & minerals, exercise, saying no when I am tired, not letting everything bother me, get daily sunlight (nothing more amazing then feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and being able to open my eyes in daylight), the pain subsided, but the nerve damage is one I will have to live with the rest of my life.

to date:

-I get blood work done every 6 months to watch all my levels, blood count, vitamins, and organ check (which we have been watching my kidney for the past year and now I will not be deterred to work to heal them). Fingers crossed for my May bloodwork to show improvement. 

-My forehead still has numbness until I pluck my eyebrows and then the nerve is very very angry with me. I still get what feels like ice-cream headaches that I just breathe through. I feel the nerve move from the top of my head, down my face, into my left shoulder blade, to my hip, down my left leg. Then it moves back up. It almost has it own personality. 

*** Once shingles hits the virus is not rid from your body. It travels up and down your spine. Which is why people say they have had an outbreak more than once. Doctors don't know everything, so take care if you ever had chicken pox. 









Me December 2022
Long journey, tough fight, but it was worth it 




February 24, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/on Healing


Ever been accused of something you are not? Or deserving of punishment that doesn’t fit the non-existent crime? When your integrity and character come into question? Feel the heat toward the void of faceless accusers? You can become angry, defensive, and urged to become like-minded and mean-spirited.

Or you can turn all those emotions and thoughts to the only One who can calm your spirit and make a clear path of options on how you respond.

Classy response: just move on-you can’t argue your way to vindication-actions speak louder than words 

Confirm: The absolutely worst thing you can do–is to respond in kind, to give as good as you received. That would be childish and immature, and all it would do is confirm in the minds of the onlookers that the putdown was correct.

Convert: don’t focus on the offense or offender, but there is always an audience to focus on instead. Eye for an Eye does nothing 

Course: The right thing is not to defend and not to attack. Just stay the course. Be yourself, show some class, and you will impress the right-thinking people in your audience who will see through all the unjustified drama.

The Lord Jesus was on trial. People were hurling lies at him.  “… many false witnesses came forward… At last, two witnesses came forward and said, ‘This fellow said ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’’ The high priest turned to the Lord and said, ‘Do you answer nothing? What is it these men testify against you?’ But Jesus kept silent” ( Matthew 26:59-63).

Jesus kept silent. And when on the cross people were accusing and taunting Him, jeering at Him and spitting upon Him, the Lord prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” ( Luke 23:34).

Divine Mentor: Book of Job

Job is confronted by 3 accusers daily pushing at him to accept that God was angry with him, and it was something he did against God so he must be deserving of punishment. But when you read through Job’s story, he held steady in two areas:

Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Character: the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

 The Book of Job is an excellent guide on how you consider physical pain, social bereavement, the origin of evil, theodicy, justice, divine violence, and reward. 

The life of Job, a man whose story is told in the book of the Bible by that name, contains many lessons for us today. In it, we see the value of patience, perseverance, and the importance of holding our tongue, not to mention God's faithfulness, restorative power, and goodness.

The scripture that spoke to me is when Job refers to “the breath of all mankind.” The poetic verses in Job are worth reading through:

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky, and they will tell you;

Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

Or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In his hand is in the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:7-10).


Prayers for those who doubt yourself because of the negative words being spoken in your ears.

Do not allow the light of your spirit dim no matter the circumstances in life.

May healing enter your heart, mind and soul so that you feel whole. Hold tight to your joy in the darkness.  

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5: 11-12)

 

dreamsdontfade.com

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM0ovt_nbd4

 


Saturday, February 18, 2023

February 17, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/on Discouragement



What do you do with discouragement? When recovery from a medical condition seems impossible. When recovery from addiction hovers and consumes your progress. When anxiety and depression seeps into every pore of your body. When the prayer you have been praying seems to have no answer. When tragedy strikes leaving you feeling there is no repairing your broken heart. When those who want to destroy you physically, mentally, or socially. When those disparage your reputation within your career. When your identity comes in question then moves into condemnation.


I can understand each of these and can admit that I have given into discouragement. I lost my confidence in many areas of my own life. I allowed the words of enemies to discourage me. I have allowed myself to be gripped in fear so I stay silent for many years. I have let my voice be drowned out and deter me from being what I know to be true about myself and God. I have questioned God about ailments that will not fully be repaired. I have been angry at God. I have rejected Him. I have run away from Him. I have silenced my spirit through the years.

I thank God that He chose broken and imperfect people I can turn to for healing and mentorship. Being imperfect myself, I gain so much insight reading through the Bible into the very lives of imperfect people. They embody the human experiences we all encounter, but also how they reconciled themselves with God. Discouragement is a part of life that can bring you to your knees. Maybe not in prayer, but in pure defeat.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31: 6).

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

In the book, Divine Mentor, the author takes a look at how lives played out honestly so as we read the Bible we can make connections with the people with similar life experiences.

JOB- Perhaps no Bible character has suffered more than Job.
DAVID- who is no stranger to hard times
MOSES- who suffered several instances of hard times
ESTHER- who faced the pressure to save her nation from destruction.
And then there is:
PETER-who experienced rejection, fear, anger, self-righteousness, disappointment, loss, self-loathing, but with all his imperfections Jesus:
instructed Peter
disciplined and corrected Peter
never rejected Peter
never demoted Peter
called Peter into a deeper sense of goodness

“ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” ( Matthew 16:18).

Then Peter becomes the encouragement to others as he experienced in his own life. He had gone astray multiple times, repented, and then with great courage told others his redemption story. He came a long way from being a fisherman to fulfilling Jesus’ request that he become a Shepard and to feed His flock. Even in his death, the one aspect I feel when I read about Peter is how much he loved Jesus.

“For “you were like sheep going astray, "but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2: 25).

To be like the bold Peter is my prayer for myself. Take a look at the people in the Bible and see if one of them can guide you through mentorship.

Blessings,
dreamsdontfade.com

Here is a song that as attacks come or when the healing seems so far away were just the words I needed to hear this week.

You’re gonna be okay by Brian & Jenn Johnson
I know your heart is heavy from those nights
But just remember that you are a fighter, a fighter
You never know just what tomorrow holds
And you're stronger than you know, stronger than you know


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjF9IqvXDjY

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Elective 203: Disciple Making: Devine Mentorship Personal Paper


Elect 203: Disciple Making

Reflection Paper

While I’m on this road you take my hand

Somehow you really love who I really am

I push you away, still you won’t let go

You grow your roses on my barren soul

Who am I, who am I, who am I

To be loved by you?

Who Am I by NeedToBreathe

“Encouragement is God’s native tongue” (Cordeiro, 10)

When I began reading the book, The Devine Mentor, I was not sure what I was expecting but at first I thought this book would help me navigate to find a good mentor. Then I found myself feeling a bit dimwitted as this book is revealing to me that the best mentors, I could look to are the people of the Bible. In the lyrics above, I thought what an amazing discovery that in the pages of this majestic book are the mentors that I have read about multiple times. I have connected with them and in their lives, God answered the question of who am I to be loved by you. As the words came to life as I read how God loved them so much, he died for them, but his love continues in the story of my life and into the future of generations to come.

The author makes a great point when he talks about divine testimonies as being left as a legacy of life skills. “Take those life-giving insights and secure them in your heart” (Cordeiro, 37) is advice I had not thought about. I have memorized scripture, but it is not just to prove a point, but is a life skill of learning “mighty insights of God’s eternal Word” (Cordeiro, 37). I am highly interested in how the lives of the Bible can provide me counsel for my path. In the lesson, The Word Hand made sense and it is also mentioned by the author, so I did learn that:

Hearing: we need fresh insight into scriptures as we retain only 5% of what we hear.

Reading: foundation of our daily time with God where we retain 15% of what we read.

Studying: deep dive into scripture to increase knowledge that leads to the Holy Spirit revealing nuggets of wisdom. It is here we retain 35% of what we study.

Memorizing: becomes the “sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) so if we stay consistent with reviewing scripture then we remember 100% of what we memorize.

Meditation: this is the best way to engage fully with God’s word as we hear, read, study, and memorize. This is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work as we meditate.

Now to combine what I learned in the lesson to what the author has outlined so that I take accountability for my own spiritual health which led me to revisiting the lives of my own divine mentors. Looking through my journals I wrote out the history, lives, and outcomes of the lives of Jeremiah and Peter. In previous classes, I had written extensively about them.

I am drawn to Jeremiah because he weeps for his nation. Why was he so compelled to weep for people who rejected his warnings? Once I delved into his heart I do too feel my heart weeping for our nation and the indoctrination of our kids. Seeing the consequences of young people now trying to find identity in de-transitioning. The regret and isolation is so intense. Jeremiah would be found weeping over the fate of his beloved country as he knew it was coming with the judgment of God who was going to allow Judah to be taken into exile by Babylon. His dedication to stay aligned with God’s word as his spokesman for forty years is what drew me to this prophet. His passion never strayed while speaking God’s message.  He was dismissed, ostracized, and isolated from his people by being thrown into prison and then a cistern.   His God-fearing love just exudes through his message even though he agonized over his message that he had to deliver just speaks to his dedication and how he worked through so much rejection from people. 

Oh, Peter I sure have walked in your shoes. I see my own downfall moments when I read Peter’s story. The downfall of Peter was when Jesus was arrested as the words prophesied by Jesus comes true as “immediately the roster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times. And he broke down and wept” (New Application Study Bible Mark 14:72). I would expect him to be shamed by Jesus, but instead on the beach while fishing Jesus appears so Peter jumps in the water to swim to him. Jesus once again singles Peter out when he asks him three times “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:16) Peter answers with a yes, each time. Peter’s life transformed knowing Jesus had forgiven him and then commissioned him to feed Jesus’ sheep. Jesus changed this fisherman into an evangelist. Peter’s identity changed from impulsively immature to a bold powerful dynamic speaker during Jesus’ ascension through the Holy Spirit. Peter finally understood the significance of Jesus’ words about his death and resurrection. 

In the lesson, being a disciple is defined as having a lifestyle of generational spiritual transformation by “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1: 6). The author also points to the essential need for me to know my Bible and make sure I know how to navigate through it. “The Bible calls itself your sword, and if you’re about to go into battle you’d better know how your weapon: how it fits your hand, how it feels when you swing it, and what outcome will result for anything wielded against it” (Cordeiro, 78). God’s mentors wear multiple hats when I need instruction, coaching, reminding, and reprimands. I know they are there to help me store the wisdom of God’s word in my heart and to equip me as a disciple so that I fulfill the great commission to go out and make disciples of all nations as Jesus commanded. “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

Cordeiro, Wayne. The Divine Mentor. Bethany House Publishers, 2007.

Life Application Study Bible: NIV. Zondervan, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Friday, February 10, 2023

February 10, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/on Celebrating Your Culture


When I taught, this was the month of celebration of cultures. We watched Martin Luther King Jr. speeches and read about the life of Maya Angelou. There were many others like the Tuskegee Airmen who were the first African American soldiers to successfully complete their training and enter the Army Air Corps. Nearly 1000 aviators became the first African American military pilots. So many other examples to list here. 

Never in the time I taught that even through their perseverance and accomplishment they died in oppression. No matter how much they proved to be the greatest of heroes and heroines really made no difference as half of the classroom is doomed to be oppressed based on being students of color. And the rest of you deserve to be shamed into obscurity as all you have done is be oppressive. 

A bit of hyperbole, but that is what Critical Race Theory does to students. Instead of sharing and appreciating each other's lives, history, and cultures, it is used to divide and empower one group to be angry, bitter and mean. The other fearful, silenced, and rightfully dominated. 

At the end of the month, I always had the kids write a heritage research paper. We celebrated differences, not shamed them. Foods, holidays, languages, geography, etc… They would present their heritage collage with pics, cutouts, drawings, etc… We hung the collages on the wall and it was always one of my favorite times. I don’t remember one student not loving that unit. 

In my podcast, I tell a few stories about my own experiences, okay ended up being 4:

1. with segregation in Las Vegas when I was in elementary school where the projects were separated by a cement fence, but we found a way to get to the other side and mix up the races we did.

2. I will talk more about my traumatic childhood, but I will tell the story of being back in school after the climax of my trauma. How some very beautiful black girls befriended me and pulled through with their kindness and friendship. I cherish those memories as I believe God put them there to help me overcome and start trusting again.

3. High school-My mom had her share of discrimination. She didn’t want anything associated with our Hispanic heritage because she was treated so badly she didn’t want that for us, so none of us kids speak Spanish and for a long time I thought I should be ashamed to say my mother was Mexican. 

4. High school-In the 80’s was the first time students had the option of attending magnet schools. It brought kids of all colors to one school. You know what happened? We got along. The only segregation was based on the profession we chose, but in regular core classes we were mixed and no one cared. We thought it was great to have such diversity because it was a positive experience. Today, diversity almost seems like you have been put into a penalty box that you can never exit. Such a big difference. 

The stories I mention are because in the book, Divine Mentor, it talks about watching over your heart.

If we allow this CRT to infiltrate our minds and hearts it will eventually weaken our belief that we are all created by God and that we have many shades out there, but all creation is under the umbrella of one God who created us with the need to be in relationships. Our eternity is beyond our life spa on this earth. Shades of color will fill the streets of gold in heaven. 

Remember to protect and cultivate your spiritual root system!

“Turn to the Lord and pray to him, now that he is near. Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the Lord, our God;  he is merciful and quick to forgive.” (Isaiah 55:6-7).

“He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises” (2 Samuel 23:3–4).

I pray that we value humanity through God’s eyes. And at the end of the day, that is why we are all here- we value life and truth and God’s ways in all things. He is worthy to be praised! 

Get ready to sway those hips and enjoy some Latin groove praising God and being Grateful for all He has done and will do in your life. 

English version of “Agradecido” by Danny Gokey. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY08Ptnu28Q

Spanish version of “Agradecido” by Danny Gokey and Alex Zurdo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY08Ptnu28Q

 


Friday, February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/ on Schools and Divine Mentor Intro.


Unbelievable headlines:

1. Lawsuit: illegal alien parents are suing the US Government that they should have the constitutional right to “family integrity.” They claim they were caught sneaking across the border and separated from each other in 2018. Reason why the non-documented are separated? It is called human trafficking. Safety of the children should be a high priority over the inconvenience of the adults.

-also if I endanger my child I am condemned as an awful irresponsible parent, but not if I cross our border illegally with a kid.

-Only in America can you come over our border illegally and sue for constitutional rights.

2. It is almost laughable that these single men who crossed our borders and New York put them into high end hotels and are now refusing to leave until the taxpayers give them permanent homes.

We have so many families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, but be expected to pay for illegals to have a permanent home. It is a slap in the face of the citizens who are in need as well.

Why I am angry as a school district counselor:

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood” (Ezekiel 33:6)

In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. Your teaching shows integrity, seriousness  and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2: 7-8).

Parents or if you know of any parents, I can’t express this anymore, but as I have been warning in my writings since 2020 to watch what your kid is learning or being influenced to believe.

Department of Education:

-new “transgender” now written for “LGBTQ2SIA+” students (that includes “Two Spirit, intersex, and asexual)

- Such gender pronouns now not only include the “gender neutral “they/them/theirs,” but strange and meaningless “neopronouns” such as “ze/hir/hirs,” “fae/faer/faers,” or “e/em/eir.” The Human Rights Campaign has admitted that “the number and types of (neo)pronouns a person may use is limitless.

https://www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-neopronouns

- Even unintentional “misgendering” “has a harmful impact and can result in hostile and unsupportive school communities for gender expansive students.”

- The “true believer” adherents of this gender ideology claim that we must conform to others’ false ideas about their own sex in order to prevent them from spiraling into depression and even suicide. Not only is this untrue, but it does a disservice to these “gender expansive” students by failing to address the root of their desire to identify as a different sex.

Examples:

-public school teachers tell “a student” as young as five that “you cannot guess someone’s gender or pronouns from how they look.” The “gender binary” defines “gender as two distinct and opposite groups—girl and boy. This idea doesn’t include all the ways we can have a gender identity and express our gender.” It also urges elementary students to use the word “queer” to “celebrate people of all gender identities and all the ways people love each other.”

-other terms:  schools introduce to elementary school students include gender expansive, pansexual, non-binary, intersex, bisexual, and lesbian. Students are given examples to help them understand the definitions.

-public school contends that Christian conservatives are responsible for “launching a culture war” by demanding parental rights and a say in their children’s education. This organization has tens of millions of dollars to advocate for gender fluidity lessons for preschool students and curriculum that will “increase ally behavior” beginning in third grade

- Teacher unions: “it’s essential that we get enough power” to enact her agenda of transgenderism, abortion, and critical race theory nationwide.”

-curriculum: even during reading week we are encouraged to read books that will normalize the indoctrination of our kids. Books:

Pre-K-Kindergarten: They, She, He, Easy as ABC (lesson goes through intersection between gender identity and pronouns

K-3: “Be Who You Are”  coaches teachers, “Remind students that we cannot assume someone’s gender identity” and assure they are “using vocabulary and showing comprehension of the concept of gender expression”; and

3rd grade: lesson called “Gender Snowperson” exercise to “understand the differences between gender identity, sexual orientation and sex assigned at birth.” Teachers are to tell students that “gender is your internal sense of being a girl, boy, both or neither. There are many ways that people identify their gender, and there are many genders”;

Why politics matter: CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention)

CDC is advocating for what should be taught. Link to https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/disparities/mai/pdf/LGBTQ_Inclusivity-508.pdf

 This guide is not mandatory. It is crucial that your school board knows this. Its stated purpose is “to assist schools and districts in addressing the health and academic needs of LGBTQ students,”putting schools who don’t utilize it in a bad light.       

  1. It is meant for anyone connected with a school–from the school board, to teachers, to nurses, to outside organizations working in partnership with a school, including“faith-based institutions”.

·        

2.               While voluntary, it opens the door for future compliance enforcement and funding restrictions if compliance is not met.

·        

3.               This “tool” also recommends resources and guidelines to fully immerse every public school learning experience, classroom, and school activity in LGBTQ ideology. The publication date of this “tool” is October 2020.

 This effort has been going unnoticed for quite some time now.

4.               As we have talked about in previous Intersects, the goal of this type of assessment is to “gently” nudge everyone involved in the public education system into becoming an ally to the LGBTQ agenda with unconditional acceptance and support of LGBTQ individuals and issues.

This was created with your tax dollars.

·          

Do parents know what is “social transitioning?”

-Social transitioning by adopting new names, pronouns, and changing their clothing and getting haircuts that match 

-Teacher: students socially transition at school without their parents’ knowledge (in the name of safety, inclusion, mental health)

-Districts are involved with blocking parents from being in the know on social transitions. 

-Guise under the Gay-Straight Alliance Club (Ally)

-Whole school in by-line put below their name the logo Ally to promote social transitioning

Do parents know that you are only a “good” parent if you accept, affirm, and promote the enrie radical sex ed agenda called the Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)

Teachers’ quotes:

Sometime students need protection from their own parents

History teacher-non-binary-9th grade- “I’m providing a public service by ‘protecting’ children from their mothers and fathers.”

***On a good note CCSD is being sued by parents whose kids object to participating in forced reading sexually explicit content out loud in the classroom. The student is only 15

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5: 15-17).

 

 Divine Mentor: 

Mentor: leads you to strength, direction, and hope 

So let me open with I never thought about looking at the people in the Bible as mentors. I mean besides jesus. I mean so many imperfect people are written about in the Bible. I like looking at different perspectives, theology, historical, and now through the lens of these people being a mentor to me. 

So, imagine

The Holy spirit sharing key lessons from the past into your present

Abraham could mentor you on faith

Samson about sexual self-control

ruth will teach you about love and loyalty 

Roots: we each have delicate root systems so we need to find a way to protect and nourish them. 

-It can take  a physical, emotional, or moral collapse that damages our roots

-It can be instant or over time that weakens lives, eroding our personalities, killing the essence of who we are and who we  would like to become

Discouragement:

-Think about how Joseph can mentor you as he did what was right, but ended up in prison for two years. He was forgotten, but never gave up hope that God would rescue him.

-David betrayed by his family in what was meant for harm God turned into something good-He can show you how to forgive in his dramatic life story.

-Jeremiah can show us how not to lose our vision for the hope of our future. He was warned Israel to repent or they would be enslaved. They ridiculed him, disregarded him, and all around him was hopelessness and unbelief. He could have let being discarded overtake him, but he is called the “weeping prophet” as his heart broke for his people. Even when he was carted off to enslavement he continued to prophesy to the people of the hope they would all be returned to Israel some day. 

-It is time to look into the Bible at who can become your mentor. How they can teach how to protect your roots through boundaries.

-To build a sacred enclosure around the roots of your soul

David asks, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Homework:

  1. Take a look at your roots. Then answer if you need some roots that need to be healed and/or built up  and/or strengthened.
  2. Is there a person in the Bible you can relate to to look to as your mentor. Could be more than one. 

***If you are new to the Bible then in the back you can look at an emotion, problem, or issue and it will list scriptures that you can look at to see if the person’s life story can help you with your life story.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,  and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you  to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1: 9-14).


Worldview: Learning to Think and Live Biblically by Greg Laurie: The Prayer Chapter

Worldview: The  Prayer Chapter: The Lord’s Prayer -He is my mighty awesome God -God is worthy of my respect and submission -aligns ourselves...