Did anyone notice the extra second added to the end of 2008?

The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) added a leap second to 2008.  That is the first added since 2005, and the 24th added since the service began in 1972.  That means that last Wednesday, the final day of the year, was 23 hours, 59 minutes and 61 seconds long.

This additional second was added due to the pulling of the moon and other planets on the earth.  They can either accelerate or decelerate the earth’s rotational speed.  Since these changes occur unevenly, the changes necessitate the adding of a second or even two once every two or three years.

Get ready?  That means sometime soon we will hear from some of our tree-hugging, earth-warming political know-it-alls explaining how Americans must begin driving slower, walking slower or living slower so the earth’s rotation will slow down.  It is our fault, don’t you know?  The gravitational pull of other planets is due in large part to the fast-paced life we live.  And, we will be advised if we do not do this soon, by 2030 or 2040, we will run out of time!

Seriously, how did you spend your leap-second?

I spent part of mine sleeping, and the other part catching up with my to-do list.  I would be curious to hear from any of you what you did with your extra second last night.  I spent mine sleeping.

I have never been a big fan of resolutions.  The adage is trite, but true – resolutions are made to be broken.

Many are working on their resolutions for the coming year.  Most resolutions usually look something like this:

• Do something new
• Get a better job
• Lose weight
• Get in shape
• Get out of debt
• Make a difference
• Help others
• Quit smoking
• Quit drinking
• Be positive
• Save money
• Focus on what is important
• Get organized

Even though I reject the concept of resolutions, I am a huge fan of studying areas of improvement.  Most people grow and make gradual changes throughout the year.  There is something invigorating about making new changes in the coming year, however.

The week between Christmas and New Years, I typically spend time evaluating my life and ministry.  For those who are interested, I will use our week to offer some areas of evaluation.

Let’s begin the process with a sentence nestled deeply in the Old Testament.  The Word of God says,

“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!”

Lamentations 3:40

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God is calling Israel to a time of self-evaluation.  Introspection ordained by the Lord is the only worthy kind of self-study.  Otherwise we become preoccupied with self.

The word “ways” suggests habits or character traits, rather than short episodes or moments.  Thus, the goal to “test and examine our ways” is to consider our character; who we are, and our habits.

The goal of this self-examination – ordained by God – is to return to the Lord.  Self-examination is not to become a better you or a healthier you or a prosperous you or a happier you or a kinder you or a satisfied you.  The goal of God-given examination is to retrace your footsteps in order to return to God again.  Thus, we learn the purpose of our self-evaluation this week.  We want to use our contemplation to identify what caused us to veer away from the Lord in order to return to Him.

Take time today to ask the Holy Spirit to “test and examine” your ways as you return to the Lord.

Tomorrow we pick up with another Old Testament passage.  More than a command, it is a prayer of introspection.

When I began to write this blog, I had just read Ryan’s Christmas humor blogs during my prep time at school.  I was laughing so much because I had read Ryan’s Week Before Christmas blog.  To put it into context, I teach at the alternative school in Tarrant.  So the lines “The state they were in could lead to a riot; The teacher was sure, if allowed, they would try it.” have never been so true!  It has truly been an interesting, eventful week.  So thank you for allowing me to share again because it puts me into the right frame of mind.

Last week, I wrote a letter to Ryan because I wanted to share how amazing our God and our church are.  He knows this, I’m sure.  However, I think it’s nice to be reminded sometimes. He asked me to share this story with you.

Forgive me while I give you a bit of background information.  As I mentioned yesterday, I divorced about three years ago.  When I realized what was happening, I determined to put myself into a financial position in which I had no credit cards or monetary concerns.   Not only was I now going to be a single mom, but I was a teacher.  Have you seen our paychecks?

To help with this, I signed up for the financial class taught during CPU on Wednesday nights at CrossPoint.  I began to get things together.  My giving to CrossPoint had been quite sporadic, and I knew better.  As the Lord worked on my heart, he also worked on my finances.  There have been bumps along the way, but the Lord has always been faithful to provide every need. It is truly incredible to see what the Lord has taught me through giving to Him and His church.

When we started the Devoted series, Savannah, my nine-year-old daughter, and I both put back money for our Devoted fund.  When Ryan told us what to do with it, we were excited for what the Lord might do.  We began to pray that the Lord would show us where to give it.  Let me interject here…if you pray for things, you better be prepared for the answer.  You just might get what you wanted!

The beginning of the next week rolled around, and I realized that the money I receive each year for being a Nationally Board Certified teacher had not come in and most likely would not.  This chunk of money provides Christmas and any home repairs I might have at this time of the year.  Remember, I have no credit cards and pay cash for most everything.  Apparently, making the change to the alternative school caused a mix up somewhere along the way, and I was told I would most likely not get paid until after Christmas.  Needless to say, I began to panic.

At the end of that same week, I got a call about a friend with whom I taught at Trussville.  Her home had been badly burned, and it seemed they were going to lose everything.  Savannah and I talked about it, and we decided to give them the first installment from our foundation.  I reached my car after dropping off the money, and I cried because I knew I had just given away what may have been the money I would need for Christmas.  That money could be pretty important in our lives.  Then I remembered the scripture I have at the end of my emails (Rom. 15:13), and I thought that I should know better than that by now. The Lord brought Prov. 19:21 to mind (Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.), and I just began to pray.

Sunday morning I asked my Sunday school class to pray for my friend, and I asked for them to pray that the situation at the board be resolved.  The next two and a half weeks were phenomenal.  I had people in my life who tried to give me advice to take out a loan or get a credit card.  I just didn’t feel good about that solution.  I had MANY people go to bat for me with the county.  My principal and secretary were wonderful, as well as other principals for whom I had worked.  Although I appreciated each person for that, what happened with the people at our church really got to me.

Four different people offered to help us.  Nobody flaunted it.  Nobody made a big deal about it.  They just shared their heart, and they offered to make things better for us.  What makes it even better is the fact that it wasn’t any easier for some of these people to help me than for me to help my friend whose house had just burned.

These friends that I have…these brothers and sisters of mine…these people who love and support me…they all reminded me of what it’s about.  It goes back a little bit to that redeeming love I mentioned yesterday.  Real love isn’t always easy.

I have found that the closer I grow to the Lord and the more I understand His love for me, the more I feel the need to share it.  That’s what our church did for me.  They were struggling too…with their business, losing a job, just life in general.  I oozed with joy, and I let them know how much I appreciated every one of them.  I told them if nothing changed, I would let them know.  I went home and cried a little more, not out of sadness or worry, but because I realized how much I am loved-by God and this church.

How incredible is God and His timing?  Two weeks after it all started and a day after God allowed me to have this experience, I got my check.

I hope you all realize how precious our church family is.  They are so important to my life.  It is connection at its best.

I cannot imagine how my life would be different without my friends from choir, Sunday school, or the mission trips.  It was a nice reminder for me of what faith really is…that it’s not just faith in the good times.  I walked away Sunday saying, “No Fear!” a LOT.