Live Out Loud - Adventures of a mom

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Did you grow up like me learning the Sinner's Prayer?  Did you attend 'training' sessions to teach Christians "how to lead a friend to Christ"?  Were the steps more about what to DO rather than what to BE? That is how I grew up.  That is what I saw other grown ups do when they invited others to become Christians.  That is what I observed.  The more "spiritual" people would "LEAD" others by telling them things like "let's pray; repeat after me" After people became Christians, I would see people rejoice and there would be an almost "sigh" of relief.   And after that, they would tell them "you have to get baptised now." And if they do, the "project" was complete.  And as some later told...

"It only takes a spark  To get a fire going   And soon all those around    Can warm up in its glowing That's how it is with God's love   Once you've experienced it   You spread His love to everyone   You want to pass it on " I learned this song when I was a teenager.  Back then, all I thought about was that it was our job as Christians to pass on the message of Jesus to others.  I loved the song, but lately, the song has taken a new meaning for me. Growing up, my family was not really big on Christmas.  It was coming to Canada, and being welcomed into other people's homes, that got me 'hooked'.  I remember being invited into people's homes for sleepovers, Christmas bake-athons and for huge family dinners.   I wanted that.   I wasn't quite sure what "that" was,  but I knew how it felt - it was warm, and it felt good. And so, every Christmas, as part of our new family tradition, I bake and share the goodies...

This is a piece a student of mine wrote.  The student wants to share it with you all.  I pray this encourages you if you have been sharing your live with others, and if you haven't, that it causes you to stand up and engage in mission.  God has humbled me much in the last 2 years through many of them. May their voice bless you, challenge you and lift you up too! ************* Sandy has been  my ESL class teacher and also has taught me about the Bible for one and half years already.  I always think I am a lucky woman, because I met  her only after landing in Canada three months. I still remember it was winter of 2018, just  before Christmas. When I entered the ESL class, many students were discussing Christmas parties with Sandy. They had learned a unit on Using Western cutlery. I was attracted immediately and joined the party the next class. Sandy made a lot of different types of cookies for her students. During the celebration, Sandy gave us a speech....

I submitted this to be published in a newsletter for Christian ESL educators but thought it might be inspiring for anyone who may be working from home or serving at their local church. Praying God uses this to inspire, encourage and 'light' your mission wherever you are during this pandemic. The pandemic has turn all our worlds upside down.  My students are not immune to it.   I am thankful I kept my job (I was expecting to be laid off) but this meant being given about 7 days to learn everything I needed to set up, organize, design and execute a full online learning program. It was all very overwhelming and challenging.  I’d have to be a fast student first.  I’d have to be patient and forgiving of myself - I’d be making countless mistakes.  I’d be challenged to schedule my time as a mother, daughter, wife and teacher.  Many days, it felt easier to just take things easy “until things go back to normal....