I am teaching three courses this semester at the College:
Introduction to Pscyhology I
Psychology of Counselling I (yes, that is two 'L's ... the Canadian Way)
Psychology of Christian Life I
The two first are undergraduate and the bare introduction - usually a very difficult course to teach because the amount of material is vast and the basics can be very, very boring. The third is a Doctorate course and one that I have been left to develop completely on my own. I'm loving that!
The textbooks for the last course are "Master Potter" by Jill Austin and "Intimate Friendship with God" by Joy Dawson. Both excellent books by awesome women of God. Not that I am adverse to books or material written by men, gracious no, but these two women have written material that takes me straight to the Heart of God.
It is a delight to teach from this material.
The first book is written by a woman who is a potter. She uses her experience and the Word of God where one of the allegories of God is as a potter and us as the clay. Our most recent class was discussing the time in a Christian's life where he or she is put on the shelf to 'cure' so to speak, often early in their relationship with the Lord. But often, the Lord places us on the shelf again at another point in our production to cure. Maybe after a beautiful glaze has been applied, or a design. And we may cry because we are not being used as the instrument we once were. We do not see the finished product, or what the Lord is planning for us.
I was bemoaning my recent putting on the shelf by the Lord. This placing was bugging me because I have so much to do in ministry and I have been so ill that I have been unable to concentrate enough to even think about preaching a sermon. I went so far as to ask the senior Pastor to give me a few months off from my responsibilities of teaching and preaching until I was in a better place physically and emotionally. I have continued my counselling practice within the church - albeit barely - and have been able to sit in the congregation and just receive during the services. It's been a sweet time in some ways, and frustrating in others because there is so much I want to do.
Yet, the Lord showed me this week that there is beauty in that time of shelving. And I have been preaching ... three times a week in class. He has been giving me revelation and anointing for these students in a way that is truly incredible. Even my son - who is in my classes *clapping* - is amazed at the transformation.
It is when your family sees the anointing of God on you ....
Lord, why do I not have that anointing at home? All the time? I so long to walk in a way that is pure, holy, a testimony to the Love of God every moment of my life, but alas, I am but clay. An empty pot without the Lord.
He is doing something so deep in my life right now. Even my thoughts are open and bare before Him and He is showing me some that are *sigh* not very pretty at all. It is almost like there is a Holy Spirit Spotlight on my mind at all times. It is most uncomfortable, I must tell you.
But it is cleansing too.
It amazes me how He uses whatever is in our lives to continually cleanse us, bring us closer to His heart and from Glory to Glory to Glory ... for His Glory.
He's so good, friends. He is so very good. And faithful.
Even when He has the iron and the bleach in His Hand. (or the potter's shelf)
5 comments:
:) This was tonic to my soul ... on the shelf here too, and starting to stop resenting it and embrace the fact that I teach and preach elsewhere.
sister our lives mirror each other in many ways.
PS I don't have the thesis in pdf but I was actually about to ask you something ... by email if I can get it through.
You can say no too :)
Lorna, I thank God He brought you into my life. Truly a God ordained anointed meeting. Thanks for being so faithful during this dry and 'shelved' time in my life!
I do not have an email yet ... what's with that??? You know I'll say yes. To whatever it is ... well, maybe??? *wink*
Hi Carolyn,
You must have an interesting life. It parallels that of a preacher, giving thoughts and allogories, and helping to shape the minds into right thinking. I can see your training for this task is of a necessity quite deep and through.
Be Blessed,
Pete
Hi Pete! So good to see you.
Yes, it is interesting. Actually, it is awesome most of the time. That was sort of my point. I am ordained and teach many up and coming Pastors, Teachers and Counsellors. I was bemoaning the joy of preaching when the Lord showed me that I do indeed preach - three times a week! - when I teach the class. it's a powerful place to be. I always say to my students that they have a lot of power of suggestion over thier clients and it is a position that the Lord will hold them accountable for ... ouch.
Double ouch.
I think that is why the Lord works with me the way He does. I'm not the easiest pot to crush, me thinks. *wink*
sister, email me with your phone number so i can call you on my day off friday. i've been thinking of you a lot lately so i cannot ignore the fact i need to reach out for you.
peace.
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