Why Patience Is Needed!

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Titus 1:1-5 NIV

Patience is mentioned 34 times in the New Testament and patient mentioned 9 times in the Bible (once in Old Testament in Ecclesiastes). I've concluded--speculatively--that patience was not a strong character trait in many before Christ made an appearance. I base this speculation on the fact that the Children of Israel were so impatient with God, that they moved away from His guidance in an effort to more like other nations (needing a king,etc).

Here--in Paul's instructions to Titus--we see a reason for patience and that reason is to teach others how to walk in the light of God's love. If we really want to others to learn something well, we must be willing to patiently teach them--expecting them to make mistakes, but will be quick to hear correction.

This then may explain why some people are not good teachers--spiritually or naturally. If we get angry or frustrated with those we attempt to teach--we actually inhibit their desire to learn. One of the reasons we tend to get impatient with people is because we forget the road we traveled to get where we are. Someone had to have patience with us in order for us to know what we know. Even if much of what we know was through an inquisitive nature where we sought information on our own, we still had to exercise patience with ourselves.

Not to long ago, a person who observed my teaching a class told me that I had the patience of job with my students. I was amazed at her assessment because I do not always think I'm very patient with students when I've repeated myself--ad nauseum. At any rate, I realized that she was referring to my ability to give them time to think about a question before providing them with an answer. In fact, I seldom provide answers to questions when reviewing information--I simply wait until someone comes up with the right answer and I confirm. Teaching is not about trying to pour information into someone's head, but about giving them the tools they can use to draw conclusions on their own.

Think about it! How long did it take us to realize that the answers we needed were found in Jesus Christ.  Questions about life and direction--found in Jesus. The voids we felt in our lives--filled with Jesus. And with me--He was very patient until I honed in what life really meant.

So, with patience--with self and others--will we move forward in teaching others about how to live the life God wants for us.

A Different Idea in Teaching!

Supplementary Reading Materials

 For any educator who teaches reading and has reluctant students who don’t want to read—here is a solution!

Found on Amazon.com most for only 0.99!

viewAuthor.at/maryglobal

This multi-genre catalog of literature includes:

Romance

Mystery

Suspense

Fantasy

Poetry

Essays

And Christian Living (according to The Word)

All books include “Look Inside” on Amazon for a preview of content!

Teaching strategies might include discussions about: What’s right, what’s wrong, adherence to writing standards, grammar, audience consideration, point of view, an analysis of content and online review. The author has a stage play available for dissection or production and is also currently writing a selection of short stories regarding environmental protection issues, politics and education. If interested, please send email to:

mary.hallrayford@gmail.com

Wholesome Literature is making a comeback!

On The Journey--He!

Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness. 119:33-40 NKJV

The fifth letter and the fifth segment is demanding, commanding or imploring--with seven of the eight verses beginning with a verb. The implied subject (from the English educator) is "You" and in this case, the Psalmist is talking to God.

Teach, give, make, incline, turn, establish--all designed to let us know, the write was serious about what they needed and their understanding of what they needed to do.

Teach me--and I shall keep it until the end. For most of us, if we are taught something thoroughly and we our comprehension is not hindered, we remember what we have been taught. There's a saying that everything we ever needed in life, we learned in kindergarten. And if we take the time to think about all we learned in a kindergarten class, we realize this is true--not just from an academic position, but with socializing as well. Have we forgotten our alphabet or how to count or our colors? Have we forgotten how to say, "thank you" and "please?" Have we forgotten (in this country) to always move to the right?"

Teaching, however is more than just presenting information, it requires application, and analysis, and synthesis--ability to strategically see the concept and principle at work in more than one venue.

Give me understanding--again whenever we are taught anything, if we cannot comprehend what has been taught, we have not learned anything.

And sometimes, we have to made to work on what we have learned--homework comes to mind. Do we practice what we have learned on a consistent basis?

Create a desire--incline my heart--in me to appreciate the testimonies of others without allowing me become jealous and covet what You have done for others.

Turn my eyes away from things that don't matter and keep my focus on learning of You. Have we asked God to turn us from seeing, greed, manipulation, deception, the desire to impress others when we have nothing by which to impress them?

Establish your word--cause what you are teaching me to take deep root in my spirit and soul so I'll never forget who You are and how much you love. Do we have reverential fear of God? Do we want His Word so deeply rooted in us that even thinking about doing wrong, brings conviction?

And when I have fallen short, don't let my shortcomings be exposed to others, but judge me according to Your righteous judgment. Is this our attitude when we've messed up or do we always blame someone else for those things we do  that cause us shame?

Look at me God! I long for your principles and want only to live according to Your righteousness! Do we long to keep God's principles in place in every area of our lives? Do we even understand them to keep them?

From everything we see on the news, it is obvious that many have either never understood His principles or they have forgotten them, since there is little evidence that they are being applied to our daily lives. Do we treat others the way we want to be treated? If that was true, lives would not be lost on a daily basis.

It's time to re-think our actions and meditate on God's Word so we can see change in the new year--making it better than the last!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Changing Our Society by Receiving God's Love!

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity." (Proverbs 3:1,2 NIV)

From a father to son and daughter,
Keeping us from Satan's slaughter,
Teaching us to remember and obey,
Walking in God's favor, night and day.

When we learn to adhere to the sound teaching of parents and God, we have a promise we can rely upon for long life, peace, and prosperity. If we look around at our society today, it would appear that not many have remembered anything worthwhile and obedience to sound teaching is not evident--anywhere.

But notice where we have to start--remembering what we were taught and keeping those sound teachings and instructions in our heart. If our heart is receptive to instruction and guidance, we will do what love does--obey. If our heart is hardened and we reject sound teachings, then hatred takes the place of love and all the forces of hell, break loose upon a society that refuses to hear and obey.

With the recent passing of the oldest woman in American, at 116 years-old, I wonder if she credited her long life with remembering the things she was taught by her parents and obeying. Her long life appears to be a testament of obedience--but I don't know that for a fact. What I do know is God is not slack to keep His promises to all who obey and He is not a man that He should lie.

If we want to see a change in our society, we must see a change in what people are keeping in their hearts and what they are teaching their children. Parents must learn to give their children righteous, sound instruction. Children must learn to obey and not rebel. We must all learn to receive God's love and allow it to overflow in our hearts.

For where love is, hatred doesn't stand a chance. Where love is--people are respected and given consideration. Where love is--we all seek to assist all who are in need. Where love is--we honor God and keep all His commands--to love Him and love others. Where love is--there is peace and no confusion.

I would love to see and experience for the rest of my days--love being the guiding force in our society so I can live the rest of my days in peace. I would love to see children obeying their parents and parents loving and teaching their children to do what is right. I would love to see all saved and walking in God's favor. I would love to see people living in the reverential fear of God and negating all of Satan's influence. I would love to see it, but unless something drastic happens in the minds and hearts of people, my desire may not be obtained, but it won't stop me from seeking God's Wisdom in all things.

We can stop all the madness in our society and the lack of respect and value for life. All we have to do is receive God's love to overflowing and allow it flow onto others, remembering all He has taught and keeping His commands.

Teach The Children!

"All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace." (Isaiah 54:13 NIV)

Have we dropped the ball? Are we know longer demonstrating what The Lord has taught in our own behavior? Are we the reason the children are the way they are?

We have all been "children" at sometime or another and unfortunately, some fully physically grown adults are still children. They were not taught the basics of socialization--common courtesy, sharing, consideration, respect, self-control, and self-respect. If we didn't learn these as children, chances are we never will.

I remember when I first started working at one of the high schools and I was trying to squeeze past a young lady blocking my path. I said, "Excuse me." Her response was, "Excuse you?" and then she sat there staring at me like I'd grown horns. She had no idea what I meant.

Too many of the children in schools, at home and in the general public take their "anger and frustration" with them, everywhere they go.Why are they angry? Their home life is less than desirable. We have kids going hungry, being abused, sleeping on mattresses without linen, sleeping in their clothes because they've never had pajamas, and then they have mamas who have different live-in boyfriends every other week, there's never enough food or money, some in the dark without heat or light and then mama's boyfriends are abusing the children and daring them to tell it.

It is not their fault that their parents never learned to parent, but someone has to teach them right from wrong and how to get along with others in this society because we do not live alone in isolation.
This happens because the parents were not taught when they were children and so they cannot teach their children anything worthwhile, but those of us who know, can and should teach them whenever we find a need to do so, wherever we are; it is our responsibility to teach the children in the ways of the Lord, by example not just by what we say!

So, let's make a pledge--a commitment--to correct lovingly (if we can) and show those children who were never taught the things that they ought to know and do, so our communities and school and homes, too will know peace and harmony will reside in the midst of it all--Let's Teach The Children!

My name is Mary M. Hall-Rayford. As an educator, parent, grandparent and child of the Most High, I approve this message!

Why Faith in God? Part 6

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:14,17,18, 26 NIV)

If we claim to have faith, but never do anything with it. what is the point of the proclamation?

I have presented my perspective on this subject previously, but it warrants a second look.

For the person who says, "I will lose 50 pounds this year" and never changes their dietary habits or physical exercise, how are they going to lose weight? They won't and then they'll complain about being overweight.

The same is true for the person who excitedly says they're going to get a promotion on their job, but they never do anything beyond their current job requirements--they take no initiative to do anything, and sit twiddling their thumbs when they have finished doing their work.

How about the person who is confident of even getting a job because of their faith and prayer life, but they never apply for a job?

We can proclaim a lot of things, but until we actually "do" something, we bind God's hands to move us forward. Not too long ago, a person on Twitter (Bart) became upset with me and my faith in thanking God for the 1 + million plus readers that I asked for over a year ago. Those who follow me on Twitter know that I promote my books daily, I am constantly writing and uploading books as I am inspired. I have written various genres ranging from Christian Living, Christian Romance, Fantasy for kids, Contemporary Fiction, Informational texts, poetry, and a murder/mystery. Why? I have faith in God--writing is one of the gifts He has given me (teaching is the other) and I am wearing it out--to His glory, to inspire, inform, and entertain in a Godly manner.

And it is because I believe that He will do what He said He would do--I keep writing and keep thanking Him for the 1 + million plus readers. He is speaking to the hearts of people and they are reading my books. Now, when I'll actually see the 1 + million readers is on Him, not me. But I know, I it will happen--on His timeline, not mine. Thank You, Lord for hearing and answering prayer and making a way for all Your promises to be fulfilled. Hallelujah!

So, if it takes writing another fifty books before the 1 + million plus readers are reading my books, then I guess I'm going to be pretty busy for the next five years or more to accomplish the goal that is set before me. I am doing, what I have faith to believe is going to happen. That's the only way, things happen. Our actions must match our faith and when it does, God honors our faith--for we know, without faith, we cannot please Him.

Part 7 tomorrow!

When God Calls!

"Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you." (I Corinthians 1:26 NLT)

What a sobering revelation to know that the world--those who knew us and some who didn't--considered our calling into the ministry of the Gospel--foolishness!

Re-reading this passage of scripture this morning, reminded me of the reaction of people when I informed them that God had spoken to my heart and told me to "teach His Word!" Very few people who knew me, believed me (they were stuck on my past life) and many thought I had just lost my mind (they thought I read too much). There were even a few who told me flat out, "My pastor said, God don't call no women to preach!" This came from men and women who professed to be Christians.

While I struggled with understanding this calling into ministry, I also leaned on The Word and was in constant prayer. One of the first things I did was to tell God, "If You want me to teach Your Word, then You're going to have to teach it to me."

I headed for the main library in our city because I knew it held a large religious section. I pulled information from book after book after book. I purchased books about Jewish history and studied the illustrations that were available of how people dressed, the culture of family, and worship. During a commercial advertising a center for Bible Study, I recognized God's leading me to see it and went to the school.  I refused to try to tell anybody anything that I didn't understand about the Bible.

On Father's Day, nine months after I knew I had heard God's instructions to me, I delivered my first message and people received it. Their positive response to what was said, gave me the confidence I needed to continue to discover all I could and I am still seeking knowledge because I realize that no matter how I live, I will never know it all.

Over twenty-five years later, there are still people who are skeptical about God's calling me (and many others) into ministry. There are still some people who refuse to understand that God is not concerned about what we know, but our willingness to obey Him. It is He who qualifies those whom He calls. It is He who speaks to others who are in a position to confirm and recognize the calling on our lives. It is He leads us to get the recognition and certification (ordinations) needed to operate according to the church and state protocols. It is He who has the first and last Word about what He wants us to do and say!

When God calls us to do something, we have no need to worry about what others will say. When God calls us into ministry, and we follow His directions--everything works together for our good and for the good of the people. When people call people into ministry--they are out of order and where there is no order--chaos reigns!

Now while there may still be those who consider me foolish and unwise--they say--God knows who I am and what I am capable of doing because it is Him, still molding and shaping, me to do His Will. Hallelujah!

Patterns Matter!

"Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13 NLT).

I remember when I was sewing most of my clothes--primarily because of a home economics class in which I had to learn to read a pattern--how difficult it was for me to understand the pattern. The one thing I noticed, though is when I had "repeated"using the pattern often enough, I had no problem getting the results I wanted in the clothing I wanted to wear. This was in high school--when we didn't have much money and fabric was considerably cheap. I was able to use patterns from a neighbor and learned to modify the pattern to suit my own tastes. I made jackets, pantsuits (before they were popular) skirts, dresses, belts--whatever I wanted to wear. I even learned to modify clothing by adding "lace or trimming" to lengthen a gown for someone else.

When my daughter first began school, I made her school clothes and then somewhere along the way, I stopped sewing and lost sight of how to read the patterns.

When we don't practice doing a thing--we lose sight on how to do it. Like learning a foreign language--we must practice or we lose our ability to remember it. Typing requires continual practice to maintain accuracy and speed.  The same principle applies to--well, just about anything--we must practice and hold onto patterns in learning that make learning worthwhile.

If this works for learning, it will also work for teaching--anything. When we develop wholesome patterns--that work every time--we create situations in which we can be assured of the results. And this is the admonition Paul was giving to Timothy (and us)--make sure the pattern is shaped by faith and love we have in Christ Jesus.

If what we teach is not based upon the same pattern--foundation in The Word--the results will be unpredictable and this is how division in the body of Christ is created--people have forgotten to hold onto the pattern of faith and love.

Establishing patterns in life--make differences--especially when we want to achieve specific results--time after time--that glorify God!

Hold onto the patterns of wholesome teaching based upon The Word and be assured of the results that have a foundation in The Word, shaped by faith and love!

About Writing

Writers today lack ability to compose words that connect the reader with a mindset to engage, entertain, and influence those that ponder and contemplate the connected contextual content of so many slashes on paper that attempt to mimic classic construction of such, viably termed, literature. Small wonder that society as a whole has lost its way to elucidate minds and encourage discovery in changing and rearranging the alphabet in ways that tackle the boredom of youth, yet re-energize the minds thought past redemption to understanding age-fraught diseases that lead to forgetfulness and sometimes complete eradication of what was.

Stifled, stunted by contemporary verbiage that is more folly than wisdom at its best when the best of language appears to be that which we now disown rather than use as an indicator of our intellectual ability and foresight and not just an extant reflection of who we once were.

Hampered, hamstrung by rituals and rules constantly changing, and rearranging thought patterns from ancient to present, but not relaying any message with clarity, as yet understood by the masters-of-words who could with the blink of an eye or stroke of pen transport readers from there to then within the space of time, not withheld from those who had imagination. 

A preponderance of evidence exists, illustrating ineptitude by many, including those who proclaim they are masters of the written word in teaching it and yet fail to elucidate their ability at every turn, penning composition better suited for elementary students with simple minds that lack sophistication to compose letters of the alphabet that would entice a scholarly mind to read.

Mundane describes with understatement the slew of words on paper that attempt to divulge the essence of thoughts prearranged in random order that never meets with structure and organization designed to formulate a clear, concise message with fortitude.

Many redesign and regurgitate the prose of ancient ones in an attempt to supersede abilities in their proliferation of archaic pronouncements in terms that float just out of reach of those who dare to contemplate use of a dictionary, or resource of any magnitude, dispelling the notion that words and their contextual use are unimportant.

The means by which change occurs, lies within the ability of all concerned to see the need to reevaluate the processes  used in learning and teaching and mostly in views that are ensconced in boxes with lids and fresh ideas are staled with the hindrance, and no one gets beyond the pale to think beyond the boundaries established by those who did not access galactic thinking.

Teach All Nations!

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28: 19,20 NIV).

What a great parting gift from Jesus to His disciples just before He ascended and returned to The Father--giving us the authority to do just what He said.

To go--means to move from one place to another.  We cannot remain stagnant or pulled into ruts that keep us from going--moving forward; not backwards to share the Gospel.

Make--means to create/mold something into something else.  In this case, we are to mold people into disciples of Jesus Christ, after going into all nations--by whatever means possible.

For those who choose to accept the call to discipleship--they are to be baptized--totally submerged under water, (just like Jesus was) as a symbolic representation that our old sinful nature has been buried with Him and we arise a new creation, ready to serve Him.

Teaching--the most important thing we can do--by example, how we should conduct ourselves with each other--learning to love and forgive and how we should love God.  This is the commandment in total--to love, for if we love we cannot hate or commit crimes against one another.  If we love God, we do not want to sin against Him.


From the looks of the condition our society today, we have much work to do.  Let's go and get it done so The Father will be pleased with what we do and bless us to be a blessing to others. Moving Out!  Forward, March! Doing all things to His glory!

Help us O God to exercise the authority You have given us with wisdom moving before us, in all things!

Learn Everything Well!

I'm creating my own line of posters using my logo--Life Writer.  Hope you enjoy.  Feel free to pass it on!