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Sunday, May 11, 2008

  • Let's Not Forget Mary, The Mother of Jesus

    Of all the wonderful mommies that have come and gone, I can't help but think about Mary, the mother of Jesus. What was so special about her? Why would God the Father choose her? And how can her mothering skills help me today?
     
    These questions have been on my mind for the last few days. So much has been said about Mary and she has been made out to be someone whom the Father never intended her to be--nor is she. As a result, many, including myself have gone to the other extreme and have said she is no one special. God only needed one woman, and He just happened to pick her. In my opinion, neither position is a biblical one.
     
    I decided to go back to the Scriptures to refresh my memory. What a blessing it is to be reminded of the reason God chose her and what a treasure I found in looking to her example.
     
    Mary is only mentioned a handful of times in the Bible. What can we learn in a few examples? Quite a bit as it turns out--most of the lessons coming from a portion of her prayer as recorded in Luke 1:46-48. This she prayed after being told by the angel that she will give birth to the Messiah:
     
    "And Mary said:
     
    My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has
    rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has
    regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
    For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
     
     
    Mary was a woman who had a relationship with God the Father. She understood that she was a sinner in need of a Savior and was a woman of worship. We also see that she was a humble woman and was blessed by the fact that God noticed her. Finally, we see that she recognized the amazing privilege that God had bestowed upon her and knew that she would go down in history as a blessed woman.
     
    After the Child was born, Mary and Joseph acknowledged this Child as a gift and dedicated Him to the Father.
     
    " Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the LORD." Luke 2:22
     
    Mary knew when it was time to let Him be a man; The Man that she knew He was:
     
    "And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, 'they have no wine.' Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it" John 2:3-4
     
    Jesus calls his mother "woman" on more than one occasion. The last reference to her is recorded in John 19:26-27:
     
    "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his home."
     
    I gotta tell you, if that was me, I would have said, so this is the thanks I get for being your mom? After all the diapers I changed, after all the boo-boos I kissed, and after chasing you all around Jerusalem, you are just going to give me to someone else? Thanks a lot sonny-boy!  Okay, so now we know why I wasn't picked to be the Mother of Jesus. Although she was only human so maybe...
     
    I just can't imagine what a gift it was to raise the Messiah, the Savior of the world!!
     
    From Mary, I have learned to be humble, to offer my children to God and to know that there will come a day when they are adults and they will need to find their own calling in life. (I have also learned that at some point, my kids will throw me in a nursing home.) 
     
    However, the most valuable lesson comes from what Mary told the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." As a mother who followed God, she led others to her Son.  My desire is that I would do the same. 
     
    So while God makes it clear that we are not worship her or glorify her (Isaiah 42:8), He does tell us to honor her.  And so I do.
     
    Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies in the whole wide world!
     
    (C) Teresa Ortiz

Friday, May 02, 2008

  • No Alcohol on His Breath? His Disappointment was my Greatest Gift

     
    Hi Friends! I hope and pray all is well in your world   God is good! Here is a little tale about my Sunday.
     
    God bless and protect each and every one of you~~~~
     
     
    It was Sunday afternoon and I was glad to be home after a weekend away. I was catching up on e-mails and my husband was watching the history channel--Dogfights or something like that...
     
    Lost in thought, I didn't hear the phone ring. The sound of my husband's voice caught my attention.
     
    "Is he okay?"  My husband asks.
     
    "Is it bad?"  That was my que--I half put on my shoes while running to the living room when Art yells, "Tree, we gotta go now! J is down and we don't know how bad it is!"
     
    As we ran out of the door, I immediately called my dad to tell him to start praying, then I did the same. The ten minute drive up the hill seemed like an eternity! Art turned out of our cul-de-sac so fast, the box in the back seat fell over and everything was rolling around, which was extremely annoying. (Strange, the things that bother us when we are anxious.)
     
    Anyway, as we pulled into Cody's driveway, my heart was racing and my husband and I were frantically scanning the property for someone to lead us to our son.
     
    "HELLO, WHERE IS EVERYBODY?" My husband shouts with a voice of irritation.
     
    "We are down here."  As we raced down the hillside, I tried to prepare myself for what I might see. Keep me strong for my baby boy,  I silently pray.
     
    Okay, no blood, no protruding bones, but his right arm is looking a bit out of place. I can handle this...
     
    As we hear the details of how J ended up 30 feet down, I feel a wide range of emotions. (As  parents of a dirt-bike rider, this is nothing new. Yet each time feels like the first time.)  As a mom, I get angry, then proud, then scared, then thankful that he is still breathing.
     
    But this time was different...he came off of a jump in third gear (In retrospect "something I shouldn't have done" he says.) Gee, ya think? Anyway, it threw him off balance and forced his body to lean forward, causing him to put unwanted pressure on the throttle, which sent the bike straight toward a tree. Fortunately, he bailed before impact. Unfortunately, it sent him tumbling down the 30-foot drop that leads into the next jump.
     
    In short, he was in extreme pain, more than all the other times put together. How do I know this you ask? Well, let me tell you... you learn a lot about your 17-year-old son when he is in pain.
     
    He dropped the F-bomb more than once, he called his friend an A-hole for moving his arm on accident, and a few other choice words came from his mouth. But hey, if I was hurting like that, I probably would have done the same. Suck it upTeresa, at least he is talking.
     
    After what seemed like hours, the paramedics arrived. But not just the paramedics. No, we had the best show in our little town: Three fire engines, three police cars, the fire chief and two paramedic vehicles and an ambulance, which translates into a crew of 15 and our town's entire emergency response unit.
     
    My relief turned to anger and frustration. The first thing the police officers did was run checks on the bikes to make sure these punk kids didn't have stolen bikes. The second thing they did was run to my son. Do you think they asked him if he was okay or what happenend? No. That would be the right thing to do. Instead, one of the officers looked at him in disgust and said, "Son, have you been drinking?" (I thought my husband was going to be arrested for assaulting a police officer.)
     
    "No Sir, I don't drink."
     
    "Have you been doing any drugs, or anything you shouldn't be doing?"
     
    "No man, me and my friends are just hanging out riding motorcycles!"
     
    "Blow in my face for me, will you?"
     
    In the meanwhile, the other officers are staring at the other boys and walking around the property to see if they can find any proof of what they were so sure they would find.  Never mind the fact that they insulted Cody's parents.
     
    I will give the officer this, it is his job to be sure that it is not an alcohol related incident, but to come on the property expecting to be proved right is extremely frustrating!!
     
    Apparently, Cody had enough and spoke up... "Dude, we are just riding and having good clean fun. Everyone keeps trying to make it a law that kids can't ride, so we ride on our own property. Would you prefer us to be hanging out in parks drinking and doing drugs?" 
     
    It probably wasn't the wisest thing to say, but his point was well made and all of us parents had to agree. 
     
    The officer, still kneeling in my son's face, finally stood up and looked around one last time. I thought I was being paranoid, but everyone, especially all the boys said that the cop actually looked disappointed.
     
    While following the ambulance to the hospital, I was thinking about how blessed I was that my son and all his buddies disappointed these police officers...
     
    As I mentioned earlier, it is amazing what you learn about your 17-year-old son when he is injured. We hadn't been at the hospital more than five minutes and his cell phone was buzzing like crazy!!  One, two, three, four text messages in a row. All girls!! 
     
    "O my gosh, J!", laughing as I tell him.
     
    "What can I say mom, it happens."
     
    So, the cops are disappointed, my son is safe, sober and in a sling. (Can you believe his only injury was a dislocated shoulder and a little road-rash on his side? It had to be the prayers.)
     
    I will always remember this as one of the most unlikely yet greatest gifts I will ever receive.
     
    Although, I might re-think this when the bills come in right around Mother's Day~~~~
     
    Happy Mother's Day to all of you mommies
     
     
     
     
    (C) Teresa Ortiz 

Monday, April 21, 2008

  • Dear Soldier,

    I think of you every morning and say a prayer for your protection and I thank God for you. However, this morning was different. It seemed as if it wasn't enough and I found myself wanting to share my thoughts with you.
     
    I want to remind you of how much you are loved, appreciated and prayed for by millions of people everyday. Thank you for sacrificing your time and your family to do your part in assuring the safety of my family. I sit here in the comfort of my home with freedoms I received because of you and the many who have gone before you.
     
    I'm praying for your family and I thank them for the sacrifices they make everyday. I don't know what else to say, it seems my words have failed me... How could I know what else to say, except to offer words of encouragement from a fellow military man, one that I believe only a soldier can relate to:

    By The Book
    by Danny Rachel, (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF,Retired)
     
    We are taught from the very beginning of our training that success in the military depends on knowing and doing things "by the book." This is also true in everyday life. When we live our lives "by the Book" of God's word, we live under the ultimate source of strength, authority, and peace. God's Word, like an "Ops Order" provides details on how to carry out His mission for our lives.
     
    It enables us to stay Focused when we are Bombarded by the multitude of concerns that come our way and brings confidence as we choose to be obedient.
     
    His Word is like a "Maintenance Manual" in that it shows us how to live in order to prevent the pain associated with broken lives and broken relationships when they are in need of repair.
     
    God's Book, is like "Tech Data," providing detailed instructions for our behavior, thoughts, and attitudes. By following it faithfully we are enabled to be the very best we can be, bringing honor to our heavenly "Commander in Chief"
     
    Heavenly Father,
     
    Enable me to be a person of "The Book." Open my eyes, my mind, and my heart to Your Word that I may know You better, serve You more, and experience the joy of Your salvation.
     
    Make it my heart's desire to echo the sentiment of the psalmist who said,
     
    "I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I might not sin against You. Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes." ( Psalm 119:11,12)
     
     
    ***************
     
    May the grace of God fill your heart and your day as you are away from home. And remember, you are never alone and you are loved. Be renewed and be refreshed by the power of the Holy Spirit!
     
     
    Your friend and neighbor,
     
    Teresa
     
    *******************
     
    Pass this on to your friends and loved ones who have someone in the military. Let them know how much we care!!
     
    Have a great week my dear friends!
     

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

  • I Don't Want to do my Taxes So I'm Writing an Article Instead

     
    Good Morning friends! Now that tax day is out of the way, we can all relax a litlle   I trust all is well with you as you walk with the Lord today. 
     
    This was me a few days ago ~~~
     
    All week long I have been looking at my pile of mass destruction. Tonight I am starting my taxes. So what if I have been telling everyone I come in contact with this same thing for the last three weeks? Well, this isn't entirely true, I have been saying this since February 14, 2008.
     
    However, tonight is different. As soon as I am done with this article, which as I type, I'm still not sure is about, I'll get right on it. I promise. But first, I'll need to do some laundry so that I have clean clothes for tomorrow... and the dogs do need a bath. Why should they have to go to bed feeling dingy just because I have taxes to do?
     
    The truth of the matter is, there is a very good reason I don't want to do them and that is because it brings back the painful memory of how February 15th unfolded.
     
    It truly was the day I was going to start my taxes. Instead, It was one of those days when your whole world as you know it comes to a screeching halt and nothing else matters....
     
    What do you do when someone you love hurts someone you love? 
     
    This has been life's lesson for my husband and me. Will we pass this test? Will we practice what we preach? Will we extend our hand of unconditional love and forgiveness? By the grace of God, we did. NO, it wasn't easy. The process is down right torturous, but one that brought about deeper love, patience and understanding for the one who betrayed the other. I am sure there are many who have been where we have just come from, or maybe you are in this situation now and are finding that anger and hatred are taking over. 
     
    (I share my thoughts for two reasons. One, I really do need to get this out of my system so I can do my taxes, and two, it is my hope and prayer that our experience will help others.)
     
    Upon hearing the news, we cried in disbelief, then proceeded to get angry. Betrayal in my opinion, is an act of terror to the soul of the betrayed. Watching the one who has been hurt come to the realization that they have been manipulated and lied to while being smiled at is a pain that cannot be described. It can only be understood by one who has experienced it first hand.
     
    As we had time to digest this new information, it became clear that the betrayer had some very real problems that needed to be addressed. As Christians, we could not turn our backs on this person; we needed to reach out with the love of God--the unconditional love that we ourselves continuously receive. Every one of us has secret hurts--things that we bury deep within our hearts which inevitably shape our behaviors. Understanding our own sin and secret hurts allowed us to embrace with a heart of love in spite of our flesh, which was screaming something different.
     
    During this same time, we were able to be thankful that God allowed these things to be revealed at just the right time. And though it was the worst few weeks emotionally, it turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened. Our family is stronger, our hearts are healing and we are excited about the plans that God has in store for everyone involved. 
     
    Love is a decision. I won't lie, sometimes the anger creeps in and my thoughts go places they need not be: How dare he do this to my family, what a jerk, etc. Then I remember how God had mercy on me when I was in my sinful state.

    Forgive me Father. H    eal his heart, make him whole, change his behavior and give him a brand new start.
     
    Some might ask, "What of the one who was hurt, don't their feelings count?"  The answer is yes, absolutely! Because we have been able to forgive the one, we have been able to minister more effectively to the other. Why? Because we are not adding insult to injury by trash talking the one they care deeply for. Instead, we are able to comfort and encourage with a sincere heart and our prayers are not hindered by unforgiveness and anger.
     
    This is a reminder that God is faithful and the only one who will not disappoint. The lesson here is never put someone on a pedestal because of outward appearances and remember to pray for ourselves and our loved ones because temptation comes in many forms. Above all, love on purpose.
     
    As I wrote in the beginning, I am going to do laundry and give the dogs a bath.
     
    Sweet dreams Uncle Sam. ~~~~
     
    Go in grace today. Love to all in the name of our Lord Jesus, Teresa
     
     

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

  • Positive Thinking: A Habit Worth Developing

     

    Good Morning Friends!!

    Life has been busy, but I am back. ((hugs & smiles))  I trust all is well with you and I am praying for those who are still in the midst of the storm. It will end, the Lord has promised to calm the waters.

    In the meantime, I pray this will be an encouragement to your heart ~~~~

    Finally my Brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

    What was the first thought that came to your mind this morning? Was it the cares of the day or was it a thought of thanks for another opportunity to breathe?

    Most of us will agree that the first thought we have in the morning can set the pace for the day ahead and will determine the attitude that we will have until we lay our heads down to rest for the night.

    I readily admit there are times when thinking positive is easier said than done. I have had my share of hard times and it does take effort to think of the good things in life.

    So what are some practical steps that we can take to make thinking positive an everyday occurrence?

    The Apostle Paul gives us a simple solution. In keeping with the context of the passage noted above, Paul encourages the believers in Philippi not to be anxious about anything, but rather, with prayer and the honest cry of their heart, make their requests known to God.  In verse seven, he goes on to explain the benefit of doing this--"And the peace (Shalom) of God, which passes all human understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

    We can see that the first step in the ability to think of the good things first, is to lay our concerns out before God. Secondly, we see that the peace of God will fill our hearts and minds. After these things, Paul says, "Finally my brethren…"

    It would seem that when we have peace in our heart, it is much easier to think of the good things in life. However, for someone who has made it a habit of thinking of the negative things life has brought his or her way, this could be a difficult task.

    To break the cycle of negative thinking, it will take effort and practice; it would have to be done on purpose.  In fact, this is a habit worth developing! We would all do well to master this way of thinking! Not only will the people around us be at ease, we will be a much healthier and happier person for it. I believe this is one of God's best intentions for us.
     
    Could you use a starting point? Make a list of the little things; the socks that keep your feet warm; the shoes you have to walk in and the bed you have to sleep in. etc. Then move on to the bigger things, like the times when God, your family or a friend came through for you.

    Father, thank you for all the great things you do for us; you take care of the smallest details and we are so thankful for that.  Help us to smile more and worry less.  You have never failed us and you never will. Help us to begin our day with a positive thought so that we will have joyful hearts that will pour out over those around us. And all who agree, say amen.

    (C) Teresa Ortiz

inseasonministries

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    • Name: Teresa
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 7/10/2007

About Me

  • Hi, my name is Teresa, I am the founder of In Season Ministries. I am a writer and Christian speaker. I responded to God's call on my life 20 years ago, and I have been teaching the word of God for 19 of those years, using the failures and successes of my life as an example. I have been married for 22 years and have 2 teenage children. I love Jesus, sharing His word, reading, music and hangin' with friends. I am looking forward to getting to know sisters in Christ. God Bless you! Visit In Season Ministries Web-sit at www.inseason2tim.com for more information and encouragement, for on-line Bible studies available for printing and to sign up for our monthly newsletter.

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