Sunday, March 31, 2013

Dry Bones

Happy Easter everyone! I have to be honest, Easter kind of snuck up on me this year. I'm ashamed to say I think I was so busy focusing on the start of Spring Break that I didn't spend much time reflecting on one of the most important Christian holidays.
Lee and I worked in the nursery for the first service this morning. I guess you could say I got my baby fix. During the service, our pastor preached on an interesting passage for Easter. Ezekiel 37:1-14.

[1] The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. [2] He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. [3] He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know." [4] Again He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.' [5] "Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. [6] 'I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.'" [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. [8] And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. [9] Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."'" [10] So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. [11] Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.' [12] "Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] "Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. [14] "I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD.'" - Eze 37:1-14 NASB


It was interesting to look at the connection between the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of his people. We were dead in our sin, without hope. Christ died and was resurrected so we could have life. He breathed life into us. Thanks be to God for the story of John 3:16.

This passage made me think of this song which we sing in church often.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Spring Break Update

Things have been rolling along here in the Woodmansee household. I'm officially on Spring Break so I should have some time to do some updating.
Teaching has been pretty good although I can feel myself (and my students) getting lazy as the year goes on. We have about 8 weeks left of school and that big ole' End of Course Exam in the near future. We did start the last trimester and I'm teaching one of the Advanced Algebra 2 classes which I'm enjoying. It's a faster pace than the comprehensive classes but the students are (for the most part) great! I have had a difficult time trying to balance the teaching classes I'm taking with the two preps I now have for school. It could be worse though. Spring Break is not going to be as restful as I'd like since I have projects due soon in all 3 of my classes not to mention I'm way behind on grading and planning. I should  be able to fit in plenty of reading and sleeping though (not to mention the trip to Fayetteville at the end of the week).
Lee is doing pretty well with classes and work. Things seem to be going much better with the lighter class load although he's feeling the stresses of an online Greek class. We'll both be done with classes in about a month or so and hopefully we'll get a bit of a break before summer classes begin.
Lee and I are now working with the college ministry at our church which we're enjoying. It's great being around college students again plus we still get to hang out with some of the couples from our previous BFG. We've also started volunteering in the preschool ministry (Lee says so I can get my baby fix). We're so blessed with our church and look forward to all the opportunities to serve and grow.
I'd love to do some deeper posts this week. Hopefully I'll be able to carve out the time. To all our friends and family, we love you and miss you (but maybe we'll be seeing some of you soon)!