God of THIS city

My first graders are drawing the most amazing cityscapes - and I can't help but sing Chris Tomlin's song "God of this City" as I teach and encourage my kids to create - so I wanted to share some of their creations - with the words to the song (look for the crosses!)

You're the God of THIS City

You're the King of THESE people

You're the Lord of THIS nation

You are

You're the Light in THIS darkness

You're the Hope to the hopeless

You're the Peace to the restless

You are

There is no one like our God

There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in THIS City

Greater thing have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in THIS City

 

There is no one like our God

There is no one like our God

 

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in THIS City

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done HERE

There is no one like our god

There is no one like our God

 

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in THIS City

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done HERE

Balance in the Abstract

Third grade is learning about Wassily Kandinsky.  He is pretty fun to teach about - because he painted music! So - we get to listen to lots of different styles of music and try to draw the sounds and rhythms we hear.  Here is an awesome video I found that really shows how the different lines and shapes in a Kandinsky painting sound:

THE KANDINSKY EFFECT from Manu Meyre on Vimeo.

Pretty cool.

Teaching the kids about balancing their abstract composition is teaching me about how God balances ALL THINGS in this world together perfectly.  Even though all the pieces don't always seem to make sense to us - God is putting it all together in beautifully balanced abstract composition:)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Back to School!

...and hopefully back to blogging! Maybe with a set schedule - I will be able to make the time! This is my new bulletin board - with our school's theme - "Saddling up for Success!" If you can't tell - it's a horse created with all different art mediums - it turned out pretty cool!

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6

I just started reading a small book by a lady in Birmingham, Alabama titled, "All we like sheep."  Throughout the Bible we are compared to sheep and Christ as our shepherd.  In the book, she goes into a deep explanation of how we are like sheep - something that is hard for me to grasp because in order to admit I am like one - I also have to admit that this list of characteristics of sheep describes me as well:

1. timid, fearful, easily panicked 2. dumb stupid, gullible 3. very vulnerable to fear, frustration, pests, hunger 4. easily influenced by a leader, by the shepherd 5. stampede easily, vulnerable to mob psychology 6. little or no means of self-defense; can only run 7. easily killed by enemies 8. the shepherd is most effective, calming influence 9. jealous, competitive for dominance 10. constantly need fresh water, fresh pasture 11. have very little discernment in choosing food or water 12. best water source is early morning dew 13. perverse, stubborn - will insist on their own way , even eating poisonous plants or drinking dirty water 14. easily "cast" - flipped over on their back, unable to right themselves will die of starvation if not turned over by shepherd; helpless 15. frequently look for easy places to rest 16. don't like to be sheared, cleaned 17. too much wool can cause sheep to be easily "cast" 18. creatures of habit; get into "ruts" 19. need the most care of all livestock 20. need to be "on the move"; need a pre-determined plan, pattern of grazing 21. totally dependent of shepherd for every need 22. need "rod and staff" guidance

I like to think of myself as fairly intelligent and able to find my own way.  But - according to the Bible - and when I am really honest with myself - we are all just like sheep.  Realizing my "sheepness" reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: we are truly "Prone to wander...Prone to leave the God (we) love." But Praise God for His son, our good shepherd who "sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood!"


Admitting my "sheepness" brought be to a deeper understanding of a truth I learned a while ago - that I need to "Let HIM be Lord." So often - I think I have things under control, and tend to be "lord" of my own life - but I don't and can't.  I am learning to Praise God that I am a wondering sheep - that I need to rest and look for His guidance - because He is my shepherd! 


So today let's give up!!!  Let's admit we are sheep, in desperate need of a shepherd every minute of every day - and allow Christ to guide us:)