Socially Distant, Spiritually Close is a perpetual Advent devotional which invites its readers to anticipate Christ's coming each Christmas. The 2020 global pandemic introduced the practice of social distancing and impacted many things, including how we celebrated Christmas. Well into 2021 we are still dealing with the virus, vaccinations, and a variant which requires pockets of social distancing. Even though the GIVING, the GATHERING, and the GAIETY of celebrating Christmas may still require some social distancing indefinitely, GOD WITH US has made it possible to remain spiritually close to each other and to our heavenly Father. Socially Distant, Spiritually Close! Sheryl Vasso Dr. Sheryl A. Vasso is a full professor and chair in the Master of Science in Education program at Cairn University where she has been teaching and administrating since 1990. In addition to teaching, Sheryl is Founder and President of Words of Worth, Inc., a non-profit incorporation that provides Biblical teaching for retreats and conference settings as well as professional development for educators, both nationally and abroad. Sheryl has co-authored several Bible studies and more about her ministry can be found at www.wordsofworth.com. Susan Weber Susan Weber is a retired educator who fills her days with travel and service on several boards for local community non-profits, including Words of Worth, Inc. She is also active in her church co-teaching a Bible Study. Susan and her husband Jim have a great regard for missions and have traveled to four continents on missions' trips. Her greatest blessing is her family. Susan and Jim are the parents of two sons, and grandparents of six beautiful grandchildren. Susan's hope is to serve the Lord fully during her retirement years.
Not long after the gospel of Matthew opens, and just as it seems reasonable for Jesus to begin His public ministry, He is whisked away by the Spirit into the desert "to be tempted by the devil" - three times. Immediately, the schemes of Satan are fully revealed. The defeated one suggested that Jesus' talk could turn stones into bread. Satan proposed that Jesus' walk could be impressive and significant if He were to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the temple. Finally, the devil tried to entice Jesus with the thought of His wardrobe being arrayed with the power of all the kingdoms. Satan tempted Jesus by appealing to the desire to be relevant, significant, and powerful. Aren't these the same appealing areas of vulnerability for us as educators? How natural to want to be relevant while talking to our students, impressive and significant in our profession, and powerful in our classroom kingdoms! Nothing would please the tempter more than to derail our earthly walk, talk, and wardrobe. He doesn't want us to "walk the talk or dress the part" of being a follower of Christ and a light in a dark and needy world. Like Jesus, we don't need to outsmart or outmuscle Satan. We need to simply "out-truth" him with the powerful words of God. Sheryl Vasso has spent the last several years directing the Masters of Education Program at Philadelphia Biblical University and traveling the world as a professor of teachers enrolled in graduate studies. Cammy Tidwell, on the other hand, took an early "retirement" from the teaching profession to spend time at home with her children. Through the common passion of studying and teaching God's Word, Sheryl and Cammy have united, first as friends, and then as partners in their speaking and writing ministry, Words of Worth, Inc. (www.wordsofworth.com). Both Sheryl and Cammy reside in Newtown, PA.
LOVE. WAIT. OPEN. SEEK. Four letter words are often found in crossword puzzles, much to the delight of the puzzler solver. These words are easy to figure out and fill in some of the empty spaces of the longer, more challenging words.LOVE. WAIT. OPEN. SEEK. These four letter words are also found in God's Word, but not always to the delight of the seeker. These words are easy to spell but are challenging to hear, especially in the empty spaces of our lives. This six week study is based on several pairs of four letter words God often uses with us as we strive to walk in obedience to His plan. Sometimes they feel like curses instead of blessings and we struggle with the idea of them coming from a loving Heavenly Father. To be told to "draw near" or "don't fret" is often easier heard than done. Throughout this study, you will be encouraged to hear these hard sayings of God with an open heart so that you may learn to live your life well and keep HIs Word.Yankee born Sheryl Vasso and Southerner Cammy Tidwell share a love for words, especially those found in God's Word. Their recent incorporation, Words of Worth, is a speaking, teaching and writing ministry. Sheryl and Cammy are an example of what only God can do with an unlikely partnership. Sheryl a professional educator and Cammy a devoted wife and mother, share a speaking platform both nationally and internationally. Co-authors of a month long devotional, Word Wise, and an eight week Bible study on I Kings 8, entitled Wholly Devoted, they frequently co-teach Bible studies and blog weekly at www.wordsofworth.com. Both Sheryl and Cammy reside in Newtown, PA.
Not long after the gospel of Matthew opens, and just as it seems reasonable for Jesus to begin His public ministry, He is whisked away by the Spirit into the desert "to be tempted by the devil" - three times. Immediately, the schemes of Satan are fully revealed. The defeated one suggested that Jesus' talk could turn stones into bread. Satan proposed that Jesus' walk could be impressive and significant if He were to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the temple. Finally, the devil tried to entice Jesus with the thought of His wardrobe being arrayed with the power of all the kingdoms. Satan tempted Jesus by appealing to the desire to be relevant, significant, and powerful. Aren't these the same appealing areas of vulnerability for us as educators? How natural to want to be relevant while talking to our students, impressive and significant in our profession, and powerful in our classroom kingdoms! Nothing would please the tempter more than to derail our earthly walk, talk, and wardrobe. He doesn't want us to "walk the talk or dress the part" of being a follower of Christ and a light in a dark and needy world. Like Jesus, we don't need to outsmart or outmuscle Satan. We need to simply "out-truth" him with the powerful words of God. Sheryl Vasso has spent the last several years directing the Masters of Education Program at Philadelphia Biblical University and traveling the world as a professor of teachers enrolled in graduate studies. Cammy Tidwell, on the other hand, took an early "retirement" from the teaching profession to spend time at home with her children. Through the common passion of studying and teaching God's Word, Sheryl and Cammy have united, first as friends, and then as partners in their speaking and writing ministry, Words of Worth, Inc. (www.wordsofworth.com). Both Sheryl and Cammy reside in Newtown, PA.
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