No school rules!

“So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.  What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.””    Romans 9:16, 30-33 NLT.  (http://bible.com/116/rom.9.16,30-33.nlt)

School is just around the corner here in northeast Indiana. The first few days of school deal with letting students know the expectations, rules, and consequences. Teachers have varied approaches to dealing with students. Some give great lists of dos and don'ts. It seems they spend most of their school year trying to catch kids messing up. They seem to revel more in discipline than the learning. They favor complaint students and deal harshly with those that aren't. My policies are simple. I want a professional environment that encourages students. I want to build a positive relationship so we can both trust each other and I want to instill the love I have for learning. I don't sweat the small stuff and am open and honest with my students. I want them to do the same thing.

I am so glad God is not sitting on his throne trying to catch me breaking a list of rules. Many people think he is. Grace and mercy prove that he's not. The Bible states, over and over again, we can't earn favor with God, we can't work to earn his love. We don't have a set of rules we must live by. We just need faith and trust in God. The older I get in the faith, the more I realize I can't keep a long list of rules. I'm a sinner and I mess up. Without grace I would be dead in my faith. God offers mercy and grace for all of us, even those that have lived despicable lives of sin. All we need to do is trust in him, devote ourselves to him, and promise to live life with him. 

Praise God for his mercy and grace. I promise to trust you with everything in my life. Amen!

You can't force things

The Messenger-Angel said, “Can’t you tell?” “No, sir,” I said. Then he said, “This is GOD ’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says GOD -of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill. He’ll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!’” (Zechariah 4:5-7 MSG)

I had a wonderful day today. I got some letters from students today that just lifted my spirits. Have you ever wondered in life if you're making any difference? I hope that everyone WANTS to make a difference. I do want to make a difference in the lives of my students. I want to impact the lives of the people I hang out with. I want people to say their lives are better because of me. Of course the ultimate is when they see the Lord through me. 

You can't force these things!

I wish we could force these moments. But, if you do try to force them, they usually never happen. I notice I have had my greatest impact when I'm just trying to be me. The last three years as I have rejoined the classroom, I have seen a difference in me and then how students view me. I care less about how great a teacher I can be and more how great a person I can be. I'm not trying to to be their friend, I'm just trying to be a genuine , caring, loving human that gets the opportunity to hang out with kids. I don't try to be anything, I just am who I am. As I grow stronger in my faith I really have turned more of my daily life over to God. I am amazed to see the person I have become, not by my doing, but by the power and strength of Jesus.

Praise God for his loving presence and the guidance in my life.

Trusting your Coach

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

It's very normal to pick apart verses of the bible. When we do, we sometimes get bogged down with certain words. Many times we "gloss" over those words and we lose the value of the word from our Lord. There are so many key words here, but it is critical how they are tied together. 

I really have two choices in life. I either trust the Lord and all he is doing in my life or I don't trust him and count on my own understanding of the circumstances and events. 

Trusting in the Lord is saying that God knows my circumstances better than I do. 

 "Does God know better than I do about my own life?" Does he have a better view of what's going on outside my area of influence? Does he know more about how outside people are going to impact my life? Can he predict the impacts of my decisions? Until you can say yes, to all three you have no way to be successful in this life.

When you are participating in sports there comes a point in a players career he/she must decide if the coach knows what they are talking about. Practices become extremely trying, long, and tedious. The player asks if the pain is worth the gain. That always leads back to the coach. Does the player believe in the Coach? If not, "game over", if so then real winning can begin. Many times it is a long process to establish that trust. If the mutual trust is developed, the successes are amazing.

I'm not saying it's easy to trust a God you can't see. But, I know from a long relationship, I can trust in the Lord. I believe he sees all and knows all. It is only through his insight that a realistic game plan can be implemented for my life. So, just step out in faith one time. Determine that you will trust in the Lord. I will promise when you try it once you will never turn back. You will see his faithfulness and begin to doubt less. Then as you turn over more and more, he will bless more and more. 

Submit to him, trust him, and you will see!

Trust!

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10 NIV)

          We had a situation at school this week where some students used poor judgment. It wasn't a huge deal, but still had to be dealt with. We have a student run cafe that is our little version of Starbucks. It's run by our business department and is really popular. It seems some students were giving away free drinks and of course some were receiving them. It didn't amount to a lot,but the principle is a really big deal. I could sense the hurt in the voice of our Principal. He had a lot of consequences to hand out. Many students were embarassed about their mistakes and genuinely sorry. 

          I think it's obvious why the school had to take such a stand on a "little" problem. It goes with this parable. The students were trusted with very little and failed. In order to trust them with much, they will need to learn from this failure and move on. We are preparing students for the real world of work where they will be tempted with bigger acts of dishonesty. If they suffer the consequences now when they are young, maybe they will remember when more is on the line. 

          God knows our hearts. He blesses us according to our ability to be able to use it for his kingdom. Those who aren't satisfied and always need more will probably not receive it. Those that are satisfied with very little, will gain more. We have to earn the trust to be granted more.

          Be satisfied with what you have. Turn everything to The Lord and you will be amazed at the abundance you receive.

          Thank you Lord for the blessings you bestow upon me and my family. May I use them for your honor and glory. May I always be satisfied and recognize the wonderful gifts that ALL come from you. Amen!

Fighting against God

Acts 5

 ³³ When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. ³⁵ Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. ³⁶ Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. ³⁷ After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. ³⁸ Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Gamaliel was a wise man. Many of us could take his advice. We often forget that God is in charge. We feel like we have to fight his battles for him. But, he is God. He not only fights his own battles, he wins them all. 

Have you ever faced a tough decision and fretted and stressed about it? I certainly have. I constantly worry if I am following God's plan for my life. Am I listening to God or my own sinful, selfish thoughts. Really, this is a silly question for a Christian. When we turn our lives to Christ and trust him to guide us, we don't need to worry or fret. If it's of God it will happen. If it's not, it will fail.

I trust God to guide my life through the mine fields. I trust him to get me through the tough times and continue to move me forward in his plan. I Love the Lord and know he is FOR me, not against me. I don't have to fight God. I know he wishes the best for me and my family. I know that I must accept all my life as a part of his perfect plan. He knows what's best for me. I trust him even if it's painful. I trust him even when the darkness seems to envelope me. He is my Lord and Savior. He has power over all things and over everyone. I do not need to worry. God is in control! I'm not going to fight him. I'm going to trust him.

Trust

Psalm 146

 ¹ Praise the LORD.^[a]

   Praise the LORD, my soul.

 ² I will praise the LORD all my life;
   I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
³ Do not put your trust in princes,
   in human beings, who cannot save. 
⁴ When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
   on that very day their plans come to nothing.
⁵ Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
   whose hope is in the LORD their God.

Who do you trust? It wasn't too long ago we, (not me!), were glued to the TV for the Royal Wedding. I am proud to say the only part I saw was highlights on the news. Would you put all your trust in Prince William? A lot of people would. How many people do you know that you would "blindly trust"? 

Put your trust in God. He is the only one we can truly trust. God is not going to depart. He will not die and return to the ground. He will not let us down. His plans will happen. He is your help. He is your hope. TRUST GOD!

God's Mountain!

Psalm 125

A song of ascents. ¹ Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
   which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
   so the LORD surrounds his people
   both now and forevermore.

On my recent vacation out west I can think of nothing more powerful looking than the peaks of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. They are massive and arise out of the plains immediately. They are not just powerful looking they are comforting. They are permanent. We can not move them, they are virtually unaffected by wind, snow, sleet, rain, heat, cold, water, and man. God is even more invincible than these massive peaks. He is not affected by our weakness, arrogance, stubbornness, anything we do, anything we say, or anything we think. When we get to the point where we can lean on the Lord, we get to share in that strength, power, and permanence. When we truly trust in the Lord, we can be like the Tetons. Nothing can affect us, nothing can keep us from the strength and power of the creator of the universe if we trust in him.

The area that leads up to the Tetons is filled with all types of wildlife, Elk, Moose, Bear, Deer, Birds, flowers, Trees and plants. They are nestled in the shadow of the mountains as if the mountains are watching over his children. The mountains provide the protection. The plants and animals count on the permanence and the comfort of the mountains. We are no different with God. If we "nestle" up to God and live in the shadow of his will and grace we too will be comforted and protected.

It is amazing that the creator of the universe cares so much about us to share his strength and power if we will only trust in him. He also promises to be with us with the same permanence as the mountains, even more so. He loves us. He cares for us and he wants to be with us forever. Praise God!

Pay Back!

Psalm 79 (New International Version, ©2011) 

¹⁰ Why should the nations say,
   “Where is their God?”
   Before our eyes, make known among the nations
   that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
¹¹ May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
   with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
¹² Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
   the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord. 
¹³ Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
   will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
   we will proclaim your praise.

Don't you wish that God would be more vocal and make his presence known? I wish Evil would get destroyed more and the righteous would be the victors more! I am sure you know someone or a group of people you wish would feel the power of God 7 times over. Why? Would it make you feel better? Would it really be productive? Is that truly the attitude God wishes of us?

As Christians we see so much evil in the world. It seems like they have all the success. It seems the righteous are always the martyrs. It seems like evil, on this Earth, wins. It really is quite arrogant. To think that we know better than God. To think that we can second guess his plan like we second guess the decisions of a coach or boss or co-worker. God knows best. He knows when to praise and when to punish.  He knows what we can deal with. He knows all.

Lord, Please forgive me for my selfishness and my arrogance. Please help me t accept your plan as the ultimate righteousness. Lord, I have seen the power of your plan and I know your Love. I have seen it in my own life. I have seen how you can take death on the cross and use it to save us. I praise you for who you are and ask forgiveness for who I am. You have already won the ultimate victory. We don't need to win another battle, because the victory is ours through you. Thank You Lord! Amen!

I need a chariot!

Psalm 20 (New International Version, ©2011)

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
   but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
   but we rise up and stand firm.
9 LORD, give victory to the king!
   Answer us when we call!


I am pretty confident I don't know anyone who trusts in chariots and horses over God! I am not sure when the last time I saw a chariot. I think it would be cool to ride to school, park my horse and chariot,and go to work. I get stares when I ride the Harley, this would get me a few more strange looks.

But, do you rely on your wealth to protect you? Do you rely on your social status? Do you rely on your charm, personality, or good looks? (I can definitely say no to the last three!) We do have a tendency to put more trust in earthly things than God. Well, in the old testament the wealth, prestige, and power were all connected to horses and chariots. When we rely on these things, we are going to fall. That's a guarantee. There is no wealth, power, prestige, or victory without Christ. Our failures seem to always happen when we forget where the real power is.

dear lord forgive us for misplaced trust. Forgive us for neglecting you in favor of our earthly things and pride. Purify our hearts, our minds, and our spirit! amen!