What a difference!

We have been back in school for one month today. It has been one month since I rejoined the TEACHING profession. What a difference a year makes! This time last year my mind was full of uncertainty. I was questioning what I was doing. I trusted God. I had complete Faith in him. But, I couldn't see what lie ahead. I couldn't believe the path he was taking me. Now I can look back and all I can say is, "WOW."

I get constant questions like, "Do I miss being AD?", "What's it like being retired?" (I"M NOT RETIRED!), "What do I do with all my free time?", and "Do I enjoy being back in the classroom?". I can tell you, with a shout from the roof tops: "I love being back in the classroom and I do NOT miss being AD!

When I left the classroom, 11 years ago, I commented that I missed the daily contact with kids. Now that I've been back in the classroom for a month, I didn't realize how much I missed it. I LOVE MY STUDENTS! They are not perfect, neither am I. But, I really feel like we are building relationships and WE are even learning a thing or two!  I look forward to my classes and GHS every day. I  developed some great relationships with the secretaries, AD's, and Coaches when I was AD. I miss those relationships, especially with my SECRETARY. I will always cherish those people, but God has put me with these students and has given me a heart to teach. I have to listen to that call. I don't understand leaving teaching and then coming back. I guess I don't NEED to know everything.

Besides being in the classroom, I also get to spend time with my daughters and grandkids. I PRAISE GOD every day for the opportunities he's giving me. I have already made a LONG OVERDUE trip to North Carolina. (I really miss my youngest daughter!). I have gotten to support my Grandkids at football, cross country, and have more time just to hear how they're doing. I get to spend more time with my CMA family and, most important of all, I get to spend my evenings with my wife! Life doesn't get any better.  I can't stop smiling!

I am also really enjoying being an ASSISTANT CROSS COUNTRY COACH, helping my wife. She has always been there for me and now it's great being able to be there for her. I get to have a special relationship with the Cross Country girls. They are AWESOME!

I can't always see the future. When I think I can, I'm usually wrong. God is amazing. He knows just what we need. He takes us down paths, side streets, alleys, and through the wilderness. He knows the way that is best. Faith is following God when we have NO CLUE what he's up to. I'm glad I got out of the way, this time, and let him do his thing!

Hebrews 11:1

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Don't be Ordinary!

I had forgotten how much I loved teaching. I love my students and am excited to see them every day. Right now they are struggling with some skill work. But, as I checked their progress tonight I was pleased. They are a hard working and persistent group.

Every day I think about what I can do to be an extraordinary teacher. I don't want my students to be ordinary and I don't want my teaching to be ordinary.  I am trying to teach them to not accept failure as the end. I'm not going to give up on them and I don't want them to give up on themselves. Life is full of struggles, Algebra will be the least of the problems to come. Just like I will be there for them to help with Algebra, God will be there to help us through life's troubles. If they persist, give complete effort and determination, they will overcome Algebra. If we persist, give everything to God, we also will overcome.

Don't be ordinary. Don't be overcome with the failures of this world. Rise above.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV84)

A perfect day from a perfect God!

What a perfect day! The rain from this morning left quickly and I had a great ride to the CMA state rally. We had my favorite meal, spaghetti. We had a wonderful service and talent show, fun around the campfire, and now a quiet night of rest. The only thing missing is Stephanie!

I am so glad I worship a perfect God, because its days like these I can't imagine not knowing him. Why he would ever make this perfect day for an imperfect person is way beyond my understanding. I am so amazingly blessed. When I finally take the time to slow down and look at where I am, I can see Gods grace. During the fast paced life I lead, it's easy to overlook the wonder of it all. It's easy to under appreciate the perfectness of God. It's easy to overlook the perfect gift of his son that he gave us. Thank you Lord for your love, your perfect grace, and the perfect life you have designed for me. I beg your forgiveness for not saying it more. You are an amazing and wonderful father. I Love you!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8, 9 NIV84)

Battle Lines!

Well, I've completed a three day week of school and it was great! I can't tell you how good it was to get back into the classroom. I love my classes and am looking forward to the rest of the year. I know it's early, but i got great feedback from my students. We spent most of the week building relationships and developing CLASS RULES. I do this WITH the students. One of their rules was to allow "Random dancing while in class" . So, I included that rule, with a minor exception. They can't do it when it interferes with instructional time. Not sure any other teachers have a rule allowing dancing in the classroom. In college teachers used to be taught not to smile until Thanksgiving or they would lose control of their classroom. Many teachers develop rules that are more like BATTLE LINES than rules. Don't do this, don't do that, or else!

Learning is a cooperative effort, not a battle. I'm sure I will have students who won't cooperate at some time this year. How a teacher deals with that is more important than any rule they can come up with. We need to choose our BATTLES. FIGHT THE RIGHT FIGHT! It's not us against them. Life is the same way. We need to choose our battles, love more than hate, share our joy! Concentrate on the positive !

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV84)

Being Reasonable

Being reasonable seems to be a dying art. Our politicians don't know how to be reasonable. Being reasonable goes along with common sense and logic. It might have something to do with my mathematical background, but I think you can REASON through anything. Science and Math are built on this idea. Yet, many scientists and mathematicians aren't followers of Christ. That just doesn't make sense to me. As a mathematician the idea of probability alone should lead you to the fact their is a God. What are the chances that I could be created by random chance. Lee Strobel wrote a book I holy recommend, "THE CASE FOR CHRIST". What a great book for the skeptic.  I am confident you can reason and even prove the existence of God, but I also know how he has worked in my life. The things that have happened in my life can not be by chance. They aren't luck and they certainly aren't because of who I am. The blessings and answers to my prayers have come from a God with power and grace.

I don't think you should test God. But, I have a challenge for you. Tonight when you're by yourself, ask God to reveal himself to you. He will. Don't tell anyone. Just privately ask him. You will be amazed at his presence in your life. The only thing you have to do is look for it. God is always there. He is just waiting on the invitation. Be reasonable, HE IS WITH YOU!