“Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/ecc.9.10.nlt
This is a joyous verse. No work, no 5:30am mornings, no stress from coworkers, deadlines, extra hours, sweat, or toil. Heaven is going to be wonderful. It doesn't mean we slack until the day we arrive on the golden streets. On the contrary, until that day, you need to take advantage of the position God has given you and do it to the best of your ability.
I have one goal in my teaching, helping kids. I teach math but I really could care less about the content, (that sometimes gets me in trouble). I care about building relations with kids. I want them to know I care, I want them to know my sacrificial love, and my dedication to them and their future. It's not about tests, standards, or curriculum. God has honored my time as a teacher. He has blessed me beyond anything I could ask for. I don't have too many years left in the profession, but I will make the best of it. The political wing of education wants this to be about a test score. They want me to put linear equations above anything else. I am confident that I need to teach responsibility, caring, compassion, honesty, work ethic, and countless other character traits over any math topic. I refuse to put imaginary numbers over preparing kids for a future of taking care of a family, loving each other, and serving others.
Praise God for the pleasure of being a teacher. I wouldn't change anything about my 20 plus years in education. I can't remember a single lesson that I taught, but I sure remember the students that crossed my door each day. I could care less about the adults I've met in education. It's the students that make each day worth getting up each morning.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Recovery
“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:5 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.5.5.nlt
I have been disappointed in a lot of things lately. There are personal issues weighing me down. I'm not upset about the resolution, just that it had to be resolved at all. But, I'm moving forward and my hope is stronger than ever. It all comes back to God's love for me. The loss inside is being completely filled with the Spirit of the Lord. I'm healing, slowly but surely, I'm healing from the pain.
Our lives are filled with choices. We can choose to wallow in the pain and suffering or we can push out those pains with the Spirit of the Lord. That Spirit fills us with love. That Spirit fills us with peace and joy. God loves us so much he sent his son to die for us. He also sent his Spirit that we might have peace here on this earth even through life's trials and tribulations. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
Romans 5:5 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.5.5.nlt
I have been disappointed in a lot of things lately. There are personal issues weighing me down. I'm not upset about the resolution, just that it had to be resolved at all. But, I'm moving forward and my hope is stronger than ever. It all comes back to God's love for me. The loss inside is being completely filled with the Spirit of the Lord. I'm healing, slowly but surely, I'm healing from the pain.
Our lives are filled with choices. We can choose to wallow in the pain and suffering or we can push out those pains with the Spirit of the Lord. That Spirit fills us with love. That Spirit fills us with peace and joy. God loves us so much he sent his son to die for us. He also sent his Spirit that we might have peace here on this earth even through life's trials and tribulations. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
WORLD WAR III IS HERE!
““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
http://bible.com/116/isa.55.8-9.nlt
What's going on in your life? Reading the headlines you would swear the world is ending. There is a reason people are predicting the end is near. The division in our country, the hate, the inequities, corruption, lies, deceit, and evil is everywhere. It would be easy to give up, lose hope and forget, God is still sovereign and Jesus is still the savior of the world. We have not been abandoned and we are not alone.
With all the trouble in this world it is easy to feel defeated. But our God is victorious. Yes, it's easy to say "This doesn't feel much like a win!" But, God has meant for this day to be used for his purposes. We could give up or we could be emboldened to preach the gospel. When the world is facing despair they are ready for Jesus. He is the answer and he is the peace they are all looking for. Everyone, even the lost, don't seek turmoil. The protestors in our society all want a better life. They want joy. They don't want hate. I support THAT goal. They are looking for the same rest, peace, and joy we are. But they are not going to find it without Jesus. They seek it in drugs. They seek it in alcohol. They seek it in professional sports, entertainment, causes, and protests. But they will find nothing satisfies until they meet Jesus.
Let's step up our efforts. Let's use every tool, every weapon in the arsenal to bring people to the feet of Jesus. Now more than ever we desperately need the savior of the world. As Christians we need to shout his love from the mountain tops. We need to LIVE HIS LOVE. We need everyone to be comfortable bowing to the messiah and standing against evil. We need the troops to deploy! The battle for the world has begun? World War III, the battle for the soul she of the lost is here. Victory occurs with Jesus leading the charge!
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
http://bible.com/116/isa.55.8-9.nlt
What's going on in your life? Reading the headlines you would swear the world is ending. There is a reason people are predicting the end is near. The division in our country, the hate, the inequities, corruption, lies, deceit, and evil is everywhere. It would be easy to give up, lose hope and forget, God is still sovereign and Jesus is still the savior of the world. We have not been abandoned and we are not alone.
With all the trouble in this world it is easy to feel defeated. But our God is victorious. Yes, it's easy to say "This doesn't feel much like a win!" But, God has meant for this day to be used for his purposes. We could give up or we could be emboldened to preach the gospel. When the world is facing despair they are ready for Jesus. He is the answer and he is the peace they are all looking for. Everyone, even the lost, don't seek turmoil. The protestors in our society all want a better life. They want joy. They don't want hate. I support THAT goal. They are looking for the same rest, peace, and joy we are. But they are not going to find it without Jesus. They seek it in drugs. They seek it in alcohol. They seek it in professional sports, entertainment, causes, and protests. But they will find nothing satisfies until they meet Jesus.
Let's step up our efforts. Let's use every tool, every weapon in the arsenal to bring people to the feet of Jesus. Now more than ever we desperately need the savior of the world. As Christians we need to shout his love from the mountain tops. We need to LIVE HIS LOVE. We need everyone to be comfortable bowing to the messiah and standing against evil. We need the troops to deploy! The battle for the world has begun? World War III, the battle for the soul she of the lost is here. Victory occurs with Jesus leading the charge!
Monday, September 25, 2017
Confidence
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
http://bible.com/116/heb.10.35-36.nlt
There have been many times in my life that my confidence has been shaken. When people tear you down , en masse, that can happen. Fortunately, I have never lost confidence in the Lord. I know of my own sinfulness and I have plenty of shortcomings. God ignores all of that and cheers me on through every phase of my life. He wants me to endure the criticism. He wants me to be patient, to wait on him and his plans. He wants me to live life with no doubt in the gift of eternity. I can tell you I know I am walking with God on the path he has laid before me. I am confident he is with me and guiding my words, thoughts, and deeds. No, I'm not perfect. God designed everything about me and loves me deeply. He knows my strengths, my weaknesses, and my sins. He knows my heart and he believes in me. In the eyes of the Lord, I am perfect.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
http://bible.com/116/heb.10.35-36.nlt
There have been many times in my life that my confidence has been shaken. When people tear you down , en masse, that can happen. Fortunately, I have never lost confidence in the Lord. I know of my own sinfulness and I have plenty of shortcomings. God ignores all of that and cheers me on through every phase of my life. He wants me to endure the criticism. He wants me to be patient, to wait on him and his plans. He wants me to live life with no doubt in the gift of eternity. I can tell you I know I am walking with God on the path he has laid before me. I am confident he is with me and guiding my words, thoughts, and deeds. No, I'm not perfect. God designed everything about me and loves me deeply. He knows my strengths, my weaknesses, and my sins. He knows my heart and he believes in me. In the eyes of the Lord, I am perfect.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Hate Defeated........ at least for the day!
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)”
Zechariah 4:10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/zec.4.10.nlt
Today we had a wonderful motorcycle event. We rode to prevent Childhood Bullying and Suicide Prevention. The event has been in the works for a few years. Through the dedication of a group of stubborn bikers, it grew!
I praise God that he continues to use a crusty, rag-tag, group of bikers to speak out against hate. Our world is fueled by hate. Hate knows no boundaries. It is seen across political parties, ethnic and racial lines, economic means, and in every country around the world. Yes, even some of my fellow Christians display hateful rhetoric toward those that they disagree with. The world is darkened and getting darker due to HATE.
But for today, a group of societal misfits (of which I am one), stood up to hate. We rode on a blistering hot day to bring hope. We supported a mom who has endured 20 months of a life long sentence in her suffering due to the loss of her son to suicide. We heard from victims of bullying and we got to pray for hope. God is with us. He wants the love of Jesus Christ to permeate our communities, literally. His perfect love, his grace, his mercy is the only real answer to hate.
What started out small has grown, not by our own power or will, but by the power and will of the creator of the universe. We can't let today's event end! We, all of us, need to lead this world by our example. Hate needs to be defeated! It will no longer be welcome in our homes, in our communities, in our social media, and more importantly, it needs to be defeated in our own hearts. Jesus Christ is the only way to conquer hate! Accept him now, accept his love completely, push the hate out by his presence! Amen!
Zechariah 4:10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/zec.4.10.nlt
Today we had a wonderful motorcycle event. We rode to prevent Childhood Bullying and Suicide Prevention. The event has been in the works for a few years. Through the dedication of a group of stubborn bikers, it grew!
I praise God that he continues to use a crusty, rag-tag, group of bikers to speak out against hate. Our world is fueled by hate. Hate knows no boundaries. It is seen across political parties, ethnic and racial lines, economic means, and in every country around the world. Yes, even some of my fellow Christians display hateful rhetoric toward those that they disagree with. The world is darkened and getting darker due to HATE.
But for today, a group of societal misfits (of which I am one), stood up to hate. We rode on a blistering hot day to bring hope. We supported a mom who has endured 20 months of a life long sentence in her suffering due to the loss of her son to suicide. We heard from victims of bullying and we got to pray for hope. God is with us. He wants the love of Jesus Christ to permeate our communities, literally. His perfect love, his grace, his mercy is the only real answer to hate.
What started out small has grown, not by our own power or will, but by the power and will of the creator of the universe. We can't let today's event end! We, all of us, need to lead this world by our example. Hate needs to be defeated! It will no longer be welcome in our homes, in our communities, in our social media, and more importantly, it needs to be defeated in our own hearts. Jesus Christ is the only way to conquer hate! Accept him now, accept his love completely, push the hate out by his presence! Amen!
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