THE MUG
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV It was just a coffee mug. It sat on my desk, went with me to meetings, sat on the table in the teachers’ lounge, etc. It had been given […]
UNITY WITH VARIETY
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… Romans 12:4-6a, ESV While explaining spiritual […]
DO YOU WANT TO BE POPULAR?
Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22, NIV These days, in fact for most of the last century, we would have to agree that it hasn’t always been “cool” to be a Christian. Of […]
EVEN WHEN IT MAKES NO SENSE
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number […]
ROOTED IN THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7, NIV I have always been drawn to Colossians, especially Colossians 2:6-7. I frequently refer to and reflect on […]
IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. Psalm 138:7, NIV How are the first-year teachers doing on your campus? Have you checked in on them lately? If you are a veteran teacher, […]
TAKE COURAGE
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NASB For the longest time, I thought that having courage meant heaping up a pile of determination against the fortress of fear, like an ancient Roman siege […]
LOVE LIKE JESUS
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Luke 6:41, NIV We all have bad days and we all make mistakes. It’s hard to let go of your mistakes sometimes, even when God already has. It’s even harder when […]
COMPASSIONATE
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8, NIV No matter what our profession—doctor, lawyer, educator, manager—we are all subject to turning off our emotions. We might be afraid to “get too close,” for “fear of hurt or heartbreak.” We can […]
PREPARE FOR BATTLE: PART 2
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms […] And pray […]