SHINE
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that […]
SACRIFICIAL GIFTS
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed and all Jerusalem […]
THE GOD OF HOPE
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18, NIV I recently attended a LIFT Gathering in Florida. Sitting right next to me was Sandy, a precious educator who had recently experienced the deaths of four members of her family, including her young adult daughter who died […]
ACCEPTING HELP—EMBRACING THE ABUNDANT LIFE
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:10, AMP Have you ever had a student who refused your help, no matter how much you cared, encouraged, or supported them? […]
BEARS OUR BURDENS
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19, NIV Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. Psalm 68:19, KJV Educators carry many kinds of burdens: students with learning challenges, frustrated parents, ever-changing curriculum, deadlines, expectations, and the […]
NO RECESS TODAY
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11, NIV “I’m not comin’ in, and you can’t make me!” These bold words came from a fourth grader after I informed him that he had […]
WAITING WITH HOPE
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25, NIV For many educators, December can feel like a season of waiting. Waiting for students to understand concepts, programs to go smoothly, grading to be completed, or energy and focus to last until the last bell. But […]
TWO CHOICES
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3, KJV A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22, KJV Ever had one of those days that starts off wrong and just keeps getting worse? On […]
REDEEMED BY HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV One year, I had a particularly […]
SHIFTING MY FOCUS TO PRAYER
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 Confession time: I used to wake up every morning feeling like I was staring up at Mount Everest. Except instead of snow and […]