Monday, May 27, 2013

With only four school days left with our students, I pray we make every minute count. It is so easy to look past tomorrow and on to this summer or to next school year, but no one is guaranteed another moment. I don't want to practice dying, but some of us, our students, our EMS family,  or someone we know may not get another year. With that said, God has created an urgency in me to affect others in a manner that will last eternally. How can this be done? 

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.

Surrender yourself completely to Jesus.  Ask Him to open your heart. Through your close, minute by minute internal prayer and conversation with Him, you will be the most effective and impactful. Follow the quiet nudgings...listen for His prompting. The right words at the right time can make an eternal difference in the lives of those around us.

Take the time as you walk from one side of your classroom to the other or from your room to the hall for duty and praise God as you go. Ask for His words, His thoughts, and His actions to be yours this week. Let's make a difference for the Kingdom.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

As I prepare for this week of school, God draws me to James 1:25 that says "One who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does."

I do a gut check. Do I do this? Am I an effectual doer? Do I love others as Jesus does? Do I focus on heavenly things....all that is good and right and pure?

I want to.

How do you do this in your everyday? Sometimes it sure would be easier to "go carnal".  My oldself wants to do less than positive things. BUT, I  surround myself with those who love God. When I question my thinking, I seek reassurance from other Godly people and from God Himself. He makes having the right words or knowing what the right action to take clear.

Be a doer for the Kingdom, for others, for students....

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

With all the end of year challenges staring us in the face....unruly students, girl drama, tired parents, important tests, sad, mourning and/or stressed colleagues, I am drawn to the verse

Isaiah 40:31, "Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."


Wow! I want that! But, wait, what does it mean to wait on the Lord? I mean what does it mean in terms of daily application? How do we do that when every second of our day is filled with supervision of students, answering questions, teaching our hearts out, planning, listening to ideas, caring deeply for every second of our working hours?


The only answer has to be constant prayer and dying to oneself. Not my will, but Yours; not my strength, but Yours; not my words, but Yours.


What do you think?

Sunday, May 12th, 2013

As I sit here listening for God's nudging to lead me to write the words you most need to hear, I pray...

I pray for our students...

to have their basic needs met.
to feel the love we have for each one of them.
to have open minds and hearts to the teaching we offer.

I pray for our staff...

to have the desire to be Jesus in skin for our students, parents, and one another.
to have the ability to see the good in others and every situation.
to see beyond the negative outward actions of others to see the real human struggle and know, "this is not about me".
to have the peace and faith that even in times of trial, that God is working for the good of those who love Him.

I pray that our parents...

have the desire to partner with us.
can see beyond the right now and look to the what could be.
help their children understand that life contains a series of high times, so-so periods, and low points.
work with their children to see life's disappointments, changes, and triumphs as opportunities for learning.