Well, it is that time of year again… the season of giving and getting. What will I give? What will I get? Which is your favorite… the giving or the getting? Come on be honest. I can tell that the adult side of you is saying, “Well to give is better than to receive,” all the while deep down inside, you might really prefer getting. Moreover, why not, most of the time getting is fun (especially if it is power tools)! The only problem is that sometimes what someone is “giving” is not something that you wish for or want.
What do you do when someone gives you something undesirable? Bad attitudes, a hurtful look, a snide comment, a push, a shove, maybe even a whack on the side of the head. How do you deal with these kinds of gifts? Do you ignore them? Do you push back? Sometimes when what you receive from someone else is grief or trouble, it is hard to believe the promise given in Romans 8:28. The main problem is that often many view the Christian life as a life free from all adversity. However, a better understanding would be that a Christian is delivered in the midst of adversity, which is something very different. Psalms 91: 9-10 (NLT) states, If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.” It does not say that you will not experience evil. On the contrary, If you are breathing, you will certainly encounter troubles, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. He says, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b) (NLT). Jesus is the one who has overcome and he is saying, “There is nothing for you (or I) to fear.” I like the way Oswald Chambers puts it, “God does not give us overcoming life—He gives us life as we overcome.” It is through the strain of life that a person is able to build his/her strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. You might say that if you never used your muscles they would probably all be jell-o. Using your muscles tones and firms them, and as a result, you are stronger.
So what are you asking for this year? Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. Once you face the strain, He will sustain you with strength (Philippians 4:13). Overcome your own fear and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment—“To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7b) (NLT). God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Seek Him and He will provide all that you need in your moment of struggle.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
“One today is worth two tomorrows; what I am to be, I am now becoming.” - Ben Franklin
Ever wished you had more time? More time to rest… to play… to get your work done? Maybe more time to study… to spend with family and friends… or just have more time to do whatever? This past week as teachers and parents spent time; together I had time to do some things that I previously had not been able to accomplish. It has been a great week to clear my to do lists (I love making check marks!), and it has been a great time to spend some time thinking and reflecting.
Thanksgiving is a time when many spend time reflecting upon things for which they are thankful. Usually these include family, friends, employment, and other provisions of life. Yet, it is so easy in this gadget-filled world in which we live to become over committed and or even confused about our time priorities. I believe that time is more valuable than money, because time is irreplaceable. Money can always be earned again, but time once used or misused can never be regained. John Maxwell states that the whole idea of “Time Management” is to him an oxymoron. I agree. No one can manage time so well that by the end of the day he or she had squeezed a few extra minutes more into it than anyone else had. Instead of “Time Management,” we should consider that it is more about “Priority Management.” Time gives equal opportunity to everyone. Since time is such a valuable commodity, you would think we would use it more wisely.
In Hebrews 11:8, Abraham is described as a man who “…went out, not knowing where he was going.” It is not that Abraham did not know what he was doing or that he had time to waste. He was a man who placed a high priority on his relationship with God, and that is what gave him direction and purpose. The time he spent with God allowed him the ability to trust in God even when according to human reasoning he might be considered crazy for doing what he believed God told him.
Since time is valuable, and could be considered one of the most precious gifts you give, knowing what you value will help you in how you use your time. Time is not in short supply. A person cannot hope to find more of it like you would a $20 bill lying in the street. Time is about setting your priorities on what you value. Living a life of faith may mean not knowing where you are being led, but more about loving and knowing the One who is leading. I pray that the time you spend with friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving will be rich and rewarding, and I pray that you will spend time with the One to whom we owe everything! God bless.
Thanks for reading!
Thanksgiving is a time when many spend time reflecting upon things for which they are thankful. Usually these include family, friends, employment, and other provisions of life. Yet, it is so easy in this gadget-filled world in which we live to become over committed and or even confused about our time priorities. I believe that time is more valuable than money, because time is irreplaceable. Money can always be earned again, but time once used or misused can never be regained. John Maxwell states that the whole idea of “Time Management” is to him an oxymoron. I agree. No one can manage time so well that by the end of the day he or she had squeezed a few extra minutes more into it than anyone else had. Instead of “Time Management,” we should consider that it is more about “Priority Management.” Time gives equal opportunity to everyone. Since time is such a valuable commodity, you would think we would use it more wisely.
In Hebrews 11:8, Abraham is described as a man who “…went out, not knowing where he was going.” It is not that Abraham did not know what he was doing or that he had time to waste. He was a man who placed a high priority on his relationship with God, and that is what gave him direction and purpose. The time he spent with God allowed him the ability to trust in God even when according to human reasoning he might be considered crazy for doing what he believed God told him.
Since time is valuable, and could be considered one of the most precious gifts you give, knowing what you value will help you in how you use your time. Time is not in short supply. A person cannot hope to find more of it like you would a $20 bill lying in the street. Time is about setting your priorities on what you value. Living a life of faith may mean not knowing where you are being led, but more about loving and knowing the One who is leading. I pray that the time you spend with friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving will be rich and rewarding, and I pray that you will spend time with the One to whom we owe everything! God bless.
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.” Rollo May—Teacher, Author and Psychologist
This week I thought I would review some information about “Hints to having a successful Parent/Teacher Conference.” I hope you find the information helpful.
In order to help your kids have a successful school year, you need to know what is expected of them, academically, from now until June. You can find out by asking some questions. Take this list with you to your next parent-teacher conference. And don't forget to take notes.
1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year?
2. How will my child be evaluated?
3. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?
4. How do you accommodate differences in learning?
5. How are students prepared for learning?
Other good ideas prior to a conference with your child's teacher:
-Prepare ahead of time for the conference.
-Look over recent assignments and test grades so that you know how your child has been performing in class.
-Look through books and see what your child is learning.
-Ask your child questions, such as what is their favorite subject, what are they having a difficult time with, what subject do they find easiest, and who are their friends at school.
-Write down questions you have for the teacher so you will remember what you wanted to ask.
-List your child's strengths.
-Be on time for the conference, most are tightly scheduled. Being even 5 minutes late will substantially cut down on the time you have with the teacher.
-Be open to suggestions from the teacher.
-Ask what you can do at home to help your child be more prepared for school.
-Offer suggestions and insights into your child. You know your child best and you may be able to offer information that will help the teacher help them to succeed.
-Ask about social interactions as well as academic. Children struggling with friendships can suffer from low self-esteem, which can cause additional problems in school.
-If you find your child is struggling in school, ask to re-conference in a couple of weeks. This way the teacher will be able to spend more than 20 minutes with you and you can both work together to develop a plan to help your child succeed.
- No matter how many suggestions, Conferences can be stressful for both you and your child. Before attending the conference, be sure to let your children know how much you love them and that you will love them no matter what is shared. Let them know that conferences are not for the teachers to "tattle" on children, but for parents and teachers to work together to best help them succeed.
Thanks for reading!
In order to help your kids have a successful school year, you need to know what is expected of them, academically, from now until June. You can find out by asking some questions. Take this list with you to your next parent-teacher conference. And don't forget to take notes.
1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year?
2. How will my child be evaluated?
3. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?
4. How do you accommodate differences in learning?
5. How are students prepared for learning?
Other good ideas prior to a conference with your child's teacher:
-Prepare ahead of time for the conference.
-Look over recent assignments and test grades so that you know how your child has been performing in class.
-Look through books and see what your child is learning.
-Ask your child questions, such as what is their favorite subject, what are they having a difficult time with, what subject do they find easiest, and who are their friends at school.
-Write down questions you have for the teacher so you will remember what you wanted to ask.
-List your child's strengths.
-Be on time for the conference, most are tightly scheduled. Being even 5 minutes late will substantially cut down on the time you have with the teacher.
-Be open to suggestions from the teacher.
-Ask what you can do at home to help your child be more prepared for school.
-Offer suggestions and insights into your child. You know your child best and you may be able to offer information that will help the teacher help them to succeed.
-Ask about social interactions as well as academic. Children struggling with friendships can suffer from low self-esteem, which can cause additional problems in school.
-If you find your child is struggling in school, ask to re-conference in a couple of weeks. This way the teacher will be able to spend more than 20 minutes with you and you can both work together to develop a plan to help your child succeed.
- No matter how many suggestions, Conferences can be stressful for both you and your child. Before attending the conference, be sure to let your children know how much you love them and that you will love them no matter what is shared. Let them know that conferences are not for the teachers to "tattle" on children, but for parents and teachers to work together to best help them succeed.
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character...
“The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening.” Oswald Chambers
The end of first quarter is this Friday. It is the culmination of many small things, and some not so small. Some are looking forward to receiving their quarter report cards; others are not so interested.
Have you ever felt that it was a hassle to do something? Faced with duties below your position or that make you feel like you are wasting your time? On the other hand, maybe it appears that in tackling the small things the result will have a seemingly small impact or appear to have little purpose. There are times when I feel that some things do not make a difference. Usually these are things which exert influence on future events, and I have failed to comprehend the magnitude of their influence.
Recently, while visiting my dentist this reality hit home. As a child, I neglected to take care of my teeth, a seemingly small thing to me as a child. As a result, I had some cavities and therefore received some fillings. Now as an adult, I am dealing with the problem of fillings that go bad. I have one tooth in particular that has a rather large filling in it, and yes, this filling has gone bad. Now I have to have a crown. Bummer! This all could have been avoided if I had only done a small thing as a child—flossed my teeth.
Missed opportunity is one of those merciless and gnawing events. It eats at you causing sleeplessness, loss of appetite (or the opposite), depression, anger—or whatever else you can think of. You name it. I was reading the other day about a man in the Bible who did a simple thing, which had a major impact upon his life. His name was Enoch, and in Genesis 5:21-23, you can read about him. What an amazing person! All we know about him is that he “walked with God,” and one day he disappeared. The Bible tells us that God took Him.
Oswald Chambers once said, “A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight.” Enoch did a simple thing well; he walked with God. Because he was focused on the right thing at the right time, it meant that he did not have to die. I wonder what would happen if each of us took the small things more seriously. How would the lives of those around us be influenced or even changed? 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it” (TMSG).
Since second quarter begins Tuesday, our students will have the opportunity to try doing the small things differently. I hope that some will understand better the importance of small things. I hope you will consider the small things that you are being asked to do, and consider doing them well. You never know what will happen.
Thanks for reading!
The end of first quarter is this Friday. It is the culmination of many small things, and some not so small. Some are looking forward to receiving their quarter report cards; others are not so interested.
Have you ever felt that it was a hassle to do something? Faced with duties below your position or that make you feel like you are wasting your time? On the other hand, maybe it appears that in tackling the small things the result will have a seemingly small impact or appear to have little purpose. There are times when I feel that some things do not make a difference. Usually these are things which exert influence on future events, and I have failed to comprehend the magnitude of their influence.
Recently, while visiting my dentist this reality hit home. As a child, I neglected to take care of my teeth, a seemingly small thing to me as a child. As a result, I had some cavities and therefore received some fillings. Now as an adult, I am dealing with the problem of fillings that go bad. I have one tooth in particular that has a rather large filling in it, and yes, this filling has gone bad. Now I have to have a crown. Bummer! This all could have been avoided if I had only done a small thing as a child—flossed my teeth.
Missed opportunity is one of those merciless and gnawing events. It eats at you causing sleeplessness, loss of appetite (or the opposite), depression, anger—or whatever else you can think of. You name it. I was reading the other day about a man in the Bible who did a simple thing, which had a major impact upon his life. His name was Enoch, and in Genesis 5:21-23, you can read about him. What an amazing person! All we know about him is that he “walked with God,” and one day he disappeared. The Bible tells us that God took Him.
Oswald Chambers once said, “A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight.” Enoch did a simple thing well; he walked with God. Because he was focused on the right thing at the right time, it meant that he did not have to die. I wonder what would happen if each of us took the small things more seriously. How would the lives of those around us be influenced or even changed? 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it” (TMSG).
Since second quarter begins Tuesday, our students will have the opportunity to try doing the small things differently. I hope that some will understand better the importance of small things. I hope you will consider the small things that you are being asked to do, and consider doing them well. You never know what will happen.
Thanks for reading!
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