New Turtle Digs

Just a fun picture of my turtle's new sand...

To meditate upon...

These are just a few verses that I have been meditating on this week. A friend shared them with me last week, and I have not been able to get away from them. No particularly profound thoughts just wanted to share.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
Psalm 73:25-28

The day before...

Tomorrow is the second longest day of the school year. The sad thing is that you cannot escape it. If you changed the "day before Christmas vacation" there would still be a "day before Christmas vacation." So we must muddle through. Carol sings, science tests, and parties will all help make it more bearable. Of course having a chocolate fountain at the party will make the end that much sweeter (no pun intended!).

Wonderful evening...

I attended Taming of the Shrew this evening. Two of my students were in the play so I went to see them but thoroughly enjoyed the entire play. The two of them left a sweet note and flowers at my seat. It was wonderfully thoughtful of them. I visited them in the Green Room post-performance and took pictures. They will be a wonderful addition to the yearbook.

No opinionating in this post. Just commenting on the thoughtfulness of others.

Tunnel vision...

I have been discouraged lately by the tunnel vision that I find in people around me. I am sure that I have developed it as well but then I wouldn't be able to see it! So often we get caught up in our own little world. All we can see is the here and now and how a certain situation is going to disrupt our plans. Something unexpected happens and instead of seeing how we could benefit from it, we get upset that it is changing our plans. I know this is rather cryptic but hopefully will make some sense. It seems that we are reminded about God's sovereignty when something "large" comes into our lives. However, when something small happens, we forget that God is also in control of those things. Instead of raising our eyes to see what God might have in store for us to learn or to be able to teach to others by our example, all we can focus on is the incidental disruptions caused by something outside of our control.

Titus 2:7a - Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works.

Changing seasons

I absolutely love this weather! Every year at this time, I get a renewed vision of the amazing creation with which the Lord has blessed us. The air that makes you appreciate breathing again. The smell of burning wood and crushed leaves permeates everything, and brilliant colors burst forth from every branch. Ok, so I get a little worked up, but I really do love this time of year!

Teacher conventions...

I recently returned from a teacher's convention. It was nice to fellowship with some of my fellow teachers and hear some preaching. Dr. Stephen Jones gave a wonderful message at the closing session.

He preached from Matthew 11:20-21 concerning not leaving out the ones in the middle. The cities mentioned in these verses were ones noted for their receipt of many of Jesus' miracles and teaching. However, they did not repent. As a result, Jesus said that in the day of judgment, it would be worse for them than even for Sodom. His point was that we have students that sit in our classrooms and go unnoticed. They are not shining lights but nor are they the squeaky wheels. These students soak up what we have to say but then do nothing with it.

This has long been a burden of mine, and quite possibly one of the major reasons that I am teaching where I am. The students have been given so many opportunities and yet they see the Bible as an academic subject and not a relationship with their Savior. Even my sixth graders have received more Bible training than most people on this planet can claim. Yet so many students go through a Christian school saying the right things and doing the right things only to graduate and turn their back on everything they have been taught. It doesn't mean anymore to them than the English or Math classes that they had.

The message struck home to say the least...Please comment away.