“Knowing Yourself is the Beginning of All Wisdom” – Aristotle“The Philosophy of the Wisest Man that Ever Existed, is Mainly Derived from the Act of Introspection.” – William Godwin “The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.” — David Goggins Every year my students are required to write a “This I … Continue reading This I Believe: The Introspective Journey →

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be silent and a time to speak… (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7) "I am sorry for your loss!" That one expression of condolence is followed by a barrage of other inappropriate, thoughtless, and less than compassionate comments to someone … Continue reading It Is Not About You… →

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2) If you work in any sector of education, you know that there are stories that can not be made up! I know this! I also know the purpose of a story. Stories … Continue reading What’s In Your Translation? →

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:29) Imagine. You are on a journey, and you have been told that what you need to survive is located in this fallen tree. All that you see is a fallen tree that is old and … Continue reading You Have What You Need →

Photography by JEMA good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1. As my class was watching The Crucible, the character of John Proctor exclaims, “It’s my name! It’s all I have!” He is about to be hanged on false charges. To save himself, he … Continue reading What Do People Say About You? →

Photography by JEMYour unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the … Continue reading Where’s the Love? →

In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-5) In the midst of burnout in an ever-changing … Continue reading God Speaks →

Photography by JEMDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) Deadline. It’s the final day to submit grades. Teachers have been on a grading marathon, and … Continue reading You Can’t Walk into the Future If You Are Still Reaching Into The Past →

Photography by JEMBrothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in … Continue reading Living With Intentionality! →

Photography by JEMBe devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 3:10-13 Many people believe that the star is symbolic of a miraculous sign. Others … Continue reading Giving Selflessly and Receiving Abundantly (Star of Bethlehem) →

Photography by JEMRejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Psalm 107:21 states, "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind." As we approach another Thanksgiving Day, we pause to give thanks for … Continue reading For the Lord Is Good, Give Thanks →

Photography by JEM There are so many songs that talk about being lost. Lost in Love by Air Supply, Lost in Emotion by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling by Hall and Oates, and Lost by Coldplay. These are just a few. Lost is defined as being unable to find one's … Continue reading In Your Assignments, God Is With You →

Photography by JEM And God said, “I will be with you." Children play the game Hide and Seek. The object of the game is to have one person count to ten while everyone else hides. The person counting must then try to find the person(s) that are hiding. To some degree, this is the same … Continue reading Hiding Behind Our Inadequacies →

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ I am sitting at my desk in utter amazement … Continue reading Omitting “Love” from the Greatest Commandment. →

“Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4.” I saw this on a friend's shirt and thought that it captured the essence of life. What we go through is not meant for us to keep stifled within ourselves. It is possible that what we go through is not necessarily for us … Continue reading Grow Through What You Go Through →

This morning I got up thanking the Lord for a beautiful day, for Fall temperatures, for time to think, for a beautiful place to stay this weekend. I feel equally blessed to be a part of a community of individuals who inspire me all the time. Today, I feel rich. Not monetarily, not in material, … Continue reading Stilling the Voices →

What does God have to do to get your attention? Have you heard His call? How many times has He shown you His purpose for your life? How many times have you ignored the call because of fear, lack of confidence, insecurity, or because it seems too hard?  If we took the time to think … Continue reading What Does God Have To Do To Get Your Attention? →

“Judge not, that you be not judged." Matthew 7:1 I asked my class to define what creates a personal identity. They could choose from the lens of time, place, traditions, culture of impacting moments. Many of these young people don't feel as if they have anything to write about, but with guidance, many had stories … Continue reading Assumptions →

Photography by JEM Sometimes we just need a little office humor to brighten our day. It’s Monday morning, and over 2000 young faces are entering the halls of education. They are lively, energetic, and very loquacious. And then there are those of us over the age of twenty who are struggling with the earliness of … Continue reading Saving Souls, One Plant at a Time →

A Eulogy in memory of "the great awaking of the American senses." Good morning friends, Don't smile and wish me well and tell me that I'm special when what you really mean is "you don't have a life." Don't tell me about your concerns and deep feelings of care when what you really mean is … Continue reading The Awakening →