We are at that time of year when we sit in reflection, and we think of our accomplishments from the year. Where did we find success or where did we fail or fall short of the goal? As I stare at the beach at Sullivan's Island, I am captivated by the incoming waves. Some of the … Continue reading Close the Door
It has been a long week of trying to teach research to freshmen, listening to the never-ending arguments about teacher responsibility, and feeling the weight of accomplishing many other things before the holidays. As I exhale, I often find some bright, shining moment in the midst of chaos. Chaos is slowly becoming a natural habitat … Continue reading My Teeth, Where are They?
We have come to that season where we reflect on the year, and we anticipate the things that we will see and do in the new year. This is also the start of the Advent season. Advent means the anticipation of things to come or to wait with great expectancy. In preparing to present a lesson … Continue reading Expectancy in Waiting
I am sitting in my empty classroom reflecting on conversations and reactions from this past week. In this empty classroom, I think about the students who sit before me hoping to glean some type of knowledge, not just about English, but maybe about life in general. Conversations this week have included why I don't like rap music, … Continue reading The Difficult Conversation (Part II)
When I tell you that there are some stories that you just can't imagine, my mother and the peach shirt come to mind. On Election Day I decided to shop for my mother because the weather was changing, and she needed some new and warmer tops. On my shopping expedition, I found a lovely peach pullover blouse … Continue reading My Mother and the Peach Shirt
Let's talk about difficult conversations. If you are a supervisor, manager, or lead on a job and an employee is doing something wrong consistently (like constantly being tardy or absent, or failing to perform expected tasks), is there not a call for a difficult conversation? Suppose your child is displaying some bad character habits, do you … Continue reading The Difficult Conversations (Pt. I)
As the waves hit the shore in a rhythmic motion, the woman stood on the 12th-floor condominium balcony and looked out into the wintry evening air. Something about the water made her reflect on the past with deep melancholy. For the last several months, she had awakened with a heavy heart and wondered if she was just "getting up on … Continue reading My Heart Cries
Recently, I was reminded of the story of the woman at the well. It is interesting how shame and guilt can cause us to change our lifestyles and patterns. If you recall, the woman at the well went to get water when no one was at the well. It was probably her shame of having … Continue reading Meeting at the Well
Yes, I am going to tell you the famous children's story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. The only twist is the perspective from which it is told. Recently, I was attending a bible study, and the ladies were discussing Lisa Harper's book on the gospel of Mark. Within the study, there was a section … Continue reading Sowing the Seeds of the Three Little Pigs
As a new school year approaches, I am reminded of my role as a teacher and administrator and my purpose in impacting students with my words and actions. When I think about the institution of education, I am reminded of Proverbs 1:2-7).To know wisdom and instruction,To [a]perceive the words of understanding, (Proverbs 1:2, NKJV)At the beginning of this … Continue reading Instruction of Wisdom
This may be your first year as a student, as a new teacher, or as a new employee. It may be the first year of marriage, the first year of a career change, or the first year of retirement. Whatever the change may be, it is the year of the first. In our world, it is the first … Continue reading Firsts
If you had to start life over after 30 or 40 years in the workforce, could you? Suppose life dictated that your ability to do the job you love is no longer there, the family that was the center of your world is no longer there, or the happily-ever-after no longer seems tangible? Could you step out on … Continue reading Starting Over
No matter what lies ahead, no matter where you are in life, no matter what your socio-economic status may be, no matter how old you are, and no matter how long you have been a follower of Christ, others need to see Christ in you and your actions. They need to see the Holy Sprit … Continue reading Believer
Sometimes you just need to pray and say thank you. God hears... Thank You Lord Reveal to meThrough mine eyesWhere I am suppose to beI feel aloneWithout directionOf who I am to call “me.”My best of who I am is givenAnd spread all aroundBut what is left for meWhen hollow walls make no sound?I sit in … Continue reading A Simple Thank You
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph responds to the treatment from his brothers by saying, "You meant evil against me, but God used it for good." Most of us have read the story of Joseph (and his coat of many colors). We know that Joseph was the baby boy and the apple of his father's eye. He … Continue reading What Satan Means for Evil
I believe, and in my weariness My thoughts prevail nothing good And the emptiness turns into Dark, impure thoughts that avail nothing And so the battle begins and it rages And I become a soldier to its cause. But I know…. You O Lord have made me You O God know who I am You … Continue reading The Warrior in Me
[You must give up much to follow Jesus. What are you willing to give up? Would you drop everything you were doing to become a follower of Jesus, to become a fisher of men?] “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of … Continue reading Fisher of Men
A Time for Everything There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,4 a time to weep and … Continue reading Seasons
This passage of scripture from John 14:1-6 has been one of my favorites since childhood. “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go … Continue reading I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
I hope that I have captured your attention with this title. Believe it or not, there are some teachers who will not allow you to enter Heaven because of their false teachings. Have you ever had your teacher or leader say to you or the congregation, "Read your Bible!" Good teachers and leaders are equipping … Continue reading Teachers Who Will Not Allow You to Enter Heaven
Coffee Reflections 
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