Satan's Great Lie

It shouldn't be this difficult!

Satan wants you to question God's love. After all, we do have a mighty God and we want to serve Him. Why then are there so many problems in our lives?

God did not tell us that this journey would be easy. In fact we are told that we can expect to suffer. But that is where faith enters the picture. By the power of the Holy Spirit we can find contentment. We can rejoice as we enter the Advent season once more that the Child born in Bethlehem fulfilled the promise of God. Satan may try to distract us with lies and promises of an easy life, but we need to stay focused on Christ and His assurance that He indeed has a plan for each and every one of us - a plan this is good for us and a plan that will not hurt us. Life may be difficult but our joy is eternal! Praise the Lord.

No Discipline Seems Pleasant

Pastor Henrich's Bible Class this morning included a reference to a passage that every urban warrior needs to include in their toolkit for life. It is found in Hebrews 12:11:

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Surrounded by the woes fed by an ailing economy it is easy for us to start finding blame. It is time for me to search through the pages of Scripture to find that other passage - the one that says that it is good that I am afflicted. Good because it brings my dependence on God into focus. I rejoice my blessings, but can I rejoice in the discipline that keeps me on track so that I do not wander away from those blessings?

Carpe Diem

In my collection of coffee (tea) mugs I have one with the words "Carpe Diem" on one side. On the other is the common understanding of that phrase - Seize the Day! For those of us who prefer to see challenges as opportunities the idea of charging into take advantage of this time and place makes perfect sense, in fact - it tends to be a way of life.

For those who are Christian educators the idea of seizing the day makes even more sense when we consider the words of John 9:4 - "I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."

Help me seize this day and every day that our Heavenly Father gives to us to do the work that we are blessed to have before us. Let your light shine!

Finding Your Purpose in the Eyes of the Children

During a visit to Harlem this young child was eager to make friends with the group of interested visitors. For those who are exploring the idea of teaching in our urban schools, I think that you need to take a look into the eyes of the children. How long will her eyes continue to shine with interest and excitement? We need to build on her interest and trust and teach her the value of hard work.

In the movie Stand and Deliver the teacher (Jaimie Escalante) tells his students that they need "ganas" - desire - and if they do not have it he is ready to give it to them, because he is an expert in desire. Look into their eyes, find your purpose, and capture the desire to teach so they may learn.

Do you really expect the president to do your job?

"What can we expect from President-elect Obama? Will he bring about positive change? How will his administration impact education for all children? We all have these kinds of questions, and many of us have high expectations for the answers. But perhaps we should be asking ourselves what we are prepared to do to bring about the change we're awaiting. "

An email from ASCD - a leading national education association - opens with the very typical comments looking to our new president to be the solution to failing schools. There is a tendency to look to someone else, anyone else, for help improving our schools. Does it really make sense for someone so far removed from our schools to understand the needs of our children?

The ASCD author goes on to say that the real question should be "what we are prepared to do." Changing our schools in our city is our job. President Obama is a politician, not a teacher. Let's keep the roles and expectations clear and dedicate ourselves to the task of doing whatever it takes to make the difference that we need in our own urban schools.

The Journey Continues

December slipped into January and the journey of 2009 is underway. Several of the alums (and almost alums) are recently engaged and making plans for weddings this year. How quickly this can change the plans that were made in 2008. Whatever plans you have made or are making, may each plan be made with this in mind - that God does have a plan for each of us - a plan that will not harm us; a plan that will help us.

My transition into the new year included reading several books that were recommended by friends. The first was THE SHACK. This is a thoughtful read about grieving and our relationship to God. The second was THE ALCHEMIST - an exploration of wisdom. Both are worth the time.

As we continue the journey I leave you with a thought from THE ALCHEMIST: When each day is the same as the next it is because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises. (page 27) ... may each of your days be recognized as a special opportunity filled with new blessings.