I cleaned out my pantry today. It was not an overly exciting project, but boy does it feel good! I can’t believe how much stuff we have accumulated over the years. By the end of the day, the recycling and trash bins were both full. As a teacher, summers were my time to catch up. It was my time to not only do a bit of cleaning but also to catch up on projects, reading, relationships, family, and self-care. What are you needing to catch up on this summer? If you are like most

Summer is here for most educators and the “to do” list has begun! I can remember spending my summer trying to do everything I had put off during the year. From home remodeling projects to school work, my summer was packed! The term rest was not in my vocabulary. What does it mean to rest anyway? Most definitions regarding rest include words such as relax, refresh , and recover . Sounds good, doesn’t it? I can’t think of any educator who would not desire to experience this

Boasting isn’t a word many of us embrace, and rightfully so. Those who boast are often seen as prideful and self-absorbed, traits no one wants to portray. As believers, we are warned in the Scriptures against boasting about ourselves ( Jeremiah 9:23 , James 4:13-16 ); however, we are given permission to boast in the Lord ( 1 Corinthians 1:31 ). So what are you boasting about these days? Are you boasting at all? If not, I want to give you something to boast about, something Go

It is with a heavy heart that I pen this week’s blog. I don’t want to talk about the recent shooting in Uvalde, Texas. I don’t want to think about the unimaginable heartache experienced by parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members. I don’t want to envision the sacrifice and loss of two adult educators. I don’t want to feel the raw emotion welling up inside of me. I am overwhelmed by this tragedy. I’m sure you are, too. I must admit I am apprehensive about w

It is because I know that you don’t hear this nearly enough that I begin this blog with the words, “thank you.” In a world that is increasingly difficult for, hostile toward, and/or negligent of teachers at nearly all levels, I want to take the time to extend my heartfelt appreciation for all that you do and to offer what I hope is a unique perspective on the gift that you are to the world. You see, I am a youth pastor, and that means I tend to get a lot of praise (and some

This week did not start well for me. I had a full day planned Monday in preparation for two weeks away from home. My early morning exercise routine was interrupted by a sharp pain in my right chest. I consider myself to have slightly above-average pain tolerance, but this took me to my knees. I took a few deep breaths while it subsided and tried to continue, but every time I moved my right arm, the pain returned with vengeance. I had to stop. I was so frustrated. This was

I’m not going to mince words. I love May! I know many educators are running on fumes, but for most May represents the beginning of the end. We get a temporary reprieve from months of early mornings, late nights, long hours of planning, and feelings of constant exhaustion. Knowing rest is around the corner makes for a “merry May!” Having said that, I realize not everyone has the same perspective. Sadly, some choose “miserable May” instead. As Christian educators let’s emb

Teacher Appreciation Week comes once a year. Isn’t it interesting it is usually in the last month of school? May is the month many need a shot in the arm to finish strong! This seems to be especially true this year. I’ve been monitoring social media and have been saddened by the dialogue taking place among educators. It seems countless teachers feel disrespected and prevented from doing their jobs adequately. Personal feeds are flooded with comments from teachers who are leav

Part I. Today is a big day for me, and I am a bit nervous. I’ll explain later after I provide some context. In February we conducted our first Love in Action campaign. We raised funds to support school employees from Mayfield, Kentucky, who had lost their homes in a tornado. This all came about after our February Victory Week. Our theme that week was Love, and we had fun sharing our answers to silly posts about love. However, in my quiet time, I began to focus on how love

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. Life is worth the living Just because He lives! This old chorus has been playing over and over in my head this week! Why this week? I don’t think it is an accident, do you? It is amazing to me how God uses this old song at just the right time to remind me of what Easter is all about. This song is very special to me in more ways than one. This was one of my dad’s fa

I’m sure you have noticed bunnies and eggs everywhere recently. Indoor and outdoor decorations, candy, chocolate – all in the form of either bunnies or eggs! I would venture to bet we might also find a few bunnies and eggs sprinkled throughout our schools on bulletin boards and worksheets! I’m not complaining. I actually like bunnies and eggs, and you might discover some in my home if you were to visit. I love decorating for each holiday especially since I have young grand

Have you blossomed yet? Last week’s blog encouraged us to spring forth and blossom as we walk by faith and not by sight. Some of you may be thinking, “What is blossoming anyway? What exactly does it mean?” I checked my thesaurus for synonyms and found the words developing, flourishing, and thriving ! I love these words even though I know sometimes for teachers, the spring feels more like surviving than thriving! How many of you remember those bean sprout experiments we di

It was exactly two years ago when the world as we knew it came to a screeching halt. One day I was working with a group of teachers in Houston, Texas, and the next day our corporate offices were closed. At first, I was overly optimistic. It was my firm belief all of this would be over in a few weeks. I’ve quit making predictions. To be honest, I’m not thinking about the pandemic much anymore. I think the sheer magnitude and longevity of this worldwide crisis has forced me

Some encounters stick with you and forever alter your perspective. Such is the case with Michael. It was a sunny spring afternoon when six-year-old Michael was escorted to my office by his teacher. I saw them coming around the corner through the windows that flanked the hallway. His teacher, whom I adored, seemed to be walking with determination while Michael’s little legs were trying to keep up. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but something told me Michael was in trouble. As

Whether we like it or not, testing season is right around the corner! I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard the question, “Do we have to take the test?” I would be rich right now! Educators know testing is a necessary part of our job, but it is not always something we or the students enjoy. Granted, authentic testing sheds important light on our students’ progress. However, it also reveals our effectiveness as educators. Perhaps this is why it is so stressful. Eve

If you’re an educator, you might be a little obsessed with doing things right. Wanting to do things well is a good thing. In fact, doing our best is Biblical ( Colossians 3:17, 23 ). However, speaking from experience, when “doing our best” morphs into perfectionism, we might find ourselves looking up from a deep, dark pit. Before delving into a couple of pitfalls, it might be wise to clarify the meaning of perfectionism . Merriam-Webster defines perfectionism as a disposit

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” God granted his request. (I Chronicles 4:10) The Prayer of Jabez is the type of prayer we can pray every day. Friends, God hears every word we utter. He knows our deepest thoughts and desires. What He loves most, however, is our intentional decision to make it a priority to connect with Him authentica

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18 Talking about, reading about, and thinking about love never gets old. Love is something we all yearn for. Why? I believe it is because you and I were created out of love and for love ( 1 John 4:7 ). I realize love can seem complex and confusing at times, but the love we were created for is quite simple. We love because He first loved us ( 1 John 4:19 ). We just fi

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and love is in the air! Do you remember your first love? Thinking of our first love transports many of us back to middle or high school. Emotions and feelings we couldn’t quite identify began to surface. Having taught these grade levels, I learned to identify these affections brewing in my students. It’s hard to explain but easy to see! Something special was happening. As we all know, this type of love can be fickle and fleeting, unlike the love

Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. John 18:37-38a The question Pilate asked almost 2000 years ago is still being wrestled with today. Everyone seems to be seeking truth as if it can’t be found, as if it exists in some undiscovered cavern of mystery. Truth today ebbs and flows on t