Tag: school

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Change the World

Last night I had a sobering experience.  I traveled a very familiar road after work across town.  Like I have any many nights, I worked my way through East Chattanooga, squeezed through the tunnel,  watch for bullets as I drove past Kanku’s, and turned past the trailhead at the Levee.  I pulled in to school and parked in front of the Kindergarten classes and walked into Amy’s classroom as I have done on countless evenings.  What I didn’t realize was what would await me as I walked into the cafeteria, sweet tea in one hand, and a Chick-fil-a sandwich in the other.

For the next hour, I sat across the school cafeteria table from my oldest son and listened to the high school guidance counselor discuss high school class scheduling, college preparatory classes, scholarship funding and a four year plan to get your child through high school.  I sat among friends, having shared experiences with many of the other parents since pre-K, and yet as I looked across the table, I could not help but to feel excitement for him and sadness for myself.

I am sitting at the end of my time of directly leading him as I shift to a different leadership position in his life, but he is on the precipice of the 8 years that will really start to shape him and
although he is reluctant to admit it, he has a lot of dreams and aspirations in his head.

When I returned home, I was checking out my task list and noticed I had a task to check out this mini-movie called Change The World.

It seemed so appropriate. As he heads off with dreams I can only imagine floating around in his distracted teenage head, I can only hope that he holds on to those dreams and remembers what he was created for. And I hope that he continues to dream and to follow those dreams despite the difficulties that will lie ahead for him.

Most of you are past that point in life, and maybe your dreams have been extinguish. I hope you can spend a little time remembering the dreams of your youth and that despite the callousness of the world, you will find the motivation to not settle and to keep pressing on.

Are you willing to dream? Are you willing to capture that energy and excitement of your youth again? Are you willing to day by day change the world? It’s what you were created for.

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:6-10 (New International Version, ©2010)

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Registration Day

Yesterday was school registration day.  What a mad house.  Between all the confusion and chaos and money flying around, there is a small detail that makes me love this day.  There something about seeing the children again after not seeing them for just the short months of summer.  Some of them have different hair cuts.  Some have grown 2 feet.  Some have matured in their faces and in the eight grade some of them have grown beards.

Its just a great measure of physical development and really really fun to witness.  Its a shame in some ways that we reach a maturity level with our physical stature.  The shame is that I think sometimes we apply that same ‘I’m done’ growing approach to our spiritual growth as well.  Wouldn’t it be interesting if we could witness in such a visual way our continued spiritual growth?

So, maybe as school gets starting for another year, we need to assess our spiritual situation and figure out what we need to do to move on the the next level.  Just like those children growth day by day, not all at once over the summer, we can continue to grow in our salvation day by day.  However, you do have to make sure that just like school lunch, you are providing yourself with spiritual fuel to keep that growth going.

So, start today and sign up for continued spiritual growth!

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16 (New International Version)

17Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18 (New International Version)

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Blue Collar Day

Today is one of those Blue Collar Days.  Do you  know what I mean?  No real deep thoughts, no real challenging questions – not even any goofy pictures from the past – just a cold winter day in February.  One of those days that reminds you are still deep in winter, after you been teased by spring.  Its a day that you just get up, and ‘do what you got to do’.

Its sort of like my Facebook status lately – or lack of Facebook status.  Just living life, no cool trips, no out of the ordinary funny thought that will get someone to comment. Its a Blue Collar Status –  “Just Living Life”

So, to check this out this morning, I interrupted my beautiful wife’s morning routine and asked her for her favorite verse. After getting a brain dump on the unit she is going to teach and her lesson plan for the day – as she was deep in thought – deep in just doing it thought.  She said, I don’t have a favorite, but how about Phil 4:13, its something about being content!  How fitting.

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:10-13 (New International Version)

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