HAVE YOU EVER...been a teacher?

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 

Proverbs 22:6

I am a teacher.  I have been a teacher since I was a kid.  I had many opportunities to help in the nursery, babysit, teach vacation Bible school, and even help in children’s choir.  I have always known that I would be a teacher.  My parents were teachers.  I’m a teacher. 

When I was in school, there were two buzz phrases that my professors were using.  They were “establishing set” and “with-it-ness”.   We practiced them over and over.  All teachers were to have these traits. 

When writing a lesson plan, you were too first “establish set”.  This was a way of beginning your lesson with flare.  Grabbing the student’s attention!  Getting them really ready to learn what you were about to teach.  The more creative the better. 

“With-it-ness” is a little harder.  I believe you are born with it or NOT.  “With-it-ness” can be found in any profession.  This is the ability to do your job well and other people know it without you having to tell them.  THEY SEE IT!  You are always prepared.  You have eyes in the back of your head.  You know what is next.  A teacher with “with-it-ness” is the best kind of teacher.  He or she is not just good with kids, but a good teacher.  I still strive for “with-it-ness” each day I teach. 

I am telling you this, because I am so excited that our church is allowing our youth to help teach preschool Sunday school.  They have always helped with VBS, but now they are really stepping up to teach.  I believe these opportunities are so important for our youth.  We want to build leaders in our church.  Teaching is where it starts. 

I believe that I know how to “establish set” and have “with-it-ness” because of the opportunities I had as a teen to teach.  God gives us those chances for a reason. 

HAVE YOU EVER given a teen a chance?

Deuteronomy 32:2; Ephesians 2:10

HAVE YOU EVER...been shaken?

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, 

and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

I just ran across this verse one day.  I was shaken!  I wanted to read MORE and everything about it.  I immediately said, “Wow!” and shared it with anyone nearby.  

 I was in awe! 

We are going to receive His kingdom and should be thankful for it.

His kingdom cannot be shaken.

We should worship God with reverence and awe.

We should only give Him what is acceptable, because “God is a consuming fire!”

Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.  Psalm 97:3

God doesn’t just want our worship.  He demands it.  We were made to worship.

As I worship our Lord this week, I will be thinking about God in a different exciting way.  This has renewed my mind and body and spirit to want to worship Him more.  I love when God’s word creates a picture that you really want to be a part of.  Our Lord reigns with majesty!

HAVE YOU EVER…given God your reverence and awe?

Deuteronomy 4:24; John 4:24

HAVE YOU EVER...been on facebook?

We love facebook at our house.  When we joined years ago, it was to keep in touch with some friends that moved to Texas.  Cell phones and e-mail wouldn’t be enough.  Now, we can see ALL of our friends and some we don’t want to see.  Just kidding.   

The pictures are the best.  I’ve been out of high school for nearly 20 years.  When my old friends post pics of their kids, it is hilarious.  You see your friends in their faces.  Videos are always an added bonus.  And my husband uses facebook for all of his world news updates. 

HAVE YOU EVER…thought about what’s real?

Even with pictures, people can post about anything true or false.  Facebook gives you bragging rights.  You can tell the truth or be a “fisherman” or just flat out make stuff up.  

John 17:17 says, "Your word is truth."  The only thing I know for sure is that the Bible is true.  No one has ever been able to defeat God's word or ever will.  


Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.  1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

As Christians, it is not our place to call out people's facebook lies, but it is our job to have a discerning heart.  When seeking God's will, seek His word and nothing else. 

HAVE YOU EVER sought the truth?


Deuteronomy 13:4, Acts 17:11

HAVE YOU EVER...had a puppy?

We just adopted a puppy.  We are dog people.  In fact, just this evening we were having a conversation with our youngest son who is always looking to the future. 

He said, “When I get married, I’m going to ask my wife what kind of dog she wants from petfinder.com.”

My husband and I simultaneously said, “You better ask her if she likes cats or dogs before you get married.”  We all decided that if she liked cats, she was gone. 

My husband and I have had multiple dogs growing up and together.  This one is a Jackabea.  That is a Jack Russell Terrier with a Beagle.  Beagles bark.  Terriers dig.  She does those things as well as chews on everything, including us. 

The experience has taken some major adapting.  We have 3 baby gates and a kennel for her.  All of the doors in the house are closed at all times.  You can only eat at the kitchen table.  It is really almost like having a new baby in the house. 

Do you remember the arguments you had with your spouse after your first child was born?  Having a baby is tough.  You are tired and crabby and they are like an alien.  You have no idea what you are doing and you each have your own way of coping.  This is what my children are going through right now. 

They were very excited about having a dog, but so much has changed.  Sleeping.  Eating.  Exercising.  They have new chores.  Some of us are adapting more quickly than others. 

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Our lives and world are always changing.  Change can be a good thing.  God wants us to adapt or change our hearts for Him and Him only.  He rewarded Abraham and Sarah for moving.  Think about Paul’s conversion.  Nobody wants change, but this is the type of change deep in your heart.  A renewing of your mind!  A continuous growth in your faith! 

A FRUITFUL TRANSFORMATION!

HAVE YOU EVER changed for God? 

Genesis 12:3, 1 John 2:17