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theteachersdevotional
I am a born again Christian teacher seeking to reach out and connect with any other Christian teacher out there.In the Eye of the Storm
My little one awoke screaming in the middle of the night. Leg cramps. My guess is growing pains. I rolled […]
Revolutionize Your Quiet Time
What does your quiet time mean to you? How do you go about it? What things do you study? Do […]
Vacation Vigilance
If you are a Christian teacher and have two months off over the summer, my guess is that you will […]
Undeniable, Forever Love
Throw all the old fart jokes at me that you wish. I have heard so many over the past few […]
God Is On the Move
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your was my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are […]
Just Breathe
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will […]
Summer Bucket List
We were reading the Outsiders last spring. In chapter five, Johnny and Ponyboy wake up to see a jaw-dropping, gorgeous […]
How God Answers Prayer
Three years ago today I sat in room 1309 at Olathe Northwest High School learning the classroom management strategy of […]
Blind Trust in Something Better
Have you ever had one of those moments when you second guess yourself? You make a decision that at the […]
God’s Miracle
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while […]
The Bread of Life
Give me a word that describes the last two weeks of school. How about chaotic? Frantic? Crazy? Energy-sapping? The word […]
Mr. Irrelevant
For years the last pick in the NFL draft has been given the unfortunate name of Mr. Irrelevant. Pretty harsh, […]
What if?
The gal leading one of the sessions in our inservice a week and a half ago was drilling teachers in […]
Guilty
Ever sucked on one of those sour candies that turns sweet? One of my 6th hour students pulled one from […]
Dabbing 101
The hands shot up one by one. They popped up like dandelions sprouting in my backyard. Glancing over the first […]
The Final Countdown
Ever seen that Geico ad with Europe singing the Final Countdown? I was a little young to listen to them […]
Slay the Dragon!
I heard the groans even back before Spring Break. Assessment time. Ugh! The stresses. The worry. The uncertainty. I see […]
The Power of Easter
I need Jesus. So do you. So does that neighbor down the street, the clerk at McDonald’s, and your estranged […]
The Real National Champ
We are entering the most unproductive work week in America: March Madness. The NCAA Basketball Tournament has historically driven basketball […]
The Baton of Faith
Tingles of anxious anticipation are already starting to creep down my spine. Later this summer in Rio de Janeiro the […]
Be on the Alert!
The change was not too difficult for me to see. Dark eye shadow. All black clothing. That hopeless look on […]
What’s Your Theme Song?
Everyone has a theme song. A song that has become a part of you. A song that when it is […]
Who Do You Work For?
My wife blessed me with about three hours of freedom one summer afternoon. She took our little ones off to […]
Pursue Your Students
Quick disclaimer … I have been up since 2:00 am with a four-year-old who has the stomach bug. We’re talking […]
A Lost Art
Is there ANYTHING to look forward to in the mail these days? I have come to realize that mail has […]
Share Your Story
We all have a story. A testimony of how you came to Christ. I have heard stories that date back […]
Through the Eyes of Christ
It was mid-November when her confession came out. My dear colleague Pam couldn’t take it anymore. She had to ask […]
A Scripture a Week
It was one year ago that I set out on a quest. The task? To put scripture into my heart. […]
That Was Then. This Is NOW!
You know, it’s amazing how life changes from your mid 20’s to nearing 40. When you’re 25, you leave the […]
Buddy the … whaa?
I am staring at him right now. That darn elf on a shelf. We named him Buddy. I know, how […]
A Midyear Testing Remedy
Well, it is that time again. Midyear testing time. Students are already beginning to mentally check out for Christmas Break […]
Two Sides of the Story
Slothful. Lazy. Apathetic. Pick your word to describe him. They all fit. To us, Andy was just another kid who […]
Count Your Blessings
You know, it is funny how counting your blessings seems difficult when your world is all but perfect. Do you […]
My Own Little World
It is amazing how a simple prayer request can change your day. As the requests had moved around the table […]
God’s Day of Rest
Eric Liddell: 1924 Olympic athlete and Christian missionary As we continue to “live His legacy” through this school year, I […]
Utilizing Greatness
My Kansas City Royals are World Series Champions! With clockwork precision, they dismantled the Mets in five games, taking advantage […]
Love Illuminates Life
I could tell something was wrong the moment I saw her face. Tears streaked her cheeks. There was an uncomfortable […]
Focued on the Eternal
Last Friday afternoon was quite the ordeal for me. Scrubbing lunch dishes as delicately as I could, my right index […]
We Were Made to Thrive
It is that time again. Time to put on your best smile. Your best tie or dress. Your best attitude. […]
Shake up Someone’s World
Every parent dreads it. The call. You know darn well what I’m talking about. The phone rings innocently enough. You […]
Know Your Enemy
To live a legacy worthy of a true follower of Christ, we must know who Christ is. That is a […]
Embracing Your Struggles
(Mickey Marvin sharing his testimony.) I was a hot mess last Friday morning. Although spending time with friends at our […]
A Positive Perspective
Alright, it is confession time. No, I’m not Catholic, but I do need to come clean. I just prayed about […]
Ordinary People
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15: 13). As we approach […]
A Legacy Worth Sharing
(Hudson Taylor: 1832-1905) As we continue to reflect on our theme of Living His Legacy, let’s reflect on the life […]
No Man is an Island
Fear cloaked me last night. You’d have thought I would have been relieved having survived iPad D-Day, but worry still crippled […]
The Cure for All Worry
(Paul and Silas in jail, singing praises to God) I arrived home last Friday a little dazed and confused. Anxious. […]
Day One
There is an excitement sweeping the air right now. An eagerness full of anxiety, pleasure, joy, unease, and anxiousness all […]
Something Beautiful
Technology can at times get a bad rap as it is being polluted with pornography and other inappropriate sites; however, […]
Live His Legacy
Every school year our prayer group revolves around a theme. When it was birthed in January 2013, our theme was […]
The Heart of Leadership
(Jesus Christ: The foundation of leadership.) Last week the gauntlet was laid down. I was enthralled when a former student […]
The Birth of a Prayer Group
It is time. I felt God wanting me to share this months ago. Now that summer is slowly expiring and […]
The Love of a Father
What does a father mean to you? Who do you think of? Most of us probably think first of our […]
iPad Invasion!
For those of you that don’t know me, I am a bit of a technology virgin. I don’t own a […]
The Power of Words
I never would have pegged her as a kid who was fearful to talk. Right from the get-go, Harley seemed […]
Unwrapping Paradise
Every school year has a story of a kid who breaks free. Yesterday, as I began making another scrapbook to […]
The Power of Your Final Words
Being a Language Arts instructor, I love reading aloud impactful sections of literature to my kids, and there is absolutely […]
God’s Buffet
Can you see it? There’s a glow within your grasp. This light at the end of the tunnel promises things […]
The Importance of a Prayer Group
Three years ago today it all came crashing down. A teacher I once knew well—and whom shall remain anonymous—had had […]
Finish Strong
Holland Reynolds Holland Reynolds didn’t plan it this way. Exhausted and dehydrated, the cross country runner steadily lost herself. Her […]
Dandelions In Our Midst
I am not a fan of dandelions. The weeds infest my backyard, sweeping through it like a ginormous yellow tidal […]
Opening a Door of Love
Watching baby dedication last Sunday at my church always stirs emotion for me … Happiness of seeing friends grow their […]
God’s Stamp on Your Heart
My favorite book to teach my students is hands down S.E. Hinton’s the Outsiders. In chapter five Ponyboy Curtis, the […]
Leave a Legacy
Before this final devotion, read Matthew 28. If you’d like to see Mel Gibson’s version of the resurrection, check this […]
Father, Forgive Them
Open up your Bible and read Matthew 27. Check out the video link to Christ’s crucifixion as well. The Crucifixion: […]
Selfless Service
Before reading the post below, pull out your Bibles. Read Matthew 26: 17-30. If you are a visual learner, feel […]
Fair Weather Fan
As we prepare our hearts for Easter this week, let’s look back on the significance of each day. I will […]
Respect My Authoritah!
I went through a phase way back in my college days when I watched a TV show called South Park. […]
Find Your Secret Place
I have been reading through the Gospel of Luke lately, maybe a chapter or two a day. I am reminded […]
Worldly Teacher vs. Christian Teacher
The worldly teacher is quite distinct from the Christian teacher. As you read through the list below, try to find […]
The Power of Prayer
Are you old enough to meet former students who have turned into working adults? It was a humbling moment a […]
The Cure For Every Ailment
The clock is ticking. Time is pressing. The shortened weeks of third quarter, although pleasant with extra time off, make […]
A Living Sacrifice
Do you ever have one of those days where everything is going fine, then all of a sudden, out of […]
Are You Happy?
If you could pick one quality that separates Christians from non-Christians, what would it be? What do Christians have that […]
Conferences: A Scripture to Live By
Last Saturday morning I was watching a video with my men’s Bible study. The video was the first in a […]
Our God is Greater!
Testing season is upon us. Our school’s midyear results are back, not to mention the rest of the district’s, and […]
Words of Wrath
Let’s play a game. I am thinking of a word. This word is one of Satan’s arsenal of explosives to […]
I Will
One of my favorite stocking stuffers I received over Christmas was the DVD Courageous. If you have never happened to […]
Welcome to My Blog
I am a man who prizes God’s truth, but I am also a man who respects the opinions of my […]
Welcome 2015 With One Word
Are you a New Year’s resolution person? If you’re like the typical person, you might jot down a note or […]
A True Teacher
If you are a teacher off for Christmas Break and you are parenting small children who still believe in Santa, […]
Spiritual Appointments
A mere two teaching days and one work day stand between me and Christmas Break. The light at the end […]
#helpme
Yes, you saw right. I just titled my blog post with a hashtag. I truly don’t even know what a […]
Finish Strong
That Thanksgiving weekend was just what the doctor ordered. Five days off. Nothing but time for my family, my friends, […]
Thankful in ALL Circumstances
As we prepare for Thanksgiving Break, I realize there are countless things that we should be appreciative of. The life […]
Modeling Forgiveness
Every teacher has been there. The mountain of projects in front of me had been chipped down to the last […]
Speak Life
The novel I am currently reading in my classroom, Freak the Mighty, deals with the sensitive topic of bullying. An […]
Never Give Up
Ever been discouraged before? Nah, I can hear you say. I’m the eternal optimist. I always look to the positive. […]
Just a Game
Alright, I want to set the record straight right now that I was planning this blog whether the Royals won […]
Light in the Darkness
Do you ever have one of those school years when you wonder if it is all even worth it? You […]
A True Hero
Don’t worry. I promise not to post that sappy song from Mariah Carey. You know the one I’m talking about. […]
The Power of Words
We’ve all been there. Conferences are going great until that one thorn in your side, that one kid that you’d […]
Metaphors of the Church
I heard a fantastic sermon on Sunday. Our pastor laid out five metaphors of the church that are common amongst […]
Where is Your Passion?
The logjam of cars arriving at Arrowhead Stadium last night was all too telling. Something special was about to happen. […]
Be Still
Do you ever feel like life is one enormous checklist of things to do? From the minute I roll out of […]
True Courage
Thirteen years ago last week our nation was rocked on September 11, 2001. Mass chaos ensued with the collapse of […]
A Quick Message
I typically don’t make time for more than one blog per week, but this week is different. This week I […]
Spiritual Warfare
I have this suspicion that something bigger than me is going on right now. A battle of some kind. An […]
Unconditional Love
It happened Labor Day morning. My wife and I were getting the boys fed and ready to head out the […]
Fan or Follower?
I had the blessed opportunity to attend a men’s retreat over the weekend at Melvern Lake with a group of […]
God in a Box
Our lives are full of boxes. We open them whenever needed throughout our day. There’s a box for family, work, […]
First Impressions Matter
There is a quote on the wall of my room this morning. After attendance is taken and the first day […]
Back So Soon?
Call me crazy. Call me weird. Call me whatever you’d like, but I actually enjoy this time of year. I […]
Of Birdies and Batman
One of the biggest perks of being a teacher is to spend summers with your family. Name me another job […]
When is Your Birthday?
Okay, so I am guessing the question above is fairly easy for most of us to answer. We know the […]
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Have you ever noticed how the dying words of actors in the movies are so profound? They lie there, clinging […]
End of the Year Syndrome
It was about this time a few years ago that I received an e-mail from a disgruntled colleague encouraging everyone […]
A Resurrection Story
Spring is one of my favorite times of year. Newness. Green. Rebirth. The flowers, the warmer climate, the celebration of […]
The Aftermath of Easter
How was your Easter weekend? I loved every minute of mine. Beautiful weather, flowers blooming outside, great message from my […]
A Changed World … Forever
What does Easter mean to you? What memories of it are stamped on your heart? For me as a child […]
A Letter of Love
Read John 20 The day before Christ rose from the dead on Saturday must have been pretty rough for His […]
Good Friday
I had a student ask me last year why they called it Good Friday if this is the day Jesus […]
The Holy Spirit
Read John 16: 12-16 Let’s pause for a second here and consider the circumstance. Although I still laugh at the […]
In the Mind of a Child
Read John 14: 1-31 Now that all the drama is beginning to escape, Christ knows He needs to corral His […]
The Betrayal
Read John 13: 1-38 What would you say to your friends, your most devoted followers, if you were Jesus at […]
The Voice From Above
Read John 12: 16-50 Here we have the aftershock of Palm Sunday. Things start heating up. Christ knows the end […]
Palm Sunday
Read John 12: 12-15 We start at the top. Most roller coasters take a while to get going, but this […]
Welcome to Easter!!!
Well, here we are the eve before Palm Sunday. Two thousand years ago that first Palm Sunday was quite a […]
The Model of True Forgiveness
What do you do when somebody jilts you? Ever had someone go behind your back and thrust a knife in, […]
I am Thirsty
Jesus Christ, hanging lifelessly on the cross, was about to give up His spirit to God. A mere few breaths […]
Not my will but Your will
What does it mean to submit to God? Where are those areas in your life where you’re possibly doing a […]
Where is your Goliath?
The sermon I heard today spoke truth to a well-familiar story from the Bible. David vs. Goliath. The epic battle […]
I am a Christian teacher.
ARE YOU THIS TEACHER? I am a Christian teacher. I attend church on the weekends, and you better believe I […]
Starting a Bible Study or Prayer Group
I would have to say the most intimidating thing about doing this is the false notion that public schools do […]
Teaching Character
After attending a classroom management seminar at Summer Conference, I made a conscious decision that I needed to teach character […]