Pulling out of the driveway, something wasn’t right. Fwop, Fwop … Fwop, Fwop … Fwop, Fwop … It sounded […]
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 […]