Precious Time

John 15:5-6 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into a fire, and they are burned. This week I attended my 6th grade daughter's back to school night. It was a great night to meet all of her teachers. I was taking notes and paying close attention to the approach of each teacher. One very energetic, one very loud and funny, one very laid back, one well organized, and one excited to be able to teach everyday! As I listened that night to one of Ella's teachers I was reminded how precious time is

...time just keeps on ticking..I started this blog at 12:16 and it is already 12:35...time just keeps on ticking...On those days when you feel tired, or down and out..time just keeps on ticking..God wants us to value time- when we realize that time spent on Godly things is Precious- we have truly discovered Precious Time.

Living with Heart

Luke 6:43-45 A good tree doesn't produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn't produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren't gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.

One of my first years coaching freshman football we had 13 players that came out for the team. As we started the season this was a little bit discouraging because the coaching staff had been used to having 35-40 players each year. However, this discouragement went away very quickly with this group because each of these players was very committed to getting better everyday! They were not the most talented group of football players, but they had a lot of heart. We were not very big, and we did not have alot of depth. When we got off the bus- I am sure that the opposing teams were licking their chops. It was also a lonely sideline as we had more coaches than subs. This did not hold this group back. They pushed each other everyday, and we had a very successful season. We ended the season with a winning record, and had alot of fun. These players played football with heart! Living with heart means that we can bring out the best in others, and we do the intangible things that complement our God given talents!

Trying to Become More Selfless

Philipians 2:1-4 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Each day we encounter situations that make it very easy to think of ourselves first. This passage has helped me to think about truly serving others. When someone asks you for help- are you helping them because you expect something in return? or are you doing it because it is the right thing to do? We are all busy- we all feel overwhelmed at times- we all are surrounded by people that want to drag us down. Instead of whining and feeling sorry for yourself because you are too busy or because you had a tough day- think about how you can positively influence someone around you! I pray lord for patience everyday to help reach the students in my classes, the athletes on the football team, and my own kids Ella and Kole! Give us strength to be TEAM players, and to consider the interests of others when put in a position of influence..Allow your presence to Grow inside us as we Shrink! AMEN

Wisdom For a Great Start

Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. This morning as I think about the start of another school year, I am excited about meeting and teaching a new bunch of students. I know that there are going to be many challenges- students that do not like math, students that are more interested in socializing, students that have had a rough time at home because their parents are split up, students that are attentively challenged, students that are excited to be back at school, students that want to learn, and students that will challenge me on every level. I pray that this will be a great school year filled with learning at the highest level. I pray for wisdom for the teachers to reach each student with instruction, positive direction, and knowledge for growth. I pray God that you will help us to remember our purpose of helping kids to become great decision makers.

I know that the ride is going to be bumpy, but I know that it is going to be fun and exciting! Let's have a great start to the 2013-2014 school year!