People tend to see the public schools as the enemy instead of a place where the enemy lives. It needs to be enveloped with the love of Christ. It is a battlefield and Christ does not call us, as adults, to withdraw into our Christian circles but to be warriors in an eternal battle for the souls of these children and their parents. At the same time, being examples of a fearless parent to our children, willing to advance the kingdom through discipleship and obedience on the battlefields of our home and our culture.

Are We Wasting What We've Been Given?

I have read articles and books about people in other countries and times in history and how they have suffered, and wondered why God put me in America in this time period. It just didn't seem "fair" that I would have it so well, while others suffered so horribly. These people used those horrible circumstances to bring glory to God and to give thanks in all things.
Joni Earekson Tada, a quadraplegic, says in her article for Answers Magazine, " I'm convinced my response to my wheelchair has a direct bearing on my capacity for joy,worship, and service in heaven. Of all the things I may waste here on earth, I do not want to waste my quadriplegia!" John Piper writes in his article "Don't Waste Your Cancer" on http://www.desiringgod.org/, about 10 ways to waste your cancer, to not utilize the crisis that God has put in your life for His glory.
I don't have any of those problems. Isn't it even more evident that I should not waste being an American? Having the liberty to share the gospel freely and in the public arena, including the schools? And taking advantage of opportunities that lay themselves at my feet?
God has put me in America in the 21st century to NOT waste what he has given me. He did not put me in America during the Civil War to be a part of the underground railroad, or in Berlin during World War II to hide Jews. But he has asked me to adopt a sibling group of five children, to share the gospel in the public schools and to trust Him more in ALL circumstances. I see everyday how I have wasted opportunities, my money and my time on things that just don't matter. Ellen Vaughn in Time Peace, tells us that "God gives us enough time each day to do His will for that day." We all are here in America for "such a time as this". How much of your time,which is given to you by God, are you wasting?


This blog is about ways that God has shown me to NOT waste the opportunities which have been given to us in America.



Tuesday, January 26, 2010

If I were to walk into my class as a guest...

If you were to walk into your own classroom as a guest what would you see? Would there be things that are different from other classrooms? What would your bookshelf be filled with? Would any biblical quotes (without a verse reference, of course :)) be on your walls? Do the kids know you pray for them? Do you have a prayer group of teachers and staff that get together to pray for the school? Do you get the kids involved in controversial topics by letting them talk about what they know, especially if you know the kids come from Christian homes? (ex. Creation vs Evolution)

Can I challenge you to not just look at your role as a teacher as a job but as a mission field and attack your work from that perspective?

A great place for you to start is with Christian Educators Association International at http://www.ceai.org/, their magazine Teachers of Vision (which is free on their site in pdf format!) is very good and informative and gives ideas for incorporating our faith into the classroom. You may want to consider moving your association and insurance to this organization instead of paying through a very liberal-minded organization like NEA.
If you have other resources to encourage teachers please let me know.
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