Teaching: It's Not a Losing Battle (Part 2 in revival series)

Happy New Year! I pray that you had a blessed holiday and a restful break.  Depending upon your instructional calendar, you may be either returning to work getting in those final skills before the end of the semester, preparing for a new crop of students, welcoming in the kids who moved over the holidays, or just getting your students ready for the last half of the school year.  Some folks go back to school saying, “Let's get ‘er done!” or “When will this be over?”.

I want to talk to those of you who really didn’t want to go back to work. Not because you would rather stay home with your cute cuddly young’uns or still have housework that lost out to your Netflix binge, but because you really don’t like the atmosphere in which you work; the overwhelming student behaviors, redundant paperwork, unsupportive parents and maybe even unfriendly coworkers.  Been there, done that, so I know how you feel. I also know a solution that I tried once.

Last week I wrote a blog about revival that spoke a little about this solution. But let me tell you a  story first. 

A long time ago, there was a man by the name of Gideon. If you look in the bible in the book of Judges chapters 6-8, you can read about the full life of our story’s hero. Now, this Gideon had been living the last seven years of his life being oppressed. His work was constantly disrupted and destroyed no matter what he or anyone else around him did.  No matter how hard he and his people tried, they couldn’t do their jobs because of the destructive, overwhelming force of the Amalekites and other countries around them.  Seven years! Seven years of feeling like, “Why even bother?  They’re just going to tear it up anyway!”  Seven years of struggling to live and support your family only with little to no evidence of your hard work! 

So, we find Gideon in verse eleven of chapter six in the book of Judges hiding, all alone in a winepress threshing wheat. It had gotten to the point that he couldn’t even do his job the way it was meant to be done! Although he received a visitation by God (whom he doesn’t recognize as such) with the world’s best pep talk ever (which he doesn’t believe) Gideon is reluctant to take on the mantle of leadership that he is being presented with. God has selected him to free his people from their oppression.  Gideon does everything from questioning God’s

faithfulness to His chosen people, listing his reason for being unqualified for the task, to asking for proof (several times) that God will do as He promised. 

I want you to realize that the Amalekites weren’t just some pestering group of people that got on Israel’s nerves. They totally outnumbered the Children of Israel.  Then to make matter worse, the Amalekites joined forces with the Midianite people and more people of the East so much so that their total numbers were beyond recording and only listed as “numerous as locusts with their camels as the sand by the seashore in multitude”.

Gideon armed only with the assurance that God was with him, gathered a force of over thirty-two thousand fighting men. However, God told him to send twenty-two thousand home! Then, to make matters worse,  God ordered Gideon to send all but three hundred back home.  

Why?  

  Israel’s successful outcome of this uneven battle would never be attributed to their own methods and strength, but by God’s and God’s alone.  

If you continue reading Judges chapter seven, you’ll see that before Gideon and his men had the opportunity to employ their own strength, God’s strength and methods were already at work in these three ways:

        -specific instructions with confirmation  (Judges 7:9-11)

        -sound  Judges 7: 16-18

        -light  Judges 7: 19-21

With just trumpets and clay jars holding lit torches, Gideon and his army of three hundred like-minded men watched as God fought their battle for them. 

The impossible became possible because one person answered the call, gathered others, listened for God’s voice and followed the instructions to sound the trumpet and shine the light.

So, do you really work in an environment that’s never going to change?  Will the teaching profession just continually get worse?  In all honesty, the outlook doesn’t look very promising for some who are in those challenging and struggling school systems.  But is it something that one just has to accept, deal with or get out of?  

There is a solution and yes I’m going to say “prayer”.  

Don’t look at me with that tone of voice! Yes, I heard your question, “Well if it worked so well for you, why do you have all those blogs about wanting to quit and being frustrated?” 

Remember in the case of Gideon, there was a lot involved with winning that war; belief, obedience, repentance, unity, and perseverance.  If you keep reading the rest of Gideon’s story, you’ll see that he and his small army still had to pursue their enemy even past the point of exhaustion and were denied assistance from those who could’ve helped. 

I did not pursue to enemy past the point of exhaustion. I was once a

I was once a part of a gathered group of teachers who purposed the enemy together in fervent prayer for our school, our system, our students, and our own families and our prayers were answered.  But the fervor died down when the smoke cleared and some folks moved away.  I was content with focusing on battles in my own classroom because it was out of my comfort zone to actively look for fellow soldiers in my school to join me in fighting the war.  

While I am currently not assigned to any school, I still see the need for revival.  I am no longer on the front lines, but I still hear the cannons in the distance and smell the smoke on my daughters in high school and my husband who is both a teacher and coach.  It is while gazing at my own battle scars that I urge you to rethink the enormity of the issues you are facing as an educator and the power you have to make a difference.   

Meditate on the story of Gideon and know you are not in a hopeless situation.  Remember God’s method involved these three things:

        -specific instructions with confirmation

                Listen to what God is saying to you and obey

        -sound  

                Speak up and out for Him

        -light 

                Be the light so that others can see Jesus with 20/20 vision

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Pack Well For Your Journey

Not too long ago, I posted my triple 'R' blog.  You know, the "Realize, Repent and Return to Teaching" entry.  Well, not wanting anyone to have to flounder like I did in that space of time before I got to the first 'R', I wanted to sort of unpack my attitudinal (I like that word) suitcase from last year with you. Maybe if you see what I mistakenly packed and carried around with me, you won't make the same mistakes that I did.      
                              There's just one condition..
As with any packed suitcase, there are some personal items inside so don't giggle or gasp when I pull out my... well, "unmentionables".  

As you recall, I ended the school year having begrudgingly signed my contract, stalking job search apps, and being depressed because my prospects were slim. How did this happen?  At what point did I start to question my purpose in this profession? 

So that no one gets the idea that God abandons His children. (Yes, He is my Father) The bible is clear that God is very much involved and in control of our lives.  
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:16
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord - Jeremiah 29: 11
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." - Philippians 2: 3

And those are just a few of the scriptures that validate that fact. 

However, we have also choices within the paths and plans that He puts before us.  
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it" - Jeremiah 6:16
"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life..." - Deuteronomy 30:19
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12: 2

And those are just a few scriptures that validate that fact.

So.... one can view teaching as just a job/career or an assignment/plan from God.  The outlook makes all the difference. Once, it registers that what we do is because of God, by God and for Him, it places a level of accountability on us when we get into less than desirable situations.  When we revert back to seeing what we do as just a job instead of God's plan, it can make for a long unpleasant year.

For me, this past school was preceded with warnings about its level of difficulty well before it even began.  Opinions were flying around about new administration and the end of the year academic data for the incoming class was disheartening.  
So I knowingly packed my positive items: 
                                               - prayer
                                                - hope
                                                - chips

Unfortunately, I still had some items left over from the year before in one of those side zippers that I overlooked.
                                     -judgement (that's a whole 'nother blog)
                                     -fear of change(Sweet Jesus, I never seem to unpack that)
                                                        -leftover chips

Then, with each passing bump and curve in the road during the year, I would add three more items in my suitcase
       -disgust  (the offspring of judgement)
       -complaints (an offspring of fear)
       -indifference (the love child of frustration and disgust)

Here's the thing with these items. They aren't items that you would intentionally pack. They can, however,  get in your suitcase and ruin your year when you don't plan about about what to pack or when you let others influence what you take on your trip. 

 Let's face it! In our profession, there are countless opportunities to feel "some kind of way"  concerning the actions of others. However, if we are not praying for God to fix what is broken in those people, we can pick up a pretty pair of judgement, fold it up

neatly, and place it right in our suitcase without batting an eye.  You put enough pieces of that in there and now you're disgusted with a whole group of folks.
And hey! We're teachers.  We're supposed to complain. Right? We have the right to.  Right? I mean, the internet is filled with funny memes and video clips about the perils of teaching....which are often very true.  So I watched them and laughed. I sent them and laughed.  I created them and laughed. But let me tell you, if you are having a tough year, remove yourself from those.  Remove yourself from conversations riddled with complaints and worry that don't end with affirmations or encouragement. It can reaffirm a gnawing suspicion in you that the teaching profession is going downhill with no hope in sight. Don't get fooled into believing that what's going on in education is too big or too insignificant for God to intervene.
1 Timothy 6:20 " O [teacher] (name change) Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge..." 

There are just some things you don't need to pack!! 

Prayer, hope... and potato chips are good to keep you covered during the school year, but adding the knowledge of God's will, perseverance, and compassion is a must.  While most of us do, the challenge is making sure that we keep  judgement and fear out because it breeds and transforms into frustration, complaining and indifference all of which make our problems bigger than the God who can solve them.  That's where I missed the mark.  It all just got too much to handle....

So before you grace the inside of your school, look at the year before you.  What do you need to have within you to succeed? What do you need to get rid of to succeed?  

Somewhere in the wonderful book we call the Bible is proof that God is willing and able to pour in the wonderful attributes of His Holy Spirit and burn away those which are displeasing to Him. 
Search for His promises among the pages, pray for His guidance, and pack well my friend.
Have a blessed school year

"[Not in your own strength] for it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power to desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure, satisfaction and delight."  

Philippians 2: 13 AMP

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni
                                         

Realize....Repent....Return....to teaching

Soooo, it's literally been like a year since I've written a blog. 

I passed it off on a few things-

                            writer's block

                                        just too tired

                                                   just plain forgot about it

                                                                    too busy

None of which is entirely true... well, some of it did happen, but the truth of the matter is

I was ashamed of my reaction to this past school year.

This literally has been the most emotionally and physically draining school year in my twenty plus years of teaching.  Aside from the fact that my body has decided to continue it's "Hey, let me show you what you need to fix now" tirade, I was blessed (and I NOW say blessed) with THE most challenging class.   

        their behavior...nah, but-

                 their academic ability .... whew!

                           their family life.... clutch the pearls!

                                     their  mental/medical issues... grab a tissue!

Nothing God couldn't handle right? But I know I never really allowed Him to handle it, or trusted Him to handle it, or waited on Him to handle it... HIS way.

I mean I saw this past school year through the eyes of  King Saul shaking his head at Goliath rather than the eyes of the young, faith-filled shepherd named David.  Just like Saul, I set up camp and stared at my giant the entire school year.  My prayers didn't seem to make a difference.  You know, the good prayers, the ones you start off with...  persistent, strong, scripture-filled

  

So I just stared

and began to wonder

"Am I still cut out for this?"

I very well couldn't write an encouraging message for you when I wanted to quit teaching all together now could I?  I wasn't even encouraging my own self and I didn't like what I saw in my spiritual mirror. So, I ended the school year with the Indeed app on my phone searching for ANY job I might be qualified for...

and one day, earlier this summer, I found myself sitting in church

 discouraged

because I realized this past school year wasn't about God changing the situation for those kids, but about God changing me.

"Either way you cut it God, I failed" and I slumped further down in my spirit and my chair.  I ignored the smiles and praises around me and dug deeper into my pity party.  

I couldn't even make a difference.

I didn't even pray hard enough to make a difference.

I made You look powerless God... ok, I made myself look powerless.

I am a spiritual phoney.

I can't deal anymore with the "worst of the worst" and the "lowest of the low", the rejects, the drug using parents, the mentally ill parents, the kids who the system won't help, the filthy kids, the neglectful parents, the ...everything that nobody wants.  For the past three years, it's been challenge after challenge - the student nobody wanted, the parent nobody wanted, the academic group nobody wanted...

I went from being the youthful Saul when he was first chosen as king and passionately challenged all of Israel to fight with him against the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11) to King Saul in the Valley of Elah shaking his head and muttering at (from a distance) Goliath and the Philistine army (1 Samuel 17).

It took me a few days, but God brought me to a place of repentance.  So I had to ask forgiveness for      

 being mad at Him for not making it all better when I asked

for giving up because I thought, "what's the use anyway?"

for being judgemental at parents 

for looking down on others

for not taking Him at His word

for always complaining and being negative

 for my year long pity party...

and for a host of other things too.

But I also want to ask YOU for forgiveness too if I gave you the impression that persistent prayer, and an upbeat personality was going to make your school year peachy and that you would be less of a faith filled Christian if it all didn't work out as planned.

I honestly was under the impression that since He had given me the assignment to teach, that prayer and faith would always make it all better. It had before... I really need to read my bible more... and more deeply at that!  Check this out...

The Apostle Paul says this in 2 Corinthians 4: 1, 7-10 AMP

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation (I should've been reading this more) ...7 But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty] (oh, so it's natural to come up short...), so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. (and it's not about me - ok...) 8 We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; (soooo, even in difficult times - and there WILL be difficult times, God will never leave me nor forsake me) 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body (Even the worst times of my life are going to be used as an example of His greatness).

Paul's life as a man on assignment from God wasn't always perfect, good, or even down right bearable at times.  Yet, he understood that God would get the glory from it ALL and would grow him through it and that he WOULD survive to continue working until God meant for him to stop.  

Sooooooooo, I said all of that to say this...

 So listen up! 

We are amazing educators because God has chosen us for such a time as this! 

Let's return to teaching 

with the Lord on our side no matter what type of school year it may lead us into.

Who's with me!!!!

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Book excerpt: Teaching Tips from Week 36

As we come to the end of our school year, I just wanted to share a few pages from my book that will help you coast your way to the end.  Sometimes you just need a little reminder...  

Ten Tips For Better Teaching

1. Purpose – Remember that you have been destined and designed for this.  Regardless of what you think, God has created you, everything about you to impact the life of your students.          Jeremiah 1: 5
2. Prayer – Continue to pray without ceasing.  Be specific in what you desire and what you need. God has promised to give you wisdom and rest.  Just A.S.K. (ask, seek and knock)  Matthew 7:7 and Matthew 11: 28-30
3. Power – Understand that you have been given power from on high to trample the enemy.  Your words, God’s Word spoken again by you are weapons against the enemy and they are life to your every need.  Speak life.           2 Corinthians 10: 4-5
4. Preparation – Plan up to the very end.  Kids who have nothing to do can and will begin to get on your nerves.  You don’t need the bible to tell you that!
5. Pollinate – Although you may feel a little stretched, be willing to speak encouragement or help out a fellow teacher (especially the new ones) during this time of year.  Help out those who need help in growing. 
6. Perseverance – 2 John 1: 8 Says it best: Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.  Don’t give up now.
7. Personality – Nehemiah 8:10 says that “the joy of the Lord is your strength”.  Now’s not the time to be a sourpuss.  Draw joy and love from Jesus so that you can be a reflection of His joy, His compassion, His loving kindness towards others.  Let your light so shine…
8. Pleasing – Hebrews 13: 20-21 says “May the God of peace,… _v21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ…”  Allow God to do the work in you so that you will be pleasing to Him.  In doing so, you will also become pleasing to those around you.  
9. Placement – Jeremiah 29:11 God knows the plans He has for you.  This tip on placement is not just about a choice in grade level, school or district, but it’s much deeper than that.  It’s really about trust.  Trust God to place you in situations, in ear shot of conversations, around your colleagues so that you can be used HOWEVER God needs for that particular need.  Someone may just need your smile or encouraging word and God places you two in the hallway alone.  Every time, every situation belongs to God.  
10. Peace - Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  Trust in God and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct you paths.  Peace comes directly from God. Seek Him and you will find it.

Hold His hand and finish this race.

Remember keep starting your Monday with the Master.

Young, T. (2014). Start Your Monday With The Master. Sandston, Virginia: JDI Publisher Co.

Image retrieved from:  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/471611392198706215/

Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 19

Section 3: Kingdom Focus

Join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on pages 35 and 36 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free eBook or pray independently from our focus scripture, 1Peter 2:12 NLT and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "When the Saints" by Sara Groves.

As you continue in prayer, ask God to show you specific news outlets to lift up in prayer.  Pray for your school, the community and families that you serve to be shown in a positive light in the news and social media. Come against the spirits of fear, pride and dissension that seek to do otherwise. 

THAT MEN MIGHT SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS…

AND REPORT IT

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

1 Peter 2: 12 NLT

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are the God who sees us. You are the God who speaks. The heavens also declare Your glory and the skies speak of Your handiwork. Your eyes roam the earth to show Yourself strong to those who trust in you.

Today Lord, we pray that the media of this country begin to portray Your goodness in our schools. Our media often works hand in hand with the enemy to expose and expand darkness. Our news channels seek to give cities bad reputations by continually reporting negative news instead of reporting the positive occurrences in the community. Our media is behind much of the fear and prejudices that people have developed over the years which has led to the increased disunity in our country.

Cultivate our media educators to train our students in mass communications to tell the truth and to not feed on the fear and desperation of people. Jesus, from our students, may there arise a group of reporters and writers who aren't ashamed of the gospel. May positive movies, documentaries, radio announcements, newspaper articles, evening and morning news reports, social media posts and tweets come forth from our country's media outlets concerning our schools. 

As You are increasing the blessings in our schools and already are bringing forth a new atmosphere of Your presence and power, have THOSE "success stories" continually aired on the airwaves drowning out the reports of violence and turmoil. 

Light..., Your light, always trumps darkness. We, your educators, will promote Your goodness.

In Jesus' name,

-Amen

Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 18

Section 3: Kingdom Focus

Join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on page 34 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free eBook or pray independently from our focus scripture, Matthew 5:14,16 NIV and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "Send Me" by William McDowell.

Continue today in prayer seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit for specific ways you can shine your light to expose hidden answers, truths and resources to help your students, school and school system.

SHARE YOUR LIGHT

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5: 14, 16 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father,

We praise You because You are the Light that dwells in our hearts. We worship You, Jesus, because You are the light that shines in darkness and causes it to flee. Thank You, Living Word of God, for being a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

Jesus, today we pray that we will not place a basket over the light that You placed in us, but purposefully share Your light with others. In Your Name, Jesus, I declare a new boldness, a revived illumination and a re-commitment to loving others as You love us.

Holy Spirit, guide us to those who are in a dark

place so that we may share Your loving light. As we walk through hallways, administration buildings, fields, courts, playgrounds and campuses, recall to our minds the importance of expressing the joy of the Lord with others. Remind us to speak encouraging words to the down trodden in heart and prepare us to be ready to serve others. In that way Lord, according to Your word, we will be shining Your light to the world before men, that they may see our good deeds and Your love within us and praise the Lord who is in heaven above.

In the Name of the One who is the Light of the World, Jesus the Christ,

Amen

Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 16

Section 3: Kingdom Focus

Join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on pages 31 and 32 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free eBook or pray independently from our focus scripture, Isaiah 61: 1 HCSB and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "Isaiah 61" by Judy Jacobs.

As you continue in conversation with the Lord, know that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you this year. Pray for boldness and obedience to do the will of the Father for His glory and the uplifting of His Kingdom.

THE WORKS OF THE KINGDOM

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to… 

Isaiah 61:1 HCSB

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Lord I thank You for life and a holy way of living. Thank You God for loving us so much that You gave Your only begotten son, Jesus Christ, as a showing, sacrificing, servant for us to emulate. Blessed be the Kingdom of God and may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

According to Your word, You have released us to do greater works than You did when You walked this earth. The Spirit of the Lord God was upon You to preach the good news of Your Kingdom to the poor, to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners freed. You gave beauty for ashes, blessings in the place of mourning, and praise instead of despair. 

Today, may Your educators proclaim, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me". May we continually strive to prove Your existence and might through the power of Your anointing over our lives. 

Bless us with opportunities to declare the good news of Your Kingdom to the blessed poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. 

Open our eyes and ears and lead us to those in our midst who are brokenhearted and in need of the comfort and peace that only You can provide. 

As we look upon our students and see them being bound with chemical imbalances and learning disabilities, may You bless the works of our hands to free them and restore the secret places within them which have been devastated for a long time. 

In our classrooms and schools, may our students and coworkers find a safe haven for restoration and peace. May the beauty and blessings of the Lord abound wherever we walk. May we live in such a way that we bring Your manifested life- altering presence with us. Your praise, lifted up by one who is truly set free, can ignite transformation in an entire student body or staff. 

We greatly delight in You, for our soul rejoices at the possibilities that can stem from our obedience to You. 

In Jesus' name, 

-Amen

Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 15

Section 3: Kingdom Focus

Before you begin today's prayer journey, please click on the Featured Post to see a video explanation of Section Three.  Then join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on page 30 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free eBook or pray independently from our focus scripture, Isaiah 60: 1 HCSB and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "Rise, Shine" by Shekinah Glory Ministries .

Ask the Lord to give you a deep rooted desire to seek first the Kingdom of God. As you ask Him to show you how to operate this school year as a Kingdom citizen, listen for His responses and write them down and pray over them continually throughout the year.

ARISE AND SHINE…FOR OUR NATION

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You... for Your Son, Jesus Christ, rose with all power in His hands. Thank You, that as Jesus walked this earth, He showed us how to activate and impart the Kingdom of Heaven into our lives. While the enemy may come to kill, steal and destroy, Jesus has empowered us through His teachings and actions to resurrect restore and rebuild.

Today Lord, may the educators of this nation hear Your call to, "Arise and shine". May we understand that Your glory has risen upon us. If our nation's educational system is to change, it will be through the actions of Your people, both educators and students, to exhibit Your

glory without hesitation.

God of wisdom, embed into our understanding that showing Your glory is not just limited to showing the love of the Father to a dead and dying world. We need You to work in us to will and to act as You did when You walked this earth. You never departed from a dead situation without restoring life. You never left those who were poor in spirit of dignity, knowledge or health without restoring their honor, understanding and giving them healing. You always built up the brokenhearted, unconditionally offering them Your love.

Father, we labeled those things as miracles, when they were in fact, Your norm. This year, train your educators to walk in Your norm and with great expectation, resurrect, restore and rebuild the educational system of our nation. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever amen.

-In the name of Jesus we say, “Thank you”.