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Month: February 2010
How Will We Rest?
How will we rest?
These racing thoughts do so entangle.
How will we rest?
These racing hearts do so encumber.
How will we rest?
Counseled to work it out, think it through, and make it happen.
How will we rest?
Striving hopelessly to look from every angle.
Striving nervously to prevail o’er every detail.
How will we rest?
Foolish, frail humanity.
Exasperated, tired humanity.
Our vanity stifles rest.
How will we rest?
We will look up.
We will see the glorious, downward flow of God’s innumerable and precious thoughts toward us.
We will stand at the base of the waterfall.
We will be washed in the reality of His immeasurably deep plans for us as they pour over our racing minds and racing hearts.
We will be covered with the infinite purposes of our infinite God.
How will we rest?
Not in our own striving.
Not in our own doing.
Not even in our own planning.
We will rest in the thoughts of God toward us.
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! – Psalm 139:17
When God Calls
When God calls you to love,
Love to the end
Because God never fails.
When God calls you to hope,
Hope despite looming impossibility
Because God can do all things.
When God calls you to be a fool for His sake,
Be a fool despite the press of pride
Because God came to earth in all humility.
When God calls you to give,
Give without fear of loss
Because God is of infinite resource.
When God calls you to persevere against all odds,
Persevere despite exhaustion
Because God gives strength to the weary.
When God calls you to live for Him,
Live for Him though it sometimes appears not to matter
Because God fulfills every purpose under Heaven for His own.
What Is the Good Life?
Living in the presence of God. Enjoying His eternal favor because of Jesus Christ. Knowing that the Almighty is moving in all the details of my life. This is the good life – the truly good life.
The Psalmist tells us in chapter four, verse six, that many are asking, “Who will show us some good?” These people have not even an idea of whom it is to which they should be looking. The Continue reading “What Is the Good Life?”
Essence of a Great Teacher
Recent educational research stemming from the nonprofit group, Teach for America, tells us something the Bible made clear centuries ago: the teacher is the most important component of educational success. Ripley (2010, p. 60) posits, “This tale of two boys, and of the millions of kids just like them, embodies the most stunning finding to come out of education research in the past decade: more than any other variable in education – more than schools or curriculum – teachers matter.” Though endless amounts of money have been spent on fancy curriculum additions, more classroom gadgets, and more standardized testing; it is, in fact, “which adult stands in front of their children” (Ripley, 2010, p. 60) that should be the main concern of parents. Why? The answer is rooted in God Himself.
God is relational. Father, Son, and Spirit have eternally loved one another. God began relating to human beings when he created us in His image. When we lost relationship with Him, God continually pursued us. His pursuit culminated in the incarnation. He took on flesh and entered our world to save us from our sin and restore relationship with Him.
Jesus taught us the things of God in a personal way. he demonstrated God’s love to us. He lived out God’s love right in front of our eyes.
In essence, God did not say, “Here’s an instruction manual.” Rather, God said, “Here I am.” And He continues to offer Himself through His Spirit.
Excellent teachers model God’s heart and say, “Here I am.” They do not simply hold forth curriculum and activities and words as the answer. Great teachers offer themselves as living curriculum.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (ESV)
Work cited: Ripley, A. (2010, Jan/Feb). What makes a great teacher. The Atlantic, 305(1), 58-66.