Phone Home

 

Phone Home

Mission trips create some interesting communication dilemmas. I wrote the following in August of 2007. Dad had just suffered a stroke and we were trying to stay in touch with my brother, Dave, who was in Africa with his lovely wife, Sally, on a mission trip. I do now have a cell phone!

I just got off the phone talking with Dave. That is probably incorrect. Somehow, we were cut off. It was a little unnerving when he spoke of it being nighttime when it's early afternoon in St. Louis but in Johannesburg, where the call originated, it's almost 10:00 PM. It was incredible- Dave sounded like he was in the next room! It has been an interesting day. I talked to Sheila in Nebraska and Sandy in Arizona. My aunt and uncle phoned from Arkansas. I swapped messages on the Internet with my co-workers at school in Houston. I even exchanged e-mails with a lady in Shanghai, China. Communication in the twenty-first century is so instantaneous. With all the advancements in just the past few years, I can't imagine anymore how people used to deal with critical issues that required input from many. Cell phones and computers let us connect in a moment instead of a month. Can it get any more convenient? Like all technology, it has to.

I still don't have a cell phone and have no plans to obtain one. Based on a show of hands the first day of school, more than ninety percent of my students carry one. I could have one but I have lots of excuses. Cost. I don't want to be burdened with losing it. I don't want to be bothered constantly. It's available: I just choose not to avail myself of the option. It's kind of like prayer. There is a great deal available, just like the phone companies dangle in front of us. There are no dropped calls and you never need upgrades. You never get hung up on and the line is never busy or out of service. It even has a friends and family option. Just dial Our Father. He's standing by.

Applicable quote of the day:
"Have you ever felt like a phone call that's been disconnected?"
Shannen Doherty

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

Mission trips create some interesting communication dilemmas. I wrote the following in August of 2007. Dad had just suffered a stroke and we were trying to stay in touch with my brother, Dave, who was in Africa with his lovely wife, Sally, on a mission trip. I do now have a cell phone!

I just got off the phone talking with Dave. That is probably incorrect. Somehow, we were cut off. It was a little unnerving when he spoke of it being nighttime when it's early afternoon in St. Louis but in Johannesburg, where the call originated, it's almost 10:00 PM. It was incredible- Dave sounded like he was in the next room! It has been an interesting day. I talked to Sheila in Nebraska and Sandy in Arizona. My aunt and uncle phoned from Arkansas. I swapped messages on the Internet with my co-workers at school in Houston. I even exchanged e-mails with a lady in Shanghai, China. Communication in the twenty-first century is so instantaneous. With all the advancements in just the past few years, I can't imagine anymore how people used to deal with critical issues that required input from many. Cell phones and computers let us connect in a moment instead of a month. Can it get any more convenient? Like all technology, it has to.

I still don't have a cell phone and have no plans to obtain one. Based on a show of hands the first day of school, more than ninety percent of my students carry one. I could have one but I have lots of excuses. Cost. I don't want to be burdened with losing it. I don't want to be bothered constantly. It's available: I just choose not to avail myself of the option. It's kind of like prayer. There is a great deal available, just like the phone companies dangle in front of us. There are no dropped calls and you never need upgrades. You never get hung up on and the line is never busy or out of service. It even has a friends and family option. Just dial Our Father. He's standing by.

Applicable quote of the day:
"Have you ever felt like a phone call that's been disconnected?"
Shannen Doherty

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

The Clean Slate

 

The Clean Slate

My brother, Scott, loves guacamole and makes a mean recipe! Ironically, avocados make me nauseous but like my brother, I like the dish pictured above. It is at the heart of the following entry from January 15, 2009. (PS: The author is now married!!!! But sadly, not to the guy in the story!)

Last spring as I prepared to go on mission trips to China and Honduras, I asked for volunteers from our school family to write for me in my absence. Several teachers accepted the challenge. Another accepted but wanted to make sure her work was perfected. These insights are from one of our faculty members who is using the pseudonym, Anonymous. I bet you like it!

As January rolls around, I’m always reminded of people who make New Year’s Resolutions. I personally am totally opposed to resolutions; however, I love to view this month as the month of second chances. I love starting over. Having a clean slate, everything from the past year is erased with new opportunities for change. “This year I’ll make the little things count.” “This year I’ll spend more time with my family and friends.” “This year I’ll spend more time in the word.” We all have things we wish we were better at doing, more disciplined with in our lives. An old friend of mine recently moved back in to town; Coach Hawley refers to him as the Guacamole Guy. In talking to Coach Hawley, it has become apparent that Guacamole Guy is trying to win his way back in… trying for a second chance. Coach Hawley always asks me if I’ve given in yet or if I will break down and give GG another go. Maybe I will- I think people deserve second chances. After all, isn’t our God the God of second chances? Didn’t he wipe our slate clean? Didn’t He allow the bottom of society to do amazing things for Him? I’m considering making this the year of second chances, forgiving without being asked, and wiping the slate clean for others in hopes that they will wipe the slate clean for me. Don’t we all need second chances?

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.


God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

Washed In The Blood

 

Washed In The Blood

During the past week or so, I've cleaned out my Honda Fit in preparation for basketball season. You see, my middle school girls' team carpools and I wanted it to be nice for the kids riding with me. This is about the newness of that car wearing off...and my own sin. It is from April 25, 2010.

I told you early in April that I was the proud owner of a new Honda Fit. The dispersing of the money from our parents' will allowed me for the first and maybe only time in my life to purchase a new vehicle with no interest. Lord willing, I'll enjoy it for the next ten-twelve years without thinking about car payments. My sister-in-law, Karen, gave me several car air fresheners in my Christmas stocking but my teacher aides (Hanna and Chelsey) say I shouldn't use them because my Honda still has the new smell. I hope that lasts awhile.

I owned my Toyota Corolla for almost seven years but it was three years old when I bought it. After a month or so, I never washed it- you can't see dirt on beige colored cars anyway. This time, I determined to spend time keeping my car clean, inside and out. I went to Wal-Mart and picked up some Armor All cleaning products along with a special washing sponge and a special micro fiber drying towel. I even googled the best way to wash a new car; never when the car is hot, always out of the sun, start at the top, no ammonia on tinted windows, never let it air dry, etc. And so, yesterday morning, I gave my Honda its first bath and I think I did a pretty good job.

Well, I thought I did a good job until I saw it out in the sun later in the day. There were places I missed and even with the Armor All window cleaning wipes, I saw streaks and water spots. My new car doesn't look brand new any more, even though I'm doing my best. This is the bad thing: I have to admit that it bothers me. All those little imperfections are drawing my attention even though I am trying to ignore them. It was so perfect on the lot of Russell and Smith Honda just twenty-two days ago. Now, its flaws are evident and I'm distracted.

When I look at myself in the mirror, I see my Honda all over again. I'm not referencing the physical mirror but the spiritual glass. Every little sin and flaw jumps out at me. Every careless word and deliberate thought better left unthought rears their ugly heads. I want the newness I felt as a newborn Christian. I recall the line from the hymn we sang when I was a kid, O For A Closer Walk With God:
Where is the blessedness I knew, when first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view of Jesus and His word?
But we don't stay newborns forever, just like all new cars become used cars as soon as you drive them off the lot. Even though I struggle with sin and my disappointment with myself, I know there is hope. First John 1:7 tells us that, ''If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.'' (NIV) 
The Lord sees me like I saw that Honda the first time, new and perfect and unmarked. Scholars tell us that action of purification in 1 John is ongoing and continual, or as I've heard it, like windshield wipers. The grime and scars of this world won't stick to me because their constantly being washed away by the blood of Jesus. So, I'll never have to check the Kelly Blue Book value of my soul, in spite of my own at times self loathing: I know the price that was paid for me is still valid. I'll be new until the day I die.

Applicable quote of the day:
''There is a spiritual hunger in the world today- and it cannot be satisfied by better cars on longer credit terms.''
Adlai Stevenson

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

MORE Personal I AM Statements, ACT II

 

MORE Personal I AM Statements, ACT II

This is from November 7, 2022.

 

My classes this week finished studying the seven I AM statements Jesus made in the Gospel of John. If you aren't familiar with them, here they are!

I am the bread of life.

I am the true vine.
I am the good shepherd.
I am the gate for the sheep.
I am the light of the world.
I am the resurrection and the life.
I am the way, the truth, and the life.

I gave my students the assignment of coming up with their own I AM statements which would define them. Tonight, I am posting some of them, a combination of middle and high school kids, grades 8-12. They are brutally honest and all are used with permission; boys in blue and girls in pink!
I am the girl who just wants a relationship.
I am the boy who thinks about random things.
I am the boy who knows right from wrong but chooses wrong with guilt,

I am the boy who doesn't like being shown affection.
I am the boy who just wants people to check up on me.
I am the boy who has learned too much about society.
I am the boy who loves his dad much more than he thinks.
I am the girl from a tough but loving family.
I am the boy who wants to be left alone.
I am the girl who thinks about what life would be if her parents had stayed together.
I am the boy who loves being alone hates feeling alone.
I am the girl who wants to be in a world that doesn't exist.
I am the boy who always feels embarrassed.

I am the boy who is always loud.
I am the daughter of regrettable actions.
I am the daughter of a hopelessly romantic mother.
I am the boy who completely understands the topic in class but makes a 60 on the test.
I am the boy who will step up when needed.
I am the girl who is only a concept.
I am the girl trapped inside a false reality.
I am the boy who is scared to turn 18.
I am the boy with more materials than his best friend but less on the inside.
I am the boy who lost everyone and everything he loved.
I am the girl who is afraid to be thought of as dumb.
I am the sibling least likely to succeed.
I am the student who feels beyond mentally drained.

I am the girl who is always trying to grow and improve!

I will post some more of these in the coming days. Please keep this generation in your prayers. They seem to be more in despair than in years past but I see so much good in them!

God bless,
Steve/Coach
Luke 18:1

Labor Of Love

 

Labor Of Love

This is about NFL great Brett Favre and singer Little Peggy March Brett! It's  from September 4, 2006! 

Today is Labor Day and I worked. I didn't clock in or put my dress clothes on but I spent hours in my classroom. There were lesson plans to draw up and post on the Internet and grades to be typed into my computer. But it never feels like work. I love my job so much I feel guilty calling it a job. Not everyone is so blessed but I have a short memory. There is nothing I would rather do than what I do. My profession is one that lets me improve as long as I keep working. This morning, I heard a radio talk show host analyzing quarterback Brett Favre. A fourteen year veteran all-star with the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Favre contemplated retirement in the off season. In an interview, Favre mentioned hearing former New York Giants' quarterback Phil Simms speak about when it was time to quit. Simms said the rule of thumb is that a quarterback should play until he knows his time is up...and then play a few years more. His rationale was that life for him was extremely difficult (boring?) after his career ended so he would recommend holding on as long as possible. In Favre's case, even though past his prime, some team is likely to pay five million dollars per year for his diminished services. Who wouldn't be tempted to take that deal? What would you do with yourself if you retired at thirty-five? I could not stand myself if I wasn't busy doing something productive as long as it is feasible from a physical standpoint. If you were Brett Favre, how would you go from worshipful adulation to being out of the public view? I would guess that the spotlight can cast an addictive shadow.

There is a new TIME-LIFE infomercial: Maltshop Memories. Hosted by teen idol Bobby Rydell, the ad promotes a collection of classic hits from the era between the advent of rock and the coming of the Beatles. Maltshop Memories is crammed with extremely short film clips of 1960's entertainers singing their songs, or mouthing the words, on television shows. One of my favorite shots is of Little Peggy March, lip synching I Will Follow Him. The song hit number one in several countries, including the US. What makes I Will Follow Him more notable is that March was only fifteen at the time, making her the youngest singer on record to have a #1 single. She never came close to that level of success again although she did have several tunes make the bottom part of the charts. Peggy March is still singing today although the little tag, pinned on her due to 4'10" stature, has been discarded. She obviously is gifted and, according to her website, has lived a fulfilling life. Still, I wonder what it would be like to be on top professionally at fifteen and never come close to that rarefied level of success again. If you experience the mountaintop, is everything else at least a little disappointing? Andre Agassi retired yesterday. Did you see it? In an emotional good-bye, Agassi wept before an adoring crowd at the US Open after the tennis legend lost his final match. Only thirty-six and barely old enough to be constitutionally qualified for the Presidency, Agassi faces forty-five to fifty more years of life without the stage he has captivated for two decades. It will be interesting to see his life several years from now. Will he coach or be a commentator? Will he appear in exhibitions? Maybe he will play celebrity doubles matches with Brett Favre. I know this much, even though I am the most casual of tennis fans; Andre Agassi can't just disappear. The game needs his class... and the world needs his work ethic, especially on Labor Day. 

Applicable scripture of the day:
"A man do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God."
Ecclesiastes 2:24 

Applicable quote of the day:
"With each game I play, each season I play, everyone would agree with me, I'm running out of chances."
Brett Favre


*To listen to Little Peggy March sing her classic I Will Follow Him, please copy and paste the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JVhbusBDi4&feature=related

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

Personal I AM Statements

 

Personal I AM Statements

This is from November 5, 2022.
My classes this week finished studying the seven I AM statements Jesus made in the Gospel of John. If you aren't familiar with them, here they are!

I am the bread of life.

I am the true vine.
I am the good shepherd.
I am the gate for the sheep.
I am the light of the world.
I am the resurrection and the life.
I am the way, the truth, and the life.

I gave my students the assignment of coming up with their own I AM statements which would define them. Tonight, I am posting some of them, a combination of middle and high school kids, grades 8-12. They are brutally honest and all are used with permission; boys in blue and girls in pink!

I am the girl who has lost herself trying to fit in.
I am the girl with no reason NOT to be grateful.
I am the boy with many God given gifts.
I am the boy who loves too hard.
I am the girl who can see everyone else's beauty but not her own.
I am the pacifist boy who wants to fight back.
I am the girl who loves to go to the nail salon.
I am the daughter of two good souls.
I am the grandson of a good Christian grandmother.
I am the girl with a war between her heart and soul.
I am the girl who wakes up in the morning worried.
I am the son of a hard working dad.
I am the girl who wishes her father would get back into the Word.
I am the boy who knows he can do better but doesn't put in the effort.
I am the girl who acts clueless only not to be judged.
I am the young man silently crying for help.
I am the boy who takes care of his brothers.
I am the girl who wants to get married and have a big family.
I am the girl who loves her mom but keeps hurting her.
I am the girl who hates confrontation.
I am the boy who talks to himself a lot.
I am the boy who feels like his life is the same every day.
I am the girl who can't fit the image of who people want her to be.
I am the girl who is an INFJ. 
I am the girl who does not know who to trust.
I am the girl who just wants help.
I am the girl who hides away.
I am the boy who provides for his mom.
I am the boy who misses his sister.
I am a girl who just wants to know the truth.
I am the girl who feels guilty to say no.
I am the boy who wants everyone in the world to be  happy.
I am the girl who loves hugs.
I am the girl obsessed with what others think of her.
I am the boy with the small friend group.
I am the boy who dwells on the past and fears growing up.
I am the boy who can't wait to one day see his own children.

I  will post more of these in the coming days.

God bless,
Steve/Coach

Luke 18:1

Mixed Message

 

Mixed Message

One thing I like about FACEBOOK is to be able to reconnect with former students. This entry, from 12-18-06, is about one of those not-quite-as young-anymore kids.
 College semesters end before high school terms so our alumni began filing in last Friday. Many of our ex-students make it a point to come by when they are home for whatever vacation is on the calendar. Michael and Amy, Patrick and Scott, Jonathan and Shanna: I spent a little time with each of them Friday. And then there was Patricia. Several years past graduation, Patricia made sure she completed her annual pilgrimage to the halls of Westbury Christian School. Originally from Honduras, Patricia and her sister, Paola, were bright lights in my Bible classes over the past five years. Some students leave you with glowing feelings and some just aren't around anymore. Sometimes you struggle to recall much interaction but sometimes you can recite incidents word-for-word. Those become classroom stories.

I was standing outside the business office one afternoon when Patricia was a junior. I couldn't help but overhear Patricia speaking to her mother over the school phone in Spanish. Although I am not bilingual, I could tell it wasn't going well. Suddenly, Patricia switched from Espanol to English and seemed to shift into a higher gear. I was intrigued so I waited until the conversation was over. Curious, I asked Patricia why the change from her native tongue to her secondary language in the middle of the mother-daughter dialogue. She giggled and explained.
"When I get mad at my mom, I start speaking in English because she can't keep up with me!"
We have a number of students at WCS whose English skills are far superior to their parents' and when I use the illustration of Patricia, I get some knowing nods and grins. In the ongoing push and pull between folks and kids, sometimes the younger generation has a secret weapon: fluency. In any culture, the offspring always angles for the tiniest advantage over Mom and Pop. What the child can understand perfectly, an adult may lack sufficient skills to interpret. Jesus commented that the comprehension of parables fell into the same category. While these short stories seem often simple and direct to our twenty-first century ears, Jesus said bluntly that some hearers would never understand. The Savior even went one step further and explained in Matthew 13 that was the reason his teaching took parable form, so some would get it and some would not. I take it he meant they could have understood but they opted not to make the effort. Believers have a fluency in understanding the teachings of the Lord that non-believers lack. Which brings us back to Patricia. I reminded her of that story Friday and she laughed. She also told me that ruse is getting increasingly hard to pull off; her mother's English has improved dramatically. Take heart, parents; there is hope!

Applicable quote of the day:
"When you grow up in a family of languages, you develop a kind of casual fluency, so that languages, though differently colored, all seem transparent to experience."
David Antin

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1