Hard to Write!

I hate answering questions for applications. However, the application process will be worth it in the end. Here are my answers to the application I completed today, as I'm looking to teach in the Dominican Republic in the fall.

1.       What is the most important thing a teacher does?

The most important thing a teacher does is show love to the children. Everything I do as a teacher is a result of love: teach, encourage, discipline, set an example, and share the Gospel. A teacher who loves will do all of these things with passion. Love motivates me to reach each child’s needs. I want each child to learn, to grow, and to love Christ.

2.       What do you consider the proper classroom atmosphere for learning?

Children need to feel comfortable and accepted in a classroom for learning to take place. If a student is insecure, he is more likely to react by shutting down or acting out. As the teacher, I have to set that tone by exemplifying kindness and patience with every student. I also have the responsibility of guiding the students to create the same atmosphere for their classmates.

3.       Describe assessment of academic achievement and how this is best done.

Academic achievement can be assessed in multiple ways. Any time a student improves or learns a new skill, there is achievement. This progress can be assessed by written assignments, verbal explanations, presentations, drawing, and other projects. The topic and the level of learning expected will determine the best assessment. In all learning though, students should be assessed as they are learning so the teacher can monitor progress.

4.       How would someone who knows you professionally describe you as a teacher?

People tell me that I love my students, that I am passionate about what I do, and that I am good at it. I have a hard time writing this because although I know God has gifted me, I always feel like I could do more, or do better, or that I am not as good as people say I am. My former students tell me they love my class because I made it fun for them. Parents have told me their children look forward to being in my class.

5.       How will the students benefit from having you as a teacher?

As I stated in the previous response, this is the type of question I find difficult to answer. I know that God has blessed me with the gift of teaching, and I also believe He has given me the gift of building relationships with the students. I like to view myself as “real” with my students. I do not pretend to be perfect, nor do I expect perfection from them. I expect effort and respect, and my students should expect the same from me. I also think students will benefit from having me as a teacher because my goal is for them to learn how to learn. I can easily teach facts, but my desire is that my students can think, process, create, and solve problems.  I want my students to be independent learners as a result of being in my class. 

He's Running After Me

I was browsing a forum this morning that asked, "Christians, what is your favorite Bible verse?" The verse that immediately came to me was a verse I claimed to be my "life verse" as a child. The verse is Jeremiah 29:13 - " And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

Immediately, I realized why I chose that verse. Growing up, we were all trying to do, do, do. We were trying to earn God's love, earn an external appearance of holiness. When I would read this verse as a kid, it reminded me that I needed to work harder. If I didn't work at being good, work at being Holy, I would not find God. I thought if I had any sin in my life, I would not find God.

I manipulated this verse to fit the lies I'd been taught... that I need to find God. No, God comes to me. He comes to me with unconditional love, regardless of my flaws, my failures, my sins.

What's really happening in Jeremiah 29 is that God IS coming to the people. He's calling them to himself, but they are rejecting. I don't have to run after God. He's running after me.

Love, the Trinity, and My Existence

I'll never understand love.

I will certainly never comprehend the Trinity.

Maybe someday I'll fully understand the purpose of my existence.

I'm reading King's Cross by Timothy Keller right now. Two things have struck me so far. One is how the book of Mark and Keller's comments are reminding me of my complete selfishness. The other is the explanation of the Trinity, God's love, and my existence. I won't spend any time on my selfishness today.

The relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one that dwells in community and love... each glorifying the other with all His fullness. In Genesis, God the Father speaks the Word, and the Spirit moves. In the baptism of Christ, Jesus glorifies God the Father, the Father is pleased, and the Spirit ascends like a dove. Each is pouring glory on the other.

In the book, Keller explains that in order for God to be Love, which He claims to be, there must be relationship. If there is no Trinity, then there was no love before creation because love can only be demonstrated through relationship. I found that to be an interesting point. I'm sure people could debate it, but it struck me as thought-provoking.

Love is giving. The Father gives glory to Jesus. Jesus gives glory to the Father. The Spirit gives glory to Jesus. You get it. The perfection of community that exists in the Trinity is possible because of Love.

What does this have to do with my existence?

Maybe when God created man, it wasn't to bring glory to Himself, but to be able to give love to man. Our responsibility then, to complete this community, is to give glory to God, but His purpose is to give love and glory to us. That's community. That's love. This understanding of community and responsibility helps me view God so differently.

God wants to lavish me with his love. In my upbringing, it was always about "do this" and "don't do that." This pleases God. But God isn't waiting around to be pleased. He's actively loving me regardless of what I do. This doesn't leave me blameless. In order for me to experience the fullness of this communion with God, I in turn must glorify Him with all that is in me. I must love Him back. Relationship cannot be one-sided. My love for God does not determine His love for me. His love for me is unrelenting. But when I choose someone/something else besides God to receive my love, I am not experiencing the full communion with God that He intended for me to have. I am only robbing myself when I choose to put my love somewhere else.

I exist because God wants to share His love with me. That is powerful.

Mindset

I worked really hard this year to have perfect attendance. At my work, we receive a $100 bonus at the end of the school year if you don't miss a day. An extra $100 is GREAT to start my summer because I do a lot of traveling to see family. I mean, who doesn't want $100!

Around the last month of school, I started having some pain, and I finally made a doctor's appointment, but for after the last day of school so I could get the bonus. The last 3 days of work, I was in such pain, that I was laid out in the teacher's lounge writing my year-end summaries. My boss said I could go home. She even said the check was already cut, so it didn't matter. But I stayed. I managed. That wasn't me being a stand-up worker, by the way; that was me not wanting to have to come back after the school year ended.

Anyway, my doctor ended up being sick, causing me to go to urgent care instead; then I had to get the prescription. No one has it ... not Target, not Walgreens, not CVS, not Rite Aid. The pharmacist at Target ends up calling the doctor to see if there is something else I can take. The newly chosen drug is given to me.

In the end, the urgent care co-pay was $40. The prescription cost $60. For about 15 seconds, I was annoyed. I spent all year working for that extra $100, and BOOM... there it went, all in a day.

But then, something else struck me as I sat waiting by the Target pharmacy. I began to be thankful. I was thankful that I was able to get to a doctor. I could go to a pharmacist. I could get medical help. And, I actually had the money to pay for what I needed. The thoughts were all a gift from God because I'm not someone who's overly thankful. My mom always said when I get to heaven I'll complain because there's nothing to complain about. But that day, in Target, God showed me that I truly have been given so much. It's all perspective. It's all mindset.

How Do You Teach The Good Samaritan?

The story of The Good Samaritan teaches us that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. It's a great and important message. It's the 2nd most important command. Jesus told the lawyer to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and then to love your neighbor as yourself.

So, Jesus was telling the lawyer just needed to be good and be kind to his neighbor? Sure, Jesus taught that message, but that wasn't the purpose of the story. In Luke 10, the lawyer comes to Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells the man of the two laws that must be obeyed. The man, knowing he had not obeyed the second law, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" because he wanted to be justified by the law. He was hoping to find his salvation in his good works, but he knew he had not been good enough. He had failed to obey the second law.

The main reason Jesus told the story was not to show that we are to love our neighbor. Jesus was showing the lawyer his sinful state. He was exposing him to his depravity. Jesus was saying, "You are a sinner, and you need me. You cannot perfectly follow the law. If you were sinless, you would have eternal life."

We get caught up in the commands of the Bible. We strive to do and live righteously. We work and work, but we forget the most important part: we are sinners who need Jesus. We are depraved and have a need for salvation to be reconciled to God. Our focus is turned on ourselves, our failures, or our good works. It is important for us to turn our eyes to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He should be the focus of The Good Samaritan. The story should remind us that we are sinners incapable of saving ourselves. We need Jesus Christ.

Philosophy of Christian Education

Education is good and important, but education is not the answer for spiritual transformation in students. Thus, Christian education is more than just knowledge. I would go further to say that Christian education is more than just a moral setting. Many parents place their students in a Christian school because it is considered a safe environment physically, spiritually, and mentally. In response, Christian educators are often caught up in the moralities and knowledge desired by Christian families. What we miss is the importance of the work of the Holy Spirit both in the transformation of lives and the growth of wisdom in our children. The Holy Spirit is above education. Knowledge is commendable, but it will not breed spirituality.

We cannot be the Holy Spirit, but we can be instruments of Him.

As a Christian educator, my goals include the following for my students:

1. The fear of the Lord (This is the beginning of wisdom)

2. To know God (not just know ABOUT Him)

3. Receive and communicate the Gospel effectively

4. To display the existence of God

5. Use knowledge and education as a way to worship and honor God

1. The fear of the Lord - I want my students to understand that God is the omnipotent Creator of the universe. He is to be revered and respected. We are the creation, not the creator. When we understand that---whether children or adults---we view the cosmos in a different way.

2. To know God - I want my students to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. We can know what God has done, but to call Him Lord and Savior, and to commune with Jesus---oh, what transforming power that will have.

3. Receive and communicate the Gospel effectively - Within a Christian school setting, we have the open opportunity to clearly explain the Gospel to students, as well as demonstrate its power. The Gospel is not just for the "unsaved." The Gospel should be the foundation for each educator and each student. Live the Gospel and share the Gospel.

4. To display the existence of God - Our purpose as believers is to bring honor and glory to God. Knowledge and order are a reflection of the Almighty.

5. Use knowledge and education as a way to worship and honor God - I do not want my students to earn a grade. I want my students to grow and learn. I am constantly reminding them that school is about the process, not the product. This carries over into spiritual lives. We are not trying to make cookie cutter Christians who look good on a shelf. I want my students to go through processes of failure and success that build them into better students. As students learn the processes of learning, we share and learn from our struggles and mistakes. When students are successful, they give honor to God. I tell them their final product is a gift to God. A gift that is only possible because first God led them through the process. Thus, God gets the honor and glory in their successful work, and in turn, they lay it before the Savior as thanks. What a way to worship our Savior---through education.

If I want to be successful, I too have to know my life is a process not a product. Christian education is not about morality, but it is about spiritual growth. I will fail and struggle, but I will give the honor to God for what comes to me in my classroom and in my life. I must daily rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to give me strength and wisdom as I am His instrument.

Kristi

My dear, sweet friend, Kristi is currently teaching at an International Christian school in Vienna, Austria. She has an amazing testimony, a beautiful spirit, a mighty God, and wonderful talent.

Listen to her here.

Follow her story here.

Worship Leads to Obedience

I try. I try. I try. I fail. I fail. I fail. I am perplexed by the whole concept of obedience. I am supposed to obey, but God also knows I'm sinful and will fail. My efforts to obey lead me to be frustrated and focused on my failure and inability. I'm told to rely on the Holy Spirit, but I don't quite understand how that works.

The key, then, is that I need not focus on obedience. What?! How could I? Obedience is so important! Yesterday, someone said to me, "It's impossible to obey all the time." When we have that attitude, again, we're already defeated. We're focusing on our flesh and weakness.

Turn the focus. Focus on the amazing power of Christ. Learn of who God is. Meditate and worship the greatness of our Lord. As we fill our souls, our lives, with WHO God is, we stand in awe. The more you see God for who He is, the more natural obedience will become. Obedience will flow as a response to God's holiness. The Holy Spirit moves us that way.

But the truth is, sometimes I don't want to stand in awe of God. I want to try to obey so that I can be excused when I fail. I want to focus on me.

I must learn to worship before I can obey.

failure's not flattering

This month I have volunteered to teach the 4-5 year old class during the church hour. I thought, "Hey, I'm a teacher. I can do this." This past Sunday was my first class. It was horrible. I had no control; I had no idea how to keep the kids' attention, nor a clue on how to get them to listen, obey, and/or be nice. It was highly stressful.

It was humbling. I failed. I hate failure. Failure is humiliating; it makes me look foolish.

But, I have decided that God's plan was for me to fail. He knew I'd fail. Well, He knew I'd see it as failure. I couldn't do it. I'll still be in there for the next three weeks. However, I now realize a few things. First, I really need to pray for God's help. Second, it doesn't have to go perfectly. Finally, I have to remember to do it for God and not so that I can pat myself on the back to tell myself how awesome I am.

failure's not flattering, but neither is pride. i needed the faceplant.

today in my christian classroom

As a teacher, I'm tired of students turning in work that's messy, lazy, and absolutely not a true portrayal of their knowledge and ability. No matter how many times I repeat, "Do your best. Go over your answers. Check your work. Make sure you didn't skip any questions," at least one---and usually more---student fails to adhere to my advice.

My students had their first test over two-digit multiplication. I was nervous for them. I knew they had the ability in them, but so many were constantly making careless errors in their daily practice. I decided to present them with a new point of view.

"When your parents buy you something to make, what's the first thing you do when you are done creating it?" I asked them. I then demonstrated for them. I held my two hands up in front of me, as if to hold some new little creation: "Look what I did! I made this for you!" The students smiled and agreed that's exactly what they would do.

I told them, "God has given you the gift of learning. When you take a test, when you do a homework assignment, when you complete classwork, I want you to think of it in that same way. I want you to say, Lord, look what I can do! Look what I'm doing for You!"

I want my students to see schoolwork as an opportunity to worship God. They are fulfilling a purpose much higher than completion... a purpose much more important than a grade. They are laying before their God the works they have done in His honor.

The students turned in their tests, and I eagerly graded them. I have 15 students. There were 14 A's and 1 B.

I believe the Lord will say to them, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."

Misinterpretation

This last week in Bible, I was teaching my 4th grade students about the miracles Jesus had performed. The Bible curriculum categorizes the miracles into four groups. Power over Satan, Death, Nature, and Disease. I had the students draw a picture of a miracle Jesus performed in each of these four categories.
As I roamed the room looking at their interpretations, I took a second glance at this particular picture.

I apparently did not enunciate.

In My Head Today ...

"I pray and pray and pray, but I just can't overcome this sin!" Yeah, I've said that a billion times. Today on my way to work, I was listening to the Reconstruction message by Andy Stanley in his Character Under Construction series. He said something like, "I've never heard someone say they just prayed and the sin problem went away."

He went on to explain that prayer is a great tool, but it's not the cure for sin. He explains it much more clearly than I could ever retell, but I'm just trying to get my thoughts out to remind myself.

He said, the truth will set you free. The Bible is truth. Just as Christ used Scripture deny temptation, so should we. We have to renew our minds. Yeah, I know---What the heck does that even mean?

Stanley said when we're tempted, we often say, "Well, I know I shouldn't..." but suggested we instead say, "It is written..." Seriously, if I was quoting Scripture to myself in the midst of temptation, I'd probably avoid a lot of mistakes. But the bottom line is that I don't. I absolutely say, "Well, I know I shouldn't, but..." and justify my sin. We tell ourselves all kinds of lies.

The whole series has been good, but this message really pricked my heart. I'm not going to overcome sin by praying, or by listening to more sermons. It's the renewing of my mind with truth that will set me free. I've got to stop lying to myself.

You can listen to the sermons here.

and it's been a while

Some big things on my mind that I've picked up from recent sermons:

1. I rely too much on sermons and church for my spiritual welfare. While these are good additions, my personal walk with Jesus is dependent solely on my relationship with Him. I need to personally develop that relationship through my own seeking, studying, conversing, and worshiping.

2. When I go to God's Word, I'm always looking to see what I can find to help myself. Instead, I should be going to God's Word looking to see God. My focus needs adjustment.

Peace

I love the moments in life when I comprehend there is a bigger picture. I feel content. God is on His throne, and I am in His hands. My circumstances have not changed, but my spirit hears and understands pieces of God---enough pieces to realize this puzzle is not mine to solve.

I have been given this gift of life. He has poured out on me His gift of love. I am His vessel. I am not the purpose; He is. Through me, His work is done.

Matt Chandler: Colossians (Part 12) Grace Driven Effort

I am using my blog to take notes of this sermon because I'm getting so much out of it.

1. Colossians 3: 5-8

These verses begin by telling us to put off things like fornication and covetousness. It is easy for us to say we do not do these things. We see ourselves as "safe" because these sins are not on our list; but we ignore verse 8 which says, "But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth."

It's easy for me to judge those involved in what I consider "grievous" sins, but I do not judge my own heart for the anger, the malicious thoughts, and the evil speaking. Shame on me.

2. Chandler spoke of pitting "sin versus sin." I was unsure of where he was going with it until he gave an exampe. He generalized a situation for both men and women.

Men: The sin is lust. He takes it on with gladiator strength and claims his own victory, thus reveling in a new sin: self righteousness.

Women: The sin is worry and anxiety. She begins to control and manipulate to fight against these sins, only to be faced with these new sins.

This was very powerful to me because I am in a constant cycle of fighting one sin with another sin, even in this specific area of control and manipulation along with worry and anxiety.

3. Many of us tend to think if we perform things on a checklist, we have "clout." We have spiritually arrived.

I know I struggle with this mindset as well because I was raised to do do do, but never really taught how to apply grace in my life. I never learned how to cultivate a relationship, whether with God or with people.

God doesn't love me because I obey the law. He loves me because of the blood of Christ.

These are your grace-given weapons against the residual affects of sin in our lives:

• We fight sin with the blood of Christ.
• We fight sin with the Word of God.
• We fight sin with the promises of the new covenant. Hebrews 9:15

I don't run from God, I run to God when I stumble and fall.

Grace driven effort uses these weapons.

The legalist uses his own vows and resolutions. He uses the law to try to conform himself to perfection: this has never worked for anyone.

***

Analogy: When a baby is learning to walk, he will usually first slide along some piece of furniture helping himself balance. When he takes those first few steps and falls, no parent says, "What an idiot!" No, instead, there is joy and celebration, not over the fall, but over the few steps that took place before the fall.

These things are shadows of a deeper reality. God rejoices over those steps in our lives. The focus isn't on the fall. We show our immaturity when we fall, and then hang our head in shame, feeling God now wants nothing to do with us. No! This is when we should run to Him!

***

4. Grace driven effort attacks the roots and not just the branches. Pay attention to what's happening in the heart. The external action is a result of an internal idolatry.

***

5. Grace driven effort fights against sin that has grieved the God of the universe, NOT "I have sinned so I feel bad about myself."

***

This is something I need to put focus on in my life. I put the focus on myself rather than on God.

***

Paul says there is a different between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow leads to death, godly sorrow leads to repentance.

***

6. Grace driven effort is violent! Our new holy nature hates the residual effects of sin. Grace driven effort wants to MURDER sin. Mortify the flesh: wicked thoughts and ambitions both seen and unseen.

***

Just because it's not on the outside, doesn't mean it's not there.

***

We often don't want to put sin to death. We want to control it. We train it and keep it hidden. Then we can run to it when we are upset, rather than running to the God of the universe.

Happy Birthday, America

I am thankful to God that I live in America. The other day, I was driving my little Kia Spectra down the road, and I began to contemplate how fortunate I am. Truly, I am rich. What? Yes! I drive a Spectra and I'm rich. My mind wandered to the people of Haiti, to the people in so many parts of the world who have no financial means. They have no government support. People across the globe suffer daily in immense ways that I will never know.

I do not think God loves me more than those who live in these other countries. I will never understand why I am given this gift of freedom and opportunity. I am sitting inside my room in the air condition, using my laptop and watching the 2010 MLB All-Star Selection Show. I just returned from church where we met together to worship our Lord. These opportunities I take for granted. I have turned them into rights.

This gift of freedom that I have. This gift of American government, it's just that: gifts. There may be a time when these things are taken from me. What then? Will I still see God for Who He is? Or will I become bitter that I do not have the things I desire to have.

Living in America is something I am thankful for, but I must also remember to put my hope and trust in Jesus Christ, my God, and not the material things or human protection He has given me. My hope is in You, Lord.

Today, I praise God for America. Happy 4th of July. May we celebrate our citizenship today, and always. May we also celebrate our citizenship in the kingdom of God, today and always.

Closer to God

There's something about flying that makes me feel closer to God. Hmmm, maybe it's because I'm in the heavens. No, that's not it. Then what is it?

First, I'm almost always by myself. Being alone in a place where people are departing from loved ones or reuniting with friends puts me in this little bubble of isolation in the midst of tears and laughter. My mind wanders and longs to be waited for. That leads me to the feet of God, where He's always waiting for me ... or walking toward me, rather. To know His love is beyond words. And for whatever reason, I feel God's love in airports.

The view of earth from thousands of feet up in the air also points my thoughts toward God. He is so big and earth is so small. His creation is so amazing; it's tiny and insignificant in the realm of the universe, but He's given each of us such great significance. It's mind-boggling. Every time I look out the window of an airplane, I think of God, of creation, of myself, of how all this fits together. I don't pretend to understand it. Sometimes it makes me smile. There are times these thoughts make me cry.

These aren't deep thoughts. They are just my thoughts. The thoughts I have when flying.

Accepting Painful Words and Letting Go of Expectations

In a world where we are taught to serve ourselves, it is difficult to explain the philosophy of Jesus Christ both to those who believe and to those who do not. My goal for the end of this school year has been to help the students understand how to think like Jesus, and how to live like Him. This means putting others first. It means not reacting when we are offended. It means showing love to our enemies.

Kids generally love Jesus and believe. But when you explain specific situations where we are to pray blessing upon those who curse us, and do good to them who do wrong to us ... it's so much harder for them to act upon.

Thing is, that's not just true for kids. It's true for me, too. As I've been teaching the students to put away malice, deceit, envy, hypocrisy, and evil speaking, I have told them I need this just as much. But the truth is, I didn't really have anything specific in mind. I just know the philosophy should be part of my life.

So then last night, my friend asked if I was going to call my mom for Mother's Day. I said, "Probably, but I really don't want to." We talked back and forth about it, and this was the bottom line: it's important for me to show love regardless of the response. The Gospel and the love of Christ should be my motivation---not expectations.

Hmmm, just as I've been teaching to my students. Oh look, self, time to put away hypocrisy.

It was hard for me to hear the words he was saying. Why? Well, because I don't want to do it! I don't want the responsibility of taking the love of Christ to my family! It's too hard. How shameful. That is my purpose--to glorify God, and I am saying, "NO!" The no comes so easily because I'm set in my thought process of expectations. I expect my parents should act a certain way toward me, and they do not.

Lord, help me to let go of these expectations and hold on to your love and strength.

Let This Mind Be in You

I've designated my 25-30 minute morning drive to work as time to listen to preaching. I justified the purchase of my iPod back in December by telling myself it would profit me as a person. And it has. I asked friends for names of speakers they listen to, and I picked up some of my own.

My podcasts include some of the following preachers:

1. Andy Stanley
2. Mark Dever
3. Francis Chan
4. Tim Keller
5. Matt Chandler
6. Mark Driscoll

Don't run away just because Driscoll is on that list! :) I don't agree with everything every preacher does or says, but that doesn't make everything they say completely nullified.

The one I've been listening to the most lately is Tim Keller, mostly because his sermons just recently became available on iTunes. I have been trying to read his book, The Reason for God, but I've struggled to get into it. After listening to a few of his sermons, I have a better feel for him as a speaker/author, so I'll have to get back into the book soon.

Tim Keller hit a list of things that really struck me as amazing and helpful. As I googled, I found these things seem to be the theme of his book, Counterfeit Gods, so perhaps I'll have to grab that book. In one of his sermons---actually, he mentions this in a couple---he talked about four things that people base their lives on. These are the four things:

Comfort
Approval
Control
Power

For most people, these are the driving forces in every area of our lives. He pointed out that Jesus relinquished all of these things to be our Sacrifice. Keller also mentioned the opposite spectrum of these things. I cannot remember his words, but I will guess they were similar to this list:

discomfort
disapproval
lack of control
weakness

Keller's point was this: We should not seek either list, nor do we deny either list. That was ground-breaking for me. I would think that in order to shun the first list, you'd have to seek the second. Keller said not to deny the first list, but to be suspect of those things. He said, don't seek the second list, but _____ them. I can't remember the word he used, and I wish I could because it was so fitting. I can't retell it the way he explained, but it was along the idea of being okay with these things when they happen, knowing glory goes to God in all things.

In most decisions I make, I seek comfort, approval, power, and definitely control. I struggle to relinquish those things in my life. I feel like I was taught to reach for discomfort and disapproval to gain a godly life, but this isn't true either.

Lord, whatever place I find myself, may I be suspect of my reasoning for the good things I seek, and understanding of the difficult things that cross my path.

Teaching myself as I teach 9-10 year olds

"Love your enemies."

"Bless them that curse you."

"Do good to them that hate you."

If someone steals your stuff, give him the stuff he didn't steal.
If someone slaps you, turn the other cheek.

We need to act, not react. Our actions should not be determined by someone else's actions.

I quoted to my students. Then I said to them, "It's easy to read your Bible, sing a song, and go to church." I held up my Bible: "But this is the Jesus you are saying you want to follow."

Man, I was talking to myself there. The students were in shock. They know the Jesus that forgives, but they do not know the Jesus who expects us to put ourselves last. I sometimes wonder if I even know that Jesus. Don't I have rights? Don't I deserve something?

I told them, when we are faced with these situations... we need to see them as opportunities to bring God glory and not as situations where we are being offended.

Tough. It's tough. Holy Spirit, help me.