The Nations
In the Mornings

Yesterday, as I walked in my neighborhood, I noticed this sign in one of my neighbor’s yard. I don’t know this neighbor. I don’t know there religious beliefs but I thought, “Man, they understand the heart of God in this matter.” God’s heart is not just for America. God’s heart is for the nations. And as Christians, that should be our heart as well. The sign in my neighbor’s yard,...

Are You Willing to Stand?
In the Mornings

One year, Wake County Schools decided to have a weather makeup day on Good Friday. One of my students was indignant about the situation and said, “I’m not coming because I have to go to church!” “Are you Catholic?” I asked. “Because most Protestant churches have Friday night services.” “No, I just don’t think it’s right for them to have school on Good Friday,” he replied. “Then don’t lie about...

Peer Pressure
In the Mornings

Peer pressure – it effects more than teenagers. Saul was handsome. Tall. A mighty warrior. King of a nation. He had the ear of the lead prophet, Samuel. He had everything he needed to be successful. Yet he lost his kingship because he feared man. Saul conquered nations but could not conquer the voice in his head that said, “You are not good enough.” He stood bravely against mighty armies...

How Will You Respond?
In the Mornings

I’m thinking this morning about Judas and Jesus. Why did Jesus allow Judas to be in charge of the money if he were a thief? When it was discovered he was stealing, why not remove him from his duties? These questions are not meant to question Jesus’ competence but to understand His grace and mercy. Jesus knew Judas was thinking about betraying him, yet Jesus washed Judas’ feet signifying Judas...

When You Know Better…
In the Mornings

For my National Board Recertification, I had to video a teaching session. Yesterday as I was viewing it, I noticed two things that upset me. One, I have gained too much weight. But secondly and most importantly, I exhibited implicit bias in my class. Implicit bias is our unconscious stereotypes that affect our attitudes and behaviors. We ALL have them. I noticed when my African American students gave a correct...

No Time for Accussations
In the Mornings

No one likes to be accused. So when we are accused, we must tell our side of the story. We must defend ourselves. We stop what we are doing and we prepare our defense. We find scriptures and supporting articles as we make our case. Then we tell others our side of the story to convince them we are right. They will serve as jurors in this case of public...

Acceptance Brings Repentance
In the Mornings

Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector. Shunned by his countrymen. Rejected by those who knew him. But then, one day Jesus walked by and did the unthinkable. He invited himself over to Zacchaeus’ house not to lecture him, not to list his many malfeasance, not to condemn him, but simply to break bread. Those watching were indignant. How dare he eat with sinners? What kind of prophet would associate with...

Outside my Comfort Zone
In the Mornings

I live in a town where the median income is 98,000. I teach at a school where students take off a week to go on a Safari in Africa. I’m surrounded by excess. Yet God keeps whispering, “Remember the poor.” It is easy, when you are surrounded by worldly prosperity, to forget those around us who are in need. We can easily take the position, there are so many resources...

Life Hacks
In the Mornings

“My child has never had a B.” Countless parents have sat in my classroom with this complaint. Some cry. Some are angry. But they all want the same thing…for me to change my practices, so their child will not know the sting of what they perceive is rejection. This is the society we live in today. Disagreement is considered devaluing. An opposing opinion is considered betrayal. If anyone dares to...