sunrise at Biscayne National Park, FL
As we return to school on Monday, January 5th, we all have amazing hopes of making a difference, making an impact and being an ambassador for our Lord. As public school educators, we understand the implications of our seeming limitations, but rejoice in the freedoms of "being" Christian. For the start of 2015, I am going to do an 11 week study on the book of Esther because it is a beautiful reminder of our high calling. Of course the most famous verse of all is from Esther 4:14 - "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" It is without a doubt in my mind that you have been called to your educational setting for such a time as this.
The Book of Esther - Part 1
The Book of Esther never mentions God’s name, yet God is clearly orchestrating all its events. This fact is important to the public school classroom because too often God’s name is not mentioned in our ever-increasing “God-free” zones, but He is clearly orchestrating the events of the Christian educators on every campus in America. Prayer groups are being formed and petitions are being made to the Great Provider for wisdom and grace in our educational system. As Christian educators, it is our firm conviction that we can make a profound impact in the lives of our students by the grace of our God Who is wonderful beyond description. One of my favorite verses is Dan. 4:2 - “It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.” I believe that the Book of Esther holds the key to miraculous occurrences in the public schools.
"There are two ways to live your life - one is though nothing is a miracle, the other is though everything is a miracle." -Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Occurrences do not have to be supernatural to be miracles. By recognizing the magnitude of wondrous miracles, our lives can be dramatically improved. There were no supernatural miracles in the Book of Esther, yet every wondrous event points to God's invisible Hand. The special characteristic or attribute of seeing God in everyday life is the lesson of Purim (the Book of Esther). In Persia, there were no BIG miracles. The natural was used. There are no coincidences - only God-incidences! We need to see God's Hand in our everyday lives even when His name is not mentioned.
For the next eleven weeks, I hope you will join me in this study through the Book of Esther. I reread the whole book this morning (it's only 10 chapters!) and even recorded it in my own voice for reflection. It is a powerful story that can be shared as literature, history, drama and suspense. I designed a presentation for students that models how the Jews celebrated Purim in the synagogue. It’s fun, it’s noisy and I will share more in the last study of this series. What a blessing to share this journey through the only book in Bible that does not mention God’s name, but stamps His hand print throughout.
“Miracles become daily events in the life of the obedient. Life is not a schedule of defeats, but a parade of miracles.” Mike Murdock
For you homework, please read Chapter 1 of the Book of Esther for next week!
As always, I am
Prayerfully yours,
"There are two ways to live your life - one is though nothing is a miracle, the other is though everything is a miracle." -Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Occurrences do not have to be supernatural to be miracles. By recognizing the magnitude of wondrous miracles, our lives can be dramatically improved. There were no supernatural miracles in the Book of Esther, yet every wondrous event points to God's invisible Hand. The special characteristic or attribute of seeing God in everyday life is the lesson of Purim (the Book of Esther). In Persia, there were no BIG miracles. The natural was used. There are no coincidences - only God-incidences! We need to see God's Hand in our everyday lives even when His name is not mentioned.
For the next eleven weeks, I hope you will join me in this study through the Book of Esther. I reread the whole book this morning (it's only 10 chapters!) and even recorded it in my own voice for reflection. It is a powerful story that can be shared as literature, history, drama and suspense. I designed a presentation for students that models how the Jews celebrated Purim in the synagogue. It’s fun, it’s noisy and I will share more in the last study of this series. What a blessing to share this journey through the only book in Bible that does not mention God’s name, but stamps His hand print throughout.
“Miracles become daily events in the life of the obedient. Life is not a schedule of defeats, but a parade of miracles.” Mike Murdock
For you homework, please read Chapter 1 of the Book of Esther for next week!
As always, I am
Prayerfully yours,
K
PS. Don’t forget to spread the word about the 1:16PM Prayer Movement and Around the Word in 180 Days:
• Go to www.one16pray.com and www.aw180days.com for more information.
• Visit, "like", and add comments the 1:16PM Facebook page and the Around the World in 180 days Facebook page.
• Sign up for text message prayer prompts from Remind 101
• Follow us on Twitter for the prayer prompts @one16pray
May God bless you with success His way this 2014-2015 school year.
Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.
Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools. CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.
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