Saturday, March 31, 2018

Day 40 of 40 Days of Intentional Joy



Day 40

We have reached the last of our 40 days of Intentional Joy to Easter Sunday.  Thank you so much for taking this journey with me. I am humbled by the whole experience and thank the Lord for His Word that guided each idea. I will end today with a commitment to His Word as an ultimate act of blessing in the classroom. As Christian educators in the public school, we are of this world, but not in the world. What unites us is our love for the Lord, prayer, and His Holy Word.  May His guidelines and principles create a classroom of intentional joy all year long.

A verse to ponder

1st Cor. 1:22-25

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

An intentional joy for the classroom (weekend)  

Do you have a Bible on your desk at school and at home? Are you in the Word daily? Mining the Bible for intentional acts of joy has been enlightening. To continue adding joy to your classroom or school setting throughout the year, go to the Word. Learn life lessons, model joy and fill your mind with the Lord’s principles through His Word daily. As the final act of intentional blessing for Lent, read the story of the Passover through the Resurrection. It’s our lifeblood. 


A focus of reflection

Is it legal to have a Bible on your desk at school? Of course! Is it legal for students to read their Bible during silent reading? Yes. Look in the Media Center – the Bible is in the 220 section! The only time we are unable to read the Word devotionally in school is when we are serving in our official capacity as educator. The Word as the foundation of our day and inspiration of our words is priceless. Stay grounded, inspired and uplifted by His joy throughout the Bible. May God bless you and your family this Resurrection Day and beyond.

Nothing can for sin atone, nothing but the blood of Jesus; naught of good that I have done – nothing but the blood of Jesus! (“Nothing But the Blood.” Words and music : Robert Lowry 1876.)




from Day 39

(Pray for your school community daily.)

Prayerfully yours,
K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.





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  

May God bless you with success His way this 2017-2018 school year.
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Friday, March 30, 2018

Day 39 - 40 Days of Intentional Joy



Day 39


The name Good Friday has always been a mystery. What could be good about such a terrible day for our Savior? How did it come to be called good? I researched a little about its origins and ironically, no one is really sure historically. However, theologically it is the ultimate act of intentional joy ever done.  Jesus gave himself for all of us that we may live. Unreal. 

A verse to ponder

John 10:14-15

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep."

An intentional blessing for the classroom  

Today is a very personal act of intentional joy for you as an educator. On this solemn day of remembrance, find time to be in prayer specifically for your students, your teammates, your fellow workers, your administrators and your school community. Ask God to protect them and to give them a sense of their high calling also. Praying on their behalf may be the best intentional act of joy you can give. 


A focus of reflection

Have you seen your high calling as an educator? Have you grasped the importance of your impact? God has placed you in this year’s particular setting to be His hands, ears, eyes and mouth. Your every word and deed are noticed. Seek His help in prayer each day to do His will and to be a blessing to the students and colleagues you touch. May God bless you with His saving love this Good Friday.



from Day 38

(Mother Teresa's poem - Do It Anyway)

Prayerfully yours,
K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.




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  

May God bless you with success His way this 2017-2018 school year.
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Thursday, March 29, 2018

Day 38 - 40 Days of Intentional Joy



Day 38


When something seems unfair we are often quick to condemn. It’s not our job to judge, but the ability to criticize comes too quickly at times. We don’t know the whole story and it’s God’s job anyway.  One of the greatest gifts I’ve been able to give students when I do a Pay It Forward presentation is Mother Teresa’s “Do It Anyway” poem.  She has a gift for helping us take what is wrong and to turn it around for good.

A verse to ponder

Prov. 3:27

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

An intentional joy for the classroom  

Encourage your students to always give their best no matter what. One of the best poems in the world for this act of joy is Mother Teresa’s “Do It Anyway.” Below are the words to the poem for you if you care to read it to your students. It’s powerful when read aloud.

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. 
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true friends.
Be successful anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world your best anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.


A focus of reflection

Is it legal to read Mother Teresa’s poem in classroom? Of course, if you are reading the poem in the context of character development or as part of the history of what she did as a missionary. It is also quit timely as a part of Women’s History month! Our goal is always to promote goodness to our students and among our students. Her poem releases almost all settings of human injustices that can be forgiven. Thank God we have such a great Savior.


from Day 37

(Good manners begin with the word please in any language.)
Made with Tagged

Prayerfully yours,
K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.




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  

May God bless you with success His way this 2017-2018 school year.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Day 37 - 40 Days of Intentional Joy



Day 37


On Holy Wednesday, we are drawn to the way Jesus treats others. If there was ever anyone who could teach us good manners or how to interact with others, Jesus led the way. Do your students have good manners? Is it our place to teach them how to interact with others?  Manners need to be taught at home, but as we are increasingly noticing the lack of respect, it a necessity to be a model of good manners ourselves to impact our students. They may not remember everything we have taught them, but they will remember how we treated them.

A verse to ponder

Ps. 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.


An intentional joy for the classroom  

How can you teach good manners in the classroom? Be a model! Go out of your way to address your students by their name, listen carefully to what they have to say and don’t interrupt them when they are speaking. Use lots of please and thank yous everyday and and let them go first when entering or exiting the classroom. An emphasis on good manners by doing is a far greater lesson than talking about manners. May our good manners be a reflection for our students and great joy.

A focus of reflection

Is it legal to teach good manners? Of course! None of us are hired to teach manners, but all of us are hired to understand professional ethics. Doing the right thing all the time and treating others as we would like to be treated is an expectation of all teachers. How are your manners? Do they promote a sense of intentional joy in your classroom? We can always use a little brush-up course. May God give you the wisdom and ability to treat your students with dignity and joy.


from Day 36

(What kind of Bright Ideas will your students come up with?)


 Prayerfully yours,
K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.




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  

May God bless you with success His way this 2017-2018 school year.



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Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Day 36 - 40 Days of Intentional Joy



Day 36


On Holy Tuesday we continue our preparation to celebrate the resurrection. God gave it all for us through His Son, the Light of the World. Everything He did was above and beyond the call of duty and designed for our benefit. We are admonished to be the light to others around us as His ambassadors, His children of light. 

A verse to ponder

John 12:36

Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light. When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

An intentional joy for the classroom  

Plan a way to encourage “Bright Ideas” in your classroom. Perhaps it can be a parking lot system of stickies pasted to the wall or a formal writing time for students to explain what bright ideas they have come up with to improve their school, home or community. Getting those creative juices flowing for students and colleagues helps us to begin even more intentional joy. Start a “Bright Ideas” recognition movement in your classroom to give students the opportunity to take ideas to action.


A focus of reflection

Is it legal to have a “Bright Ideas” movement in your classroom? Of course! Ideas are one of the creative proofs that God has made us in His image. An idea that just remains a thought has no power until it is put into writing and then into action. Teaching children to dream big fuels their creative energies to good and reminds us of how important it is to treasure each other’s thoughts. When was the last time you wrote down your big ideas? Praise God for His generous gift of creativity. 


from Day 35

(Service Learning is good of everyone.)


Prayerfully yours,
K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.




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  

May God bless you with success His way this 2017-2018 school year.
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Monday, March 26, 2018

Day 35 - 40 Days of Intentional Joy


Day 35

Holy Week began yesterday with Palm Sunday. Today is called Holy Monday. Have you been watching “The Bible” on the History Channel? It’s so amazing to see the directors attempt to visualize the stories of Jesus. Sometimes I wish I could have lived then just to see Him in action. This is Easter break for many students and teachers, so for the last six days of Intentional Joy in the Classroom while we have a little extra time, we will look at larger, long-term changes in our classrooms to be more Jesus-like in our walk.

A verse to ponder

John 12: 1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,  “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.  “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.


An intentional joy for the classroom  

Jesus came to serve. Do our students understand serving others? Is it important to help them see the bigger picture of life?  Service learning is the best way to help children and adults understand the world around them. Look for a global or local project to support with your class. Sign up to be actively involved. Some of the best memories of school are when we help others. When students of all ages can see that there are others in much greater need than themselves and that they can play a part in helping, we open up the world of service to them. There is no telling whom we will inspire on to greater acts of service. 


A focus of reflection

Is it legal to promote service in the classroom? Of course! Some of the greatest teachers are those who lift their students’ hearts and minds beyond the classroom walls. One of our Teachers of the Year has been most inspirational because she always has her high school students become part of a cause. Some have included monetary acts of fund-raising to support a bead program in Africa where girls learn to make their own money by producing jewelry. Other programs have included building wells and raising cattle. Let us help our students have a heart for the poor.


from Day 34

(Giving a little time and/or gifts to our widows.) 

Prayerfully yours,
K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.




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  

May God bless you with success His way this 2017-2018 school year.
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Saturday, March 24, 2018

Day 34 - 40 Days of Intentional Joy




Day 34

(for the weekend)


We have reached the last weekend before Easter! Holy Week is this week and the preparation for the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ will be much more obvious. Many churches will hang banners welcoming visitors to Easter Sunday services and celebrations of reenactments of Passion Week will be available. The History Channel will air the penultimate episode of the Bible. Ironically, those who have lost loved ones often suffer during holidays. Let's set our sights on those in mourning.

A verse to ponder

Matt. 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

An intentional blessing for the family (weekend) 

On this final weekend before Easter Sunday, be intentional about blessing a widow, widower or someone who has recently lost a loved one. Pick up some flowers, perhaps an Easter Lily, or a wind chime, or other simple gift and make a visit. Seek to just bless and be a joy to let them know they are not alone. If they haven’t been to an Easter Sunday service in a long time, why not invite them?

A focus of reflection

Have you thought about any of the widows in your neighborhood? We have more recent widows than normal and though I pray for them often, I have not actually done anything to comfort them. Do you know any one who has recently lost someone? The initial days after death are often filled with visitors and calls, but a year later is much more difficult. My prayer is that you find someone and bring them joy.  May God bless those who mourn with comfort today because of you.


 from 33

(Having books at home encourages generational reading.)
Prayerfully yours,
K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.




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  

May God bless you with success His way this 2017-2018 school year.
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