When I
was covering a US History class at Leuzinger High School, I started walking in
the Spirit of God. I realized that I did not have to settle for the fears and
upsets which can so easily beset us.
was covering a US History class at Leuzinger High School, I started walking in
the Spirit of God. I realized that I did not have to settle for the fears and
upsets which can so easily beset us.
I was
learning that I do not listen to my feelings, but rather I listen to the word
of God, and I learn to walk in peace, that in no way did I have to live in fear
and worry about the next day, or the next period.
learning that I do not listen to my feelings, but rather I listen to the word
of God, and I learn to walk in peace, that in no way did I have to live in fear
and worry about the next day, or the next period.
When I
sensed that I was getting a little jittery, convinced that I was somehow
starting to slip away from God’s grace and power, I just began praying – Give
me more of Your Holy Spirit, give me more of your Holy Spirit.”
sensed that I was getting a little jittery, convinced that I was somehow
starting to slip away from God’s grace and power, I just began praying – Give
me more of Your Holy Spirit, give me more of your Holy Spirit.”
The
students came into the class, talking out loud, refusing to listen. No respect,
no honor for me, the substitute teacher. The student teacher, who had taught
during the previous two periods, told me to be prepared. The class was very
chatty as a rule, and the full-time teacher had a hard time keeping them in
line long enough to get them to quiet down.
students came into the class, talking out loud, refusing to listen. No respect,
no honor for me, the substitute teacher. The student teacher, who had taught
during the previous two periods, told me to be prepared. The class was very
chatty as a rule, and the full-time teacher had a hard time keeping them in
line long enough to get them to quiet down.
For the
first five minutes, I tried to get the students attention. I asked for their
attention three times, and three times I cold not get the students to be quiet.
first five minutes, I tried to get the students attention. I asked for their
attention three times, and three times I cold not get the students to be quiet.
I strode
over to the other side of the room, saying, “All right, let’s make a deal.”
Then one of the students blurted out, “Hey, Howie Mandel! Let’s make a deal.”
over to the other side of the room, saying, “All right, let’s make a deal.”
Then one of the students blurted out, “Hey, Howie Mandel! Let’s make a deal.”
I must
admit, having no hair on my head, with a slight five-o'clock shadow could lead
to a casting call for "America's Got Talent." At that point, I was in
no mood for the jokes.
admit, having no hair on my head, with a slight five-o'clock shadow could lead
to a casting call for "America's Got Talent." At that point, I was in
no mood for the jokes.
Then I
just snapped. “If you want to be a smart-ass, I’ll throw you out, and we can
forget the movie, instead you can just write an essay for the whole period!”
just snapped. “If you want to be a smart-ass, I’ll throw you out, and we can
forget the movie, instead you can just write an essay for the whole period!”
The
class got really quiet after that. Not a word was heard from the students.
class got really quiet after that. Not a word was heard from the students.
Because
I was filled with the Holy Spirit, I was not worried about consequences,
because I was filled with His righteousness, I did not hold back when I got
angry.
I was filled with the Holy Spirit, I was not worried about consequences,
because I was filled with His righteousness, I did not hold back when I got
angry.
When you
are established in righteousness, which we receive by the power of the Holy
Spirit, we can be righteously angry, and God cause your enemies to flee seven
ways.
are established in righteousness, which we receive by the power of the Holy
Spirit, we can be righteously angry, and God cause your enemies to flee seven
ways.
In most
public schools, the biggest enemy is reproach. Substitute teacher receive no
respect, and so they are placed in the double-bind of trying to establish
authority. The solution, though, is not to earn respect, for that is a
never-ending treadmill of failure. If you have to earn respect, then it’s not
respect which you are getting from the other person in the first place.
public schools, the biggest enemy is reproach. Substitute teacher receive no
respect, and so they are placed in the double-bind of trying to establish
authority. The solution, though, is not to earn respect, for that is a
never-ending treadmill of failure. If you have to earn respect, then it’s not
respect which you are getting from the other person in the first place.
Respect
is not something that I have to earn, but rather something that I have already
received, also something which I am called to keep receiving:
is not something that I have to earn, but rather something that I have already
received, also something which I am called to keep receiving:
(Romans 5: 17) – Righteousness is the highest respect that
we can receive, meaning that before God we are forever justified! When I was
praying for more of the Holy Spirit, in effect I was praying to receive more of
the gift of righteousness in my life!
we can receive, meaning that before God we are forever justified! When I was
praying for more of the Holy Spirit, in effect I was praying to receive more of
the gift of righteousness in my life!