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Dear God

Much of life is a long, difficult, steep and winding slog, to be honest. Or that’s how it seems at the moment – really, there’s very little success, and it’s a case of one hesitant step forward and two devastating steps back. All of the time. Thank You then for your presence with me during all the difficult times, even when I can’t sense or see you, and perhaps especially then. And thank You for the promise that one day You will bring all of us out of our difficult journeys and into a wide and spacious place where we will truly be with You. Thank You.

COPY OF AN ORIGINAL

What fears do you face in life? The fear of losing the rat race of human existence… The fear of not having enough money to pay the mortgage… The fear of being made to look like a fool because an idea or an invention did not work out the way you planned. The fear of succumbing to death or losing a loved one… The fear of being judged and ridiculed by others because of the way you act.

Fear comes in all shapes and sizes, but fits everyone of us the same way. It is a roadblock to success and it usually comes at a time when we are happiest in life. Fear makes us lose track of the things that are most important to us… Fear makes everything seem bigger than it really is… It perpetrates the victim, and forces anguish and torment to be…

From a parent to a child, from a husband and wife, in tennis, from Romeo and Juliet, from the end of a letter, to British ‘friendly form of address,’ the word ‘love’ is shown and is all around us.

But in today’s world the word ‘love’ has seemed to become deluded.

However, 1 John 4: 7-21 is all about God’s love. God’s love is different than the love of shoes or the love a boyfriend or girlfriend. His love is more than the love of a parent. It isn’t just affection or endearment.

Adriana Cecchi / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

“This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son…

At the end of the school year a few weeks ago brought about the end of one role at my school and the beginning of another. As of now I will no longer be teaching the classroom, but will be assuming an administrative role, as Dean of Students. This means my outlook will change and broaden. As I assume this role, new questions begin to mount. None of those questions is more foundational then my philosophy of discipline. So, then, what is my philosophy of discipline?

I saw a teacher recently who expressed excitement towards my filling this new role at our school. Not really knowing how to take feelings like this I rather brushed off this compliment internally. Then, this teacher gave advice concerning my new role. “Consistency and toughness. Tough, right?” I responded with something like a long pause, followed by, “Yeah…we’ll see.” I’m not sure they liked…