BB Hall, Mrs. Speights, Mr. Houston

I am just like you and can fondly recall the names of teachers that impacted my life tremendously.

It was evident teaching was their passion. They believed in me and taught me to reach for the stars. I saw integrity, compassion, high standards and drive. They raised the bar on me and I rose to meet it.

Mrs. Onstead

Mrs. Runavic

B.B. Hall

Mr. Houston

Mrs. Speights

I’m sorry to admit that there are some whose names escape me, but I can recall what they looked like and how they poured into me.

I have dear friends and family members who are currently in the teaching profession. They go to work each day and teach with integrity, compassion, high standards and drive. They are exemplary at turning resources that are lacking into a learning wonderland. They spend their own money to be sure the kids have food over the weekend, a warm coat for winter and daily necessities we take for granted. They teach under pressure from the government, pressure from parents, and pressure from the public.

They are amazing.

There’s nothing like listening to a child tell a story. I stopped in on a principle friend today. As I stepped into the outer office I was a spectator to such a story as a young boy told her all about things that were most important to him. She listened attentively. She nodded. She encouraged. She answered. She stopped what she was doing long enough to hear him out.

She is a world changer.

TV Land has launched another program that fills me with anger. It’s called “Teachers.”  Just as “Impastor” creators find it humorous to drag a respected profession through the trash, they have grabbed a hold of the teaching profession and tossed them into a cesspool. It is described as a program following 6 elementary teachers as they try to mold the minds of America’s youth even though they do not have their own lives together at all.

One review states the only thing that is missing is diversity as “This otherwise funny show, which debuts Wednesday night, follows six female teachers who comically corrupt their impressionable elementary-aged students with ill-conceived choices and actions.”

And I have waited for the outrage.

This program is a Viacom production. Pay attention parents- Viacom’s media networks, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, TV Land, SPIKE, T?3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA, reach approximately 700 million television subscribers worldwide.

When you plant your kids in front of TV Land or Nick Jr. or Nickelodeon for entertainment, you should remind yourself of Viacom’s agenda.

Let’s talk about TV Land. Isn’t that the home of our beloved Andy Griffith, Gilligan’s Island, Leave It to Beaver and Father Knows Best reruns? Wasn’t there a time we considered TV Land a “safe” alternative?

It’s the home of Impastor.

It’s the home of Teachers.

TVSeriesfinale.com states “TV Land is the programming destination featuring the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s. Consisting of original programming, acquisitions and a digital portfolio, TV Land is now seen in over 98 million U.S. Homes.”

98 million American homes tune in to TV Land. I just wonder… I really wonder…what would happen if we refused to consume the sewage they place before us? What would happen if we wrote letters and boycotted their money source? What would happen if we were finally outraged over things that matter most? What would happen if we quit laughing at disgraceful dialogue?

Better yet, what would happen if we picked up the remote and turned off the one-eyed monster? What would happen if we would put our smart phones down long enough to see what they are destroying? What would happen if we read to the kids, played with the kids, and actually had conversation with the kids?

What would happen if we returned respect to our pastors and teachers?

The biggest question of all—what would happen if we returned honor and respect to The One who created and loves us?

And you know what? Let’s get outraged.

There is a Savior

Twelve people.

Four states.

A few are friends.

Two are cousins.

Most have never met.

They all meet for the first time as the twelve in an airport.

Twelve people.

Four states.

And now they are pilgrims.

Who can take strangers and in a very short time cause them to be friends?

Who can gather twelve people…from four states... and create a family?

Who can know that laughter and tears between the twelve will lead to trust? 

Jesus can.

I’ve had the extreme honor the past week of walking where Jesus walked. I, as a part of the twelve, have had the privilege of looking out over the Sea of Galilee, hearing scripture read as I took in the sight of the pools of Bethesda, walking through the Kidron Valley, and of standing on the very pavement where Jesus carried the cross. I gazed at Golgotha and stepped into a tomb and found it empty.

Who can tell a blind man to rinse in the pools of Siloam and gain sight?

Who can heal a woman as she simply touches the hem of His garment?

Who can tell a raging sea to be still?

Who can love the world so deeply as to be The One to announce “It is finished”?

Jesus can.

More than 2,000 years ago Jesus chose twelve men.

Jesus and His 12 men shared everything together for three years.

Jesus walked with them after His death and resurrection and gave them the power to tell the world there is a Savior.

My new family, along with our new friend from this land, experienced a lot while we were together.

And we’ve got news that we must tell the world.

There is a Savior.

Who can look at all people individually and collectively at the same time?

Who can take our sins and remove them, tossing them as far as the East is from the West?

Who can heal and give hope?

Jesus can.

Twelve pilgrims.

All going our separate ways too soon.

But we are not the same. We have experienced Jesus together. 

And He has given us everything we need to tell the world---THERE IS A SAVIOR!

Tranquility and Peace

The people are everywhere. We pass each other and I nod my head in a "hello" sorta way. The nod is returned, along with a smile. My eyes are round and blue. Some have eyes that are mere slits. Others look back at me with oval, brown eyes. But the smiles.

The smiles are the same.

Our skin is not the same color. Some are onyx black, deep and beautiful. Others are hues of olive tones, earthy and rich. I scan the crowds and see white skin too. Milky white like me. Our skin is not all the same color.

But the smiles are the same.

 I hear music. The tune is familiar but I do not understand the words as the olive skinned people sing. My lips hardly move and slight whispers escape; I sing along.

The trees are full of birds of every feather yet it seems they all sing the same song. I am free to walk the grounds and nod at strangers. I am free to take pictures of the thousands of flowers lining the walkway and filling the gardens. The flowers, every color in the palette, rest in beds of green. The sun turns its face towards them and the dew glimmers like diamonds on velvet. Their beauty is surpassed only by their fragrance.   

I have traveled half way around the world for this walk. For this day. I found my place on a large rock on a hillside. The breeze blows past my face. I close my eyes and feel the warmth of the sun kiss my forehead.

There is a lake nestled at the bottom of the mountain. Looking out, I watch the water as waves gently lap the shore. Tranquility.  Beauty.

I have been here before. This is my fourth visit in 30 years. I am comfortable on "my" rock. The crystal blue sky meets the sparkling sapphire water; there is perfect peace.

I am free to cry. Free to exhale and weep with no fear of judgment.

I am free to rest. Free to put pain aside, forget stress, and simply rest.

I am free to dream. Free to envision all that is possible.

I am free to trust. Free to cast doubt over the side of the mountain, tumbling into the sea below.

In my heart, I hear blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called children of God.

This place is the Mount of the Beatitudes. The water nearby is the Sea of Galilee. Pilgrims from all over the world travel by the hundreds of thousands each year to walk where Jesus walked. They come here to sing hymns. They are here to meditate. Their Bibles are opened to study the words Jesus spoke, words we know as The Sermon on the Mount.

There's something amazing about feeling an incredibly safe aloneness while surrounded by many.  In that safe aloneness I am content. What a glorious feeling! Contentment.

I have to wonder as I walk toward my car. The brown eyes, blue and green. The black skin, olive and white. The smiles that are all the same. Do all the people behind the smiles feel the same freedom here that is mine?