An Acrostic Poem, Lighten Up!

The new school year 2012 - 2013 has begun at Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, Texas. Even after serving for 42 years as an educator, I still begin each new school year with fresh enthusiasm. I love teaching! I especially delight in introducing young eager minds to a love of words and how words can be knit together in a multitude of ways to express thoughts and feelings, relate events, and tell stories.

During these first few weeks of school, I have exposed my students to acrostic poetry, cinquain poetry, and haiku poetry. Students are writing about experiences and concepts with which they are acquainted. They are also writing about Salem's theme for the year, Lighten Up!, and preparing verses for the upcoming Veterans' Day celebration.





Below is an acrostic poem written on the SLS theme verse, Isaiah 60:1 -- "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Live in the light of Christ's love,
Inspiring others through
Generous giving of one's self and resources,
Happily
Thanking God for
Every blessing from His gracious hand,
Never
Under-estimating God's lavish
Providence and provision.

­­Purified by Adversity

Bible Verse:

Psalm 119:71 (ESV) – “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.”

Additional Bible Reading:

James 1:2-4 (ESV) – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Devotion:

Depression has typically been my first response to the fires of adversity. Unpleasant words and actions sear deeply into my soul leaving painful scars. Even when the flames of adversity roar about me, I know that God is still actively present, caring for me in all circumstances and allowing the upheaval in my life to accomplish a greater purpose. When I suffer the consequences of my own sinful choices, I know that God is lovingly permitting the winds of adversity to burn away my imperfections and supply a quality I lack so that I can become spiritually mature, purified for his purposes. As I renew my intimacy with God, I trust his promise to never leave me or forsake me.

Prayer:

Dear Father, when the fires of adversity cause upheaval in my life, strengthen my faith in your good purposes and renew my trust in your promises.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 Challenge:                          

Consider your own response to adversity. Does it draw you into greater intimacy with God?

Facing Adversity

Meditation:

Bible Verse:

Isaiah 55:8, 9 (ESV) – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Additional Bible Reading:

Romans 8:28

Devotion:

 In our fallen world, bad things happen to people who do good things. The Aurora, Colorado, movie theater tragedy of July 2012 is a riveting example of this truth. When sin came into the world, suffering accompanied it. Our own foolish choices cause heartache.  Satan plots to destroy our lives and our Christian testimony, attempting to render us useless for God’s purposes in this life. For those who place their trust in God, we know that every adversity that befalls us has been sent or allowed by God to achieve his good purposes. In his love for us, he has the power to take every adversity and use it to grow us in faith, transforming us into the image of Christ.

Prayer:

Dear Father, in the midst of adversity, strengthen my faith in your good purposes.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 Challenge:                          

Reflect upon a time of adversity in your past when God used it for his good purposes.

Tell Me a Story

Bible Verse:
Psalm 102:18 (ESV) – “Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.”

Additional Bible Reading:

Psalm 71:18, 19; Deuteronomy 32:7

Devotion:

­
Invariably, one of my six precious grandchildren will ask what life was like for me when I was a child. I treasure these moments, because they give me the opportunity to share with them God’s watch care throughout my life.­­­­­­­ To recount the mighty works of God with my grandchildren is a high priority for me, for it is a high priority for God. During these sacred moments of remembering how God has faithfully intervened in my life in the past and has kept his promises to me, faith in God is nurtured in my grandchildren and confidence for their future is strengthened. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. Psalm 77:11 (ESV)”

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for your faithfulness that endures to all generations, for your steadfast love that never ceases, and for your mercies that never come to an end. Help me convey these stories to others so that they may be connected more closely to you. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Challenge:                          

Share with a young person a personal story from your past that demonstrates God’s faithfulness to you.

Serving Christ in all Circumstances

Bible Verse:

Colossians 3:23, 24 (ESV) – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Additional Bible Readings:

Galatians 5:13

Devotion:

Throughout my mother’s life, serving others in the name of Jesus was her lifestyle. She has experienced personal joy meeting the needs of others through loving and encouraging words and deeds performed for God’s glory and honor. Even with a diagnosis of multi-focal dementia, I am confident that God will continue to use my mother as a vessel for His purposes and that his Spirit will be poured into her daily as a blessing to all who are touched by her life. Though her impact may no longer be as obvious or appear as fruitful, I trust that God will achieve his purposes and be glorified through her.

Even in our weakness, God can accomplish his mighty works through us.

Prayer:

Dear Father, let your Spirit work through me and provide me with all I need to serve you with a full heart all my life long.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Challenge:                          

Never allow your disability, weakness, or fears to discourage you from a willingness to be used by God for his glorious purposes.

When My Parent Ages

 

Bible Verse:

Proverbs 23:22 (ESV) – Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Additional Bible Reading:

Exodus 20:12 (ESV) – Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Devotion:

The doctor’s assessment read, “Global dementia, likely vascular dementia, cannot rule out concomitant Alzheimer’s type dementia.” The medical report confirmed our haunting suspicion as my siblings and I had begun to witness the gradual loss of cognitive function of our intelligent mother, who had earned a doctorate degree in education. The troublesome diagnosis thrust us on a formidable journey with a growing group as “the number of Americans living in the United States as caregivers to someone with Alzheimer’s or a different type of dementia is fifteen million,” according to Maria Carrillo, Ph.D., with the Alzheimer’s Association. God is allowing my siblings and me to assume new responsibilities in the care of our mother, and he will not forsake us.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I ask for your wisdom to make decisions for my parents that honor them and glorify you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Challenge:

Examine choices for your aging parent. Consult with professionals and Christian friends who can walk the difficult journey with you.

A New School Year Begins

As a new school year is about to begin, teachers, students, and parents are all busily preparing for a new term. Parents and students are shopping for school supplies and perhaps a new school wardrobe to accommodate the summer growth spurt. Teachers are busily studying the year’s curriculum, planning lessons, and decorating their classroom. Anxiety is rampant for each in different ways. Students are anxious about who their teacher is and if their teacher will “like” them; they worry about getting bullied by classmates. Teachers hope that their students will be respectful and attentive to instruction, that the relationships with their students’ parents will be beneficial to the learning process. Parents worry about their child’s teacher, the quality of instruction, and the classroom setting in which they hope their child will thrive. The following poem is from the perspective of a parent:

We held their hands the first day of school.
Our hearts were filled with pride.
There was an aura of fear and apprehension
As we stood close to their side.
We deposited our children at your door,
Our most precious and prized possessions.
We trusted that you would give them more
Then Reading and Writing lessons.
Our unspoken words were, give them self worth.
They are little children, respect their rights.
Teach them with love and remember compassion.
Use a firm hand to break up their fights.
As the years went by, you did us proud
With your guiding hand and understanding smile.
You gave much more than we expected.
That was your way, your undeniable style.
What higher tribute can we pay a teacher?
To what greater heights can he ascend?
Than to have his students praise his work,
And to say "He is my friend."
- Myrna Beth Lambert

This next poem, A Classroom, which I wrote, is a Noticing Poem that utilizes the refrain, I Know. A Noticing Poem focuses on sounds, smells, and words that use imagery so that the reader can picture something in his or her mind. As students, parents, and teachers all get ready to begin another school year, perhaps this Noticing Poem will help prepare you for that special first day.

I Know a Classroom... (sounds)
+ The quiet chatter of students conferring on a team project
+ The clicking of computer keys as students compose individual essays on their keyboards
+ The startling, piercing ring of the school bell announcing the end of class

I Know a Classroom... (smells)
+ The allergy-afflicting suffocation of airborne chalk dust
+ The gagging perspiration odors following afternoon recess
+ The heady intoxicating smell of permanent markers

I Know a Classroom... (words)
+ "Students, please take your seats."
+ "I forgot my homework."
+ "Great job, class."

I Know a Classroom...