The Law of 5

John Maxwell's most recent book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, teaches about the Law of Consistency.  Within that specific section of his fabulous book, he talks about The Law of 5.  He poses a question, and I will pose that same question to you, because it will help us focus on our specific areas of growth.

Every day if you take an axe and strike a tree five times each time, what will eventually happen?  The answer is obvious.  Our areas for growth are the same way.  If we spend a little time, every day, focusing on those key areas of growth, we'll grow.  That's taking growth and making it intentional, thereby becoming the man/woman God designed us to become.  

Patience. An Uncommon Virtue Today.

Microwaves.  Self-checkouts.  24-hour convenient stores.  Credit cards.  "Get Rich Quick" schemes.  New Year's resolution diets/workouts.

All of these I listed above have many things in common, but at the top of it all is a lack of patience.  In our culture, we want "stuff" now... not to mention it has to be extremely fast or else we'll get irritated.  At least, many times, that describes me.  In fact, the lack of patience results in an irrational decision-making process.  I skip all of the steps in between to get to what I want.  Isn't life about making sound decisions?  The Bible says, God have us Power, Love, and a Sound Mind... so then why is it that we often make decisions that don't reflect the love of Jesus and the sound mind he gave us?  It's a lack of patience.  I don't mean patience in the sense of, "I'm waiting on the LORD," and you NEVER do anything or act on His Word.  I'm referring to patience when it comes to making hasty decisions without counting the cost and facing tough times.

A powerful quote says, "Patience knows that one definition of maturity is learning to delay pleasure."  Yes, delaying pleasure can be extremely difficult in a culture we live in today.  Absolutely.  However, that's the perfect opportunity to work our discipline and diligence in the face of adverse situations.  I love the analogy of gold, and it's process.  Consider you and I to be gold, and if we have patience, our patience is golden.  Gold is formed from heat, pure gold that is.  It doesn't start off pure though.  Isn't that just like us?  We go through life, or as I've heard before - life happens.  Impurities settle in, we make unpleasing decisions, we sin, we live unholy, etc.  Well, to purify gold, the goldsmith stokes the fire to bring the gold to a boil.  And as the gold boils, the impurities rise to the top.  In 2013, God wants us to know that we're fire proof, but we have to go through the HEAT!  The goldsmith skims off the junk, or the mess as we would call it in our lives, until he can see himself - his reflection.  I believe that's what God does.  When we have patience, and when we obediently submit to His perfect will, we go through the fire.  Doesn't that sound familiar?  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  God will sift the junk in our lives until He can look at us and see His reflection.  That requires patience.  Do people see Jesus in you?  Has your patience dwindled in life?  This is an opportunity for you and I to build up our patience - but remember, that means we sometimes have to face some tough and challenging times.  Like Paul's attitude when he said, "it's but a light affliction," I'm reminded by the LORD that He's made us fireproof!  I'm going through the fire!  Thank you Jesus!  

Standards

What are standards?  What are norms?  What are high expectations?  I believe the answer to these questions are all focused on one theme - intentionally building culture.  Think about who has standards in the world... athletes in sports, the government, higher education, and of course, the church.  Not everyone is going to like standards.  Not everyone is going to accept or even buy into the standards, but that's what makes a culture standout with it's own unique proposition.  The question is, will you stand by those standards?  The options are you either buy into them or you don't join the movement nor embrace the culture.  Either is fine as long as it's aligned to the will of God for you.  Before I continue, think about this: what must first change in order to realize desired results; in other words, who must change before there is any growth to occur?  The answer is simple; it's YOU.  We must first change ourselves, within ourselves, in order to experience the victories we desire in life.  If we rub up against a standard the "wrong way," is it because it's not part of God's will for our lives or is it because we are experiencing the need, and need I remind you of the inevitable need, for change?  We have to know the answer to that question.  Let me give you an example.

A standard at my previous church was to sit out 90 days if we staggered in our walk with God and were living an unholy life (with the assumption of membership and serving in any ministry of the church).  I don't want to expound on what it means to be unholy, so let's assume unholy is not living according to the Word of God, consider the issue.  This standards really sets a tone with the churches' culture.  It sets a high expectation of serving in the ministry correlated with being a witness for all who come to the church, especially for the unbelievers and/or newcomers.  It's not meant to be punitive, although with the wrong attitude it can surely be taken that way.  The second part of it is the development of self.  That part of the standard says that if you're a part of the culture at this church then you're doing whatever it takes to be the best that God has called you to be.  In turn, if someone has to sit out 90 days before serving again, the purpose is to rebuild the greatest need - to be right with God!  It's all about relationship.  The mindset is if you're right with Jesus and in His perfect will, then anything you put your hands to will prosper including the culture of the church according to its standards.  

Therefore, develop a good attitude about standards and set standards for your family, for you team, for your classroom, for your relationships.  It's whole intention is to build a culture that promotes self growth and most importantly fosters an upright relationship with Jesus and the calling He has on your life!      

Be Reflective!

Reflection is challenging, but an essential component of growth.  In fact, it is absolutely critical that it becomes a part of who we are as professionals, especially in the realm of education.  Albert Einstein so eloquently puts it, “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”  And I might add this, growth is intentional and it’s reflective through practice with a disposition of this: I have a passion to get better, not for my sake, but for the sake of the lives of those at stake!  In other words, it’s not necessarily about us, but rather it’s about those whom we serve.  Who are those whom you serve?  Reflection on our own effectiveness as a mentor is not just a thought, it must be a habit.  

What's In Us?

Sacrificial lamb.  In John 1, John just finished explaining who will come after him and his ministry.  He tells us plainly that He who comes after him will baptize us with the Holy Ghost.  The very next day, John recognizes Him!  He says in verse 36, "...looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, behold the Lamb of God!"  Jesus's symbolism is shown in the Old Testament when the Israelites were instructed to sacrifice and kill their most prized and precious lamb (an atonement) right before Moses led them out of Egypt.  And with the blood of that lamb, Moses's instructions were to have them smear it along the door in order to save them from death.  God was delivering the Israelites through the ministry of deliverance in Moses.  Not only were they to smear the blood along the door, but they were given order to consume the entire lamb... a lamb of the highest quality, a lamb without major defects, a lamb that was their most expensive.  How many of you know of a greater Lamb?!  Praise God!  That's a good place to say, amen.  Next, to consume means to do away with something completely; to use up.  Consume, in essence, is amalgamated into this: taking in the whole of something.  Well, that's exactly what God has called us to do.  To consume Him.  Every bit of Him.  Consume His Spirit, His Word, His Will.  Consuming is not left up to subjection, it's clear to us.  After something is consumed, what's left?  Absolutely nothing, otherwise it hasn't been consumed.  The other key is the "in" part.  Romans 8:10, "...And if Christ be in you..." Romans 8:11, "...the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you..."  Jesus is very much alive and He requires to be living in us.  Therefore, we must consume Him.    

How does this relate to teaching?  Well, ask yourself, what's in me?  I know I do, daily.  What am I consuming?  Simply stated, what's in me will come out of me.  Think about eating habits.  Don't let your mind go there with the previous sentences...  After I consume a few cookies, 2..5..10... I recognize this unhealthy act and immediately feel its effects.  Then I try to cover it up by eating "perfect" the remainder of the day or week.  That's not what God has called us to do.  It's the same thing in our lives.  I can't sin and then make it up by consuming the righteousness and the goodness of God.  It's not an act of doing more obedience than disobedience on a weighing scale.  Sin draws us away from God.  It's separation from God.  God tells us to walk not of the flesh but of the Spirit.  That's not easy; however, Paul reminds us that we're really at our strongest point when we're weak.  Why?  Because we submit our will to God's will.  It's God who is all-powerful.  God equips us, fills us, and provides for us.  We need to be obedient vehicles of His Word.  God gives us His power.  He enables the disabled.

So, what are you consuming?  Is it aligned with the Word of God?  God says He is greater in us than he that is in the world, but if we're not consuming Him, how can He really be in us?  What is in you will come out of you.  Consume the blameless, spotless, blemish-free Lamb of God - Jesus.  When you're in front of students, what's coming out of you?  Is it pride, envy, slander, etc?  Or is it love, joy, and the other fruits of the Spirit?

My God.

"There's nothing My God cannot do."  Let's be real honest with ourselves, do we believe that?  Without any sliver of doubt, without any reservation, without any hesitation - do we believe that?

I think first we need to address the pronoun in this statement.  It's a bold statement, no doubt about it, but it's a statement that takes complete ownership.  My is a possessive pronoun that signifies something we possess.  In fact, Webster's Dictionary defines my: "of or relating to me or myself especially as possessor, agent, object of an action, or familiar person."  So, by saying my what we're actually saying is that God, to us, is Someone we possess (inside), Someone who is familiar (regular conversations with), and Someone we can relate to (He lived like we live).  Before delving into this profound pronoun, my, and the connection to who God is and if we really believe this statement that we so freely use, it's denoting that we focus on the latter part first.

"... God cannot do."  My pastor always asked the same question when the bible mentioned, everything or everyone.  Pastor would ask, "what's left after everything or everyone?"  Per usual, our response in unison was, "nothing."  Well, in the same sense what is implied if there's nothing God cannot do?  It's simple.  God can do all things (Matthew 19:26).  All things, let it resonate.  God can heal you.  God can make you whole.  God can bless you in your finances, in your marriage, in your relationships, and He can give you favor.  He is a God who gives exceedingly abundantly above which we are able to ask or think to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3).  I'm partial though.  The truth of the matter is this: we don't seek, or should I say, we shouldn't seek God for what we can get from Him.  Rather, we should seek God for who He IS (Matthew 6:33).

By the way, who is He?  Now, let's go back to the dissection of my.  To preface, we know Philippians 4:13 all too well.  However, let's search for a deeper revelation.  God show us something deep here.  The New King James Version says it this way, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." There's that absolute word again! All!  Pause.  God can do all things, but now why does it say I... isn't I human?  And who is Christ?  He's the Messiah! He's Jesus!  Tye Tribbett's new releasing album is entitled, "Greater Than."  So, 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, "... know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own."  And, 1 John 4 tells us that "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."  On our own humanly accord, we cannot do all things.  But if we have God in us, than we can do all things.  How?  Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.  Not by any works of our own, besides seeking the kingdom of God.  Here's the connection, our God who can do all things, who lives in us, called the Holy Ghost, is JESUS.  By the Faith in Jesus, and with the power of His Spirit living in us, we can do all things!  Connect it back up to my now.  My is Someone we possess (inside - Holy Ghost), Someone who is familiar (regular conversations with - we pray to One God - Jesus), and Someone we can relate to (He lived like we live - Jesus on earth).  This Someone, singular, is whom Isaiah 9:6 informs us of this with prophetic words.  Here's Isaiah: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  Isn't it amazing that the name above all names, where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, is Jesus Christ?  Absolutely.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray that if we truly believe you live in us and gave us your power than surely we can do all things through you, LORD.  God, than surely we can believe and say, "there's nothing my God cannot do."  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.        

Check-in

The sky is dark-gray and the head lights of oncoming vehicles inform me that my students aren't up yet.  During the 40-minute drive just before the crack of dawn, I turn on my windshield wipers on to clear the moisture built up from the prior evening.  It brings me back to my vision and the symbolism speaks volumes of how I must refocus and make my vision plain and clear and keep it at the forefront of my mind DAILY.  After singing worship music and praying the in Spirit behind the wheel, I enter into the world of HOPE High School, my new home... a place that has a real sense of urgency in the achievement race and a setting that truly demonstrates a team and a family.  With a smile on my face, as I stand in front of my 29 9th graders, I just thank God for the position He has placed me in.  Let the journey begin!

Monetary Gifts to TFA!

Jesus said it is better to give than it is to receive... here I'm referencing a financial blessing to the amazing organization, TEACH FOR AMERICA, who has jump started my career into the educational world!  Thank you TFA!  


TFA alumni - Donate and help secure an additional $53,000 through the challenge grant!


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Vision, yet again...

Acts 26:19 - "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision."  The only way to be obedient to the heavenly vision is to give our utmost for God's highest, and this can only be done by continually and resolutely recalling the vision.  "Though it tarry, wait for it."  We cannot attain to a vision, we must live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself.  I never want to get to the point of getting so practical that I forget the vision and become so distant from the taste of it from the very beginning of when it was born.  Missing the fulfillment of my vision is a disloyalty to God.  So, it is essential to practice the walk of the feet in the light of the vision.  Every footstep.  Every sixty minutes in each hour.  Every sixty seconds in each minute. 

Will you choose to be GREAT?

‎"Leaving a great legacy is not a skill-set, it is a mindset. The mindset of CHOOSING TO BE GREAT!  When you choose to be GREAT you think less about the reason why not and and you think more about the plan for HOW.  When you truly believe that you'll be GREAT you'll think less about what you don't have and you'll think more about what you must create.  When you truly believe that you will NOT FAIL then you think less about your weaknesses and you think more about what skills you need to learn and develop. When you choose to be GREAT you concern yourself less with your successes and you think more about what you can do to help others succeed." 
- Jeremy Beard '95 LA

What Role Will You Play?

In May of 2007, during my BC (Before Corps) days I would have answered the questions something like this: "I plan to become the best teacher I can be and close the achievement gap for two years and then earn my Master's in Business."

Now, February 18th, 2011 I inspirationally respond to the question from a very different point of view.  "I am the role I will play, and the role is who I am.  My life as I know it, first and foremost, is dedicated to God.  So, now I have a vision for what the rest of my life will consist of and the passion that drives me is not just my role, but it's who I am.  I can't wake up one morning and convince myself I don't want to do this anymore because then I'm not true to myself.  It's ultimately why I am designed the way I am... therefore, I don't have a choice, but again I don't need one.  I have a purpose in this life to be an educational leader and the achievement gap is my antagonist.  I am inspired and at the same time I truly replicate Geoffrey Canada's perspective when he says, 'I thought we would go down fighting for the cause.  But now I'm thinking that we could really win!  Right?!  Because this is like... this is like a new thing!' Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith and the faith He's given me is the ability to realize that, "One day every child will have his or her own right to attain an excellence education," and I'm just a soldier on the battle field living in this war and fighting for the cause!" 

If I could create a Venn Diagram it would have adjectives such as selfish, self-centered and resume-booster on one side.  On the contrary, I would have passionate, visionary and faith contrasting.  In the center, ONLY BY PURPOSEFUL CHANCE, I would have "leader."  See, what I realize is that our purpose will one day see itself through in our lives as long as we are true to ourselves and to God.  So, I propose to you all... what role will you play and how have you defined that role?

Next Level

This transcends all sectors and includes any type of career you're in: as a leader each "next level" you attain requires more COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, and TENACITY.

The more you develop as a leader and go to the next level, the fewer the leaders will be in that new level you're at.  The reason is because commitment, dedication, and tenacity MUST increase as you go up.  Are you willing to rise up with more commitment, with more dedication, and with more tenacity than you have now?  The answer to this question will reflect your success as a leader.

Everyone Needs Someone

I think one of the most effective ways that costs absolutely nothing, but is extremely invaluable, is to believe in someone 100% of the time no matter the circumstance, the odds stacked against them, or what critics may say.  This released hope is one of the best ways to EMPOWER someone else when they receive that genuine belief.  Sometimes even family isn't the one to give you that hope or belief that you can make it... so, moving forward I'm making a commitment from now on to be that individual who unconditionally believes in others especially when no one else does.  That's true empowerment!

Alarming Gap in Wisconsin Education

A staggering fact about Racine Unified School District... With over 21,000 students (6 high schools consuming about 1/3 of those students), only 20 African Americans took the ACT exam with only 1 scoring over a 22.  Contrary to that, the state of Wisconsin contributes to the second highest ACT scores in the nation next to only Minnesota.  That's apartheid!

Vision

In order to be a leader, a great leader at that, one must have a vision.  Without a vision how will you guide and lead your students towards high expectations and academic achievement?  What is your definition of a vision?  When I think about a vision I want to get an exemplar example or the perfect model... just like I would in the classroom, provide an exemplar model.  So, automatically what comes to my mind when I ponder the meaning of leadership and a vision I am immediately drawn to Jesus.  Jesus had a vision, in this sense not a supernatural appearance, but rather an ultimate goal and foundation for His purpose in life.  His vision was given by God.  How did He lead people?  Did He ever deter from His vision?  Did Jesus ever comprise his character, integrity, and supernatural ability to please someone else?  Did Jesus hold true to His vision and bring many from out of darkness and into the light?  I've had only two postings... one from LaToya (thanks!) and one from myself :(.  I need more intelligent minds to come together and share their thoughts, ideas, opinions in order to create a successful discussion and conversation.

Crossing Borders...

Where do we draw the line, as educators, for students with a lack of what should be arguably already instilled "mannerisms?"  For example, I can recount numerous times where I had to directly teach several students how to act appropriately in public, how to speak to an individual of authority and adults, how to properly introduce oneself with a handshake, and even how to sit in the classroom... Needless to say, either I am justifiably compulsive with management in the classroom, or many of our students lack the ability to carry out "basic" functions in society!  Please, fill me in on this subject and enlighten me with what can be proposed to fix this dilemma, is it the teachers responsibility or the parents job?  Are we crossing over borders "illegally" so to speak when we correct and train students with what we, as educators, deem "appropriate behaviors."  One could justify that teachers have the right away because, "after all, they're teachers!"  But I counter that by testing this statement with what teachers find acceptable and unacceptable.  I've witnessed many varying opinions with teachers when it comes to, say, what our students can or cannot say in the classroom.  Curse words may be acceptable with Mr. A, but to Mrs. Z it might mean a week long detention!  Or what about uniformed schools who require students to tuck in their shirts, but many teachers fail to remain consistent with formal discipline by not enforcing it till the end or at all?

What path do we travel?

Yesterday was day one of the freshman boys basketball tryouts.  Unfortunately, it is accurate to say, and nearly expected every where, that there are many struggling learners in urban areas - hence the blog entitled, "Educational Inequity."  It's not the fact that athletes are "incompetent," or live up to the title of being "jocks," but it seems in many cases that these academically-struggling students thrive for a sense of belonging and a feeling of adequacy, similarly an outlet to be able to showcase what they are "good" at outside the four walls of the classroom setting.  A fellow coach and I discussed a rather interesting observation... What paths do these students, who are longing for acceptance and have a mindset of never-ending unsuccessful opportunities, travel upon once they are "cut" from tryouts and when self-profecy kicks in and they fail to succeed once again?  Is there still hope and a chance from these students to connect with someone who can guide them and point them in the right direction?  Or do these students inevitably follow along the path of destruction (self and societal)?  Considering this is the high school level and age group where there are high drop-out rates as well as very few graduates who attend a rigorous 4-year university.  What are your thoughts, opinions, expertise, or questions regarding this topic?