In writing I have tried to be genuine, humble, and open to listening and learning from God. I also try to put the advice into practice by God’s grace and power. As a reader I hope you approach these notes the same way. I pray they bless you and inspire you to become all God has designed for you to be and to do for his glory. He believes in you and wants the best for you. So do I. The most valuable gift I can give is to build you and others up and to help you draw near to God through Jesus. In time I hope God becomes your closest friend, your brightest future, and your deepest love.
Your friend and teacher,
Greenelsh
124 Understand the Times
In the United States of America it's been 400 years since pilgrims settled in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. Our country has experienced many changes over these centuries. The changes that support our constitution have been helpful and those that don't have been...
123 Submit and Thrive
I am blessed to live in the United States of America. However, along with the many great things about our country it also has many problems. If we don't turn to God for solutions I believe they will continue to worsen. Some of our problems stem from our independence....
122 Cling Under Pressure
I didn't sleep well so I am writing this in the middle of the night. Oppressive late summer heat has turned our home into an oven. That mixed with unhealthy air quality from the smoke of continued wildfires has strapped the last few days with a subliminal sense of...
121 Keep Going
This school year while we are distance learning online, many of our high school students haven't met staff members who are not a part of their daily classes. So to help our students get acquainted with them, the student leadership team has started interviewing staff...
120 Touch
Yesterday I was reminded of how hard this pandemic has been on our elderly. We already know they are at a higher risk of dying from the virus, but even for those who don't become infected the impact of the virus is still detrimental. On social media a friend of a mine...
119 Listen and Be Heard
My wife and I manage the mobile home park where we live. Since I am usually busy teaching high school she carries out most of the day-to-day responsibilities. I just pitch in when needed. Last week one of the tenants called to rant, complain, and make demands. Most of...
118 Join the Family
Yesterday my 15-year old niece, who has been a part of our family since she was born, was officially adopted by my brother and sister-in-law. It was a momentous court proceeding conducted online due to the pandemic. Family and friends were welcome to join the virtual...
117 Humbly Return Home
Each day this week has been enveloped by a thick, white smoke from two dozen fires blazing throughout California. Two days ago our county had the worse air quality in the world and temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The dry summer season and hot winds fuel the...
116 Cultivate Wonder
During this pandemic it's good to get out whenever you can. Find simple, safe ways to break up your routine. Today is a beautiful summer day, so I rode my bike to the beach. Riding gives me a different perspective than driving. The slower pace offers sensations...
115 Cut Loose
If you are like me you are probably wondering when COVID-19 will become less threatening, when businesses and schools will reopen in person, or when government will better serve all of its constituents. Times of uncertainty should cause us to re-evaluate our...