Welcome to this blog. In today’s superficial and often deceptive world we all need positive, encouraging truth to guide us, train us, and assure us. I find that truth in God and I try to pass it on. As a father and high school teacher I have had the opportunity to listen to, empathize with, advise, and challenge my children and my students. The following notes capture some of those interactions. Hopefully they benefit you also.

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

199 Celebrate God

199 Celebrate God

A few days ago I attended a special school board meeting where fellow teachers and staff across our district were recognized for twenty or more years of service and for being teachers or support staff of the year at their school sites. It was the first time I have...

198 Discover Joy

198 Discover Joy

Every once in a while my high school students ask me what kind of parties I attended in high school and college. I explain that the parties I attended are probably different than they expect. I had a lot of good, clean fun with friends laughing, cooking, baking,...

197 Change at the Cross

197 Change at the Cross

For one of his high school classes my son has been reading a book which touches on various eastern religions and philosophies of life. At home we've been discussing how these ideas compare and contrast with Christianity. The key difference is that with every man-made...

196 Accept Uncertainty

196 Accept Uncertainty

If you have followed this blog/podcast you know that I have been concerned about the advancement of socialism in the United States, government overreach, human rights abuses, a worsening economy, censorship of the truth, and intensifying opposition to Christians and...

195 Step Closer

195 Step Closer

This week during my Easter break from teaching high school, my wife and I are visiting one of our daughters who is attending college in Utah. Yesterday we enjoyed a beautiful mountain hike which meandered through the forest and occasionally opened up to grand...

194 Be the First

194 Be the First

This week at school we celebrated a quarterly Community Day where we shorten classes and use the extra time at the end of the school day to host a party. Everyone plays games and activities outside and we eat together. Community Day helps students and staff build...

193 Get a Glimpse

193 Get a Glimpse

The last few blog/podcasts I've produced have been related. They deal with remaining joyful and hopeful during difficulty because God is always at work saving, healing, and restoring broken people and our fallen world. In the future he will complete this redemptive...

192 Expect Greater Days

192 Expect Greater Days

This past week we started our last quarter of the school year where I teach. As an introduction to newly enrolled students and as a reminder to existing ones we go over school expectations. I also like to hear what students expect from me, their classes, and life...