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
181 Love to Be With You
A student emailed me this week to see how I was doing and to get my input on a song she is thinking about in reference to graduation. The song, "Happiest Year" by Jaymes Young speaks of the desire to go back in time to rekindle a relationship that's ended. Perhaps you...
180 Prioritize the Present
With the transition from one year's end to another year's beginning, it's beneficial to reflect on the past and project into the future. Although the past and future should guide your present perspective and actions, don't emphasize either one to the degree that it...
179 Live Worthily
At the end of our school term before Christmas break I assigned a final project in my Digital Art class. Students could choose the subject matter instead of following a prescribed theme. One of my students decided to paint a simplified scene of the Normandy landings...
178 Humbly Ask How
Merry Christmas! For the nearly 2.5 billion Christians in the world, today is a special day as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God the Son, who became a man, died on people's behalf, and rose again. Anyone who trusts and obeys him can be saved from spiritual...
177 Turn Around
I try to exercise every day for strength and health. Normally this is beneficial and I'm thankful I can do it. However, if I don't warm up, fail to use proper form, or overextend myself I can suffer injury. Thus physical training can be helpful or harmful depending on...
176 Expect Better
In a few days my daughter flies into town to visit for a few weeks during her winter break from college. I look forward to our family being together during Christmas. What are you looking forward to at Christmas? This season leading up to Christmas is known as advent...
175 Live Anew
My son runs on his high school cross-country team and they have had a fantastic season which culminated in winning the California state championship for division 2 schools. Woohoo! Over the past few months it has been special to see him and his team members develop as...
174 Give Yourself a Chance
A treat my family enjoys on special occasions is sparkling cider. At Thanksgiving we shared a few bottles during our large family dinner. As usual we drank them fairly quickly, but everyone got at least one glassful. When we passed a bottle for a second serving,...
173 Thank God
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. It's a time to gather with loved ones over a meal and reflect on God's providence as the pilgrim settlers of this country did with native Americans several centuries ago in 1621. Over the years people continued...
172 Burn Bright
In California we just stopped observing Daylight Savings Time by turning our clocks back one hour. Now the mornings are lighter, but the late afternoons darken quickly. In addition, the days are shortening as the night eclipses them in a march toward the winter...