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

060 Venture in Love

060 Venture in Love

On Wednesday my teenage daughter hid a thoughtful note in my lunch. She also made one for my wife and my son. Here are a couple of those cards' covers which she drew and what she wrote to me. "Dad, I know you’ve loved me as long as I’ve lived, but I’ve loved you my...

059 Give Your Utmost for His Highest

059 Give Your Utmost for His Highest

Have you been relying on God? If not I encourage you to stay dependent on him. For his power is made perfect in your weakness. Stay focused on growing. For you will need strength to face the future. God wants to draw you close so you can experience all that he wants...

058 Give More, Take Less

058 Give More, Take Less

Last night one of my son’s teeth came out. He wrote a thoughtful note to the tooth fairy. “Dear Tooth fairy,It's been a long time since I've lost a tooth and I only have 3 baby teeth left, so tonight I wish you a very good sleep and thank you for all the time you have...

056 Embrace Opportunities

056 Embrace Opportunities

This week we started our fourth quarter at school. This year has moved along quickly, hasn't it? Several students graduated early at the end of last term, but we added two dozen more this term. In a couple of weeks I hope to wrap up another edition of the yearbook and...

055 Follow God’s Lead

055 Follow God’s Lead

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I'm part Irish and have always appreciated the many contributions they have made to society in education, machine inventions, color photography, splitting the atom, and most importantly (drum roll), milk chocolate :-). Patrick wasn't Irish,...

054 Look Up

054 Look Up

I just wanted to check in to see how things are going. Last weekend we took my daughter to a birthday camping celebration for her friend at Big Sur. Although Highway 1 is still closed due to a landslide there is a back way through Fort Hunter Liggett which is longer,...

053 Make the Most of Opportunities

053 Make the Most of Opportunities

Today a man I admire died. Billy Graham was 99 and his health was deteriorating, so it wasn’t unexpected. I know he is with the Lord now and there is no better place to be. I honor him for giving of himself to God and others. None of us know how many days God has...

052 Soar on Wings Like Eagles

052 Soar on Wings Like Eagles

So today's the big game. Are you planning to watch the Super Bowl? It's incredible how many people do. I enjoy watching football when I get a chance. This year the all American sport is played by very American sounding teams--the Patriots and the Eagles. I think a big...